FCPS

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A Message from Administration

Good afternoon Hunt Valley Families,

It was a wonderful week celebrating our staff! We are so fortunate to have such hard-working, dedicated, and caring staff members here at Hunt Valley. We are so appreciative of each one of you!

We are sending a HUGE thank you to our PTA and parents for all the planning, organizing, implementation and donations/contributions that you made to make Staff Appreciation week so unforgettable! You spoiled us with all the food, treats and extras and made us feel so special!

On Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, 74 students biked to school, 174 walked to school, and 17 rolled to school for a total of 265 students, in support of National Walk, Bike, & Roll Day! Great job Hunt Valley!

In this week's News You Choose there is information about parent input for class placement, Spring Fling information, summer opportunities and more!

We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards,

Keieownna Hightower, Principal

Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal

Parent input for class placement

As the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end we are in the process of planning for next school year. One of our important tasks is to determine class placements for the 2024-2025 school year. Our school staff works collaboratively to plan teacher and student assignments. A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academics are considered as we create new classes.

Hunt Valley families have an option to assist in placements by providing insights about their child(ren). Please be mindful of the following:

• We will not accept requests for specific teachers. 
• Input must be submitted by the deadline, Friday, May 17, 2024, to be considered. We will not accept late requests.

The deadline for any correspondence regarding the next school year is Friday, May 17th via this Google form

We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Important Updates:

• Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
• Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!

GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊

Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy

South County Summer Strings

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!

Register Today for FCPS Summer Camps

Registration for FCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps closes on Friday, June 7. Tuition is waived for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Bus transportation is available from select FCPS high schools and middle schools. Learn more about Summer Learning and Fun for Students. 

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Elementary Institute for the Arts

IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for several volunteers to help in the cafeteria. Please use this link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-volunteer

Mark you calendars

May 15--PTA meeting @ 6:30 pm

May 17--Spring Fling

May 22--Band and Chorus Concert @ Hunt Valley

May 27--Memorial Day--School Closed

May 28--Strings Concert @ West Springfield HS 6:30-7:15

June 4 & 5--Field Day

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A Message from Administration

Good afternoon Hunt Valley Families,

It was a warm and busy week here at Hunt Valley! Last Sunday, students and parents came out to the West Springfield Pyramid Challenge at Irving Middle School. Our students showed determination, sportsmanship, and resilience as they ran either a one-half mile or a mile. Hamilton the Hawk ran against the other mascots and came in third place! Congratulations to all of the participants and thank you to our PTA Wellness Committe for their help in organizing this event!

Next week, we will celebrate our fabulous staff during Staff Appreciation Week. We are in awe of our staff each day! They work tirelessly to support our students, staff, and each other. We are so appreciative for everything that you do, and we hope that you enjoy the treats provided by the PTA and families! 

Wednesday, May 8th is Walk or Roll to school day! This day celebrates the benefits of walking and bicycling. If your child will participate by walking or rolling to school, please make sure that they have a safe route to and from school. We will continue to have our crossing guard on Sydenstricker, but we are not able to offer crossing guards at any other locations. Make sure that students wear a helmet and have a lock for their bike.

In this week's News You Choose there is information about parent input for class placement, Spring Fling information, summer opportunities and more!

We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards,

Keieownna Hightower, Principal

Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal

Parent input for class placement

As the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end we are in the process of planning for next school year. One of our important tasks is to determine class placements for the 2024-2025 school year. Our school staff works collaboratively to plan teacher and student assignments. A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academics are considered as we create new classes.

Hunt Valley families have an option to assist in placements by providing insights about their child(ren). Please be mindful of the following:

• We will not accept requests for specific teachers. 
• Input must be submitted by the deadline, Friday, May 17, 2024, to be considered. We will not accept late requests.

The deadline for any correspondence regarding the next school year is Friday, May 17th via this Google form

We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Important Updates:

• Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
• Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!

GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊

Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy

South County Summer Strings

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day. You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!

A special reminder about the tuition waiver. Fairfax County Public School students receiving Free and Reduced Meals, there are a select number of tuition waivers available. To receive the waiver, students must have a Consent to Share form on file with FCPS. Parents can find the Consent to Share forms on the FCPS Food and Nutrition website (https://www.fcps.edu/frm). Parents can also share the benefits during the online application process.

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Elementary Institute for the Arts

IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for several volunteers to help in the cafeteria. Please use this link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-volunteer

Mark you calendars

May 15--PTA meeting @ 6:30 pm

May 22--Band and Chorus Concert @ Hunt Valley

May 28--Strings Concert @ West Springfield HS 6:30-7:15

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week - the PTA needs your support

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week starts next week – May 6-10 – and we will celebrate that Hunt Valley has the best teachers in the world! with a week of exciting adventures, including an in-flight make your own trail mix bar and travel to the top of the world ice cream bar.

Parents will also have the opportunity to volunteer during recess.

We still have a ton of available spots- – Monday thru Friday – not only for recess volunteers but also items.

To make it a success, the PTA needs your help.

Please consider donating by visiting HVES Executive Board: Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week 2024 (signupgenius.com).

It’s election season

Interested in joining the Hunt Valley Community as an elected committee member?

Election season is here and the Hunt Valley PTA is looking for its next elected officials. If you are interested in running for one of the four positions – president, treasurer, secretary, or vice president, please reach out to Casey Trull at [email protected].

Get ready to party

On Friday May 17, the PTA is holding a Spring Fling fundraising event from 5:30 to 8:30. There will be many carnival games available to play, as well as big, fun, inflatables like obstacle courses. This is going to be a super fun event! There will be a DJ, cupcake walk, and the night will end with a glowlight dance party.

Wristbands are $10 and include a coupon redeemable for one concession item of choice – slice of pizza, drink, or bag of chips. Food trucks will be on site and pizza will also be available for purchase by the slice. Glowsticks will be provided for purchase also. Be sure to check out the silent auction where you can bid on themed baskets that each classroom is going to work on putting together. Your room parent or teacher will be reaching out to you with more information on that.

Funds from this event will go back to the PTA and help support educational enrichment opportunities for our students and offer important and valued experiences like field trips, and more. The PTA cannot function without the help of parents and we can't wait to see you there!

To buy wristbands, visit Givebacks (memberhub.com). Wristbands will also be available onsite for $15.

If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] 

Upcoming Events

May 3 | Student holiday

May 6-10 | Teacher and staff appreciation week

May 15 | PTA meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the school library

May 27 | Student holiday [Memorial Day]

June 12 | Last day of school [early release]

Connect with us!

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A Message from Administration

Good afternoon Hunt Valley Families,

We had a wonderful turnout at our yearly Earth Day Event on Saturday. Thank you to our fabulous SCA, Go to Green Club and community volunteers for organizing and implementing activities and learning opportunities for our students. 

