Eagle Express
Summer Edition 2022 - Volume 2
From the Nest...
Happy Summer!
We hope this edition finds you soaking up the last few weeks of Summer vacation! We are gearing up for an amazing new school year, which will be "Our Year to SPARKle!"
We want to introduce an exciting addition to our schedule this year - the SPARK block. Each grade level has decided to dedicate a block four times a week for 30 minutes to provide more personalized instruction for each student. Historically, grade level teams work together once a week in a planning session called the Accelerated Learning Process (ALP). During ALP teachers select a priority standard either in Math or Reading to focus on and then create a common formative assessment (pre-assessment or quiz). This pre-assessment gives us educators an idea of what each student needs in order to better understand the priority standard.
New this year, we will then "sort" students into flexible groups across the grade to deliver specific instruction to them based on their area of need or enrichment. This delivery will occur during the SPARK block. The students will move to the assigned class for a specified amount of time (3-5 weeks) and then post-assessments will occur to determine next steps or a new priority standard will be selected and the cycle begins again.
What does this mean for students? It means that four times a week for 30 minutes each day, they may be working with a different teacher and a different group of students than those in his/her homeroom class. It also means that students may be in an enrichment group for one priority standard but not for another priority standard based on the pre-assessment data we collect. Students will still receive their normal small group instruction in Reading and Math through his/her classroom teacher. The SPARK block is in addition to that instruction!
We are thrilled to explore this innovative instructional model and look forward to seeing the results of more personalized learning. You will continue to hear about this block during Back to School Night and will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about it at that time.
As always, we thank you for your continued support and partnership in our educational program.
Warm regards,
Hannah Feldman and Lisa Wrzesinski
Teacher Assignment Letters
Save the Date
August
August 3 - Teacher Assignment Letters mailed
August 6 - Bus Stop Information available on website
August 11 - New Family Orientation - 6:30-7:30 PM
August 15 - Open House -
- 2:00-2:45 Last Names A-L
- 3:15-4:00 Last Names M-Z
September
September 5 - No School - Labor Day
September 7 - Back to School Night (K-2nd) - 6-7 PM
September 8 - Back to School Night (3rd-5th) - 6-7 PM
Free & Reduced Meals
Families can once again use MySchoolBucks.com to load money onto their child(ren)'s accounts. Meals will be still be available to all students at the following prices:
- Breakfast $1.60
- Lunch $2.65
School Supply Lists
Facility Updates
Bathroom Portable - We now have a new portable that only houses bathrooms! These bathrooms are exclusively for students who are in portables. They are equipped with badge swipe entry in order to keep them secure.
Playground Equipment - Unfortunately, our new playground equipment is still on backorder. We are hoping for a Fall installation now.
Marquee - Our new marquee has been approved by our Facilities department for installation but is on backorder. We are excited for this wonderful addition to our grounds and look forward to when it arrives!
Kindergarten Registration
Registration for Kindergarten is still underway! If your child will be 5 by September 1st, please register for Kindergarten as soon as you can!
Enrollment is now online. The required enrollment documentation outlined below may be easily uploaded as part of the online enrollment process. Parents who are not able to upload the required enrollment documentation may return those items via US mail or drop them off at Yellow Springs Elementary.
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene form 896 Immunization Certificate or other proof of immunizations (view the complete immunization schedule here), and
Documentation of a recent physical exam, recorded on the Maryland Schools Record of Physical Examination. If your child's last physical exam was more than 9 months prior to the start of school, you may wait to submit the form until this year's exam is completed.
Proof of date of birth (provide one of these: Birth certificate, physician's certificate, hospital certificate, baptismal or church certificate, parent's affidavit, or passport/visa)
Proof of residency (provide one of these: current property tax bill, current rental bill, current utility bill for water, gas, or electric)
Parent photo identification
Pre-K Registration
Applying for FCPS public prekindergarten program, regardless of the time of year, DOES NOT automatically guarantee enrollment. Every attempt is made to provide space for as many children as possible, but because of funding restrictions, spaces are limited. In order for your application to be considered, all appropriate information must be completed and accompanied by ALL required documentation. Incomplete applications will not be processed and may affect your child’s placement.
The FCPS Pre-Kindergarten program is a state-funded program for four-year olds who meet the following eligibility requirements:
Child must be four years old on or before September 1st of the current school year
Child must reside in Frederick County
Children whose families qualify up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Limit (new)
Please see this link for more information regarding Pre-K registration
Feasibility Study
FCPS is embarking on a feasibility study of Yellow Springs Elementary. We will be evaluating whether to renovate, renovate with an addition or replace the building on the same site or another nearby future school site, as well as considering traffic flow and construction phasing. Information about the project can be found on the project webpage at https://www.fcps.org/capital-program/yses-feasibility.
We want to hear from you! Students, staff, parents and community members are encouraged to send input to the project manager at holly.nelson@fcps.org.
Mrs. Hanlon's Counseling Corner
Mental Health Awareness Spotlight
For those who have or know children who are exhibiting signs of worry and anxiety, which can sometimes increase during times of transition (such as the beginning of the school year), you might find the following resource helpful: What To Do (and Not Do) When Children Are Anxious.
Community Resources and Support
Eviction Prevention
Free Food Distribution
Frederick County GIS Food Distribution Public WebApp
Mental Health Support
If you are looking for immediate mental health support for yourself or a family member and aren’t sure where to begin, you can dial 211 to reach the Mental Health Association’s resource line. It is staffed 24/7 365 days a year and they do not charge for the service.
Contact Information
Email: brandi.balducci@fcps.org
Website: http://education.fcps.org/yses
Location: 8717 Yellow Springs Road, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: (240)236-1700