FCPS

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Thank you to our amazing PTA and Vanessa Varma, our Teacher Appreciation Chair, for spreading kindness and love to our staff with special Valentine’s treats! Your generosity and thoughtfulness mean so much and are truly appreciated. ❤️

🗓️ Calendar Reminders

Feb. 17: No School, President's Day

Feb. 19: PTA Morning Enrichment (8:15 a.m.), PTA Meeting (9:30 a.m.) & PTA Pep Squad (4:00 p.m.)

Feb. 21: PTA 6th Grade Boys Basketball Practice (4:00 p.m.)

Feb. 24: PTA Math Olympiads (8:15 a.m.), 3-Hour Early Release (1:05 p.m.) & PTA 6th Grade Girls Basketball Practice (4:00 p.m.)

📆 Monday, Feb. 24: 3-Hour Early Release

Keep an eye out on Tuesday for our early release confirmation email! Any changes to your student(s) dismissal plans for Monday, Feb. 24 should be directed to the main office.

📌 SAVE-THE-DATE: 2025-26 Kindergarten Orientation 👕 Clothing Drive

Sunrise Valley fifth grader Emma Morrow Nabors is working toward her Girl Scout Bronze Award by organizing a clothing drive to support Women Giving Back (WGB), a nonprofit that provides free clothing to women and children in crisis across the DMV. Emma’s goal is to collect at least one item of gently used children’s clothing per student at SVES (563+ items) to help address WGB’s greatest need. Donations of shirts, pants, shoes, coats, and more (excluding used underwear, socks, and bathing suits) are greatly appreciated. A collection box is located in the lobby for donated items. Thank you for your support!

👩🏼‍🏫 Parents Make the Best Substitutes!

We LOVE having our parents step into the classroom as substitute teachers! You know our students, our school, and our values—making you the best fit to support our kids.

If you've ever considered subbing, we'd love to have you! Reach out to learn more.

PTA Meeting Next Week: Learn About Get2Green

Join us at the next PTA meeting on Wednesday, February 19, at 9:30am in the cafeteria where kindergarten teacher, Stefanie Marik, will speak about Get2Green, the environmental stewardship program for Fairfax County Public Schools. At Sunrise Valley, the Get2Green team is looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint and increase our appreciation for the natural world. Please contact Stefanie Marik or Karen Buckley for more information, suggestions, or ideas for new members (everyone is welcome!).

Basketball Challenge: Deadlines for Cheer Teams and Spirit Wear

All Sunrise Valley students and families are invited to attend the Sunrise Valley + Fox Mill Basketball Challenge at South Lakes High School on Friday, March 14. Come cheer on Sunrise Valley as our sixth graders and teachers take on Fox Mill, while our Pep Squad and Cheer Team perform rocking dance numbers at halftime. Don’t miss this annual school-wide tradition filled with fun, food, and friendly competition, including a half-time skills competition all students can enter via raffle. Deadlines Approaching to Register Student Participants for Dance Teams:  

• Grades K-2 Pep Squad: Learn a short dance routine at recess and perform it at halftime during the challenge. Sign up by midnight tonight! Questions? Contact Stacey Graf.
• Grades 3-6 Cheer Team: Make posters, learn cheer + dance routines to perform at the event, and cheer from the courtside. Sign up by February 21. Questions? Contact Victoria Stacy.

Last chance to pre-order this year's spirit shirt! Store closes tonight at midnight.  Sunrise Valley is wearing BLUE this year! View and order this year’s spirit shirt and swag packs online. Questions? Contact Karina Mondragon di Nica.

 

Admission tickets and food pre-orders will open next week. Questions? Contact Jennifer Glynn. 

Request for $25 Safeway Gift Cards For Dogwood Elementary School Families

Dogwood Elementary School has recently had an increase in new refugee families and students on homeless status. The Dogwood administration gives $25 Safeway gift cards to support families in need of food assistance, but they've run out. If you're interested in donating a $25 Safeway gift card (Safeway is walkable for most Dogwood families), please drop them off at the Sunrise Valley front office now through the end of March. Questions? Contact Geetha Estep and Angeline Van Evera.

SVES Quick Links

• Sunrise Valley ES
• SVES Assessment Calendar
• FCPS School Year Calendar
• PTA Website
• 🌟Recognize a SVES Staff Member
• 📸Submit SVES Photos via Dropbox

Follow Us! Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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🗓️ Calendar Reminders

Feb. 10: PTA Math Olympiads (8:15-9:00 a.m.) & PTA 6th Grade Girls Basketball Practice (4:05-5:30 p.m.)

