FCPS

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Memorial Day is Monday - No Classes

Teachers will see their students in class on Tuesday, May 26 at their regular times.  Although Monday is a holiday, our Grab & Go (free breakfast/lunch) service will still be open during it’s regular time of 10-1:00.

Parent Input for Class Placements

With the school year coming to a close, the staff will begin a recommendation process for class placements for the 2020-21 school year.  We want kids to have a diverse and positive peer group, and we consider many factors.  We always invite parents to provide their input as well.  Please complete the parent input form on the Coates website ASAP so that we have your insights.

Donations Help Your Neighbors

Coates PTA continues to organize a community food and supply drive for Coates families.  This week, we’ve already received very generous donations, and we’re working with school staff to distribute to families in need.

Want to Donate?

Come to school Monday-Fridays between 10-1:00 to drop off items.  You’ll see the large shelving unit near the Grab & Go at the front door.

Our faith and business partners have donated already.  If your business wants to help, we welcome them!

What to Donate?

Unopened, nonperishable foods like pasta, rice, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, canned goods.  We also have a great need for diapers, formula, cleaning supplies, paper towels and toilet tissue.

Bulk donations or PayPal donations can be referred to our PTA president, Mrs. Tisha Bowman at coatesptapresident@gmail.com

My Family is in Need.  What do I do?

Reach out to our parent liaison, Solangie McPherson at svmcpherson@fcps.edu .  She maintains a list of families that we can support.

Virtual Art Show

Our awesome art teachers have put together a virtual art show, highlighting the creative projects our students produced prior to school closing.  We’ll be showing them on Coates social media this week, but if you want an early look, here it is!

New Kindergartners

We held a virtual Kindergarten Orientation this week with more than 60 parents attending!  Thanks for helping us spread the word.  The Coates website now has all the of the most important information in one easy-to-read page, and it includes a recording of the orientation.  Please help us spread the word to your neighbors who are sending their students to Coates kindergarten next year. Until they register, we don’t have their contact info so we rely on word-of-mouth.

At-Home Reading Routines

Thanks to the parents who’ve watch our training videos and/or attended Mrs. Puckett’s live trainings last week.  We’re proud to support your work at home to develop your children’s reading skills.

Our 4-step process for training Coates parents continues to be on our website.  Please take advantage!

Pick-Up of Student Items

Teachers have begun coming into school to pack-up their classrooms and sort student belongings.  With social distancing and a large staff, this takes time.  We will have all student supplies, coats, backpacks, etc. bagged up and ready for curbside parent pick-up during the week of June 8.  We will publish a schedule soon with times for each grade level to pick up (accommodations will be made for parents of siblings in multiple grade levels). 

Families who have an urgent need to pick up a specific item sooner can continue to contact us directly.

Finally...from Mr. Kraft

I’m humbled and thankful for the many kind words and congratulations I received this week after being named the Washington Post Principal of the Year.  There are many outstanding school leaders in our area who are just as deserving as me, but I have the good fortune of being with you.  Here’s what I mean: when you have teachers and staff members like we do at Coates, the principal ends up looking really good.  When you have parents and families like we do – people who work hard for their kids and appreciate the school through their words and actions – the principal also ends up looking good.  So, while your compliments mean a lot to me, I also realize that I am the lucky beneficiary of working with and for you.  Thanks for raising amazing kids and sharing them with us.

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
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Principal's Message

We hope you’re hanging in there!  Our staff is so grateful for the many messages they received from parents & students for Teacher Appreciation Week.  Thanks, especially to the Coates PTA and Open Door Presbyterian Church for contributing so generously toward our gift bags for teacher.  They loved it!  This week I have two main points that I’d like to highlight:

1. Our specials teachers continue to offer live lessons every Monday-Thursday afternoon. Please encourage your children to join these PE, Art, Music, & Enrichment lessons.  These subjects are important, and these teachers are favorites to many of our kids.  The links to these lessons were sent via FCPS gmail, just like the lessons links from classroom teachers.  Check your teacher's weekly message for the schedule for specials lessons.
2. The reading training that we’re offering to parents is readily available, and I hope you check it out. Just go to our website and follow the 4-step process.  In about 30 minutes, you’ll have a great understanding of how to promote reading at home.  For those parents wanting to take their learning beyond the videos, join Mrs. Puckett’s workshops next week (schedule below).  Email cmpuckett@fcps.edu for a link to the workshop.

We know that these are stressful times, and our families are dealing with challenges.  Please know that when I remind you to get your kids to our classes or promote our at-home reading routines training, I’m not intending to add stress to your life.  In fact, you may feel free to disregard all of this!  The staff and I are offering things like lessons to help you place structure on your kids’ days.  We want to minimize the loss of academic and social skills.  We’re offering guidance for at-home reading because now might be the time when some parents could use this knowledge the most.  But none of this is required, only encouraged.

Thanks for your continued support!

Jesse Kraft, Principal (jkraft@fcps.edu )

At-Home Reading Routines Parent Workshops

Mon., May 11     6:00   Kindergarten     

                           7:00   Parents of English Learners (all grade levels)

Tues., May 12     6:00   2nd Grade            7:00    4th Grade

Wed., May 13     6:00   1st Grade             7:00    5th Grade

Thurs., May 14   6:00   3rd Grade             7:00    6th Grade

 

Get the link to your meeting by emailing Mrs. Puckett.

 

Help Desk is Open!

If your child needs help on an assignment, they can enter our Help Desk.  Our office staff is ready to assist students Monday-Fridays. Log onto Coates Blackboard to get the links.  We can help in English or Spanish!  Use this schedule:

Grades K-2   – 9:30-10:30 & 1-2:00

Grades 3-6  - 10-11:00 & 12:30-1:30

Kindergarten Orientation - May 19 @ 6:00 PM

If you have a child who is turning 5 by Sept. 30, please join us for Kindergarten Orientation.  You’ll meet the kindergarten teachers, learn about our program, ask questions, and get started on registration.  If you have friends in the Coates boundaries with kids who’ll be coming to kindergarten next year, please help us spread the word.  Virtual, Kindergarten Orientation takes place here (link will work on 5/19).

Need Help?

We have many ways to help Coates families as they work through these hard times.  Below are Coates staff members who are ready to help families.

Needing Food?  Come to our Grab & Go (free meals, 10-1:00 daily).  Contact our parent liaison ( svmcpherson@fcps.edu ).

 

Mental Health or Wellness Challenges?  Contact our counselors (kmeagan@fcps.edu & cjallen@fcps.edu ), school psychologist (dkemp@fcps.edu ), or social worker (altupper@fcps.edu ). 

 

Want to Help Families in Need?

Look for a plan from Mrs. McPherson (parent liaison), Mrs. Eagan (counselor), & Mrs. Bowman (PTA president) coming out next week.  There will be a way to safely donate needed resources to help some of our identified families in need.

Student Intention Forms, 2020-21

We need your help in projecting our total enrollment for next school year.  For families NOT returning to Coates in the fall of 2020-21, please complete and return the “Student’s Intention for the Next School Year” form by June 5. 

