Flower Valley Weekly Newsletter
Week of October 23, 2023
By clicking on the icon to the right, you can translate this newsletter into multiple languages. Just click your selected language.
Check out the Lost and Found before the 31st. Any remaining items will be donated.Thanks!
Our FVES Vision
Dear Flower Valley Community,
What a week! The FVES Math Night and the PTA sponsored book fair were huge successes! Thank you to everyone who supported these efforts, and a special thank you to our staff and families who made these two events possible for our community. Don't forget to check out the answers below for the getting to know you facts about me and Mrs. Haden. :)
This week is another exciting week at Flower Valley. With fall in the air, we will be celebrating harvest time. Throughout the week, we will be collecting canned goods to donate to local families in need. On Friday, we will have our annual parade and fall party. Our theme for our parade is school spirit. We can't wait to see all of the blue, yellow, flowers, and fireflies! Let's get creative! We will also be decorating school floats and collecting even more canned goods during the parade. We look forward to seeing everyone on the parade route. Bring those canned goods and help fill our class floats!
The week closes with an awesome masquerade hosted by our FVES PTA. Please remember that Halloween costumes are not allowed during the school day; however, you can show off those amazing Halloween costumes at the masquerade.
I hope you all have a wonderful and restful weekend! Looking forward to a great week ahead!
With Firefly Pride!
Dr. Fish
All Google links embedded within the newsletter can be translated into numerous languages by clicking "Tools" and scrolling down to "Translate Document". A drop-down menu will appear where you can choose the language.
Table of Contents
Resources Related to Our School Improvement Plan - Well-being
- Math Night Resources
- Mental Health Awareness
- Reading Corner Updates
- SGA Update - An Opportunity for Student Voice and Leadership
Upcoming Events
- Harvest Festival and Parade
- Mental Health Awareness Week
- FVES Family Open House
- ADL In Concert Against Hate
PTA Corner
- Original Works Fundraiser
- Masquerade
Information from Previous Newsletters:
- Transportation Information
Need a Chromebook for home?
- School Lunch
- ParentVue
- Health Information
FVES Parent Handbook
Resources Related to Our School Improvement Plan
Fun Math Resources and Math Night Answers
Thank you everyone for coming out to math night. It was so great to see children enjoying themselves with games centered around math skills and to be able to take a few games home to play as well. In case you missed math night, here were some of the handouts from last night:
- Math Games you can play at home.
- Eureka - Providing Enriched Learning - English Spanish
- Eureka - Introducing Eureka Math - English Spanish
Here are answers to the "Get to Know" charts that were in the cafeteria as well:
The Reading Corner
Well-being
SGA is Back at FVES!
Upcoming FVES Events
Harvest Parade and Party
Our harvest festivities are this week! We are so excited to see everyone's school pride and to collect canned goods for those in need. All of the details are below. Come on out to the parade route to cheer on our kiddos and to fill the floats with canned goods. We look forward to seeing you there!
Date: October 27th
Parade Time: 2-2:30
Party Time: 2:30-3:10
Please remember that no Halloween costumes are allowed; however, students are encouraged to wear school colors and really do it up with school spirit!
Harvest Parade Route
Parents can stand along the route to take pictures. Please do not stop your child on the parade route.
If it rains, we will have the parade inside for the children.
After the parade, students will return to their classroom for their fall harvest parties.
Students will be dismissed for the day at the normal time.
If you would like your child to participate in an alternative activity instead of the parade, please email your child’s teacher. After the parade, all children will join their classmates for the Fall Harvest Party.
No Halloween costumes are allowed. Students are encouraged to show their school spirit by wearing lots of blue, yellow, and FVES spirit wear. They can be creative with their school spirit. :)
Mental Health Awareness Week
FVES Family Open House
We would love to hear from you about what works best for your family for open house. Feedback can be shared here. We are looking forward to this wonderful event for our families and our students!
**Our classes will still be holding mystery reader and presenter opportunities for parents throughout the school year. This is also a nice opportunity for grandparents to visit and interact with students when it isn't quite as crowded.
ADL In Concert Against Hate
ADL would like to offer up to 100 free tickets for students/parents/faculty/administrators to attend the ADL Concert, taking place on Monday, October 30th at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The in-person night of music, community and celebration will feature the National Symphony Orchestra, along with other can’t miss performances from acclaimed stars. Through storytelling and song, we’ll introduce you to real-life heroes and celebrate their extraordinary acts of courage and compassion in the face of bigotry and hate. For more information about the ADL Concert, please visit concertagainsthate.org. Please reach out to Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org no later than Monday if you are interested in attending this event.
PTA Information
We are happy to announce that we will be partnering with Original Works art-based fundraising! Students will create artwork that you then can have reproduced onto a variety of keepsake products. The products range from magnets to mugs and start at just $6.00. Complete details on the program will be sent home soon. Proceeds from the program will be used to support a variety of PTA programs. For more information on Original Works please visit their website at www.originalworks.com. Thank you for supporting this unique and creative program!
The PTA is excited to host the annual Masquerade Event on Saturday, October 28th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. We are seeking both Parent and SSL student volunteers. Please see the sign-up links below. We are also seeking contributions of festive homemade or store-bought treats. Thank you for your support!