Feb. 11: Yearbook Committee Meeting (8:15-9:10 a.m.)

Feb. 12: PTA Before School Enrichment (8:15-9:00 a.m.)

Feb. 14: Yearbook Committee Meeting (8:15-9:10 a.m.) & PTA 6th Grade Boys Basketball Practice (4:05-5:30 p.m.)

Feb. 17: School Holiday, George Washington's Birthday & Presidents' Day

Calling all Fourth and Fifth Grade Parents

Does your child love basketball? We're looking for a few 4th and 5th grade parents to help run concessions at this year's Basketball Challenge on Friday, March 14, so that this year's 6th grade parents can watch their kids compete. This also is a great opportunity to learn how this event works, if you think your child will want to compete when they're in 6th grade! Contact Jennifer Glynn if you can help.

Last Chance to Register Sixth Grade Basketball Players

Sign ups to be on the girls or boys 6th grade basketball teams for the March 14th Basketball Challenge against Fox Mill close at midnight tonight (Sunday, February 9). If your sixth grade student wants to participate, sign them up here today! 

Register for Feb. 24th Early Release Camp by Sunrise Valley PTA

We're excited to offer Sunrise Valley students two camps for Early Release Mondays, Magnus Chess and Kid Create Studio (Feb. theme is Mini Mania). Both camps will run from 1:05-4:05pm on Monday, February 24. Register by Friday, February 14! Questions? Contact Shreema Dungarani. 

Sign Ups Now Open for Show What You Know

Show What You Know (SWYK) is an annual favorite FREE event open to all Sunrise Valley students. By showcasing their learning and knowledge in a particular subject area, students have fun sharing information they've learned with others, and feel a sense of pride for a job well done. This year’s event will be held on the evening of Wednesday, March 26, at SVES. Register your child now through Friday, February 28. The PTA is committed to access for all students. If your child needs financial support to purchase a board or other supplies for SWYK, contact Jen Savory by Friday, March 7.  

SVES Quick Links

• Sunrise Valley ES
• SVES Assessment Calendar
• FCPS School Year Calendar
• PTA Website
• 🌟Recognize a SVES Staff Member
• 📸Submit SVES Photos via Dropbox

Follow Us! Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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🗓️ Calendar Reminders

Feb. 4: Principal Coffee (9:30-10:30 a.m.)

Feb. 5: PTA Spring Enrichment Begins (8:15-9:00 a.m.) & SVES Chorus Performance at GMU Basketball Game (7-9:00 p.m.)

Feb. 7: PTA Spelling Bee (5:00 p.m.)

Feb. 10: PTA Math Olympiads (8:15-9:00 a.m.) & PTA 6th Grade Girls Basketball Practice (4:05-5:30 p.m.)

Feb. 11: Yearbook Committee Meeting (8:15-9:10 a.m.)

Hello Families! It's hard to believe we're already heading into February, rounding out winter and looking forward to spring! 

November, December, and January brought many holidays and snow days, giving us time to enjoy with family and loved ones. Now, our students are settling back into routines, and learning is picking up right where we left off!

At the start of the new year, we’ve welcomed several new faces to the Sunrise Valley community! Ms. Lindsay Smith is joining us as a student monitor, and Ms. Estep mentored her during her first two weeks. Student monitors step into classrooms to support instruction, giving teachers additional and valuable planning time.

We’re also excited to have Ms. Jordan "Gigi" Kriegel, as a counselor intern working with Ms. Savory. Additionally, we have several interns from South Lakes High School joining us to explore fields such as ESOL, Counseling, Physical Education, and Classroom Teaching. We love opening our school to interns and student teachers! 

February marks the start of recruitment season.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented staff at Sunrise Valley and hope they will remain a part of our community for many years to come. However, we understand that life brings changes—whether new opportunities, shifting priorities, or the desire for something different—and we fully support our staff's decisions. As we receive intent to return forms, we will begin interviewing and hiring for any open positions. Sunrise Valley will continue to seek candidates who prioritize students, value collaboration, and are passionate about making a positive impact.

We continue to thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration, a true partnership!