On Sunday, Hunt Valley will participate in the West Springfield Pyramid Challenge at Irving Middle School! The weather should be nice and warm for this event. If you were not able to register, you can still come out and cheer on our Hawks!

SOL testing will start next week for grades 3-6. Please see the schedule below for specific dates and grade levels. 

In this week's News You Choose there is information about parent input for class placement, SEL screener result information, Spring Fling information and more!

We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards,

Keieownna Hightower, Principal

Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal

Parent input for class placement

As the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end we are in the process of planning for next school year. One of our important tasks is to determine class placements for the 2024-2025 school year. Our school staff works collaboratively to plan teacher and student assignments. A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academics are considered as we create new classes.

Hunt Valley families have an option to assist in placements by providing insights about their child(ren). Please be mindful of the following:

• We will not accept requests for specific teachers. 
• Input must be submitted by the deadline, Friday, May 17, 2024, to be considered. We will not accept late requests.

The deadline for any correspondence regarding the next school year is Friday, May 17th via this Google form

 Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

FCPS students in grades 3-12 took the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener during March, providing updated information on skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. 

In late April, individual student SEL Screener results will be available for families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail. 

Get more information about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For support in understanding your individual student’s results or ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s counselor.

We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Important Updates:

• Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
• Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!

GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊

Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy

A special reminder about the tuition waiver. Fairfax County Public School students receiving Free and Reduced Meals, there are a select number of tuition waivers available. To receive the waiver, students must have a Consent to Share form on file with FCPS. Parents can find the Consent to Share forms on the FCPS Food and Nutrition website (https://www.fcps.edu/frm). Parents can also share the benefits during the online application process.

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Elementary Institute for the Arts

IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for several volunteers to help in the cafeteria. Please use this link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-volunteer

Mark you calendars

April 28--West Springfield Pyramid Challenge

May 3--Teacher Workday/NO School for Students

May 15--PTA meeting @ 6:30 pm

May 22--Band and Chorus Concert @ Hunt Valley

May 28--Strings Concert @ West Springfield HS 6:30-7:15

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Teacher Appreciation Week

The PTA has traveled the world only to realize that Hunt Valley has the best teachers in the world!

For Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week – May 6-10 – we will celebrate that fact with a week of exciting adventures, including an in-flight make your own trail mix bar and travel to the top of the world ice cream bar.

To make it a success, the PTA could use your help, not only with donations of items, but also donations of time.

Please consider donating by visiting HVES Executive Board: Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week 2024 (signupgenius.com).

It’s election season

Interested in joining the Hunt Valley Community as an elected committee member?

Election season is here and the Hunt Valley PTA is looking for its next elected officials. If you are interested in running for one of the four positions – president, treasurer, secretary, or vice president, please reach out to Casey Trull at [email protected]

Wellness corner

The Pyramid Challenge is coming up this Sunday, April 28, but volunteers are still needed, including some key positions like parking guides, adult lead check-in volunteers (specifically for the 1-3 p.m. slot), runners, course monitors, and sign holders. Here's the link to the volunteer sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4DAEA82BA5FC1-48455466-2024#/.

Finally, we are still accepting donations to help offset the cost of holding the Pyramid Challenge. If you are interested in making a monetary donation, you can do so here: https://rvespta.ptboard.com/formvw?store=4145&form=8 (note this is on the RVES PTA's website simply because they handle all expenses and revenue for the event).

Get ready to party

On Friday May 17, the PTA is holding a Spring Fling fundraising event from 5:30 to 8:30. There will be many carnival games available to play, as well as big, fun, inflatables like obstacle courses. This is going to be a super fun event! There will be a DJ, cupcake walk, and the night will end with a glowlight dance party.

Wristbands are $10 and include a coupon redeemable for one concession item of choice – slice of pizza, drink, or bag of chips. Food trucks will be on site and pizza will also be available for purchase by the slice. Glowsticks will be provided for purchase also. Be sure to check out the silent auction where you can bid on themed baskets that each classroom is going to work on putting together. Your room parent or teacher will be reaching out to you with more information on that.

Funds from this event will go back to the PTA and help support educational enrichment opportunities for our students and offer important and valued experiences like field trips, and more. The PTA cannot function without the help of parents and we can't wait to see you there!

To buy wristbands, visit Givebacks (memberhub.com). Wristbands will also be available onsite for $15.

If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]

Upcoming Events

May 3 | Student holiday

May 6-10 | Teacher and staff appreciation week

May 15 | PTA meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the school library

May 27 | Student holiday [Memorial Day]

June 12 | Last day of school [early release]

Connect with us!

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A Message from Administration

Good afternoon Hunt Valley Families,

This week our community came together to celebrate our military connected students! Our students and staff participated in spirit days this week. We had parents come to volunteer at recess and supported organized recess activities including the parachute, bubbles, corn hole, chalk, and mini obstacle courses. A few of our students said that "this was the best recess ever"! Mr. Sands serenaded our students at arrival and played a medley of military songs. 

We wanted to thank all our parents and staff for their support this week. A huge shout out to Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Woodside, Mrs. Miller, and Mrs. Youssef for all their time and effort to organize this week for our students.

Unfortunately, due to the weather, our Movie Night is postponed but we hope that everyone will be able to join us tomorrow morning for our Earth Day event at 9:00 am.

We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards,

Keieownna Hightower, Principal

Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal

Movie Night Postponed

Due to weather concerns, tonight’s Screen on the Green has been postponed. 

If you preordered pizza, we will be in touch about refunding you.

Please stay tuned for rescheduled information coming soon. 

 

Parent input for class placement

As the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end we are in the process of planning for next school year. One of our important tasks is to determine class placements for the 2024-2025 school year. Our school staff works collaboratively to plan teacher and student assignments. A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academics are considered as we create new classes.

Hunt Valley families have an option to assist in placements by providing insights about their child(ren). Please be mindful of the following:

• We will not accept requests for specific teachers. 
• Input must be submitted by the deadline, Friday, May 17, 2024, to be considered. We will not accept late requests.

The deadline for any correspondence regarding the next school year is Friday, May 17th via this Google form

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

FCPS students in grades 3-12 took the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener during March, providing updated information on skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. 

In late April, individual student SEL Screener results will be available for families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail. 

Get more information about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For support in understanding your individual student’s results or ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s counselor.

We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Important Updates:

• Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
• Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!

GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊

Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy

A special reminder about the tuition waiver. Fairfax County Public School students receiving Free and Reduced Meals, there are a select number of tuition waivers available. To receive the waiver, students must have a Consent to Share form on file with FCPS. Parents can find the Consent to Share forms on the FCPS Food and Nutrition website (https://www.fcps.edu/frm). Parents can also share the benefits during the online application process.

