Welcome Back! Please find all of the Beginning-of-Year information in one place. Open House, Parent SIS Accounts, Lunch, First Day of School, New FCPS policies, and much more.

Dear Aldrin Families,

You did it! Thank you for a great school year! In this last edition of the newsletter for the 2021-2022 school year, we included some resources which may be helpful over the summer. Have a great summer!

Click here for the current newsletter.

Highlights include:

• Slime Mr. Wolfe (All Grades)
• Summer Reading Resources  (All Grades)
• Summer Math Resources (All Grades)
• Summer Mental Health Resources  (All Grades)
• School Supplies  (Rising:K through Grade 6)
• Aldrin Office Summer Hours (All Grades)
• ParentVUE-Student Information System (SIS) Activation  (All Grades)
• Aldrin Updates Continuing in Summer (All  Grades)
• FCPS Spring Family Return to School Survey  (All Grades)
• Online Tutoring Will Continue to be Available this Summer  (All Grades)
• Important Immunization Requirement: Rising Seventh Graders (Grade 6)
• Kindergarten Registration  (2022-2023 Kindergarten families)
• Aldrin PTA Board 2022-2023 (All Grades)
• Sprout 2022-2023 School Supply Kits Now on Sale  (Rising : K through Grade 6)

Thanks,

Shane, Barbara, and Katie

Dear Aldrin Families,

Welcome Back! We are so excited to see all of the returning and new students in the school! It has been a great start to the year. The students are settling in and learning their daily routines. 

Click here for the current newsletter. 

Highlights include:

• Mark Your Calendar for a Special Event: An Evening with Dr. Reid (All Grades)
• Parents can Receive Text Messages from FCPS for Emergencies and Essential Information (All Grades)
• Back to School Night (All Grades)
• Late Arrival/Early Dismissal Procedures (All Grades)
• Please Submit School Forms (All Grades)
• Challenged Materials Review Committee – Two Parents Needed (All Grades)
• PTA Volunteers Needed (All Grades)
• Chipotle- Dining for Dollars (All Grades)

We are looking forward to a great year,

Shane and Barbara

Dear Aldrin Families,

We have many exciting activities happening in the school and with the PTA over the next few weeks!

Click here for the current newsletter. 

Highlights include:

• Student holiday/professional workday for teachers: Monday, September 26 (All Grades)
• Picture Day is September 21 (All Grades)
• Parent AAP Overview Meeting: September 22 (All Grades)
• When Should My Child Stay Home? (All Grades)
• Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15- October 15 (All Grades)
• Tutor.com:  FREE for students!  (All Grades)
• Attendance Procedures (All Grades)
• Parents can Receive Text Messages from FCPS for Emergencies and Essential Information (All Grades)
• Please Submit School Forms (All Grades)
• PTA Board 2022-2023  (All Grades)
• Chipotle Fundraiser Was a Success! (All Grades)
• Movie Night: This Friday-September 23  (All Grades)
• PTA Volunteers Needed (All Grades)

Thank you,

Shane and Barbara

October 14, 2022

Dear Aldrin Families,

We wanted to take a moment to remind you that FCPS Policy mandates that students in elementary school must keep cell phones (silenced) in their backpacks for the duration of the school day.  Given the popularity of smartwatches (which serve a dual purpose),  please remember that this rule applies to them as well. 

The Student Rights and Responsibilities Guide for Families (Grades K-12, 2022-2023, page 17) contains the following statement about the use of cell phones and smart watches for students in grades K-6:

Phones must be silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day.  Watches that serve a dual purpose (e.g., smartwatch) may be worn; however, phone features (e.g., texting, internet, calls, etc.) are to be off when cell phone use is prohibited.  Students are prohibited from using cell phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms unless there is a medical necessity or emergency.  Teachers may allow the use of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool, however, one-to-one FCPS devices should meet most needs.  Cell phones may be used on campus only before and after school.

We are asking that you partner with us to ensure that your child understands this protocol for cell phones and smart watches; our goal is to keep instructional time free of any devices that interfere with learning in the classroom.

Thank you,

Shane Wolfe

Principal

November 1, 2022

Dear Aldrin Families,

There are quite a few programs being reviewed and introduced in FCPS and at Aldrin specifically in the coming weeks. Please review the newsletter for the details!

