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Newsletter for the Belle View Elementary School Community |
October 2011 |
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Dear Parents,
Welcome new and returning students to Belle View! The school year is off to a great start. We hope that you take advantage of the opportunities to volunteer in your child's classroom and get connected through the PTA. Research overwhelmingly supports the fact that parent involvement in the school results in better student performance. Come see and experience the learning adventures at Belle View.
Thank you to all the families that attended Back to School Night. We hope that you had a chance to meet your child's teacher and see the classrooms. You will have another opportunity to meet your child's teacher on November 7th and 8th during Parent/Teacher Conferences. This is a great time for parents and teachers to communicate about the positive accomplishments and learning that are taking place for students.
This year Belle View has adopted the Responsive Classroom approach. Responsive Classroom practices emphasize academic and social learning throughout the instructional day. Responsive Classroom practices include:
Morning Meeting
Interactive Modeling
Logical Consequences
Academic Choice
Guided Discovery
Collaborative Problem Solving
Creating Rules
Teacher Language
Classroom Organization
Working with Families
All classrooms are incorporating these Responsive Classroom strategies to promote increases in student responsibility, engagement, and learning.
As a reminder, the safety of our students is of the utmost importance to us. Be alert and use your best driving practices around the school. Please allow our school busses to have the right of way in the parking lot so they can leave promptly. In the Kiss-N-Ride area, please form two lines in our parking lot and take turns merging at the end when you approach the drop-off/pick-up location. We would appreciate if drivers would not use their cell phones in this area. It is also recommended that children walk to school or the bus stop in pairs. It takes every adult to ensure that our children are safe.
Sincerely,
Thomas Kuntz Eleanor Contreras
Principal Assistant Principal |
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Mark Your Calendars!
October 5 First Quarter Interims go home
October 5 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
October 5 FCPS Walk to School Day
October 10 Columbus Holiday (no school)
October 12 Advanced Academic Program Parent's Meeting (8:30 -9:30 a.m.)
October 14 Marine Band visits Belle View (4th-6th grade)
October 18 Outdoor Classroom planting
October 19 Outdoor Classroom planting
October 20 New Progress Report Parent Meeting (cafeteria) 7:00 p.m.
October 20 School Spiritwear orders due
October 21 Reflections entries due
October 22 Gardening Day
October 26 Innisbrook pick-up
October 27 Chili Cookoff (cafeteria) 5:30-7:30 p.m. (information to be distributed)
October 31 Walk for the Homeless (9:30-10:30 a.m.)
November 4 First Grading Period Ends
November 4 Staff & Teacher Appreciation Breakfast hosted by 5th & 6th grades (8:30 a.m.)
November 7 Teacher Work Day and Conferences (no school for students)
November 8 Teacher Work Day and Conferences (no school for students)
November 9 PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
November 11 Picture Retakes
November 11 Outdoor Classroom Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (3:00 p.m.)
November 17 Thanksgiving Luncheon (your student's regular lunch time)
November 23 2 Hour Early Release for Thanksgiving Holiday to include Nov. 24 & 25th
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Did you Know...?
Three Ways to Purchase School Meals:
Online Payment, Check, or Cash
Fairfax County Public Schools is pleased to announce that it now offers three ways to pay for school meals:
- Online-Using www.myLunchMoney.com-The service is easy to use, convenient, private, and secure. There is a convenience fee of $1.95 per transaction. Once the account is open, parents may check the fund account at any time from computer or phone.
- Check-Write a check-made out to (School Name) Food and Nutrition Services-and bring the check to the food service manager's office. A parent who wants his or her check payments to be for meals only (no ā la carte items) should write it on the check or tell the manager.
- Cash-Cash may be brought to the food service manager's office for deposit in student accounts, or students may pay cash for breakfast and lunch daily .
Parents-Please Note!
- Parents may ask for a printed summary of their child(ren)'s account at any time by contacting the food service manager (or by signing on with myLunchMoney.com). You don't need to use the online account for this service.
- Parents are asked to remind their child(ren) not to share their personal identification number (PIN) with friends.
- A parent who wants his or her payments to be for meals only (no ā la carte items or snacks) should tell the food service manager.
New this year! All students that qualify for the reduced price lunch will get a daily free breakfast.
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Who's Who at Belle View
1. How long have you been a media specialist?
I graduated with MLIS degree (Master's in Library and Information Science) in December of 2009. This is my first full-time job as a librarian.
2. Were you in education before coming to Belle View?
Yes, I taught elementary school before I had children. I taught reading (K-sixth) for a year, fourth grade for two years, and third grade for a year.
3. What do you like best so far about Belle View?
I like how nice everyone is and how helpful people have been.
