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As the beautiful fall leaves continue to swirl, we are quickly approaching one of our favorite holidays: Thanksgiving! This time of year offers a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate the things that truly matter.
Thanksgiving is, at its heart, about gratitude. It's a fantastic theme to discuss with your children!
Challenge: Ask everyone at your dinner table one night this week to share one person, one thing, and one experience they are truly thankful for. You might be surprised by their answers!
We hope you and your family have a warm, restful, and joyous holiday break filled with wonderful food, laughter, and cherished time together. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday December 1st, refreshed and ready for the exciting weeks ahead!
Warmly,
Gina O'Neal, Principal
Christine Berry, Assistant Principal
Kevin Heron, Assistant Principal
November 26- November 28- Thanksgiving Break
December 1- Family Food Market 4:00om-5:00pm
December 11- Book Fair Family Night 4:00-7:00pm
December 11- Winter Wonderland of Learning 5:30pm-7:00pm
December 17- Early Release, Dismissal at 12:15pm
December 22-January 2- Winter Break
Winter Wonderland of Learning Event
Join us on December 11th from 5:30-7:00 for our Winter Wonderland of Learning Event. There will be activities and give aways related to reading, math and social emotional learning. Pizza will be served and there will be homework supply kits available. We hope you can join us!
 Volunteer for Our Book Fair!
The Scholastic Book Fair will be at our school December 8-12 and a special Family Shopping Event is scheduled for Thursday evening, December 11, 4-7 p.m. We will be setting up the fair on Monday morning, Dec. 8 and taking it down Monday morning Dec.15. Volunteers are the motivators to help any Book Fair become a success. We hope that you will share your skills to help students discover the power of reading. If you have some time to help us conduct our Book Fair, please email tamccafferyb@fcps.edu or to sign up, visit our Book Fair Website here.
 Buscando Voluntarios para Nuestra Feria del Libro!
La Feria del Libro Scholastic tendrá lugar en nuestra escuela del 8-12 de diciembre y un evento especial de compras familiares está programado para el jueves, 11 de diciembre por la noche de 4:00 pm a 7:00 pm. Montaremos la feria 8 de diciembre por la mañana. Los voluntarios son los motivadores para ayudar a que cualquier Feria del Libro sea un éxito. Esperamos que comparta sus habilidades para ayudar a los estudiantes a descubrir el poder de la lectura. Si tiene algo de tiempo para ayudarnos a realizar nuestra Feria del Libro, envíe un correo electrónico a tamccafferyb@fcps.edu o visite aquí.
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.
Help Us Write Mount Vernon Woods’s Next Chapter: Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
There’s a story behind the success of every FCPS student — a story about what’s possible with the appropriate funding for world-class teachers, rigorous academics, and future-ready learning experiences. At FCPS, student success starts with a strong budget!
FCPS is currently developing the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, which is for the 2026-27 school year. In January, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will present a proposed budget to the School Board.
During this process, we’ll be sharing FCPS’ budget story with you. The different chapters will explain the impact of chronic underfunding, why strong funding benefits all of Fairfax County, what’s at stake when Mt Vernon Woods and other FCPS schools don’t get the support we need, and more.
We invite you to follow along and learn how you can help write our next chapter!
 Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
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, the new FCPS mobile app, 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 emergency child care 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 that 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. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call 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.
Preparativos para el Invierno
El tiempo de invierno llegará pronto. El tiempo de invierno llegará pronto. Mire este video para ver cómo deciden cuándo hay que cerrar las escuelas debido al clima.
El sitio web de FCPS es generalmente el primer lugar donde publicaremos cuando haya un cierre de emergencia por el clima. Otros canales de comunicación serán usados lo más pronto posible incluyendo correo electrónico, texto, medios sociales, y estaciones de noticias. Aprenda más sobre cómo se comunican los cambios de horario.
Asegúrese de planificar para la temporada de invierno. Asegúrese de que su información de contacto esté actualizada en SIS ParentVUE, marque el sitio web de FCPS, y planifique para el cuidado de niños si es apropiado.
Mantenga a Su Hijo Bien Abrigado Durante las Actividades al Aire Libre
Estaremos atentos a las bajas temperaturas, los avisos y advertencias de viento helado y los avisos meteorológicos que pueden impedir que los niños estén al aire libre. Sin embargo, asegúrese de que su hijo esté vestido apropiadamente con un abrigo y otra ropa de clima frío para que pueda disfrutar cómodamente de su tiempo al aire libre. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional ofrece algunos consejos para mantenerse seguro durante el tiempo frío.
Si necesita ayuda para proveer a su hijo de ropa para el clima frío, por favor llame a la Planificación de Servicios Coordinados del Condado de Fairfax al 703-222-0880. El personal multilingüe puede ayudarle con cualquier dificultad que se le presente, como la alimentación, el alojamiento, el empleo, la asistencia financiera, la atención sanitaria y otras necesidades.
