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Fox Prints October 24
Message from the Principals
Dear Parents,
Many thanks to our students, parents, and Cub Scout Pack 159 who gave of their time and effort to help with our fall landscaping clean-up and the bulb planting on Oct. 23. Next spring we will see their efforts in full bloom! The new mum plants were donated by Betty's Azalea Ranch and are a beautiful addition. We also appreciate the efforts of our landscaping committee organizers, Mrs. Bernie Boyle and Mrs. Nikki Matthews.
Next week many of our community members will be dressing up and participating in the fun and excitement of Halloween. To help keep everyone safe on this special occasion, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Police, and Health departments offer the following safety guidelines to parents:
- Never let children trick-or-treat alone. At least one adult should go along.
- Trick-or-treat only at homes of people you know.
- Tell children never to eat any candy or treats until they return home. Check all treats at home. Eat only unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers.
- Make sure all costumes and accessories are flame retardant and keep costumes short to prevent tripping.
- Make sure your children can see and be seen. Select costumes in light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes.
- Try make-up instead of a mask. If a mask is worn, tell children to remove it and look both ways before they cross a street.
- Ensure that each trick-or-treater has a working flashlight.
- Welcome trick-or-treaters at home by turning on your exterior light.
- Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard.
- Report any suspicious or criminal activity to the police department.
Because we still have concerns about unsafe driving at arrival and dismissal, I am again including our guidelines. We ask that in the morning, parents drop off their student(s) only in the designated Kiss and Ride area. CARS ARE NEVER TO BE PARKED IN THE KISS AND RIDE AREA. We also ask that parents coming in and out of the parking lot have patience with the line of cars. We are very concerned about our children's safety and ask that cars not pull around waiting cars. If you park and walk your child to the front entrance, only cross streets in the designated crosswalks. Please do not undertake U-turns in front of the school or on the side streets. Also, it is very dangerous if you are using a cell phone while driving your car in the vicinity of the school while children are present. If your child arrives late, parents must park their car and walk their child to the office.
The dates for our annual Book Fair are Oct. 31-Nov. 9. Student browsing and purchasing will be Monday, Nov. 1 thru Friday, Nov. 4. The Book Fair will be open during conferences Monday, Nov. 7 and Tuesday, Nov. 8. Parents are welcome to stop by between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.!
Sincerely,
Pat Sheehy Brian Moose
Principal Assistant Principal
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Boosterthon FUN RUN Pledges Due
|  Thanks to everyone who turned in their envelopes last Thursday. We are at the $17,000 mark for pledges and donations collected which equals 54% of the schools goal. The PTA's goal for the Boosterthon Fundraiser is to raise $30,000. If we collect 100% of all funds generated from the Boosterthon we will make close to $34,000. That means the school won't need to support another large fundraiser for the rest of the school year.
Please gather all your donations and pledges and turn them in by TUESDAY NOV. 1. If you still have donations and pledges to collect, a letter will be sent home with your child in their Tuesday packet. This letter was generated based on funds collected on Oct 21.
Three easy steps for collecting your pledges and donations so the school can achieve its fundraising goal:
1. Please call your sponsors and thank them.
2. Tell them how many laps you ran at the Boosterthon Fun Run. If you log on to FunRun.com using your access code you will see the number of laps you ran and the amount of money you raised. Need help? On the home page of FunRun.com, click the help button.
3. Next collection is due Tuesday Nov. 1. Please make all checks payable to Fox Mill PTA. If you are using one check to pay for multiple children, please write the children's names, grade, and teacher on the memo line or on your envelope. Don't forget all money collected is TAX DEDUCTIBLE. For a tax receipt, see www.fcps.edu/FoxMillES.
If you choose to pay online, there is a $2.00 convenience fee.
Thank you for your support
WAY TO GO FOX MILL!!!!! |
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Spirit Wear.... Order Now!
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Clothing and apparel will be available to purchase until Nov. 1 only. Pony-o's and magnets will be available to purchase all school year. Foxy Wear will be delivered to the school for pickup on Nov. 17 at the Thanksgiving luncheon. Before you order, please keep in mind that all sales are final and no exchanges. All orders must be placed online with Burke Sporting Goods. Here's how: 1. Go to www.burkesports.com. 2. Click the "spirit wear" link at the top. 3. Type in our school's Group Code: Foxywear then click on the "GO SHOP" button. 4. The next page displays the spirit wear and other items for sale. Just click on the items you want to purchase, then click on the desired number and size on the next page. Then click on the "Add to cart" button. 5. The next page shows you what you've ordered. To remove an item, click on the little trash can on the right of the price. If you want to order more items, click on the "+ Continue shopping" link. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until your order is complete. 6. When your order is complete, click on the "Checkout" button. 7. On the next page, type in your name, number, e-mail address, child's name, teacher, and grade in the spaces provided. Then click on the "Proceed to Payment" button. 8. Clicking this button will take you to a new page to complete payment through Paypal. This new page will be the standard Paypal page, including your order summary. If you/your family has a registered Paypal account, you may submit payment through that account. If you do not have a Paypal account, simply click on the "Don't Have A Paypal Account" button below, and complete your payment with a credit or debit card. You will receive an e-mail confirmation after payment has been successfully completed. If you have questions, please e-mail Emily Madden at emilymadden@yahoo.com. Do not contact Burke Sporting Goods regarding your purchase.
