Lion's Ledger
February Newsletter
Message from Mrs. Wheeler
Happy February!
I trust that 2020 has gotten off to a great start for you and your family. As usual, Lafayette Upper is buzzing with a variety of events taking place this month:
· Students are currently fundraising to help support St. Jude and its lifesaving mission. Please view the links below to help support your scholar and their fundraising efforts. Our St. Jude Kid Gala will take place at the Fredericksburg Field House on February 10th, 13th, and 14th. Permission slips were sent home in Wednesday folders, please contact the front office if you need another one.
· Interim reports will go home on Friday, February 7th. Please take time to discuss these reports with your child, and if you have questions reach out to their teacher.
· February 14th is Wear red/Healthy Heart day; we are encouraging all to participate in this Spirit day.
· Our 4th grade scholars will hold their chorus concert on February 19st at 6:00 PM. This year’s performance will celebrate African American culture and heritage. We look forward to seeing you there!
As we approach testing season, please remember that these tests should not become a point of stress for our scholars. The staff and I are working hard to create an environment that is stress free for them. Have positive conversations at home and remind them that it is just another day!
*Please scroll through the remainder of the newsletter. We have included a lot of information and want to make sure you have the opportunity to read it all.*
First Snow!
Storybook Character Spirit Day
Queen of Hearts
Dress Like a Storybook Character for Spirit Day
Tameka's New Dress
Grade 3 Update
Grade 4 Update
In 4th grade literacy, our writing will be focusing on historical fiction and students will be writing their own historical fiction stories! We will finish up working on cause and effect in reading, and then start working on synonyms, antonyms, and homophones.
Grade 5 Update
In math scholars are classifying and measuring right, acute, obtuse, and straight angles. They will also investigate the sum of the interior angles in a triangle and determine an unknown angle measure. Scholars will become familiar with using a protractor, as well as recognizing and applying transformations. Make sure that your scholar practices these skills in their nightly homework!
In core, we have started social studies. Scholars have learned the physical regions of the United States. They are also able to identify important bodies of water (i.e. rivers, lakes, and the gulf), continents, and the five oceans. We will continue to progress through social studies and review science skills in preparation for the SOLs.
In literacy, scholars are working on their adventure unit. While reading Storm Runners, scholars are asked to reflect on what they would do during a natural disaster. They are also continuing to work on honing in their skills and knowledge of theme, literary conflict, main idea, summarizing, and other standards that will lead them toward success for the SOLs. Please make sure that your scholar is reading for at least 15 minutes per night so that they can earn steps toward their reading goal!
IB Update
Third Grade: This month, Third Grade is beginning their unit on Where We Are in Place and Time – an inquiry into personal histories. Their central idea is: Historical thinkers use artifacts and sources to draw conclusions about ancient civilizations and their influences on our world today. Within this unit, they will be focusing on their Social Studies SOLs on Ancient Greece, Rome, China, and Egypt. They will be inquiring into influences of cultures on our world and comparing and contrasting their characteristics. They will also be continuing to explore the theme through their literacy unit on Traditional Tales by inquiring into how setting impacts action.
Fourth Grade: In Fourth Grade, students are finishing up their unit on How We Express Ourselves – an inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values. Then they will begin their next unit, How the World Works. Within this unit, students are looking at the central idea: Technological advances change the way that our society operates. Through this unit, they will be studying their SOLs on magnets, electricity, and force and motion.
Fifth Grade: Fifth graders are continuing their unit on Where We Are In Place and Time – an inquiry into explorations and migrations of humankind. They are focusing on the central idea: Humans are impacted by their environment. This month, they are inquiring into how people adapt to their environments as they study Native Americans. They will also be researching the causes and motivations for exploration as they learn about exploration of the North American continent. Fifth graders are also continuing to prepare for their Exhibition on March 25th by doing research for their Exhibition topics.
IB Spotlight - Observing the Characteristics of the Solar System
COUNSELING CORNER
School Counselors are licensed professionals trained in human development; career information and development; tests and measurements and social cultural issues. The school counselors at LUES provide programs that include preventative services; individual and small group counseling; classroom guidance lessons; informative and referral services.
Ms. Janet Nelson-Counselor for all 5th grade homerooms and the following 4th grade homerooms- Swider, Scovell, Scruggs, Bolling, Murray and Okert
Mrs. Annette Richards – Counselor for all of 3rd grade and the following 4th grade homerooms-Brady, Hoosier, Graebner, Cosner, Herrera and Stadler
National School Counseling Week 2020 (#NSCW2020) is Feb. 3–7, 2020. The week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Follow #NSCW2020 on social media.
