Weekly Message from Dr. Fish
Dear Flower Valley Community,
Is it really May? It felt like winter returned this week. I hear the weather is warming up next week, and I can't wait!
This upcoming week is a very special week. It is staff appreciation week! Our PTA has generously offered to provide some amazing treats for our staff! I always say how truly fortunate we are to have such a skilled staff that care so deeply for all of our kiddos. Please take a few minutes to write a little note or send an email to shower the FVES staff with some extra love this week.
We do have a few events coming up in the next two weeks. Please be sure to check out the information below about International Night and Field Day.
We are also beginning to develop classes for next year and would love to hear from you. Please take a few moments to complete the form below to provide us with information about your child that you think would be helpful as we create classes for next year. While we don't take requests for specific teachers, your input helps us create the best class placement for your child.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
With Firefly Pride!
Dr. Fish
Important Items in This Week's Newsletter
- FVES International Night
- Parent Input for Next Year
- Field Day Update
- Testing Update
- Counseling Corner
- PTA Corner
- Important Dates in May and June
- Helpful Resources
- Sneakers for Soccer
- FREE Basketball Clinic; Grades 2-5
- Bus Transportation Updates
- Attendance, Early Dismissals, and Transportation Changes
- School Visitors and Volunteers
- School Cash Online
- School Contact Information
FVES International Night
We are excited about the return of our annual International Night event! It has been a few years since we have been able to hold this event, so we know that it is new to many of our families. We want to provide some additional information to share what the event is all about.
International Night is a wonderful event that celebrates our very rich diversity at FVES. The event is May 16th at Rockville High School from 6:30-8:00PM! For the evening, there will be performances by our students and a variety of cultural artifacts and food to enjoy. Every student will perform on the stage and sing diverse musical selections. We encourage students and families to dress in traditional attire representative of their heritage. After the students sing on stage, everyone will go to the cafeteria to enjoy the Latin Salseros from Einstein High School and visit the family heritage tables to sample different foods and learn about the cultures at FVES.
Students should arrive at 6:00PM and report to the auditorium to sit with their classes to prepare for their performance. We will have signs posted for this, and staff will be on hand to help students get on and off the stage throughout the grade level performances.
For our volunteers bringing artifacts and food items...
An information sheet went home in Thursday folders a few weeks ago. We are thankful for our families who signed up to volunteer and bring in artifacts and/or food items. Next week, staff will be emailing or calling families about the details for bringing in items and hosting or co-hosting a cultural table. When our volunteer families are enjoying their children's performances on stage in the auditorium, there will be staff members monitoring their tables. Set-up for the tables will begin at 5:45PM the night of the event, and signs will be posted in the cafeteria. Volunteers bringing food items will have written food descriptions at their tables for children with food allergies.
We look forward to seeing everyone on the 16th!
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
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
Tomorrow is the PTA Thrift "Savers" Drive from 10 AM - 1:30 PM. Small household goods, clothing, accessories and toys will accepted in front of the school. You can also stop by any home participating in the Flower Valley neighborhood yard sale and purchase items to bring to donate!
Next week is also Teacher Appreciation Week and the PTA has events and treats planned every day! Support the coffee event on Friday:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0b4aa5a9283-volunteers#/ or bring a note or card to school next week for the teachers! See the listserv for more information.
Important Dates in May and June
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
June 1st: Spring Instrumental Music Concert at FVES, 7:00pm
June 6th: 6:30-7:00pm- PTA General Membership Meeting
June 14th: 5th Grade Promotion at Rockville High School
*Please remember these dates are subject to change.
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