Ashley Younger & Jody Delaney

POG-POL

All students at Sunrise Valley reflect on their progress in Portrait of a Graduate skills through Presentations of Learning (POG POL).  As a school we are focused on the Goal Directed and Resilient Individual attribute for the 2024-2025 school year.  Through discussions, exhibitions or presentations, students will participate in a Presentation of Learning by the end of the school year.  By participating in a POG POL, students have a chance to reflect on their learning by focusing on how they’ve grown, how they can prove their growth, and why it matters in the future.  Learn more at the FCPS POG POL website.  For prompts on discussing Goal-Directedness and Resiliency at home can be found here.

GRATEFUL FOR OUR PTA PARTNERSHIP!

We are so fortunate to have an incredibly generous and engaged PTA. Below are a few recent ways that the support has impacted students and staff. 

PTA Mini Grants

6th Grade Blankets

Just before Winter Break, sixth graders spent an afternoon making fleece blankets. The project helped reinforce the mathematical concepts of measurement, area, and perimeter while providing the students with service hours. The blankets were donated to the Cornerstones Shelter in Reston.  Since 1970, Cornerstones has worked purposefully to strengthen the Reston community and help families living in crisis rebuild their self-sufficiency, resiliency, and hope. This was a great way for the students to give back to our community.  The project was made possible by a grant from the Sunrise Valley PTA; thank you! 

#FRIDAYSFORYOU

Simple, yet delicious, "No Bake" Treats! 

On Friday, we hosted our second #FRIDAYSFORYOU event, an initiative we started this year to prioritize staff wellness by carving out time for self-care and connection. Alexis Estep led the group in making several delicious no-bake snacks, making for a fun and enjoyable morning!

It was a wonderful way to start the day, filled with laughter and time to connect.

A big thank you to Alexis for leading the session and to the PTA for purchasing the ingredients that made this event possible!

2025 US Math Recovery Council National Conference

Inspiring Minds and Shaping Tomorrow

 

Thanks to our amazing PTA, two of our teachers, Ms. Stitzel and Ms. Walker, will be attending the Math Recovery Conference in May! We’re excited about the learning that will take place and the positive impact it will have on our students when they return. Additionally, Math Resource Teacher, Ms. Falkey, will be presenting at the conference! We know her presentation will make a meaningful impact on the many participants, and we look forward to the valuable insights she will bring back to share with our teachers and students.

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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Broadway Night: BEGINS TONIGHT!

Come join more than 250 talented musicians in grades 5-12 as the South Lakes Pyramid celebrates 100 years of Broadway, and 20 years of Broadway Night!  Get your tickets today! Friday 1/31 at 7PM and Saturday at 2 PM and 7PM. https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15621/south-lakes-high-school-theatre

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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We experienced another week of snow and ice, which resulted in increased use of Kiss & Ride and necessitated some changes to our arrival/dismissal routines. We appreciated your patience and flexibility. Next week is expected to be quieter, with a bit warmer temps and sun!

Just a reminder that second quarter ends on January 28 (a full school day), followed by a teacher workday and no school for students on Wednesday, January 29.

Ashley Younger & Jody Delaney

🗓️ Calendar Reminders

Jan. 27: PTA Math Olympiads (8:15-9:00 a.m.)

Jan. 28: Last Day of Second Quarter (full school day)

Jan. 29: No School, Teacher Workday

Feb. 4: Principal Coffee (9:30-10:30 a.m.)

Feb. 5: PTA Spring Enrichment Begins (8:15-9:00 a.m.) & SVES Chorus Performance at GMU Basketball Game (7-9:00 p.m.)

Feb. 7: PTA Spelling Bee (5:00 p.m.)

Principal's Coffee: Feb. 4

We look forward to seeing you at our next Principal's Coffee on February 4. We will host a general Q&A session. Submit your questions here (questions should be general and not student specific).

Last week to register for Sunrise Valley's Spelling Bee!

Friday, February 7, 5:30pm (doors @ 5pm)

All Sunrise Valley students (K-6) are invited to participate in the 2025 Sunrise Valley Spelling Bee. This is a FREE event! Register here by Friday, January 31. 

This year's study list and other reference materials are available on Google Drive. Questions? Contact Stephanie Kater. 

Submit a design for this year's Show What You Know t-shirt!

