The Green Valley Gazette
February 11, 2019
Dates to Remember
GVE News
Letter from the Principal
Hello Green Valley Families,
Valentine’s Day Parties: Soon, teachers will be sending home individual classroom communication regarding their classroom parties. It is important to note that students are welcome to share Valentine's cards with each other during the school Valentine’s parties. Many of the for-purchase "Valentines" may contain candy or other treats. Due to health concerns and student allergies, we ask that you please refrain from purchasing valentine cards with candy. Candy valentines will not be allowed. Pencils, erasers, stickers, non-food school appropriate items can be included with card if you would like.
Survey: FCPS launched a survey on Thursday, January 24 to gather your perceptions about your child's school. The survey will close Friday, February 22. We sent a letter home with each student on January 24, explaining the survey. The letter includes a link for parents and guardians to access and complete an online survey. This link, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FAM0913 is specific to Green Valley Elementary School A limited number of paper copies of the survey will also be available in the front office. Parent/guardian feedback is important to FCPS and the staff at GVES as we continue our work building on strengths and striving to make improvements as a partner in your child’s education. Please contact our front office if you have any questions about the survey. Thank you!
From Mr. Baer:
Last week in PE we introduced the Kids Heart Challenge (KHC) formerly known as Jump Rope for Heart. This fundraiser benefits the American Heart Association (AHA) and is completely voluntary. The fundraiser helps provide money for research and medical expenses for those in need. Not only does the AHA provide thank you gifts to students it also gives our school credits to US Games to get new PE equipment. Every student was given the opportunity to take a packet this week after PE class. The KHC packets provide all the information needed for registering online, how to earn thank gifts and how to use AHA online resources. You may start fundraising immediately, but all funds online or offline must be turned to Mr. Baer in the KHC envelope by March 15, 2019. Our KHC event will be held in PE class the week of March 4th- 8th, in the weeks leading up to our in class event we will discuss an review the various way to keep our heart healthy. All questions about the Kids Heart Challenge needs to be directed to Mr. Baer preferably by email. clint.baer@fcps.org; Office Phone: 240-236-3414
The Counselor's Corner
The Counselor's Corner will be a new edition to the Green Valley Gazette. The School Counselor’s office will share helpful tips with parents and caregivers that support your child’s educational success.
Build Good Attendance Habits Early
School success goes hand in hand with good attendance!
DID YOU KNOW?
Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
Starting as early as kindergarten, too many absences can cause a child to fall behind.
Missing 10 percent of school can make it harder to learn to read.
Students can fall behind, just by missing a day or two every few weeks.
Absences can affect the whole classroom when trying to help students catch up.
Help Your Child Succeed in School by building good habits of attendance as early as preschool.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Set regular morning and bedtime routines.
Lay out clothes, pack lunches, or backpacks the night before.
Take advantage of orientations, open houses, or back to school nights, where your child can meet teachers and classmates before school starts, to help the transition.
Ensure your child has the required immunizations.
Make sure your child goes to school unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a headache or stomach ache may be a sign of anxious feelings and is not a reason to stay home.
If your child does seem anxious about going to school, talk to your child’s teacher, school counselor, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited to learn and go to school.
Plan ahead for the unexpected to ensure your child gets to school. Reach out to family members, neighbors, or other parents.
Try to avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
For more on school readiness, visit attendanceworks.org and reachoutandread.org
Yours in teaching and learning,
Giuseppe
Dr. Giuseppe Di Monte
Principal
Have You Taken the FCPS/Green Valley Survey?
We highly encourage you to complete the survey! Parent/guardian feedback is important to FCPS and the staff at GVES as we continue our work building on strengths and striving to make improvements as a partner in your child's education. Please contact our front office if you have any questions about the survey.
Staff Appreciation Treats for Teachers - February 11th
Let's do something sweet for the
sweet GVES Staff
for Valentine's Day!
Sign up to bring something in on February 11th!
1st Grade Valentine's Day Parties - February 14th!
Hello parents and guardians of 1st Grade! The Valentine's Day Parties will be held in classrooms on Thursday February 14th, 2:00 - 3:00 PM.
Thank you to those who donated. We could use help for some of the 1st Grade classrooms.
Below you will see the link to each classroom's needed items for the party.
