Weekly Firefly Newsletter
Week of October 10, 2022
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Mental Health Awareness Week
Weekly Message from Mrs. Fish
Happy Friday, Firefly Families!
As I am writing this, I am getting ready for our first kickball game. Since I am not the most athletic person, I am just looking for some good old fun with our staff, students, and families. I can't wait to cheer everyone on...and maybe kick the ball a couple of times. :)
We have a fun week ahead! We are looking forward to seeing you at our open house Monday. Please be patient as the majority of our families signed up for the early time slot. With open house beginning shortly after arrival, please do not get in line to check in until 9:20. This will allow our students to get settled for the day.
Since we have so many families coming to the early session, please know that you may not finish the check-in process until closer to 9:40, but we will do our best to check you in as quickly as possible. Please do your best to keep the class visit to about 20 minutes, so that we can make sure all families get to enjoy the experience. If you didn't pre-register for an open house time slot, we will do our best to accommodate your visit. It will most likely be during the third time slot which is from 10:30-11:00.
We can't wait to let you see all of the amazing teaching and learning happening at Flower Valley!
With Firefly Pride!
Mrs. 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.
Show Your School Spirit Every Friday! Wear your FVES shirt or something blue or yellow.
Important Items in This Week's Newsletter
- MCPS Mental Health Awareness Week
- Interims / Progress Reports
- PTA Sponsored Book Fair
- FVES Family Reading Night
- Available Tutoring Opportunities for Students
- After School Activities and Dismissal
- Covid and OUTCLASS: Out of Class On Demand Resources for Students
- Curriculum Corner
- Counseling Corner
- School Meals, FARMS, My School Bucks, and Lunch Menu
- School Visitors and Volunteers
- Attendance, Early Dismissals, and Transportation Changes
- School Cash Online
- PTA Corner
- Seasonal Roots Fundraiser
- Helpful Resources
- Save the Date
- School Contact Information
Mental Health Awareness Week
Interims / Progress Reports
Interims / progress reports will be available on Parentvue by October 13th. For families not signed up for ParentVue, they will be mailed centrally to your home address by the county.
PTA Sponsored FVES Book Fair: October 17th-21st
FVES Family Reading Night: October 20th
Available Tutoring Opportunities for Students
After School Activities and Dismissal
Covid Safety Protocols
OUTCLASS: Out Of Class On Demand Resources for Students
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.
Counseling Corner
Families with students qualifying for Free and Reduced Meals also qualify for a $40 stipend for school supplies for their child(ren). This information can be found at: https://www.readyforschoolinitiative.org/ .
Families with students qualifying for Free and Reduced Meals also qualify for a free or reduced PTA membership. This information can be found at: https://fvespta.membershiptoolkit.com/membership.
Mrs. Atanda and Mrs. Smith will be teaching Personal Body Safety lessons in October through December. For more information you may contact: Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpmsmd.org or Colleen_B_Smith@mcpsmd.org or call 240-740-1780. You will find more information at: Personal Body Safety Lessons.
Please complete the following google form if you are in need of resources for your family such as Friday Snack Bags, Holiday Giving donations, backpacks, or other resources. You may also reach out to Mrs. Atanda, School Counselor, at Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org or 240-740-1780. You may also send a note into school with your child.
School Meals, FARMS, My School Bucks, and Lunch Menus
Monday's lunch is manager's choice, so it will be different from the options noted above. There will be a few options for students to choose from next Friday.
School Visitors and Volunteers
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please contact Mrs. Atanda at Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org.
Please notify your child's teacher and the main office when there is a change in their dismissal plan. If a last minute change comes up, please call the main office no later than 3:00.
Attendance 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. 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, please let Mrs. Sintetos and your child's homeroom teacher know.
School Cash Online
Flower Valley Elementary School PTA Corner
The PTA has a fundraising restaurant event with California Tortilla Olney from 11 AM - 9:30 PM on Weds. Oct. 12! Online orders at https://californiatortilla.olo.com/menu/california-tortilla-olney or on the app are preferred. Choose in-store pickup, curbside pickup, or delivery, and add the "Spirit Night" item on the menu to your cart. Note that orders via UberEats, DoorDash or Postmates do not qualify. As always, a portion of the proceeds benefits our PTA.
Information on the Scholastic Book Fair Mon. Oct. 17 - Fri. Oct 21 is available on the PTA listserv and coming home next week in folders. Join us for a fun, cozy Family Reading Night on Thurs. Oct 20 from 6:30 PM - 8 PM. FVES staff members will share favorite stories, and you'll be able to shop the Book Fair one more time!
Seasonal Roots FVES Fundraiser
Flower Valley Elementary School is partnering with Seasonal Roots to bring healthy, delicious food to our community, to support local farmers and artisans, and to raise money to support programs for Flower Valley students!
Seasonal Roots is an online farmers market that delivers “dirt to doorstep” to families in Maryland and Virginia. Each week the market offers more than 150 items that are all grown and produced locally, sustainably, and ethically. Market items include fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, vegan specialties and more.
To access the Seasonal Roots market, you sign-up as a member and pay an annual membership fee. Through our collaboration, the fee is reduced by 50% - it’s just $25. For each Flower Valley Elementary School family that joins, the school receives $20!
Once you are a member, what you order and when you order are up to you! There is no obligation. You can select exactly what produce and extras you want, skip or pause weekly deliveries, and cancel anytime. The online market opens Friday at 2:00PM and closes at midnight on Sunday. Orders are delivered on Wednesdays in Montgomery County.
To join Seasonal Roots and earn a $20 donation for Flower Valley Elementary School, use promotional code FVES at https://www.seasonalroots.com/fves.
Important Dates in September and October
October 10th: Firefly Family Morning (Open House) - Sign-up ended October 5th
October 12th: PTA Restaurant Night at California Tortilla, 11:00am-9:30pm
October 17th-21st: PTA Sponsored Book Fair
October 19th: Kindergarten Field trip to Green Meadows Farm
October 20th: FVES Family Reading Night, 6:30-8:00PM
October 24th: Professional Day for Teachers, No School for Students
October 27th: 5th Grade Field Trip to Strathmore
October 28th: Harvest Parade and Party (during school, more details to come)
October 29th: PTA Sponsored Masquerade Festival
Save the Date
November 21st - Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day at FVES
December 5th - Picture Retakes
December 13th, Time TBD - FVES Musical Production
January 17th - Group/Class Pictures
February 1st: Winter Instrumental Music Concert at FVES, 7:00pm
February 10th, 6:30-8:00pm - PTA Sponsored Bingo
February 14th, 2:30-3:15pm - Valentine’s Day Parties
March 26th, 2-3pm - PTA Sponsored Fun Run
April 20th, 5:30-7:30pm - PTA Sponsored STEM Night
April 24th-28th - PTA Sponsored Book Fair
April 26th - Individual and Grade 5 Panoramic
May 6th, 10:00-2:00pm - PTA Sponsored SAVERS Donation Drive
Field Day, TBD
May 16th, Time TBD - FVES International Night and Art Expo
May 21st, 2-5pm - PTA Sponsored Carnival
June 1st: Spring Instrumental Music Concert at FVES, 7:00pm
5th Grade Promotion, Date and Time TBD
*Please remember these dates are subject to change. There will also be several PTA sponsored virtual nights for families throughout the year.
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
Mrs. Angie Fish, Principal – Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org
Ms. Angela Castillo, Assistant Principal - Angela_M_Castillo@mcpsmd.org
Main Office Staff (240) 740-1780
Mrs. Padma Radhakrishnan, School Administrative Secretary – Padma_Radhakrishnan@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