FCPS

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Principal’s Message

Families,

November already? How’d that happen! As we wind down the first quarter of school and enter into the Thanksgiving season, I want to say thank you for sharing your kids with us, for supporting your child’s teachers’ efforts, and for instilling good character in your children. We have great behaviors in our school, thanks to you.

We were so pleased to have such a great turnout for Fall Festival! Our awesome PTA did their typically amazing job, and we had more volunteers than ever! Mrs. Bowman, our president, will share more in the near future, including how much money was raised to lower field trip costs, fund PTA family events, and otherwise help our school.

Thanks to parents and teachers for meeting recently (or next week) to discuss your child(ren)’s academic progress. We are officially in the second quarter of school next week, and we know that we’ll do great things if we continue to work together. Progress Reports (“report cards”) will come home on Thursday, November 14.

November has lots of great events to look forward to. We hold our annual Veteran Day program, presented by the 2nd graders and the music department, and we invite all families to eat a special Thanksgiving Lunch with us. Dates are on page 2. Flyers with more information will be coming home as we get closer to the dates. Check Coates social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) as well.

Perhaps our biggest event is our Parent Partnership Night on November 13. By now, you’ve hopefully seen the flyer in last week’s Thursday Folder and my News You Choose email about this event. This is our chance to make our school-home connection stronger than ever. We have a good thing here at Coates, but we can make it even better! To do this, we want as many parents as possible to join us, tell us your stories (your hopes for your children, the important things about your family, culture, or identity that drives you, etc.). Staff members will do the same. This is all building toward a compact between home and school, but before we do that, we need a deeper understanding of where everyone is coming from.   Please join us! The more families represented, the better! Thanks to our PTA for co-planning this event and providing childcare and pizza for your kids if you come.

On our calendar you’ll notice that GRATITUDE is our focus for two weeks in November. We’ll work hard at school to teach and model this character strength. If you’d like to show gratitude to your child's teacher, I encourage you to recognize him/her at FCPS Cares (www.fcps.edu/careers/employee-recognition-programs/fcps-cares-program ) or go to Coates Facebook and write a short review (www.facebook.com/ coateselementary). Notes or cards that express appreciation for other Coates stars who rarely get recognized, like music, art, and PE teachers, counselors, specialists, crossing guards, bus drivers, etc. are a great idea too!

Have a great month! Happy second quarter and Happy Thanksgiving!

Jesse Kraft, Proud Principal

 

Veterans Day

We honor our country’s brave veterans on November 11. This is a school day. At 9:45, our 2nd graders will sing patriotic songs to honor the service of veterans. Families and local veterans are welcome to join us. Spread the word!

 

Thanksgiving Lunch

On November 21, the Coates food services staff will be serving a special lunch in the cafeteria in recognition of Thanksgiving. Come join your child and celebrate with us! There will be a special lunch schedule that day.

Weekly Updates from Teachers

Are you receiving the weekly email or text from your child’s teacher? If not, contact the teacher ASAP! All Coates teachers send a weekly email or text to update parents on what they’re working on in class. It’s a great way for you to stay informed and involved!

 

The Positivity Project Continues!

We teach and promote these character strengths this month. Watch Thursday Folders & social media for resources to help you emphasize character at home!

Wk of Nov. 4            Bravery

Wk of Nov. 11          Knowing my Words & Actions  Affect Others

Wk of Nov. 18          Gratitude

Wk of Nov. 25          Gratitude

Wk of Dec. 2            Kindness

 

                     Mark Your Calendar

Nov. 4 & 5           Teacher Workdays/Student Holiday        

Nov. 7                 Make up picture day

Nov 13                Family Life Education Parent Preview 6:00

                           Parent Partnership Mtg (PTA Mtg), 6:30

Nov.18                AAP Eligibility Process Parent Mtg 6pm

Nov. 18-22         Stand up to Bulling Week

Nov. 20              Spirit Night Fundraiser “Guapo’s” 5-10pm

Nov. 21             Thanksgiving Luncheon

Nov. 27-29        Thanksgiving Break

 

Looking Ahead

Dec. 4 —Parent Partnership Mtg (PTA Mtg), 6:30

Dec. 13—Movie Night 6:30pm

Dec. 19 —Interims go home

Dec. 23-Jan 3 —Winter Break

Nov. 27-29-Thanksgiving Break

 

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
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Outstanding Employee Nominations

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Coates Elementary Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the links below. You may nominate an employee in one or more categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The links have more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below. Deadline for nominations are November 7, 2019.