Ms. Bell
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA4AE22A7FE3-valentines
Ms. Barbour
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA9AC2FA2F49-valentines
Mrs. Friscia
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4AA5A82EA7F85-valentines
Ms. Wiehler
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c4bafac29a6f94-1stgrade
If you have any questions, please contact your classroom parent. You can find their contact information on the GVES PTSA website, http://www.greenvalley.my-pta.org
Mark Your Calendar - February 27th!
More information to come.
Calling All Scientists!
Have fun with your child and enter a project into the Great GVES Science Fair this year! All projects are due to your homeroom teacher by 9:00 am on Thursday March 28th, and will be displayed at our school STEM night event that evening. You can even enter your project in the county science fair! All students are invited to participate; however, participation is optional for all students.
Flyers were sent home with students and can also be found at the link below:
Please sign up for the Science Fair by going to the following link:
Help End Childhood Hunger
This is another way we can teach our children about kindness and community service.
Help BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK end childhood hunger by providing food for local kids when school meals are unavailable.
Every little bit helps! Please gather all your spare change (bills and checks also accepted) and bring it to one of our school, or any of the participating Blessings in a Backpack schools, drop off at Dublin Roasters Coffee, or donate now. If your business or organization would like to help, please contact us at www.biabfrederickmd.org.
The idea is to collect as many nickels, dimes, and quarters from the community. Please spread the word and do your best to get everyone involved…kids, parents, teachers, staff, volunteers, colleagues, friends & neighbors.
Thanks to you, last year we raised almost $4,000 and we’re hoping to do the same this year. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for helping us feed local children when school meals are unavailable.
PTA News
Save the Date - March 24th!
FCPS and Community News
One More Week!
Hello GVES Friends and Family! We have one more week to collect box tops for our Feed the Green Valley Giant Competition!
Check all your pantry items and junk drawers for any hidden box tops to add to our collection. Don’t forget to ask friends, family and neighbors to contribute too! Each box top is worth $0.10 for our school, and though it may not sound like a lot, it really adds up quick! Our last day for collection will be next Thursday, February 14th. The grade with the most box tops collected will win a special surprise classroom treat!
If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer to help us count box tops, feel free to contact Jodi Best jodibest01@comcast.net
Box Tops for Education are important because they help schools earn money for much-needed items like books, computers, playground equipment and more— which benefits students! In total, America’s schools have earned over $719 million through the program.
Click here to get a list of participating Box Tops products.
Updated FCPS Redistricting Study Information
FCPS has updated the LOU Redistricting Study webpage. To see the video (and transcript) of the January 31 presentation that was live-streamed via Facebook, take the survey (closing Friday, February 15), and view interactive maps, scope of work, timeline, calendar and more, please go to: www.fcps.org/louredistrict.
The page also has links to the special LOU Redistrict Facebook and Twitter sites, as well as to BOE Policy 200 on School Attendance Areas and Redistricting, and the email address for sharing your questions and comments.
As a reminder, below are schools included in the study area:
Elementary
Centerville
Deer Crossing
Green Valley
Kemptown
Liberty
New Market
Oakdale
Spring Ridge (attendance area east of the Monocacy River)
Twin Ridge
Urbana
Middle
Governor Thomas Johnson (attendance area east of the Monocacy River)
New Market
Oakdale
Urbana
Windsor Knolls
High
Linganore
Oakdale
Urbana
The redistricting study is necessary due to enrollment growth and the need to establish attendance areas and feeder patterns for 2 new schools. At every stage, FCPS seeks to hear your views, concerns and ideas. Please visit the webpage, and take the survey!
Stay Up-to-Date
Here are ways to ensure you're getting the latest news and updates from GVE:
- Find Out First E-mails - There has been a change with the way you sign up for "Find Out First" messages. We use the email addresses that you provide us when your student enrolls. If that email address changes, please notify us so that we can update your information.
- PTA Website - The GVE PTA has created a new website for parents and caregivers! The website, which is updated frequently, provides information about upcoming PTA events and activities, membership and volunteer opportunities, current and previous editions of this newsletter, and more. Bookmark it today! http://www.greenvalley.my-pta.org/
- PTA Facebook Page - Stay informed about PTA events, activities, and school information by liking the Green Valley Elementary School PTA Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/GreenValleyESPTA