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School Picture Day Oct. 25
|  School Picture Day is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 25. Your child was provided with a picture order envelope and flyer. Please complete the envelope and have your child bring it to his or her teacher before Picture Day. If you did not receive a flyer or have misplaced it, extra flyers are available in the school's main office. All students will be photographed on Picture Day as these photos will be used for our Fox Mill Yearbook.
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JCC Meeting Oct. 26
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The first Japanese Cultural Commitee (JCC) meeting of the school year will be on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 8:45 a.m. in the cafeteria. New members, siblings, and latecomers are welcome.
The Japanese Cultural Committee is a commitee of the PTA that organizes Japanese cultural events throughout the year. There is no need to speak Japanese or have any knowledge of Japanese culture to join. If you can't make it to the meeting but would like to be added to the JCC e-mail list, or have any questions, e-mail elizbethpfeifle@gmail.com.
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AAP Parent Meeting Oct. 27
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A parent information meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 9 a.m. at Fox Mill on Advanced Academic Programs (AAP). Eileen Dunne, the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, will provide information about levels of service and examples at Fox Mill Elementary, 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 parents of students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Click here to open a document with more information about AAP.
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6th Annual Walk for the Homeless Nov. 3
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Great News
Reston Interfaith has been so impressed and grateful for Fox Mill's support over the past five years and is aware of the increasing number of financial requests being made to parents in this current economic climate, that they have kindly offered to help out. If you pay a minimum of $20, (your first child's registration), they will sponsor any additional children that you wish to register from your family. We do need a signed registration form for all children who are walking. This is needed for Reston Interfaith and for our records as the registration gives permission for your child to stay and walk with us. If not registered, your student will not be allowed to stay for the Walk. We also need it to ensure that all registered walkers get their t-shirt for the day of the Walk.
REGISTER BY OCT. 28 TO RECEIVE A T-SHIRT FOR THE WALK
 Join us on Nov. 3 as Fox Mill ES walks to help end homelessness in our community. All proceeds benefit Reston Interfaith.
Fox Mill PTA invites students and their families, teachers, and staff to walk together for an afternoon of community awareness about homelessness. This event is a part of our School Improvement Plan and helps teach our children about being responsible citizens. We hope your whole family will come out to support this important cause. 100% of funds raised will benefit Reston Interfaith. Reston Interfaith receives even more funding from the Fannie Mae Foundation as a result of our Mini Walk. In five years we have raised over $34,000 for Reston Interfaith. With more families in our area affected by hard economic times, our help has been critical.
The SCA officers will visit the Embry Rucker Shelter this week, and they will share with the rest of the students what they have learned about how the shelter provides for the homelessness in our community. The SCA will talk on the Morning News Show and in the classrooms. The students have signed a foot to be displayed in the cafeteria showing that all of Fox Mill ES is working on ending homelessness. The librarian has been reading a wonderful book, Ana's Story, to the students which was written by a child who had actually lived at the Embry Rucker Shelter. Click here to take a look at the book.
The Walk is a lot of fun and we will have some special guests and treats lined up for the students. We walk directly after school on Nov. 3, rain or shine! Students should bring signed forms with the fee attached to their teachers by Oct. 28 to get their t-shirt for the Walk .
Click here for more information. Click here for a registration form. Or see foxmillpta.com/events/walk-for-the-homeless E-mail Bernie Boyle at bernie.mick@verizon.net if you have any questions.
Thank you for helping Fox Mill ES end homelessness!
Our walk last year helped to house one homeless person.......WOW...Let's do that again!!!
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Kids Helping Kids Oct. 28
|  The Kids Helping Kids Committee will meet on Friday, Oct. 28 from 9 to 9:30 a.m. to discuss how the program works. All parents are welcome to come learn more about the program and younger siblings are welcome.
Thank you to all the 6th grade parents who have already donated food. All food donations are due on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Additional food is still needed; please sign up at www.signupgenius.com/go/kids108.
All 6th grade students will participate in the Kids Helping Kids program on Friday, Oct. 28 at 2:15 p.m. and will assemble 100 bags of food to be given to kids at another local school so they have food to eat on the weekend. |
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Halloween Fright Night Festival
| South Lakes High School presents Halloween Fright Night, a festival of plays, from Oct. 27-29. Come to the South Lakes High School Theatre and enjoy the following productions: The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ring, It's Bigfoot!, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Invasion of Earth as it Began in Grover's Mill, and New Jersey. Admission is $6 for children under 12, students, and seniors; and $8 for adults. To learn more about the SLHS drama department, visit www.southlakesdrama.com.
