October 13th: Advanced Academic Referral Process

October 17th: Health & Wellness: Meet our Wellness Team!

9:15 Hutchison or 7:00 PM Virtual

Please share your input on how we can utilize additional ESSER funds to address academic and wellness needs at Hutchison Elementary School

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. It provides access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.

Throughout the year it offers family and educator webinars. Upcoming sessions include:

• Dads: Stop The Power Struggles & Get The Respect You Want, October 6, at 6:30 p.m.
• The Social Emotional Learning Screener - What Every Family Needs to Know, October 7, at 10 a.m.
• Promoting Digital Wellness, October 14, at 10 a.m.
• Meet the Author Series - Paige Saves the Day, October 27, at 7 p.m.
• Manejando el estrés serie de 3 partes, primera parte en October 22, at 10 a.m.

To join the PRC email list and receive notices of upcoming webinars, sign up for their News You Choose newsletter.

Identifying whether your child’s behaviors are normal or a warning sign of a mental health concern can be difficult. Talk to your child and pay attention to their actions. Also, consider these warning signs:

• Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.

• Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.

• Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.

• Lack of sleep, or too much sleep.

• A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.

• Alcohol or drug use.

• Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.

• Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker. Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call your school or visit their website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to support your child’s wellness on FCPS’ website.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harm to self or others, please take action:

• Text NEEDHELP to 85511 for the CrisisLink hotline or call them at 703-527-4077.

• Chat online with a specialist.

• Go to the nearest emergency room or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.

• Call 911.

Students in grades K-2 will no longer participate in the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) screener. Instead, the Child Behavior Rating Scale administered in kindergarten, existing attendance, and behavior data will be used to determine necessary social emotional instruction and supports. School teams will use these measures alongside family input, as they develop their understanding of students’ needs and strategies to support them. Students in grades 3-6 will be able to participate in the SEL screener. School teams and families use this information to develop positive school cultures and support students academically and personally. This year, students will participate in the screener in the fall (October/November) and spring (March). Parents are able to opt their child out of taking the SEL screener. Read more about SEL and signature practices online.

This Friday, October 14th is Encanto Outdoor Movie Night. All children must be accompanied by adult.

Also, we would love some parents/caregivers to volunteer to help with event--pass chips & water. Please call Maureen Griffin at 703-925-8300 before Thursday, October 13 at 9:00 AM.

Our Voices, Our Future
Fairfax County Public Schools is launching the engagement phase that will help us develop our brand new Strategic Plan.

During her Community Conversations listening tour in each high school pyramid, Superintendent Michelle Reid has heard from many of you about your hopes and aspirations for our students. That feedback will become part of our proactive strategic plan that will serve as our North Star—or guide—for the future.

Starting in October, we will be inviting the entire FCPS community to engage in building our shared future. This includes hearing from our parents and caregivers, students, and broader community, as well as surveying students in grades three and above. You will have an opportunity to have your voice heard in one of many sessions (both in-person and virtual) during November and December. We encourage you to join us in this journey by actively participating in the conversation.

For a more detailed overview, visit FCPS’ Strategic Planning webpage.

🚗 Do you drive your student to and from school? Please register for Kiss-and-Ride below!

When students miss too many days of school, they fall behind and struggle to keep up with their classmates. Whether the days missed are due to illness, truancy, or for any other reason, the end result for the student is the same — learning time is lost. Children and adolescents will get sick at times and may need to stay at home, but we want to work with you to help minimize the number of days your student misses school. Please click here for additional guidance: https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/policies-regulations-and-notices/attendance-policies/attendance-when-should-i-keep-my?utm_campaign+=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

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