Welcome to the 2019-20 School Year!
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August 9, 2019
Dear Sangster Families,
The Sangster Elementary staff welcomes each of you to the 2019-20 school year! We are pleased to welcome new and returning families to our community. If this is your first time to our school, I encourage you to let us know how we can help you become an integral part of our school community. The tradition of excellence enjoyed by Sangster Elementary is directly linked to our vital and treasured home-school partnership. I trust that you will know how well your child is progressing and feel comfortable to call your child’s teacher or me if you have questions at any time. Our theme is consistent with years past: Imagine the Possibilities!
Our school was a busy place this summer. We hosted several camps through Fairfax County Parks and Recreation. Thanks to our PTA funding, the FCPS facilities department is in the process of installing mounted projectors in every classroom. Our custodial staff is working hard at cleaning the building and getting it ready for staff and students. Additionally, staff participated in a variety of learning opportunities to prepare them to work with your child.
Sangster continues to be recognized for excellence. First, we received the 2019 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) Excellence Award. Second, Sangster has been recognized as a National Model PLC School by Solution Tree, a leading K-12 educational professional development company, for its sustained success in raising student achievement. Schools are recognized for this honor based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to Professional Learning Communities (PLC) implementation for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. We are one of about 200 schools and districts in the United States and Canada to receive this honor. Sangster was also one of the first schools in the state of Virginia this year to receive the Purple Star Designation. This designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Lastly, Sangster received a Common Sense Media Award last spring for its dedication to teach young people how to be safe and responsible digital citizens. Over the summer, Sangster was also awarded a grant from the FCPS Foundation for a project entitled “Full STEAM Ahead: Supporting Science Standards at Sangster.”
This year, Sangster will continue implementing the Positivity Project (P2). https://posproject.org/. The Positivity Project is dedicated to empowering America’s youth to build strong relationships and to understand, appreciate, and exemplify the character strengths in us all. Every 1-2 weeks, students learn about a new character strength. The P2 calendar is attached to this letter. More information will be provided throughout the school year.
We are excited to see smiling faces on Monday, August 26, the first day of school. School supply lists can be found on our school’s website: http://www.fcps.edu/SangsterES/
There are several dates to make note of coming up:
Wednesday, August 21 – We will be placing letters in the U.S. mail with teacher names and bus routes. You will receive these letters in time for Open House. Please do not call the school before August 23 inquiring about teacher names.
Friday, August 23
11:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. Ice Cream Social for New Students Gr. 1-6
in the cafeteria.
11:30 A.M.–12:00 P.M. New Student Informal Orientation Gr. 1-6
in the cafeteria.
12:00 P.M.–2:00 P.M. Open House for all students Grades K-6
in the classrooms.
School supply pick up in gym, if you ordered through PTA/Sprouts
12:00-1:00 - last name A-K 1:00-2:00 - last name L-Z
Open House is a time for parents to visit the school with their child, meet their child’s teacher and drop off school supplies. Open House is optional. For many students, meeting their teachers and finding their classroom makes for a better night’s sleep in preparation for the first day of school. I encourage you to also visit the specialist teachers (i.e.: Art, Music, PE, Spanish, Reading, ESOL, Library, Special Education, Counselors, STEAM, AART, etc.).
At Open House, you will receive a Sangster Elementary information envelope. The envelope includes important Sangster Elementary information with regard to school procedures. Please be sure to read this critical information and return forms such as the emergency care card on the first day of school. If you are not attending Open House, it will be sent home with your child on the first day of school.
Tuesday, September 3 Gr. K-3 Back to School Night (BTSN) - 6:00 – 7:50 P.M.
Tuesday, September 10 Gr. 4-6 Back to School Night (BTSN) - 6:00 – 7:50 P.M.
Back to School Night is an adults-only evening. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, hear about grade level curriculum, homework expectations, classroom management, how to communicate with your child’s teacher throughout the school year, and more. More information about this evening is forthcoming. We schedule two sessions each night with the same information to accommodate parent work schedules. 6:00-6:50 P.M. and 7:00-7:50 P.M.
Winter Break is two full weeks. Monday, December 23 – Friday, January 3. Enjoy!
