Weekly Firefly Newsletter

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Dear Flower Valley Community,

Thank you to everyone who supported and attended the PTA Sponsored Basketball and SIlent Auction last weekend. It was so much fun being together as a community!

Included in this week's newsletter are a few new items. You will find our latest edition of Mrs. Pearcy's Reading Corner, information about MISA testing, hearing and vision screening, as well as information about cell phone use in elementary schools. We have noticed more students bringing cell phones to school and taking them out during the school day. Please remember cell phones cannot be out or turned on during the school day. I understand there may be a need for students to have a cell phone for after school activities, but all cell phones must remain in backpacks and turned off during the day in elementary schools. Detailed information regarding the MCPS policy on cell phones is included below.

We also received wonderful news about our Maryland Report Card results. Flower Valley was issued a 5 star rating! Details regarding the scoring process can be found here. This is a true testament to all of the hard work from our students, staff, and community.

Have a wonderful weekend!

With Firefly Pride!

Mrs. Fish

• MCPS Cell Phone and Personal Mobile Devices (Including Smart Watches)Policy
• Reading Corner: March Edition
• MISA Testing
• Hearing and Vision Screening: March 13th, 14th, and 15th
• Counseling Corner
• PTA Corner
• PTA Sponsored Fun Run
• Curriculum Corner
• Important Dates in March
• Important Kindergarten News
• Kindergarten Enrollment
• Rockville High School Events
• Save the Date
• Helpful Resources
• Zones of Regulation: Social-Emotional Learning at FVES
• GT County Updates
• Bus Transportation Updates
• Update about Virtual Snow Days
• Requesting a Chromebook for Use during Inclement Weather
• Attendance, Early Dismissals, and Transportation Changes
• Covid and OUTCLASS: Out of Class On Demand Resources for Students
• Available Tutoring Opportunities for Students
• School Meals, FARMS, My School Bucks, and Lunch Menu
• School Visitors and Volunteers
• School Cash Online
• School Contact Information

We have noticed some of our older students have started bringing cell phones or other personal mobile devices such as Smart watches to school. Please be reminded that cell phones and personal mobile devices are not allowed at any time during the school day at Flower Valley and in accordance with the MCPS cell phone policy. If a student has a cell phone, it must be turned off and in their backpack during school hours. Details regarding the policy can be accessed here, and an overview is provided below. We appreciate your support in making sure Flower Valley remains free of cell phones, as this can lead to distractions during school and inappropriate use. If a student is found with a cell phone, we will retrieve the cell phone and keep it in the main office until a parent or guardian can pick it up. We appreciate your support in these efforts.

Overview of MCPS Policy:

The Montgomery County Board of Education has approved a revised regulation (COG-RA) concerning student possession and use of personal mobile devices on school property and during MCPS-sponsored activities. Approved in May, the regulation establishes procedures for possession and use of non-MCPS issued personal mobile devices that are used to send or receive data via voice, video or text, such as tablets, laptops, smart watches, tablets and cellphones by students who are on MCPS property or engaged in MCPS-sponsored activities. This update to the regulation aligns guidelines with current best practices and, importantly, was developed collaboratively by a workgroup composed of staff, students and community members.

Fifth graders in the state of MD will take the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) test. This is a science assessment which provides educators, parents, and the public with information on student progress towards science literacy. Flower Valley 5th graders will take this test the mornings of March 14th and March 17th. Please do your best to have your child to school on time those days.

In accordance with Maryland State Law students in Montgomery County Public Schools are screened for possible vision and hearing problems. Trained hearing and vision screeners will be screening students new to MCPS, students in grade (s) K, 1, and 2, and students referred by teachers because of possible signs of hearing or vision problems. The screeners will be at Flower Valley on March 13, 14, and 15.

Contact your school’s nurse if you have questions about your child’s screening.

Career Day is coming to FVES on March 29th! We will need at least 48 volunteer speakers to have a meaningful day for our students. Flyers have been sent home with students. Anyone interested in speaking at Career Day, please complete this link: FVES Career Day Flyer . Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested in presenting at Career Day. Contact Jennifer Atanda, Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org, if you have any questions.

Spring is coming and we're helping refresh FVES grounds with the Mulch Drive! Order a $10 bag of mulch from the Rockville HS PTA through forms sent home in folders OR contribute at https://www.fvespta.org/mulch by Fri., March 24. Checks should be made out to FVES PTA and marked PTA Mulch Drive. Rockville HS student volunteers will spread the mulch in April!

Mark your calendars for a Mon. March 20 Restaurant Night at Panera Aspen Hill from 4 PM - 8 PM. Please use code FUND4U when you order online with Panera.

Benchmark: Students continue to read and compare a variety of texts about technology, innovations, and innovative thinkers and analyze the role technology plays in society. As a fun way to extend students' learning, have students go on a technology hunt at home. How many different examples of technology can they identify in your home?

Eureka Math: MCPS has a dedicated website which has support for each Eureka module in every grade level. Here is a Eureka Math support page for families. You will need to create an account to access the family resources called "tips for parents." "Homework Helpers" are tips for parents that are included with each homework assignment in the Math Succeed (HW) book. Additionally, this is a google document that contains helpful videos for parents to use. There are general Eureka videos and grade level specific videos included.

Please keep an eye out for grade level bi-weekly communication regarding details about what is happening in each of our classes.

ZEARN: With Zearn, students have the opportunity to learn the same concept twice—once with their teacher and once in the Zearn digital lessons—so they gain a deep understanding of math. All materials are top-rated, crafted to represent everyone, and backed by research to deliver results. This link goes further in depth to show how Zearn and Eureka are aligned.

