Flower Valley Weekly Newsletter

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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.

Dear Flower Valley Community,

It was wonderful seeing so many of our families at the PTA meeting this week. Our PTA is truly AMAZING! They fund special events for our school, provide grant money for our teachers to purchase items for their students and for special projects, provide funding for field trips, and so much more! If you haven't joined, please consider it. Because of our PTA, we are able to do amazing things for our students!

In this newsletter, you will see additional details about our harvest festivities. I want to acknowledge that there have been differing opinions regarding the changes we have made. I appreciate the thoughts you have shared with me around the changes, some for the changes and some against the changes. When thinking about the differing thoughts, I wanted to shed a little light on how and why we made the changes. In the past, our attendance has been impacted on the day when we have celebrated Halloween, and we have seen many students participating in the alternative activity in the gym. There are a variety of reasons families choose not to send their children to school on that day or request an alternate activity including religious reasons, financial hardships around costumes, and for other various personal family practices and beliefs. Given the fun that our students who participate in the festivities have, we wanted to make a shift to be inclusive and provide a fun event for all of our students to enjoy. We worked closely with our PTA and our school leadership team which includes teacher and support professional stakeholders when identifying an alternative way to provide a fun event inclusive of all of our students. We are looking forward to seeing how creative all of our kiddos can be with their school spirit, and we are really excited about our class floats and collecting canned food for those in need. Not only is the event going to be fun; it is also going to build strong sense of community where all are involved and supporting the greater community.

I always tell people how fortunate I am to work with the amazing staff, students, and families at Flower Valley. Our students are always so happy to be at school, and every time I enter a classroom, they are completely engaged in their learning. It is really a beautiful sight! This is all because of our FVES community - staff, students, and families. Thank you!

As you prepare for the week ahead, don't forget there is no school for students Monday. We'll see everyone Tuesday morning!

Have a wonderful weekend!

With Firefly Pride!

Dr. Fish

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Resources Related to Our School Improvement Plan

• Growth Mindset
• Zones of Regulation
• Reading: Open Source Phonics
• Making ParentVue Work for You

Upcoming Events

• Book Fair: Week of October 16th
• Math Night at FVES: October 19th
• Harvest Festival and Parade
• STEAM Opportunity

PTA Corner

Save the Date: Calendar of FVES and PTA Events

FVES PTA Sponsored Restaurant Nights

Information from Previous Newsletters:

• Transportation Information
• Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

• Need a Chromebook for home?

• School Spirit Fridays

• School Lunch
• Health Information
• Covid Updates
• Seasonal Roots
  

FVES Parent Handbook

Last week, we shared one way you can support a growth mindset at home. Below is another way to help your child focus on the positive and continue to develop a growth mindset.

At our PTA meeting, we shared information about our School Improvement Plan. One strategy we mentioned is called Zones of Regulation. We first implemented this school-wide last year, and we will be continuing to develop this practice at school. Ms. Cheeks shared information last year at a PTA meeting and will be sharing more information this upcoming December. Zones of Regulation is a social-emotional strategy that helps students understand and verbalize how they are feeling and develop a toolbox of strategies to support how they are feeling and how their emotions impact others. A link to the full presentation can be found here.

MCPS has partnered with Open Source Phonics to provide free access to resources for families. Open Source Phonics is a program that provides 120 step-by-step lessons on phonics patterns, spelling rules, and decodable stories to practice skills and increase fluency. The lessons are designed to be stress-free for families and students. We are excited that families can use this free resource to help their children practice phonics and fluency skills at home. Families can visit Open Source Phonics for more information. MCPS Families can use the document linked here for more information on how to use the resources.

ParentVue FAQs

The Annual Verification process allows families to update contact information, collect important information about you and your student, including any medical, immunization, language preferences, and emergency information that school staff need to know. MCPS uses ParentVUE to collect this information electronically. Online registration is available now until October 20th.

ParentVue is where you are able to access your student's grades, attendance, test scores, schedules, and so much more. Please see the quick guides below to set your preferences and see where to access all of the information available to you.

