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Volume 3, Issue 20; January 19, 2025

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

Second Quarter Strong! 💪 Same RAMtastic energy! Let’s keep the momentum going! 🐏🔥

Dear CRES Community,

As we step up to the plate for the last full week of the second quarter, let’s give it our all! This is our chance to hit a home run by staying focused, completing assignments, and finishing strong!

Every play counts, and your support in encouraging daily attendance and consistent effort makes all the difference. Together, we can ensure our students are rounding the bases toward success!

Let’s make this week a grand slam, Rams! 🐏⚾

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data and updates in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance.

Attendance Update: Let’s Boost Our Numbers, Rams! 🎯

Current Attendance Alert: 8.2% Absences (51 Students)
Lots of sickness is going around—let’s fight those germs! 🦠 Remember to wash hands often to keep our Rams healthy and learning together!

Attendance Contest Reminder 🖍️

Don’t forget! Attendance Contest posters are due to Ms. Helmer by Thursday, 1/24. Let’s get creative and show how much we value being at school!

Extended Absence Impact 🛑

We are seeing an increase in requests for extended absences. Let’s talk about why every single day matters:

• Missing school is tough on students and our incredible teachers.
• There’s no “making up” the magic of live lessons with classmates. Learning is a collaborative experience, and worksheets or quick reviews just can’t replace it. Help us keep learning consistent by making daily attendance a top priority! 🙌

Together, let’s give our Rams the best chance to succeed! 💪 

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates 🧥 Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. We monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.

Visit Fairfax County’s website for Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips. 

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact our family liaison, Ms. Mary Pierri. You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care. 

SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey Coming Soon

All FCPS families and middle and high school students will be receiving an email invitation on Tuesday, January 21, to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available from January 21 to February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Dress Children Warmly
• Proposed Construction Projects
• Dual Language Immersion Lottery

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Several of our 6th-grade students recently visited Rocky Run to explore whether it will be their middle school next year.

If your child is interested in attending the advanced academic center-based program, Rocky Run is our designated middle school. However, students in the full-time Level IV program also have the option to attend Liberty Middle School, where they can continue to access rigorous coursework and grow as #GoalDirected and #Resilient individuals!

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

Abraham Lincoln’s first inauguration on March 4, 1861 

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers A Brief History of Presidential Inaugural Speeches, from George Washington to Today

Did you know?

Presidents aren't required to give a speech during inauguration. But President George Washington did and the rest have followed suit. Take a closer look at these speeches with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History!

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, January 20th: Martin Luther King Day - no school; Inauguration of the 47th President of the United States (for a kid-friendly explanation of events, click here!)

Tuesday, January 28th: Second quarter ends

Wednesday. January 29th: Lunar New Year - Teacher Work Day; no school for students

Tuesday, February 11th: PTA Meeting, 7 pm, via Zoom; RSVP here!

Monday, February 17th: Presidents' Day - no school

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

Food Distribution at Centreville Library

14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville, VA 20121
The food distributions will offered from 5:30-6:30 PM
on the following dates in 2025:
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Thursday, June 26, 2025

Free food, clothes, household items, toys, furniture, and diapers

Second Saturday of each month

Distribution from 7:30-9:30 am

February 8
March 8
April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13 
October 11
November 8
December 13

Centreville United Methodist Church
6400 Old Centreville Road
Centreville, VA 20121
Tel: 703-830-2684
www.centreville-umc.org

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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Volume 3, Issue 19; January 12, 2025

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

Did you know every student with a reading plan has access to additional resources to support reading development at home? We are thrilled to strengthen our home-school partnership to "Help Our Minds Excel!" Check out this amazing resource we are using to support many of our students!

Dear CRES Community,

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we are excited to continue working together to support your child’s success. This is a wonderful time of year for reflection and renewal, and we are looking forward to building on the incredible learning and growth we have seen so far.

In the coming months, we will focus on deepening classroom connections, fostering creativity through engaging projects, and celebrating the diverse talents of our students. Whether through academic achievements, fine arts performances, or leadership opportunities, we love seeing our Rams shine!

Please keep an eye out for details on upcoming events and ways to stay involved in our school community. Your partnership is invaluable in creating a positive, enriching environment where every child can thrive.

Here’s to a fantastic second half of the school year!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data and updates in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance.

We were thrilled to welcome students back on Friday! The smiles and joy they brought into the building lifted our hearts. However, we noticed that 24 kindergarteners—an entire quarter of the grade level—were not in school, contributing to absences totaling 25% of our entire school. That is a significant number of missed opportunities for learning and connection, and we truly missed each and every one of our absent students! Regular attendance in all grades, especially kindergarten, is vital for building foundational life skills, including school readiness. 

As we are in the second half of the second quarter, we are gearing up to share your child’s State of Attendance reports and celebrate attendance milestones with our second Attendance Pep Rally and Poster Contest. Ask your child for details--and read more below!

Let’s make Monday a strong start with all of our students at CRES—we can’t wait to see them!

Together, let’s make every day count! “Coming to School Every Day is Cool!” Poster Contest Details!

Your child is invited to participate in an exciting poster contest highlighting why coming to school every day is cool! Encourage your student to listen for helpful tips each week on the News Show to spark their creativity. Posters are due to Mrs. Helmer by the morning of Thursday, January 24th. Winners will be announced at our Attendance Pep Rally and will have the opportunity to showcase their posters on the News Show, around our school, and in our yearbook. We can’t wait to see our students' amazing ideas!

FCPS News Updates Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter

Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps. 

Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.

Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVueLearn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child. 

📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at (703 227-2600. 

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors. 

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• National Merit Commended Scholars
• Celebrating the Best of 2024 in FCPS
• Cell Phones Off, Learning On

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Thank you to our PTA for creating a new space where students can practice self-regulation and learn new strategies! We can’t wait to share the final outcome. Pictured: Ms. Hartle, our social worker, and Ms. Echegoyan, a monitor and proud CRES parent.

#Goaldirected #Resilient

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers

Do you have a toddler or pre-school aged child? Read more about how to support learning in their early years. There is so much learning that can happen at home!

"Measuring What Matters"

There is more to preschool than learning your ABCs and 123s, researchers say, as they propose broader range of skills for assessing early education.

Excerpted from Usable Knowledge, Harvard University

By: Elizabeth Ross

(To read the full article, click here.)

What parents and educators can do:

McCoy explains how educators and parents can encourage and support skills in preschoolers:

1) Encourage play – “the work of childhood.” 

“Play looks really different for different kids in different situations. It can be solitary or imaginative play where a child is on their own playing. It can be play in relationship to peers, it can be play with an adult. But any and all forms of play are very useful.” 

2) Be responsive to children’s interests. 

