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Message from Mrs. Durso
Oak Hill Wolf Pack,
Last Friday, we had a wonderful "This is Us Night" where our Oak Hill community came together to celebrate our cultures and traditions. It was a heartwarming evening filled with delicious food, vibrant performances, and a sense of belonging. Thank you to all the families who participated and made this event a success!
Next week, there is a adjusted schedule:
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Monday, October 28th: 3-hour early release for teachers to engage in state-required EBLI training. We will start the day with our Pep Rally. We want all students to wear their PTA provided Wolf Pack t-shirt on this day. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 PM. Students requiring supervision (confirmed previously) will be dismissed at 3:30 PM.
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Wednesday, October 30: Funky Monday - Monday Specials will run today to make up for no specials on Monday.
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Thursday, October 31: 2-hour early release for the End of Quarter 1. All students are dismissed at 1:30 PM.
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Friday, November 1: Student & Staff holiday for Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.
Kiss and Ride Safety
As the weather begins to cool down, we kindly remind everyone to follow our safety procedures at the kiss-and-ride area. Please be patient, maintain a safe distance, and follow the guidance of staff. Be aware and respect pedestrians and drive slowly. Your cooperation helps ensure the safety of all our students and staff.
Language Arts Grading Updates
Elementary Progress Report grades in English Language Arts may be impacted this year by our new curriculum, our new assessments, and the new 2024 ELA VDOE Standards of Learning. We now teach and assess all ELA standards in all quarters using rigorous on-grade level texts in relation to end of year expectations, which could result in lower grades earlier in the year as students work towards grade-level mastery. An update has been posted on the FCPS website: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/grading-reporting/elementary-school/elementary-grading-and-reporting-handbook-parents#language-arts
In partnership,
Kelly Durso, Principal
Cali Loewenberg, Assistant Principal
Next Week's Schedule
As a reminder, next week's schedule has quite a few variations.
Monday, October 28th - THREE hour early release @ 12:30 pm
Wednesday, October 30th - We will have MONDAY specials today.
Thursday, October 31st - TWO hour early release @ 1:30 pm for the end of 1st quarter. We hope everyone enjoys Halloween, but we ask that no costumes be worn to school. Thank you for your cooperation.
Friday, November 1st - No school (Diwali/All Saints Day)
Monday, November 4th - No school. School Planning Day
Tuesday, November 5th - No school. Election Day. Teacher Work Day
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Diwali (Friday, Nov. 1):🪔 We wish a fun Diwali to all celebrating! Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
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All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos (Friday, Nov. 1):This week we recognize those in our community observing All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos. For Catholics, All Saints Day (November 1) celebrates all those who are with God in Heaven, known and unknown. All Souls Day (November 2), known in Mexico and Latin America as Día de los Muertos, is a day of remembrance and prayer for all those who have died, especially for the souls who may be in purgatory. These special days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants throughout the world.
Reminder: Please bring your ID
Please remember to bring your ID when you are coming to the school. IDs are required in order to check in on our Visitor Management System. This system is one of the security measures we have in place to protect your child. It is also the system we use for tracking volunteer hours for FCPS.
Veterans Day Celebration on 11/12
Oak Hill would like to invite our community’s military family members for breakfast and an opportunity to speak with students and share their experiences on the morning of Tuesday, November 12th in celebration of Veterans Day
We are very thankful for all the military family members in our school community and we want our students and staff to have an opportunity to make connections with you. We would like to invite all those in the Oak Hill community who have served or are still serving in the US Armed Forces to join us on this important day.
On November 12th at 8:00 am, we invite veterans to a breakfast reception, followed by a possible visit to a classroom, to share a little bit about themselves and their service to our country.
RSVP: If you, or one of your family members, are a current or former member of our Armed Forces and are interested in joining us on Tuesday, November 12th at 8:00, please RSVP here by November 1st. We look forward to seeing you on November 12th.
Community Conversation with Dr. Reid at Rocky Run Middle School
Rocky Run Middle School is hosting a Fall Family Night on Thursday November 7th. There are breakout sessions from 5:00-6:30 on various topics (math sequencing, executive functioning, rolling gradebook, middle school social pressures, etc).
From 6:30-7:30 pm, there will be a Q&A session with Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent of FCPS.
Rocky Run MS invites you to join them at part or all of this event. Rocky Run is located at 4400 Stringfellow Road. If you have questions, please contact Rachel Sweeney at [email protected].
STEAM LAB Donations
The STEAM Lab has officially opened! We are hoping to collect some materials for the Lab, to have it stocked and ready for classes who will be building models and other projects this year.