There are online registration quick guides in several languages available to support you in this process.

English | Español | 中國人 | 한국인 | Français | Português | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ

ParentVUE Quick Guides

English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

• Navigating ParentVUE Mobile App
• Navigating StudentVUE Mobile App
• Athletic Registration with ParentVUE Online Registration
• Activating Your ParentVUE Account

At the last PTA meeting, FVES staff presented about testing and our School Improvement Plan (SIP). Copies of the presentations are linked below. While you will see that the specific focus of our SIP is our Emergent Multilingual Learners, we will continue to focus on the academic and well-being needs of all of our students. At future PTA meetings, we will share information about Zones of Regulation, growth mindset, and enrichment opportunities.

School Improvement Slides: English Spanish

Testing Information Slides: English Spanish

The FVES Book Fair is coming Oct. 16th-20th! Students will visit the book fair with their teachers and create a wish list for you to consider. They will be able to purchase books on their class "buying day" by either cash, check made out to Flower Valley PTA, or eWallet. For more information, click here. You can also come in with your student(s) and shop after school Mon. - Thurs. from 3:30-4:00 and Thurs. evening 6pm-8pm.

If you're interested in volunteering, please visit the sign-up here: https://bit.ly/FVESBookFairFALL2023

Math Night will be held at Flower Valley on Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 6 until 7:30pm. This is a chance to interact with friends, family, and teachers with a focus on math. There will be activities for all ages, estimation jars, games to take home, and more! Feel free to stop by the Scholastic Book Fair which will also be open from 6:30 until 8:00 pm that evening. Please make sure to return the form that was sent home in your child's Thursday folder this week. We can't wait to see you at Math Night!

We are excited about our upcoming FVES Harvest Celebration. Let’s get ready to have some fun, show our Firefly school pride, and help out our community! Our Fireflies will be collecting canned goods all week to help support those in need in our community. They will also be preparing for our parade by decorating FVES themed harvest collection wagons (lunch carts) to show their school pride and to collect canned goods the day of the parade. Students are encouraged to show their school pride by wearing our school colors, spirit wear, flowers, and/or fireflies. We are looking forward to providing an opportunity for our students to enjoy time celebrating with one another, show their school spirit, and support our community. See the details below.

• Date: October 27th

• Parade Time: 2-2:30

• Party Time: 2:30-3:10

In the coming days, your child’s homeroom teacher will be reaching out for donations of food, party crafts and supplies, paper products, and school spirit float decorations - all of the blue, yellow, firefly, and flower decorations you can make or donate. Students will be using their class lunch carts as their harvest collection wagons. Items will be collected as an entire grade level and will be evenly distributed amongst all homerooms. We appreciate any donations you are able to provide.

We welcome volunteers for the party. If interested, you will be able to sign up to volunteer at the party. We want to make sure all families have an opportunity to volunteer for at least one field trip or party. Your child’s teacher will notify you if you are selected to volunteer at the harvest party. Don’t worry, though, all families are welcome to cheer on our students at the FVES Harvest Parade! The path for the parade is below.

No Halloween costumes are allowed; however, students are encouraged to wear school colors and really do it up with school spirit!

• Parents can stand along the route to take pictures. Please do not stop your child on the parade route.

• If it rains, we will have the parade inside for the children.

• After the parade, students will return to their classroom for their fall harvest parties.

• Students will be dismissed for the day at the normal time.

• If you would like your child to participate in an alternative activity instead of the parade, please email your child’s teacher. After the parade, all children will join their classmates for the Fall Harvest Party.

• No Halloween costumes are allowed. Students are encouraged to show their school spirit by wearing lots of blue, yellow, and FVES spirit wear. They can be creative with their school spirit. :)

The 5th annual MCPS STEAM Festival will be held at the combined campus of Wheaton High School and Thomas Edison HS of Technology on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. The event will highlight the variety of STEAM learning opportunities that engage our PreK-12 MCPS students. We hope that you and your family will attend so you can see the amazing things our community and MCPS are doing to encourage young minds and spark curiosity.

