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This week we started our weekly All School Meeting. Every Thursday, we gather as an entire school community to sing songs, share about ourselves, celebrate students and have fun. Our students did such a great job learning the quiet signal this week. It's going to be a great year!
What's Happening at Mount Eagle
September 8, 2023
See You on Wednesday: Back to School Night
Please join us this Wednesday, September 13 from 6:15-7:30pm at Mount Eagle. Come sit in your child's classroom and learn all about what happens during the day. Your child's teacher will take you through the school day and share ways you can work together to support your child's learning. Each teacher will present twice, so if you have more than one child, you can attend both presentations. Unfortunately our parking lot will be closed because our entire staff will be present. Thank you for walking or parking in the neighborhood. This event is designed for parents. We understand if you have to bring your child. The expectation is that they will sit quietly during the teacher's presentation.
COVID Safety Guidance for School
Although the COVID-19 hospital transmission level (previously the COVID-19 Community Transmission level) for Fairfax County is currently low, COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia during the last few weeks, and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school.
What is My Child's Schedule for Specials?
When you go to Back to School Night on Wednesday, your child's teacher will share the "specials schedule." Specials refer to classes such as art, music & PE. Additionally some grade levels will have library or tech lab or counseling as specials. In the past, your child would have the same special on the same day of the week. For example, they might have always had art on Mondays for the entire year.
This year, we are trying a new approach. We're following a rotation, and each day is designated as A-day, B-day, C-day, D-day or Eagle-day. The order follows the calendar and repeats every five days. If we are not in school that day, then we will pick up with the rotation on the day we return. So this year, instead of your child having art every Monday, they might have it every C-day, wherever that falls during the week. The advantage to this type of rotation schedule is that your child will get more opportunities for their specials class across the entire year. As always, please reach out to your child's teacher with any questions.
All of our "specials" teachers will be in the cafeteria from 6:15-6:30pm at Wednesday's Back to School Night. Please stop by to meet them.
Important Papers We Need From You
Thank you to families that have completed all required school forms either by returning their papers or completing this on a computer in ParentVUE. Returning families in grades PreK-6 must complete and return the following forms yearly:
- Health Information
- Emergency Care Information
- Identification of Military Connected Students
Returning families can see these continuing enrollment forms by clicking on the link. These forms need to be returned to our office assistant, Ms. Carmen Salamanca. All forms were in the left side of the Thursday Take Home folders distributed at the Kindergarten Orientation, the Welcome Walk and the Open House. If you did not attend any of those events, your child received their folder on Thursday.
Important Times
Kiss & Ride: 8:20-8:40am
Doors Open: 8:25am Tardy Bell: 8:45am
Dismissal Bell: 3:30pm
Office Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm
Financial Support with Activity Fees
There are many activities and events that offer reduced fees for families in need. For example, participation in a sports league, SAT test fees for high school students and rental fees for musical instruments are just some of the activities where a reduced fee can be offered for a family in need.
So how do I get proof to show my family qualifies for reduced fees?
If you believe that your family might qualify, please fill out a free/reduced meal form found here: https://www.fcps.edu/frm Once you fill out the form and submit your financial information, you will get an email confirmation. That confirmation serves as your proof that your family qualifies for reduced fees wherever they are offered.
But I thought that everyone at Mount Eagle received free lunch this year and that we didn't have to fill out a form.
That is correct. No families have to fill out a form for their child to have free lunch this school year. But if your family needs to get reduced fees for things like instrument rentals and sports teams, you do need to fill out the form.
If you have questions, please reach out to Lily Delcampo, our Family Liaison or Shannon Southard, our Social Worker. They both work at Mount Eagle everyday and can be reached at 703-721-2100.
Communications with Mount Eagle
Staying informed is essential to our successful partnership. There are several ways we will communicate with you this year:
News You Choose
Mount Eagle uses News You Choose to distribute our weekly parent newsletter. News You Choose is an electronic communication platform that allows community members the ability to select what information they want to receive and how often from individual schools, the School Board office and members, departments, programs, and PTA/PTO and booster organizations. Subscribers can change their settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Make sure we have your current email so that we can send you updates. Or, you can click here to subscribe!
eNotify
Parents/guardians of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students are automatically enrolled to receive e-Notify Communications. FCPS central offices and schools use this system to communicate emergency, delayed opening and school closing information, attendance, and other essential communications. Contact information from the student information system are uploaded to the eNotify system. It is important that parents keep their child’s emergency contact information up-to-date. To update, email Ms. Sara Merino Paz at [email protected], fill out an emergency care card, or update through your SIS ParentVUE account.
Talking Points
Teachers use the Talking Points messenger app, which allows teachers and staff to connect and communicate with families via text messaging directly to their phones and in their home languages.
SIS ParentVUE
Parents can access information about their child’s attendance, class performance, and manage emergency communication and FCPS forms via a SIS ParentVue account. Click here for more information. If you need an activation code, please call the school at 703-721-2100.
Student Rights & Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.
Important Dates
Wednesday, September 13
-
Back to School Night here at Mount Eagle 6:15-7:30pm
Monday, September 25
- School closed for all students
Friday, September 29
- Turn in Students Rights & Responsibilities signature sheet (see above)
See the complete 2023-24 school year calendar
Get Involved with Your PTO
At Mount Eagle, every parent is a member of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). It's a great way to connect with other parents, learn about how to support your child and to have fun! There are many ways where you can share your voice, talents and time. Check out the PTO Website for more information. It's available in multiple languages.
Parent/Guardian Handbook
Do you have questions about attendance or food/drink at school or what students can wear? If so, please check out our Parent/Guardian Handbook on our Mount Eagle website. It's available with translations. Click here to access it. Of course, if you have a question about a situation that is not listed, reach out to your child's teacher or an administrator. Their contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Your Partners In Education
We are honored to work with your family this year and will work everyday to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. We can't do it alone. Please contact us when there is a question or concern, especially related to bullying. As a parent, you will often hear about something before staff might. Thank you for all your support.
Jean Consolla, Principal
[email protected]
Kate Kirkland, Assistant Principal kekirkland@fcps.edu
6116 North Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA 22303 | Phone: 703.721.2100
Attendance: 703.721.2155 | Web | Twitter