Click here for the current newsletter. 

Highlights include:

• Daylight Savings Time Ends  (All Grades)
• Election Day (All Grades)
• Fall Picture Make-Up Day: November 9   (All Grades)
• Sixth Grade Group Panoramic Picture: November 9  (Grade 6)
• Body Safety Program  (All Grades)
• Opportunity for Students to Help Inform FCPS’ Future  (Grades 3-6)
• FLE Feedback  (All Grades)
• Federal Impact Aid Forms  (All Grades)
• Talking Points  (All Grades)
• Cell Phone and Smartwatch Policy  (All Grades)
• Parent Resource Center (All Grades)
• Tutor.com:  FREE for Students!  (All Grades)
• Aldrin Social Media (All Grades)
• Scholastic Book Fair (All Grades)
• WordMasters Volunteers Needed (Grades 3-6)
• Culture and Heritage Night  (All Grades)

Thank you,

Shane and Barbara

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

With the first quarter over, you will soon be receiving a progress report. On that report, you may notice a change in how we grade Language Arts progress.

In the past, progress reports have indicated if a student has been assessed using materials below, on, or above grade level. This year, teachers will report student progress using the scale of 1-4 on the grade level language arts standards. For students participating in Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Level 4, marks will be based on extended grade level standards.

This change will help ensure that caregivers understand how students are progressing toward grade level standards and reading skills. It will also help teachers communicate about each student’s strengths, and in what areas they need to improve as they progress through elementary school.

Teachers use a variety of information to provide a complete picture of each student’s literacy progress according to state and county standards. Parents/caregivers will receive more information about reading performance later this month in the iReady Parent Report. This report will be mailed to families (Grades 1-3) or be available through SIS ParentVue (Grades 4-6). It will also include information to help you understand the iReady Domain Scores.

If you have any questions, please contact your teacher.  You may also visit the Elementary School Grading and Reporting webpage or the Equitable Access to Literacy Plan page.

Fairfax County Public Schools

November 15, 2022

Dear Aldrin Families,

We are thankful for all of our families that make up the Aldrin Community! 

Click here for the current newsletter. 

Highlights include:

• Thanksgiving Holiday (All Grades)
• Body Safety Program  (All Grades)
• FCPS School Year 2023-2024 Calendar Survey  (All Grades)
• Opportunity for Students to Help Inform FCPS’ Future  (Grades 3-6)
• FLE Feedback  (All Grades)
• Talking Points  (All Grades)
• Parent Resource Center (All Grades)
• Tutor.com:  FREE for Students!  (All Grades)
• Scholastic Book Fair (All Grades)
• WordMasters Volunteers Needed (Grades 3-6)
• Seeking Volunteer Co-chairs for Bingo Night  (All Grades)

Thank you,

Shane and Barbara

Dear Aldrin Families,

We are at the end of the first semester! Please remember that tomorrow, Wednesday, January 25th is the end of the second quarter and is a  two-hour early release day. Therefore, students will be dismissed from Aldrin at 2:05 pm tomorrow. Students will be off from school as well this Thursday and Friday (January 26-27) for Professional Work Days. 

Click here for the current newsletter. 

Highlights include:

• Jan 25-27 Quarter End, Early Release and Student Holiday/Staff Development/Teacher Work Day (All Grades)
• Open Positions at Aldrin (All Grades)
• Student Transfer Renewal Application Information (All Grades)
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan Meetings for Families of Students with Disabilities  (All Grades)
• Dual Language Immersion Program Registration  (Pre-K and Kindergarten)
• Strategic Planning Community Forums Scheduled  (All Grades)
• Inclement Weather Cancellation Policy (All Grades)
• Tutor.com:  FREE for Students!  (All Grades)
• Talking Points  (All Grades)
• Winter Clothing Fund Drive (All Grades)
• Aldrin Skate Night Save the Date  (All Grades)
• Aldrin Skate Night Chair Needed!  (All Grades)
• Volunteers Needed: Staff Appreciation Week  (All Grades)

Thank you,

Shane and Barbara

February 21, 2023

Dear Aldrin Families,

March will be here before you know it!  Please note that there is a 2-hour Early Release (2:05 pm dismissal) on Thursday, March 2nd and a Student Holiday on Friday, March 3rd. 