What can be helpful are “child-directed interactions where parents or teachers respond to children's cues and interests. For example, when a child asks a question, an adult can provide an answer and then ask another question related to that topic to deepen and expand the conversation.”

3) Model the skills yourself. 

“Kids are always learning by watching and imitating the adults in their lives. So what they do and say is important. If you're angry, you can help kids to know how to self-regulate by saying, ‘I'm kind of feeling angry right now. I need to take a minute and walk away and take some space and then come back.’ Or, if you're trying to take someone else's perspective, [you might say], ‘I'm really trying to understand what you want in this moment. Can you tell me more?’ Just saying out loud what you're thinking about and then using actions that are in line with what you hope your kids will do [is useful]. Adults who are curious, have kids who are curious and adults who use creative methods, have kids who use creative methods, adults who talk about their own identity have kids with a strong sense of self.”

4) Teach children strategies. 

“For some of these things — self-regulation, for example — there's a lot of good evidence that we can teach kids specific strategies that support their development. We can tell kids that there are concrete things that they can do to be better regulated, like stopping and taking a breath when they feel upset or excited or angry, to help them to calm down.”

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Tuesday, January 14th: PTA Meeting, via Zoom, 7 pm. Please RSVP here!

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

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Dear Families,

You have recently received notification that we are on a two-hour delay schedule for Friday, January 10th. This means that students will be expected to arrive by 10:35 am tomorrow morning.

Please note that we are quite eager to have all students in the building tomorrow as there is much learning to do! Please take all safety precautions and measures to ensure your child arrives on time and ready to learn!

We are so excited!

Warmly,
CRES Administration

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 18; December 26, 2024

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟 Our spirit is forever bright!

Cozy vibes and festive cheer! 🌟 Our amazing staff rocked Pajama Day, spreading school spirit as we wrapped up the year. We look forward to a bright 2025! 🎉❄️ #CRESSchoolofDreams

Dear CRES Community,

As we prepare to wrap up an amazing year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and partnership. Together, we have created a vibrant and caring school community where our students can grow, learn, and thrive.

We hope this winter break gives you time to relax, recharge, and create wonderful memories with family and friends. Whether you are celebrating cherished traditions, or simply enjoying quiet moments, may this season fill your hearts with joy and warmth.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back in January, ready to embrace 2025 with excitement and determination! Thank you for being such an important part of our school family. Here’s to a fantastic new year filled with opportunities and success!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data and updates in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance.

Happy New Year! As we head into 2025, we are renewing our focus on daily attendance to ensure every student succeeds.

New Year, New Attendance Goals!

We’re asking families to commit to:

1. 95% Attendance or Higher - Aim for no more than 9 absences this year.

2. Plan Ahead - Schedule appointments outside school hours.

3. Healthy Routines - Ensure rest and on-time arrival.

4. Communicate Early - Notify us immediately about absences.

Gentle reminder: As you are taking your winter break and considering planning for the following year, please refer to the FCPS calendar that has already been published for the following two years:

2025-2026

2026-2027

We appreciate you aligning your big plans with school breaks. Below, you can see where we landed regarding attendance for the month of December. We can still reach our goal of 6% or less with your continued commitment!

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform. 

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for FCPS’ Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year. 

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered. 

Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and the DLI Program Registration webpage.

📣 Sign Up and Speak Out: Fairfax County’s Pre-2025 Session Public Hearing

The Fairfax County delegation to the Virginia General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2025 session on Saturday, January 4, at 9 a.m., in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center. 

As Fairfax County residents, you may sign up in advance to speak at the hearing and let the delegation know what matters most to you. To participate, register online using this form or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711) by noon on Thursday, January 2. Find additional guidelines for speaking at the public forum on the Fairfax County Government website.  

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:

• Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 pm

• Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 pm 

• Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 am 

• Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 pm

• Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 pm 
• Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 pm 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
• Be Among the First to Hear About Closings/Delays
• Fall 2024 Sports Champions

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

We hosted our first Helping Our Minds Excel (H.O.M.E.) meeting to empower families in supporting their children's reading development. We are excited to launch Just Right Readers, a new resource that bridges learning at school with continued growth at home!

#Collaborator #Goaldirected #Resilient

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Family Resource Center Webinars and FCPS Family Academy

🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

• Overcoming School Refusal and Resistance
• Virtual Meeting for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
• FCPS Math Week
• Supporting Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills
• Depression in Teens
• Understanding Trauma in Your Child/Comprendiedo el Trauma en su Hijo (presented in Spanish)

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings. 

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, January 6th: Return to school! 😊

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 17; December 14, 2024

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

At CRES, we are committed to fostering respect, focus, kindness, accountability, and inclusivity in our classrooms, creating a community where every student feels valued and supported to succeed.

Want to know more about what makes our school so special? Click here!

Dear CRES Community,

As part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful school environment, we want to address a matter that requires our immediate attention and partnership with you. While we do not have a pervasive issue with discriminatory language at Centre Ridge, we are obligated to notify classrooms and grade levels in real time when such offenses occur. This transparency is essential to our mission of teaching, learning, and building a community of inclusivity.

We ask for your partnership in addressing these matters at home. Discriminatory language and disruptive behavior are not acceptable at school, and we encourage you to have conversations with your child about the importance of treating everyone with respect. Additionally, please supervise your child’s online activity. Many social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, require users to be at least 13 years old. If your child is under this age, they should not be accessing these platforms. Ensuring proper oversight is not optional—it is a vital step in guiding our students toward safe and responsible digital habits.

Here are three ways you can support your child in meeting our schoolwide expectations:

1. Have ongoing conversations about respect, inclusivity, and the impact of language and behavior on peer relationships and learning.
2. Set clear boundaries for online behavior and monitor your child's use of social media, as well as video games. 
3. Encourage consistent attendance to help your child fully engage in their education. 

We are committed to working with every family to ensure that our students thrive in an environment built on respect, safety, and a shared commitment to excellence. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions for strengthening this partnership.

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data and updates in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance.

The Cost of Absenteeism in Elementary School

Chronic absenteeism—missing 10% or more of school, or 8 days by this point in the year—serves as an early warning sign that students are at risk of not reading proficiently by the end of third grade, struggling academically in middle school, and potentially dropping out of high school.

Our CRES attendance recovery program is available by invitation for students who are currently chronically absent to help address skills lost while away. If your child has been invited, we strongly encourage participation. However, it is important to understand that the program alone cannot fix chronic absenteeism. Extended travel, frequent doctor appointments, and staying home for minor illnesses all contribute to this issue.

As we enter 2025, we urge you to make a resolution to support full-time attendance. Consistency is key to your child’s academic success!

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

• Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
• Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
• SEL Screener Results
• New Accessibility Resources
• Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
• Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
• VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
• Executive Functioning Webinars
• Early Literacy Resources
• ESY and Assessment Webinar
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter. 