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Elementary Institute for the Arts

IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for several volunteers to help in the cafeteria. Please use this link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-volunteer

Mark you calendars

April 20--Earth Day Event @ 9:00 am

April 28--West Springfield Pyramid Challenge

May 3--Teacher Workday/NO School for Students

May 15--PTA meeting @ 6:30 pm

May 22--Band and Chorus Concert @ Hunt Valley

May 28--Strings Concert @ West Springfield HS 6:30-7:15

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Movie Night is this Friday

We can’t wait to see everyone this Friday for movie night – our last of the year…and it will be a screen on the green! 

On Friday, April 19, the Hunt Valley PTA will host an outdoor movie night featuring “The Super Mario Brothers.”

The ‘doors’ open at 7:45 p.m. with the movie starting at 8 p.m.

RSVP: While there is no fee to attend, please RSVP at Hunt Valley Elementary School: Outdoor Movie Night (signupgenius.com).

Volunteer: We can also use some volunteers to make this night a success. Please consider volunteering at Hunt Valley Elementary School: Outdoor Movie Night Volunteers (signupgenius.com)

Preorder pizza: Preorder a large pie, either cheese or pepperoni, for $20. You can sign up and purchase it here: https://huntvalleypta.memberhub.com/store/items/1016120.

It’s election season

Interested in joining the Hunt Valley Community as an elected committee member?

Election season is here and the Hunt Valley PTA is looking for its next elected officials. If you are interested in running for one of the four positions – president, treasurer, secretary, or vice president, please reach out to Sierra Jones at [email protected].

Wellness corner

The Wellness Fair was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who attended and helped volunteer. We raised over $200 towards field trip buses. All of the prizes were generously donated by our sponsors and have been announced and delivered to the winners.

The Pyramid Challenge is coming up next Sunday, April 28. Registration is closed for this event, but we still are in need of many volunteers. Some key positions include: Parking guides, adult lead check-in volunteers (specifically for the 1-3 p.m. slot), runners, course monitors, and sign holders. Here's the link to the volunteer sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4DAEA82BA5FC1-48455466-2024#/.

Finally, we are still accepting donations to help offset the cost of holding the Pyramid Challenge. If you are interested in making a monetary donation, you can do so here: https://rvespta.ptboard.com/formvw?store=4145&form=8 (note this is on the RVES PTA's website simply because they handle all expenses and revenue for the event).

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is coming up May 6-10. Our theme for this year is Around the World. More details will come out in the next week so stay tuned to see how you can support our Hunt Valley teachers – the best in all the world!

Get ready to party

On Friday May 17, the PTA is holding a Spring Fling fundraising event from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. There will be many carnival games available to play, as well as big, fun, inflatables like obstacle courses. This is going to be a super fun event! There will be a DJ, cupcake walk, and the night will end with a glowlight dance party.

Wristbands are $10 and include a coupon redeemable for one concession item of choice – slice of pizza, drink, or bag of chips. Food trucks will be on site and pizza will also be available for purchase by the slice. Glowsticks will be provided for purchase also. Be sure to check out the silent auction where you can bid on themed baskets that each classroom is going to work on putting together. Your room parent or teacher will be reaching out to you with more information on that.

Funds from this event will go back to the PTA and help support educational enrichment opportunities for our students and offer important and valued experiences like field trips, and more. The PTA cannot function without the help of parents and we can't wait to see you there!

To buy wristbands, visit Givebacks (memberhub.com). Wristbands will also be available onsite for $15.

If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]

Upcoming Events

April 19 | Screen on the green

May 3 | Student holiday

May 6-10 | Teacher and staff appreciation week

May 15 | PTA meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the school library

May 27 | Student holiday [Memorial Day]

June 12 | Last day of school [early release]

Connect with us!

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Tonight is Spirit Night at Panera! Spirit Night at Panera

Are you still recovering from spring break and need a break from cooking? How about heading over to Panera Bread on Tuesday, April 16 between 4-8 p.m. and support our school for spirit night! Mark your calendars and spread the word.

Flyers were sent home. Show the flyer or mention Hunt Valley Elementary school when ordering in person or use code “FUND4U” during checkout for online ordering.

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A Message from Administration

Good afternoon Hunt Valley Families,

We had a short but busy week! On Monday, many of our students enjoyed viewing the lunar eclipse. Last night was our second annual Wellness Fair. It was great to see our families and community members gather to learn and share about healthy choices and movement. Thank you to the Wellness Committee and PTA for organizing such a wonderful event!

April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families. Next week is Purple Up Week and we will have several spirit days and activities at school to celebrate! 

One way we are celebrating is by implementing a school-wide project-Bookmark Buddies in honor of April’s Month of the Military Child.

Next week, your child will be provided with a blank bookmark by their teachers and will be invited to decorate it in some positive, school-appropriate way to represent and/or celebrate the military. Students may choose how they decorate it and are encouraged to be creative. Then, students will be offered a voluntary opportunity to trade their bookmark with a friend if they wish.

The goal of this project is two-fold: To foster and strengthen connections among all the students as they discuss and/or trade their bookmarks, and to generate increased awareness of the vast military-connected student population at HVES.

Please note that participation in this project is optional. Please reach out to Mary Berry, school counselor at [email protected] or Cynthia Youssef, family liaison at [email protected] with any questions

We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards,

Keieownna Hightower, Principal

Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal

Last Day to Order Yearbooks! Parent input for class placement

As the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end we are in the process of planning for next school year. One of our important tasks is to determine class placements for the 2024-2025 school year. Our school staff works collaboratively to plan teacher and student assignments. A variety of factors such as student personalities, friendships, and academics are considered as we create new classes.

Hunt Valley families have an option to assist in placements by providing insights about their child(ren). Please be mindful of the following:

• We will not accept requests for specific teachers. 
• Input must be submitted by the deadline, Friday, May 17, 2024, to be considered. We will not accept late requests.

The deadline for any correspondence regarding the next school year is Friday, May 17th via this Google form

Materials Needed!

The SCA and Green Club are gearing up for Hunt Valley’s 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20th and they are looking for some recyclable materials for their activities that day.  If you have the following items available around the house please bring them in and place them in the bin outside of Mrs. Garretson’s room, Room 209:

• NEW REQUEST: Old ceramic large coffee mugs
• Old small clay pots you no longer want; they can be chipped.
• Leftover pipe cleaners and Googly Eyes
• Clean paper bags with handles
• Paper-based/cardboard-based egg cartons

In addition to these items, they are also looking for scrap plywood.  So, if you happen to have recently finished some house renovations, or work in construction, please contact Mrs. Garretson at vcdeparisgar@fcpsedu for her to arrange a time and place to drop off the plywood or for her to pick it up.  Thank you very much for your support of this great event!

We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Important Updates:

• Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
• Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!

GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊

Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy

A special reminder about the tuition waiver. Fairfax County Public School students receiving Free and Reduced Meals, there are a select number of tuition waivers available. To receive the waiver, students must have a Consent to Share form on file with FCPS. Parents can find the Consent to Share forms on the FCPS Food and Nutrition website (https://www.fcps.edu/frm). Parents can also share the benefits during the online application process.

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Elementary Institute for the Arts

IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for several volunteers to help in the cafeteria. Please use this link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-volunteer

Mark you calendars

April 17--PTA meeting @ 6:30 pm

April 20--Earth Day Event

April 28--West Springfield Pyramid Challenge

May 3--Teacher Workday/NO School for Students

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Wellness corner

Hunt Valley Wellness Fair - April 11

Our second annual Wellness Fair is today, April 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Our community and school have partnered together to promote a balanced lifestyle focusing on fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition. Entry is free; however, local businesses have donated prizes that will be awarded through an optional raffle. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Additionally, we are asking for donations toward our community service project. We need: construction paper, stickers, markers, crayons, glue sticks, or stencils. Donations can be turned into your child’s classroom teacher or designated bins. We look forward to celebrating wellness with you!

If you have any questions about the Pyramid Challenge or Wellness Fair, please contact Dianna Carr at [email protected]

After-school programs - spring session: Sign up today

Mudskippers Pottery (all grades) - $208

Tuesdays (4/16-6/5) from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Registration: https://tinyurl.com/Hunt-Valley-Registration

 

STEM Excel - Roblox Design (grades 1-6) - $135

Wednesdays (4/17-5/29) from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Registration: https://bstem.azurewebsites.net/office/nova

 

Kids in Motion - Ultimate Dance (all grades) - $111

Wednesdays (4/17-6/5) from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Registration: Registration - NOVA Kids In Motion

 

Young Rembrandts - cartoon drawing (all grades) - $144

Thursdays (4/18-6/6) from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Registration: Loudoun and Fairfax Counties VA |  Loudoun and Fairfax Counties (youngrembrandts.com)

 

Pickleball (all grades) - $160

Thursdays (4/18-6/6) from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Registration: https://fairfax.playtga.com/pd/631/24-hunt-valley-es-spring-pickleball?returncom=productlist&source=search

Spirit Night at Panera

Are you still recovering from spring break and need a break from cooking? How about heading over to Panera Bread on Tuesday, April 16 between 4-8 p.m. and support our school for spirit night! Mark your calendars and spread the word.

Flyers will be in your child's take home folders. Show the flyer or mention Hunt Valley Elementary school when ordering in person or use code “FUND4U” during checkout for online ordering.

Family Movie Night

Who’s ready for a special spring movie night…one that is outdoor!

On Friday, April 19, the Hunt Valley PTA will host an outdoor movie night featuring “The Super Mario Brothers.”

The ‘doors’ open at 7:45 p.m. with the movie starting at 8 p.m.

RSVP: While there is no fee to attend, please RSVP at Hunt Valley Elementary School: Outdoor Movie Night (signupgenius.com).

Volunteer: We can also use some volunteers to make this night a success. Please consider volunteering at Hunt Valley Elementary School: Outdoor Movie Night Volunteers (signupgenius.com)

Preorder pizza: Preorder a large pie, either cheese or pepperoni, for $20. You can sign up and purchase it here: https://huntvalleypta.memberhub.com/store/items/1016120.

Save the Date for Spring Fest

The PTA is bringing back the Spring Festival this year! It’ll be a fundraiser to support our school and everyone is welcome! It will be held outside on school grounds. Please mark your calendar for May 17, 2024 from 5:30-8 p.m.

If you have questions or would like to help organize the event, please email our coordinator, Katie Arberg at [email protected]

Upcoming Events

April 11 | Wellness Fair

April 16 | Spirit Night at Panera Bread

April 17 | PTA membership meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the library

April 19 | Family Movie Night

Connect with us!

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A Message from Administration

Good afternoon Hunt Valley Families,

We hope that everyone enjoyed the break and had time to rest and recharge.  On Tuesday, we welcomed our newest Hawks to the nest at our kindergarten orientation for the graduating class of 2037! It was wonderful to see so many students and families eager to begin this adventure. 

Our students returned to school on Wednesday and began the 4th quarter on a positive note. We hope that our students and staff continue with this momentum and finish the school year strong!

On Thursday, we welcomed school board members and central office staff to Hunt Valley. Our new Springfield District Representative, Sandy Anderson (an HVES alumnae), Kyle McDaniel, Member At Large and our Executive Principal, Lisa Reddel.

On Monday, there will be a solar eclipse that will occur during dismissal. As a result, we will provide all students approved glasses so then can view the eclipse safely. Please see below for more information.

We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards,

Keieownna Hightower, Principal

Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal

Solar Eclipse

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.  

It's a rare and exciting astronomical phenomenon, and one that requires important safety reminders. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes. 

Here's what you need to know:

• Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff, and we encourage you to reinforce this at home.
• Regular sunglasses are not good enough. The NASA website has more information about eye safety.  
• Eclipse timing: The eclipse starts around 2:04 p.m., peaks at 3:20 p.m. (which coincides with dismissal for some students), and ends around 4:32 p.m. Please remind your child to be especially vigilant about eye safety during dismissal. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home, please arrange for alternative transportation.
• At HVES, teachers may choose to take their students out to view the eclipse for a short period of time in the afternoon. Students and staff will also be provided with the NASA livestream link (below) as an option to indirectly view the eclipse in their classrooms.

https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/2024-total-solar-eclipse-through-the-eyes-of-nasa/

For more details, visit the FCPS Solar Eclipse webpage.

If you plan on taking your child out of school early for this event please fill out the attendance form on our website and email your child's teacher before 12:00 pm on Monday, April 8. Thank you!

Materials Needed!

The SCA and Green Club are gearing up for Hunt Valley’s 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20th and they are looking for some recyclable materials for their activities that day.  If you have the following items available around the house please bring them in and place them in the bin outside of Mrs. Garretson’s room, Room 209:

• NEW REQUEST: Old ceramic large coffee mugs
• Old small clay pots you no longer want; they can be chipped.
• Leftover pipe cleaners and Googly Eyes
• Clean paper bags with handles
• Paper-based/cardboard-based egg cartons

In addition to these items, they are also looking for scrap plywood.  So, if you happen to have recently finished some house renovations, or work in construction, please contact Mrs. Garretson at vcdeparisgar@fcpsedu for her to arrange a time and place to drop off the plywood or for her to pick it up.  Thank you very much for your support of this great event!

Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts. 

If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. 

Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.

Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.

We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Important Updates:

• Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
• Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!

GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊

Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy

A special reminder about the tuition waiver. Fairfax County Public School students receiving Free and Reduced Meals, there are a select number of tuition waivers available. To receive the waiver, students must have a Consent to Share form on file with FCPS. Parents can find the Consent to Share forms on the FCPS Food and Nutrition website (https://www.fcps.edu/frm). Parents can also share the benefits during the online application process.