March 15th: Early Dismissal at 12:55

March 20th-24th: Save the Date for Wellness Week at FVES!

March 26th: 2-3pm - PTA Sponsored Fun Run

March 29th: Career Day

March 29th: 6:30-8:00pm- PTA General Membership Meeting

March 31st: No School

MCPS has announced that kindergarten orientation will be held during the school day this spring. The dates for Flower Valley are April 17th and 18th. This will impact our current kindergarteners, as there will not be school for them on those two days. We are working with KAH to schedule alternate activities for our kindergartners who may need childcare on those days. Please complete the form linked here if you would like to sign your student up for KAH April 17th and 18th. KAH staff will be in contact with any FVES kindergarten parent who signs up for this opportunity.

Note: If you have an incoming kindergartener or know of anyone who has an incoming kindergartener, please spread the word. Families can enroll incoming kindergartners online beginning March 27th. Details about online enrollment can be found here.

RHS Mulch Sale is Back!!

THE 2023 RHS MULCH SALE IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 15, 2023. You can order your mulch NOW at www.rhsmulch.org.

The Mulch Sale is the biggest annual fundraiser in the Rockville High School community and supports all athletic programs at Rockville, the Marching Band, the Music Department, After Prom Party, Robotics, and STEM clubs, and much more. Thank you for your support in past years and we look forward to your continued support and participation this year as well.

We are offering a 5-percent Early Bird discount through the day after St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 18. No coupon code required. The discount is automatically deducted. Please place your orders early if you can.

Deliveries will be made Saturday, April 15, 2023. There is a shipping charge, but you can also pick up from the RHS parking lot on 4/15 between 8 and 2 pm.

If you are part of the RHS community, please sign up to volunteer:

STUDENTS (get SSL Hours and a T-shirt): Sign Up Here
ADULTS (especially need drivers; students do the lifting): Sign Up Here

If you have any questions, contact us at rhsmulch@gmail.com. We will do our best to win your satisfaction. Feel free to forward this email to those you think might be interested in ordering mulch or volunteering during the sale.

April 3rd-10th: Spring Break

April 20th: 5:30-7:30pm - PTA Sponsored STEM Night

April 17th and 18th: Incoming Kindergarten Orientation (No School for Current Kindergartners)

April 21st: No School for Students

April 24th-28th: PTA Sponsored Book Fair

April 26th: Spring Individual and Grade 5 Panoramic Pictures

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 26th: Early Dismissal at 12:55

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.

MCPS Things to Know

FVES Letter to Families

School Supplies

School Website

MCPS Community Messages

Parent Handbook

Student Rights and Responsibilities (Spanish Version Available in Main Office)

Student Code of Conduct (English) (Spanish Version Available in Main Office)

At the PTA meeting this month, Mrs. Cheeks shared information about the Zones of Regulation. This is a social-emotional strategy we are using at Flower Valley to help students understand and verbalize how they are feeling and to 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.

Grade 2 parents will receive a letter in the mail asking for Parent Input for the GT Identification process. Your input is due by March 17th and you may use https://bit.ly/GT-parent-input to access the google form.

This GT screening process includes gathering academic performance data, as well as information from parents and school staff. To learn more about this process please visit bit.ly/gt-identification-2023.

MCPS has created a transportation dashboard where you can check on the status of any bus delays or cancellations. Click here to access the dashboard.

MCPS recently approved the use of virtual snow days as needed in the future. Should a virtual snow day be used, an announcement would be made the day prior to allow for proper planning. The schedule we will be using can be accessed here, and Zoom links for teachers are included in the schedule. A picture of the schedule is included below as well. Should the school system decide to enact a virtual snow day, we will send a message to the FVES community with the schedule and Zoom links.

Your child will need a device to use at home for this purpose. If your child does not have a device to use at home, please complete the information below to get a Chromebook for home use.

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)

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.

When your child is symptomatic, it is encouraged that a home or PCR test is administered. Only positive test results need to be reported using the MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Form. Individuals who have a positive COVID-19 test should report their positive result and follow CDC guidelines for isolation. Details regarding the MCPS back to school Covid safety protocols can be accessed here.

Please see the letter linked here. It provides information about the available learning tools while a student is out of school due to Covid.

There are several types of free tutoring services available for MCPS students. FVES has teachers who will be tutoring some of our students as part of the CARES Act services. Students are selected based on their current reading and math data including their levels of proficiency. If your student is identified, we will work to secure a tutor and contact you to coordinate dates and times for tutoring. During these sessions, FVES staff will provide additional support using Benchmark/and or Eureka curriculum, as well as Tier III evidence-based intervention programs.Students not selected for CARES tutoring may sign up for online tutoring services through FEV Tutor or Tutor Me Education.

Anyone visiting FVES must sign in at the main office and bring identification with them. We aren't able to have parents eating with students in the cafeteria due to space, but you can certainly sign your child out for lunch if you would like to enjoy lunch together.

If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please contact Mrs. Atanda at Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org.

MCPS transitioned to a new online payment system called School Cash Online as its preferred method of payment for all school-related fees, except for meals. Detailed information about how to register can be accessed here.

Beginning school year 2022-2023, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for lunch - meaning that students who qualify for reduced-price meals will eat for free! 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. Menus can be accessed here.

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

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

Ms. Angela Castillo, Assistant Principal - Angela_M_Castillo@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. Colleen Smith - Colleen_B_Smith@mcpsmd.org

All Staff Directory

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