Community Meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review

If you did not get a chance to attend one of the recent community meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review, please consider attending the final meeting in this first phase of the boundary review process. The Region 1 meeting will take place Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m.,in the Madison High School cafeteria. Register today. If you are unable to participate, stay tuned for details about virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings coming early next year.

View FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
• Join Our Teacher Team!
• Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Did you know that our teachers use a variety of approaches to support your child's learning?

Project GLAD and AVID work together to support students with vocabulary development, comprehension, executive function skills, and most importantly student agency!

Pictured below are Ms. Maginnis' 6th grade students!

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Second Step® Programs Support Families

As parents and caregivers, you are your child’s first and most important teachers, and play a vital role in their social, emotional, and academic development. Your child’s classroom teachers are here to support you in this, and the Second Step family of programs is one of the tools they are using.

Second Step programs combine discussions with fun activities and family resources. The programs help children learn social-emotional skills such as responsible decision-making, working together to solve problems, managing strong emotions, and getting along with others. These skills can help children succeed academically and socially.

The resources on this page provide information about social-emotional learning for students in grades pre-K-6.

We are proud to offer research-based curricula to help make our school a safe, supportive learning environment.

View a the scope and sequence of units and weekly lesson topics for Grades K–8.

Learn about the research behind the Second Step Elementary digital program.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

We Just Can't Hide Our Ram Pride!  Let's get ready to show our school spirit! Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, December 16th-Friday, December 20th: Spirit Week! See the various themes above!

Monday, December 23rd: Winter Break begins! Students return on Monday, January 6th.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 17; December 14, 2024

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

At CRES, we are committed to fostering respect, focus, kindness, accountability, and inclusivity in our classrooms, creating a community where every student feels valued and supported to succeed.

Want to know more about what makes our school so special? Click here!

Dear CRES Community,

As part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful school environment, we want to address a matter that requires our immediate attention and partnership with you. While we do not have a pervasive issue with discriminatory language at Centre Ridge, we are obligated to notify classrooms and grade levels in real time when such offenses occur. This transparency is essential to our mission of teaching, learning, and building a community of inclusivity.

We ask for your partnership in addressing these matters at home. Discriminatory language and disruptive behavior are not acceptable at school, and we encourage you to have conversations with your child about the importance of treating everyone with respect. Additionally, please supervise your child’s online activity. Many social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, require users to be at least 13 years old. If your child is under this age, they should not be accessing these platforms. Ensuring proper oversight is not optional—it is a vital step in guiding our students toward safe and responsible digital habits.

Here are three ways you can support your child in meeting our schoolwide expectations:

1. Have ongoing conversations about respect, inclusivity, and the impact of language and behavior on peer relationships and learning.
2. Set clear boundaries for online behavior and monitor your child's use of social media, as well as video games. 
3. Encourage consistent attendance to help your child fully engage in their education. 

We are committed to working with every family to ensure that our students thrive in an environment built on respect, safety, and a shared commitment to excellence. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions for strengthening this partnership.

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data and updates in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance.

The Cost of Absenteeism in Elementary School

Chronic absenteeism—missing 10% or more of school, or 8 days by this point in the year—serves as an early warning sign that students are at risk of not reading proficiently by the end of third grade, struggling academically in middle school, and potentially dropping out of high school.

Our CRES attendance recovery program is available by invitation for students who are currently chronically absent to help address skills lost while away. If your child has been invited, we strongly encourage participation. However, it is important to understand that the program alone cannot fix chronic absenteeism. Extended travel, frequent doctor appointments, and staying home for minor illnesses all contribute to this issue.

As we enter 2025, we urge you to make a resolution to support full-time attendance. Consistency is key to your child’s academic success!

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

• Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
• Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
• SEL Screener Results
• New Accessibility Resources
• Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
• Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
• VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
• Executive Functioning Webinars
• Early Literacy Resources
• ESY and Assessment Webinar
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter. 

Community Meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review

If you did not get a chance to attend one of the recent community meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review, please consider attending the final meeting in this first phase of the boundary review process. The Region 1 meeting will take place Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m.,in the Madison High School cafeteria. Register today. If you are unable to participate, stay tuned for details about virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings coming early next year.

View FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
• Join Our Teacher Team!
• Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Did you know that our teachers use a variety of approaches to support your child's learning?

Project GLAD and AVID work together to support students with vocabulary development, comprehension, executive function skills, and most importantly student agency!

Pictured below are Ms. Maginnis' 6th grade students!

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Second Step® Programs Support Families

As parents and caregivers, you are your child’s first and most important teachers, and play a vital role in their social, emotional, and academic development. Your child’s classroom teachers are here to support you in this, and the Second Step family of programs is one of the tools they are using.

Second Step programs combine discussions with fun activities and family resources. The programs help children learn social-emotional skills such as responsible decision-making, working together to solve problems, managing strong emotions, and getting along with others. These skills can help children succeed academically and socially.

The resources on this page provide information about social-emotional learning for students in grades pre-K-6.

We are proud to offer research-based curricula to help make our school a safe, supportive learning environment.

View a the scope and sequence of units and weekly lesson topics for Grades K–8.

Learn about the research behind the Second Step Elementary digital program.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

We Just Can't Hide Our Ram Pride!  Let's get ready to show our school spirit! Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, December 16th-Friday, December 20th: Spirit Week! See the various themes above!

Monday, December 23rd: Winter Break begins! Students return on Monday, January 6th.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 16; November 24, 2024

🌟Happy Thanksgiving, All-Stars!🌟

Schools and offices will be closed November 27th-29th. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, December 2nd.

Learn more about the first Thanksgiving.

Dear CRES Community,

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for each member of our incredible school community. The partnership between our families, staff, and students creates a vibrant, nurturing environment where learning and growth thrive.

This season reminds us to pause and reflect on the many blessings we share—our diverse and caring community, the joy of watching your children succeed, and the collective spirit that makes CRES truly special.

We are excited to continue to celebrate together with our Turkey Trot on Monday! We hope you’ll join us for this fun and active event. Times for each grade level are listed below and have been shared through TalkingPoints. Let’s come together to participate, and enjoy some time as a community.

On behalf of our entire staff, we extend warm wishes to you and your loved ones for a joyful and peaceful Thanksgiving. May this time be filled with love, gratitude, and special memories.

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Turkey Trot Time! Monday, November 25th; Rain Date: Tuesday, November 26th Every Day Counts at CRES!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data and updates in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance.

A special shout-out to Ms. Maginnis’ 6th Grade class as they hit a home run with EVERY student in attendance every day last week!

Percentage of Students Present in November The Importance of Attendance in Helping Kids Score in Reading and Social/Emotional Growth

This week we noticed a decrease in the percentages of students present, particularly in our primary grades.

