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| A Newsletter for the Belle View Elementary School Community |
April 2011 |
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Dear Belle View Parents,
Next month begins the main testing season for Fairfax County Public Schools. The Standards of Learning tests will be given May 16th through June 3rd. Students in Grades 3-6 in our school will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning tests. It will be very helpful if you can avoid appointments which may take your child out of school during this time period. Also, it will help your child perform his or her best if he or she has had a good night's rest, a healthy breakfast, and comes to school with a positive attitude.
The Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are required of all students in Grades 3-6 across the state by the Virginia Department of Education. SOL tests measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills specified in the Virginia SOLs. Content areas include writing, reading, mathematics, history/social science, and science.
The purpose of the testing is to provide information about student achievement in several subject areas. Scores from the tests will be used to determine whether students fail to meet standards, are proficient in meeting the standards, or advanced in the standards.
Proud Principals of the Belle View Bobcats,
Tom Kuntz Eleanor Contreras
Principal Assistant Principal |
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Who's Who at Belle View
Meredith Houff
1. How long have you been at Belle View?
This is my first year at Belle View. I feel so lucky to have joined such a wonderful community of learners!
2. How long have you been teaching?
This is my 7th year of teaching. Previously, I taught first and second grade at another FCPS school.
3. What does an instructional coach do?
An instructional coach wears many hats on any given ay, which includes collaborating with teachers on the implementation of best instructional practices, facilitating professional learning, and keeping a laser like focus on student achievement. Mainly, my job is to support teachers in doing their best work with students.
4. Where did you go to College?
I went to Virginia Tech...GoHokies!J
5. What is your favorite part of your job?
I cannot choose just one part, so...1. Watching students succeed and make progress, both academically and socially. 2. Collaborating with amazing teachers who teach me something new EVERY DAY
6. What hobbies do you have or what do you like to do outside of school?
I Iove spending quality time with my husband, family, and friends. I also enjoy traveling, bargain shopping, and I sing Soprano I with the Alexandria Choral Society.
7. Do you have any pets?
I do not have any pets. I live in a small condo in Arlington and just don't think I have enough room for a pet.
8. Do you have family in the area?
Yes, I am a local girl! I went to Annandale HS. My sister & her husband live in Burke, and my parents live in Springfield.
9. Do you have a favorite author?
Usually, I love anything by Jodi Picoult. Additionally, I think every educator should read Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point, Outliers, and Blink.
10. Have you always wanted to work in schools?
Initially, I thought I wanted to move to NYC and become a Broadway actress. However, when I was 15, I volunteered to teach music at my church's Vacation Bible School and fell in love with working with kids. I continue to love that teachers play a role in helping shape an individual, whether that be serving as another role model in his/her life or being a catalyst for thinking, learning, and social and cognitive growth.
11. How is it different being a classroom teacher and being an Instructional Coach?
The biggest difference is that I am not working with students each and every day - and that is definitely the part I miss the most! However, I love that I have the ability to continually collaborate with other BVES staff - I learn so much from their expertise, and I hope they can learn a bit from me, too!
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Spring Gardening Day!
Saturday, April 30th
from 9AM - 1PM
Bring the family and join us for a couple of hours to help make Belle View's grounds beautiful. We have ambitious plans this year and need your help to get it done!
* Planting Native Grasses Garden
* Mulching Trees
*Shrub Planting Along Fence Line
*Assemble Compost Bins
*Plant Learning Vegetable Garden
Please bring gloves and tools: shovels, rakes, hand trowels, toppers & pruners
Snacks and drinks available for volunteers!
PIZZA PARTY FOR CLASS WITH MOST VOLUNTEERS!
For more information and to sign up:
Contact Ben Folsom at 703-768-3444 or ben@thefolsoms.net
sponsored by your PTA |
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Belle View's First Annual Fast Cats Run
May 1st
T-shirt Design by Annabelle O'Bryan
Registration is still underway. Forms can be obtained at the office or requested from your child's classroom teacher.
