What a terrific assembly we had on Wednesday to salute Veteran’s Day!  The cafeteria was full with every seat taken by parents, grandparents, veterans, friends and students.  The assembly included watching a short video about Veteran’s Day along with featuring our very own slideshow of veterans from our families. Colonel Haviland and Valerie presented the school with a very special flag that had been flown  in Al Taquddum, Irag by the Marine Corps Logistics Command (Forward)-Iraq.  The students concluded the assembly with their rousing renditions of singing the anthems from the five armed forces.  It was a heart-warming and special event that we plan to keep as an annual tradition!

 Very special thank yous go out to Mr.Majette, Mrs. Lee who played the piano, Mr. Mackness and our terrific cub scouts who conducting the flag ceremony and to all the parents and veterans that attended!

http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/supt/swineflu/index.htm

Dear Franklin Sherman Families,

The Franklin Sherman Elementary School community, along with Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia, is seeing an increase in reports of influenza‐like illnesses. According to the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia has reached the classification of “widespread” for influenza‐like illnesses, and almost all the influenza virus circulating in the state at this time is 2009 H1N1 influenza. The Franklin Sherman Elementary school continues to work closely with FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department as we face the challenges of an active flu season.

Influenza‐like illness is widespread in the community, and therefore it is in the schools. Because of this, Fairfax County Public Schools is not sending out notification to schoolcommunities regarding a single confirmed case of influenza or a group of confirmed cases at a particular school. The medical community is testing only a small number ofinfluenza cases, so information on confirmed versus unconfirmed cases is not helpful.

However, the Health Department continues to monitor absenteeism at individualschools and to monitor the severity of illness caused by 2009 H1N1. If the virus begins to cause more severe illness than what we are currently experiencing, FCPS will work with the Health Department to implement appropriate response measures.

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages school systems to remain open whenever possible due to the social and economic impact that school closures have on the community. FCPS continues to follow this guidance.

 The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever plus a cough and/or a sore throat. Persons with influenza‐like illness should stay homefor at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without theuse of fever‐reducing medicines. We encourage everyone in our community to helpkeep the flu from spreading by washing hands regularly and covering coughs and sneezes.  Thank you.

A message from FCPS

Message sent – 10/13/2009

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As promised, we are continuing to keep you informed about H1N1 flu prevention preparations. 

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) received a small shipment of H1N1 vaccine on October 6.  This initial allotment is intended for health care workers and emergency medical services personnel.  In the weeks to come, local healthcare providers who have registered to be vaccine distributors with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and FCHD will receive additional vaccine.  FCHD hopes to first vaccinate individuals who are in the H1N1 vaccine priority groups.   Fairfax County will continue to receive vaccine over the next several weeks and months. Eventually the vaccine will be made available to anyone who chooses to get vaccinated.

 Vaccination against the H1N1 virus is one of the best prevention tools against this new virus.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has defined target populations to receive vaccine first.  Persons age 6 months to 24 years are in this high risk group.  In an effort to immunize as many of this target group as quickly as possible, the FCHD is working with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) on a plan to disseminate H1N1 flu vaccines at weekend clinics that will be held in FCPS school buildings.  The clinics will be managed by the FCHD.  The H1N1 vaccinations will be offered free of charge on a walk-in basis. At this time, the FCHD does not plan to dispense vaccines during the instructional day in the Fairfax County schools.  

 The first H1N1 vaccination clinics will be held on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, at the following Fairfax County schools:  Franklin, Frost, Glasgow, Hughes, Key, Kilmer, Liberty, Longfellow, Sandburg, and South County.  Persons older than 25 years of age will not be vaccinated at these weekend clinics. In the near future, we will provide more detailed information about the weekend clinics, including the operating hours, as well as links to educational materials and consent forms. 

 In the coming weeks and months, the FCHD as well as many local physicians and private healthcare providers will be offering H1N1 vaccines at other sites so that everyone will have opportunities to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine. 

 We will share more information with you as soon as it develops.  In the meantime, we urge you to discuss immunization for H1N1 with your health care providers and address any questions or concerns you have so that you can make an informed decision.  You should begin these discussions now so that you are better prepared to respond when you receive more information about the vaccination clinics later this month.  Please check the FCPS H1N1 web page at http://www.fcps.edu/news/swineflu.htm or the FCHD web page at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu  for more information on this evolving situation.

 Jack D. Dale, Superintendent, Fairfax County Public Schools Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H. , Director of Health, Fairfax County

• The Kiss & Ride line starts at the second entrance to the parking lot (see map). 
• There is NO parking permitted along Brawner Street.
• The new location for the Kiss & Ride will help keep students safe and help traffic flow along Brawner Street.

 Morning Drop-off -  Hours: 8:55 a.m.—9:10 a.m.

•  Please pull forward to the drop-off location if you are the first car in line.
• Please do not leave your child if there is no K&R attendant present.  You may line up and wait at the drop-off location until a K&R attendant is present to receive your child. 
• Students will exit cars on passenger side only and are responsible for opening/closing car doors.
• Students will leave cars and enter the building through Exit 2.
• If you wish to escort your child into the building, you may park in the church parking lot at the corner of Calder Road and Brawner Street. 
• Parents are NOT permitted to park on   Brawner Street to drop off students as this creates a dangerous situation.