Think of the school year as a baseball game—each day of learning is a pitch, and every student gets a turn at bat. But if they are not in school, they miss their chance to swing for success. For our youngest learners, missing too many days is like striking out when it’s time to build the foundational skills they need to thrive.

In the "game" of reading, early and consistent practice is key to reaching the big leagues—reading fluently and on grade level by 3rd grade. Absences mean missed lessons in letter sounds, word recognition, and comprehension, the building blocks of literacy. Just as baseball players need regular practice, students need to show up to school to master these skills.

School isn’t just about academics. It’s also where kids learn to be part of a team, handle challenges, and grow socially and emotionally. Missing school means missing those vital moments of teamwork and resilience-building; skills your children will need for life.

Let’s help every student keep their eye on the ball this year!

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria. 

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage. 

Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.

The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10th, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25th.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact us. 

Register for ParentVUELearn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please contact our school social worker, Joanne Hartle. You can also reach her via phone at (703) 227-2600.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Preparing for Winter Weather
• SEL Screener Results
• Varsity Girls Wrestling Is New Winter Sport

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

#Collaboration is key to student success, and one way we #collaborate is through frequent opportunities for family engagement!

Have you visited CRES lately? We hope to see you at tomorrow's Turkey Trot!

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Native American Heritage Celebration

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with Eastern Woodland Revitalization at several Fairfax County Public Library branches this weekend!

Stop by any one of the following branches this weekend to enjoy an authentic cultural presentation and dance demonstration, followed by a traditional Native American craft (while supplies last).

Saturday, November 23rd
Oakton Library | 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Reston Regional Library | 3-4:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 24th
Pohick Regional Library | 12-1:30 p.m.
Centreville Regional Library | 3:30-5 p.m.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, November 25th: Turkey Trot (Rain Date: November 26th)

Wednesday, November 27th: Thanksgiving holiday begins; students return on December 2nd.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 15; November 18, 2024

🌟Centre Ridge All-Stars🌟 Diversity is our MVP: Most Valuable Power! ⚾️

Thank you to all the families who joined us for our Multicultural Potluck Dinner this past Wednesday! 🍲🌎 A huge shoutout to our amazing ESOL Team for hosting this celebration of diversity, delicious food, and community connection. 💛

Dear CRES Community,

We are thrilled to invite you to join us for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, November 21st! This cherished tradition is a wonderful opportunity for families to gather, enjoy a delicious meal, and share in the spirit of gratitude and community.

To make the day even more special, the Scholastic Book Fair will also be taking place! After enjoying the luncheon, we encourage you to stop by and explore the wonderful selection of books. It is a great chance to support your child’s love of reading and discover fantastic books for your home library or holiday gifts.

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, we kindly ask that you plan to arrive just a few minutes before your student’s lunch period. Upon arrival, please proceed to our sign-in. This will help us keep our school secure while welcoming our families and guests.

We are excited to see you there and share this special occasion with our CRES family. Your presence makes our celebrations even more meaningful!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Turkey Trot Time! Monday, November 25th; Rain Date: Tuesday, November 26th Every Day Counts at CRES!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data and updates in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance.

At our CRES Attendance All Stars Pep Rally on Thursday, we celebrated strong student attendance and reminded every student that showing up every day, on time, truly counts! Together, we are building habits for success. 🎉 #CRESAllStars #EveryDayMatters

Please be advised that we are required to meet to develop attendance plans for students who have accumulated 10 absences. We kindly ask for your partnership in these meetings so that we can better understand your family’s needs and collaborate on a plan that supports your child’s success.

Thank you for working with us to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive!

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria. 

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage. 

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Veterans Day Recognitions
• Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, and Community Leadership
• Teacher Hiring Event

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Did you know that CRES participates in the Science Olympiad? This past weekend was our first competition!

Thank you to our students and staff for being such excellent #criticalandcreativethinkers!

Ms. Bowman, thank you for leading these learners and for your and Ms. Yong's supervision this weekend!

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

For resources and a list of events hosted by the Smithsonian Museum, click here!

Family Science Night

Here’s what’s in store for you and your family on Tuesday, November 19th!

Date: November 19, 2024

Time: 6:00-7:30 pm (*5:30 pm: Pizza will be served on a first come first served basis; Title I sponsored!)

Where: Centre Ridge Elementary

Why: For an evening of fun, discovery, and science learning for the entire family!

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Tuesday. November 19th: Family Science Night, 5:30-7:30 pm

Through Thursday, November 21st: Scholastic Book Fair!

Thursday, November 21st: Thanksgiving Luncheon; see schedule below.

Monday, November 25th: Turkey Trot (Rain Date: November 26th)

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 15; November 18, 2024

🌟Centre Ridge All-Stars🌟 Diversity is our MVP: Most Valuable Power! ⚾️

Thank you to all the families who joined us for our Multicultural Potluck Dinner this past Wednesday! 🍲🌎 A huge shoutout to our amazing ESOL Team for hosting this celebration of diversity, delicious food, and community connection. 💛

Dear CRES Community,

We are thrilled to invite you to join us for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Tuesday, November 21st! This cherished tradition is a wonderful opportunity for families to gather, enjoy a delicious meal, and share in the spirit of gratitude and community.

To make the day even more special, the Scholastic Book Fair will also be taking place! After enjoying the luncheon, we encourage you to stop by and explore the wonderful selection of books. It is a great chance to support your child’s love of reading and discover fantastic books for your home library or holiday gifts.

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, we kindly ask that you plan to arrive just a few minutes before your student’s lunch period. Upon arrival, please proceed to our sign-in. This will help us keep our school secure while welcoming our families and guests.

We are excited to see you there and share this special occasion with our CRES family. Your presence makes our celebrations even more meaningful!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Turkey Trot Time! Monday, November 25th; Rain Date: Tuesday, November 26th Every Day Counts at CRES!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data and updates in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance.

At our CRES Attendance All Stars Pep Rally on Thursday, we celebrated strong student attendance and reminded every student that showing up every day, on time, truly counts! Together, we are building habits for success. 🎉 #CRESAllStars #EveryDayMatters

Please be advised that we are required to meet to develop attendance plans for students who have accumulated 10 absences. We kindly ask for your partnership in these meetings so that we can better understand your family’s needs and collaborate on a plan that supports your child’s success.

Thank you for working with us to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive!

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria. 

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage. 

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Veterans Day Recognitions
• Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, and Community Leadership
• Teacher Hiring Event

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Did you know that CRES participates in the Science Olympiad? This past weekend was our first competition!

Thank you to our students and staff for being such excellent #criticalandcreativethinkers!

Ms. Bowman, thank you for leading these learners and for your and Ms. Yong's supervision this weekend!

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

For resources and a list of events hosted by the Smithsonian Museum, click here!