Those of you that have already registered and ordered a t-shirt will have your race packet delivered to your child's classroom. Other packet pick-up information is forthcoming.
Volunteers are still needed for this event. If you have time to share, contact Jessica Earley at jlearley@fcps.edu
A special thank you to Hollin Hall Automotive for donating our Race Bibs!!!
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The Belle View
Book Fair & Carnival
Was a huge success!
The Book Fair total sales were $9,929.38! (last Spring was $9,561.93 and December was 11,568.87). You will be happy to know that the cash profit to the Library is $2,482.35! But wait-there's more-we earned $1,664.41 in addition to the cash profit in Scholastic Dollars! (this money must be used to purchase Scholastic materials).
But wait ...a little more-we gave away a total of $200.00 in Scholastic dollars to students and teachers!
And if you can stand a little more-the Book Fair Carnival night made approximately $500.00! This will cover the cost of the popcorn machine/supplies and the provisions for the Carnival night dinner.
Special thanks to Sue Capper with Claudia Hemlinger and Ali Theriot, her two co-chairs for the Book Fair two times this year!
The Belle View Library will surely benefit from all the sales and hard work.
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Spell Check Pledge
Recently your child participated in the Spell Check Pledge for our fundraiser to support the construction of a quarter-mile path at our school. This stone
dust running path is in the final design phase of construction.
We are proud to annouce that $9,865 was raised from this event, and some money is still trickling in.
This project is scheduled for completion this Spring.
Thank you to all those who gave so generously! |
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Track Updates!
Belle View's Spring Track Program for K-2 began on March 14th. The program culminated in a competition on April 11th at West Potomac High School. Belle View had an excellent "track record" during this event. Look for official results in the May newsletter.
Now, onto the 3rd-6th graders: Our first practice will be April 25, the Monday after Spring Break. All 3rd-6th grade runners will meet at the blacktop right after school.
If you can volunteer for any of the practices, please let Melissa Lynch know prior to the April 25 practice so that a schedule can be made prior to program start.
The 3-6 track meet is scheduled to be held at the West Potomac Track on May 16th.
Questions regarding this program should be directed to Melissa Lynch, meldanlynch@cox.net.
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Mark Your Calendars!
April 18-22 Spring Break
April 25 3-6 Track Program begins
April 28 Arts in Education Assembly "Under the Sea"
April 30 Spring Gardening Day
May 1 Fast Cats 5k
May 3 PTA Meeting
May 6 taff Appreciation Breakfast |
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PTA NEWS!
During the May PTA meeting we will be voting on the new Board Members for the 2011-2012 school year. All names were to have been put forward to the nominating committe by April 6th. The meetings are always held at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.
Our Nominating Committee members are:
PTA memberhship is an opportunity to serve your community and make a real difference in our school.
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Arts in Education
Books! The Magic is Real!
On Tuesday, March 15th, our students were treated with a performance by Joe Romano, an amazing Magician with a love of magic and reading. During the performance, Mr. Romano brought reading to life. Joe Romano has been writing educational programs since 1990 and has been a performer in many popular children's venues including Disney Cruises and Universal Studios. |
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Honor Band Plays at Carl Sandburg!
Congratulations to our sixth grade honor band students for an amazing concert on March 29th! The 12 students from Belle View were selected after try-outs in January to participate in an area honor band along with students from Fort Hunt, Groveton, Hollin Meadows, Hybla Valley, Stratford Landing, Mt. Vernon Woods, Waynewood, and Woodley Hills Schools. They attended weekly practices at Carl Sandburg in order to prepare for the concert. Students are pictured: (front row from left to right) Chris Day, Mia Slone, Stephen Henley, Angie Hernandez, Nasim Al-Saadawi, and (back row from left to right) Mr. Christian Donlon (our wonderful band instructor), Chantel Nestell, Madeline Day, Amy Zelaya, Cassidy McCracken, Sarah Sauers, Juliana Sprague, and Rachael Brautigam.
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OM Fundraiser! Wow!
The Odyssey of the Mind coffee fundraiser sold $1710 in coffee!
We get 50% of this back to help support the OM program at Belle View.