Outstanding Teacher 

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a Teacher or Librarian (in any school/school district)

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a Teacher or Librarian (in any school/school district)

Outstanding Principal *

*Principal Jesse Kraft won 2018-2019 Outstanding Principal for FCPS!—Category is closed this year :)

Outstanding Leader 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee

Positions in this category for Coates ES: Assistant Principals

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership

Positions in this category:  School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee

Positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, Parent Liaisons , Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff

 

Questions?  Please contact  Amy Marney at ajmarney@fcps.edu

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
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Dear Coates Families,

I’m hoping that you’ll join me, Mrs. Bowman (PTA president), and leaders from the FCPS Equity & Family Engagement Office at school for a special meeting on November 13 at 6:30 PM.  My staff, the PTA Board, and I are working on something crucial to our school, and we need as many parents/guardians as possible to lend their voice to this.  Here’s what's going on:

We want to create an agreement or compact between Coates families and school staff.  But I don’t want to just throw together a list of statements.  I want something meaningful that represents us as a community and that lives up to the very idea of partnership.  We come together for our kids, and when home and school have common understandings, we can accomplish so much more than if we work in silos. 

We are a diverse community, but the differences should never hamper us.  In fact, the opportunity to use the wide range of perspectives in the Coates community should be an advantage to our school.  There’s a collective identity that we can create, and that’s really the goal of our meeting on November 13.  We’ll talk about our hopes and dreams for our kids.  We’ll have a forum for sharing our stories.  Candid feedback about your experience at Coates is encouraged.  We want any insights you have to share with other parents that can bond us better as neighbors.  We’ll have many teachers in attendance, and they want to know of any fears, hopes, concerns, or aspirations you have so that they can better understand their students and be better, more empathetic teachers.  Stories matter.  We want this event to serve as a place to hear others’ stories and to tell yours if you choose.

This meeting will be followed up by another meeting on December 4.  Our hope that we come out of our meeting in November with a stronger relationship, and that can make us ready to create a compact between home and school.  Again, we do not want to skip the important step of sharing our stories on November 13.  If we rush this, we risk building a document that lacks depth, might contain bias, or worse.

I want to be clear that this is not something we are required to do by FCPS.  We want to do this.  We already have a great bond between home and school.  We just want to ensure that we make it better if we can.  At the very least, we want the home-school connection to always stays strong.

The Coates PTA is sponsoring this event and will be hosting childcare and free pizza for families who attend.  Please watch Coates Facebook, Instagram & Twitter for continued updates on this series of Parent Partnership Gatherings!  I hope to see you.

 

Jesse Kraft

Proud Principal, Coates ES

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
Web | Facebook | Twitter

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Outstanding Employee Nominations

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Coates Elementary Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the links below. You may nominate an employee in one or more categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The links have more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below. Deadline for nominations are November 7, 2019.

Outstanding Teacher 

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a Teacher or Librarian (in any school/school district)

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a Teacher or Librarian (in any school/school district)

Outstanding Principal *

*Principal Jesse Kraft won 2018-2019 Outstanding Principal for FCPS!—Category is closed this year :)

Outstanding Leader 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee

Positions in this category for Coates ES: Assistant Principals

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership

Positions in this category:  School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee

Positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, Parent Liaisons , Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff

 

Questions?  Please contact  Amy Marney at ajmarney@fcps.edu

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
Web | Facebook | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
Web | Facebook | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fall Festival

Coates Family,

Can you believe it, our annual Fall Festival is next Saturday, October 19th!! We are so excited to share some of the new activities we have planned for our biggest event of the year!  We need your help to make this event a success for our school and to accomplish our mission of assisting with the cost of field trips once again.