To learn more about National School Counseling Week, visit www.schoolcounselor.org/nscw
IMPORTANT DATES
Interims go home - Friday, February 7
End of Grading Period - Thursday, March 12
Referrals due for 3rd Quarter Gifted Intellectual/Visual Arts and Performing Arts - January 30
Referrals for 4th Quarter Gifted Intellectual - April 9
After School Remediation
After School Remediation starts back in February. The programs will be held on the Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Transportation will be provided on Tuesdays and Wednesdays listed below.
February 4, 5, 11, 18, 19, 25, 26 and March 3, 4, 10, 11
After School Clubs
After school clubs will be resuming in February. After school clubs will be held on Thursdays from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The dates of the upcoming sessions are as follows:
Session 2 February 6, 13, 20, 27
Session 3 March 5, 12, 26, and April 2
Upcoming Events
February 10th, 13th, and 14th - St. Jude Fundraiser Kids Gala @ Fredericksburg Field House
February 12th - Early Dismissal Day
February 14th - Wear the color Red for Spirit Day/Healthy Heart
February 19th - 4th Grade Chorus Performance - African American History Program (LUES Cafeteria) from 6:00-6:30 P.M. - All are welcome to attend!
February 25th- LUES Spirit Night at Malawi's Pizza from 5PM-9PM
LAFAYETTE WILL HOLD A FUNDRAISER BENEFITING ST. JUDE ON FEBRUARY 10TH, 13TH, AND 14TH!
Lafayette St. Jude Kid Gala February 10th, 13th, and 14th at the Fredericksburg Field House
All money raised will be given to St. Jude to support its life saving mission: Finding cures. Saving Children®.
Please click on the links below to view the gala and prizes flyers.
Order your yearbook today!
Spirit Night for LUES
NHS Valentine's Day Carnation Sale
February Breakfast and Lunch Menus
National Online Safety Helpful Information
National Online Safety have put together some resources for parents about social media apps, online games, and trending issues so they can have informed discussions with their children. All resources, plus much more can be accessed from the National Online Safety website:
https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resourc…/wake-up-wednesday/
Proud to be a Title I school
Title 1
Title I is the largest federal aid program for elementary, middle and high schools. Through Title I, the federal government designates money to school districts around the country based on the number of students in need in each district. Each district uses its Title I money for extra educational services for children, such as:
· Class size reduction
· Additional teachers and paraprofessionals
· Parent resources
· Instructional materials and supplies
· Tier 2 and Tier 3 support services
The focus of the Title I program is to ensure all students meet challenging content and achievement standards. Title I also authorizes federal grant programs that provide funds for reading instruction, services to migrant children, services to neglected and delinquent children, comprehensive school reform and dropout prevention.
All FCPS students in grades K-8 are eligible to receive programs funded through the Title I grant.
Hugh Mercer Elementary School
Dr. Kimberly Doucette
Kisha Frye-Title I
William Wishard
540-372-1115
Lafayette Upper Elementary School
Courtney Wheeler -Title 1
Pam Diggs-Reading
PJ Pcsolinski- Math
540-310-0029
Walker-Grant Middle School
Justin Woodside
Stephen Ventura-Reading, Title I
Keesha Keels- Math
540-372-1145
Lafayette Upper Elementary School is a Title I school. If your child is in need of Title I services for support with mathematics or reading please contact Sarah Cook, Math Specialist or Pam Douglas and Patricia Balwanz Literacy Coaches at 540-310-0029.
504 ACCOMODATIONS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION
No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: The Rights of Individuals with Handicaps Under Federal Law.
IN THE MATTER OF NON-RESIDENT STUDENT ENROLLMENT The Fredericksburg City Public School Division does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its educational programs or activities.
Any questions should be referred to Sue Keffer, 210 Ferdinand Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 or by calling (540) 372-1130.
SEX OFFENDER STATEMENT The Fredericksburg City Public School Division recognizes the danger sex offenders pose to student safety. Therefore, to protect students while they travel to and from school, attend school and school-related activities, the FCPS Division shall request automatic electronic notification of registered sex offenders in the same or contiguous zip codes as any school within the division. Such request and notification shall be made according to the procedures established by the Virginia Department of State Police (State Police). The Superintendent shall serve as the contact person with the State Police for receipt of the registered sex offender information.
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