A typed parent/guardian name on the Parent Signature line is acceptable.  Student ID Number may be left blank.  Save the completed form, attach it to an email and send to ajmarney@fcps.edu   

Access the “Student’s Intention for the Next School Year” on the FCPS public website:https://www.fcps.edu/registration/forms#intention-form  

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

We had a successful full week of synchronous lessons!  Thanks to you for ensuring that your child found his/her teacher’s lessons and showed up in class on time each day!  Don’t forget about specials classes.   If you’re still having problems finding your children’s lesson links, please contact your child's teacher ASAP.  We want to help you.  Below is our schedule for live lessons for your convenience.  Nothing has changed.   This is just a reminder.  Below that, I have some amazing news about an opportunity for all our parents to learn some skills that will truly help you help your children.  Please read on!

For Coates Parents - Helping Your Child Become a Stronger Reader

Reading is the most important academic subject we teach in elementary school.  Parents and teachers can both agree on that.  I also know that parents work hard to promote good reading skills at home.  I worry, though, that we as a school haven’t given you specific guidance on how to do this in the most effective way.  We hope to change that starting now.

We are pleased to announce that our staff, led by reading specialist Mrs. Carole Puckett, has created an online training process that will help any parent who is trying to help their child with reading at home.  This weekend, check out this page on the Coates website.  It contains a short booklet on how you can set up an At-Home Reading Routine that makes daily reading a habit and equips you with the strategies you need to support your child at different levels.   The booklet also shows what texts kids should be able to read in September compared to texts they should be able to read in June each year.

To complement the booklet, we have created a series of 3 short video modules that explain grade level expectations and give you specific strategies that are aligned with your child’s reading level.  We are not offering vague support.  We are providing specific techniques that you can manage at home.  If you follow our process, you’ll be in line with what teachers do in school when they help your child read.

These modules are short (each one is 5-15 mins).  Modules 1 & 2 help you set conditions for daily reading routines.  Module 3 goes in-depth, but Mrs. Puckett and the teachers do a great job explaining things for non-teachers and showing examples of parents working with their kids.  Please go to the site above and check out the booklets and modules.

To support you further, we are offering live meetings with Mrs. Puckett as well.  The schedule for those live workshops is below.  If you want to attend, please email her at cmpuckett@fcps.edu .  She’ll send you a link to join her.  Download our booklet and view modules 1-3 on our site before this meeting.

We are very proud to offer this training to our parents.    We are partners in your child’s education, and the experts at school look forward to giving you the tools you need to promote at-home reading routines.

At-Home Reading Routines Parent Workshops

Mon., May 11     6:00   Kindergarten     

                           7:00   Parents of English Learners (all grade levels)

Tues., May 12     6:00   2nd Grade            7:00    4th Grade

Wed., May 13     6:00   1st Grade             7:00    5th Grade

Thurs., May 14   6:00   3rd Grade             7:00    6th Grade

 

Note:  we will offer another set of live workshops with Mrs. Puckett closer to the summer.  We realize that this first offering may not fit everyone’s timeline and that some parents will not need the live workshop after watching the modules and using the booklets.

 

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8

As usual, the Coates administrators are teaming up with our fabulous PTA to show our teachers thanks.  Most years, we give them lunch and treats during the week in school.  Of course, this year is different.  We are working on a small gift for our staff members, but we’re hoping that all parents might help share the love in the following ways:

• Have your child write a thank you note or picture for his/her teachers.  We’ll have a drop off bin out front of school between 10-1:00 on Monday & Tuesday.  It’ll be located near the Grab & Go set-up near the front door.  Drop cards in there.  Be sure to name the teachers on the cards!
• Recognize a teacher on the FCPS Cares page:  https://www.fcps.edu/careers/employee-recognition-programs/fcps-cares-program .  It’s a great way give specific praise!
• Have your child email his/her teacher a note, card, drawing, selfie that expresses thanks.

Help Desk Available Next Week

Look for a communication from your child’s teacher about our Help Desk service.  Here’s how it works: if your child is working on an assignment at home and needs help, they can use a link to join our office staff.  Our Help Desk will be standing by to help any child (or parent) who needs it.  It’s like having a tutor on-call.

Virtual Kindergarten Orientation on May 19 at 6:00 PM

If you have a child who is coming to Coates for Kindergarten next year, please join us as we explain the kindergarten program at Coates and help parents with registration questions.  The link to this virtual presentation will be out soon.  For now, we ask that you help spread the word in your community so that parents of our rising kindergartners can mark their calendars.

Student Intention Forms for 2020-21

We need your help in projecting our total enrollment for next school year.  For families NOT returning to Coates in the fall of 2020-21, please complete and return the “Student’s Intention for the Next School Year” form by June 5. 

A typed parent/guardian name on the Parent Signature line is acceptable.  Student ID Number may be left blank.  Save the completed form, attach it to an email and send to ajmarney@fcps.edu   

Access the “Student’s Intention for the Next School Year” on the FCPS public website:https://www.fcps.edu/registration/forms#intention-form  

Free or Discounted Internet

Cox has extended free internet services for qualifying families to July 15th. Follow this link: https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete.html

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: Getting a Handle on Our Communication

Families,

I’m happy to report that we had most students in classes on Thursday when we switched to our new process for live (synchronous) lessons.  I expect all classes to be held on Monday.  Thanks for your patience with us.

I want to recognize some habits we’ve fallen into lately and commit to making things better.  In the last two weeks, you have been inundated with emails from our staff.   As technological problems were disrupting synchronous learning plans across the district, lots of communications were coming from FCPS.  Often, this led to me or my staff following up with our own messages.   Our intention was to bring clarity to what would be happening the next day.  But the messages added up.

You should know that most group emails or Remind texts from our teachers were sent at my direction.  When we are in “normal” school, our approach to parent newsletters has typically been short, to-the-point, and not overly repetitive.  Teachers would send their weekly group email/Remind once per week, and my News You Choose emails were never more frequent than that. The staff and I want to return to that approach.

Next week, we’ll have consistent synchronous learning, and we’ll return to our normal communication routines.  I’ll be sending a parent newsletter (like this one) once per week.  Teachers will no longer email/Remind text their daily schedule.  This is their approach moving forward:

• A communication (email or Remind) on Sunday or Monday morning that lays out the schedule for the week and provides guidance for the week’s assignments.
• A daily communication (Mon.-Thurs.) in the afternoon that provides links to recorded lessons. The title of this email will be “In Case You Missed Them.”  If your child participated in his/her lessons that day, you may delete this email. 

We could forgo these communications completely and instruct you to get this info daily on Blackboard.  Instead, we hope you see these emails as saving you from logging into that site.

Of course, teachers may contact you individually for issues directly related to your child.

Thanks for your quick work in navigating your child’s FCPS Gmail account to get them their links to our lessons.  Our school days are always better when we can get kids in front of their teachers.

Ask any questions.

Jesse Kraft

jkraft@fcps.edu

PTA Message

The PTA executive board met this week to determine how to support the school during our closure and beyond.  Watch for a detailed message from us next week.  For now, mark your calendar for two events:

 

Wed., Apr. 29 @ 6:00 PM           

Principals/President’s Q&A Session – all Coates parents welcome to hear about school & PTA plans and to ask questions about distance learning and any other school-related topics.  RSVP by emailing coatesptapresident@gmail.com .  You’ll be sent a link to this virtual meeting.

 

May 4-8                               

Teacher Appreciation Week – more info coming on how you can show love to the staff.

Field Trip Money

If you paid money for a spring field trip, your child’s teacher has sent you a message on how to either attain reimbursement or donate your payment to your child’s field trips in 2020-21.  If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Peckham at fpeckham@fcps.edu .