Here are just a few updates:

Volunteers:  We are still in need of additional volunteers to help make this event a success! Middle School, High School, Community Groups and extended family members are all welcome to volunteer for this event.

Please use this link to sign – up to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054eacaf22a3f49-llcoates2

Bake Sale Donations: We would love your donations to our Fall Festival Bake Sale!  Please feel free to drop your non-perishable items off at the Main Office next week. 

Please use this link to sign-up for a bake sale donation: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054eacaf22a3f49-llcoates3

Early Bird Ticket Sales: Please remember, Early Bird ticket sales will close at Midnight next Wednesday, October 16th!  You can purchase your tickets via PayPal at coatespta@gmail.com.  Please include your name and email account with your payment.  You can also send a check with your student to school. Please include a note with your name, student’s name and teacher’s name. You will be able to utilize the Early Bird ticket line at the festival entrance!

Early Bird ticket prices - $8 individuals and $22 family 4- pack

** New This Year** - FRIENDLY Costume Contest and Parade!  

We will have our first ever costume contest and parade at 12 noon sharp!

Please make sure you arrive in time to participate and win prizes!

Our awesome Principal, Mr. Kraft and a few surprise guests will be on our Judge’s Panel this year.

We look forward to see you there!

Ms. Tisha Bowman

Coates PTA President 2018-2020

Coates Elementary School

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171

Phone: 703-713-3000

Email: coatesptapresident@gmail.com

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
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Principal’s Message

Coates Families,

What a great year so far!  I hope that your child is settled in and working hard, and I hope that you are closely connected to his/her teacher so far.  If you’re not already receiving your teacher’s weekly communication (email or Remind text), ask him/her about it.  When you have this little bit of information about what’s going on in class, you can have better conversations with your child about his/her learning.

And speaking of your child’s learning, check today’s Thursday Folder for your child’s first quarter interim report.  All students receive one during the first quarter.  The interim tells you how your child is performing in school at this half-way point of the quarter.  If there’s an area needing improvement, there’s still time to make changes before quarter one progress reports (“report cards”) come home in November.  Talk to your child, follow the teacher’s advice, and ask any questions.  Please sign the interim and send it back with Thursday Folders so that the teacher knows that you’ve seen it.

Also, if you still do not have a parent-teacher conference scheduled for this quarter, please contact your teacher ASAP.  Most conferences are held on the teacher workday on November 4, but many teachers have other times available.  We want to meet with all parents around the end of the quarter so that we provide you with detailed information on your child’s progress and we can help each other bring out the best in him/her.

Please read the rest of this newsletter carefully—so many important announcements!  There is a lengthy section explaining our School Plan, which is an attempt to give you an insider’s view of some of our priorities as a staff.  Take a look. 

As always, I’m proud to partner with you, serve your kids, and lead these awesome teachers.   - Jesse Kraft, Proud Principal

AAP Parent Info Night

Tuesday, Oct. 8

                             6-7:00 PM in the Coates Library                           

Find out about Advanced Academic Programs, levels of AAP services, and the FCPS eligibility process for Level 4 services.  All interested parents welcome!

                                                Principal’s Coffee

Wednesday, Oct. 9

9:15-10:15 in Room 115

 Join Principal Kraft & reading specialist, Mrs. Puckett, to learn about how reading is taught in school, how we determine the just-right books to use for each child, and what you can do at home to help your child become a stronger reader.

                                                  FALL FESTIVAL                                                                                   The PTA’s biggest event is on                                                                                    Saturday, October 19                                                                                     10:00-2:00 on the Coates Field

Volunteer to help!  Bring the family to play and support this great fundraiser, which offsets the cost of field trips and funds our PTA throughout the year!  See flyer in Thursday Folder.