4. Do you have a family?
Yes! I've been married to my husband, Scott, for 27 years. We have four
children: Ryan (25), Julie (22), Ashley (17) and Katie (13).
5. Do you have any pets?
Yes, a cat named "Kitty."
6. Do you have a favorite author? What books do you enjoy most?
I don't have a favorite author - there are too many good ones out there to pick just one. I like reading books my children suggest to me that they have enjoyed reading, then we have something interesting to talk about and share. With four children twelve years apart in age, I read lots of different types of books!
7. Do you have any hobbies?
I don't really have any hobbies because I'm just to busy. The one thing I love to do just for me is run! I will be running the Army Ten-Miler on October 9th.
8. What goals would you give the Belle View Students in the new year in regard to reading?
Sometimes a student will tell me that they just don't like to read, my reaction to that is that they just haven't found the right type of reading material! Books are wonderful, but there are many other things we can read that are valuable like magazines, journals, newspapers, and special sites on the Internet. My challenge to each student is to find things to read that are interesting to you - the more you read the better reader you will be and the more you will want to read!
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First Staff and Teacher Breakfast A Success!
A special thank you to all those who helped support the Staff and Teachers on their first day of school by bringing in a breakfast item for the PTA sponsored breakfast.
Upcoming breakfast dates and
sponsoring grades are:
November 4th (sponsored with 5th & 6th grades)
February 3rd (sponsored with 3rd & 4th grades)
April 20th (sponsored with 1st & 2nd grades)
June 1st (sponsored with Kindergarten and Headstart)
Questions about these events can be directed to Leslie Fry, our Breakfast Coordinator for the
2011-2012 school year.
lesliefry@cox.net
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"Diversity Means...."
PTA Reflections Unleashes Your Artistic Talents
Do you express your creativity through dance, music, story, or poetry? Do you dream of having your drawings displayed in a special event? Do you enjoy taking photographs or videotaping your friends?
Reflect on the theme, "Diversity Means..." Create an original artwork in film production, or dance choreography or musical composition, or photography or visual arts, or literature. It's up to you what category you select to best create an original artwork.
Deadline for entries: Friday, October 21
For details contact Leigh Weisblat, 703-765-3231 or mlbweisblat@earthlink.net
(please put Reflections in the subject line).
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Belle View Elementary School
ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP) PARENT INFORMATION MEETING
A parent information meeting will be held at Belle View Elementary School Library on October 12, 2011 from 8:30 - 9:30 am. Mrs. Mollie Tkacik, the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, will provide information about levels of service and examples at BVES as well as explain and answer questions about the screening processes for part-time school based and Level IV services. The meeting is open to all K-6 parents.
CONTINUUM OF SERVICES
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in grades K-8. Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extension of the Program of Studies. Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following Levels of Service:
- Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level I)
The first level is provided to all students in grades kindergarten through six and consists of model lessons that are designed to teach critical and creative thinking skills. The lessons are modeled in all classrooms by advanced academic resource teachers and the thinking strategies are then used throughout the year by classroom teachers and other teachers who work with students. Student responses to these lessons are used as part of the identification process for levels II-IV. Parents may also practice these strategies during family conversations and activities. A description of the 9 critical and creative thinking strategies can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/aap/level1.html.
- Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)
The Advanced Academic Resource Teacher collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenge through lessons and resources that extend and enrich the program of studies. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year. The Young Scholars Model begins at this level and is designed to find and nurture advanced academic potential in students from historically underrepresented populations.
- Part-Time Advanced Academic Program, Grades 3-6 (Level III)
Students identified by a local school screening committee for part-time advanced academic services (Level III) are challenged through models and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS in the four core subject areas. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year.
- Full-Time Advanced Academic Placement, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)
Students found eligible for placement in a full-time Advanced Academic Program (Level IV) through a central selection process receive a highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas. Screening for this level of service occurs in the fall for students who are new to FCPS and in the spring for all other students. The referral deadline is in October for students who are new to FCPS and the first week of February for spring screening. Additional information is available in the Parent Information Packet, published on the AAP website, www.fcps.edu/dis/aap.
IBMYP: Selected Schools, Grades 6-10
- The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program is designed for students ages 11-16. The program helps students develop the knowledge, understanding, attitudes, and skills necessary to participate actively and responsibly in a changing world. The curriculum is supported by the fundamental concepts of intercultural awareness, holistic learning, and communication.
- Honors, Grades 7-8
Advanced and/or accelerated classes are available for students in grades 7- 8 through an open enrollment process. Students receive instruction that is differentiated for advanced learners in the four core subjects in one or more areas of academic strength or interest.
