RAVENS' NEST 12/01/2023
GovDelivery6 days 6 hours agoHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
Upcoming Events
Dec 4th - PTA Chess Club, Cafeteria, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Dec 7th - Chanukah begins at sundown (Cultural Observation)
Dec 8th - Bodhi Day (Cultural Observation)
Dec 13th – PTA Chipotle Fundraiser 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Dec 14th – Chorus Concert Grades: 5 & 6th 5:30 – 07:30 pm at the Gym & Stage
Link to 2023-2024 School Year Calendar 2023-24 FCPS School Year Calendar
Because of technical difficulties, if any link does not work, please copy, and paste it into your browser.
A Message from The Pincipal
Dear Ravensworth Families,
Recently, a new program has been purchased by FCPS for all schools to help parents and staff monitor the websites students are browsing during lessons within the school day when laptops are being used. This internet content filtering services is called Lightspeed.
In the spirit of always wanting to maximize transparency for you, and safety for your children, I want to share with you that any parent or guardian interested in knowing more about their child’s internet browsing activity on an FCPS device can sign up to receive a weekly Parent Report from Lightspeed at no cost. This report will provide a list of the top sites your child visited that week.
Additionally, the weekly Parent Report offers you the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through this portal, you may pause your child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Aspuria
Principal
Preparing for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place where we will post an emergency weather closing. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and plan for childcare if appropriate.
Preparativos para el Invierno
La temporada de invierno llegará pronto. Mire este video para ver cómo deciden cuándo hay que cerrar las escuelas debido al clima. Video.
El sitio web de FCPS es generalmente el primer lugar donde publicaremos cuando haya un cierre de emergencia por el clima. Otros canales de comunicación serán usados lo más pronto posible incluyendo correo electrónico, texto, medios sociales, y estaciones de noticias. Aprenda más sobre cómo se comunican los cambios de horario.
Asegúrese de planificar para la temporada de invierno. Asegúrese de que su información de contacto esté actualizada en SIS ParentVUE, marque el sitio web de FCPS, y planifique para el cuidado de niños si es apropiado.
World Languages Offerings in Elementary Schools Survey
Fairfax County Public Schools is considering expansion of our Dual Language Immersion programs to include new languages and school sites, as well as an expansion of new languages for our Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools program.
Parents/caregivers, please share your thoughts about expanding World Languages elementary program offerings. An FCPS survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Urdu, and Vietnamese. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. The survey is optional and will close on Friday, December 8.
Kiss and Ride Reminders
We recently have noticed more families dropping off their children in the Kiss and Ride loop. To ensure the safety of your child and others, please drop your child off between 8:20- 8:35 am. Those students who arrive after 8:35 am must be walked into the building by the adult bringing them. Thank you for your cooperation.
Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes Soon
Mrs. Trumbull is offering an optional mini- conference via Zoom for families who would like to touch base before submitting their referral. These 15 minute conferences are to look over and answer questions about Full-Time AAP Referrals. She cannot comment on what to include, but can confirm everything is included and formatted correctly. You can sign up here.
General information about Full-Time Referrals:
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form to Mrs. Trumbull, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2023.
The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Mrs. Trumbull at [email protected].
Referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific AAP or part-time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for full-time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
Winter Break Enrichment Opportunity
We have an exciting Winter break learning opportunity for FCPS students. ACE has launched a new STEM kit program for students (grades 3-5) focused on extending learning when students are out of school. ACE is offering a comprehensive STEM kit that includes five exciting projects and fifteen learning activities. And better yet, all materials are included! ACE STEM Kits will surely stimulate curiosity and engage students in the rapidly growing area of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Order now at: https://bit.ly/FCPSACE_STEM_Kits
Positivity Project
This week our school community will be focusing on the Other People Mindset of Supporting Others When They Struggle. This means when other people are struggling, we do our best to help them out.
Supporting other people when they struggle is a critical piece of being human. There are many different approaches to helping people who are struggling. These can include listening while they describe an event and their feelings about it, taking action to help people in need, or simply just being there and sitting together in silence. Everyone faces tough days and needs support, and this support leads to a chain of prosocial behavior that makes us feel good about ourselves and our group.
LBMS Curriculum Night at Lake Braddock Substitutes Needed at Ravensworth for 2023-24
We are always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistants to ensure our students continue to thrive when teachers and instructional assistants need to be out of the classroom. Substitute teaching is a great opportunity for future teachers, stay-at-home family members, retirees, college students, part-time employees, and anyone who wants to make a difference! Substitute instructional assistant pay will be $17.08 per hour and substitute teacher pay will be $19.05 per hour for the 2023-24 school year.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Erika Aspuria, Principal and apply on-line. Also, you can sign up for a virtual, one hour substitute information session here.
PTA PTA Fundraiser Night at Chipotle
Chipotle Fundraiser for Ravensworth Elementary School PTA, next Wednesday, December 13th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at 6230 Rolling Rd, West Springfield, VA 22152.
33% of event sales get donated to the cause.
Order online for pick up using the code: X8MJ64X or show the flyer in the Restaurant.
For online orders to count towards the fundraiser, they must be placed for pickup only from the restaurant location of, and during the hours of, the fundraiser. Delivery orders and gift cards do not qualify. $150 minimum event sales required to receive any donation.
PTA is Seeking a New Treasurer
The PTA is looking for someone willing to assume the role of Treasurer for the 2023-2024 school year. Unfortunately, our current Treasurer, Lane, is unable to continue in the position. While we will miss her in that role, it opens a wonderful opportunity for someone looking to get involved. The position includes:
- Tracking and inputting incomes and expenses to QuickBooks
- Creating Monthly Budget Reports and presenting them at Meetings
- Writing checks and depositing payments received
- Attending monthly meetings
The position demands anywhere between 2-5 hours of work per month. While an accounting background and QuickBooks experience is helpful, it is not necessary.
Anyone interested in the role can send an email to [email protected]. Further questions about the role may be sent to [email protected]
Chess Club
Chess Club will be held every Monday in the Cafeteria, starting September 18th from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, except for days where school is closed or there is early release. We are able to offer this program through partnership with the U.S. Chess Center. Chess club is $130 per semester and includes a club t-shirt and snacks during the meet-ups. Registration can be done through the following link: https://chessctr.org/ravensworth/
For more information contact Ravensworth club parent coordinators Michael Alt, [email protected] or Alexandra Parresol, [email protected] or the U.S. Chess Center, [email protected]
Get Your School Spirit Wear Today!
Show your school spirit and support the Ravensworth PTA—purchase your spirit wear in the MemberHub store anytime: https://ravensworth.memberhub.com/store; youth and adult sizes available. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions. Show your pride for the Ravensworth Ravens all year long!
Follow Ravensworth on Social Media
Are you connected to Ravensworth Elementary School and the Ravensworth PTA on social media? The PTA’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/ravensworthelementarypta and the school’s accounts are https://www.facebook.com/RavensworthElementary and https://twitter.com/RavensworthES
5411 Nutting Drive, Springfield, VA 22151 | Main Phone: 703.426.3600 | Attendance: 703.426.3636 | Web | Twitter