Birthday Treats

Reminder to parents that we allow students with birthdays to bring in snacks for their classmates, but there are rules associated with this:

• Parents should inform the teacher in advance.
• Snacks must be something that is easy to distribute and does not require knives or forks (cookies, brownies, cupcakes work best. Please no cakes).
• Birthday snacks are to be distributed by the birthday child to his/her classmates in the cafeteria at lunch.
• Snacks may only be distributed to your child’s classmates and teachers. No passing out to select students in other classes.  This creates problems for other classes.
• Please no goodie bags, balloons, soda, gifts. School cannot host a party. 
• If there is food allergy in your child’s class, please be mindful of that when you send in a birthday snack.

Many elementary schools in FCPS have a no birthday snack rule in effect due to the disruptions this can cause.  At Coates, we do not impose a rule like that.  Birthdays are special, and if a family wants to share a snack with classmates on a child’s birthday, we want to support that.  Please note that the above rules will be enforced in all cases.  They are also noted in the Coates Parent Handbook which you received at Back to School Night (and available on the Coates website).

 

Positivity Project Update

We hope your child is talking to you about the character strengths they’re learning about each week!  Always watch Thursday Folders or Coates social media to find out what we’re up to.  PLEASE talk about the character strengths at home as a family.  The more our kids learn about character, the better off we’ll be!  In our view, The Positivity Project is an attempt to end a worldwide trend of narcissism by explicitly teaching and modeling empathy (“other people matter”) and other strengths that’ll help our kids make the world a better place.

 

Be Safe in our Parking Lot

During arrival and dismissal, we’ve had some scary moments when parents walk their child through the main parking lot and pass between the idling buses.  This is not a safe place for you or your child.  If you park on River Birch Road or walk to school, please use the sidewalk lining the bus loop to get to the front door.

 

Mark Your Calendar

Oct. 3- Interim Reports sent home

Oct. 8—AAP Parent Information Night 6:00 PM

Oct. 9—Principal’s Coffee 9:15-10:15AM

Oct. 14– Teacher Work Day (Student Holiday)

Oct. 19– Fall Festival 10-2:00 PM

 Looking Ahead

Nov. 1—End of First Quarter

Nov. 4 & 5—Teacher Work Days (Student Holidays)

Nov. 13– FLE Parent Preview 6:00 PM

               Parent Night Equity Partnership 6:30PM

Nov. 18– AAP Eligibility Process Parent Mtg

Nov. 27-29-Thanksgiving  Break

 

School Improvement Plan

Each year, all schools in FCPS are required to implement a School Improvement & Innovation Plan (SIIP).  We analyze data from the previous year to determine strengths and weaknesses and consider school system priorities in the development of our SIIPs.  This year’s SIIP consists of the following goals:

1. To decrease our rate of chronic absenteeism – State accreditation is no longer based solely on SOL test scores. It now also includes other measures like absenteeism.  Last year, Coates had about 9% of our student body with an excessive amount of school absences.  We have a robust plan for monitoring absences and following up with families through our counselors, social worker, and attendance officer where needed.
2. To decrease discipline referrals – Coates is a great school with overall nice children and well-trained teachers. This goal is not about fixing a rampant problem but rather making our school climate as positive and well-structured as it can be.  We’re employing more proactive moves that prevent misbehaviors, responses to student misbehaviors that curtail negative patterns, and an ongoing analysis of consequences using an equity lens.   This is not to say that consequences for misbehaviors will cease to be used (consequences are part of learning), but we want to maximize every system we have to get the best behaviors from every kid.
3. To improve our reading scores with special education students – FCPS has a commitment to closing achievement gaps. Therefore SOL test scores are provided to schools and broken down by subgroups.  Coates has had a positive upward trend in our reading and math SOL pass rates in recent years, and last year was overall successful again.  However, we did lose ground in our pass rate for students in special education programs in reading (we improved in math).  We have plans in motion to audit and replace existing specialized reading programs, to better monitor reading progress for special ed students beyond the expectations of their IEPs, and to support our teachers with better training and collaborative planning opportunities to attack this problem.
4. To improve access to AAP curricula and activities in grades K-2 – Our staff has always been great about having high academic expectations for our students and challenging them as learners. This is an effort to better analyze the grade level curriculum and determine where we can substitute classroom assignments with activities from the AAP units.  The goal is about access.  We may find that some students struggle with the activities and are not yet ready for that level of rigor, but we’ll surely find that others can rise (including kids who might not have demonstrated higher level skills previously).  To be clear, this is not about forcing all kids into AAP.  Advanced Academic Programs meet a very real need, and it is not appropriate for everyone.  This is about exposing kids to tough challenges (because that’s part of our mission as a school) and ensuring that we aren’t overlooking gifted kids who don’t fit the traditional profile.