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Elementary Institute for the Arts

IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for several volunteers to help in the cafeteria. Please use this link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-volunteer

Mark you calendars

April 10--No School Eid al Fitr

April 11--IRW (Integrated Reading and Writing) for 5th grade

April 11--Wellness Fair

April 17--PTA meeting @ 6:30 pm

April 20--Earth Day Event

April 28--West Springfield Pyramid Challenge

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Wellness corner

Volunteers needed for the Pyramid Challenge - April 28

The rescheduled Pyramid Challenge is coming up on Sunday, April 28, and many volunteers are needed to make this a safe and fun event. Please see sign-up genius for more details: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4DAEA82BA5FC1-48455466-2024#/.

Hunt Valley Wellness Fair - April 11

Join us for our second annual Wellness Fair on Thursday, April 11 from 6-8 p.m. 

Our community and school have partnered together to promote a balanced lifestyle focusing on fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition. Entry is free; however, local businesses have donated prizes that will be awarded through an optional raffle. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Additionally, we are asking for donations toward our community service project. We need: construction paper, stickers, markers, crayons, glue sticks, or stencils. Donations can be turned into your child’s classroom teacher or designated bins. We look forward to celebrating wellness with you!

If you have any questions about the Pyramid Challenge or Wellness Fair, please contact Dianna Carr at [email protected].

After-school programs - spring session: Sign up today

Mudskippers Pottery (all grades) - $208

Tuesdays (4/16-6/5) from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Registration: https://tinyurl.com/Hunt-Valley-Registration

 

STEM Excel - Roblox Design (grades 1-6) - $135

Wednesdays (4/17-5/29) from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Registration: https://bstem.azurewebsites.net/office/nova

 

Kids in Motion - Ultimate Dance (all grades) - $111

Wednesdays (4/17-6/5) from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Registration: Registration - NOVA Kids In Motion

 

Young Rembrandts - cartoon drawing (all grades) - $144

Thursdays (4/18-6/6) from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Registration: Loudoun and Fairfax Counties VA |  Loudoun and Fairfax Counties (youngrembrandts.com)

 

Pickleball (all grades) - $160

Thursdays (4/18-6/6) from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Registration: https://fairfax.playtga.com/pd/631/24-hunt-valley-es-spring-pickleball?returncom=productlist&source=search

Upcoming Events

April 11 | Wellness Fair

April 17 | PTA membership meeting 

April 19 | Family Movie Night

Connect with us!

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A Message from Administration

Good afternoon Hunt Valley Families,

It is hard to believe that the 3rd quarter is almost over, and we are heading into spring break! We are excited about the learning that has occurred and progress that all our students have made this quarter. 

As you enjoy this time with your loved ones, unplugging, and recharging, our staff will be doing the same. We have encouraged them to take this time to disconnect from work and emails. Staff will respond to any emails upon their return on April 1st. 

Please keep in mind that the school building and office will be closed during spring break. We will return on April 1, 2024.We look forward to seeing all our students back on Wednesday, April 3rd as we start the 4th quarter.

A huge thank you to our PTA and all the volunteers that helped with the book fair last week. It was wonderful to see our students and teachers excited about new books to read!

Warm regards,

Keieownna Hightower, Principal

Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal

Materials Needed!

The SCA and Green Club are gearing up for Hunt Valley’s 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20th and they are looking for some recyclable materials for their activities that day.  If you have the following items available around the house please bring them in and place them in the bin outside of Mrs. Garretson’s room, Room 209:

• NEW REQUEST: Old small clay pots you no longer want; they can be chipped.
• NEW REQUEST: Leftover pipe cleaners and Googly Eyes
• NEW REQUEST: Plain white paper plates – If you have leftover plain white paper plates, please send them in.
• Clean paper bags with handles
• Paper-based/cardboard-based egg cartons

In addition to these items, they are also looking for one large scrap piece of plywood 5 x 5 ft and several smaller pieces.  So, if you happen to have recently finished some house renovations, or work in construction, please contact Mrs. Garretson at vcdeparisgar@fcpsedu for her to arrange a time and place to drop off the plywood or for her to pick it up.  Thank you very much for your support of this great event!

Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8 

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.  

Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.

Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts. 

If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. 

Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.

Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

This year, spring break is March 25-29. We will be eager to welcome your children back to school on Wednesday, April 3, after two teacher work days. Student attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources. 

We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Important Updates:

• Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
• Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!

GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊

Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy

A special reminder about the tuition waiver. Fairfax County Public School students receiving Free and Reduced Meals, there are a select number of tuition waivers available. To receive the waiver, students must have a Consent to Share form on file with FCPS. Parents can find the Consent to Share forms on the FCPS Food and Nutrition website (https://www.fcps.edu/frm). Parents can also share the benefits during the online application process.

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Elementary Institute for the Arts

IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for several volunteers to help in the cafeteria. Please use this link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-volunteer

Mark you calendars

March 25-April 2--No School for Students/Office Closed Spring Break/Teacher Workday/Staff Development Day

April 10--No School Eid al Fitr

April 11--Wellness Fair

April 20--Earth Day Event

April 28--West Springfield Pyramid Challenge

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A Message from Administration

Happy Friday Hunt Valley Families,

We had a wonderful and busy week here at school! Our PTA hosted our annual book fair, and our students were excited to peruse and purchase books. Thank you to our wonderful PTA and all the parent volunteers for planning and organizing the book fair!

On Wednesday, Mrs. Iooss and Mrs. Shumaker, in conjunction with the PTA held a Folk Dance event in the cafeteria. Our students were able to teach their parents some of the dances that they had learned in class. Thank you to everyone that participated!

Third quarter will end next Friday and Spring Break will begin Monday, March 25th. Students will return for the start of the 4th quarter on Wednesday, April 3rd. We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards,

Keieownna Hightower, Principal

Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal

Take the Family Engagement Survey Today! 

If you haven’t already, please take FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey today! Survey results will help us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community. Survey topics include:

• Welcoming environment
• Communication
• Student success
• Advocacy 
• Family and school partnerships
• Community partnerships

The survey is available in 10 languages. Please check your email for a message from FCPS partner, K12 Insight, with a link to the survey or access the survey now. Your voice matters!

Measles Is Preventable

Measles is making headlines as the number of cases nationwide has topped 40, with three confirmed cases in people living in or traveling through the National Capital Region. 

The good news is that measles is preventable through vaccination! Vaccines help teach the immune system how to defend against germs, helping to build up natural defenses. Give your child the best protection against measles with two doses of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website to find out more about measles.