SCREENING
Multiple criteria are reviewed to determine eligibility for all FCPS Advanced Academic Programs. The local school committee determines student eligibility for part-time school-based services. The countywide central selection committee determines eligibility for full-time AAP (Level IV) placement.
TESTING
Each fall all FCPS first grade students are administered the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT). Students in second through seventh grades who do not have an NNAT score may also be administered the NNAT. Each fall all FCPS second grade students are administered the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Students in third through seventh grades who do not have a CogAT score may also be administered the CogAT. A second grade screening pool is established using the test results from first and second grade testing. Students in the second grade pool are automatically screened for full-time AAP (Level IV) placement. Parents or guardians may exercise a one-time retest option during the fall testing cycle.
REFERRALS for FULL-TIME ADVANCED ACADEMIC PLACEMENT LEVEL IV (Grades 2-7)
Parents or guardians of students not in the second grade screening pool may initiate the full-time AAP (Level IV) screening process by completing and submitting an AAP Level IV Referral Form to the local school principal no later than February 3, 2012. No late referrals will be accepted. Second graders not in the pool and all third through seventh graders are screened only by referral. Forms are available on the AAP website (www.fcps.edu/DIS/aap) and in the Parent Information Packet available at the local school. (Please note: Parents or guardians of students who are in the 2nd grade pool will be notified by the school. Students who are not in the 2nd grade pool will not receive notification. The benchmark score used to create the 2nd grade pool will be published on the Advanced Academic Programs website mid-January.)
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Belle View Elementary Awarded Several Grants for Outdoor Classroom
The National Park Service, Audubon Society, US Fish and Wildlife Department, Friends of Dyke Marsh, Earth Sangha, Friends of Occoquan Bay, and the Fairfax County School System have come together to create a wetlands-based addition to the outdoor classroom at Belle View Elementary.
The plant installation will begin in the third week in October in order to give the plants time to acclimate through the dormant period. In addition to the plants, walkways will be installed to allow students to explore without harming the plants and animals in the area.
The marsh (which will also have a meadow area) is the fourth garden on the Belle View Elementary campus. The grounds are also home to a rain garden, a vegetable garden, and a flower garden. Carolyn Bush, second grade teacher and chairperson for the Outdoor Learning Committee, commented on the gardens, "It's essential for children to get outside and explore nature. This gives them an opportunity to see first hand lifecycles, organisms in their natural habitats, and see how we impact the area around us."
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BOX TOPS ARE BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!
Earn money and supplies for Belle View every time you shop for groceries! Clip Box Tops & UPC Labels from hundreds of your favorite products. Attached is the list of participating Box Top products. Send them in with you children and the classes that bring in the most win a pizza and ice cream party at the end of the year. Also, this year we'll be doing some quarterly challenges too.
Register online at http://www.elabelsforeducation.com to earn even more for Belle View but keep clipping the labels too. Belle View will earn even more when your products are scanned at the grocery store (Safeway is a participating store of eLabels.) You must designate Belle View elementary as your school.
Don't forget to ask family, friends and neighbors to save them for you......they can live in another state and still have Belle View as their designated school.
Look for flyers to come home soon with your children with more details on both programs (Box Tops & Labels For Education).
Additional questions can be sent to the Belle View Coordinator, Chris Poulson at chrispoulson@cox.net |
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Fairfax County Energy Zone
October 2011
Food and Nutrition Services has developed monthly Energy Zone articles that schools are welcome to use in your monthly parent newsletters.
October has the following two promotions:
- 9-5-2-1-0 Zip Code to Your Health
To encourage student wellness, FCPS Elementary Schools are promoting 9-5-2-1-0 Zip Code to Your Health the week of October 17 - 21, 2011. Students will learn about healthy eating and exercise through this daily message. This program is a partnership with the Northern Virginia Healthy Kids Coalition. Teachers are invited to highlight the daily message in the classroom.
· Breakfast - A Great Start to Being Smart
October is Breakfast Month in Fairfax County Public Schools. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It "breaks" the "fast" by replacing the energy reserves used overnight.
School aged children especially teens are the biggest breakfast skippers. Research shows students who eat breakfast:
- Learn better
- Are more alert and attentive
- Are more likely to participate in activities
- Eating breakfast may also reduce the risk of childhood obesity
If you have a breakfast skipper in your home, plan and offer quick nutritious choices such as juice, whole grain cereal and toast, breakfast bar, or bagels and milk or yogurt. Parents don't forget your own breakfast. You are a role model for your children.
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West Potomac Visits Belle View
photos by Lori Luster
School Rocks...right?
