Valley Viking News
September 1, 2023
Great Start to the School Year
We have so much important information to share so please keep reading!
Habits of Work
Vikings bring the best version of themselves when they do the following at school and in the community:
Show Perseverance by
Persisting in completing tasks independently and on time.
Attempting to solve problems independently and ask specific questions when help is needed.
Using feedback to improve work and correct any misunderstandings.
Show Self-Advocacy by:
Asking for help and clarification from appropriate people at appropriate times.
Asking for help in finding appropriate resources for learning.
Willingly attempting new and challenging activities that are presented.
Show Social Responsibility by:
Willingly cooperating with others.
Showing empathy and awareness of how actions impact others.
Communicating effectively and solving conflicts with minimal help from adults.
Being kind and positive.
Regularly following classroom rules and expectations.
Show a Learner Agency by:
Planning and performing tasks with minimal support.
Engaging in the learning process.
Understanding that routines assist in the learning process.
Following directions and transitioning independently from task to task.
Willingly trying to improve tasks, when suggested by the teacher, in order to learn continuously.
These Habits of Work are not habits that children are born innately doing. Our staff is committed to teaching these to students in a developmentally appropriate way and in working with you to identify ways that you can support this learning at home. These habits are directly in line with our Update Student Code of Conduct. Please continue reading to learn about this update!
Updated Code of Conduct
Our FCPS Expectations
Family Handbook
Back to School Night
We will offer two sessions during this event. Please choose one session. If you arrive after session 1 has started, you will be asked to wait for the next session. There will also be community organizations present in the gym as well as our PTA who have planned for food trucks should you wish to pick up dinner before or after your session.
We are so excited for this time with you and hope that you find the information useful as we partner with you for the success of your student.
The schedule will be as follows:
Session 1: 5:00-5:25
Session 2: 5:35-6:00
Emergency Preparedness
We have already had our first fire drill and all of our Vikings did a great job evacuating the building safely! We will engage in Safety Week the week of September 18th. This means we will practice all drills during that week to increase awareness of our safety procedures while making sure that all Vikings have an opportunity to practice the drills that they have learned about. Please follow this link to the Safety and Emergency Management part of the FCPS website. Here you will find helpful information about how we prepare for an emergency by practicing each drill. There are also helpful videos you can view as well.
Partners for Success/Infants and Toddlers
Linked below are upcoming Partners for Success/Infants and Toddlers events in September. Attendees need to pre-register through the links or the QR codes on the flyers.
September Support Group 9/5/2023, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the YMCA, 1000 N Market Street, Frederick MD
Autism 101 presentation 9/6/2023, 6:00 p.m. at Hood College-Hudson auditorium
Caregiver self-care 9/14/2023, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at The Terrace Guest House
The Basics of Trauma Webinar 9/21/2023, 6:00 p.m., online event
Learning Disabilities Webinar 9/28/2023, 6:00 p.m., online event
Understanding the DDA Application Process Workshop 10/11/2023, 6:00 p.m., Frederick County Health Dept.
Upcoming Events
September 14 - PTA Meeting - 6PM-8PM
September 18 - Safety Week Begins
FCPS Important Dates
FCPS Year at a Glance (These are important dates as of 7/25/2023 and are subject to minor alterations. Please refer to fcps.org for the most up to date information).
September
September 4 (Monday) Schools* and Offices Closed
September 22 (Friday) 3 1/2-Hour Early Dismissal for Students
September 25 (Monday) Schools* Closed
October
October 11 (Wednesday) 4-Hour Delayed Opening: Elementary and Middle Only (Parent-Teacher Conferences), No 1/2 Day Pre-K; High Schools Open on Time
October 12 (Thursday) 4-Hour Delayed Opening: Elementary and Middle Only (Parent-Teacher Conferences), No 1/2 Day Pre-K; High Schools Open on Time
October 13 (Friday) 3 1/2-Hour Early Dismissal: Elementary and Middle Only (Parent-Teacher Conferences), No 1/2 Day Pre-K; High Schools Open Full Day
October 20 (Friday) Schools* Closed for Students
October 27 (Friday) Schools* Closed for Students
November
November 22 (Wednesday) Schools* and Offices Closed
November 23-24 (Thursday-Friday) Schools** and Offices Closed
December
December 1 (Friday) 2-Hour Early Dismissal for Students
December 25-26 (Monday-Tuesday) Schools** and Offices Closed
December 27-29 (Wednesday-Friday) Schools** Closed
January
January 1 (Monday) Schools** and Offices Closed
January 15 (Monday) Schools** and Offices Closed
January 16 (Tuesday) Schools Closed*
January 17 (Wednesday) Schools Closed*
February
February 16 (Friday) 2-Hour Early Dismissal for Students
February 19 (Monday) Schools** and Offices Closed
March
March 22 (Friday) Schools* Closed for Students
March 29 (Friday) Schools** and Offices Closed
April
April 1 (Monday) Schools** and Offices Closed
April 2-5 (Tuesday-Friday) Schools* Closed for Students
May
May 2 (Thursday) 2-Hour Early Dismissal for Students
May 14 (Tuesday) Schools** Closed
May 27 (Monday) Schools** and Offices Closed
June
June 5*** (Wednesday) 2-Hour Early Dismissal/Last Day of School for Students
*BOE Determined
**State Mandated (See page 40)
***FCPS will make up days closed for inclement weather or other emergencies in the following sequence: June 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12. If no snow days are used, the last day for students is Wednesday, June 5. The June 2-hour early dismissal will occur on the last day of school for students. The school year will provide 180 days for students. Dates are subject to BOE revision.