Rocky's Schoolhouse Scoop
February 1, 2024
Principal's Message
Dear Fort Parents,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the start of the new year. I am thrilled to share with you some fantastic highlights from January and to provide important updates for the upcoming month of February.
January Highlights:
In January, our talented students in the band and chorus showcased their many talents for the community. Kudos to their hard work and dedication! It's heartening to see our students excel in the arts, and we look forward to more opportunities for them to shine in the future.
We experienced our initial virtual weather days, incorporating both asynchronous and synchronous learning. I commend our dedicated staff and students for their adaptability and commitment to sustaining the learning process despite challenging weather conditions.
February Excitement:
As we move into February, we have many exciting things to look forward to. Our students continue to make us proud, and I am confident that this month will bring even more achievements and positive experiences for our school community.
Kindly ensure you check for your child's report card. The reports will be sent electronically to the primary email account listed in Power School. We take pride in congratulating all our students who achieved Principal Honor Roll, Honor Roll, and Perfect Attendance! Keep up the excellent work!
Valentine's Day Celebration:
Our FSES Valentine's Day celebration is approaching, and students will be celebrating with a classroom party and a Valentine's exchange. Please note that Valentines exchanged should be food-free. There are many non-food alternatives for students to share, and we appreciate your cooperation. If students come to school with treats, unfortunately, they will be sent back home.
Thank you to the parents who have reached out for clarification. Your support is invaluable, and I understand that change can be challenging. Despite the adjustments, I assure you that students will still have a fun and enjoyable Valentine's Day celebration.
Weather Reminder:
A quick reminder about the fluctuating temperatures both indoors and outdoors. While the weather outside may vary, please help your student dress appropriately for both environments. With temperatures hovering around 70 degrees indoors and the added warmth from sunlight in classrooms, dressing in layers is recommended.
For outdoor recess, students will go outside when the temperature (and wind chill) is at least 32 degrees. Coats, hats, and gloves are necessary, so please ensure your student is well-prepared. If your student is missing any items, please let us know.
School Counselor Week: Let’s show Ms. Dressin & Ms. Peters some love this week! February 5-9 is National School Counseling Week. Send in a note or card to show them how thankful you are to have them as your school counselor.
Vision & Hearing Screener:
An announcement for our school community is that Vision and Hearing testing will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, with a retest date set for Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. Testing will include Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st grade, students who are "new" to the county this school year, and referrals. Please remind students to bring and wear their glasses on testing day.
As always, I appreciate your continued support and collaboration in making Fort Smallwood Elementary School a vibrant and enriching learning environment for our students.
Wishing you a wonderful February!
Warm regards,
Molly Courtien
Happy Black History Month!
We believe that celebrating Black History Month at The Fort is an opportunity for our students to learn, grow, and appreciate the beauty of diversity. By embracing and learning about different cultures, we hope to foster a sense of belonging and respect among our students.
Keep them coming! 🎉FSES Staff Shout OUTS! 🎉
We know our FSES staff is AMAZING- but we want to hear it from you! Please nominate staff members to be recognized on this form : HERE
School Counseling Week: February 5-9
National School Counseling Week is a week to celebrate all that our school counselors do for our students, and it’s also a great time to talk about how families can engage with their school counselors to best support their children.
What do school counselors do?
- Work in partnership with other staff to foster an educational environment where students can realize their full potential
- Help guide academic and career planning
- Work in partnership with parents/guardians as they encounter challenges
- Help reduce barriers to student success
- Focus on ways to enhance students’ social and personal development
What are the reasons I may want to contact my school counselor?
- Questions and support about college and career preparation
- School adjustment concerns
- Coping and problem solving concerns
- Peer relationships and conflict resolution
- Family changes such as divorce, loss, and death
- Substance abuse and mental health concerns
- Bullying intervention and prevention
- School-based and community resource referrals
♥️PTA Sweetheart Dance ♥️
You are cordially invited to attend the Ft. Smallwood PTA Sweetheart Dance! We hope you can join us for an evening of music, dancing, and fun.
When: Friday, 9 February
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Ft. Smallwood Elementary School
RSVP and find out more information: HERE
5th Grade Information Session !
Early Dismissal Requests
To help streamline our dismissal process and minimize disruptions to classroom instruction, we kindly request that all early dismissals be completed before 1:25 PM. This allows us to maintain a focused learning environment for our students and ensures their educational experience remains uninterrupted.
We understand that there may be exceptional circumstances that require an early dismissal, and we will always try to accommodate those situations. However, please communicate early dismissals to the front office before 1:25 PM.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Your commitment to this effort is greatly appreciated.
AACPS Math Tutoring
A Peek Ahead...
Community Information
AACPS Summer Programs applications February 9, 2024 through March 15, 2024
We may be bundled up now, but Summer is just around the corner! AACPS has planned a wide range of summer programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. Programs will be focused on helping AACPS students engage in enrichment or unfinished learning, with a focus on mathematics, literacy, and preparing for the next grade level. All programs will support students to have fun while building healthy relationships with peers, practicing skills, and learning new concepts.
For information about programs, meals, and registration, visit our AACPS Summer site!
Join PTA on February 27th @ 6:00 pm for the PTA Meeting.
Interested in joining our PTA? Click HERE