Update from Mrs. Dalmut Dec. 1- Inclement weather, Movie Night, Santa’s Ride donations, Advent thoughts for families
Posted on December 2, 2014
Dear Parents,
This is the time to have our “snow talk.” Fairfax County Public Schools will make their decision about closing or delaying the start of school very early in the morning or the night before. Please check fcps.edu for Emergency Announcements to see if school is in session. I would suggest that you check if there is any hint of snow/sleet/ice. It is not always obvious! The weather service is predicting a light wintry mix for the overnight hours tonight.
If Fairfax County Schools open 2 hours late:
— Extended Day will open at 9am.
— Carpool drop-off will begin at 9:50.
— Opening prayer will be at 10:07.
— If we have a scheduled half-day, we will extend our day to the normal dismissal at 3:10.
If Fairfax County Schools are not in session (teacher work days), you will be notified by email if there is a change in our schedule. We have had one test of our emergency email system. You will receive the emails at those addresses if we do anything different from Fairfax County Public Schools. Please note that your Emergency Contacts will not be notified. We will entrust that phone call to you!
If Fairfax County Schools close early, we will follow their lead. Students should be picked up as soon as possible, but no later than 2 hours after the early school closing.
Our Inclement Weather policies are on pages 25-26 of the Parent-Student Handbook.
It is always good to have a backup plan for these snow days. They are unpredictable and very inconvenient for families. We try to be accommodating, but have to be mindful of the safety of our faculty and staff. Please use extra caution at arrival and dismissal times.
I noticed that many children came without winter jackets today. It’s hard when they forecasters say it will be 60 degrees! Please be sure to bundle them up tomorrow. If you are missing clothing, please check our Lost and Found. It will continue to grow throughout the year.
SANTA’S RIDE
The PTO is sponsoring The Polar Express Movie Night – Friday, December 5th!
It’s hard to believe but Christmas is right around the corner! Please join us to get into the holiday spirit on Friday, December 5th at 6:30 PM in the school gym. There will be hot cocoa & cookies and a showing of The Polar Express. We will also be collecting new, unwrapped gifts for kids 0-18. The toys will be distributed by Santa’s Ride, a group made up of local law enforcement officers who bring the gifts to children at Fairfax Hospital and Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center. Santa himself will be coming by to pick up the gifts and thank our children for their generosity.
We are also looking for donations of cookies and hot cocoa accoutrements. Please see Sign Up Genius for details: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f084eaca7283-christmas
An Advent Thought: Let’s remember that we want the most for our children at Christmas — the most generous spirit, the most appreciative heart, the strongest spirit of service. This is the time to find opportunities to teach the joy of giving. I heard a beautiful ad on the radio about a family who couldn’t afford the time and money to purchase gifts for everyone, so they bought note cards and sent out notes of encouragement and love. They touched hearts. As you point out to your children all the people who make a difference in their lives, have them verbalize what makes that person a good role model. Think of all the people who touch your children’s lives: teachers, coaches, pediatricians, priests, neighbors, relatives, siblings, and parents and grandparents. Perhaps there is someone who inspires your children by the way they live their lives — real-time examples of faith in action — a Eucharistic minister who is especially reverent, the Bishop in his Confirmation homily, a substitute teacher, tutor, Extended Day aide or supervisor. The list can be very long — surely your children will find someone in their lives (not just on the TV or sports field) who inspires them! Fix hot chocolate and cookies, and then sit down and write a few Christmas cards from the children, sending their thoughts and thanks for the inspiration. It will mean a lot to the recipient, but it will give your child a mindset of appreciation and gratitude. Kindle in them the Attitude of Gratitude. It will come back to bless you in many ways.
God bless,
Barbara Dalmut