The four goals above are not the only initiatives we have this year, but they are our top priorities.  I am confident that our staff will realize these goals, but we’re going to need your help.  Please ensure that your child attends school on time every day possible and teach self-control and good character at home.  Back up the teacher if s/he tells you about a misbehavior at school (nip problems in the bud).  Make sure your child reads at home, and promote high level thinking through intellectual conversations, board games, and sharing how you overcome challenges.  We hope this explanation of our SIIP helps you better understand our priorities, and we look forward to partnering with you to continue to take care of Coates.

 

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
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Lockdown Drill Today

At Coates, our goal is to keep students and staff safe at school. We continually work with county leaders to ensure coordinated responses to potential threats. We also drill for emergency situations and then review and revise plans as needed.

Today, we conducted our second lockdown drill. The purpose of a lockdown is to protect against intruders in the school building. Prior to today, teachers talked to our students to prepare them for our drill.

 During a lockdown drill:

• Students stay in place with a teacher or staff member.
• Students and teachers remain in locked classrooms, unobservable from outside (lights-off, window blinds closed, door windows obscured with paper) and outside potential lines of fire.
• Students and staff members disregard fire alarms.
• No one enters or exits the school, except public safety personnel.
• Persons in trailers remain in locked trailers. 

Our students did a great job today!

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
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Families,

Thanks for a great second week of school!  We want to remind you of two great events happening this weekend:

 

PTA Family Movie Night

Tonight, Sept. 6 at 6:00 the Coates PTA will be sponsoring a free family movie night.  Come watch The Secret Life of Pets 2 in the Coates cafeteria.  Bring beach blankets or chairs.  Bring your own snacks or buy some at school.  The PTA officers and Mr. Kraft will lead a brief meeting and then we'll start the movie!

Please note that children may not attend evening events at school without a parent who will directly supervise them.  This is not a drop-off event.

 

Fun Run

Looking for a fun event this Sunday? Check out this charity event by Best Runners (less than 1 mile from school!). If you register and note "BR_Coates" on the line that says "Referred by a BR member", they will donate back to school all registration money with a 100% match!  Any money earned will flow toward our efforts to replace older iPads for our special education students.

Register at https://www.bestrunners.org/  

 

Have a great weekend!

Coates Administration

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
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Family Life Education Opt-Out Forms

Dear Coates Families,

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve.  Instruction is seen as a partnership among parents and guardians, the school, and the community in supporting the learning essential to the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community.

Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program.  Students who are opted out are provided with age-appropriate, nonpunitive alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices.  If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt out forms are being sent home today in Thursday folders and are available online for Elementary (K-6) at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/elementary-family-life-education.  Please fill in the opt-out form, if you choose to, and return to school by Friday, September 13, 2019.

Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online at Elementary (K-6). FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights for are available for parents online in FCPS 24-7 (Blackboard) Parent View https://fcps.blackboard.com/. Account information is available at your local school or online at http://www.fcps.edu/is/instructionaltechnology/247help/parents.shtml. 

Grade level-specific lessons are also available at the Fairfax County Regional Library in the City of Fairfax (this location does not have media).  Grade level-specific lessons and media that is not streamed online are available for review at your child’s school library.  Due to copyright permissions, we are unable to stream all media online.

Program questions may be addressed at your child’s school or by contacting Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or by contacting Elizabeth Payne, Health and Physical Education Coordinator at etpayne@fcps.edu.

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
Web | Facebook | Twitter

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Lockdown Drill Today

At Coates, our goal is to keep students and staff safe at school. We continually work with county leaders to ensure coordinated responses to potential threats. We also drill for emergency situations and then review and revise plans as needed.