The top seller in this fundraising effort was Stanhope Fairbanks. Congratulations on a job well-done! |
$500 Belle View Scholarship to be awarded in June
The Belle View Elementary School Principal's Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented to a West Potomac High School Senior this June. The $500 award, which is presented during the WPHS Seniors Awards Convocation, recognizes outstanding student achievement, leadership and service. If you know of a senior at West Potomac who would like to be considered for this award, please have them contact Elaina Johnson, Career Counselor at West Potomac High School. To be eligible, applicants must have been a student at Belle View for one or more years and must currently be a graduating senior at West Potomac. Completed applications are due to Ms. Johson by Friday, May 20, 2011. The winner will be announced at the Awards Convocation (date to be determined).
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Third Grade Takes a Trip to Ancient China
Last month our third grader took a trip back in time to Ancient China. Time travel guides introduced the students to: a Chinese marketplace; the art of calligraphy; and the inventions of kites and block printing. All the action took place in the cafeteria.
At the Ancient Chinese Inventions station the students were given the opportunity to make paper kites, decorated with colored ink stamps, reinforced with bamboo frames and festooned with bright colored tails. They learned that the origin of kites in China stretches back 3000 years where they were made from bamboo and silk. These kites had many uses: military, communications, weather sensing, fishing, transportation and entertainment.
The Art of Calligraphy station allowed the students a chance to practice their penmanship by decorating paper scrolls using the ancient technique of calligraphy to draw Chinese symbols. It was exciting to see the complete concentration and determination the students used to create their masterpieces.
The students discovered a whole new world of flavors at the Chinese Marketplace. They earned coins by answering questions about Ancient China and use these to shop at the market. There they were encouraged to sample sticky rice, mandarin oranges, squid, hot sauce, ginger candy and more.
This was a wonderful trip for all involved. The students were engaged in the various activities, the volunteers enjoyed working with the students and the teachers thought it was a worthwhile learning experience. Thanks to all those who made this event such a success: Ms. Betz, Ms. Earley & Ms. Luster for supporting the project; Chris Goerke & Quinn Byrnes for being committee chairs; and the following parents for being willing to help: Sally Murphy, Karen O'Bryan, Ann Ngo, Cathy Guthrie, Mary Elizabeth Duke, Susan Collins, Debbie Fairbanks, Cindy Anderson, Ben Folsom, and Jennifer Brooks.
Ancient Greece and Rome are our next destinations!
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Did you know...?
Did you know that there is a lost and found at Belle View? Our school's lost and found is located outside the cafeteria doors across from the student restrooms. Over the next month we hope that you will take a moment to visit the lost and found to locate your child's lost belongings. later this month, all unclaimed articles will be donated to a local charity.
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SAVE THIS DATE!
Friday, May 6th
Our Final Staff & Teacher Appreciation Breakfast of the School Year!
This breakfast is to be hosted by our Kindergarten and Head Start families.
You will be receiving a flyer soon reminding you of this event and ways you can help to make it a success.
Questions can be directed to
Leslie Fry, Breakfast Coordinator
lesliefry@cox.net
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An example of cooperation and beauty!
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2nd Grade Student, Nat Boling meets
Magic Tree House author Mary Pope Osborne
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Magical Monograms
Embroidered and Monogrammed Products and Services
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balanced careers. successful lives.
mOmentum
{Hire the right people.}
Part-time. Flexible. Smart. Professional. Experienced. Cost-effective.
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The bus stops here!
A Child's Place
Hollin Hall Summer Camp at A Child's Place
1500 Shenandoah Road
Alexandria, VA22308
703-765-8811
Elinor Shemeld, Summer Camp Director
Join us for our Open House on Thursday, February 24 from 6pm to 7pm! Refreshments will be served.
Summer fun begins here when the school year ends!
Registration opens February 1, 2011
Forms will be online or email to have a packet mailed to you.
Junior Camp 6 to 81/2, Senior Camp 8 1/2 to 13
Fields trips every day! | | |
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Mason Montague Bavin