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Odyssey of the Mind Registrations Due Oct. 31
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It is time to register for the Odyssey of the Mind adventure that begins in November! Registrations are due Oct. 31.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that provides an opportunity for kids to creatively solve problems as a team by thinking "out of the box." Click here to open the Odyssey of the Mind flyer. Click here to open the registration form to register your child for the Odyssey of the Mind 2011-2012 program. There is a $25 registration fee for each student to participate in the program. For more information, see http://foxmillpta.com/programs/odyssey-of-the-mind.
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Book Fair Nov. 1-8
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The book fair is coming! Students will browse and buy during school hours from Tuesday, Nov. 1 to Friday, Nov. 4. Classroom teachers will schedule browsing and buying times. The book fair will also be open during conferences on Monday, Nov. 7 and Tuesday, Nov. 8. Please stop by to browse, shop, or just to say hello!
Checks should be made payable to Fox Mill Elementary School. Remember that 25% of all sales goes to the school! Make sure you check the Classroom Wish Lists at the book fair to donate books to the classrooms!
If you have any questions, please e-mail Mrs. Diamond at lsdiamond@fcps.edu or call her at 703-262-2706. See you at the book fair! |
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Student-Parent Surveys Coming
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Each year you are asked to complete the Student-Parent Survey (also referred to as the Federal Survey or Impact Aid Form). The survey will arrive at your home via U. S. Mail at the end of this month. Please complete all of the requested information and return the form to school as soon as possible, but no later than Nov. 4.
If for some reason your form has not made it back to school by Nov. 4, you can turn it in during our parent teacher conference days, Nov. 7 and 8. A desk will be manned at the school entrance (between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.) to accept the forms. At that time, if you arrive without your completed form, we will have another copy available for you and will request that you take a minute to complete it while you are here.
You will be able to complete your "assignment" in the short turnaround time by preparing ahead. Your "homework" will be to research and gather the following information: COMPLETE work addresses (including street numbers and zip codes) and work phone numbers for both parents/guardians. And here's the best part about this early notice of the assignment's due date: You can start your research now!
It is extremely important that we get a survey back from each and every student. The school system receives much needed financial support from the government as a result of your cooperation in this project. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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6th Grade Parents Mailing List
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The 6th grade room parents are looking to reduce paper usage and reach all 6th grade parents via e-mail with news on events and other 6th grade specific activities. If you received the welcome letter via e-mail this week then you are already on the mailing list. If you did not, please send an e-mail to foxmillpta@yahoo.com requesting to be added to the 6th grade mailing list.
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Gift and Craft Show Vendors
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Applications are now being accepted for crafters and vendors for the Annual Fox Mill Holiday Gift and Craft Show on Dec. 3. All vendors that are interested in reserving a table at the show should complete the application and return it to Heather Young with the application fee. Click here to open the application or see http://foxmillpta.com/events/holiday-craft-fair-and-secret-shop for more information.
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Box Tops for Education
|  Please continue to collect Box Tops for Education. We will be having another contest this fall ending on Dec. 1. The winners from grades K-2, 3-4 and 5-6 will receive a cupcake party.
Coupons for products that participate in the Box Top program can be found at www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Coupons.aspx.
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Fox Mill Kids Helping the Community
| Has your child recently done something to benefit the community? If so, we would like to recognize them in the next issue of "Fox Mill Kids Helping the Community" newsletter. Some of our past issues have included Fox Mill Kids who held a book drive to benefit needy children, raised money to help homeless animals, donated some of their own belongings to benefit a homeless shelter, and lots of girls (and boys) who have donated their hair to organizations that make wigs for people who have lost their hair due to cancer. Please e-mail your child's contribution to the community to Sandy Vigen in the office at m.vigen@fcps.edu. Photos are welcome!
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After-School Plans
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If a student invites another student to come home with him/her, notes from the parents of the invited student as well as the parents of the hosting student must be sent to the office. Please include the first and last names of the students or click here to open a form to fill out and submit. Play dates will not be allowed without these written parent permissions.
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Calendar
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OCTOBER
Oct. 24 Father-Daughter Dance planning meeting
Oct. 25 School picture day
Oct. 26 JCC meeting
Oct. 27 Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) parent meeting
Oct. 28 Staff meal by 6th grade parents
Oct 28 Kids Helping Kids committee meeting
Oct. 28 Kids Helping Kids: 6th grade
Oct. 31 Odyssey of the Mind registration due
NOVEMBER
Nov. 1-4 Book Fair
Nov. 1 PTA meeting
Nov. 2 GRACE Art Docent meeting
Nov. 3 Mini-Walk for the Homeless
Nov. 7-8 Teacher Work Days
Nov. 7-8 Book Fair
Nov. 17 Thanksgiving Luncheon
Nov. 30 GRACE Art Docent meeting
To view the Fox Mill PTA calendar, please click here.
For submission and questions about Fox Prints, send an e-mail to foxmillpta@yahoo.com.
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