Family Science Night

Here’s what’s in store for you and your family on Tuesday, November 19th!

Date: November 19, 2024

Time: 6:00-7:30 pm (*5:30 pm: Pizza will be served on a first come first served basis; Title I sponsored!)

Where: Centre Ridge Elementary

Why: For an evening of fun, discovery, and science learning for the entire family!

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Tuesday. November 19th: Family Science Night, 5:30-7:30 pm

Through Thursday, November 21st: Scholastic Book Fair!

Thursday, November 21st: Thanksgiving Luncheon; see schedule below.

Monday, November 25th: Turkey Trot (Rain Date: November 26th)

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 14; November 11, 2024

Centre Ridge All-Stars

On Veterans Day, we honor and thank all who have served, recognizing their sacrifices and the freedoms they have safeguarded. We are grateful for the strength and dedication of our veterans and their families.

Dear CRES Community,

As we reflect on this week, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the veterans within our community. We had the privilege of hosting an unforgettable Veterans Day breakfast to honor those who have served. The event was made even more special with beautiful musical performances and sentiments from several of our talented 6th-grade students. Their tribute was a true testament to the respect and gratitude we all feel for our veterans’ sacrifices and dedication.

We also want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to supporting our military-connected youth and their families. This year, we are excited to work toward earning the Virginia Department of Education’s Purple Star designation. This recognition highlights our school’s ongoing dedication to meeting the unique needs of military families and ensuring that all students feel supported and valued.

To all the veterans, service members, and military families within our community, thank you for your service and for being an essential part of our school family. Your resilience and dedication inspire us all.

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Get ready to shake a tail feather at this year’s Turkey Trot—lace up, hit the trail, and let’s make it a Thanksgiving to remember! 

Stay tuned for more details! 

Every Day Counts at CRES!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to reduce absenteeism.

"Going to school is cool!"

This week, we are thrilled to spotlight our grade-level attendance achievements! A big round of applause to our 4th graders who led the way with a fantastic 91% attendance rate! Even in shorter weeks, your commitment to supporting daily attendance greatly enhances students' learning and engagement. 

We are excited for the chance to welcome Ronnie Ram as a special visitor to each grade level multiple times this school year! With strong attendance, your child’s grade could be next in the spotlight!

Together, let’s make every day count! 📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. 

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance. 

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Fall Testing Results
• Boundary Review Community Meetings
• Resources for Families

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

The Centreville Pyramid Chorus Concert demonstrates how the power of music can bring our schools together!

What a magical event!

#collaboration

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Family Science Night

Here’s what’s in store for you and your family on Tuesday, November 19th!

Date: November 19, 2024

Time: 6:00-7:30 pm (*5:30 pm: Pizza will be served on a first come first served basis; Title I sponsored!)

Where: Centre Ridge Elementary

Why: For an evening of fun, discovery, and science learning for the entire family!

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Advanced Academic Program Parent Information Night 

Full-time Referral & Screening Process 

November 12, 2024, 5:00-6:00 pm 

Please join us in the CRES library (or online) for our upcoming AAP Parent Information Meeting to learn about the referral and screening process for the full-time Advanced Academic Program. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience. We will share a link with those who RSVP 30 minutes prior to the meeting. We hope you can join us!

December 15, 2024 -Deadline for all referrals (grades 2-6) for full-time screening

If you have questions, please contact Valerie Carter, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Tuesday, November 12th: AAP Parent Information Meeting Full-time Screening Process; Please RSVP here.

Thursday, November 14th: PTA Winter Wonderland Fundraiser ends; any physical orders and monies must be turned in to the teachers. The online Shop will be closed. There is a PTA Meeting, via Zoom, at 7pm. RSVP here.

Tuesday. November 19th: Family Science Night, 5:30-7:30 pm

Thursday, November 21st: Thanksgiving Luncheon; see schedule below.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 13; November 5, 2024

Centre Ridge All-Stars

Entering the second quarter is like rounding second base in a baseball game. We have had a strong start and are gaining momentum as we head toward third! Just like in baseball, focus and teamwork are essential, and your continued support helps our students succeed!

Dear CRES Community,

As we approach the end of the 1st quarter, we want to express our gratitude for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. It has been a wonderful start to the school year, and we have already seen tremendous growth and excitement for learning in our students, thanks in large part to your involvement!

As we move into next quarter, it is important to keep up the momentum and maintain a strong focus on learning at school and at home. Consistent routines and engagement with your child’s education can make a significant impact. Here are a few ways you can support your child as we continue the school year:

• Continue Daily Reading: Encourage your child to read daily and have conversations about their reading. This practice helps build critical literacy skills and fosters a love for books.
• Reinforce Math Skills: Practice math in everyday situations, such as cooking or shopping, or use educational math games to keep skills fresh and engaging. There are board games you can check out at the local Centreville library!
• Encourage Creative Exploration: Support your child’s creativity through activities like writing, drawing, or simple science experiments to inspire curiosity and joy in learning.

Your support is crucial for maintaining your child’s academic progress and enthusiasm for school. We look forward to partnering with you in upcoming school events and celebrations as we continue to build a strong and supportive community. We hope to see you at our next PTA meeting on November 14th!

Thank you for your dedication and involvement. Let’s keep up the great work as we head toward third base (quarter)!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to reduce absenteeism.

End of the Quarter Update: K-6th (49 days)

Quarter 1 Attendance Stats

• Number of students present EVERY DAY: 216! That’s 35%.
• Number of students present all but 1 day: 140! That’s 22%.
• Number of students not currently chronically absent: 559 students, 89.2%
• Number of students currently chronically absent (having missed 5 days of school so far this year): 67 students 
• Number of unexcused absences (mostly due to travel): 349
• Number of medical absences, specifically those that do not follow FCPS guidelines for keeping a child at home: 682 total absences

Have we hit a home run?

• While IPFIT (In Personal Flexible Instruction Program) has begun and can help mitigate days absent, it does not fix the problem. We want to remind our families that all absences count and full days will help your child reach their learning goals. Please follow the health policy and send your students to school every day.

Together, let’s make every day count! Elementary School Language Arts Grading Updates

Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow strong in all of their new skills by the end of the year.

This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reporting and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can also find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.

We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Calendar Reminders
• Resources for Families 
• Complete Impact Aid Survey

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

We are a beautifully diverse school!

Students in second grade shared traditions and learned new math skills using a fall favorite: pumpkins!

#GlobalCitizens #CriticalThinkers

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Literacy Resources for Families Webpage

A new Literacy Resources for Families webpage has been published to provide families with information about how to support your children with developing literacy knowledge and skills at home. It provides valuable information about reading and writing resources, the VALLSS, Reading Plans, guidance for Parent Teacher Conferences, and training available through the Family Academy. We encourage you to check it out!