Student sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040949AFAE22AB9-44749654-2023
Baked goods and parent volunteers:
FVES Events
Harvest Festival and Parade: October 27th
PTA Sponsored Masquerade Festival: October 28th, 5:30-7:30
Mental Health Awareness Week: Week of October 30th
Family Open House: Date TBD
Winter Chorus Concert: January 23rd at 7PM
Winter IM Concert: February 1st at 7PM
Wellness Week: January/February
Kindness Week and Party: Week of 2/12 (party 2/14)
Reading Night: March 6th, 6-7:30
STEM Day: March 22nd
International Night: March TBD
PTA Sponsored Book Fair: April 15th-19th
PTA Sponsored STEM Night: April 18th, 5:30-7:30
Career Day: May 3rd
PTA Sponsored SAVERS Donation Drive: May 4th, 9:30-1:00
Field Days: May TBD
PTA Sponsored Carnival: May 19th, 2-5:00
Spring IM Concert: May 30th at Rockville High School at 7PM (tentative)
5th Grade Promotion: June 12th
5th Grade Fun Day: June 13th
FVES PTA Sponsored Restaurant Nights: Come Out and Support FVES and Enjoy a Meal
- Creek Lodge Bar & Grill- Wednesday, November 15th, 2023
- Leisure World Ledo’s - Tuesday, December 12th, 2023
- California Tortilla- Wednesday, January 24th, 2024
- Ema Rossi- Wednesday, February 7th, 2024
- Chuck E Cheese - Friday, March 15th, 2024
- Rockville Paisano’s - Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 and Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 from 11:00am-10:00pm
- Rockville Chipotle - Monday, May 13th, 2024
- Villa Maya - Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
Information from Previous Newsletters
Transportation Information: Bus Routes
Transportation information is on the school website and available here:
- Arrival Schedule
- Departure Schedule
- Department of Transportation Communication to Families (English Version)
- Department of Transportation Communication to Families (Spanish Version)
- What to Know about Riding the Bus (English Version)
- What to Know about Riding the Bus (Spanish Version)
- Link to Check Daily Status of Buses
Need a Chromebook for home?
You are receiving this message because this year, your child’s school is using a classroom cart model for Chromebooks. This means students use an assigned Chromebook while in school, but do not bring their Chromebook home each night. As we move into the winter months and plan for potential emergency closures, your child will need access to a device at home to engage in homework, interactive resources and potential virtual instruction. If your child does not have access to a personal or home computer, a parent or guardian should complete a form to request an MCPS Chromebook. The device will be checked out to your student and will be kept at home for the school year. The device will need to be returned at the end of the school year or sooner if your student is leaving MCPS for any reason.
To request a MCPS Chromebook for home use, please complete this form: Chromebook Form to Distribute to Families
Links:
School Lunch
Breakfast and hot lunches are served daily. Lunch menus can be accessed here. Your child will learn about their lunch schedule on the first day of school. The teacher will also let you know about snack time, especially if your child has an early or late lunch.
Breakfast is $1.30, and lunch is $2.55. To learn more about eligibility for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) and apply for FARMs, click here. Deposits into lunch accounts can be made by any student and can be made ahead of time via the MCPS online payment system, My School Bucks. Details about how to add money to your student’s account can be accessed here.
DFNS encourages all families with students enrolled at non-CEP schools to complete a Free and Reduced-price Meals Application. All meals are free for students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals.
Make ParentVue Work for You!
The Annual Verification process allows families to update contact information, collect important information about you and your student, including any medical, immunization, language preferences, and emergency information that school staff need to know. MCPS uses ParentVUE to collect this information electronically. Online registration is available now until October 20th.
ParentVue is where you are able to access your student's grades, attendance, test scores, schedules, and so much more. Please see the quick guides below to set your preferences and see where to access all of the information available to you.
There are online registration quick guides in several languages available to support you in this process.
English | Español | 中國人 | 한국인 | Français | Português | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
ParentVUE Quick Guides
English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
Health Information
If your child has Covid, it is important for them to remain home for 5 days after testing positive. Additionally, they must wear a mask for 5 days after returning to school. Families no longer need to self-report Covid; however, it is important to notify your child's teacher and the main office when your child is out sick.
If you have any questions regarding health related matters, you can contact Ms. Kalter at Marley_S_Kalter@mcpsmd.org.
Attendance Matters!
If your child is going to be absent, please notify the teacher and Mrs. Sintetos at Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org.
**Please remember that vacations are not considered lawful absences. Details regarding lawful and unlawful absences can be found here.
**For absences to be considered excused, a note must be submitted in writing or emailed to Mrs. Sintetos. This includes medical appointments.
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
Dr. Angie Fish, Principal – Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org
Mrs. Kimberly Haden - Kimberly_D_Haden@mcpsmd.org
Main Office Staff (240) 740-1780
Ms. Nevine Peckoo, School Administrative Secretary – Nevine_A_Peckoo@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. Nicole Bamberger - Nicole_M_Bamberger@mcpsmd.org
FVES Parent Handbook
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