Registration or Withdrawal for 2020-21

New families should register for school!  While we cannot finalize the process with school closed (we have to validate ID and check residency), new families can still complete required paperwork.  Send any new neighbors to our registrar, Mrs. Marney, at ajmarney@fcps.edu .  The same goes for you if you have a rising kindergartner coming to Coates in the fall.

If you are moving out of the Coates boundaries, please tell your teacher and Mrs. Marney.  We can help with your child’s transition to the new school.

Follow Coates on Social Media

Great stuff gets posted, including important reminders! 

Check out Coates Facebook, Twitter & Instagram .

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
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Hello Coates families!

Thanks again for your patience this week.  FCPS leadership has offered some solutions to schools so that we can avoid having students log in to Blackboard each day for live lessons, while still maintaining the security features and teacher controls that we needed from the BB Collaborate Ultra tool.

Moving forward, students at Coates will be using new Blackboard Collaborate links sent to their FCPS Gmail accounts.  These links are secure and identify each student to the teacher.  This new set-up makes these personalized links accessible without logging in to Blackboard.  Three schools in FCPS piloted this approach last week and were able to maintain synchronous learning (live lessons, easy access for students) when the rest of the district struggled.

 

This new process will start for some classes tomorrow (Thurs.).  For other classes, it will begin next week.  The staggering of implementation is due to the time needed for the system to process all our teachers’ new sessions and send personalized links out to students.  Your child’s teacher will send you an email prior to tomorrow’s first lesson letting you know if his/her lessons are live or not.

I ask that you disregard the previous process that we gave you for accessing links to teacher lessons (sessions).  Those links no longer work.  You do not need to log into Blackboard.  Follow this new procedure instead.

All students’ unique links have been emailed to students’ FCPS Gmail accounts.  They can log in to those accounts through the FCPS G Suite page. The username and password used for logging in is the same login that is used to access the FCPS Blackboard page – your child’s 7-digit ID number and password. I encourage you to review the steps outlined in this 2-minute video for help in finding and using this new link. The same, student-specific link will be used for all classroom instruction and teacher office hours moving forward.  If your child does not yet have the email with the link, it may simply be delayed.

Most of our older students are aware of their FCPS Gmail accounts (student#@fcpsschools.net).  They have used Google Classroom and have accessed their accounts.  I’m sure that many of our younger students (and parents) are not aware of their Gmail accounts.  Be assured that your child has one, and you can get to it following the steps above. 

Please check your child’s FCPS Gmail.  Use the link to get to our scheduled lessons on time.   Use the same link for both math and language arts lessons.  Your child may enter the session early, but s/he will not be able to use any of the features (camera, mic, comments)  until the teacher enters the session. 

For the time being, specials classes (PE, art, music, etc.) will continue to be pre-recorded lessons that your teacher will provide via email or Remind.  Next week, specials lessons will go live.  We’ll tell you when to check Gmails for the new specials link.

Thanks again for your patience during these false starts.  Your disappointment and your children’s disappointment were warranted, and it was shared by our teachers.  I hope that the worst is behind us and we can fully implement our distance learning plan.

 

Jesse Kraft

Still Proud to be Principal of Coates

jkraft@fcps.edu

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
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Families,

I know that many of you were either denied access or experienced long delays today when your children tried to log in to Blackboard (FCPS 24-7) to access the links to teachers' live lessons.  There were students who successfully logged in, but many who could not.  I regret that you went through this frustrating issue and am hopeful that things will improve.

Our teachers are greatly concerned as well.  They want to do more than simply assign work.  They want to preserve the connections your child has with his/her classmates and with the teacher.  We feel that live lessons help us maintain that, and allow for a more interactive learning experience than asynchronous, assigned work.   But if the virtual lesson platform is not working properly, we must prepare a back-up plan. 

Unless FCPS says otherwise, synchronous (live, scheduled) lessons on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra will go on as planned on Tuesday.  I hope that you have your children log in to BB and attempt to join the teacher and students.  But should this not work, your children's teachers will have a pre-recorded lesson for you that will cover the same content and skills as their Collaborate Ultra lesson.  They will send you links to these pre-recorded lessons (that do not require a log-in) to you prior to 9:00 AM.

I hope that no parent or student panics and worries about grades or school performance or attendance when they experience issues like today.  We understand and believe in your efforts to access school.  You're doing the assignments, the learning packets, and/or using your teacher's Google Classroom.  The technical struggles with the online lesson platform are not any student's responsibility and no student or parent should feel stress because of that.

Please watch for your teacher's email early tomorrow morning.  We will have lessons.  We will continue to have learning.

Ask any questions.  Wish we were in school!

Jesse Kraft

Proud Principal

jkraft@fcps.edu 

 

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
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Principal's Message

Coates Families,

Thanks for your patience during a trying week.  We will get this right, and I’m hopeful that Monday brings another chance to run our scheduled lessons and reconnect with your kids.  I’m planning to send a parent newsletter weekly on Thursdays beginning next week.  It’ll be news from me, PTA, and other info or insights related to Coates or FCPS.  I know that you’ve been deluged with emails from FCPS, me, and your child’s teachers, but I hope that you take time to read our weekly newsletter.  I’ll keep it as short and informative as possible!

Coates Distance Learning info is on our website.  This page includes a link to Blackboard and the schedule for lessons each day.

Grab & Go (Free Meals)

Coates continues to be a site where children can come to receive free meals from 10-1:00 each day.  Just drive up to the front door.  If it’s closer to your home, Hutchison Elementary School continues to serve meals as well.  Additionally, FCPS has a mobile Grab & Go service that is now stopping at Elden Street & Dulles Gardens Apts at 9:50 AM.  More info can be found here.

Counselors' Corner

We hope you and your family are healthy and safe. These are challenging times for everyone. Your school counselors, Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Eagan, are available to continue to support your children. We will be teaching classroom lessons, offering small group and/or individual check-ins per you or your child’s (with your permission) request. Please feel free to email or call us if you would like for us to personally contact your and/or your child, or if you would like them to be in a small social group. We also have a Blackboard Class and Google Classroom set up for each grade level where we will post optional student activities and resources for you and your family. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We are here for your child.

 

Cari Allen, Grades K, 1 and 4

cjallen@fcps.edu, 703-713-3080

 

Kathy Eagan, Grades 2,3,5 and 6

kmeagan@fcps.edu , 703-713-3039

 

Office Hours:  9:00 am to 12:00 and 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Tech Support

We know that with many students accessing technology, there will be a need for IT support.  Self-Help guides with troubleshooting tips are now on Blackboard (My FCPS tab > Continuity of Learning panel > Elementary Resources > Support Resources). 

Our IT specialist, Mr. Brian Crosson, will also be on site weekly with limited hours to help families personally and by appointment.  If your child has a school laptop and needs tech support, please email your teacher.  S/he will route your issue to Mr. Crosson.

Reading Training for Parents

As promised, we’ll have a set of online training modules ready for you beginning next week.  Our intention is to provide all interested parents with training that will help you establish strong at-home reading routines for your children.  Look for a separate announcement explaining our system and offering access to our videos and live, virtual trainings.

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
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Coates Families,

As I'm sure you've heard, FCPS canceled teacher-led lessons for the remainder of the week.  Being on the inside, I understand why, and I look forward to the system working properly next week so that we can do what we're dying to do - teach your kids!

