Weekly Firefly Newsletter
Week of May 15, 2023
By clicking on the icon to the right, you can translate this newsletter into multiple languages. Just click your selected language.
Weekly Message from Dr. Fish
Dear Flower Valley Community,
The warm weather this week was such a treat! Our 1st graders had a fabulous time at the zoo Monday. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day! Our 2nd graders also enjoyed a field trip to Croyden Creek. Tons of fun!
International Night and our Kindergarten - 2nd grade Field Day are both this upcoming week! It is going to be a fun-filled week! Be sure to check out the details below.
Finally, it is going to be a big day this Wednesday. Grace Atencio, a 2nd grade student at FVES, won the silent auction and is going to be the principal for the morning, and Ella Watts, a 3rd grade student at FVES, is going to be the assistant principal for the afternoon. They are going to be busy at work that day leading our Fireflies through an amazing day of learning, so you might see me and Ms. Castillo playing on the playground while they do all of the hard work of being a principal and assistant principal. :)
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
With Firefly Pride!
Dr. Fish
We inspire all children to become critical thinkers who are imaginative, adaptable, and collaborative. We strive to cultivate peaceful, life-long learners who contribute positively to the community around them.
Important Items in This Week's Newsletter
- Staff News
- FVES International Night - May 16th
- Field Day Update: See below about visitors for Field Day - May 19th
- Testing Update
- 5th Grade Promotion
- Curriculum Corner
- Counseling Corner
- PTA Corner
- Pre-school Opportunity
- Important Dates in May and June
- Helpful Resources
- Bus Transportation Updates
- Attendance, Early Dismissals, and Transportation Changes
- School Visitors and Volunteers
- School Cash Online
- School Contact Information
2023-2024 Staff News
FVES International Night
Don't forget that International Night is May 16th at Rockville High School from 6:30-8:00PM! For the evening, there will be performances by our students and a variety of cultural artifacts and food to enjoy. Every student will perform on the stage and sing diverse musical selections. We encourage students and families to dress in traditional attire representative of their heritage. After the students sing on stage, everyone will go to the cafeteria to enjoy the Latin Salseros from Einstein High School and visit the family heritage tables to sample different foods and learn about the cultures at FVES.
Students should arrive at 6:00PM and report to the auditorium to sit with their classes to prepare for their performance. We will have signs posted for this, and staff will be on hand to help students get on and off the stage throughout the grade level performances.
For our volunteers bringing artifacts and food items...
An information sheet went home in Thursday folders a few weeks ago. We are thankful for our families who signed up to volunteer and bring in artifacts and/or food items. This past week, staff reached out to our volunteer families about the details for bringing in items and hosting or co-hosting a cultural table. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Ms. Choi or Ms. Kormann.
We look forward to seeing everyone on the 16th!
Field Day Update
We are so grateful for all of our volunteers! If you are volunteering, please check in at the main office and get a visitor pass.
Don't forget that Field Day for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes will be Wednesday May 24th.
May Testing Calendar
MAP dates
K - MAPP - Wed, 5/10 @ 9:30, DIBELS ongoing
1 - MAPP - Tues, 5/9 @ 1:30, DIBELS ongoing
2 - MAPP - Today, 5/8 @ 1:45, DIBELS ongoing
3 - MAPR already happened, MAPM Thursday 5/18 @ 9:15
4 - MAPR Tuesday 5/16 @ 9:15, MAPR 5/23 @ 9:15
5 - MAPR Wednesday 5/10 @ 1:15, MAPM Wednesday 5/17 @ 9:15
MCAP and MAP makeups are ongoing until May 25th.
5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
When: Wednesday, June 14th @ 5:30 pm
Where: Rockville High School Auditorium
A reception will immediately follow the ceremony in the Rockville High School cafeteria.
Student Arrival Time: 5:00 pm
Please meet in the hall in front of the auditorium.
Dress code: Students should be dressed nicely. Please no jeans, shorts, or sneakers.
