January 2019 LAFAYETTE UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THREE LEARNING LANE Issue 5 FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22401 (540) 310-0029 Fax—(540) 310-0671

Dear Lafayette Families,

2019 is here, and I am excited about anew year ahead. Let me begin by sharing that I hope your holiday break is enjoyable and I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I Hope all of our scholars take some time to identify and write down their new year’s goals. Display them in a visible place, share them with others, and use your brilliant imagination as you discuss what it will be like when these goals become reality. It is Inside this issue: my hope that it will be a valuable experience for our scholars, for their families, and for our teachers. What- ever your goals and expectations may be, I hope this year brings each of you great memories that you will PTA 2 cherish and new learning experiences that will help foster growth for you in some special way. IB Update 3 Since my first day at LUES, almost seven years ago to date, I have always set goals each year to remain Spelling Bee 4 open-minded to new opportunities and to learn something from each new person I meet. Over the last several years, there have been challenging times, difficult decisions, emotional moments, and uncomforta- Gr. 5 Parent News 4 ble debates, but they have helped me grow, reflect, and make progress. In fact, there are times when those Counseling Corner 5 obstacles have inspired me, strengthened my relationships with others, and even given me more courage and new vision of hope. For those reasons, I want to remind parents and caregivers that it is okay some- SCA 5 times for children to have a healthy level of conflict in their day. Use those moments as opportunities to talk with them about how to handle complicated problems and don’t be too quick to solve the problems for Inclement Weather 6 them. I know it is hard. I struggle with this as a parent at home all the time! However, it will build them to Super Lions 7 be productive thinkers, confident problem solvers, and help them manage themselves, which is so im- portant. I know personally that I have interacted with so many different people and faced such a variety of Menu 8 situations that have helped me become a better leader, colleague, teacher, learner, friend, son, brother, father, and husband. For that, I want to thank everyone who has been part of our learning community, and especially those that have supported me over the last 20 years in FCPS. While I continue even today, to find a daily balance among all of these roles and responsibilities, I know that there are so many kind and caring individuals who work as a team to make Lafayette an amazing place.

Ironically, many of the individuals who have inspired me most over the last two decades are the scholars, your children! Each one of them has a fascinating story that makes them who they currently are, and I am so grateful for that. They are often the ones I learn from the most the are the reason I wake up each morn- ing with curiosity and hope. They give me strength and courage to walk this path as principal, and my goal this yes is to do my best to give back to them what they have given to me. Perhaps in 2019, I can inspire each of you to see the magic that I see in children when they are learning, listening, laughing, sharing and playing. Not just in your children, but in ALL children!

UPCOMING EVENTS May you all have a healthy and happy New Year in 2019, and I hope everyone is faced with new and ex- citing opportunities to learn and grow! 1/3— Return from Break 1/7-1/11-Family Life Week Sincerely, 1/11- Super Lions Luncheon 1/11—Gr. 3 Dance 1/16- Division-Wide Spelling Bee T. Matthew Terry 1/16 –Parent Adv. Mtg.. Principal 1/16- PTA Meeting 1/18- Sports Day 1/21—NO SCHOOL 1/25-FCPS School Color Day 1/31- End of Grading Period Page 2 GRADE 3

In Literacy, we are continuing our American Reading topic of BUGS. Scholars have each chosen a bug that they are researching, reading, and writing about. We are working away on our bug books now through the use of graphic or- ganizers and researching tools! As we finish up unit 2 in our inquiry into science, scholars are learning about food chains, predator and prey, endangered species, and human impact. When we move into our third unit, our focus will switch to simple machines and soil.

Lastly in Math, scholars are exploring fractions. We are working on identifying, writing, and compar- ing fractions, as well as mixed numbers. It is a great time for exploration and creativity in grade 3.

GRADE 4

Happy New Year to all! We hope you have a wonderful and relaxing break that will be filled with good times with family and friends. Scholars will be ready for a new year of inquiry.

In Literacy, scholars will finish their research on U.S. States and prepare their final products to showcase their re- search. We will then begin our historical fiction unit.

In Math, scholars will begin their unit on fractions. The unit will include comparing and ordering fractions, finding equivalent fractions, and adding and subtracting fractions.