Extended Hours at Immunization Clinics

To help parents/caregivers obtain vaccinations for their children, the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) will offer immunization clinics with extended hours:

• Thursday, March 21, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Joseph Willard Health Center.Walk-ins are accepted until 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 22, 1-5:30 p.m., Annandale District Office. Walk-ins are accepted until 5 p.m.

Parents/caregivers should make an appointment but a limited number of walk-ins will be accepted. Please call 703-246-7100 to schedule an appointment.

Learn more about vaccinating your child and find community resources to support their health and well-being. 

Note: All students enrolling in public and private schools in Virginia are required to be adequately immunized per the Code of Virginia.

Materials Needed!

The SCA and Green Club are gearing up for Hunt Valley’s 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20th and they are looking for some recyclable materials for their activities that day.  If you have the following items available around the house please bring them in and place them in the bin outside of Mrs. Garretson’s room, Room 209:

• NEW REQUEST: Old small clay pots you no longer want; they can be chipped.
• NEW REQUEST: Leftover pipe cleaners and Googly Eyes
• NEW REQUEST: Plain white paper plates – If you have leftover plain white paper plates, please send them in.
• Clean paper bags with handles
• Paper-based/cardboard-based egg cartons

In addition to these items, they are also looking for one large scrap piece of plywood 5 x 5 ft and several smaller pieces.  So, if you happen to have recently finished some house renovations, or work in construction, please contact Mrs. Garretson at vcdeparisgar@fcpsedu for her to arrange a time and place to drop off the plywood or for her to pick it up.  Thank you very much for your support of this great event!

Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8 

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.  

Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.

  PYRAMID CHALLENGE: NEW DATE AND REGISTRATION

** RESCHEDULED from November **

All runners must register/re-register by MARCH 18 West Springfield Pyramid Challenge: Sunday, April 28, 2:00-4:30 PM at Irving Middle School

The rescheduled West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run event, but students wanting to participate need to RE-REGISTER for it. Your registration for the postponed run in November will NOT be carried over. 

If you were unable to make the November date but want to participate on April 28, you are also welcome to register for this fun community event! Everyone who wants to participate must sign up by March 18: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Springfield/2023PyramidChallenge

Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts. 

If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. 

Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.

Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

This year, spring break is March 25-29. We will be eager to welcome your children back to school on Wednesday, April 3, after two teacher work days. Student attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources. 

We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Important Updates:

• Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
• Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!

GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊

Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy

A special reminder about the tuition waiver. Fairfax County Public School students receiving Free and Reduced Meals, there are a select number of tuition waivers available. To receive the waiver, students must have a Consent to Share form on file with FCPS. Parents can find the Consent to Share forms on the FCPS Food and Nutrition website (https://www.fcps.edu/frm). Parents can also share the benefits during the online application process.

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Elementary Institute for the Arts

IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for several volunteers to help in the cafeteria. Please use this link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-volunteer

Mark you calendars

March 25-April 2--No School for Students Spring Break/Teacher Workday/Staff Development Day

April 10--No School Eid al Fitr

April 11--Wellness Fair

April 20--Earth Day Event

April 28--West Springfield Pyramid Challenge

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Who said folk dancing isn’t fun…not us!

Thank you to Ms. Iooss and Ms. Shumaker for hosting a folk dancing event last night for our families.

Students have been working hard on learning multiple line dances from across the world and it was on display last night. 

Everyone had a blast, including Assistant Principal Gibbs…just check out some of the photos below!

Book fair ends on Friday

The book fair ends this Friday, but there are still plenty of hours left for shopping. Parent hours include: Thursday, 3/14: 8-9 a.m. and 4:15- 7:15 p.m.; and Friday, 3/15: 8- 9 a.m. and 12- 1 p.m.

Please remember that we have gone cashless this year. If your student is scheduled to visit the fair during school hours, they must have an e-Wallet.

Visit https://www.bookwormbmaps.com/eWallet/ to create your account today

Please reach out to Anna Taleysnik, Book Fair Chair, with any questions at [email protected]

Wellness corner - deadline is Monday

The Pyramid Run Challenge has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 28 from 2-4:30 p.m.

All runners must register/re-register by MARCH 18

The rescheduled West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run event, but students wanting to participate need to RE-REGISTER for it. Your registration for the postponed run in November will NOT be carried over.

If you were unable to make the November date but want to participate on April 28, you are also welcome to register for this fun community event! Everyone who wants to participate must sign up by March 18: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Springfield/2023PyramidChallenge. For any questions, contact [email protected]  

Also, save the date for this year’s Wellness Fair which will be Thursday, April 11.

End of third quarter teacher surprise

On Friday, March 22, the Hunt Valley PTA will be hosting a ‘Make Your Own Drink Bar’ for the teachers to have something fun to celebrate the end of quarter three.

Teachers will have the option to make their own Italian Soda or other fun soda drink with names like ‘paper jam,’ ‘lesson planning juice,’ ;just peachy teachy,’ and ‘teacher’s pet’ to name a few.

All items listed on the SignUpGenius are from Amazon and are for reference; you can buy them there or may find them cheaper elsewhere. Please consider donating an item or two to help us send off the teachers to spring break with a ‘refreshing’ start!

HVES Executive Board: Teacher "Drink Bar" (signupgenius.com)

Upcoming Events

March 11-15  |  Spring Book Fair

March 22 | End of Quarter 3

March 22 | Teacher ‘Drink Bar’

March 26-29 | Spring Break

Connect with us!

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Daylight Saving Begins (Spring Forward)

Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time begins. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour! As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or to bus stops in the dark. Help your child stay safe by having them wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run into the street or cross between parked cars.

Ramadan

This year, the first full day of Ramadan is Monday, March 11. In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity and good deeds. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.

March 11 is an O day. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact their student’s teacher regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction. 

Take the Family Engagement Survey!

FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey is now open. Survey partner K12 Insight emailed a link to families on March 3 and again on March 6. Please participate! Your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve FCPS practices to best support our students.

The survey is available in 10 languages. All responses are confidential. Parents/caregivers may stop by the front office to fill out a paper survey or complete the survey online. Please check your email for the survey invitation or use this survey link. Get more information on the Family Engagement Survey webpage. 

Materials Needed!

The SCA and Green Club are gearing up for Hunt Valley’s 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20th and they are looking for some recyclable materials for their activities that day.  If you have the following items available around the house please bring them in and place them in the bin outside of Mrs. Garretson’s room, Room 209:

• Wrapping paper rolls
• Paper Towel rolls
• Clean paper bags with handles
• Paper based/cardboard based egg cartons

In addition to these items, they are also looking for one large scrap piece of plywood 5 x 5 ft and several smaller pieces.  So, if you happen to have recently finished some house renovations, or work in construction, please contact Mrs. Garretson at vcdeparisgar@fcpsedu for her to arrange a time and place to drop off the plywood or for her to pick it up.  Thank you very much for your support of this great event!

