connection parent & community
A NEWSLETTER FOR STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAMILIES & THE COMMUNITY
IN THIS ISSUE 2
School Buzz
3
Awards and Competitions
4
For Parents
5
Important Student Dates
5
Upcoming Events
6
Partners in Education
Publisher: Office of Strategic Communication and Community Engagement Editor in Chief: Tiffany Twine, Community Engagement Manager
Stafford County Public Schools scpscommunications@staffordschools.net
DECEMBER 2016
Stay Connected with NEW Mobile App! Keeping Families Better Informed and Connected to SCPS Stafford County Public Schools is excited to announce the release of a mobile app designed specifically to keep our families better informed and connected to what’s going on in our schools. The new SCPS mobile app for both iPhone and Android smartphones will keep you connected while you’re on the go. The app is FREE and available for download today. The app will deliver real time school news to your smartphone for fast, up-to-date access. The app will feature: • The latest division and school news • Select the schools you want to follow • Notifications about breaking news, closures, weather, events, and more • Photos from school events • Maps with school locations and phone numbers It’s FREE to download: 1. On your smartphone, go to the iTunes App Store® or Google Play® 2. Search Stafford County PS 3. Then select our Stafford County PS app for free download School news in the palm of your hand, your new SCPS mobile app is just a few taps away.
App Setup: 1. Select Choose from list to select those schools you wish to follow. 2. From the Select display, select as many schools you wish to follow and select Next. 3. From the You’re Done! display, select Finish.
School Buzz
News from our Schools Stafford County High Schools Support Local Food Bank with Marching Band Showcase High school marching bands of Stafford County joined together on November 7 for Band Together to Fight Hunger. This event is an annual marching band showcase, which raises funds and canned goods for the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. Band Together to Fight Hunger is an opportunity for the public to enjoy Stafford County’s five high school marching band shows in one location. Donations of non-perishable food or cash serve as admission for the event. A grand finale of all five bands performing “America the Beautiful” concluded the event. In addition to donations given by the public, business partners provided monetary donations used to purchase meals for families. Business partners included: Chick-Fil-A, WDF Trucking, Sam’s Pizza, Doug Armstrong, High Note Trips, Elizabeth Marie Attreed DDS, McDonald’s, KidMed VA, Pancho Villa, Walmart, Weis Markets, Sheehy Toyota, and Kohl’s. With the help of the public and business partners, Band Together to Fight Hunger provided the equivalent of over 28,000 meals to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank.
Fiscal Preparation and Planning for Division Preparation of the FY 2018 operating budget is well underway. All departments have submitted their requests to the Superintendent, including a zero-based approach by the Technology and Transportation departments. It is anticipated that the State will release projections for FY 2018 school division allocations in December, which will provide SCPS with a more accurate revenue projection. Key upcoming dates on the budget calendar include: • January 17, 2017: Presentation of Superintendent’s FY 2018 Recommended Budgets • February 28, 2017: School Board’s Consideration and Approval of the FY 2018 Budgets
SCPS Receives Certification in VSBA Challenge Stafford County Public Schools was recognized in the 2016 Virginia School Boards Association’s Green Schools Challenge. The division received Platinum Certification for achieving between 175 and 200 “green points.” The VSBA’s Green Schools Challenge is “a friendly competition designed to encourage implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce carbon emissions generated by both the local school division and the broader community.” School divisions received “green points” by completing various initiatives on the VSBA’s checklist, such as establishing a division-wide recycling program, adopting an anti-idling policy for school vehicles, creating outdoor classrooms, and conducting an energy audit. 2
PARENT & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Middle School Fall Sports Update
Career Poetry & Poster Competition Winners
Our middle school athletes recently completed an impressive Fall 2016 sports season. County championship winners are:
Each November, Stafford County Public Schools holds a Career Poetry and Poster Competition in celebration of National Career Development Month. Students in grades K-12 submitted their artwork in three categories: poetry, hand-drawn posters, and collage or computer-generated posters. The division received over 160 entries for this year’s competition. Here are some of the winners.
Football: H.H. Poole Middle School, 7 wins/1 loss, first championship win in 16 years Girls Field Hockey: Dixon-Smith Middle School, 10 wins/0 losses Girls Volleyball: T. Benton Gayle Middle School, 9 wins/1 loss On October 10, 180 middle school Cross-Country Intramural runners met at Willowmere Park for a Cross-Country Fun Run. The following athletes were top finishers: Girls 1. Hannah T., H.H. Poole 2. Hailey S., H.H. Poole 3. Ava C., Rodney E. Thompson 4. Caroline B., Rodney E. Thompson 5. Brianna D., Dixon-Smith 6. Brandi D., Dixon-Smith 7. Anabelle H., Dixon-Smith Boys 1. Jonah C., H.H. Poole 2. Owen L., Shirley C. Heim 3. Noah L., H.H. Poole 4. Justin P., Dixon-Smith 5. Josh B., A.G. Wright 6. Jakob O., Shirley C. Heim 7. Blake C., Dixon-Smith
PARENT & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Poster C-1 - Primary Division 1st Place - Nathan T., Rockhill Elementary 2nd Place - Leah B., Rockhill Elementary Poster C-1 - Middle Division 1st Place - Sarah G., Dixon-Smith Middle 2nd Place - Marina E., Dixon-Smith Middle Poster C-1 - Senior Division 1st Place - Logan Z., North Stafford High 2nd Place - McKayla P., Brooke Point High Poetry - Intermediate Division 1st Place - Raven C., Stafford Elementary 2nd Place - Laina O., Stafford Elementary Poetry - Middle Division 1st Place - Jason L., A.G. Wright Middle 2nd Place - Katy C., A.G. Wright Middle Click here for the full listing of winners.
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For Parents
Helpful News for your Family Inclement Weather and School Closing FAQs
A Note From Transportation Services
Old Man Winter is dropping temperatures and with that comes snow and inclement weath. Remember to check the www.staffordschools. net webpage for school delays and closing. Here are FAQs related to emergency school closings.
The Transportation Services Department for Stafford County Public Schools is dedicated to providing the best customer service available to our students, parents and the schools we serve. In an effort to do this here is some valuable information for you to use:
Q: When is the decision made to close schools? A: Decision time is by 5:30 a.m. Q: Will I receive a Robocall? A: Yes, Robocalls will go out as early as 5:30 a.m. on the day of the decision. If the decision is made the day prior, you will not receive a Robocall. Note: Check with your students school to ensure your emerency contact information is up-to-date. Q: What do the Codes mean for my student? A: See codes below. Code Zero and Code I - All Day Closing (All Schools and Offices Closed) All school activities, day and evening are canceled. No buses will operate. All non-school activities, day and evening are canceled including college classes and recreational programs scheduled in school buildings and on school grounds. Code II - All Day Closing (All Schools Closed) All school activities, day and evening are canceled. No buses will operate. All non-school activities, day and evening are canceled including college classes and recreational programs scheduled in school buildings and on school grounds. (Exceptions may be granted on a case by case basis by the Superintendent or Designee.) Administrative offices open at 10 a.m. 2 Hour Late Opening - Schools will open two hours late. We will reassess inclement weather conditions at 7:15 a.m. There are no A.M. preschool classes. No change to P.M. Preschool. Breakfast programs are canceled and lunch is served. Q: Where can I find official school closing information? A: www.staffordschools.net, www.facebook.com/StaffordSchools, www.twitter.com/scpschools, Stafford Alerts, local radio and television stations. See November 2016 newsletter for full listing.
Missed Days for Inclement Weather Procedures for making up days missed due to inclement weather: Should the school year fall below the required instructional days or hours, the difference is made up by converting the following current non-school days to school days: January 16, February 20, April 14, May 26, June 14, June 19 and 20.
• Our office hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday the office closes at 5:00 p.m. There is always someone in the Dispatch Office when home to school or school to home transportation is in progress. • The main phone line for Transportation is 540-373-6095 and the fax line is 540-374-4861. If you do not reach someone please leave a message or try to call again as many of the staff members are driving, which leaves many of the phones without coverage. • If you cannot reach us by phone, send an e-mail to transportation@staffordschools.net. This account is monitored by the director and the administrative assistant in the office and they will offer a prompt response. Be sure to look at our website frequently for more information regarding the department and some of the services provided. You can find bus numbers and times can be found on the web site as well as Activity Bus Routes. Directions for using the “My Stop” app and list of frequently asked questions is located on the web. If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to the Transportation Services Department.
Virginia’s Health Insurance for Children FAMIS or FAMIS Plus (Medicaid) are Virginia’s Health Insurance Programs for uninsured children. Both programs cover all the medical care growing children need. Eligibility is based on income. For more information please contact Maryann Kane, Children’s Insurance Outreach Coordinator at (540) 368-2559 ext. 123 (Head Start) or (540) 658-4118 (DSS). 4
PARENT & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
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Important Student Dates: December 2
Interium Report (Grades
9-12, 4x4 Block Courses)
14
Interium Report (Grades K-8
and 9-12 Year Long XY
Block Courses)
14
End of Quarter (Grades
9-12, 4x4 Block Courses)
21
Early Release - All Grades
21
Report Cards (Grades 9-12,
4x4 Block Courses)
22 - 30 Winter Break
January 2
Winter Break
Upcoming Events December 6
Middle School Parent Workshop Series 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Drew Middle School SCPS Gifted and Accelerated Program presents there Fall Parent Workshop. Join the middle school Focus Resource teachers for a presentation on the Commonwealth Governor’s School Application Process. This workshop is intended for 8th grade students and their parents interested in applying to the Commonwealth Governor’s School. Preregister at www.staffordschools.net.
December 8 - 10
A Christmas Carol 7 p.m. | Brooke Point High School Brooke Point Theatre Company presents Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. General Admission is $5. Each night hosts a pre-show event: December 8 - Stories Around the World at 6:30 p.m., December 9 - Cultures and Traditions Around the World at 6:30 p.m., and December 10 - Victorian Feast at 6 p.m. Feast requires additional fee. Visit http://tinyurl. com/bphsfeast for feast details. PARENT & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
December 12
Behind the Wheel Parent/Student Meeting 7 p.m. | Stafford High School Behind the Wheel Parent Meeting, Stafford High School, 7:00 p.m. Students and parents must attend the meeting together. Please arrive 15 minutes early due to sign-in. No one is admitted 10 minutes after the meeting begins. For more information email justicemd@staffordschools.net.
December 13
Stafford County School Board Meeting 7 p.m. | Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, School Board Chambers
December 21
School Board Finance and Budget Committee Meeting 5:30 p.m. | Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex
December 21
Early Release - All Grades
December 22- January 2
Winter Break - No School for Students All schools closed Thursday, December 22 through Monday, January 2.
December 15
Brain Injury Services Open House 3 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | 927 Maple Grove Drive #107, Fredericksburg Do you know or work with children or adults who have suffered a concussion, brain injury or stroke? Come to the open house to learn about what programs and services are in the area. RSVP to zdaniels@braininjurysvcs.org or call 540-785-6122.
December 17
Rappahannock POPS Orchestra Sensory Friendly Performance 10 a.m. | Stafford High School Theatre Admission is FREE and open to the public. Ticket reservations are required. Sensoryfriendly performances are designed to create a performing arts experience that is welcoming to all families with children with autism or with other disabilities that create sensory sensitivties. - Definition provided by the Kennedy Center Accessibility Office. Please request tickets at scpsartsdepartment@gmail. com. Stafford County Christmas Parade 5 p.m. | Parade Route: Start at Black Hawke, turn west on Courthouse Road and end at Hospital Center Blvd The theme is “Christmas Memories.” Arrive early to avoid traffic and road closures. Food trucks at start and finish. Shuttle service is available as well as public parking. Santa will continue on to Stafford Hospital following the parade. For more information on parade, shuttles and parking visit, www. staffordchristmasparade.com.
December 20
Stafford County School Board Work Session 5:30 p.m. | Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, Executive Session Room The session includes an update on Redistricting.
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Save the Date January 5
Stafford and Spotsylvania County Schools Night 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. | Rosner Arena at the Anderson Center All Stafford and Spotsylvania students receive free admission to the University of Mary Washington vs. Salisburg Game. The school with the most students in attendance wins the UMW/SCPS Game Ball Trophy. High School students must show ID badges. Students from Elementary and Middle School must be accompanied by a parent. www.umweagles.com
January 12-16
CANstruction Spotsylvania Towne Center CANstruction is a unique competition showcasing colossal structures made entirely of full cans of food. After the structures are built, the creations are on display to the public as a giant art exhibition. All proceeds benefit the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. For more information or to register your team, contact Cynthia Lucero-Chavez at clucero@staffordschools.net.
January 28
St. Jude Teen Gala 6 p.m. | Inn at Olde Silk Mill Students have the opportunity to fundraise $100 for the kids of St. Jude to get their ticket. to the gala. For more information visit, stjude. org/fredericksburgteengala 5
Partners in Education
Community Business Partners Support our Schools and Students High School Students “Got Their Game On”
Learn and Serve Thanksgiving Food Drive 2016
Last month, a regional career readiness event united local businesses and students across the region preparing high school students for post-graduation. In its second year, the event has grown to include over 400 high school juniors and seniors from the counties of Caroline, Spotsylvania, and Stafford, and the City of Fredericksburg. In addition, more than 35 local businesses participated in the event.
Learn and Serve students collected turkeys and other Thanksgiving supplies in their annual Turkey Drive. Brooke Point, Colonial Forge and Stafford High Schools collected chicken, turkey, ham and monetary donations. SCPS elementary and middle schools collected additional ingredients for side dishes. It was a site going around to the various schools and seeing the excitement in the buildings as they collected items, took pictures and loaded the truck.
The event hosted by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Work Force NOW committee offered students the opportunity to hone their job interviewing and networking skills. In addition to participating in mock interviews, students also attend workshop sessions on workplace readiness topics such as Customer Service & Networking, the Ins and Outs of Resume Writing, and how Social Media can impact a candidates hopes of landing a job. New this year, students participated in an engagement activity to learn how to craft a 30-second elevator pitch about themselves.
The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank was literally stuffing items in the truck and hoping the door would close. The food bank weighed, sorted, and accounted for funds received. The goal was 4,000 pounds and the contributions exceeded it. “Wow, this was wonderful. The total pounds come to 2,196 for the fixins plus 2,670 for the turkeys plus $904.15 cash equates to 5,610 meals back to the community. Thank you Stafford County Schools! We really put some miles on the truck today! Happy Thanksgiving!” Fredericksburg Area Food Bank Stafford High School - 107 turkeys + $30 +14 lbs. canned food items Brooke Point High School - 54 turkeys + $235.81 Colonial Forge High School - 9 turkeys + $638.34 AG Wright Middle School - 233 lbs. boxed mashed potatoes Garrisonville Elementary School - 191 lbs. boxed mac and cheese H.H. Poole Middle School - 189 lbs. canned sweet potatoes Shirley Heim Middle School - 904 lbs. canned corn Stafford Middle School - 321 lbs. canned green beans
American Legion Post 290 Food Collection Stafford American Legion Post 290 partners with Stafford County Social Services, Head Start and S.E.R.V.E. to provide food ‘baskets’ for Stafford County families and to restock the shelves at S.E.R.V.E. and various County food banks. To make this event successful, American Legion has requested the support of Stafford County Pubic Schools. Members of the Community and Partners in Education can drop off canned goods and non-perishable food to the Main Lobby of the Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex by December 15.
Quantico Adopts Two Division Schools Marine Corps Base Quantico will support Shirley C. Heim Middle School and Widewater Elementary School this year as part of its Adopt-A-School program. School and MCB Quantico officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday, December 1
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at each School. Adopt-A-School efforts aim to support community involvement in the local schools to improve the education of children in grades K-12. Already this year, MCB Quantico has supported local schools and their students through school-wide trainings, the provision of resources, and bi-weekly support to the schools by active-duty service members assisting in the classroom, lunchroom, and at special events.
PARENT & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Community Partnership Fair
HESS Donates Multi-Purpose Field to SCPS
On November 17 at the Massad YMCA, students and community members gathered for an exciting morning of collaboration, information and partnership development.
HESS constructed the new Stafford High School for the 2015 school year, but the school lacked an additional practice field for students to utilize during fall and spring sports. The facility supports a core capacity of 2150 students and is home to over 25 extracurricular athletic programs, many of which are forced to share field space. In collaboration with Stafford County Public Schools, and specifically with assistance from the George Washington District School Board Member, Dewayne McOsker, HESS developed a plan to accommodate the needs of the school and community.
This event was an opportunity for organizations to meet and greet with approximately 400 motivated Learn and Serve, Leadership Development, International Baccalaureate (I.B. ), Advanced Placement Program of Excellence (A.P.P.X.), VA Star students, teachers, and counselors from Stafford County Public Schools. It was a very active morning that provided our 35 participating community partners with an opportunity to share their organization’s information, upcoming events, projects that are in the developmental phase that could potentially be student service-learning projects. The morning provided students with an immediate connection to the community, its needs, and ways in which they can get involved. Connecting our students to leaders in the community is the best way to help them grow, connect their classroom experiences/knowledge and understand their role in this global community while meeting the needs of their community one effort at a time. Students, teachers, and community will engage in further discussion to partner on projects that will be of interest to the students and a genuine need in the community. Stay tuned as students gear up for a year of learning, serving, and growing.
“We needed this practice field and I’m elated that HESS leadership decided to build it for the kids. Working together, HESS and SCPS are building a foundation of learning that will be treasured for many years to come,” said McOsker. The additional practice field will include an underground irrigation system, Bermuda sod and two combination goals, providing a variety of field purposes. The entire enclosure will be secured by a six foot chain link fence, with a pedestrian gate and a double-gate maintenance entrance. HESS is very pleased to be able to provide this addition to the school and Stafford County community.
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Become a Partner in Education
and organizations in the community to promote the common goal of improving educational opportunities for SCPS students.
SCPS seeks partners to work with us in designated platforms and meet specific engagement thresholds. The Community and Business Partner program provides opportunities to link schools, administrative departments and division employees with businesses
We are excited to learn more about your goals and the possibility of a mutual partnership. Begin your partnership by completing our Community and Business Partner Starter Form.
PARENT & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
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Stafford County Public Schools 31 Stafford Avenue Stafford, VA 22554 540.658.6000 • www.staffordschools.net
parent & community connection
December 2016
ABOUT SCPS Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) has an enrollment of more than 27,000 students with 30 schools. The district is located south of Washington, DC and serves a diverse population with suburban and rural communities. Although the school district has experienced rapid growth, the county has maintained a commitment to educational excellence. Support from the board of supervisors and the community have enabled the school district to maintain, improve and expand school facilities, transportation offerings, and instructional programs. Commitment to an excellent student-teacher ratio has enhanced quality instruction and attention for students. Significant technology advances ensure that students have the opportunity to learn practical work.