In Core, scholars will be completing their unit on 20th and 21st century Virginia. This will be followed by

PTA UPDATE

WATCH D.O.G.S. DADS

We are so thankful for all of our volunteers who have already signed up and participated this year to be a “Watch D.O.G.S. Dad”. Teachers, staff, and scholars love having all our dads volunteer at school. We have more slots available for 2019, so please sign up if you can. If you love volunteering and making a difference, why not sign up for multiple days. The Sign-Up Link is: http:// www.signupgenious.com/go/20f0c49aaab2ba1fe3-watch4.

GRADE 3 DANCE

The PTA will be hosting a dance for all grade 3 scholars on Friday, January 11 from 3:45 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Admis- sion is $1.00 and must be paid by January 10. Parents must pick up their children by

Page 3 GRADE 5

It is hard to believe that it will soon be January. The year certainly is moving along quickly. Here are a few items that the scholars will be working on in January along with our current IB unit: How We Organize Ourselves (An inquiry into the structure and function of Organizations). We will be concentrating on how conflict motivates change.

In Reading and Writing, the scholars will be continuing to read and develop reading skills within nonfiction text. As you know, the more our scholars read-the better readers they will be! So, please encourage your children to com- plete their 15 minutes of reading at home every night, and take the opportunity to discuss what they are reading about. Also, remind them to write their steps in the reading log each night.

In Social Studies, scholars will be studying the colonization of North America. Specific, focus will be given to the colonies of Jamestown, Roanoke Island, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Massachusetts Bay, and Plymouth. The scholars will be able to differentiate between New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern colonies.

In Math, scholars have been exceptionally busy. They have already worked on fractions, and will be working on units of measurement for the month of January. Scholars will be responsible for knowing the proper way to measure length, volume, mass, and elapsed time.

Thank you for your support as we go through the school year. Please continue to encourage your child at home to do his/her best at school. By working together, we can make this a successful year for each child.

IB UPDATE

This month, scholars are engaged in their 3rd Unit of Inquiry. In Third Grade, scholars are working on the theme, “How the World Works”. They are exploring the central idea, “Humans use materials to increase efficiency” by learning about simple machines and energy.

Fourth grade scholars are engaged in the unit “How We Organize Ourselves”. As they study Virginia History from the Civil War through the 20th century, they are looking at the central idea, “Learning about perspectives in history helps us understand the connection between the past and the present”.

Fifth grade scholars are also working on the unit, “How We Organize Ourselves”. As they learn about the Colonial Era and the Revolutionary War, they are considering the central idea, “Conflict motivates change”. We are enjoying learning through these transdisciplinary units!

Page 4 SPELLING BEE

GRADE 3

Winner: Simren Chhetri Runners Up: Aaliyah DeJesus and Addison Dyer

GRADE 4

Winner: Nashon Dorcely Runner Up: Mallory White

GRADE 5

Winner: Jack Schaffer Runners Up: Ja’Rell Harris and Mikayla Fernandez:

ATTENTION GR. 5 PARENTS

Grade 6 is right around the corner. Please read this important reminder!

Virginia State Law requires all students to have a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) booster shot prior to starting 6th grade. We are letting you know this now, so you can plan ahead.

This immunization may be obtained by your regular physician, or military clinic. If your child does not have a regular physician, the Tdap shot may be obtained from the local Health Department every Tuesday from 8:00 A.M.—12:00 P.M. Please call ahead for an appointment.

Fredericksburg Health Department 608 Jackson Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-899-4142

Please bring documentation to the school nurse when your child receives his/her Tdap shot so we can update his/her school records.

Page 5 COUNSELING CORNER

School counselors are licensed professionals, trained in human development, career information and development, tests and measurements, and social cultural issues. The school counselors at LUES provide programs that in- clude preventative services; individual and small group counseling; classroom guidance lessons; informative and referral services.

Ms. Janet Nelson—All of 4th grade and the following 5th grade homerooms (Cobb, Janda, Slane, Flora, Tay- lor, S. Grabman)

Mrs. Annette Richards—All of 3rd grade and the following 5th grade homerooms (Anderson, Draughn, Spanovich, Powell, Van Tassell, Swain, and E. Grabman)

IMPORTANT DATES

End of Grading Period—January 31

Report Cards Go Home—February 8

Gifted Referrals for 3rd Quarter due February 11 (Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Intellectual)

SCA

FUNDRAISER FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA/PENNIES FOR PATIENTS

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society sponsors a program which strives to educate the public about Leukemia and related illnesses. Part of their outreach is to sponsor a fundraiser which raises funds to support research in this field. Lafayette’s Student Cooperative Association has been supporting this ef- fort by collecting pennies to donate with your children. This will take place at school for the month of January. You may write a tax deductible check or make a donation on line. Thanks for your support of this worthy cause.

THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL MEET AT THE WALKER-GRANT CENTER AT 6:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019. ANYONE WITH AN INTEREST IN SPECIAL EDUCATION IS WEL- COME.

THE SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD (SHAB) WILL MEET AT THE WALKER-GRANT CENTER AT 8:30 A.M. ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019. ALL ARE WELCOME.

. e made according to the proce- the to according made e b l shal notification and request Such division. the within school any as codes zip contiguous or same the in offenders sex tered

and from school, attend school or at school at or school attend school, from and electronic notification of regis- of notification electronic automatic request shall Division School City Fredericksburg the activities, related -

The Fredericksburg City Public School Division recognizes the danger sex offenders pose to student safety. Therefore, to prot to Therefore, safety. student to pose offenders sex danger the recognizes Division School Public City Fredericksburg The students while they travel to to travel they while students ect

STATEMENT OFFENDER SEX

Any questions should be referred to Sue Keffer, 210 Ferdinand Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 or by calling (540) 372 (540) calling by or 22401 VA Fredericksburg, Street, Ferdinand 210 Keffer, Sue to referred be should questions Any 1130. -

activities. or programs its in employment of treatment of admission in disability or

, religion, age, sexual orientation, orientation, sexual age, religion, , gin ori national color, gender, creed, race, of basis the on discriminate not does Division School Public City Fredericksburg The

RESIDENT STUDENT ENROLLMENT STUDENT RESIDENT - NON OF MATTER THE IN

Law. Federal Under Handicaps with Individuals of Rights The 1973: of Act Rehabilitation the of 504 Section

assistance. financial federal receiving activity or program any under discrimination to subjected be or of, benefits the nied

the participation in, be de- be in, participation the rom f excluded be handicap, his/her of reason by solely shall, States United the in individual handicapped qualified otherwise No

Counseling Office if you have any questions or would like to refer your child for screening and possible assessment. possible and screening for child your refer to like would or questions any have you if Office Counseling

services. Please call the the call Please services. on educati special or 504 under accommodations for qualify may he/she problem, physical or learning of type any has child your If

504 ACCOMODATIONS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION SPECIAL AND ACCOMODATIONS 504

mail account and/or cell device that you register with the site. the with register you that device cell and/or account mail

at https: www.fredericksburgalert.com to receive school closing and emergency notifications via any e any via notifications emergency and closing school receive to www.fredericksburgalert.com https: at -

Announcements are posted as quickly as possible. You may also sign up for Fredericksburg Alerts Alerts Fredericksburg for up sign also may You possible. as quickly as posted are Announcements above.

We encourage parents to visit our website or listen to one of the radio or television stations listed listed stations television or radio the of one to listen or website our visit to parents encourage We

(DC) 7 Channel – Television WJLA 

(DC) 9 Channel - Television WUSA 

(DC) 4 Channel - Television WRC 

Channel 8 (Richmond) 8 Channel - Television WRIC



Channel 6 (Richmond) 6 Channel - Television WTVR



107.7) (FM Radio WTOP 

104.5) (FM - Radio WGRX 

95.9) (FM - Radio WGRQ 

AM1230) and 101.5 (FM Radio 101.5 WFVA/B 

96.9) (FM - Radio WWUZ 

99.3) (FM - Radio WVBX 

93.3) (FM - Radio WFLS 

83 Channel – Access) Educational (Local TV FCPS 

Fredericksburg.com

www.cityschools.com website: Schools Public City Fredericksburg

following: the of one checking

Information concerning school closings or delays for Fredericksburg City Public Schools may be found by by found be may Schools Public City Fredericksburg for delays or closings school concerning Information

6 Page

.

— Coghill G. and Tash, R. Hetzlein, nett, Hart Emmet and Vezina Elizabeth

derson, Swain, E. Grabman, Powell, Van Tassell, Ben- Tassell, Van Powell, Grabman, E. Swain, derson, An- Spanovich, Draughn, 2: Team 5 Gr.

Gr. 5 Team 1: Cobb, Janda, S. Grabman, Blair, Slane, and Flora and Slane, Blair, Grabman, S. Janda, Cobb, 1: Team 5 Gr. Quinton Jack and Rashad Giselle —

Watson Evan and

Susannah Furrow Furrow Susannah Griffin: and Brooks, Melber, Swider, Scovell, Murray, Scruggs, Borling, Graebner, 2: Team 4 Gr.

