Algonkian ElementarySeptember Newsletter

Algonkian Elementary20196 Carter Court ▪ Sterling, Virginia 20165

▪ Telephone 571.434.3240 Fax 703.444.1917▪ Absentee Line 571.434.3241

website: http://www.lcps.org/algonkian

Principal: Mr. Brian Blubaugh Bookkeeper: Mrs. Gayle Cowden Assistant Principal: Ms. Karen Shields Attendance Secretary: Mrs. Gail Farrar

Follow AlgonkianOn Twitter

@ALG_LCPS

Upcoming Events:9/13 Bingo9/18 Donuts with Dudes9/27 Bobcat Walkathon

October10/4 Fall Picture Day

Principals UpdateDear Algonkian Parents, We had a successful start to the year and would like to thank our families for their support! Students andteachers have developed routines to begin the new year. A reminder to inform our office and your homeroom teacher in advance if there are any changes to your transportation dismissal plan.

This is Algonkian Elementary 30th year anniversary. We will have a spirit week with activities after winter break to celebrate 30 years of Bobcats. If you are an Algonkian Elementary alum please send me an e-mail. More information will come out in the next few months with some of our plans.

Students are taking many beginning of the year assessments. These assessments will help our teachers personalize their learning and assist with any gaps a student might have in a subject area. Teachers will discuss these assessments during first quarter conferences.

A reminder that the tardy bell rings at 7:50. Students must be inside the building by 7:50 or they will be considered tardy. We need our students here at school as we know that students learn more when they are here. We have a small parking lot so please do not park behind cars in our parking lot. It makes it difficult for cars to back out of their space.

Mr. Brian BlubaughPrincipal

Diverse Books in the ClassroomThis year Loudoun County Public Schools is celebrating its student population with an investment in diverse text collections for all K-12 English Language Arts classrooms. In describing the texts the Division of Teaching and Learning, Elementary and Secondary Reading, noted that, “Classroom and school libraries reflect our values and contribute to developing student identities; therefore, our collections must reflect and honor our student population and those around them. Access to books in the home, school, and classroom has a strong correlation with reading proficiency. Students who read more also have stronger vocabulary, background knowledge, and empathy.” Classroom libraries complement our robust school libraries.

The addition of these texts to classroom libraries is a reflection of Loudoun County Public Schools’ commitment to providing staff, students and parents with resources and opportunities for an equitable education. As Superintendent Eric Williams said in the equity statement he issued on August 19, 2019:

“LCPS is committed to providing a safe, empathetic, respectful and supportive learning environment in order to empower every student to make meaningful contributions to the world. When students and staff experience racial insults, slurs, and/or other hate speech, we lack the positive culture and climate that supports students’ growth.LCPS calls for all students, staff, families, and other members of our community to engage in the disruption and dismantling of white supremacy, systemic racism, and hateful language and actions based on race, religion, country of origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or ability. LCPS rejects racist and other hateful behavior and language, recognizing that it encourages discrimination, hatred, oppression, and violence.Every individual is valued in Loudoun County Public Schools. Let’s celebrate the diversity that helps define us as a school division.”

A Message from Ms. ShieldsBobcat Buddies

Our Bobcat Buddies program will start at the end of September. This year we are hoping to expand our Bobcat Buddies program from our morning sessions into after school and evening events. More information will be sent home with your student in the near future.

Goodbye and Hello

I wanted to let everyone know that Indie will be leaving Algonkian in the beginning of October and heading back to Heeling House to get more task training to meet the needs of a student he will be with in the future. Please feel free to come by and say goodbye to Indie. I know he is going to miss being a Bobcat.#onceabobcatalwaysabobcat

In October, I will be introducing Indie’s little brother, Presley. He has been living with Indie and I for a few short days but we are already in love with him! He is #Proud to be a Bobcat

Algonkian CounselingMs. Ryan & Ms. Gerber, Counselors

A Proud RAMP School Counseling ProgramMs. Ryan is excited as always to be here at Algonkian, enjoys being a part of our wonderful Algonkian Family! Please welcome Ms. Gerber and she will be working with our Kindergarten students this year! We will continue running counseling lessons twice a month and lessons begin the 2nd week of school. We have our classroom back! Super excited to share that we have our classroom, Room 30 this year! Come check out our flexible seating and visit anytime! Many Thanks to the PTA for our new seating options!