Click here for the current newsletter. 

Highlights include:

• Black History Month  (All Grades)
• Literacy Night: March 1  (All Grades)
• 100 Days of School!  (All Grades)
• Yearbook Design Cover Contest: Deadline is Tomorrow! (All Grades)
• Kindergarten Orientation: April 13, 3:00 pm (Rising Kindergarteners)
• Open Position at Aldrin (All Grades)
• School Board Approves 2023-24 School Year Calendar  (All Grades)
• FCPS Summer Camp Registration (All Grades)
• Student Transfer Renewal Application Information  (All Grades)
• Dual Language Immersion Program Registration  (Pre-K)
• Equity, Excellence, and Opportunity  (All Grades)
• Low-Cost Internet for Free and Reduced-Price Eligible Students (All Grades)
• Healthy Relationships with People and Substances  (All Grades)
• Tutor.com:  FREE for Students!  (All Grades)
• Aldrin Skate Night is this Friday! (All Grades)
• Volunteers Needed: Skate Night this Friday!  (All Grades)
• Volunteers Needed: Staff Appreciation Week  (All Grades)
• Winter Clothing Fund Drive (All Grades)

Thank you,

Shane and Barbara

February 27, 2023

Dear Aldrin Families,

We want to let you know that a student at Aldrin is going to have a service dog on campus beginning on March 13, 2023. 

According to FCPS Regulation 2125, a service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.  A service animal is different from a therapy dog who visits all classrooms.  We are required to permit an individual with a disability to be accompanied by his or her service animal in all areas of the school facilities. 

The Service Dog is trained to provide service in a manner that does not disrupt the learning environment for others and is easily identifiable by its vest or harness.  Service dogs are working animals, not pets, and so are not to be petted or acknowledged in any way.  The Service Dog for Aldrin is named Brinley and she is a Labradoodle.  She will mainly be in the Grades 4, 5, and 6 pods, and school handlers will be assigned to ensure that everyone feels safe and comfortable.  We are planning to hold an orientation for all upper-grade students on March 7^th. 

We are all new to this protocol,  so please be patient with us as we work our way through what this will look like.

Thank you!

Shane and Barbara

March 8, 2023

Dear Aldrin Families,

Spring is getting closer! Please remember that this coming Sunday, March 12 at 2 am, Daylight Savings begins.  Clocks move ahead 1 hour!

Click here for the current newsletter. 

Highlights include:

• National Women’s History Month  (All Grades)
• Daylight Saving Begins (Spring Forward)  (All Grades)
• National School Social Work Week (All Grades)
• P2 Positivity Project-Spirit Week This Week!  (All Grades)
• Picture Day (All Grades)
• General PTA Meeting March 15  (All Grades)
• Kindergarten Orientation: April 13, 3:00 pm (Rising Kindergarteners)
• Parental Notifications and Policy 3290: Sexually Explicit Content  (All Grades)
• FCPS Summer Camp Registration (All Grades)
• Strategic Planning (All Grades)
• Tutor.com:  FREE for Students!  (All Grades)
• Aldrin Sixth Grade Basketball Game v Armstrong Elementary (All Grades)
• Volunteers Needed: Staff Appreciation Week  (All Grades)

Thank you,

Shane and Barbara

March 21, 2023

Dear Aldrin Families,

Happy Spring! We are looking forward to the nicer weather and the new beginnings that Spring brings!  

Click here for the current newsletter. 

Highlights include:

• National Women’s History Month  (All Grades)
• Next PTA General Meeting  (All Grades)
• Kindergarten Orientation: April 13, 3:00 pm (Rising Kindergarteners)
• FCPS Summer Camp Registration (All Grades)
• Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl  (All Grades)
• Proposed Updates to the SR&R (All Grades)
• Strategic Planning (All Grades)
• Attendance  (All Grades)
• Tutor.com:  FREE for Students!  (All Grades)
• Herndon Middle School Theatre presents 'Legally Blonde Jr.: The Musical' this weekend!  (All Grades)
• New Aldrin After School Programs Starting In April!  (All Grades)
• Volunteers Needed: Staff Appreciation Week  (All Grades)

Thank you,

Shane and Barbara