Layton

Gr. 4 Team 1: Hoosier, Brady, Suggs, Finnerty, Stadler, Herrera, and Bolling and Herrera, Stadler, Finnerty, Suggs, Brady, Hoosier, 1: Team 4 Gr. Khyden Khyden and Serpas Ramirez Daniela —

Will Dickinson Will and Ball Cara

– Hynes and Schwabenbauer, Tash, B. Stefanov, Mohrman, Burns, Overstreet, Herbert, Team: Orange 3 Gr.

Lela Madi Madi Lela — Clark and Balanon, - Sillas Tolbert, Addair, Team: Yellow 3 Gr. Cifuentes Maldanado Anderson and

Ni Ao and Barham Kylie – Taylor and Gallicchio, Engel, Killion, Team: Green 3 Gr.

Those scholars selected for the month of of month the for selected scholars Those are: December

Jivas Hernandez Jivas and Brown Christian — Coghill G. and Avila -

Gr. 5 Team 2: Draughn, Spanovich, Anderson, Swain, E. Grabman, Powell, Van Tassell, Bennett, Hetzlein, R. Tash, Tash, R. Hetzlein, Bennett, Tassell, Van Powell, Grabman, E. Swain, Anderson, Spanovich, Draughn, 2: Team 5 Gr.

Gr. 5 Team 1: Cobb, Janda, S. Grabman, Blair, Slane, and Flora and Slane, Blair, Grabman, S. Janda, Cobb, 1: Team 5 Gr. Lynn Phillip and Fuller Lola —

McDonald Xavier and Sellman

Gr. 4 Team 2: Graebner, Borling, Scruggs, Murray, Scovell, Swider, Melber, Brooks, and Griffin: and Brooks, Melber, Swider, Scovell, Murray, Scruggs, Borling, Graebner, 2: Team 4 Gr. - Labarca Brianne

Gr. 4 Team 1: Hoosier, Brady, Suggs, Finnerty, Stadler, Herrera, and Bolling and Herrera, Stadler, Finnerty, Suggs, Brady, Hoosier, 1: Team 4 Gr. Brooks Jamari and Moss Taylor —

Wine Michael and Hamrouni

Gr. 3 Orange Team: Herbert, Overstreet, Burns, Mohrman, Stefanov, B. Tash, Schwabenbauer, and Hynes and Schwabenbauer, Tash, B. Stefanov, Mohrman, Burns, Overstreet, Herbert, Team: Orange 3 Gr. Aminah Aminah –

Gr. 3 Yellow Team: Addair, Tolbert, Sillas Tolbert, Addair, Team: Yellow 3 Gr. Almas and Rivers Ananiya — Clark and Balanon, -

Gr. 3 Green Team: Killion, Engel, Gallicchio, and Taylor and Gallicchio, Engel, Killion, Team: Green 3 Gr. Jr. Robinson, Chaz and Jones Sunday –

are: November of month the for selected scholars Those

guidelines R.OA.R. and Olweus follow must Lion Super 

behavior) positive of (demonstration Behavior 

effort) best forth putting (consistently Performance Academic 

others) and self to respect (shows Citizenship 

others) and self of (leadership Traits Leadership 

criteria: following the on based chosen, are

cember. Teachers on each grade level nominate one boy and one girl from each POD. Scholars Scholars POD. each from girl one and boy one nominate level grade each on Teachers cember.

Congratulations to the following scholars for being chosen as Super Lions of the Month for November and De- and November for Month the of Lions Super as chosen being for scholars following the to Congratulations

LIONS SUPER

7 Page JANUARY LION CALENDAR

January is National School Board Recognition Month!

Thursday, January 3 - Return Back from Winter Break

Monday, January 7- Friday, January 11 - Family Life Week

Friday, January 11 - November Super Lions Luncheon—11:00 A.M. - December Super Lions Luncheon—11:30 A.M. - PTA Grade 3 Dance—3:45—5:00 P.M.

Wednesday, January 16 - FCPS Division-Wide Spelling Bee—WGMS-9:00 A.M. - Parent Advisory Comm. Mtg.—5:00 P.M. - PTA Meeting—6:00 P.M.

Friday, January 18 - Sports Day

Monday, January 21 - NO SCHOOL

Friday, January 25 - FCPS School Color Day

Thursday, January 31 - End of Grading Period - Read Across Curriculum Night—6-7:00 P.M.