Submissions are due Friday, January 31

Is your child artistic? Invite them to create an original drawing or original graphic design for the t-shirt that all participants will receive at this year's Show What You Know! SWYK is an annual Sunrise Valley event at which students demonstrate their knowledge or passion about a topic by creating a poster and sharing it with other students and our community.  

• The design should say "Sunrise Valley Elementary School Show What You Know 2025" and be drawn with black ink on a white backdrop.
• Submit design by email to Jennifer Glynn, on paper to the front office, or via this Google form. If you submit via the front office, make sure to include the student's name, grade, and teacher on the back. 

Register for the Spring 2025 morning enrichment program!

Registration closes Monday, February 3 

Sunrise Valley PTA is excited to offer three morning enrichment programs! All programs will take place on Wednesdays from 8:15-9:00am. These will run for ten classes from February 5 to April 9. 

• 3D Printing with STEM exCel (grades 1-6)
• Chess with Magnus Chess (grades K-6)
• Yoga with Ms. Zogby (grades K-6)

Additional information for each class, including links to registration, can be found here.  

Questions? Contact Shreema Dungarani. 

Sign up now to participate in this year's Basketball Challenge!

Takes place on Friday, March 14, 5:30pm at South Lakes High School Students, it’s time to register for the 2025 Basketball Challenge! All students are invited to participate in this annual school-wide tradition filled with fun, food, and friendly competition against Fox Mill Elementary School.

• Grade 6 Students: Play on the boys or girls team and compete against Fox Mill students. Sign up here. 
• Grades K-2 Pep Squad: Learn a short dance routine at recess and perform it at halftime during the challenge. Sign up here. 
• Grades 3-6 Cheer Team: Make posters, learn cheer + dance routines to perform at the event, and cheer from the courtside. Sign up here. 

Questions?  Contact Jennifer Glynn. 

Celebrate the Lunar New Year 2025, the Year of the Snake!

Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays among East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities as well as and many others.

It is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar, which begins on Jan 29 this year. The number of celebration days with different names varies depending on the country. China’s Lunar New Year is known as the Spring Festival, or Chūnjié in Mandarin, while Koreans call the holiday Seollal and Vietnamese, Tết.

Lunar New Year is a celebration of community. During this time, families gather to eat feasts and practice cultural traditions. We encourage you to explore the following ways to learn more and celebrate Lunar New Year with your family. For more information, contact [email protected].

Check out these resources about the Lunar New Year below.

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

The Kennedy Center

Lunar New Year 2025

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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🗓️ Calendar Reminders

Jan. 20: No School; Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Holiday) and Inauguration 

Jan. 23: PTA Family Science Night (6-7:30 p.m.)

Jan. 27: PTA Math Olympiads (8:15-9:00 a.m.)

Jan. 28: Last Day of Second Quarter (full school day)

Jan. 29: No School, Teacher Workday

Feb. 4: Principal Coffee (9:30-10:30 a.m.)

Feb. 5: PTA Spring Enrichment Begins (8:15-9:00 a.m.) & SVES Chorus Performance at GMU Basketball Game (7-9:00 p.m.)

Feb. 7: PTA Spelling Bee (5:00 p.m.)

❄️ Winter Weather

We will make every effort to get students outside to enjoy the fresh air and burn off some energy. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather! Layering is encouraged, along with hats and gloves. Don’t forget to label all clothing items to help prevent any mix-ups.

☕ Principal's Coffee: Feb. 4

We look forward to seeing you at our next Principal's Coffee on February 4. We will host a general Q&A session. Submit your questions here (questions should be general and not student specific).

🚨 Food Allergies: Form Required for Cafeteria

Starting School Year 2024-2025, the Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) implemented a standardized process for dietary accommodations to ensure the provision of safe and healthy food for our students. If your child will need a medical accommodation (food allergies, texture modifications, or other dietary needs) or a milk substitution in the cafeteria, this a reminder to submit your completed accommodation form if you have not already done so. This form only needs to be filled out once while your child is enrolled at FCPS.  The completed form should be sent to [email protected]. More information including the form can be found here.  If you have any questions, please contact FCPS Food and Nutrition Services at:  703-813-4800.

Attend Family Science Night this week! (FREE)

Thursday, January 23, 6:00-7:30pm

All students, grades K-6, and their families are invited to this FREE, fun evening of hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math exploration activities provided by the Children's Science Center Lab. Enjoy age-appropriate activities that demonstrate a variety of scientific principles and make STEM learning fun, accessible, and more exciting for students. 