It's completely acceptable to toot your own horn! |
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Giant and Safeway Rewards Programs are back, and easier and more beneficial for your school than ever.
There are three ways to sign up:
www.giant.com/aplus (click on designate schools and enter BVES code 02260).
www.escrip.com (click on register now and enter BVES code 647-4005).
NsBrigham@hotmail.com (send your last name, Giant and or Safeway bonus numbers to the program coordinator and she will register you as well.
These generous programs will give much needed funds to our school and do not cost ANY EXTRA MONEY.
Questions? Please call Natasha Brigham at
(703) 888-3114. |
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Special Education Inclusion Committee
Purpose: To educate students and adults on special education and inclusion practices in order to form a more inclusive school community.
Who we are: Teachers and parents in the Belle View community
When we meet: Once every other month (meeting dates/ times TBD)
What we do:
*Host Buddy Events- After school events for our special education students and 5th and 6th grade buddies in order to foster a positive relationship for future in school and after school events.
*Parent Support Group- Open forum for parents to meet and share ideas and resources.
*Support After School Activities by offering 5th and 6th grade "buddies"
*Inclusion Week- Events/ lessons targeted towards educating our students and staff on special education.
*Light It Up Blue- World Autism Awareness Day sponsored by Autism Speaks .
We would love to expand by adding events, play dates and workshops but need your help to do so! Please contact Rosemary Genuario rlgenuario@fcps.edu or Katie Albritton kmalbritton@fcps.edu.
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Ok...maybe you haven't lost a chicken, but maybe you did loose your favorite jacket, your lunch box or other beloved item. If so, you should check the lost and found box outside of the cafeteria to recover your items.
Lost your glasses? There are several pairs of children and adult glasses (some prescription) in the front office. Please stop by and take a look...that is if you can see to find the office without your glasses. Now is a good time to remember to label all your children's clothing, especially outerwear. Any clothing items such as jackets, mittens and gloves found in and around the school will be placed in the lost and found bins. Please encourage your child to check the bins regularly for lost items as these bins tend to become overburdened with such items during the winter months.
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United States Marine Corps Band
(Brass Quintet - Five) to Visit Belle View
The United States Marine Band's 2011 "Music In The School's" program is coming to Belle View October 14. This program is designed for students in the fourth through sixth grades. The presentation will last about 45 minutes and will feature instrument demonstrations, an explanation about how instruments produce sound, and a discussion on the evolution of the ensemble's instruments. There will also be time for a question and answer period. Belle View is looking forward to this special performance.
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Change to Traffic Flow in Parking Lot
In an effort to keep our children safer and keep the ever increasing traffic moving during drop off times, please do not turn left onto Fort Hunt Road when exiting the parking lot. Please turn right when exiting the parking lot especially at peak pick up and drop off times to Kiss and Ride. Also please keep your children in your car until you reach the door to Kiss and Ride and a staff member can help your child out of the car. We have had children running through the parking lot without their parents causing unsafe conditions during this fast moving time of transition.
Your cooperation in helping us to make this change is greatly appreciated.
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Belle View Spiritwear is Coming!
Your student has already received an order form for the 2011/2012 Spiritwear Collection. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to show your school spirit by wearing the Bobcat blue of Belle View.
Orders are due October 20th and delivery will be 3-4 weeks
after orders are placed.
If you need another order form, please visit the school's website to download an additional form for your convenience.
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FCPS Students to Participate in International Walk to School Day on October 5th
Students in Fairfax County public schools will participate in International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 5, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. All students are encouraged to walk or bike to school or walk to their bus stops on October 5.
Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school and to work with their schools and PTAs or PTOs to assemble walking groups for the event. Schools that are launching a schoolwide effort to participate can register online at http://www.walktoschool.org/register/.
FCPS Superintendent Jack Dale and Fairfax County Executive Tony Griffin are joining forces to encourage county residents to participate in International Walk to School Day. "Walking is a simple way to incorporate exercise into your day," said Dale. "We encourage all FCPS students and families to participate in this day and to use walking or biking as a means of getting to school whenever possible." Additional information about FCPS and International Walk to School Day can be found at |
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Chili Cookoff
(formerly Bobcat Buffet)
Thursday, October 27th
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Start getting your recipes together!
(more information to come)
Come out and see the Innisbrook Cash Grab
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Mason Montague Bavin
RealtorŪ
Office: 703-549-9292
Cell: 703-338-6007
Fax 703-717-5793
mbavin@mcenearney.com
109 South Pitt Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.masonbavin.com
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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
Jill Levy, Director
Join us for our Open House February 2012 (date and time to be determined)
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 8 1/2, Senior Camp 8 1/2 to 13
Fields trips every day! | | |
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