Bipartisan Study Finds Virginia Public School Divisions Receive Less Funding per Student Than Other States

The School Board recently adopted FCPS’ FY 2025 Advertised Budget. Meeting budget needs becomes more of a challenge with underfunding by the state, using staffing formulas that continue to result in school districts not receiving the actual support needed for excellent public education. A staffing formula is the method for calculating the number of positions that need to be assigned to meet program needs. 

Did You Know?

In July 2023, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) released a study of Virginia’s K-12 funding formulas. The report found that Virginia school divisions receive less funding per student than the 50-state average, the regional average, and many of Virginia’s neighboring states including West Virginia, Maryland, and Kentucky. Learn more about the JLARC study. View FCPS’ budget development timeline. 

Contact your state officials to provide feedback on funding for K-12 education. 

Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8 

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.  

Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.

  PYRAMID CHALLENGE: NEW DATE AND REGISTRATION

** RESCHEDULED from November **

All runners must register/re-register by MARCH 18 West Springfield Pyramid Challenge: Sunday, April 28, 2:00-4:30 PM at Irving Middle School

The rescheduled West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run event, but students wanting to participate need to RE-REGISTER for it. Your registration for the postponed run in November will NOT be carried over. 

If you were unable to make the November date but want to participate on April 28, you are also welcome to register for this fun community event! Everyone who wants to participate must sign up by March 18: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Springfield/2023PyramidChallenge

New Regulation on Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces

FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.

These spaces are designated areas within a school for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact Cynthia Youssef, family liaison, regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.

Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts. 

If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. 

Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.

Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

This year, spring break is March 25-29. We will be eager to welcome your children back to school on Wednesday, April 3, after two teacher work days. Student attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources. 

We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Important Updates:

• Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
• Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!

GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊

Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy

A special reminder about the tuition waiver. Fairfax County Public School students receiving Free and Reduced Meals, there are a select number of tuition waivers available. To receive the waiver, students must have a Consent to Share form on file with FCPS. Parents can find the Consent to Share forms on the FCPS Food and Nutrition website (https://www.fcps.edu/frm). Parents can also share the benefits during the online application process.

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Elementary Institute for the Arts

IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for several volunteers to help in the cafeteria. Please use this link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-volunteer

Mark you calendars

March 11-March 15--Book Fair

March 12--Spring Picture Day

March 25-April 2--No School for Students Spring Break/Teacher Workday/Staff Development Day

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Book Fair - What you need to know

Date: March 11-15

Student schedule: Monday and Tuesday are preview days for students; Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are purchase days for students.

Parent shopping hours: Wednesday, 3/13, 4:15-7: 15 p.m; Thursday, 3/14: 8-9 a.m. and 4:15- 7:15 p.m.; and Friday, 3/15: 8- 9 a.m. and 12- 1 p.m.

Company: Bookworm Central. This means more publishers represented and more great book choices to pick from.

Want to volunteer: Sign up at Hunt Valley PTA Book Fair Chair: Spring 2024 Book Fair Volunteers (signupgenius.com)

What is new: We are going cashless — utilizing Bookworm Central’s e-Wallet system.

Please visit https://huntvalleypta.org/after-school-programs/ to create your account today using the following instructions.

1. Use the link below, to set up your student’s Bookworm Central’s e-Wallet.

https://www.bookwormbmaps.com/eWallet/

1. The registration page will ask for parent info, email, and to set up a password. Once done, a pop-up message will ask you to verify your email.
2. You will receive an email from Bookworm confirming account setup. Please click on “Verify Email” to finalize the process and then you can sign in to your e-Wallet account.
3. Add your kid(s) to the account. You can add multiple kids. Please make sure you check that their name, school, grade, and teacher’s name is accurate.
4. Select the amount you want your kids to spend up to (e.g. no more than $30) and whether you want to include an additional 10% for sales tax, etc. (this part is optional).

If you are adding multiple kids to your account, you must add a credit card (even if using the same card) for each child.

1. Once completed, you can print the e-Wallet to send to school with your child or we will find the e-Wallet in our system by their name. The details (spending limit, different credit card, child information, etc.) can be edited via your account page any time.

Please note:

Your credit card will not be charged until your child uses the e-Wallet to purchase something at the Book Fair. The card(s) you set up will only be charged up to the amount you authorized for each child. If your child spends less than the limit you set, you will not be charged for that amount. Bookworm Central does not retain any money in the e-Wallet and deletes all credit card information at the end of the Book Fair.

Please reach out to Anna Taleysnik, Book Fair Chair, with any questions at [email protected]

Folk Dance

So much fun packed into one night!!

On Wednesday, March 13, not only will the Hunt Valley PTA have parent hours for book fair shopping, but we will be partnering with Hunt Valley's own music teachers, Ms. Iooss and Ms. Shumaker, for an evening of family fun!

These wonderful teachers have been teaching your students a variety of folk dances all year long and the time has come for them to show you what they've learned. So, bring your student and come out to the school's cafeteria and learn all about the folk dances, the music department, and be ready to join your student on the dance floor as they teach you the dances!

There will be two sessions: 5:45- 6:30 p.m. and 6:45-7:30 p.m.

We hope to see you there!

Wellness corner

The Pyramid Run Challenge has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 28 from 2-4:30 p.m. Updated information will come out soon.

Save the date for this year’s Wellness Fair will be Thursday, April 11.

Congratulations to all our spellers

We had 24 student spellers in our first PTA-sponsored spelling bee at Hunt Valley last week. A huge thank you to Casesy Trull for coordinating the event and to our judges and volunteers that made the event a success.

And congratulations to our winners: 1st place, Saifan; 2nd place, Joon; and 3rd place, Abby! Saifan will compete in the Fairfax County Spelling Bee on March 17.

Good luck, Saifan! Your Hunt Valley family is rooting for you!

End of third quarter teacher surprise

On Friday, March 22, the Hunt Valley PTA will be hosting a ‘Make Your Own Drink Bar’ for the teachers to have something fun to celebrate the end of quarter three.

Teachers will have the option to make their own Italian Soda or other fun soda drink with names like ‘paper jam,’ ‘lesson planning juice,’ just peachy teachy,’ and ‘teacher’s pet’ to name a few.

All items listed on the SignUpGenius are from Amazon and are for reference; you can buy them there or may find them cheaper elsewhere. Please consider donating an item or two to help us send off the teachers to spring break with a ‘refreshing’ start!

HVES Executive Board: Teacher "Drink Bar" (signupgenius.com)

Spring activities - Registration is happening NOW!

The Hunt Valley PTA is sponsoring a number of new activities for after-school activities this spring. Check them out and register at https://huntvalleypta.org/after-school-programs/.

Upcoming Events

March 10 | Daylight Saving Time

March 11-15  | Spring Book Fair

March 22 | End of Quarter 3

March 22 | Teacher ‘Drink Bar’

March 25-29 | Spring Break

Connect with us!

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

A Message from Administration

Happy Friday Hunt Valley Community!

Last night, the PTA hosted our school spelling bee. It was wonderful to see over 25 of our students take on this challenge with bravery and grace. We acknowledge how difficult it is to stand up in a room full of people and spell words that you are unfamiliar with or may have never heard. We celebrate all our spellers for their dedication and resiliency!

A huge thanks to our fabulous PTA, judges and volunteers that helped to make this event a success! A special thank you to Mrs. Trull for bringing the Spelling Bee back to Hunt Valley. 

We congratulate our winners: 1st place--Saifan; 2nd place--Joon; and 3rd place--Abby. Saifan will compete in the County-Wide Spelling Bee on March 17th!

As a reminder, the Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.

Therefore, March 5 will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day. School Planning Days are directed by school-based Administrators in order to devote time to school improvement efforts, including collaboration around data, common assessments, responsive instruction, etc. 

Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as on other professional workdays. 

We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Warm regards,

Keieownna Hightower, Principal

Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal

Ramadan

This year, the first full day of Ramadan is Monday, March 11. In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity and good deeds. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.

March 11 is an O day. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact their student’s teacher regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction. 

Look for the FCPS Family Engagement Survey This Sunday

Parents/caregivers will receive the FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey Sunday, March 3, from independent research firm K12 Insight. Please participate — your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve practices to best support our students.Taking this survey will also help strengthen the partnership between your family and our school. When that partnership is strong, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and an increased likelihood of graduating high school. The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete and will be available in 10 languages. Please visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information. Your voice matters!

Do You Know Where FCPS Funding Comes From?

The majority of FCPS funding is requested from the Fairfax County government, which generates its revenue from real estate and personal property taxes. The Commonwealth of Virginia provides the next largest source of revenue to FCPS through state aid and sales tax. The rest of the funding comes from a variety of sources, including federal aid and tuition for non-county residents. (The numbers above represent the FY 2025 proposed school operating fund in millions.)

FCPS does not have the authority to impose taxes and may only charge fees where the Commonwealth of Virginia has granted specific authority. Learn more about FCPS’ FY 2025 Advertised Budget.

Materials Needed!

The SCA and Green Club are gearing up for Hunt Valley’s 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20th and they are looking for some recyclable materials for their activities that day.  If you have the following items available around the house please bring them in and place them in the bin outside of Mrs. Garretson’s room, Room 209:

• Wrapping paper rolls
• Paper Towel rolls
• Clean paper bags with handles
• Paper based/cardboard based egg cartons

In addition to these items, they are also looking for one large scrap piece of plywood 5 x 5 ft and several smaller pieces.  So, if you happen to have recently finished some house renovations, or work in construction, please contact Mrs. Garretson at vcdeparisgar@fcpsedu for her to arrange a time and place to drop off the plywood or for her to pick it up.  Thank you very much for your support of this great event!

  PYRAMID CHALLENGE: NEW DATE AND REGISTRATION

** RESCHEDULED from November **

All runners must register/re-register by MARCH 18 West Springfield Pyramid Challenge: Sunday, April 28, 2:00-4:30 PM at Irving Middle School

The rescheduled West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run event, but students wanting to participate need to RE-REGISTER for it. Your registration for the postponed run in November will NOT be carried over. 

If you were unable to make the November date but want to participate on April 28, you are also welcome to register for this fun community event! Everyone who wants to participate must sign up by March 18: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Springfield/2023PyramidChallenge

Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts. 

If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. 

Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.

Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.

We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.

All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Important Updates:

• Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
• Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!

GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊

Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy

A special reminder about the tuition waiver. Fairfax County Public School students receiving Free and Reduced Meals, there are a select number of tuition waivers available. To receive the waiver, students must have a Consent to Share form on file with FCPS. Parents can find the Consent to Share forms on the FCPS Food and Nutrition website (https://www.fcps.edu/frm). Parents can also share the benefits during the online application process.

📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

Elementary Institute for the Arts

IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for several volunteers to help in the cafeteria. Please use this link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-volunteer

Mark you calendars

March 5--No School for Students

March 11-March 15--Book Fair

March 12--Spring Picture Day

March 25-April 2--No School for Students Spring Break/Teacher Workday/Staff Development Day

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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Ice + families equals fun!

On Feb. 10, the HVES PTA hosted our first-ever ice skating family fun event at the Fairfax Ice Arena. We were thrilled to see so many people in attendance and can’t wait for next year’s event! Thank you to Nina Landes for helping organize it.

Wellness corner

The Pyramid Run Challenge has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 28 from 2-4:30 p.m. Updated information will come out soon.

Save the date for this year’s Wellness Fair which will be Thursday, April 11.

February PTA membership meeting minutes

Thank you to everyone who made it out to last week’s meeting.

Below is a quick recap of what we discussed.

• Budget: The budget is in good standing and no significant funds have been spent throughout the last 2 months.
• Principal’s report. Principal Hightower again mentioned that the school continues to have growth in student population. The school will undergo a review and analysis of space for future planning, but this does not mean that our school will be undergoing renovations anytime soon. Parents volunteered to research bonds and the possibility of creating a petition.

The principal also discussed parent’s concerns over student’s not being allowed to play tag of any kind during recess. This is not a new rule. This has been a long-standing rule at the school – at least 15 years according to one teacher. Students are given the reminder at the beginning of the school year with a reminder mid-year during a review of the Student Rights and Responsibilities.

• Vice-principal’s report. VP Gibbs mentioned that more information will be shared in the spring on SOL timeline and additional upcoming testing in the coming months.
• President’s report. Discussed upcoming events and deadlines

Due to the book fair, the next PTA membership meeting – currently scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. – may be rescheduled. Please lookout for more details coming soon.

Support our spellers in the first HVES spelling bee!

Do you love words? Are you a fan of competition? Today, Thursday, Feb. 29, is the first Hunt Valley Spelling Bee!

Come out to support our students. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. The final student standing gets to represent HVES in the county-wide bee, but all competitors will leave with new knowledge, confidence, and a prize.

Spring Activities

Spring activities are just around the corner! We have a lot of fun classes planned, including Run Fit Kidz. Sign up at http://www.runfitkidz.com/registration.html.

 

Anyone up for some pickleball, tennis, golf?  The PTA is conducting a poll to gauge interest in a new afterschool program.

Please complete the survey — https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FDCLQRN — by Feb. 29. Complete one survey per child.

Upcoming Events

March 5 |  Student Holiday

March 11-15  |  Spring Book Fair

Connect with us!

7107 Sydenstricker Rd., Springfield, VA 22152  |  Phone: 703.913.8800

Attendance: 703.913.8820 | Web | Twitter | Facebook