• Stop by anytime between 6-7:30pm
• Sunrise Valley gym (enter through Door #2)
• Park in the school parking lot or on neighboring streets 
• Children must be accompanied by an adult. This isn't a drop-off event.
• View this year’s activities.   

Questions? Contact Jennifer Glynn. 

Submit a design for this year's Show What You Know t-shirt!

Submissions are due Friday, January 31

Is your child artistic? Invite them to create an original drawing or original graphic design for the t-shirt that all participants will receive at this year's Show What You Know! SWYK is an annual Sunrise Valley event at which students demonstrate their knowledge or passion about a topic by creating a poster and sharing it with other students and our community.  

• The design should say "Sunrise Valley Elementary School Show What You Know 2025" and be drawn with black ink on a white backdrop.
• Submit design by email to Jennifer Glynn, on paper to the front office, or via this Google form. If you submit via the front office, make sure to include the student's name, grade, and teacher on the back. 

Register for the Spring 2025 morning enrichment program!

Registration closes Monday, February 3 

Sunrise Valley PTA is excited to offer three morning enrichment programs! All programs will take place on Wednesdays from 8:15-9:00am. These will run for ten classes from February 5 to April 9. 

• 3D Printing with STEM exCel
  • Start Date: February 5
  • 1st-6th Graders 
• Chess with Magnus Chess
  • Start Date: February 5
  • KG-6th Graders 
• Yoga with Ms. Zogby
  • Start Date: February 5  
  • KG-6th Graders 

Additional information for each class, including links to registration, can be found here. 

Questions? Contact Shreema Dungarani. 

Sign up now to participate in this year's Basketball Challenge!

Friday, March 14, 5:30pm Students, it’s time to register for the 2025 Basketball Challenge! All students are invited to participate in this annual school-wide tradition filled with fun, food, and friendly competition against Fox Mill Elementary School.

• Grade 6 Students: Play on the boys or girls team and compete against Fox Mill students. Sign up here. 
• Grades K-2 Pep Squad: Learn a short dance routine at recess and perform it at halftime during the challenge. Sign up here. 
• Grades 3-6 Cheer Team: Make posters, learn cheer + dance routines to perform at the event, and cheer from the courtside. Sign up here. 

Questions?  Contact Jennifer Glynn. 

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program is open through Thursday, March 6, at 4 p.m. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2025-26 school year. 

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Interested parents/caregivers may want to attend an informational meeting at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program registration page for a list of meetings by language offered. 

Get more details on the DLI Program webpage.

📍 Virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings

On Friday, we held our first virtual Community Boundary Review meeting. If you weren’t able to attend one of our recent in-person Community Boundary Review meetings, registration remains open for the following virtual meetings:

• Saturday, January 25, 9:30-11 a.m.
• Monday, January 27, 6:30-8 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 28, 6:30-8 p.m.
• Monday, February 10, 6:30-8 p.m.

Click one of the dates above to register and receive your unique Zoom link. All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings, and the same information will be shared. 

Please note that each virtual meeting will be capped at 400 participants to help provide a meaningful experience for all. Language interpretation will be available. Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

SVES Quick Links

• Sunrise Valley ES
• SVES Assessment Calendar
• FCPS School Year Calendar
• PTA Website
• 🌟Recognize a SVES Staff Member
• 📸Submit SVES Photos via Dropbox

Follow Us! Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025!

While our extended break may have been welcomed by students and snow lovers alike, I imagine it brought a mix of excitement for the snow and a longing to get back into a routine. It was wonderful to see our building full again, with lots of smiles and stories shared from winter break and the unexpected snow days.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue the amazing work we started in August. Students will dive back into learning while also revisiting routines and expectations to ensure a strong start. Consistent routines allow us to focus on meaningful instruction and growth for our students.

We’d love your help in reinforcing these routines at home. Conversations with your student(s) about how they will show RISE—Respect, Independence, Safety, and Empathy—in their classrooms, hallways, and throughout our school can set the tone for success.

 

Looking forward to a great start to the New Year! 

Ashley Younger & Jody Delaney

Family Science Night - FREE event, volunteers needed

Thursday, January 23, 6:00-7:30pm

Family Science Night is a FREE, fun evening of scientific exploration where students explore different hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities. All Sunrise Valley students grades K-6 and their families are invited to attend and participate in a variety of learning stations with activities provided by the Children's Science Center Lab. View the list of topics here.  