School Counseling Webpage: http://www.lcps.org/page/40388 Counselor Corner bulletin board (by the front office): Check out helpful information for parents and students and updates on our Chess Club! Ms. Ryan is on twitter! https://twitter.com/TheresaRyanLCPS School Counseling Advisory Committee - This advisory council will be composed of school and community members and is tasked with making recommendations regarding student and community needs and advising the school counseling staff as it strives to meet these needs.

The advisory council will meet on November 7th & March 5th Please email Ms. Ryan at Theresa.Ryan@lcps.org if you are interested in

joining this committee!

As we remind and reinforce the concept of growth mindset here at school, find some time to do so at home! Here is the video we watched as

a staff and are sharing with students! Let’s encourage our entire community to live with a

growth mindset!https://youtu.be/ElVUqv0v1EE

Caregivers will always be the most important people in a child’s life! How you handle stress and how positively you treat yourself will show

your children your expectations for them!SO Treat yourself kindly, and have a growth mindset! No matter what

comes your way, we can always grow and learn from our mistakes!

ALGONKIAN EQUITY COMMITTEE

The Equity Committee is here to serve our Bobcat family by ensuring that our instruction and interaction with students, staff and families is equitable. We monitor activities, programs and projects to make sure they are relevant, diverse and support and represent all of our students and staff here at Algonkian. The Committee welcomes parental/guardian participation and if you have an interest in attending the next open meeting or have questions, concerns or comments, please contact either Theresa Ryan, Counselor or Susan Smith, Parent Liaison. Open meetings will be December 5th & May 7th.

Loudoun County Public Schools implements a county-wide

bullying prevention program to teach students how to identify

bullying behavior and appropriate ways to handle bullying.

Our school counselors implement this program in grades K-5 through

whole class counseling lessons, group, and individual counseling

PARENTS: If you feel your child is dealing with bullying behaviors,

please call Algonkian at 571-434-3240 and ask to speak to

an administrator.

Ms. Ryan runs a FREE monthly Chess Club!

Please remember that students will need a NEW permission slip for every chess club date! This prevents lost parents and lost kids! 😊

Chess club is always in need of volunteer parents! No chess knowledge is required, but always helpful! Without parent volunteers we would not have the amazing club we have! Please consider volunteering at least one club date if your child attends Chess Club!

Sign up to Volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4CAAAA23A46-20192020

For your convenience here are links to:

Chess Club Main Page: https://www.lcps.org/page/40419

Chess Club Meeting Schedule: https://www.lcps.org/page/40420

Online Permission Slip: https://www.lcps.org/page/40421

Coding is coming! Coding is coming! This school year we will be implementing the new Virginia Computer Science Standards. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/computer-science/index.shtmlWe are so excited, and thank the PTA for purchasing some of our new coding robots to help implement the new lessons and make coding so much more interactive and fun! We now have four additional Sphero and four more Dash robots. I also purchase a class kit of Evo Ozobots!

Algonkian is a Common Sense Digital Citizenship Certified school. We renew our certification every two years. This year I will continue to share resources for parents on topics that hopefully are important to you. This month, Privacy and Internet Safety, is our focus. This link gives you choices to explore questions and and concerns based on your student’s age. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/privacy-and-internet-safety If you scroll to the bottom of the linked page, there are a series of short videos to watch and possibly share with your student if you choose. Have fun and safe surfing the web!

Mrs. Burkett

Algonkian’s Art Studio

Hello from Ms. Michael! The students in art are making fantastic masterpieces inspired by many

amazing cultures, artists, movements, and stories. Here is a synopsis of what each grade is creating

in September:

-Kindergarten are creating : Elemental Postage Mural & Cave Drawing

-First Grade are creating: Elemental Postage Mural & Nocturnal Shadow Puppet

-Second Grade are creating: Elemental Postage Mural & Gothic Mansions

-Third Grade are creating: Elemental Postage Mural & Yayoi Kusama Pumpkins

-Fourth Grade are creating: Elemental Postage Mural & Day of the Dead Fairytales

-Fifth Grade are creating: Elemental Postage Mural & Tom Fruin Glass House

Donations:

Hello parents, family, and friends!!! This year in Art we are doing a variety of Art Projects using

recycled materials. For this we will need plethora of supplies. If you have any of the follow that you

can donate it would be much appreciated.