 Afternoon Pick-up-  Hours: 1:25 p.m.—1:45 p.m. (Mondays) and 3:55 p.m.—4:05 p.m. (Tuesday-Friday)

•  We encourage you to use the K&R line if you are picking up your child. 
• If you wish to greet your child in the front lobby area or are in a hurry, please use the church parking lot to park.  Please do NOT park in the school parking lot during dismissal time.  You  will be blocked in until the K&R line ends. 
• Please pull forward to the pick-up location if you are the first car in line.
• Students will be dismissed to the cars that are closest to the sidewalks.
• Students will enter cars on passenger side only and are responsible for opening/closing car doors.
• Please stay in your cars as unattended vehicles will hold up the K & R line and can be dangerous.
• Parking is NOT permitted on Brawer Street to pick up students.
• Drivers are asked to stay in line and not pull around the other cars.
• Staff attendants will take students to the office at 4:05 p.m.

 Suggested Exit Directions

 To alleviate traffic congestion and ensure the safety of those waiting in the Kiss & Ride along Brawner Street, FCPS safety experts have suggested an alternate route when exiting the K&R line in the afternoon.    We encourage you to follow this suggested path so that all are safe when traveling thru the neighborhood.

 Suggested directions:

• Right out of the K&R line/parking lot onto Brawner Street
• Left onto Maugh Street
• Left on Kurtz Street
• Stay straight to go on Dolley Madison Blvd

 OR

•  Left on Calder Road
• Right on Brawner Street

As the class lists were posted last evening, many of you became aware of the creation of combination classes for this school year.  I would like to share with you a copy of the letter that all parents of students in both the one/two and the three/four combination class will receive at today’s open house.  In the body of the text below, you will find information that outlines our process, the planning that has taken place to support these classrooms this year and hopefully answer some of your questions.  Although the letter posted has Mrs. Jacoby’s name and the grade levels for first and second grade, another version of this letter is listed below that has Mrs. Brownley’s name and information. 

The history of combination classes at FSES is that the students have had positive experiences in these settings and we anticipate the same experiences for this 2009-10 school year!

Thank you,   Vicki Duling

September 3, 2009

Dear Parents,

 Your child is assigned to Mrs. Jacoby’s class for the 2009-2010 school year.  Mrs. Jacoby will teach a class in which first and second grade students are assigned.  The class has been heterogeneously grouped, as are all classes at our school. 

 In the past, when a combination class was formed at Franklin Sherman, parents were contacted individually to discuss placement decisions. Given the nature of the multitude of combination classes this year and the many last minute enrollments that pushed the numbers to require the formation of these combination classes, personal phone calls were not possible.  We know that this is a break from past tradition and know that you understand given this circumstance.

 Let me assure you that, whichever grade your child is in, individual needs and developmental levels will be addressed appropriately.  Assignment to this class does not mean that your child is considered advanced for a first grader or a delayed second grader.  Mrs. Jacoby’s class is specifically intended to be similar to our other classes.  In considering students for the class, we did select those who worked well without need for frequent clarification and redirection, and who exhibited initiative in undertaking class work.  Of course, if a child has not been placed in the combination class, it does not imply that the child is not an independent worker.  As you know, there are many factors to consider when finalizing class placements to support a balance in each classroom.

 Mrs. Jacoby will be working collaboratively with both our first and second grade teams.  She will teach the Program of Studies for the two grades, and will provide for the needs of each student.   When you attend Back to School Night, Mrs. Jacoby will be able to share more specifics about the academic curriculum plan and classroom logistics for the upcoming year. 

 Social aspects of the combination classes have also been in the forefront of our thinking. Lunch and recess is placed in the school’s master schedule so that friendships and time together on the playground are maximized.  One outcome of creating combination classes is managing the uneven and at times very high and/or low numbers of students at a particular grade level.  By creating combination classes, this enables the average class size across the grade levels to be lower.

 Mrs. Jacoby, Mrs. Czarnecki and I will be available to respond to any other questions you may have regarding the classroom.  We look forward to a very good year for your child in Mrs. Jacoby’s class.  Thank you for the trust you have in Mrs. Jacoby and our school to create an academically and socially successful environment for your child this year.

 Sincerely,

 Vicki P. Duling, Principal

September 3, 2009

 Dear Parents,

 Your child is assigned to Ms. Brownley’s class for the 2009-2010 school year.  Ms. Brownley will teach a class in which third and fourth grade students are assigned.  The class has been heterogeneously grouped, as are all classes at our school. 

 In the past, when a combination class was formed at Franklin Sherman, parents were contacted individually to discuss placement decisions. Given the nature of the multitude of combination classes this year and the many last minute enrollments that pushed the numbers to require the formation of these combination classes, personal phone calls were not possible.  We know that this is a break from past tradition and know that you understand given this circumstance.