Tuesday was a great day for our teachers and students, and I'd hate to lose that momentum.  So here's what we're offering for the remainder of the week:

• Teachers will send a communication reminding you and your child of the at-home assignments to be worked on this week.  We wish that we had Blackboard Collaborate Ultra sessions running so that we could help students through that work.  In the absence of that, teachers will certainly be answering emails and Remind texts in efforts to help students with questions.
• On Thursday (tomorrow) & Friday, we will have a pre-recorded lesson posted on Coates Facebook and Twitter.  The 9:00 lesson will be for all students in K-2nd grades.  The 9:30 lesson will be for students in 3rd-6th.  These lessons will be in the same style as my writing lessons a few weeks back - they'll feature a Coates star teaching academic skills!

All of this is optional.  We offer this because we know how much you value your child's learning, we are excited to get back to regular teaching, and a scheduled lesson provides kids with structure. Continue to stay tuned - teachers may be providing more pre-recorded lessons in addition to the Facebook/Twitter postings!  They'll let you know.

I hope you take advantage of the lessons and assignments. 

Ask any questions.  We continue to miss you!

Jesse Kraft, Principal

 

 

 

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
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Coates Families,

As I’m sure you’ve already heard, all FCPS is delaying distance learning lessons today so that teachers can reconfigure our Blackboard (24-7) & Blackboard Collaborate Ultra sites to take advantage of better tools for managing the online classroom environment.  I support these efforts, which will include a student log-in feature and effectively shut down classrooms when they are not in use.

Since teachers need to put work into making these changes this morning, your child will not have a teacher-led lesson at 9:00 (K-2nd grades) or 9:30 (3rd-6th grades). 

We do plan on holding our 12:00 (3rd-6th) & 12:30 (K-2nd) lessons as planned.  Specials lessons will happen at 2:00 & 2:30 as planned.

Your child’s teacher will send you an email or remind text shortly with a link to the new Blackboard site, where you can log in and then access the lesson links and assignments for this week.

Thank you for your patience as FCPS works to improve our program.  I want to be clear that at Coates, we had an overall good first day of distance learning, and I look forward to today’s lessons.

Jesse Kraft, Principal

Coates Families,

As I’m sure you’ve already heard, all FCPS is delaying distance learning lessons today so that teachers can reconfigure our Blackboard (24-7) & Blackboard Collaborate Ultra sites to take advantage of better tools for managing the online classroom environment.  I support these efforts, which will include a student log-in feature and effectively shut down classrooms when they are not in use.

Since teachers need to put work into making these changes this morning, your child will not have a teacher-led lesson at 9:00 (K-2nd grades) or 9:30 (3rd-6th grades). 

We do plan on holding our 12:00 (3rd-6th) & 12:30 (K-2nd) lessons as planned.  Specials lessons will happen at 2:00 & 2:30 as planned.

Your child’s teacher will send you an email or remind text shortly with a link to the new Blackboard site, where you can log in and then access the lesson links and assignments for this week.

Thank you for your patience as FCPS works to improve our program.  I want to be clear that at Coates, we had an overall good first day of distance learning, and I look forward to today’s lessons.

Jesse Kraft, Principal

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

Espero que sigan encontrándose bien y sobrellevando esta etapa que estamos viviendo en estos días.  El personal de Coates está emocionado de volver a conectarse con usted y sus estudiantes la próxima semana cuando iniciemos nuestro programa formal de aprendizaje a distancia.   Sé que hay varias preguntas sobre el resto del año escolar, y este mensaje un poco largo es mi intento de proporcionar respuestas.  Siga leyendo para encontrar información específica sobre los siguientes temas:

• Programa de Aprendizaje a Distancia de la escuela Coates – Horarios, Expectativas, etc.
• Paquetes de aprendizaje de FCPS
• Oportunidades de aprendizaje para los padres de Coates
• Calificación y promoción al siguiente nivel de grado
• Prepararse para el 14 de abril

Programa de aprendizaje a distancia de la escuela Coates

El 14 de abril, los maestros comenzarán clases en vivo en línea tres veces al día, de lunes a jueves.  El horario que seguiremos es el siguiente:

Toda esta información estará en el sitio web de Coates  esta semana.  Le animo que guarde este enlace.

Notará que las horas de clase dirigidos por el maestro para los grados K, 1er  y 2do va alternándose con las horas de clase para los grados 3ro, 4 to , 5 to y 6 to .  Esto es para acomodar a los hogares donde los hermanos están compartiendo computadoras o teléfonos y para ayudar con el uso del wifi en los hogares.

De la mejor manera posible, por favor, hagan que sus hijos estén puntuales para recibir las lecciones dirigidas por el maestro.  Si eso no es posible, los maestros grabarán cada lección y le enviarán un enlace para que su hijo vea la grabación más tarde.

Las lecciones dirigidas por los profesores se llevarán a cabo en una plataforma que todos los profesores de FCPS estén utilizando llamada Blackboard ("24-7") Collaborate Ultra.  Cada maestro tendrá un enlace para entrar a su "aula" de Collaborate.  Cada estudiante utiliza el enlace de su maestro para entrar a la lección (clase virtual).  Collaborate Ultra hace que todos estén reunidos al mismo tiempo (como otras aplicaciones de reuniones en línea), permite a los profesores mostrar diapositivas si es necesario, y tiene herramientas estudiantiles que ayudan con las interacciones de clase (chat, levantamiento de manos, herramientas de acuerdo / desacuerdo, así como la capacidad obvia de hablar y verse entre sí).

Los maestros comenzarán las lecciones a tiempo de acuerdo con este horario.  Cuando termine la lección general, pedirán a algunos alumnos que permanezcan en Collaborate para una pequeña clase en grupos pequeños.  A otros estudiantes se les asignará algún trabajo para completar por su cuenta ese día.  Este trabajo puede estar en los paquetes de aprendizaje de FCPS o, si su hijo está en un grado superior, en su Google Classroom.   A lo largo de la semana, los maestros trabajarán para reunirse con cada estudiante a través de grupos pequeños o un seguimiento individual después de la lección principal en matemáticas y artes del lenguaje.

Los estudiantes que necesitan ayuda con sus asignaciones pueden comunicarse con sus maestros.  También tendremos varios miembros del personal de la escuela asignados para dar “Servicio de Asistencia para las Asignaciones”.  La información de como contactar a este personal de ayuda será publicada para que los padres o estudiantes los usen para obtener ayuda inmediata con su trabajo.

Le vamos a dar el horario semanal con enlaces para ver las lecciones de dos maneras cada semana.  Por medio del maestro de su hijo que enviará una comunicación por correo electrónico o por texto “REMIND” (como lo han estado haciendo) todos los viernes por la tarde con un horario de lecciones y asignaciones generales para la semana siguiente. Esto también se publicará en nuestro Coates Blackboard site.

 

Paquetes de aprendizaje por FCPS

Nos damos cuenta de que algunas familias no tienen acceso a Internet y que los niños a lo mejor no podrán unirse a estas lecciones.  En estos casos, ustedes usaran los paquetes de aprendizaje que FCPS está enviando directamente a su casa cada semana. La entrega de paquetes realmente comenzó la semana pasada.  Soy consciente de que muchos de ustedes recibieron su paquete a finales de la semana.  FCPS es consciente de los retrasos y han mejorado su proceso para que llegue a principios de cada semana durante el resto del año escolar.  Si no recibe paquetes, envíe un correo electrónico o recuerde un mensaje de texto al maestro de su hijo.  Toda la información de FCPS sobre el Plan de Aprendizaje a Distancia, incluyendo información sobre paquetes y orientación para los padres se puede encontrar  aquí.   Tenga en cuenta que esta semana es las vacaciones de primavera y no se envían paquetes.  El siguiente paquete llegara al alrededor del 13 de abril.