-Paper Ephemera: old tickets, playing cards, maps, postage stamps, etc.

-Old CD’s -Small children’s toys- like from fast food restaurants

-Baby Wipes - Buttons -Soda Can Tabs -Bubble wrap

-Tape: masking, transparent, and double sided

-Paper plates - Paper Towel Tubes -Dish Soap

-Sandwich and Gallon Size Bags

September 2019Algonkian Physical Education Newsletter Dear Algonkian Elementary Parents, We are excited and looking forward to working with your child in physical education classes this year! It is our goal to build a strong and successful program to help your child develop through physical activity and instruction. Please make a note of your child’s scheduled P.E. times. The following rules have been designed to better ensure your child’s safety. Students should wear rubber soled/closed in shoes. Wear shorts or pants (stretch or loose fitting preferable) girls may choose to wear shorts under their dresses. Bring a note from home when there is a need to be “excused” from activity. If a child needs to miss more than 3 consecutive classes, please send a medical note as well. The more detailed the note, the more aware we can be of your child’s needs or problem. Please indicate when activity can resume.

We would appreciate some help in preparing and reminding your child of these few rules as we start out the school year. Thank you very much! The following objectives will be presented during the first nine weeks: 1st 2nd 3rd Grades 4th 5th Grades

- PE Rules and Regulations - PE Rules and Regulations- Playground Safety - Playground Safety- Spatial Awareness - Games for Recess Unit- Locomotor and Non-Locomotor - Fitness Gram Introduction and Assessment Assessment -Throwing and catching (stationary and mobile) Sincerely, Joe Terango and Nick PetersPhysical Education Teachers

Library Welcome back to Library!

Your students should be coming home with library books every week.

Books are due the following week.If students forget to return books, they will bring

home an Honor book.

Our Creation Stations are in need of recycled craft supplies in good working order. Nothing needs to

be new, but it does need to work.

We need:Colored pencils

Kid scissorsPaper brads

Tape (regular scotch tape, refill rolls are best)Other craft supplies you have on hand

Gifted EducationUpcoming Gifted Information sessions:

MORNING SESSION EVERGREEN MILL ES CAFETERIA MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 8:30- 9:30 AM DOORS OPEN AT 8:15 AM (PLEASE HAVE ID FOR CHECK-IN)

EVENING SESSIONS

DOMINION TRAIL ES MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 7:00-8:00 PM DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 PM

FOREST GROVE ES MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 7:00-8:00 PM DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 PM

Mrs. Peterson is so happy to be at Algonkian full time this year!

Susan R. SmithParent Liaison

Welcome back Bobcat families. For all of our new families I am the Parent Liaison at Algonkian and this will be my 14th year serving our students and families. My primary goal here at the school is provide resources for all students/families that will help make their educational experience the best it can be here at Algonkian. I am able to share County as well as many private resources for those in need. I can help provide resources for tutors, healthcare, local food sources and pantries and several different Holiday Programs.

I am in the school Tuesday and Wednesdays during the middle of the day and can be reached through email anytime at Susan.R.Smith@lcps.org.

Each month I will share various resources in my newsletter. I’m here to help! Have a wonderful school year.

Health Clinic

Welcome Back Algonkian FamiliesThe fall brings cooler temps, new teachers and new friends at school. Students often get colds in the first month of school due to the close environment and all the new friends around to share the germs. Practice good hand washing skills at home to help keep the germs to a minimum. Fall sports have begun for a lot of students, that means possible injuries. Please continue to advise the Health Office of injuries that impact your student at school.A good night’s sleep and proper hydration are the best medicine for your student. If your student does become ill, please keep them home until fever free for 24 hours.If you student requires over the counter medication at school, including lotions or cough drops please complete appropriate paperwork. All medication must be brought in by a parent or guardian in the original container, with a signed LCPS Medication Authorization form. I cannot accept medications without authorization. You can find all necessary forms at LCPS.org -> Families ->then scroll to -> Student Health Services. Contact the Health Office with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your student.Welcome back!Peggy Franzen HCS