For this event to take place, we must provide volunteers to supervise the activities. We need at least 11 more volunteers to meet the required minimum support or this event can't happen. No experience is required and clear instructions will be provided! If you can assist, please volunteer here. 

Design Contests

Is your child artistic? Invite them to submit a design for either or both of the following!

Sunrise Valley Yearbook Cover (Deadline: January 17) Create an original drawing or original graphic design for the cover of this year's 2024-2025 yearbook. Submissions can be dropped off in the front office or turned into your homeroom teacher no later than Friday, January 17, and should include the following:

• This year's theme, "In Our Sunrise Valley Era". Think decades, from the 1950s to now!
• "Sunrise Valley Elementary School 2024-2025"
• Size: 8.5" x 11" (vertical)
• Include your name, teacher, and grade on the back

Show What You Know T-Shirt  (Deadline: January 31) Create an original drawing or original graphic design for the t-shirt that all participants will receive at this year's Show What You Know! SWYK is an annual Sunrise Valley event at which students demonstrate their knowledge or passion about a topic by creating a poster and sharing it with other students and our community. Submissions are due Friday, January 31. 

• The design should say "Sunrise Valley Elementary School Show What You Know 2025" and be drawn with black ink on a white backdrop.
• Submit design by email to Jennifer Glynn, on paper to the front office, or via this Google form. If you submit via the front office, make sure to include the student's name, grade, and teacher on the back. 

Spring 2025 Morning Enrichment

Sunrise Valley PTA is excited to offer three morning enrichment programs! All programs will take place on Wednesdays from 8:15-9:00am. These will run for ten classes from February 5 to April 9. 

• 3D Printing with STEM exCel
• Start Date: February 5
• 1st-6th Graders 

• Magnus Chess
• Start Date: February 5
• KG-6th Graders 

• Yoga with Ms. Zogby
• Start Date: February 5  
• KG-6th Graders 

Additional information for each class, including links to registration, can be found here. Registration closes on Monday, February 3.

 

Questions? Contact Shreema Dungarani. 

Come together as a community for students in K-8 for 5 nights the week of January 13, 2025, with delightful math games and stories - all on your own time and from the comfort of your own home. All content will be available for free directly to all families in English and Spanish. 

Through rich story-based mathematics experiences, math week offers families  an opportunity to experience  math, literacy, history, and geography in a positive way. The games and stories feature several countries including Lesotho, Madagascar, Ghana, and China. 

All content will be available completely free on the website starting January 13, 2025. To access the games, families will be able to simply click on the day of the week and find their child's grade and language. View the website at anytime for explanations and videos.

Families can play for as little as 15 minutes or replay over and over lasting more than an hour on any given night. For families that want to reduce screen time, we will have physical print options for access to the content and games as well.

Use the games and stories on our website or dust off your favorite math game and play it as a family.

Any and ALL math experiences outside of a normal week count. Our goal is for FCPS to experience 1,000,000 minutes of math outside of the school day. Join us!

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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SVES Office Closed Over Winter Break

Sunrise Valley office will be closed over the winter break, December 23-January 3. We wish you and your family a wonderful winter break and those celebrating, Happy Holidays! We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, January 6, 2025. 

SOUTH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL - PARENT PROJECT

Our pyramid is offering a 10-week course designed to empower families and transform teens/preteens. In taking this course, parents will walk away with tools to learn (1) how to build a positive relationship with their child, (2) ways to prevent or intervene in alcohol and drug use, disruptive behavior at home and gang affiliation, and (3) ways to explore concrete solutions for active supervision. Classes are free, once a week-dinner and childcare provided.

This workshop was designed with the purpose to equip parents with the tools needed to help them raise their children with love and have less arguments.

RSVP: ENGLISH PARENT PROJECT WORKSHOP

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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Winter Break Approaches

It’s hard to believe we’re heading into our final week before winter break! Whether you’re staying close to home, taking a trip, or visiting family, we hope it’s a safe and joyful time. This will be our last bulletin until January 12, but we'll be in touch if anything important arises. Enjoy this special time with your family, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, January 6!