Spirit wear will be coming in late next week and will be going home in backpacks.

The PTA is excited to host the annual Masquerade Event on Saturday, October 28th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. We are seeking both Parent and SSL student volunteers. Please see the sign-up links below. We are also seeking contributions of festive homemade or store-bought treats. Thank you for your support!

• Student sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040949AFAE22AB9-44749654-2023

• Baked goods and parent volunteers: 2023 Masquerade Festival - Donate Baked Goods

The FVES staff and the PTA will hold several events this year. Some of the events we are excited to offer are math and reading nights, STEM Night, International Night, a winter musical production, staff/parent basketball, Career Day, our annual carnival, and so much more. We will keep you updated regarding the details of the events throughout the school year. Tentative dates are included below. Please note theses dates are subject to change.

• PTA Sponsored Book Fair: October 16th-20th, during school hours. Evening hours October 19th.

• Math Night: October 19th

• Harvest Festival and Parade: October 27th

• PTA Sponsored Masquerade Festival: October 28th, 5:30-7:30

• Fall Open House: November 17th or 20th

• Winter Chorus Concert: January 23rd at 7PM

• Winter IM Concert: February 1st at 7PM

• Wellness Week: January/February

• Kindness Week and Party: Week of 2/12 (party 2/14)

• Reading Night: March 6th, 6-7:30

• STEM Day: March 22nd

• International Night: March TBD

• PTA Sponsored Book Fair: April 15th-19th

• PTA Sponsored STEM Night: April 18th, 5:30-7:30

• Career Day: May 3rd

• PTA Sponsored SAVERS Donation Drive: May 4th, 9:30-1:00

• Field Days: May TBD

• PTA Sponsored Carnival: May 19th, 2-5:00

• Spring IM Concert: May 30th at Rockville High School at 7PM (tentative)

• 5th Grade Promotion: June 12th

• 5th Grade Fun Day: June 13th

• Scratch Kitchen - Wednesday, October 18th, 2023
• Creek Lodge Bar & Grill- Wednesday, November 15th, 2023
• Leisure World Ledo’s - Tuesday, December 12th, 2023
• California Tortilla- Wednesday, January 24th, 2024
• Ema Rossi- Wednesday, February 7th, 2024
• Chuck E Cheese - Friday, March 15th, 2024
• Rockville Paisano’s - Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 and Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 from 11:00am-10:00pm
• Rockville Chipotle - Monday, May 13th, 2024
• Villa Maya - Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

Transportation information is on the school website and available here:

• Arrival Schedule
• Departure Schedule
• Department of Transportation Communication to Families (English Version)
• Department of Transportation Communication to Families (Spanish Version)
• What to Know about Riding the Bus (English Version)
• What to Know about Riding the Bus (Spanish Version)
• Link to Check Daily Status of Buses

Arrival

• Please do not enter the car loop until 8:30 am. This ensures that FVES staff can assess the parking lot and spaces in order to report to work on time. Staff will arrive on duty at 8:35 am. Students must not exit their car until a staff member is on duty.

• As you enter the loop, make sure your student is prepared to exit the car on the passenger side of the vehicle. Please pull forward all the way to the last orange cone, lining up in a single file line and staying to the right. This will help ensure student safety.

• Adults, please remain in your cars. Staff and patrols will be on duty to help students exit vehicles safely. If you need to exit your car, please move your car to a parking spot.

• Cars need to remain in line until the vehicle in front of them has proceeded. Do not pass another vehicle.

Dismissal

• Please have the car rider name tag (blue paper) with your student’s name and grade placed on the passenger side of your car’s windshield so that it is clearly visible to the staff on duty.

• Adults, please remain in your cars. Staff and patrols will be on duty to help students enter vehicles safely. If you need to exit your car, please move your car to a parking spot. Students must enter on the passenger side of the vehicle

• Cars need to remain in line until the vehicle in front of them has proceeded. Do not pass another vehicle, unless directed to do so by a staff member.