Curriculum Corner
Eureka Math: MCPS has a dedicated website which has support for each Eureka module in every grade level. Here is a Eureka Math support page for families. You will need to create an account to access the family resources called "tips for parents." "Homework Helpers" are tips for parents that are included with each homework assignment in the Math Succeed (HW) book. Additionally, this is a google document that contains helpful videos for parents to use. There are general Eureka videos and grade level specific videos included.
Please keep an eye out for grade level bi-weekly communication regarding details about what is happening in each of our classes.
ZEARN: With Zearn, students have the opportunity to learn the same concept twice—once with their teacher and once in the Zearn digital lessons—so they gain a deep understanding of math. All materials are top-rated, crafted to represent everyone, and backed by research to deliver results. This link goes further in depth to show how Zearn and Eureka are aligned.
Counseling Corner
Here are some resources to support families with the SEL needs of their children:
https://www.cfchildren.org/blog/2018/09/lets-talk-sel-parents-this-is-for-you/
https://casel.org/systemic-implementation/sel-with-families-caregivers/
Flower Valley Elementary School PTA Corner
Next Weds. May 17 is another delicious Villa Maya Restaurant Night at Rock Creek Center from 4 - 10 PM. Please mention Flower Valley Elementary School when you pay!
The Carnival and Silent Auction is next weekend, Sun. May 21 from 2 - 5 PM, at FVES with fun for all ages: bounce houses, balloon twister, DJ & dancing, prizes, class basket raffle, snacks and an ice cream truck! Sign up to run a game or volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D4EA4AA2FABFD0-2023 SSL volunteers welcome!
Pre-School Opportunity
Important Dates in May and June
May 16th: Time 6:30-8:00pm - FVES International Night and Art Expo
May 19th: K, 1, 2 Field Day (rain date - May 30th)
May 21st: 2-5pm - PTA Sponsored Carnival
May 24th: 3, 4, 5, Field Day (rain date - May 31st)
May 29th: No School
June 1st: Spring Instrumental Music Concert at FVES, 7:00pm
June 6th: 6:30-7:00pm- PTA General Membership Meeting
June 14th: 5th Grade Promotion at Rockville High School at 5:30 pm; Students arrive at 5:00pm
*Please remember these dates are subject to change.
Helpful Resources
MCPS Things to Know (Community Messages)
Student Rights and Responsibilities (Spanish Version Available in Main Office)
Student Code of Conduct (English) (Spanish Version Available in Main Office)
Zones of Regulation
Bus Transportation Updates
Attendance and Dismissal Information
If your child is going to be absent, please email your child's teacher and Mrs. Sintetos at Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org or call the office at 240-740-1780. When your child is absent, please send in a note explaining the reason for the absence within 3 days of the return to school. If your child sees the doctor, please bring in a doctor's note.
If your child is going to be arriving late, you need to bring your child to the main office and sign them in. If you will be picking up your child early or changing your child's dismissal process, please let your child's teacher and Mrs. Sintetos or Ms. Peckoo in the main office know in advance.
School Visitors and Volunteers
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please contact Mrs. Atanda at Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org.
School Cash Online
We are here to serve & help you!
Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:30PM Below are emails and phone numbers for the following departments:
Administration (240) 740-1780
Dr. Angie Fish, Principal – Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org
Ms. Angela Castillo, Assistant Principal - Angela_M_Castillo@mcpsmd.org
Main Office Staff (240) 740-1780
Ms. Nevine Peckoo, School Administrative Secretary – Nevine_A_Peckoo@mcpsmd.org
Mrs. Cathy Sintetos, Attendance Secretary – Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org
Counseling Office (240) 740-6680
Mrs. Jennifer Atanda - Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org
Ms. Colleen Smith - Colleen_B_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Flower Valley Elementary School
Be bright! Be kind! Be you!
We inspire all children to become critical thinkers who are imaginative, adaptable, and collaborative. We strive to cultivate peaceful, life-long learners who contribute positively to the community around them.
Email: Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/flowervalleyes/
Location: Flower Valley Elementary School, Sunflower Drive, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-1780
Twitter: @AngieFish_FVES