BOBCAT BULLETIN
April 2023
MORVEN PARK FIELD TRIP
Third grade students took learning outside with a field trip to Morven Park. They will never look at dirt the same way again! Students became scientists as they investigated soil’s unique properties, worked in small groups to design and assemble healthy soil recipes, and learned how they can improve their soil at home or at school through composting.
DARE GRADUATION
Aldie Elementary School fifth graders celebrated their gradulation from D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). The D.A.R.E. program gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence. D.A.R.E. Officer Master Deputy Kamps and guest speaker, Major Ahlemann made D.A.R.E. graduation a memorable event!
ALL COUNTY CHORUS
All-County Chorus is a group of the Loudoun County Public Schools top fifth grade singers whom, each year, get a chance to work with a nationally acclaimed guest conductor and perform a public concert in the spring. This year, more than 200 fifth graders from LCPS were featured in the chorus, including Kalaya Stacks and Anna Gelston from Aldie Elementary School. Congratulations!
RURITAN MARY LEE AWARD
Each year, the Aldie Ruritan Club recognizes two fifth grade students with the Mary Lee Award. The award honors the legacy of Mary Lee, who graduated from the first class of Loudoun County High School in 1955. She later worked at Aldie Elementary School for 30 years, touching the lives of hundreds of students. This year's recipients of the Mary Lee Award are Anna Gelston and Avery Solomon. Congratulations!
A MESSAGE FROM MRS. STEPHENS
Dear Families,
I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. As we near the end of another remarkable school year, I want to remind you of some upcoming events and opportunities for students and families. Field Day is scheduled for June 1st and there are several volunteer opportunities for parents. Please read below if you would like to help make this a memorable event for students.
The Awards and Promotion Program will be held on June 7th from 8:45 to 10:00 am. This program recognizes the accomplishments of students in grades K-5 and will end with the annual step-up and celebratory video. We hope you can join us.
Throughout the summer, there will be fun and educational opportunities at Aldie Elementary School. Bobcat Summer Fun Camp sessions run from June 20th through June 30th. There are still a few spots open but please register by May 26th to guarantee your child's exclusive camp t-shirt. Read below for registration details. Summer school is scheduled July 10th through 28th for students who were recommended by teachers. As always, we invite all students (and their families) to join in the Summer Reading Program sponsored by the Loudoun County Public Library and Washington Nationals. Information about the program is detailed below and will be presented to students during an assembly on June 1st.
Please stay connected with our school community through our website, newsletters, and social media channels during summer weeks. We will be sharing important updates and information about the 2023-2024 school year.
As we approach summer break, I want to thank you for your support, trust, and partnership throughout this school year. Your involvement in your child's education is essential and greatly appreciated. I wish you all a safe, joyful, and restful summer.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Stephens
***UPCOMING DATES***
Drama Club Performance
May 23, 2023 @6:00PM
Memorial Day Holiday (No School)
May 29, 2023
Field Day (All Grades)
June 1, 2022
June 2, 2022 (Rain Date)
Glee Club Performance @ Leesburg First Friday
June 2, 2022 @7:00PM
Promotion & Awards Program (All Grades)
June 7, 2023 @8:45AM
THANK YOU ALDIE FAMILIES!
We're sending a huge and sincere thank you for all you did to celebrate Aldie Elementary teachers and staff during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! Your heartfelt messages, generous donations of gifts and goodies, and the appreciation expressed by the students were touching. Aldie teachers and staff are honored to serve the students and families of our community. Thank you for the outpouring of gratitude for the work they do each day.
FIELD DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Field Day is scheduled on Thursday, June 1 from 7:30 to 11:30 AM. All students in grades K-5 will participate in traditional and innovative Field Day events created by Mrs. Henry. Volunteers are needed to make this a fun and exciting day for our students. Volunteers are needed to set-up, supervise stations, clean-up and assist with outdoor lunch. Volunteers can sign up to work the full field day, or a single shift. Thank you in advance for supporting our school! Click below to volunteer.