Si su hijo no está en línea, los maestros trabajarán para conversar con él o ella por teléfono semanalmente.  Por favor, hágale saber a su maestro la mejor manera de conectarse con usted o con su hijo para que pueda ayudarlo con las asignaciones que están en los paquetes.  La Sra. Solangie McPherson, nuestra enlace con los padres, puede ayudar a conectarse con la maestra (svmcpherson@fcps.edu  o llame a 703-925-3603 ).

Oportunidades de aprendizaje para los padres de Coates

Sabemos que, sin la enseñanza escolar tradicional con el contacto diario de ir a la escuela, los estudiantes pueden perder importantes habilidades académicas.  También sabemos que los padres están trabajando duro para mantener estas habilidades fuertes en casa.  Nuestra especialista en lectura, la Sra. Carole Puckett está liderando un equipo de maestros en el desarrollo de un programa para padres diseñado para ayudarle a apoyar mejor la lectura en casa.  Teníamos la intención de crear una serie de capacitaciones para padres para el otoño como un elemento de acción de nuestro nuevo “Home-School Compact”.  Pero esta situación de aprendizaje a distancia ha acelerado nuestro proceso.  Ustedes necesitan una orientación y habilidades ahora más que nunca, y tendremos oportunidades de capacitación virtual opcionales (pero le animamos que lo tome) para usted a finales de abril.

Estos talleres de lectura para padres serán específicos para cada nivel de grado y los niveles de lectura, con una sesión separada para los padres de los estudiantes que reciben apoyo con el idioma de inglés.  Damos la bienvenida a los padres de niños que son lectores fuertes y aquellos que necesitan más apoyo.  Les enfatizo que estos entrenamientos se adaptarán a los niveles de lectura, así que habrá algo para todos.

Recibirán más detalles sobre esto pronto.  Vea el correo electrónico y las redes sociales de Coates para un anuncio.

 

Calificación y promoción al siguiente nivel de grado

El Departamento de Educación de Virginia ha dejado claro a los representantes de todas las divisiones escolares que los estudiantes no repetirán su nivel de grado actual el próximo año debido a los cierres de escuelas.  En resumen, su hijo no será retenido (repitiendo su grado actual), a menos que hubiera una preocupación significativa sobre la madurez antes del cierre de la escuela.  En tales casos, su maestro le habría estado comunicando preocupaciones.

No habrá calificaciones desde el momento en que la escuela cerró (13 de marzo) hasta el final del año escolar.  Sin embargo, los maestros generarán calificaciones del tercer trimestre para reflejar lo que se evaluó hasta que las escuelas cerraron. En resumen, su hijo eventualmente recibirá un informe de progreso ("libreta de calificaciones"), pero solo tendrá calificaciones para el primer, segundo y tercer trimestre.

Si bien no hay más calificaciones para este año escolar, los maestros trabajarán duro para revisar y mantener las habilidades, enseñar nuevas ideas del plan de estudios y mantenerles informados como van los estudiantes.  Es muy importante que su hijo participe en las lecciones mencionadas anteriormente (si tiene acceso a Internet) y/o complete los paquetes de aprendizaje de FCPS y se conecte con los maestros cuando les llamen regularmente.  Si bien no se darán calificaciones, todavía estamos esforzándonos para mantenerlos aprendiendo y prepararlos para el siguiente nivel de grado.

Hablando de esto, les confirmo que las pruebas de Virginia “SOL” en los grados 3-6 se cancelan.

Prepararse para el 14 de abril

Esta semana son las vacaciones de primavera.  Comenzamos las lecciones oficiales con los profesores el martes 14 de abril.  Mientras tanto, sabemos que muchas familias tienen como objetivo mantener a sus hijos enfocados en el aprendizaje y nos gustaría tener la oportunidad de familiarizarse con la herramienta Collaborate Ultra.  Esto es lo que ofrecemos:

Lecciones del proyecto de positividad en Coates Facebook:  ¡vea qué fortalezas de las habilidades, no se lo pierda!

Jueves, 9 de abril a las 9:00

La subdirectora Mrs. Vigil dará una lección sobre Collaborate a los estudiantes de K-2 do grado              

Jueves, 9 de abril a las 9:30

La subdirectora Mrs. King dará una lección sobre Collaborate a los estudiantes de 3ro a 6 to grado

Lunes, 13 de abril a las 12:00

El Sr. Kraft dará una lección sobre Collaborate a los estudiantes de K-2nd grado

Lunes, 13 de abril a las 12:30

El Sr. Kraft estará enseñando una lección sobre Collaborate a estudiantes de 3ro-6to grado

 

Los enlaces para participar en estas lecciones de Collaborate se enviará por correo electrónico ese día.  Si hace clic en el enlace para unirse y le hace esperar o le da un mensaje de error, actualice el explorador de internet.  Eso suele funcionar.

 

Familias Coates, sé que este es el mensaje más largo que he enviado.  ¡Mis disculpas!  Normalmente quiero que mis comunicaciones con usted sean cortas y al grano.  Hay mucho que explicar ahora mismo.  Espero que lo lea todo.  Me puede preguntar cualquier pregunta ( jkraft@fcps.edu  ).  Espero comenzar nuestro programa la próxima semana, para ayudarle a mantener la estructura en casa, y hacer limonada de los limones que nos han dado.

Cuídese,

Jesse Kraft

Director Orgullos de la escuela Coates (  https://coateses.fcps.edu/  )

Redes sociales de Coates:

https://www.facebook.com/coateselementary/,  https://twitter.com/CoatesESy  https://www.instagram.com/coateselementary/

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 - Distance Learning

Coates Families,

I continue to hope that you’re OK and managing through these days.  The Coates staff is excited to reconnect with you and your students next week when we kick off our formal, distance learning program.  I know that there are several questions out there about the remainder of the school year, and this long message is my attempt to provide answers.  Read on to find specific information on the following topics:

• Coates Distance Learning Program – Schedule, Expectations, etc.
• FCPS Learning Packets
• Coates Parent Learning Opportunities
• Grading & Promotion to the Next Grade Level
• Getting Prepared for April 14

 

Coates Distance Learning Program

On April 14, teachers will begin live, online lessons three times daily, Monday-Thursday.  The schedule we’ll be following is below:

All this information will be on the Coates website this week.  I encourage you to bookmark the site.

You’ll notice that the teacher-led lesson times for K, 1st & 2nd grades are staggered from the lesson times for 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th grades.  This is to accommodate households where siblings are sharing computers or phones and to spread out the demand for wifi in homes.

To the best of your ability, please get your children into the teacher-led lessons on time.  If that is not possible, teachers will record every lesson and send you a link to the recording for your child to watch later.

The teacher-led lessons will take place on a platform that all FCPS teachers are using called Blackboard (“24-7”) Collaborate Ultra.  Each teacher will have a link to his/her Collaborate “classroom.”  Each student uses his/her teacher’s link to join the lesson.  Collaborate Ultra brings everyone together (like other online meeting apps), allows teachers to show slides if needed, and has student features that help with class interactions (chat, hand-raising, agree/disagree tools, as well as the obvious ability to talk to and see each other).

