We want to make our rising Kindergartners start at "Big Kid School" as special as possible, despite the virtual start to the school year.

The PTA is helping to connect Kindergarten parents to host both in-person (with social distance and safety precautions) and virtual play date options. 

PLEASE NOTE FOR IN-PERSON PLAYDATES: due to current restrictions on FCPS property, in-person playdates are being organised by Kindergarten parents, with assistance from the PTA. The PTA is not allowed to run any event on school property at this time. The playdate is a chance to meet in person but access to the actual playground is NOT part of the playdate.  FCPS has notified PTAs that they do not consider playground equipment to be safe for groups of children (Playgrounds were going to be closed during in-person school.) Given recent news about COVID spreading among children at camps, parents are advised that while FCPS playgrounds are open during Phase 2 for personal use, they are not sanitized or cleaned by anyone.  The PTA will continue to facilitate connections between Kindergarten parents to help support the playdates.

Because Kindergarten parents are offering to host these playdates, you will need to sign up as both in-person dates and virtual playdates are limited to 8 children at a time. Also parents are responsible for bringing and water, snack and hand sanitizer to the in-person playdates.

Signup my child(ren) for an in-person playdate!

Signup my child(ren) for a virtual playdate!

August 8th - In person - FSES field: 9:15 and 10am: Hello Show and Tell: say your name, where you went to preschool, and show/tell about a favorite toy or item, Simon Says game, playtime in the playground

August 13th - Virtual: 5pm - Hello Show and Tell: say your name, where you went to preschool, and show/tell about a favorite toy or room in your house, Spot the Difference game

August 15th - In person - FSES field: 9:15 and 10am: Crazy Hair Dance Party: say your name, where you went to preschool, show off your crazy hair, Musical Dancing game, playtime in the playground

August 20th - Virtual: 5pm - Crazy Hair Dance Party: say your name, where you went to preschool, show off your dance moves in a Musical Dancing game, Spot the Difference game

August 22nd - In person - FSES field: 9:15 and 10am: Knights Tales: say your name, where you went to preschool, dress like your favorite fairy tale character or superhero, Scavenger Hunt, playtime in the playground

August 27th - Virtual: 5pm - Knights Tale: say your name, where you went to preschool, dress like your favorite fairy tale character or superhero, Spot the Difference game 

August 29th - In person - FSES field: 9:15 and 10am: Pirate Play: say your name, where you went to preschool, dress like a pirate, Capn Hook (aka Simon) Says game, play time in the playground 

If these times do not fit or you would like to attend a virtual playdate and there are no slots left PLEASE EMAIL THE PTA - and if you would like to volunteer as a host.

We've added a new page to help parents with Enrichment Ideas:  - including summer camps, upcoming fall enrichment opportunities and online resources.
Special Ed families - check out the updates to our Special Education page 
And see FCPS' sample daily schedules for the virtual school day on our Distance Learning page - Find these and more - click on the heading above that says RESOURCES!

We are organizing Kindergarten Play Dates - both in-person and virtual for each week in August. Information will be shared soon in the PTA newsletter - sign up to our newsletter by clicking the "Stay Updated" button above - or on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/fsespta

Please send us a message at fsespta@gmail.com!  We welcome all new families to our community and we hope to organise some virtual and (hopefully) small group in-person meet and greets. And watch this space for news of Kindergarten Playdates! We hope to organise small group playdates - both virtual and outside in August, when the heat cools off a bit! In the meantime - please check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/fsespta

The PTA has worked with Franklin Sherman teachers to develop pre-packaged kits appropriate for each grade. Even with distance learning these kits are useful and contain the essential learning items that will be needed when we return to school!  Until July 31st, kits can be ordered online and will be delivered to your house. Find information on kits here: www.edukitinc.com/schools/11952/Franklin%20Sherman%20Elementary%20McLean,%20VA

If you have already ordered a kit we will arrange to have a pick up time at the school before school starts. If you no longer wish to have your kit, please can you let us know before July 31st by emailing us at: fsespta@gmail.com  Thank You!

Superintendent Brabrand presented the FCPS Reopening of School Plan to the School Board at a public hearing on Monday, June 15th.
List of important documents:
Virginia's Reopening of School Plan executive summary (background info)
FCPS Reopening of School Plan (full document) (pp10-13 scenario details)
FCPS Presentation on Reopening of School to School Board (provides background info, detailed analysis and specifics about scenarios)

Plan's Three Possible Scenarios:
Scenario 1: Virtual Learning for all (if COVID-19 re-surges)
Scenario 2: In-school Learning with Health and Social Distancing (phased-in)
Scenario 3: Online Learning for Individual Medical Need (in-school learning for all other students)

GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK: FCPS has asked families to complete a survey to help them with the planning process: Click Here to Access Survey!  Deadline: Friday, June 19th at 8pm.

The Principal of Timber Lane ES has asked local schools if they can help raise money for grocery gift cards for their families in need during the Covid-19 crisis. Timber Lane has almost 600 students, of which almost two-thirds are low-income and require support. You can use the donate button below and the PTA will provide the gift cards to Principal Ben Chiet. Given the immediate needs of families due to the Covid-19 crisis, we are running this fundraiser from Monday, March 23 through Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Please give if you can! 

The PTA Board felt a need to raise with Superintendent Brabrand the concerns we have heard from parents about FCPS' decision to limit communication that teachers have with families during the first two weeks of this four-week school closure.  Fairfax County Council PTA, our PTA council, agreed to forward our letter, in which we urged him to encourage teachers to share ideas and suggestions with parents to help them feel less isolated and more supported during this difficult situation.
To see the full contents of the letter, please click here.

FCPS site for coronavirus updates: https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update

Advice on how to speak to your children about the pandemic:
https://www.fcps.edu/blog/talking-children-about-coronavirus