Today, we conducted our first of four lockdown drills. The purpose of a lockdown is to protect against intruders in the school building. Prior to today, teachers talked to our students to prepare them for our drill.

 During a lockdown drill:

• Students stay in place with a teacher or staff member.
• Students and teachers remain in locked classrooms, unobservable from outside (lights-off, window blinds closed, door windows obscured with paper) and outside potential lines of fire.
• Students and staff members disregard fire alarms.
• No one enters or exits the school, except public safety personnel.
• Persons in trailers remain in locked trailers. 

Our students did a great job today!

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
Web | Facebook | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Principal's Message

Coates Families,

What a great week!  Thanks for coming to Back to School Night and for supporting your child and her/his teacher during the first days of school.  After getting to know your kids, our staff is even more excited about the year ahead!

You are reading our monthly parent newsletter.  Please look for a paper copy on the first Thursday of each month (in your child’s Thursday Folder).  It’ll also be posted on Coates social media and on the Coates website.  This issue is longer than usual – we try to keep it short and readable for you – but with this being the beginning of the year, we must front-load some important information.

We sometimes assume that parents know and understand how things work around here.  My apologies for that!  In an effort to not assume anything, here are the main things I’d like to tell you so that you can stay informed this quarter:

• Starting next week, look for a weekly communication from your child’s teacher.  The teacher may use email or may use the Remind app to text you.  If you missed Back to School Night, and do not know her/his system for communicating with you, please contact the teacher.  All teacher email addresses are on the Coates website or you can send a note in with you child.  Ask to be included in her/his weekly communication.
• Look into your child’s backpack every Thursday for their Thursday Folder.  It should contain important notices from school plus some completed assignments.  Empty the folder.  Read the contents.  Send the folder back.  Repeat each Thursday.
• On October 3, all teachers will send home interim progress reports in Thursday Folders.  The “interim” marks the mid-point of the quarter, and it’ll show you where your child may need to make improvements by the end of the quarter.  During this first quarter of school, all students receive an interim report, even if they’re doing well in all subject areas.  In later quarters, only students in need of improvement will receive an interim report. 
• Your child’s quarterly progress report (“report card”) will come home in Thursday Folders on Nov. 14. 
• We hope that you will participate in a parent-teacher conference this quarter.  Teachers offered you the opportunity to schedule a time at Back to School Night.  If you missed it, contact your teacher ASAP to set up a time.  Many teachers hold their conferences on November 4, but they can often accommodate other dates.  We want you to have the best information on your child’s progress at school!

Last thing:  follow Coates on social media to get important reminders and gain insight into the many awesome things your kids are doing each week!  Check out Coates Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Please ask any questions.  Don’t be a stranger.  Recognize your child’s teacher as a partner.

Happy to serve, 

Jesse Kraft, Proud Principal

 

From the PTA

Hello Coates Family!

 Happy New (School) Year!  We are so excited to jump right into some great activities for our students this year. 

 Next Friday, September 6th at 6PM will be our first General PTA Meeting and Free Movie Night of the year!  Please join us as we start planning our Fall Festival, sign up for committees and enjoy Secret Life of Pets 2!  Pizza and other concessions will be available for purchase.

 *Saturday, October 19th from 10AM to 2PM will be our 2019 Fall Festival!  If you are interested in obtaining a vendor space, please email us at coatesptapresident@gmail.com to learn more.

 As always, please remember to add Coates Elementary School as your benefiting school for Harris Teeter, Giant, Safeway and Amazon Smile!

 Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you next week!

 Tisha Bowman

Coates Parent / PTA President

 

The Positivity Project

Coates is proud to begin our second year as part of The Positivity Project.  Expect your child to learn about several character strengths this year in class.  Traits like empathy, kindness, humility, perspective, leadership, and so much more will be featured. 

All classes in K-6th will focus on a specific character strength each week beginning on September 9.  Check out Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram to learn about that week’s character strength so that you can promote it at home. 