 Let me assure you that, whichever grade your child is in, individual needs and developmental levels will be addressed appropriately.  Assignment to this class does not mean that your child is considered advanced for a third grader or a delayed fourth grader.  Ms. Brownley’s class is specifically intended to be similar to our other classes.  In considering students for the class, we did select those who worked well without need for frequent clarification and redirection, and who exhibited initiative in undertaking class work.  Of course, if a child has not been placed in the combination class, it does not imply that the child is not an independent worker.  As you know, there are many factors to consider when finalizing class placements to support a balance in each classroom.

 Ms. Brownley will be working collaboratively with both our third and fourth grade teams.  She will teach the Program of Studies for the two grades, and will provide for the needs of each student.   When you attend Back to School Night, Ms. Brownley will be able to share more specifics about the academic curriculum plan and classroom logistics for the upcoming year. 

 Social aspects of the combination classes have also been in the forefront of our thinking. Lunch and recess is placed in the school’s master schedule so that friendships and time together on the playground are maximized.  One outcome of creating combination classes is managing the uneven and at times very high and/or low numbers of students at a particular grade level.  By creating combination classes, this enables the average class size across the grade levels to be lower.

 Ms. Brownley, Mrs. Czarnecki and I will be available to respond to any other questions you may have regarding the classroom.  We look forward to a very good year for your child in Ms. Brownley’s class.  Thank you for the trust you have in Ms. Brownley and our school to create an academically and socially successful environment for your child this year.

 Sincerely,

 Vicki P. Duling, Principal

As I write this entry into our principals blog, I am watching the excitement that is building at the front of the school today.  The class lists were posted just a few minutes ago on the front doors and many students and parents will be stopping by to look at the lists and discover the name of this year’s teacher!

The past three days have been extremely busy days here at Franklin Sherman ES.  We have spent lots of time in sharing our ideas for this school year, reviewing the outstanding work and achievements of our students and teachers last year and looking forward to our open house tomorrow and the first day of school next week!

We look forward to greeting you at the open house at 2 PM on Thursday, September 3rd!

I am sharing this message from the PTA regarding the yearbooks for the 2008-09 school year. 

2008-2009 Yearbook Update

I hope you have all enjoyed your summer vacation! It is hard to believe that we
are nearing the end and that the start of school is just around the corner. The
time has really flown by…

The yearbooks are ready for distribution and there is a plan in place.

Yearbooks for those who ordered last school year, grades K-5th, will be
available on Wednesday, September 9th through Friday, September 11th at the end
of the school day. The books are sorted by the class your child was in during
the last school year.

Any yearbooks not picked up during those 3 days will be sent home in the second
Wednesday folder.

If you want a yearbook for your child and did not order one, they will be
available for sale. The yearbooks are $15. Please make your check payable to
LIFETOUCH for that amount. Please also consider making a $5 donation to help
defray the cost of staff yearbooks.

I am in the process of distributing 6th grade yearbooks. Those of you who have
not yet received your book, please be on the look out for an email with
information.

To reduce the disruption in the classrooms, we are encouraging students to bring
their yearbooks to the back-to-school Ice Cream Social. We’ll have an area set
up where the kids can gather and sign each other’s yearbooks.

Thank you all for your patience! I hope you enjoy the yearbook. Lifetouch did
another fantastic job printing it and I believe it was worth the wait!

If you have any questions, please contact me directly via email at
meeks1551@verizon.net.

Korinne Jackman Meeks

Yearbook Coordinator

Thank you!

Your administrative team…Vicki and Eileen

Take a look at the new cafeteria…Just a week ago I was taking my neice and nephew on a tour of the building and the floor was just cement and dirt.  WOW…what a difference one week makes!  Today as I walked around the building, I was excited to see the construction crew busy working in the cafeteria putting in the final pieces of tile on the floor.  The cafeteria is looking more fabulous each and everyday!  Despite the dust and dirt, it has already transformed into a bright, cheery place.  The only thing missing are the children. 

 The gymnasium is almost finished too!    

For the last few weeks, the floor was missing and was nothing but rusty looking cement.  When I walked in, I couldn’t believe my eyes…the new floor was installed and looks great!  PE classes are going to really enjoy the new floor, and I know Mr. Nielsen will be happy to have it too!

The renovations are moving very quickly, and we are looking forward to starting the school year in a newly renovated school.   Inside FSES lots of improvements are occurring, but if you happen to take a drive by the school one of these days, see if you can spot what’s happening on the outside as well…See you all in September!

Please find below a link to all of the new bell schedules for next year.  I also wrote about this in the Pandagram this week which was sent home in the Wednesday folder.  If you have questions, please ask! 

Thank you!    Vicki

As part of its adoption of the FY 2010 final budget, the Fairfax County School Board will adjust some school start times to gain $4.6 million in efficiencies in the transportation system.  These adjustments are separate and apart from the proposal to change school start times that the Fairfax County School Board considered and voted to reject in March 2009. The adjustments focus on achieving efficiencies within the current bell structure, which the Fairfax County School Board voted to retain. The following bell schedule changes will be implemented in the 2009-10 school year.

http://www.fcps.edu/news/start.htm