 Action Required! Update Your Permission for Google Tools
Google recently made changes to how educational applications are managed and accessed on the Chrome Browser and Chromebooks. Many applications are moving from the Chrome Web Store to the Google Play Store.
To ensure your student(s) can continue accessing all approved instructional tools, FCPS has updated its digital consent platform to include both the Chrome Web Store and the Google Play Store.
Please review and provide your consent for these two new options through our easy-to-use Parent Digital Consent system:
- Additional Google Services – Chrome Web Store
- Additional Google Services – Google Play Store
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting safe and effective digital learning experiences for all students.
For questions or support, please visit FCPS’ Family Technology Resources page or open a ticket with the Technical Support desk.
Actualizaciones de los Permisos Exigidos para Usar “Google Tools”
Recientemente, Google hizo cambios sobre cómo pueden ser administradas y al acceso de las aplicaciones educacionales, tanto en el navegador “Chrome”, como en las laptops “Chromebooks”. Muchas de estas aplicaciones han sido movidas de la página “Chrome Web Store” a la tienda de aplicaciones “Google Play Store”.
Para asegurarnos de que los estudiantes puedan continuar accediendo a todas las herramientas instruccionales aprobadas, FCPS ha actualizado su plataforma digital de consentimiento para incluir tanto a “Chrome Web Store”, como a “Google Play Store”.
Por favor, revise y dé su consentimiento para el uso de estas dos nuevas opciones a través de nuestro, fácil de utilizar, Sistema Digital de Consentimiento Parental:
- Servicios Adicionales de Google – Chrome Web Store
- Servicios Adicionales de Google – Google Play Store
Gracias por su continuo apoyo a nuestro esfuerzo para crear experiencias educacionales seguras y efectivas para todos nuestros estudiantes.
Social and Emotional Learning Screener: Parent Reports
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener last month, providing information on skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results will be available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE the week of November 17. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be shared by our school.
For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to school staff.
Evaluación del Aprendizaje Social y Emocional: Reporte para Padres
Los estudiantes entre los grados 3ro y 12vo, tomaron el mes pasado la Evaluación “SEL” (siglas en inglés de “Social and Emotional Learning”), proveyéndonos con información acerca de habilidades como el logro de metas, el entendimiento y manejo de las emociones, el establecimiento y mantenimiento de relaciones personales, y la toma de decisiones responsables. La evaluación también les pregunta a los estudiantes qué tan valorado, incluido y apoyado, les hace sentir la comunidad de su escuela.
Los resultados individuales de la evaluación SEL de cada estudiante estarán disponibles para las familias la semana del 17 de noviembre, en la sección de Documentos en SIS ParentVUE. Para aquellas familias que no tengan una cuenta activa en ParentVUE, los resultados les serán entregados por la escuela.
Para encontrar asistencia entendiendo los resultados individuales de su estudiante, o para hallar ideas de cómo apoyarle en casa, por favor revise la Guía Familiar o comuníquese con el personal de su escuela.
Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
The new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities at our school or across the school district.
Volunteer FCPS is how FCPS provides a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. Anyone interested in volunteering with FCPS must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk on EVERY visit – no exceptions.
Recent Updates to Volunteer Opportunity Levels
Due to the overwhelming response, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers. Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a comprehensive background check that includes fingerprinting).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal confirmation that you have no history of violent felonies, physical or sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude (dishonesty, fraud, things that are immoral by society’s standards).
Visit the Volunteer FCPS website to complete a volunteer orientation. View Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the volunteer levels.
El Sistema “Volunteer FCPS” Ayuda a que los Miembros de la Comunidad se Conecten con las Escuelas
En FCPS, la seguridad y protección de todos y cada uno de nuestros estudiantes es nuestra mayor prioridad. El nuevo sistema de administración del voluntariado, Volunteer FCPS, les permite a los individuos buscar oportunidades de voluntariado en toda la división escolar, o en su escuela local, y registrarse para participar en ellas.
El sistema “Volunteer FCPS” es la forma en que proveemos un ambiente seguro, consistente y acogedor en todas nuestras escuelas. Toda aquella persona que esté interesada en ser voluntaria para FCPS debe:
- Crear un perfil en “Volunteer FCPS”.
- Registrarse en las oportunidades de voluntariado que encuentre en “Volunteer FCPS”.
- Registrar su entrada y su salida de las escuelas usando el kiosko para visitantes, EN CADA visita, sin excepciones.
Actualizaciones Recientes a los Niveles de las Oportunidades de Voluntariado
Dada la increíble respuesta que hemos recibido de nuestra comunidad, FCPS ha pausado temporalmente la exigencia de la toma de huellas dactilares para la mayoría de los voluntarios del Nivel 3. Aquellas personas cuyas huellas dactilares ya hayan sido tomadas, serán procesadas como elegibles para tomar oportunidades de voluntariado de Nivel 3.
Las oportunidades de participar como chaperones de paseos escolares serán ahora clasificadas como Nivel 2 (Éstas no requieren una revisión detallada | 