 

Mark Your Calendar

Aug 30—Labor Day/Student Holiday

Sept. 2—Labor Day/Student Holiday

Sept. 6—PTA Meeting /Movie Night  6 PM

Sept. 11—Principal’s Coffee—Parents Learn about Coates Mission  & Programs @ Coates, 9:15-10:15 AM

Sept. 26 —Fall Pictures 

Oct. 3—Interim Reports sent home

Oct. 8 —-AAP Parent Information Night 6 PM

Oct. 9—Principal’s Coffee—Parents Learn about How Reading is Taught in School

Oct 14—Teacher Work Day (Student Holiday)

Oct 19—Fall Festival 10-2 PM

Nov. 1—End of First Quarter

Nov. 4 & 5—Teacher Work Days (Student Holidays)

 

Other News

Lots of Tech!

All 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th graders have daily access to a laptop during the school day!  We achieved this 1:1 ratio last year through PTA fundraising, local church and business partner donations, and past Title I funds (note: we are no longer a Title I school). 

Having this guaranteed access to technology enhances the educational experience for kids, but please know that we do not do EVERYTHING on our laptops.  We use a blended learning model where we take advantage of tech only when it adds value to the lesson or assignment.  Some instructional activities are more effectively completed the old-fashioned way!  Bottom line:  our teachers will be  just as concerned about “too much screen time” as  you!

 

Family Life Education

Next week in your child’s Thursday folder you will see opt out forms for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Family Life Education (FLE) program for all students.  If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year please complete the form and return to school ASAP. Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online at on the fcps website.  The human growth and development unit for grades 4-6 will occur the week of December 16-20.

We will also be holding a parent preview night of all materials in November.  More details will be coming.  We look forward to working as your partner in providing information that will help your child make healthy choices related to the exciting changes and new challenges he/she will be facing in the next few years.

 

Parent Handbook

If you’re ever curious about rules or procedures at Coates (e.g., sending in birthday treats, student dress codes, volunteering at school, etc.), simply call the office or check our Parent Handbook.  Hard copies were sent home on the first day of school, and the online version is on the Coates website at https://coateses.fcps.edu/parent-resources

 

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
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News from Coates Elementary

 

Back to School Night on Thursday

We will have our Back to School Night on Thursday, August 22, 2019. This is a chance for parents and students to meet their new teacher.  Parents will receive information about the new school year

Back to School Night

5:30-6:30     Kindergarten, 1st Grade & 2nd Grade 

6:30-7:30     3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Grade 

Class Placement Letters

Letters have been sent via US mail to all Coates families naming your child(ren)'s teacher and providing the bus schedule for those who ride the bus.  If you have not received your letter by Thursday's Back to School Night, please call the school or come to the main office that night when you arrive.

First Day of School on Monday

The first day of school is Monday, August 26!  We have been busily preparing for the return of our students. We welcome interested families to walk students to class on the first day of school and again on Tuesday, August 27. Our PTA will sponsor a Tears & Cheers breakfast for kindergarten parents following drop-off in room 115. We look forward to a wonderful 2019-2020 school year!

Get Connected

At Back to School Night, teachers will invite you to be on their weekly communication list through email or the Remind texting app.  This is a great way to stay informed!

We also encourage parents to utilize the Coates website and to follow us on social media (Coates Facebook, Twitter & (new!) Instagram ).

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
Web | Facebook | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Coates Families,

If you are a new kindergarten family, we hope you'll take a advantage of these opportunities to come to school and help your child get excited for kindergarten!

 

Our Playground Playdate is tonight (8/1) from 5:30-6:30!  This is a low-maintenance opportunity for your child to come onto campus and make some friends.  Our assistant principals, Mrs. Shroyer & Mrs. Vigil will be there with popsicles for students!

 

On 8/14 from 10:00-10:45, Principal Kraft will be reading stories to students in the school.  This is a chance to see the school building again, make some friends and get to know the principal. 

 

There is no requirement to attend.  These are simply opportunities.  No RSVP needed.  

We'll see everyone at Back to School Night on 8/22 at 5:30!

Have a great day!

 

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
Web | Facebook | Twitter