Weekly Message from Dr. Fish
Dear Flower Valley Community,
I can't believe May is already here. It seems like it was just yesterday when we celebrated the first day of school. This week was an exciting week. Our kiddos absolutely LOVED the book fair! Thank you to all of our parents who supported this effort! We also enjoyed an amazing STEM Night sponsored by our FVES PTA. The kids had a blast.
Congratulations to our Honors Chorus students who performed this past week. A shout-out to Tara Lennon, Daniel Aiyeola, Dawit Worku, Noelia Sargent, and Maya Ansara Raja!
As the school year enters the last few weeks, there are several activities coming our way. Please take a look below to see information about Field Day and spring testing. Also included are the important dates for the remainder of the year.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
With Firefly Pride!
Dr. Fish
Important Items in This Week's Newsletter
- AAPI Heritage Month
- Parent Input for Next Year
- Field Day Update
- Sneakers for Soccer
- FREE Basketball Clinic; Grades 2-5
- Testing Update
- Counseling Corner
- PTA Corner
- Important Dates in May
- Save the Date
- Helpful Resources
- Bus Transportation Updates
- Attendance, Early Dismissals, and Transportation Changes
- School Visitors and Volunteers
- School Cash Online
- School Contact Information
Asian American and pacific Islander Heritage Month
We are celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Month at Flower Valley in the month of May! We have asked our Asian American staff members to share some information about their culture, experiences growing up, and any stories they’d like to share through the morning announcements each week.
Here are two websites with lists of books featuring Asian American characters, authors, and illustrators that you can read aloud with your child!
Parent Input for Next Year
With the end of the current school year quickly approaching, thoughts turn to the placement of students in classes for the next school year. Your child’s current teachers will bring all they know about your child’s individual needs and capabilities to the placement decision as we complete a thorough articulation process for each and every student. Parental input is also valued in the process, and the attached form can be used to provide the school with such information. In addition, this form will be passed on to your child’s new teacher(s) in the fall.
It should be noted that this form is not a teacher request form. Flower Valley Elementary School does not honor specific teacher requests in our process for class placement.
Please complete and submit this form no later than Friday, May 12th for each current grade K-4 child even if they will not be returning. Enrollment information for incoming kindergarten students will be a separate process. Further confidential concerns may be emailed to Dr. Angie Fish at Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org.
Field Day Update
MCAP Testing Update
Students in grades 3 to 5 will take the MCAP assessments in May. The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) provides information to educators, parents, and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. Students will test on the following days and times. If you can avoid appointments during these times, it would be greatly appreciated.
Counseling Corner
Here are some resources to support families with the SEL needs of their children:
https://www.cfchildren.org/blog/2018/09/lets-talk-sel-parents-this-is-for-you/
https://casel.org/systemic-implementation/sel-with-families-caregivers/
Flower Valley Elementary School PTA Corner
Declutter for a good cause! The PTA Thrift "Savers" Drive is Sat., May 6 from 10 AM - 1:30 PM in front of the school. Clothing, accessories, decor, toys, electrical items and other small household goods are accepted. Don't have donations or clutter to clear? Stop by any home participating in the Flower Valley neighborhood yard sale the same day (May 6) and bring items to the thrift drive!
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PTA election season is ahead! President and vice president for 2023-2024 will be elected at the June PTA General Membership meeting. We have one candidate for president, but none yet for Vice President, an executive leadership role supporting the president and board.
Several non-elected board positions are open:
- Programs Director: Leads and coordinates PTA events and activities with chairpersons; coordinates print communication with FVES Principal
- Fundraising Director: Leads and provides coordination of fundraising activities; supports volunteer recruitment
- Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) Delegate (one of two positions vacant): Attends monthly virtual meetings and shares updates on items of interest with FVES community and PTA board
Detailed descriptions are available on the April 23rd PTA listserv email. Contact president@fvespta.org or vicepresident@fvespta.org for more information!
Important Dates in May
May 6th: 10:00-2:00pm - PTA Sponsored SAVERS Donation Drive
May 16th: Time 6:30-8:00pm - FVES International Night and Art Expo
May 19th: K, 1, 2 Field Day (rain date - May 30th)
May 21st: 2-5pm - PTA Sponsored Carnival
May 24th: 3, 4, 5, Field Day (rain date - May 31st)
May 29th: No School
Helpful Resources
MCPS Things to Know (Community Messages)
Student Rights and Responsibilities (Spanish Version Available in Main Office)
Student Code of Conduct (English) (Spanish Version Available in Main Office)
Zones of Regulation
Bus Transportation Updates
Attendance and Dismissal Information
If your child is going to be absent, please email your child's teacher and Mrs. Sintetos at Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org or call the office at 240-740-1780. When your child is absent, please send in a note explaining the reason for the absence within 3 days of the return to school. If your child sees the doctor, please bring in a doctor's note.
If your child is going to be arriving late, you need to bring your child to the main office and sign them in. If you will be picking up your child early or changing your child's dismissal process, please let your child's teacher and Mrs. Sintetos or Ms. Peckoo in the main office know in advance.
School Visitors and Volunteers
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please contact Mrs. Atanda at Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org.
School Cash Online
Flower Valley Elementary School
Be bright! Be kind! Be you!
We inspire all children to become critical thinkers who are imaginative, adaptable, and collaborative. We strive to cultivate peaceful, life-long learners who contribute positively to the community around them.
Email: Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/flowervalleyes/
Location: Flower Valley Elementary School, Sunflower Drive, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-1780
Twitter: @AngieFish_FVES