Ashley Younger + Jody Delaney

🗓️ Calendar Reminders

• Dec. 18: Before School Enrichment
• Dec. 20: Last Day of School Before Winter Break
• Dec. 23–Jan. 3: Winter Break (No School)
• Jan. 6: Students Return from Winter Break

🎶 Jingle on the Lake

Our Chorus singers, led by Ms. Heather Smith and Dr. Phillip Kancianic, were exceptional! They guided us in a holiday sing-along, and despite the cold weather, there was so much warmth emanating from our singers! A big thank you to Ms. Smith and Dr. Kancianic for leading the program, and to all our families for supporting our music program at SVES and encouraging your students' participation.

❄️ SVES at Winterfest

Partnering with our amazing PTA, our sixth graders designed their own ornaments, which were proudly displayed at the 2nd Annual Reson Winterfest. I hope you and your family had a chance to join us and catch a glimpse of the SVES tree! A big thank you to Angeline Van Evera and Geetha Estep for organizing and decorating the SVES tree!

🌟 Recognize a SVES Staff Member

Consider recognizing a SVES staff member this holiday season. It’s a wonderful way to show your appreciation for the incredible team here at SVES!

All submission will be featured in our staff newsletter, The Sunrise, where we highlight the exceptional work of our colleagues. 

Fun and Free Events in 2025 from the Sunrise Valley PTA

The PTA Board wishes all Sunrise Valley families peace and happiness over winter break. We’re excited to return in 2025 with multiple FREE student enrichment events, including Skate Date, Family Science Night, Spelling Bee, and Show What You Know. Sign your students up now to participate, and check that off your list! Details below. These events are put on by families for our children. If you can help us check students in for skating, serve as a Spelling Bee judge, or staff hands-on exploration tables at Family Science Night, please volunteer.

⛸️ Skate Date @ Skatequest, Reston

Sunday, January 12, 3:10-5:10pm (doors 2:45 pm)

Hit the ice with our annual skating event! Sunrise Valley students skate FREE thanks to our generous PTA members and sponsors. Parents, siblings, and other guests can skate with a purchased ticket ($8 in advance/$10 at the door). All skaters must register as space is limited. We also need a few volunteers to check skaters in at the start and take photographs. Sign up to help here.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Glynn.

🔬 Family Science Night

Thursday, January 23, 6-7:30pm

Calling all science enthusiasts! All students, grades K-6, and their families are invited to this FREE, fun evening of hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math exploration. The Children's Science Center Lab provides the activities, and we're asked to provide 30 volunteers to run the tables. Please sign up to help by January 10 here. No experience required! Great service opportunity for teens (age 16+) or local business employees.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Glynn.

🐝 Spelling Bee

Friday, February 7, 6-8pm

Students in grades K-6 are invited to participate in this FREE spelling competition. By inspiring the exploration of words, the Scripps National Spelling Bee illuminates pathways to lifelong curiosity, celebrates academic achievement, and enriches communities. Register your student by January 31.

Questions, or want to volunteer as a judge or helper? Contact Stephanie Kater.

👚 Design Contest: Show What You Know T-Shirt

Contest Design Deadline:  Friday, January 31

Show What You Know (SWYK) will take place on March 26. This beloved Sunrise Valley event allows students to showcase their learning and knowledge with other students and their parents. All participants receive a free shirt printed with a design chosen from student submissions. We're looking for student artists to submit designs for the tee-shirt! Take time over winter break to create your design and submit by January 31.  

• The contest is open to all students.
• The design should be on a white piece of paper with black ink and must include: “Sunrise Valley Elementary School", "Show What You Know" and "2025".
• Paper entries can be turned into the front office with the student's name, grade, and teacher on the back of the paper, or uploaded online.

Contact Jennifer Glynn with questions about the design contest. Registration for student SWYK participants will open in January.

SVES Quick Links

• Sunrise Valley ES
• SVES Assessment Calendar
• FCPS School Year Calendar
• PTA Website
• 🌟Recognize a SVES Staff Member
• 📸Submit SVES Photos via Dropbox

Follow Us! Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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

#FRIDAYSFORYOU 🎨☕

On Friday, we hosted our first #FRIDAYSFORYOU event, a new initiative focused on staff wellness and carving out time for self-care. This year, we’re hosting three sessions, each led by a staff member. Our first session, Paint & Sip, was led by our talented art teacher, Maria Claessen. We designed our own greeting cards while enjoying coffee, donut holes, and fruit.

It was a wonderful way to start the day and connect with each other in a fun, relaxing environment.