Teachers will begin lessons on time according to this schedule.  When the lesson with the “whole class” ends, they will ask some students to stay on Collaborate for a small group lesson or check-in.  Other students will be assigned some work to complete on their own that day.  This work may be in the FCPS learning packets or, if your child is in an upper grade, on his/her Google Classroom.   Throughout the week, teachers will work to meet with each student through a small group or individual check-in after the main lesson in math and language arts.

Students who need help with their assignments may contact their teachers.  We will also have multiple staff members serving on an Assignment Help Desk.  Their contact information will be posted for parents or students to use to get immediate help with their work.

We will get you the weekly schedule with links to lessons in two ways each week.  Your child’s teacher will send a communication through email or Remind (same as always) on Friday afternoon with a schedule of lessons and general assignments for the following week.  This will also be posted on our Coates Blackboard site.

 

FCPS Learning Packets

We realize that some families do not have internet access and that children may not be able to join these lessons.  In these cases, I direct you to the learning packets that FCPS is mailing directly to your home each week.   The packet delivery actually started last week.  I am aware that many of you received your packet late in the week.  FCPS is aware of the delays and has refined their process so that it arrives earlier each week for the remainder of the school year.  If you do not receive packets, please email or Remind text your child’s teacher.  All FCPS information on the Distance Learning Plan, including information on packets and guidance for parents can be found here.  Please note that this week is spring break, and no packets are being sent.  Look for the next one on or around April 13.

If your child is not online, teachers will work to conference with him or her over the phone weekly.  Please let your teacher know the best way to connect with you or your child so that s/he can help him/her with the packet assignments.  Mrs. Solangie McPherson, our parent liaison, can help with this  (svmcpherson@fcps.edu or call 703-925-3603 ).

Coates Parent Learning Opportunities

We know that without the benefit of in-person, traditional school, students may lose important academic skills.  We also know that parents are working hard to keep skills strong at home.  Our reading specialist, Mrs. Carole Puckett is leading a team of teachers in developing a program for parents designed to help you better support reading at home.  We had intended to create a series of parent trainings for the fall as an action item from our new Home-School Compact.  But this distance learning situation has accelerated our process.  You need guidance and skills now more than ever, and we’ll have an optional (but highly encouraged) virtual training opportunity for you by the end of April.

These parent reading workshops will be specific to grade levels and reading levels, with a separate session for parents of English learners.  We welcome parents of children who are strong readers and those who are struggling.  Again, the trainings will be tailored to reading levels, so there should be something for everyone.

More specifics on this will be coming to you soon.  Watch email and Coates social media for an announcement.

Grading & Promotion to the Next Grade Level

The Virginia Department of Education has made clear to school divisions that students will not be repeating their current grade level next year due to school closures.  Bottom line, your child will not be retained (repeating his/her current grade), unless there was a significant concern about maturity prior to school closures.  In such cases, your teacher would have been communicating concerns to you.

There will be no grades from the time when school closed (March 13) until the end of the school year.  However, teachers will generate third quarter grades to reflect what was assessed up until schools closed.  In summary, your child will eventually receive a progress report (“report card”), but it will only have grades for the first, second & third quarter.

While there are no further grades for this school year, teachers will be working hard to review and maintain skills, teach new ideas from the curriculum, and give feedback to students.  It is very important that your child participate in the lessons noted above (if s/he has internet access) and/or complete the FCPS learning packets and connect with teachers when they check in regularly.  While grades may be set aside, we are still fighting to keep them learning and prepare them for the next grade level.

On a related note, the Virginia SOL tests in grades 3-6 are canceled.

Getting Prepared for April 14

This week is spring break.  We start official lessons from teachers on Tuesday, April 14.  In the meantime, we know that many families aim to keep their kids focused on learning and would like the opportunity to get familiar with the Collaborate Ultra tool. 

We are offering optional Positivity Project Lessons this week!  See schedule below:

Wednesday, April 8 a pre-recorded lesson from Blackboard Collaborate, taught by our Ass’t Principals, will be shared on Facebook.

Thursday, Apr. 9 @ 9:00:  Ass’t Principal Mrs. Vigil will be teaching a lesson on Collaborate to K-2nd graders. 

Thursday, Apr. 9 @ 9:30:  Ass’t Principal Mrs. King will be teaching a lesson on Collaborate to 3rd-6th graders.

Monday, Apr. 13 @ 12:00:  Mr. Kraft will be teaching a lesson on Collaborate to K-2nd graders

Monday, Apr. 13 @ 12:30:  Mr. Kraft will be teaching a lesson on Collaborate to 3rd-6th  graders

 

Links to Collaborate lessons will be emailed to you by your child’s classroom teacher that day.  If you click the link to join, and it makes you wait or gives you an error message, refresh your browser.  That usually works.

 

Final Note:

Coates Families, I know that this is the longest message I’ve ever sent you.  My apologies!  I typically want my communications to you to be short and to-the-point.  There’s just so much to explain right now.  I hope you read it all.  Ask me any questions ( jkraft@fcps.edu ).  I look forward to kicking off our program next week, to helping you maintain structure at home, and making lemonade out of the lemons we’ve been given.

Take care,

Jesse Kraft

Proud Principal, Coates ES ( https://coateses.fcps.edu/ )

Coates Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/coateselementary/, https://twitter.com/CoatesES, & https://www.instagram.com/coateselementary/

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,

I hope you’re all doing well.  I miss you and your children, and I know our teachers feel the same. 

This message is intended to check in with you and reiterate a few relevant points that FCPS leadership have made recently.  I invite you to ask me or the teachers any questions during this strange time away from school.

First, I hope that any family that needs it is taking advantage of the Grab & Go out front of Coates each day.  We’re open from 8-2:30 serving free food to children for breakfast and lunch.  Adults may purchase for $2.  I know that some of our families are using the Grab & Go at Hutchison ES instead.  Please practice social distancing if you experience a line.  Special thanks to FCPS Food Services for taking care of our communities and to my boss, Ms. Becky Baenig for advocating for a Grab & Go site at Coates.

Next, I know that many parents appreciate having academic work for their children to do while at home over these many days.  As a parent myself, I am with you!  We need to keep our kids’ brains busy and having some school-related work adds much-needed structure to their days.  At this time, the school system has provided many great resources on its Blackboard site and fresh educational programming is already coming to FCPS’s local cable channel 21.  I know that your children’s classroom teachers may have provided some options to you as well.  Please know that at time, we are not yet in a formal, distance learning program, and all suggestions from teachers should be considered optional.  Nothing is graded.  Nothing is “extra credit.”  The school system is quickly developing smart plans for better continuity of learning, and they’re considering everything from the digital divide (families who have access to tech vs. those who do not) to issues of equity.  Above all else, they want our teachers to have the skills needed to shine as educators and engage kids in learning from a distance.   We will get there.

All that being said, I hope you’re able to use the resources mentioned above.  Parent to parent, I would tell you that most important academic thing you can do with your kids during this time is keep them reading.  Read to them, read with them, make them read to you and to themselves.  Have them talk about what was read so you can check their comprehension.  Let them see you reading yourself.  The best nonacademic thing you can do is spend quality time with your children.  One thing many of us have right now is the gift of time.

Last week, you should have gotten an email from FCPS offering you access to ParentVue (or Blackboard 24-7).  I hope that you did what you needed to do to get access.  If not, let us know.

