Flower Valley Weekly Newsletter

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Dear Flower Valley Community,

It was nice to have some warmer weather to enjoy this week! It actually feels like spring again. :) This upcoming week is a busy week! We have our annual basketball game Saturday, April 13th, and International Night and Art Expo Monday night. These are both wonderful community events for all. We look forward to seeing everyone there! We also have our second PTA Sponsored Book Fair all week this upcoming week, and our PTA Sponsored STEM Night is on the 18th at FVES. See all of the details about the events in this week's newsletter. We will all definitely need a weekend to recuperate after this exciting week ahead!

With Firefly Pride!

Dr. Fish

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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.

International Night and Art Expo

PTA Sponsored Book Fair

Asynchronous Learning: April 22nd

April 25th: Community Conversation about Creating an Inclusive Environment at FVES

Parental Input Regarding Next Year

Kindergarten Enrollment Update

MCAAP Testing

PTA Corner

Save the Date

Career Day - Volunteer Opportunity

Information from Previous Newsletters can be found in the FVES Parent Handbook linked here. The document can be translated by clicking "File", scrolling down to "Language", and then selecting your preferred language.

Please join us in celebrating the cultural diversity of our school community at Flower Valley’s annual International Night and Art Expo. It will be on Monday, April 15th at 6:30 PM in the Rockville High School Auditorium. All students will sing songs from around the world, and we will enjoy some wonderful dishes and artifacts from the rich cultural backgrounds of our FVES families. Students should arrive at the Rockville High School auditorium at 6:00pm. The performances will start at 6:30pm.

It is a big week at FVES! It is our second book fair of the year - a time all of our students love! Our PTA has been working diligently to get everything ready for the book fair, and our students are so excited! The fair runs April 15th -19th for students, with the parent buying night on Thursday April 18th. Students will be able to visit the book fair to create their wish lists to bring home to share with you. They can then visit the book fair to make their purchases. Please avoid coming in during the school day to purchase books with your child. You will, however, be able to purchase books the evening of STEM Night.

Monday, April 22 will be an asynchronous learning day for all students. The day is designated as a professional development day for teachers and possible make-up day for students in the 2023-2024 Traditional School Year Calendar. Students will engage in learning experiences and complete work asynchronously at home. Your child's teacher will provide you with information regarding what this will look like for your child.

Please join us at FVES in the All Purpose Room at 6:00PM to engage in a community conversation about creating and nurturing an inclusive environment for all at Flower Valley. Changes to some of the long held traditions at FVES have created an opportunity for us to explore ways to be more inclusive of all students and families in our community. During the community conversation, we will discuss how our demographics have changed over the past decade as well as collaborate about how Flower Valley traditions can continue to nurture an inclusive environment for all of our students and families. Our partners in the MCPS Equity Office will be joining us for this important conversation. We will also have interpreters present for the evening. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP here.

Planning for next year is currently underway. Our teachers, counselors, and administration are developing the most balanced and appropriate classes for every child at Flower Valley. If you are the parent of a kindergarten through 4th grade student at Flower Valley, we value your input and ask that you provide us with information to help us develop appropriate class groupings for next year. While we do not accept teacher requests, we do value your thoughts about what type of environment works best for your child as well as any social or academic concerns that we may be able to minimize for next year. Please complete the form linked here no later than May 10th. Thank you for your input!

Kindergarten enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. Details regarding the process can be accessed here. MCPS is not setting aside time from the school day for kindergarten orientation this year; however, Flower Valley will be providing multiple opportunities for school tours. We will also host an information evening where families can visit the kindergarten classes and meet all of the teachers prior to the start of school. We will be reaching out to families of incoming kindergarteners enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year later in the spring to provide details about school tours, kindergarten play dates, and the kindergarten information night event.

Students in grades 3 to 5 will take the MCAP assessments in April. 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. Please refer to grade level newsletters for specific dates and times of testing. Please avoid appointments that would take students out of school during these times, as make-up testing is difficult for students since they will be pulled from classes to do so.

-Please join us TOMORROW, April 13th at 4pm at RHS gym for the Parents v. FVES staff basketball game! Students wearing spirit wear get in free! We have the game, student halftime show, popular staff silent auction, and concessions benefiting the PTA. We need volunteers for concessions and to help make posters! Please contact Kendra Pasquill at kendra.pasquill@gmail.com to sign up.

-The Scholastic Buy One Get One Book Fair is coming soon!! We need volunteers. Go to FVESBookFairBOGO2024 and choose a shift or two (or three!) to help out. Set up is Friday after school, April 12th. Take down is MONDAY, April 22nd in the morning. The fair runs April 15-19th for students, with the parent buying night on Thurs. April 18th (parents cannot come to school during the school day or during the class book fair visiting day to make purchases).

-We also have Restaurant Night with Paisano's Rockville ALL DAY on Tuesday, April 16th and Wednesday, April 17th, from 11 am - 10 pm.

-STEM Night, where students present a project on a board or with a pre-recorded video, is Thurs. April 18th 5:30 pm -7:30 pm. Adult and student volunteers are needed for the day of (SSL hours are available): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B49A9AE2EA2FE3-48881870-stem

-Join us for the PTA Fun Run, Sunday, April 21st from 2pm-3:30pm. The Fun Run will take place on the field at FVES and is a free, easy, and fun event for family wellness!

• PTA Sponsored Basketball Game and Silent Auction: April 13th at Rockville High School at 4:00PM

• International Night: April 15th at Rockville High School at 6:30PM

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

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

• Take your Child to Work Day: April 25th
  

• Spring Pictures: April 26th
  

• Career Day: May 3rd

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

• Field Days: k, 1, 2 - May 17th; 3, 4, 5 - May 22nd

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

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

• 5th Grade Promotion: June 12th at Rockville High School

• 5th Grade Fun Day: June 13th

• 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

Interested in volunteering for Career Day? Complete the interest form linked 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

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