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Advanced Academic Program Parent Information Night 

Full-time Referral & Screening Process 

November 12, 2024, 5:00-6:00 pm 

Please join us in the CRES library (or online) for our upcoming AAP Parent Information Meeting to learn about the referral and screening process for the full-time Advanced Academic Program. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience. We will share a link with those who RSVP 30 minutes prior to the meeting. We hope you can join us!

December 15, 2024 -Deadline for all referrals (grades 2-6) for full-time screening

If you have questions, please contact Valerie Carter, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher.

National Family Engagement Month

November is National Family Engagement Month! This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Over 40 years of research have shown that the most effective way to increase student achievement is for families to be actively involved in their children's education. Family engagement is a shared responsibility between home, school, and the community. The importance of family engagement will be highlighted during November as we celebrate and strengthen family-school partnerships.

The Family and School Partnerships Office has created calendars of ideas for additional ways to engage as a family! 

Families + Schools = Success!

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, November 11th: Veterans Day; no school.

Tuesday, November 12th: AAP Parent Information Meeting Full-time Screening Process; Please RSVP here.

Thursday, November 14th: PTA Winter Wonderland Fundraiser ends; any physical orders and monies must be turned in to the teachers. The online Shop will be closed. There is a PTA Meeting, via Zoom, at 7pm. RSVP here.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards. To submit a nomination in one of the categories, please use the Google form links below.  All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The nomination forms are linked below and have more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are listed below and in the forms. Please take a moment to recognize an outstanding CRES employee. Remember, there is no limit to how many people you can nominate, but we can ultimately have only one CRES winner in each category.

Outstanding Teacher 

Eligibility: Have completed at least 3 full years of teaching; Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination; Note: Librarians are included in this category.

Nominate here:  Outstanding Teacher Nomination form

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Teachers must be within their first 3 years of their teaching career; Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination; Note: Librarians are included in this category

Nominate here:  Outstanding New Teacher Nomination form

Outstanding Principal

Eligibility:  Currently work as an elementary, middle, secondary or high school principal in FCPS (Assistant or Associate Principals are not eligible for this particular award - consider nominating them for outstanding leader); Have begun at least their 4th year as building principal (experience in an acting capacity is not counted); Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination

Nominate here:  Outstanding Principal Nomination form                              

Outstanding Leader 

Eligibility: Currently work as a full-time or part-time Schedule C employee or School-Based Administrator who has completed at least one contracted year of employment working with FCPS in their current position at their current work location; Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination

Common positions in this category: Associate Principal, Assistant Principal, Director of Student Services, Director of Student Activities

Nominate here:  Outstanding Leader Nomination form

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: Currently work as a Schedule-B employee in an FCPS school or center, or in a non-instructional position that supports school leadership and has completed at least one contracted year of employment working with FCPS in their current position at their current work location; Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination

Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, Speech Pathologist, School Counselor, Systems of Support Administrator, Safety and Security Specialist, other employee paid as a Resource Teacher who serves in a non-instructional or administrative role in the school (such as Deans), Special Education Department Chair who teaches less than 50% of their time

Nominate here:  Outstanding Professional Employee Nomination form

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: Currently work as a Schedule-A, Schedule-H, or Classroom Instructional Support (CIS) employee who has completed at least one contracted year of employment working with FCPS in their current position at their current work location, or an hourly employee who has been working regularly in one position for more than one year; Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination

Common positions in this category: administrative and office assistants, custodial staff, food service staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, all parent liaisons and hourly employees

Nominate here:  Outstanding Operational Employee Nomination form

Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, October 28th. 

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 12; October 27, 2024

Centre Ridge All-Stars

Help your child to be a good digital citizen and an online upstander by reporting problematic behaviors, reposting only accurate information, and sharing positive images and messages. The “Golden Rule” is effective in digital citizenship — treat others online as you would like to be treated.

Dear CRES Community,

We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for our students inside and outside of the classroom. With children spending more time online, it is essential for us, as a community, to help them navigate this world safely.

Most social media platforms require users to be at least 13 years old to protect children from inappropriate content and interactions. Likewise, many popular video games may contain violent or mature content that is unsuitable for young children and can affect their development and perceptions.

Inappropriate online behavior can lead to serious consequences, including exposure to harmful content, the risk of sharing personal information, and possible disciplinary actions. Here are a few tips to help support your child’s online safety:

1. Monitor Online Activity: Regularly check the sites and apps your child uses, and set parental controls when possible.

2. Set Clear Boundaries: Discuss which platforms are appropriate and explain why others may not be.

3. Encourage Open Communication: Ensure your child feels comfortable discussing anything online that makes them uneasy.

4. Teach Responsible Online Behavior: Emphasize respectful interactions and the importance of kindness online.

5. Educate on Privacy and Security: Remind your child to avoid sharing personal information and to report any unsettling content.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Together, we can guide our students in making safe and positive choices online. Please reach out if you have questions or need additional resources regarding online safety.

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to reduce absenteeism.

A Three Week Comparison of Students Present in October

Here’s a quick look at our current attendance situation:

• Attendance Rate: 90.8% (which means 9.2% absenteeism)
• Concern: We are seeing about 10% of our students missing too much school.

Why Does Attendance Matter? Every day counts! Good attendance is crucial not only for your child’s success but also affects our school’s accreditation rating. This year, 10% of our rating will include chronic absenteeism, which is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year. That’s about 18 days total—or just 2 to 3 days each month!

How Can You Help?

• Ensure Regular Attendance: Please make vacations during school breaks, not during class time.
• Understand the Impact of Tardiness: Arriving late or leaving early also adds up and can disrupt learning.

What Happens Next? We have reached out to families whose children have missed 4 or more days of school. These students will have opportunities to earn back time through special programs in literacy and math. For younger students, attending for two hours can earn back one day missed; for 6th graders, three hours is needed to earn back each day missed.

Let’s Work Together! We want every child to succeed, and that starts with being present in the classroom. Your partnership is key in helping us improve attendance and boost our students’ learning experiences.

Together, let’s make every day count!

Student Experience Survey: Grades 3-6

As you know, our Strategic Plan includes five equity commitments that focus on centering student voice and experiences as we work toward accomplishing our 2030 goals. This fall, FCPS will pilot a Student Experience Survey in select schools across the county.

Unlike the Fairfax County Youth Survey that focuses on health, well-being, and risky behaviors, or the Social Emotional (SEL) Screener which helps schools improve mental health and wellness practices; the purpose of the Student Experience Survey is to understand how students view and experience school. The information from the Student Experience Survey will help us center student voice in the decisions we make as a school system to support positive school culture, student engagement, access and opportunity, and more.

If you would like to view the survey, please visit the Student Experience Survey webpage. Additional information will be shared directly with classroom teachers and students this week!