If you have any of these items, please send them in with your student! There is a labeled bin in the lobby.
*Recyclables
- Packaging materials
- Egg Cartons
- Paper towel/toilet paper/wrapping paper rolls
- Cleaned plastic containers
- Plastic water bottles (NOT crushed)
*Other craft materials or odds and ends
- Craft sticks
- Fabric remnants
- Bottle caps
- Buttons
- Yarn/thread
- Leftover finger, acrylic or tempera paint
*These are just some suggestions;similar items are welcome.
Nominations are now open for 2024-2025
FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!
To submit a nomination for an Oak Hill Elementary Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form. You may nominate one employee or multiple. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a short paragraph about how the employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. Please note that if your nominee is selected to represent Oak Hill ES, you will be asked to help complete the Nomination Packet. The google form has information regarding the criteria for each of these categories and eligibility information is below.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district)
Outstanding New Principal
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location
Common positions in this category: Assistant Principals
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor. Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school, Special Education Department Chairs that teach less than 50% of their time, Reading Specialists that do not have a regular course load/do not give grades
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location
Common positions in this category: Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, Parent Liaison
Please Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 1st.
If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Hoffman at [email protected].
Lost and Found
Now that the weather is colder in the mornings, but warmer by recess time, we have accumulated a LOT of sweatshirts/sweaters/jackets in the lost and found. Please check the lost and found and reclaim your child's belongings. Anything still here on November 26th (day before Thanksgiving break) will be donated.
Please consider putting your child's name or initials on the inside label of their sweater or jacket; staff members are then able to help return your child's belongings to them. Most of the items currently on our lost and found rack have no identification in them.
Free Immunizations
Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations for all FCPS students at no cost on Monday, October 28th, from 3 to 7 pm and Tuesday, October 29th, from 3 to 7 pm. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment and provide consent for their student(s). The immunization clinics are being held at Frost Middle School, 4101 Pickett Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged and parents/guardians must accompany their minor children. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
The Fairfax County Health Department will also 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.
Early Head Start
If your child is under 3 years old, you live in Fairfax County and your income is less than 100% of the Federal poverty level, your child may be eligible for Early Head Start programs. Call 703-324-8290 or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/EarlyChildhood and search "Head Start"
News from PTA
National PTA Reflections Contest:
Calling all creative kids and supportive parents! The PTA Reflections Program is here, and it’s your chance to shine in dance, film, literature, music, photography, or visual arts. The theme this year is "Accepting Imperfection". Learn about the Reflections Contest here. Applications and rules are also available in the Oak Hill Office and in the library. Mrs. Dolenc will collect the entries in the library. All entries are due by December 1st.
Spelling Bee:
We are excited to announce our upcoming Spelling Bee competition! This event is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their spelling skills and enjoy some healthy competition. We encourage all students from grades 1- 6 to participate, as this is a wonderful chance to build confidence, enhance vocabulary, and develop public speaking abilities. See more detail about Spelling Bee general FAQs. Important Timelines: Registration will open soon via PTBoard with deadline: January 15,2025.
Preliminary School /Grade Rounds: February/March 2025 (format tbd).
2025 Fairfax County Spelling Bee: March 23rd, 2025. For any additional information or queries, please reach out to [email protected].
News from Other Schools
Chantilly High School Haunted House Event – Saturday, 10/26
Mark your calendar for one of our local area’s favorite fall events - the Chantilly High School Haunted House! Along with the Haunted House, there will be games, face painting, and refreshments for sale. Proceeds benefit the Chargers Field Hockey, Girls Soccer & Girls Lacrosse programs. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the door). To order your tickets, use the QR code or log on to www.CHSHauntedHouse.com
FCPS News
Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Register below.
Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch?
Nutrition Services now has printable menus.
Upcoming Calendar Dates
October 28th - 3 hour early release @ 12:30
October 30th - Monday specials today; no Wednesday specials this week
October 31st - End of First Quarter, 2 hour early release @ 1:30 pm
November 1st-5th - No School for students
1st- Holiday- Diwali/All Saints Day/Day of the Dead
4th - School Planning Day
5th - Teacher Work Day
November 12th - Veterans Day Breakfast, 8:00 am
November 20th - Chipotle Spirit Night, 4-8pm
November 27th - 29th No School, Thanksgiving Break
December 1st - Due date for Reflections Entries
December 15th - Due date for Full-Time AAP Referrals
Quick Links
3210 Kinross Circle Oak Hill, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-467-3500 Attendance: 703-467-3535 | Web | Twitter