PROMOTION & AWARDS PROGRAM
Families are invited to the Promotion and Awards Program on June 7th at 8:45 am. We look forward to this annual tradition, including recognition of the Aldie Ruritan Awardee, Daughters of the American Revolution Awardee, Aldie Heritage Association Awardee, and the Aldie Horticulture Society Scholarship recipients. Students in every grade will be recognized and promoted with the usual Aldie fanfare. We hope you will join us and ask that only immediate family members attend. To help us ensure adquate seating, please complete the short RSVP below no later than June 2, 2022 (one form per family).
SPRING SOL TESTING SCHEDULE
The spring testing schedule is provided below. We ask parents to avoid scheduling appointments or early dismissals on testing days and appreciate your support. Please contact Mrs. Stephens with any questions about SOL testing at Aldie Elementary School.
The SOL Assessment is a computer adaptive tests. Unlike paper and pencil tests, where all students are asked the same questions and spend a fixed amount of time taking the test, these assessments adapt to the way each student responds to test items. That means every student gets a unique set of test questions based on responses to previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions get harder. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions get easier. By the end of the test, most students will have answered about half the questions correctly, as is common on adaptive tests. Results of the Virginia SOL Assessments will be available in ParentVUE at the close of the test window.
SOL Reading
May 17
SOL Math
May 23
SOL Reading
May 18
SOL Math
May 22
SOL VA Studies
May 24
SOL Reading
May 18
SOL Math
May 22
SOL Science
May 26
WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM
What is chronic absenteeism?
Missing more than 10% of the school year for any reason, including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions, is considered chronic absenteeism. A regular school year is 180 days. Chronic absenteeism is missing 18 days a year or more for any reason.
How does chronic absenteeism afffect my child?
Chronic absenteeism correlates to low academic achievement, higher dropout rates, and poor outcomes later in life. When kids miss school, their opportunities for learning decrease and engagement suffers. Missed instruction, regardless of the reason, can have significant academic consequences.
How does chronic absenteeism affect our school?
Virginia joined 36 states (PDF) to use chronic absenteeism as a School Quality Indicator to measure student engagement. To be fully accredited, schools must have no more than 15% chronic absenteeism. Aldie Elementary School has been fully accredited for the past 10 years, but will lose full accreditation this year due to chronic absenteeism. The chronic absenteeism rate for Aldie ES last year was 5.1%. As of May 3, 2023, the chronic absentism rate for Aldie ES this year is 18.4%.
Here are some ways families can help:
- Avoid taking vacations when school is in session. The school calendar has been adopted and published for the next three years making it possible for families to plan ahead.
- Talk with your child's teacher or counselor to address school aversion.
- Help your child engage in school and school-related activities to bolster enthusiasm.
- Contact the health office if your child has a chronic health condition.
- Contact the parent liaison if your family lacks food, housing or healthcare.
Look for ongoing communication about our efforts to improve school attendance and student engagement at Aldie Elementary School.
LAST CHANCE: BOBCAT SUMMER FUN CAMP!
- Complete the Registration Form (one per child).
- Login to School Cash Online to make your payment by May 28th.
Session One: June 20 to June 23 (4 Days) $225 per camper
Session Two: June 26 to June 30 (5 Days) $275 per camper
SIGN UP FOR LUNCH VISITS
We welcome parents and grandparents to join students for lunch at their regularly scheduled lunch time. Sign-up is required due to limited seating. We can accommodate up to three familes each lunch period. Click below to reserve a table. Make certain to include the student(s) name. Check in at the school office upon arrival. Guests may purchase school lunch using your student's lunch account.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE A TABLE
LUNCH SCHEDULE
K-2: 10:40 to 11:10
3-5: 11:10 to 11:40
A FOCUS ON SEL AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL
Family Access to Second Step Digital Curriculum
To access program materials, set up a Second Step account by visiting SecondStep.org and selecting Create Account on the right-hand side of the home page. Follow the prompts to enter an email address, password, and account details. If you have an existing account, you can use it to log in.
- When you log in to SecondStep.org, you’ll land on the My Dashboard page.
- Select the Family Access link in the right-hand panel.
- Paste your Activation Key (listed below) into the box and select the Activate button.
PTA News
May Lego Robotics | Registration Deadline Sunday, May 21 at Midnight
https://app.memberhub.gives/aldiespring23clubs
Drama Club Performance | Wednesday, May 24 at 6:00 PM
Come celebrate our amazing drama club performers. This is a free event open to ALL Aldie Elementary School families. Support the arts!