Finally, I appreciate the many emails I’ve gotten this week from parents, neighbors, and faith partners asking what they can do to help Coates, the school system, or the community.  I’m not surprised these offers came in – our people are awesome like that.  Nonetheless, it was touching.  Currently, we do not have any operations at school that require help.  We’re practicing social distancing like you.  I’d say that the best thing you can do it check on your neighbors to see if they’re OK.  Share info, share food, and let them know you’re there.  Maintain that habit if the current state continues.

I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.  Please know that I do not have access to inside information on what the school system’s next moves will be.  I strongly believe that Dr. Brabrand and his leadership team are working through a situation that changes daily and must coordinate with CDC, the state, and other groups to navigate rules and guidelines and attempt to maintain a stellar school system while prioritizing public safety.  I also know from personal experience that they seek and use input from those of us running the schools, and I’m impressed by the work they’ve done and proud to be part of FCPS.  

Did I already say that we miss your kids?  

 

Take care,

Jesse Kraft, Proud Principal

jkraft@fcps.edu 

https://coateses.fcps.edu/

Coates Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/coateselementary/, https://twitter.com/CoatesES, & https://www.instagram.com/coateselementary/

 

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,

As a follow-up to Dr. Brabrand’s message, I want to reiterate that the most important thing to keep in mind is the health and well-being of our students, families, and staff.  Below are some reminders and Coates-specific info related to our current situation:

Pick Up Belongings or Laptops (3rd-6th) on Monday

The school will be open from 3:00 – 6:30 on Monday, March 16, for parents to access student belongings.  Any parent in grades 3-6 who would like to take home a school laptop computer may check one out during this timeframe.  This is optional During this time away from school, FCPS will be offering many learning opportunities that will keep our kids learning.  Many of these offerings will be online.  If you have a reliable computer at home for your children to use, there is no need to borrow from school.  We’re happy to provide a loaner if you need one.  For those who come on Monday, we have a great supply of free books on hand for parents to bring home as well (for all grades).

Free Internet If Needed

Comcast is providing free internet to low-income families. Use the link below to access information about free internet.

https://www.wxyz.com/news/national/coronavirus/comcast-offering-internet-essentials-package-free-for-60-months-during-coronavirus-outbreak?fbclid=IwAR318GCjDvZO0UviyMnIML6j_adHw9hVyGq97Yd366hXtN6u7TbtEBxwPek

 ParentVue Accounts

This weekend, FCPS will be pushing out emails to any parent who does not currently have a ParentVue account.  A ParentVue account makes it possible for parents to access the FCPS 24-7 (Blackboard) portal, which will soon have several resources for students to practice reading, math and other skills.  I hope that you’ll follow the directions on that email to establish a ParentVue account.   

Cable Channels – Continuity of Learning

FCPS is working to offer an instructional learning lineup on its local cable channel.  Additional instructional videos are being developed/recorded and will be added into the lineup as they are available.  Please check this week for programs that will benefit your children at home. 

COX

Channel 21/ 1021 (HD) is Elementary Programming

Channel 25/ 1025 (HD) is Middle School Programming

Channel 99/ 1099 (HD) is High School Programming

 

Assignments from My Children’s Teachers

As we settle in to this situation, we want to ensure that parents have resources at home to help their children maintain their academic skills.  Our original goal on Monday was for teachers to be on campus preparing a detailed distance learning plan.  We will not be accomplishing that on Monday, but I ask that all Coates parents stay tuned.  For the time being, use the learning resources provided by FCPS (mentioned above) and watch for eventual communication from me or your child’s teachers with guidance on skills to practice at home.  Please know that any assignment suggested will not be graded.  Our intention is to keep students engaged so that when we are back at school, they have not lost many of their skills, especially in reading and math. 

Grab & Go Meals for Those in Need

As noted in Dr. Brabrand’s message, FCPS Food Services is providing free meals to families during the school closure.  The closest site to us is Hutchison ES.  Breakfast will be available from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and lunch will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students are welcome to come to any of the sites to pick up a lunch during that time period.  

 

We encourage parents to partner with us as we seek to keep students engaged in learning.  We know this will require a great deal of flexibility and understanding on everyone's part as we navigate this new territory.  We want students to continue learning, but also recognize this is an unprecedented circumstance requiring a lot of patience.

I will share more guidance as I have information, but please enjoy this weekend and stay safe.

Jesse Kraft, Proud Principal

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.

Covid-19 Information

Please continue to read all correspondences from the superintendent or school board related to monitoring and addressing virus-related issues.  The latest info can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update .  Our 4th grade field trip to Jamestown, originally scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) is canceled.  We are working to see if rescheduling is possible and will communicate with 4th grade families as soon as we can.

If FCPS closes schools for a period of time and we activate a distance learning program, you will receive information on how to access assignments for your child on every platform we have (News You Choose, social media, Remind, etc.). Stay tuned!

 

Principal’s Message

Coates Families,

Starting this week, I’ll be sending home a short News You Choose each Thursday.  We’ll keep sending a paper copy of the monthly parent newsletter on the first Thursday of each month for the remainder of this year.  My weekly email will serve as a timelier sharing of current events at school and a reminder of upcoming events.

I hope this change keeps you better informed and connected to school.  This idea came from our discussions earlier this year when we were developing the Home-School Compact.  I hope it helps!

As a parent in FCPS myself, I’m very aware that schools and the school system sometimes hit us with too much information!  I never want to drop so much on you that our info does not get read.  So expect brevity as much as possible.

See below.  Watch for the next weekly Coates Parent Newsletter News You Choose email next Thursday.

Thanks! Jesse Kraft, Proud Principal

jkraft@fcps.edu

Vaping Presentation

Thanks to PTA for inviting Brian Maslowski , FCPS Alcohol, Tobacco & Drug counselor, to talk to our parents about vaping.  We learned a lot, and we’ll be prepared to recognize when kids vape (it’s not as easy as you think) and to talk to them about the many harmful effects of vaping.  If you missed it, do yourself a favor and check out the videos at https://www.fcps.edu/vaping/parents . There have been no cases of vaping at Coates, but we want to keep you informed on issues your kids may face in their teen years.

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
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Coates Families,

I hope that you are reading all of the information that FCPS has provided this week related to the school system’s response to covid-19 (corona virus) and other virus concerns. There’s a lot to digest, and I’m glad that FCPS’s leadership is working so closely with the Fairfax County Health Department to navigate this issue.  Obviously, Coates is in compliance with everything that FCPS requires or recommends.  As principal, I want to add a few supporting details and insights to the current situation. 

Our custodian team is reliable and is working hard every day and night to clean our school properly.  The standard cleaner that they use on surfaces does kill covid-19, and they have been sure to clean high-touch items like doorknobs, light switches, tables/desks, etc.  FCPS provided clear guidance to custodian teams on proper cleaning technique in recent weeks, and our monitor from the Facilities Office came to Coates this week to connect with our team and check on our practices. 

Our teachers have been cognizant of classroom items that are frequently handled and are cleaning these items more often.  While it’s not possible to observe and frequently clean every item that children may touch, we are making efforts to clean obvious items and equipment like laptops, instruments, etc.

I spoke to students on the Coates morning news show last week and this week to dispel blatant rumors, to encourage effective hand-washing, and to promote a normal, productive day of learning.  The news show aired short videos on proper hand-washing technique multiple times this week and last.