Elementary School Language Arts Grading Updates

Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow strong in all of their new skills by the end of the year.

This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reporting and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can also find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.

We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions at the final community conversation this fall. It will be held Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School. Click the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic. 

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

Special Education Review Final Report

FCPS is committed to providing excellence for all students, and continues to seek ways to improve and ensure the highest quality of special education and related services for students and families. At the request of the School Board, the FCPS Office of Auditor General engaged a consultant to conduct an independent, third-party review of FCPS’ special education program in October 2020. 

American Institutes for Research® (AIR) presented their final report during the School Board’s October 4 work session. Watch the video of AIR’s presentation and visit FCPS’ Office of Auditor General webpage for more information.

The School Board will hold a second session to discuss a framework for the Special Education Enhancement Plan at their Tuesday, November 15 work session.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Federal Impact Aid Survey
• Football Players Tackle Literacy
• Tips to Keep Children Safe

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

So much goes into planning and preparing to teach our students, and our new literacy curriculum offers no exceptions.

Check out our all-star staff #collaborating on shared literacy goals which teachers will pursue for second quarter.

We appreciate your #goal-directed and #criticalthinking, Literacy Core Team!

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Growing with GLAD: Elevating Learning for All!

We are excited to share our commitment to supporting multilingual learners and enhancing learning for all students through Guided Language Acquisition Design, or Project GLAD. Project GLAD provides strategies that help students build language skills, deepen content knowledge, and develop critical thinking across all subjects. These research-based techniques are particularly valuable for multilingual learners and also benefit all students by enhancing vocabulary, engagement, and collaboration.

Our teachers are actively advancing their training in these strategies through "GLAD Labs," which we have organized in partnership with our central office ESOL resource team. These labs provide our staff with collaborative and reflective opportunities to refine and expand their instructional approaches. We are dedicated to sending more staff to these valuable training sessions so we can scale up these effective practices across all grade levels. This commitment is part of our ongoing mission to ensure that every student receives the highest level of support and engagement in every classroom, every day.

Be on the lookout for more information on what GLAD looks like in action!

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Advanced Academic Program Parent Information Night 

Full-time Referral & Screening Process 

November 12, 2024, 5:00-6:00 pm 

Please join us in the CRES library (or online) for our upcoming AAP Parent Information Meeting to learn about the referral and screening process for the full-time Advanced Academic Program. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience. We will share a link with those who RSVP 30 minutes prior to the meeting. We hope you can join us!

December 15, 2024 -Deadline for all referrals (grades 2-6) for full-time screening

If you have questions, please contact Valerie Carter, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, October 28th: Early-release at 12:30 pm (Today counts as a full school day!)

Monday, November 4th: Staff Planning Day; no school for students

Tuesday, November 5th: Teacher Workday; no school for students

Monday, November 11th: Veterans Day

Tuesday, November 12th: AAP Parent Information Meeting Full-time Screening Process; Please RSVP here.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 11; October 13, 2024

Centre Ridge All-Stars

Conscious Discipline Brain State Model

Interested in learning more about how you can support your child at home? Consider listening to this podcast, "Practicing Conscious Discipline as a Family."

Dear CRES Community,

As we nurture our students' growth, one vital skill stands out: self-regulation. This important aspect of executive function helps adults and children manage their emotions, behaviors, and thoughts, enabling them to focus, make decisions, and achieve their goals.

You can play a significant role in fostering self-regulation at home. Here are a few simple strategies:

1. Establish Routines: Consistent daily schedules provide a sense of security and help children understand what to expect.

2. Encourage Reflection: After experiences—both positive and challenging—ask your child how they felt and what they might do differently next time. This promotes self-awareness and thoughtful decision-making.

3. Model Self-Regulation: Share your own strategies for managing emotions and stress. Your example can inspire your children to develop similar skills.

4. Practice Mindfulness: Simple breathing exercises or moments of quiet can help children learn to manage their emotions and enhance their focus.

By reinforcing these practices at home, you can help your child develop the self-regulation skills that are crucial for their academic success and overall well-being.

We are planning an upcoming parent information session sharing the ways we support the development of self-regulation at school. As we further the most effective practices on behalf of our students, we will continue our learning with Conscious Discipline. More information is forthcoming about our parent programming this year! Stay tuned!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to reduce absenteeism.

Ms. Helmer, our Dean of Engagement, has reviewed our September attendance data and found that 107 students missed two or more days of school—quite a significant number! Frequent absences can accumulate quickly, and missing just two days each month can place a student in the chronically absent category, which may hinder their academic and social development. While many of these absences are due to illness, it is essential to remember that only specific conditions—such as a fever of 100.4, diarrhea, or a contagious illness—are considered excused. Let’s also focus on fostering healthy habits, like regular handwashing and covering coughs, to help reduce illnesses.

On a positive note, we want to celebrate the 512 students who were present every day or only missed one day of school! Let’s aim to increase this number as we work together to tackle chronic absenteeism at CRES this year.

Together, let’s make every day count!

Fairfax County Youth Survey

The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grade 6. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth.

The results, published each year, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people.

Centre Ridge will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey the morning of November 12th. While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete the form linked here and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 8, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal, you do not need to provide additional information. If you have any questions, please reach out to Allison Warren, school counselor for grades 3-6.

Celebrating the Power of School Lunches

National School Lunch Week (NSLW)—October 14 to October 18, 2024—celebrates the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP). This program provides millions of children a nutritious meal each school day. 

President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week in 1962 to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a student’s life and the impact it has made inside and outside of the classroom.

Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers. 

This School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. Also, new menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback. 

Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? Nutrition Services now has printable menus. 

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on: 

• Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.

Transportation options are available.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It

In FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Learn About Lexia for Literacy
• The Power of School Lunches
• Upcoming Community Conversations

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Who doesn't want to #collaborate over a fall-themed dessert? Learning a new recipe, following directions, and having fun are key to celebrating fall weather! Students enjoyed delicious pumpkin-inspired treats! Yum!

Thank you, Ms. Laitinen and Ms. Manning, for your #creativethinking!

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers The Seven Powers for Conscious Adults Conscious Discipline: The Foundation of Safety

Becoming conscious of hurtful patterns and the willingness to change those patterns is the greatest gift we can give children. Becoming conscious allows us to access our own wisdom and remain calm in the face of antagonism and disorder. It is the foundation of choice and change.

Self-Regulation: Managing our own thoughts, feelings and actions – is the cornerstone of a successful life.

The “conscious” part of Conscious Discipline is based on consciousness and mindfulness research, and consists of seven powers. The Seven Powers for Conscious Adults empower us to self-regulate and provides a foundation that facilitates our access to the integrated executive brain state where all higher-order thinking occurs. From this state, we can override impulsive and reactive tendencies. The Seven Powers for Conscious Adults create long-term, lasting success by guiding us to become conscious, present, attuned and responsive to the needs of ourselves and children.