• Please email Mrs. Sintetos, our office secretary, and your child’s teacher if you need to make dismissal changes after the start of the school day. Please try to make these changes before noon to ensure all staff members are made aware of the change.

You are receiving this message because this year, your child’s school is using a classroom cart model for Chromebooks. This means students use an assigned Chromebook while in school, but do not bring their Chromebook home each night. As we move into the winter months and plan for potential emergency closures, your child will need access to a device at home to engage in homework, interactive resources and potential virtual instruction. If your child does not have access to a personal or home computer, a parent or guardian should complete a form to request an MCPS Chromebook. The device will be checked out to your student and will be kept at home for the school year. The device will need to be returned at the end of the school year or sooner if your student is leaving MCPS for any reason.

To request a MCPS Chromebook for home use, please complete this form: Chromebook Form to Distribute to Families

Links:

At Home Request for Chromebook Flyer (English)

At Home Request for Chromebook Flyer (Spanish)

Every Friday, we show our school spirit! Join in the fun and wear FVES spirit wear or our school colors - blue and yellow.

Breakfast and hot lunches are served daily. Lunch menus can be accessed here. Your child will learn about their lunch schedule on the first day of school. The teacher will also let you know about snack time, especially if your child has an early or late lunch.

Breakfast is $1.30, and lunch is $2.55. To learn more about eligibility for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) and apply for FARMs, click here. Deposits into lunch accounts can be made by any student and can be made ahead of time via the MCPS online payment system, My School Bucks. Details about how to add money to your student’s account can be accessed here.

DFNS encourages all families with students enrolled at non-CEP schools to complete a Free and Reduced-price Meals Application. All meals are free for students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals.

As new cases of COVID-19 increase locally, we have seen outbreaks occurring in multiple schools across the county. Temporary outbreak precautions for individual classrooms where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly helps prevent spread to vulnerable individuals and to the rest of school. Check out the FAQ page for more information about how outbreaks are managed. The newly approved COVID-19 updated vaccine will be available in our area in the next few weeks. For information about COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccine availability, refer to Vaccines.Gov.

If your child is sick, please have them stay home and rest until they feel better. It is important for a child to stay home if they have a fever. They may return to school once they are without fever for 24 hours with no fever reducing medications.

If your child has Covid, it is important for them to remain home for 5 days after testing positive. Additionally, they must wear a mask for 5 days after returning to school. Families no longer need to self-report Covid; however, it is important to notify your child's teacher and the main office when your child is out sick.

If you have any questions regarding health related matters, you can contact Ms. Kalter at Marley_S_Kalter@mcpsmd.org.

It is critical for students to be in attendance at school every day. We understand that there are times when students may be ill or may have appointments that require them to be out of school, however, school performance is directly connected to attendance. MCPS has developed an action plan to address absenteeism. Please click here to see the county message regarding attendance.

If your child is going to be absent, please notify the teacher and Mrs. Sintetos at Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org.

**Please remember that vacations are not considered lawful absences. Details regarding lawful and unlawful absences can be found here.

**For absences to be considered excused, a note must be submitted in writing or emailed to Mrs. Sintetos. This includes medical appointments.

Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:30PM. Below are emails and phone numbers for the following departments:

Administration (240) 740-1780

Dr. Angie Fish, Principal – Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. Kimberly Haden - Kimberly_D_Haden@mcpsmd.org

Main Office Staff (240) 740-1780

Ms. Nevine Peckoo, School Administrative Secretary – Nevine_A_Peckoo@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. Cathy Sintetos, Attendance Secretary – Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org

Counseling Office (240) 740-6680

Mrs. Jennifer Atanda - Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org

Ms. Nicole Bamberger - Nicole_M_Bamberger@mcpsmd.org

All Staff Directory

The parent handbook provides a wealth of information about school policies and procedures. Some of these include volunteer procedures, school parties and birthday celebrations, bullying and harassment reporting, visitor policies, attendance, health policies, safety and security, and so much more. The English version of the handbook can be accessed here, and the Spanish version can be accessed here.

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