In line with FCPS guidance, Coates is moving forward with scheduled field trips unless orders change.  If any family is concerned about these trips and would like to opt out their child, they may contact their child’s teacher and our finance assistant, Mrs. Peckham (fpeckham@fcps.edu ), to inform us of their decision.  Parents who request reimbursement for field trip fees will get their money back.

In line with FCPS guidance, we established a space for any students showing symptoms of a virus that is separate from the health room.  This is a space where children can wait for parent pickup if needed. 

As you read yesterday, FCPS will be using this Monday, March 16 as a teacher workday (student holiday) so that staff can create distance learning plans if needed.  My hope is that such plans will not be needed.  Prior to FCPS’s decision yesterday, our administration had already met with each grade level team to consider what home assignments could look like.  I’m confident that students in K-6th grades would have meaningful academic work to complete at home in the event that school were to close for a time.  If that happens, we are mindful that many families may not have reliable internet service, and paper & pencil assignments must be available. 

Please continue to watch for any news from FCPS on this issue.  We are doing the same.  You may ask me any questions (jkraft@fcps.edu ).  But know that at school, our staff is working to take advantage of every day, focusing on learning and hard work.  In other words, we’re promoting a sense of normalcy to the best of our ability, and we appreciate your support in these efforts.

Jesse Kraft

Proud Principal, Coates ES

(703) 713-3000

https://coateses.fcps.edu/

https://www.facebook.com/coateselementary/

2480 River Birch Road, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Main Phone: 703.713.3000 
Report Absence Online  |  Attendance Phone: 703.713.3030
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Parent Newsletter                                              March 5, 2020

 

                                       Principal’s Message

Families,

At our PTA meeting on Feb. 12, we voted to accept our new Home-School Compact. I know that I’ve talked about the process a lot (probably too much!), but bear with me. What we have accomplished as a school community is rare these days! We came together and actually defined what "partnership" means for us. This ensures that we’ll have better plans moving forward. Teachers will do their part. Parents will do their part. But we’ll all do it better because we have clarity. Please read:

                            Families are committed to…

…communicating with school about the needs of their children. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, request info, or volunteer.

…taking advantage of communication from school. Stay on top of weekly info from the school and engage with teachers.

…sharing their traditions, stories, and in-sights with school so that Coates continues to embrace diverse contributions to a com-mon, supportive, and high achieving school culture.

…holding high expectations for their children at home and school.

….promoting reading skills and establishing a reading routine for their children at home.

    Teachers & school staff are committed to…

…communicating with families so that they are aware of school news, events, and curriculum and have timely, specific information on their children’s progress.

…taking advantage of communication from families. Reply to questions promptly, hold conferences, and proactively contact parents when needed.

…accepting responsibility for nurturing a welcoming school environment for all families and realizing the gift of learning about and supporting each individual student.

…holding high expectations for each student at school and partnering with parents when expectations are not met.

…teaching reading skills and providing families with resources and support for promoting literacy at home.

 

Now that we have a Home-School Compact, it’s time to convert ideas into action. See page 2 for some thoughts we gleaned from parents and staff on how to do that. Some changes will be coming this spring. Some will take shape in the fall. All ideas will use this compact as our guiding light. For those who supported this work, thanks for your part in making a great school even better!

Jesse Kraft, Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                     

Coates Home-School Compact Making it Come to Life!

Read the Coates Home-School Compact on page 1. Below are just a few of the ideas that have been generated so that we can make improvements consistent with our agreement!

Partnership Idea #1: Better Communication

All teachers send out a weekly communication to all interested parents sharing what’s being taught in class, but it currently comes to parents in different ways (emails, Remind texts) and on different days. Let’s bring consistency to weekly updates. Same day, Same way. To be implemented in fall 2020

 

Partnership Idea #2: Better Communication

A monthly newsletter goes out on the first Friday of each month (Thursday Folders and News You Choose email). Let’s do a weekly News You Choose. Keep it short enough to digest but timely enough so parents know what’s coming. (Keep Coates Facebook, Twitter & Instagram posting daily). To be implemented in March 2020!

Supporting Academics Idea #3: Reading Routines at Home

Parents want to make sure that their kids are strong readers, but they don’t always get specific guidance on how to promote reading skills at home. Let’s make a comprehensive guide for parents at each grade level that they’d

receive at Back to School Night. Opportunities to learn from our reading specialist would be offered to parents as well. To be implemented in fall 2020!

 

Partnership Idea #4: Maintain What’s Already Good!

Coates already does so many things that are consistent with the home-school compact. Parents & staff members should work to keep up these great efforts:

• International Night (April 17) as a way to learn about and celebrate each other!

• All PTA events that bring our families together!

• Parent-Teacher Conferences & Teacher-Student Conferences are some of the best ways to rally behind our kids. Keep them up and make even more conferences happen when needed.

• Evening parent trainings and work-shops are very helpful (depending on the topic). Keep offering these!

 

 

PTA Events & More!

Families,

A few notes from Coates PTA:

Tomorrow night, March 6 Panera at Worldgate will be fundraising for Coates from 4-8:00. Bring the flyer in this week’s Thursday Folder. Panera will donate a percentage of all sales to PTA!

Coates will be hosting a parent presentation on the dangers of vaping on March 11 at 6:30. Join us to learn how to prevent this habit in our kids!

International Night is taking place on April 17 from 6-8:00. This is one of our best annual events. Families are invited to share their history and culture with each other during this celebration of our diversity and common strengths! You may reserve a table to share artifacts or food from your family’s culture, your child may sign up to share a talent on stage that night, or you can just come as a learner. But mark your calendar! If you want to sign up for a cultural booth or have your child audition to perform, see the flyer in Thursday Folders!

Thanks to the parents who joined us for our President & Principal's Coffee this month. It was great getting to know you. If you or anyone is curious about Coates PTA or would consider helping in a leadership role next year, please let us know! Contact Mrs. Bowman at coatesptapresident@gmail.com or Mr. Kraft at jkraft@fcps.edu

Have a great month!

 

New Coates Gear!

Coates hats will be available for purchase soon. See Thursday Folders for order forms!

The hat sale is actually part of a special project in Mr. Olsen’s 6th grade class—Making a Business! Kids are managing the promotion, sales, ordering, distribution and more! Any profits will be donated to a charity that plants trees locally where needed. See Coates social media for more info on the unit.

Spread the Word!

Orientation for Next-Year’s Kindergartners

will be on April 22 from 10-11:00

This is a chance for new kindergartners and their parents to learn about Coates. There will also be time to complete registration paperwork after the orientation activities, but we encourage families to complete registration prior to orientation to avoid long lines.

If you have neighbors who have a child who will be 5 years-old by Sept. 30, please tell them about Orientation and encourage them to register their child at school. Many of next year’s families are not yet plugged in to Coates news, so we need word-of-mouth help!

When new families register late, it affects our staffing. FCPS will allot teachers to schools based on current enrollment, and we can’t show our enrollment for next year without registration paperwork! Hiring a new teacher in late August (due to an influx of enrollment) is difficult! National teacher shortages are real, and it’s a challenge to hire late. So spread the word!

Coates Website

Have you checked us out lately?

                    Go to https://coateses.fcps.edu/ for the following

•    SOL Testing Schedule
•    Calendar Updates
•    Links to Coates social media
•    Online Attendance Forms
•    Teacher Bios & Contact Info

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