Bell Schedule –All elementary schools have a 6 hours and 45 minute day. Students are dismissed from the cafeteria and gymnasium at 9:00 A.M. at Sangster to proceed to their classroom. Our instructional day begins at 9:10 A.M. with our morning announcements. If students arrive to school after 9:10 A.M., please escort your child to the main office to sign them into school. School dismisses at 3:55 P.M. and buses leave the campus at 4:05 P.M.
The school year calendar can be found on the FCPS website: http://www.fcps.edu/cal.shtml Some highlights of dates to note are listed below:
School Planning Days (SP) & Teacher Workdays (TW)– These are student holidays. These dates are designed for school-based meetings and trainings for staff throughout the district.
Monday, October 14
Monday, November 4 – Sangster parent conference days
Tuesday, November 5 – Election Day
Monday, January 27
Tuesday, January 28
Tuesday, March 3
Monday, April 13
Health Needs:
If your child has health needs and you would like to speak with the Public Health Nurse, Shannon Luisa, prior to school beginning, please contact her at sluisa1@fcps.edu
I am so excited for the school year to begin. Imagine the Possibilities at Sangster. We look forward to greeting each student and their family members on opening day. See you soon!
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Reddel
Principal
Enclosures:
School Phone Numbers
Bell Schedule
Positivity Project Calendar
SANGSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
7420 Reservation Drive
Springfield, VA 22153-1327
703-644-8200
http://www.fcps.edu/SangsterES/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sangster_es
PHONE NUMBERS
MAIN OFFICE: 703-644-8200
ATTENDANCE: 703-644-8282
SACC: 703-644-8260
Health Room/Clinic: 703-644-8210
FAX: 703-644-8297
SANGSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
7420 Reservation Drive
Springfield, VA 22153-1327
703-644-8200
http://www.fcps.edu/SangsterES/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sangster_es
2019-20 BELL SCHEDULE
9:00 1st Bell / Buses Arrive
Please do not drop your child(ren) off before 8:50 A.M. as
they will be unsupervised.
9:10 School Begins/ Morning Announcements / Tardy Bell
Students must be in their classrooms by 9:10 A.M. to
avoid being marked tardy.
3:55 School Dismissal
4:05 Buses Depart
2-Hour Delay Schedule
11:10 A.M. - 3:55 P.M
(NOTE: Students may arrive no earlier than 10:50 A.M.)
3-Hour Early Release Schedule
9:10 A.M. - 12:55 P.M.
2019-20 Positivity Project Character Strengths Calendar
- 8-14 Sep - Other People Matter Mindset (OPM2) - Intro Week
- 15-21 Sep - Curiosity
- 22-28 Sep - Teamwork
- 29 Sep - 5 Oct - Open-Mindedness
- 6 -12 Oct - OPM2 - Being present and giving others my attention
- 13 - 19 Oct - Integrity
- 20 - 26 Oct - Perspective
- 27 Oct - 2 Nov - Creativity
- 3 Nov - 9 Nov - Bravery
- 10 Nov - 16 Nov - OPM2 - Knowing my words & actions affect others
- 17 - 13 Nov - Gratitude
- 24 - 30 Nov - Gratitude
- 1 - 7 Dec - Kindness
- 8 - 14 Dec - Humility
- 15 - 21 Dec - Self-Control
- 5 - 11 Jan - Optimism
- 12 - 18 Jan - Prudence
- 19 - 25 Jan - Perseverance
- 26 Jan - 1 Feb - OPM2 - Supporting others when they struggle
- 2 - 8 Feb - Forgiveness
- 9 - 15 Feb - Love
- 16 - 22 Feb - Wildcard/Make-Up
- 23 -29 Feb - Enthusiasm
- 1 - 7 Mar - OPM2 - Cheering others’ success
- 8 - 14 Mar - Social Intelligence
- 15 - 21 Mar - Love of Learning
- 22 - 28 Mar - Fairness
- 29 Mar - 4 Apr - Humor
- 5 - 11 Apr - Wildcard/Make-Up
- 12 - 18 Apr - OPM2 - Identifying & appreciating the good in others
- 19 - 25 Apr - Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence
- 26 Apr - 2 May - Purpose
- 3 - 9 May - Leadership
- 10 - 16 May - Other People Matter Mindset (OPM2) - Outro Week
7420 Reservation Dr, Springfield, VA 22153 | Main Office: 703-644-8200