As mentioned earlier, we are excited to strengthen the connections between school and home regarding these practices. More information coming soon!

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Advanced Academic Program Parent Information Night 

Full-time Referral & Screening Process 

November 12, 2024, 5:00-6:00 pm 

Please join us in the CRES library (or online) for our upcoming AAP Parent Information Meeting to learn about the referral and screening process for the full-time Advanced Academic Program. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience. We will share a link with those who RSVP 30 minutes prior to the meeting. We hope you can join us!

December 15, 2024 -Deadline for all referrals (grades 2-6) for full-time screening

If you have questions, please contact Valerie Carter, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, October 14th: Staff Development Day; no school for students

Tuesday October 15th- Thursday, October 31st:

CogAT Testing Schedule

Grade 2

 October 15th-October 17th

Grades 3-6

 October 22nd-October 24th

Make-up Testing (all grade levels)

 October 28th-31st

Tuesday, October 15th: PTA Meeting, 7:00pm, RSVP here.

Friday, October 18th: Fall BINGO Night, 6:00: Door open 6:30 pm: Games begin!

Wednesday, October 23rd: PTA Spirit Night - El Fresco

Friday, October 25th: Book Character Day! Dress as your favorite children's book character. Please refrain from wearing masks and maintain school appropriate attire.

Monday, November 4th: Staff Planning Day; no school for students

Tuesday, November 5th: Teacher Workday; no school for students

Monday, November 11th: Veterans Day

Tuesday, November 12th: AAP Parent Information Meeting Full-time Screening Process; Please RSVP here.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Volume 3, Issue 10; October 3, 2024

Centre Ridge All-Stars

Parents and caregivers who invest in their child’s education join school activities, participate in events, unite with the school community, and involve themselves in their child's learning journey.

Together, we can build a strong foundation for our students!

Dear CRES Community,

Welcome to October! As we lean into the last few weeks of first quarter, we want to share the importance of your continued engagement in your child’s education. Your involvement is crucial to their success, and we provide numerous opportunities for you to connect with school and stay informed about your child’s learning journey.

In the coming weeks, you will have a chance to learn more about our new literacy curriculum, reading plans, and specific strategies to use at home with your child. Next week, we invite you to join us for our Advanced Academic Information Night. Did you know that we offer opportunities for extension and enrichment to every student in our building? Be sure to read our DedicatED section below to discover how we enrich all learners across all grade levels!

We want you to remain informed consumers regarding your child’s school experience, and we encourage you to ask questions, attend parent-teacher conferences, participate in our PTA, frequent family engagement nights, and simply be present throughout the year. Your partnership is invaluable, and we are grateful for your collaboration!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES!

At Centre Ridge Elementary, we believe that every single day matters when it comes to your child’s success. To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to reduce absenteeism.

When students attend school consistently, they have more opportunities to learn, engage with peers, and develop the skills required to succeed. 

As you can see below, our attendance data dropped significantly across all grade levels from the week before. As part of our analysis, we noted that many students were absent on our early release Monday. This missed learning adds up and explains why our school was federally identified last year for chronic absenteeism. Thanks to our targeted efforts, we successfully reduced chronic absenteeism from nearly 26% to 8.9% by the end of the school year, and we need your continued support to maintain this progress!

We thank you for prioritizing your child's education and for partnering with us each day. Together, let’s make every day count!

Percent of Students Present 9/20 and 9/27

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on: 

• Tuesday, October 8th,  3-7 pm
• Saturday, October 12th, 9 am-5 pm

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

🗓️ Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence. 

Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

📚 Social Studies Basal Resources Review

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person. 

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, September 30th, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
• Monday, October 14th, at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21st, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30th, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access to Opportunities

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

The fourth goal ensures all students have the same access to opportunities, no matter what school they attend. This includes academics and other programs that inspire and engage students and allow them to explore their passions and talents. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.

Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage

Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.

In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit. 

The FCPS website has gun safety resources as well as information about safety and security practices at schools. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources. 

Safely Store Firearms and Medications

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more. 

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

At CRES, all teachers #collaborate to support learning across subjects!

Even though 5th grade is departmentalized--meaning students have a designated science teacher--every teacher plays a role in reinforcing science knowledge. Whether integrating scientific thinking in math, reading about scientific concepts in language arts, or exploring real-world applications in social studies, our fifth grade team ensures that science is connected across disciplines!

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Reaching All Learners Through Enrichment, Extension, and Innovation

Deeper learning inspires critical thinking, creativity, and a love of learning! It encourages students to engage fully with content, make connections, and apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

At Centre Ridge, we ensure that all students have access to rigorous learning experiences through specials like Creatology, the study of creativity, which encourages design thinking underscored by STEAM. In our upper grades, AVID, an approach to teaching and learning, equips students with durable skills for academic success. In addition to these opportunities and approaches, we enrich and extend learning by utilizing advanced academic methods and strategies with all students. This includes Project Based Learning, which allows our students to delve more deeply into real world topics.

We also consider the significant impact innovation has on student outcomes. Using technology in innovative and creative ways allows our students to explore new concepts, collaborate effectively, and think critically, all while enhancing their skills for the future. By embracing a variety of tools, including iPads in our upper grades, we empower students to take ownership of their learning!

In the coming months, we will showcase how we continue to evolve as innovators in education. We are proud to announce that we have recently  been selected as an ISTE Lighthouse School, reflecting our commitment to cutting-edge practices and technology integration!

As a Lighthouse School, we will be part of a network of schools that are leading the way in supporting a culture of innovation in Fairfax County Public Schools. We will have access to resources and support from ISTE, other Lighthouse Schools, as well dedicated FCPS staff to support and partner alongside us. We are so excited for this opportunity and just can't hide our CRES pride! Go Rams!

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

October is "Disability History and Awareness Month."

In Virginia, Disability History and Awareness month provides an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

The Disability History Museum hosts a library of virtual artifacts, education curricula, and museum exhibits. These programs are designed to foster research and study about the historical experiences of people with disabilities and their communities.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Thursday, October 3rd: Rosh Hashanah; no school

Friday, October 4th: Teacher Workday; no school

Tuesday, October 8th: AAP Information Night, 5 pm, library; Please use this link to RSVP.

Wednesday, October 9th: Walk & Roll to School Day

In an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools, students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where safe to do so. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school. 

Tuesday October 15th- Thursday, October 31st:

CogAT Testing Schedule

Grade 2

 October 15th-October 17th

Grades 3-6

 October 22nd-October 24th

Make-up Testing (all grade levels)

 October 28th-31st

Friday, October 25th: Book Character Day! Dress as your favorite children's book character. Please refrain from wearing masks and maintain school appropriate attire.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook