connection parent & community
A NEWSLETTER FOR STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAMILIES & THE COMMUNITY
IN THIS ISSUE 2
School Buzz
2
Best School Division
4
For Parents
4
Partners in Education
5
Upcoming Events
5 Principal Appreciation Week
Publisher: Office of Strategic Communication and Community Engagement Editor in Chief: Tiffany Twine, Community Engagement Manager
Stafford County Public Schools scpscommunications@staffordschools.net
JANUARY 2017
New Electronic “Backback” for Flyers A New Year for New Electronic Flyers Stafford County Public School District is getting ready to launch a new electronic flyer communication tool called “Peachjar.” To view school-approved eflyers, simply click the Peachjar button on your school’s website homepage. This “green” initiative will save our schools tons of paper and reduce copy costs by thousands of dollars. On top of that, posting school flyers in this electronic backpack removes a significant administrative burden from teachers, office staff, and volunteers. No action is required on your part. You will receive a welcome email from our service provider (Peachjar) that includes a username and password. This is provided to give you the opportunity to manage your account and flyer delivery preferences. You do not need to login to receive or view school eflyers. To ensure smooth delivery of this communication, we suggest you add school@peachjar.com to your email contacts. When you receive your first eflyer, be sure to click “always display images.”
This system is used exclusively for distribution of school-approved flyers. We will not share or use your email address for any other purpose. Thank you for supporting our efforts to ensure parents are well informed about school programs, activities, and events.
Stafford County Public School is moving away from printed flyers and to a new “electronic backpack” system. SCPS has its own online backpack and will post school information, calendars, activity information from enrichment providers, and school letters. Just go to the front page of your school website and click on the Peachjar Eflyer button to check it out.
School Buzz
News from our Schools Stafford County Pubic Schools Recognized as a 2017 Best School Division Stafford County Public Schools is proud to announce its recognition as a 2017 Best School Division by Niche, the largest website for researching K-12 schools. SCPS ranked No. 18 of 131 divisions in Virginia. “This is exciting news for Stafford County Public Schools,” said Holly Hazard, Stafford County School Board Chair. “These rankings express what we already know about our school division. Stafford County is one of the best places to live, learn and teach. Our teachers, administrators and staff inspire and empower students to succeed. We are very pleased with the rankings from Niche.” SCPS earned this ranking by scoring highly on a variety of factors including SAT/ACT scores, student-teacher ratio, the quality of colleges students consider, and reviews from students and parents. The statistical data used in this ranking was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education and analyzed by Niche’s team of data scientists to create the 2017 rankings. In addition to this recognition, SCPS ranked as the following: • No. 5 Safest School Division in Virginia • No. 26 Best Place to Teach in Virginia • No. 1,075 of 10,364 Best School Divisions in America Niche is a website that helps people discover the schools and neighborhoods that are right for them. The company rigorously analyzes dozens of public data sets and millions of reviews to produce comprehensive rankings, report cards, and profiles for every K-12 school, college, and neighborhood in the U.S. For the full list of our rankings, as well as other 2017 rankings, methodologies, and data sources, visit https://k12.niche.com/rankings.
Stafford County School Board Appoints Garrisonville Representative
Meet the School Board Did you know a school board member is assigned to your district within Stafford? Click here for a listing of current school board members. Check out the photo below of School Board Members before for 5k run at the Virginia School Board Association Conference.
Become a School Board Advisory Committee Member Are you interested in becoming an advisory committee member? The School Board Advisory Committees compile data, analyze problems, summarize findings and develop recommendations for the Stafford County School Board. Click here to complete an application.
The Stafford County School Board approved the appointment of Christopher Connelly to the Garrisionville District seat on Thursday, December 8 at a special called meeting. Connelly worked in public policy and communications for nearly twenty years, working in both Congress and the George W. Bush Administration. He currently serves as a senior staff member on Capitol Hill. “One of Stafford County’s strongest attributes is its public schools, and I look forward to working with the board on ways to continue providing a high level of educational excellence for our community,” says Connelly. “As Stafford continues to grow the challenges we face need to be addressed through consensus building and input from the constituents we serve. I am excited and honored to be part of that process this coming year.” Connelly resides in the Austin Ridge subdivision of the Garrisonville District with his wife Jennifer and their four children, who attend Stafford County schools. 2
PARENT & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
First Annual deSTEAMber a Success
Stafford Schools Offers Employment Opportunities
Margaret Brent Elementary School held its first annual deSTEAMber night on Thursday, December 1, 2016, where the school showcased its newly remodeled library/MakersSpace and performed activities that give you chills! Bobcat families had the opportunity to visit over 18 activities, including building the most efficient snowplow, creating snowflakes using recycled materials, and seeing if they could make Rudolph’s nose light up by connecting circuits. Members of the MBES STEM Club showed off digital online breakouts that they designed. GEMS club girls displayed gingerbread traps.
Teachers and Paraprofessionals Students home from college or looking to teach in our classrooms, SCPS is in need of substitute teachers and paraprofessionals for the current school year. To apply visit https://apps2.winocular.com/ staffordva/workspace/ The link is for the online substitute application. In addition to completing the online substitute application, accompanying paperwork must be submitted to the Human Resources Office in person as a complete packet. Submit packet no later than the day before the substitute workshop you wish to attend.
Families were also able to visit the different poles to see how penguins, seals and polar bears keep warm in the cold environments. Thank you to all those who joined MBES for deSTEAMber adventures: community members, Central Office staff, School Board representatives, Anna, Elsa, and Olaf! Special thanks to Mountain View High School’s Learn & Serve students and Math Honor Society students for volunteering for the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics activities.
Bus Drivers As many families and administrators have noticed, Stafford County Public Schools is struggling, along with the rest of the nation, with a serious school bus driver shortage. Without sufficient numbers of school bus drivers to drive all the routes necessary to transport our students to and from school every day, Transportation Services uses Lead Drivers, Office Coordinators and Supervisors as drivers and monitors. This leaves fewer staff members in the office to respond to parent and school system phone calls Customer service suffers as a result. Transportation Services offers paid training for anyone who believes they have what it takes to drive a school bus and transport the future. We offer a flexibility that many professions can’t offer; a chance to bring in an income and still be semi-retired; or a stay at home parent. Spend summers, holidays and weather related days home with your family. We offer full-time or part-time employment with varying degrees of benefits including health insurance, life insurance and paid sick leave. Non contracted substitute work is available for those not ready to commit to a contract. Drivers can take their preschool age children on the bus with them, saving daycare costs. If you are interested, please contact Transportation Services at (540) 373-6095 or check out our website at www.staffordschools.net.
PARENT & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
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For Parents
Partners in Education
Helpful News for your Family
Community Business Partners Support our Schools and Students
Bus Safety Tip: Transporting Large Objects
Kindergarten Library Card Campaign
Winter is filled with student concerts, mid-year projects and sporting events. In the midst of events, large items are transported to and from school on buses. To ensure the safety of all students riding buses, certain large objects such as large musical instruments, science projects and athletic gear is only allowed on the bus if the item can fit safely on the student’s lap or between the student’s legs. It is important for students to control the item. This prevents safety hazards and keeps large objects out of the aisle. Click here to learn more about transporting large items on the school bus.
Central Rappahannock Regional Library is partnering with Stafford County Public Schools to ensure that every kindergarten student has a free library card from the public library. A library card is a key to lifelong learning, a ticket to new opportunities and experiences, and an all-access pass to everything CRRL has to offer. Between January 16-20, your kindergarten student will bring home a library card application. Simply fill it out, return it to school, and look for your child’s library card to arrive in your mailbox. Also be sure to visit the Children’s Desk at any CRRL branch library with your Kindergarten student January 16-March 31 to receive a free book of their very own.
American Legion Feeds Over 250 Stafford Families In December, Stafford County Public Schools partnered with American Legion Post No. 290 for their annual food drive. Canned goods and non-perishable items donated from several schools were boxed and distrubuted to 252 Stafford County families. The total includes 347 adults and 423 children. Thank you to all who donated. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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.
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PARENT & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
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Upcoming Events January 5
Stafford Academy for Technology Information Night 6:30 p.m. | North Stafford High School This event is for all 8th grade students interested in applying to Information Technology, Engineering or Biomedical Sciences programs. Meet current teachers and students. View labs and projects first hand. For additional information and optional preregistration: http://tiny.cc/STAT Stafford and Spotsylvania County Schools Night at University of Mary Washington 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. | UMW Rosner Arena at the Anderson Center All Stafford and Spotsylvania students receive free admission to the University of Mary Washington vs. Salisburg Game. · The UMW/SCPS Game Ball Trophy is given to the school with the most students in attendance – a friendly competition between all schools from both counties. (announced at the men’s halftime break) · High school students must show ID badges · Students from Elementary and Middle Schools must be accompanied by a parent (Note: $5 General Admission - arena benches) · Home Team Grill, B101.5, and Ultimate Subaru are teaming up to make it a great night for your students and families. · A Home Team Grill halftime game. · The Ultimate Subaru halftime contest for a new car! (men’s halftime only) · Photos with Buzzy the Bee and Sammy D. Eagle mascots · Meet and greet the UMW players.
January Education Appreciation Days 22-28
Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week
January Important Student Dates: 13 16 26-27 30
Interium Report (Grades 9-12, 4x4 Block Courses) Schools Closed - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Early Release (Middle and High School) Early Release - All Grades
30 31
End of Quarter (Grades K-12) Schools Closed - Professional Day
January 10
Stafford County School Board Meeting 7 p.m. | Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, School Board Chambers Behind the Wheel (BTW) Parent/Student Meeting 7 p.m. | Colonial Forge High School Students and parents must attend together. Arrive 15 minutes early for sign-in process. No one is admitted 10 minutes after the meeting begins. For more information, contact Mike Justice at justicemd@staffordschools.net.
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, contact Cynthia Lucero-Chavez at clucero@staffordschools. net.
January 16
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - All Schools and Offices Closed
January 24
Stafford County School Board Meeting 7 p.m. | Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, School Board Chambers Public hearing on the proposed FY 2018 School Budget.
January 26
High School Redistricting: Community Input Meeting 7 p.m. | Colonial Forge High School This is an opportunity for parents and community members to provide input on high school redistricting. For more information visit www.staffordschools.net
January 28
2nd Annual St. Jude Teen Gala 6 p.m. | Inn at Olde Silk Mill The St. Jude Teen Gala is a night for teens to gather with friends, dress up and have fun, all while supporting the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Teens that fundraise $100 gain entrance for this fun-filled night and earn service hours. For more information please visit, stjude.org/ fredericksburgteengala or contact Daniela Romero at daniela.romero@stjude.org.
January 26-27
Early Release - Middle and High School
January 30
Early Release - All Grades
January 31
Professional Day for Teachers - All Schools Closed • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
January 22-28
Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week Join SCPS in acknowledging the tireless efforts of our school principals. We have the best principals and appreciate all they do. See Principals Appreciation Proclamation here.
Save the Date February 20
Presidents’ Day - All Schools and Offices Closed
February 28
Early Release - Elementary Schools Only 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
January 2017
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.