Cedar Forest Chronicle
April 18, 2021
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Principal's Corner
We had a great week back with all hybrid students this week! Thank you to everyone for supporting this transition back for students. Our students did an excellent job, and we look forward to seeing everyone back tomorrow.
A reminder that we will begin SOL testing for students in grades 3-5 this week. We are looking for volunteers to be hallway monitors for us during SOL testing. If you are willing please use this sign up link.
Thank you as always for your support of our entire school community. If you have any questions or concerns at anytime, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of our administrative team.
Warmly,
Allison Langridge
A message from the Superintendent
We completed our first week of expanded in-person learning successfully thanks to the collective efforts and teamwork of staff, students, and families! The excitement was contagious throughout the week.
Below are a few brief announcements and highlights:
Hybrid Student Four Day a Week In-Person Instruction
Return to Learn Addendum linked here.
Our COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily and can be viewed in the Return to Learn section on each school’s website or by clicking this link: SCPS COVID-19 Dashboard. Also, on our webpage is a link to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Dashboard. This site provides data and statistics regarding COVID-19 positivity rates and cases per 100,000 by locality, region, and state.
Standardized Testing
It is important to note that our school board requested that a letter be to the Virginia Department of Education and the Federal Department of Education requesting standardized testing be waived for this school year. However at this time, Federal and State assessment testing will be conducted this year. Specific information was sent home from your child’s school last week regarding testing details.Graduation Ceremonies for the Class of 2021
On March 23, 2021 Governor Northam updated Executive Order - 72 on preliminary guidance for safe in-person graduations and commencements. Over the past couple of weeks, our high school principals have met to review this guidance and discuss graduation options. After reviewing survey data regarding preferences in terms of an “in-person” or “individual” graduation ceremony we are pleased to offer the following options from the feedback received for students and families to select from:
In-Person Graduation
May 22, 2021
In following social distancing protocols the senior class will be divided alphabetically. The first group of seniors will graduate at 8:00 a.m. with the second group graduating at 11:00 a.m.
Should inclement weather be a factor in the morning we will move accordingly to a later time during the day. Either 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. If weather remains a factor for the entire day, we will then move our ceremonies to Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Individual Graduations
May 24 - 28, 2021
Students/Families who do not wish to participate in the in-person opportunity may select this option.
Graduates will be able to choose their preferred time.
Graduates may register through a Google Form that will be sent out from their specific high school.
Questions relating to graduation ceremonies should be directed to your child’s high school administrator or counselor.
School Board Meeting, FY2022 Budget Information & Upcoming Critical Dates:
This past Monday, April 12th, the school board held its monthly general meeting. At that meeting, we provided a number of special reports including updates on the Return to Learn Plan, Robert E. Lee renaming process and status, Food Service program, Local Career and Technical Education Plan, and Local Special Education Plan. The meeting agenda with attachments is linked here.
School Board meetings can be viewed online at https://www.regionalwebtv.com/spotsysb. Meetings are live-streamed. Recordings of each meeting may be accessed at the same link. Additionally, meetings may be viewed on cable channels: Comcast Channel 17, Cox Channel 18, and Verizon Channel 36.
On Tuesday, April 13th, the Board of Supervisors adopted their FY2022 budget. The School Board will meet on April 26th at 6:30 p.m. to hold a budget work session in preparation to adopt the school division FY2022 budget with the revenue limits that have now been set.
Please see the detailed calendar of additional dates critical to the process here: FY 2022 Approved Critical Budget Dates.
2021 Summer Institute Registration is Now Open
We are offering various learning opportunities this summer for our students to participate in. Whether for enrichment or remediation, our Summer Institute is geared toward fostering connections and skill development. Information can be found by clicking on our division web page or by simply clicking the following link:
I hope that everyone is enjoying the beautiful and cool spring weather this weekend! As always, please let us know how we can provide assistance as we close out this school year. Thanks again for your continued support and partnership.
Sincerely,
Dr. S. Scott Baker
Superintendent of Schools
Standards of Learning Assessments (SOLs)
3rd Grade Reading -- Monday, April 26th and Tuesday, April 27th
4th Grade Reading - Friday, April 23rd
5th Grade Reading - Thursday, April 22nd
3rd Grade Math - Tuesday, May 4th
4th Grade Math - Thursday, April 29th
5th Grade Math - Friday, April 30th
5th Grade Science - Thursday, May 6th
If you have any questions or concerns about your students participation in the SOLs please reach out to Mrs. Boone at hboone@spotsylvania.k12.va.us.
Note from our Nurse
Facts about COVID-19 to discuss with children:
Try to keep information simple and remind them that health and school officials are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the short name for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is a new virus. Scientists and doctors are still learning about it.
Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick. Scientists and doctors are trying to learn more so they can help people who get sick.
Doctors and health experts are working hard to help people stay healthy.
What can I do so that I don’t get COVID-19?
- You can practice healthy habits at home, school, and play to help protect against the spread of COVID-19.
What happens if you get sick with COVID-19?
COVID-19 can look different in different people. For many people, being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. People can get a fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems.
If you do get sick, it doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. People can get sick from all kinds of germs. What’s important to remember is that if you do get sick, the adults at home will help get you any help that you need.
If you suspect your child may have COVID-19, call the healthcare facility to let them know before you bring your child in to see them.
Instruction Highlight
https://www.colorincolorado.org/
This website offers many resources about reading with children as well as ways to help our language learners be better readers.
There are links available such as some on reading aloud, having conversations to boost your child’s vocabulary, as well as how to read an e-book with your child.
Social Emotional Learning
“It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” You’ve probably heard this expression over and over, but it still remains true. Experts say 55% of all communication is visual (i.e.. facial expressions, body posture, physical distance), 38% is vocal (i.e. tone of voice), and only 7% comes from the actual words we use. During this time of year, it is easy for children to feel a range of emotions. They can often feel fatigued by the first three quarters of the school year, they are stressed by end of year testing, and summer can feel so close but still so far away. If your child’s emotions are heightened, one of the best ways to help them feel better is to maintain positive communication with them. This means using positive words, but more importantly it means keeping a calm physical presence and a positive or neutral tone of voice. For more tips on how to maintain positive communication, click on the link below:
https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/how-to-be-a-parent/communication/talk-to-kids-listen/#gs.y4bm51
Weis & Publix Partnership
House Program
This week the Blue House (Kindness) takes back the lead! Ask your students how they earn house points in their classroom, and how they have shown Wolf Pride.
Library Curbside Pick Up
Curbside pickup for library books will continue for virtual students on Wednesdays only. Please contact Mrs. Crandol at jcrandol@spotsylvania.k12.va.us for more information if needed.
Updated Information from Food Services
For students accessing in person learning, breakfast and lunch is available for free for all students.
For additional information please visit the food service website by clicking here.
Our Building is Open
Contact Information
Holly Boone, Assistant Principal
Email: alangridge@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Website: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/CedarForest
Location: 3412 Massaponax Church Road, Fredericksburg, VA, USA
Phone: (540) 834-4569
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Cedar-ForestElementary/589720827801019
Twitter: @CedarForestES