Special thanks to the Glynn, Varma, Bississo, Mulrean, and Keeffe families for providing the coffee, creamer, fruit, and donuts!

🗓️ Calendar Reminders

• Dec. 9: 3-Hour Early Release Monday / PTA Camps
• Dec. 11 & 18: Before School Enrichment
• Dec. 20: Last Day of School Before Winter Break
• Dec. 23–Jan. 3: Winter Break (No School)
• Jan. 6: Students Return from Winter Break

🧥 IMPORTANT: Lost Property 👟

Is your student missing a jacket, sweatshirt, or those must-have hats and gloves? Watch our fashion show video - you might spot a familiar missing item making its runway debut! Stop by the lost and found in the cafeteria to claim any missing items.

Please note: All unclaimed items will be donated to a local shelter after winter break.

Video Credit: Mr. Stewart and 4th Grade 

☕ Principal's Coffee: Math

Thank you to the families who joined me for our second Principal's Coffee this past Tuesday, which focused on math. Ms. Falkey, our math resource teacher, led an engaging and interactive session using the FCPS math framework. Together, we worked through a math task, reflected, and walked away with valuable resources.

If you couldn’t attend, don’t worry—we’ve included a link to the resources for you!

🗓️ This Monday, December 9: 3-Hour Early Release

Tomorrow is our next 3-hour early release Monday. You should have received an online notification on Tuesday confirming your child’s dismissal plan for this day.

We kindly ask all families to avoid making changes to your child’s schedule tomorrow. Last-minute adjustments can create disruptions and increase the potential for error. Ensuring student safety is always our top priority. Thank you for your understanding and support!

📸 School Pictures – Order Online

School pictures, including those taken on Make-up/Retake Day (Nov 19), are available for purchase online.  Visit vosphoto.com/uc (Online Code = Student ID).  For questions regarding school pictures, email Victor O’Neill Studios at [email protected]. 

Mark your calendars:  Spring Individual and Class Pictures will be March 11, 2025. 

Sunrise Valley's Skate Date

Sunday, January 12, 3:10pm

All Sunrise Valley students and their families are invited to our annual skating event on Sunday, January 12, from 3:10 to 5:10pm. 

Thanks to our generous PTA members and sponsors, this is a FREE event for all SVES students. Parents, siblings, and other guests are welcome to skate too, with a purchased ticket ($8 in advance/$10 at the door).

All skaters -- whether free or paid -- should pre-register as attendance is limited. Register your student and purchase additional tickets here. Complementary hot chocolate will be provided courtesy of Sunrise Valley PTA sponsor Northern Virginia Orthodontics. Questions? Contact Jennifer Glynn.

Spirit Store Holiday Pop-Up

Purchase swag now while supplies last!

Did you miss our spirit wear sale earlier this fall? Now's your chance to pick up Sunrise Valley merchandise before the holidays. 

Selected styles and sizes available while supplies last via our online Spirit Store. Items purchased will be distributed at school prior to winter break, just in time for the holidays!

Note that fulfillments will be paused between December 18 and January 7. Questions? Contact Karina Mondragon de Nica.

Sunrise Valley Staff: We have a special teacher discount offering for you. Stay tuned for more information from Karina!

Sunrise Valley PTA Membership

Check that off your list before the holidays, join us now and help reach our goal!

We're 93% of the way to our goal with only a couple more weeks to go. Here's five reasons why you should become a member:

1. Fund classroom field trips and mini grants. 
2. Support fun school events for your children throughout the year. 
3. Show staff we appreciate them. 
4. Fund school equipment and technology. 
5. Make connections! 

There's still time. Become a member by December 15th!

Questions? Contact Alexis Estep

📝 AAP Full-Time Referrals

Deadline for Submitting Referrals: December 15

The deadline for all students in grades 2-6 to apply for full-time advanced academic services to begin at the start of the 25-26 school year is Sunday, December 15. This is a county provided date, there are no exceptions or extensions. Please plan ahead!

To initiate the screening process, please submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form through email to Sara Balcanoff at [email protected] or in hard copy to the front office no later than December 15.

SEL Screener Parent Reports

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.

SVES Quick Links

• Sunrise Valley ES
• SVES Assessment Calendar
• FCPS School Year Calendar
• PTA Website
• 🌟Recognize a SVES Staff Member
• 📸Submit SVES Photos via Dropbox

Follow Us! Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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

We hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! I loved catching up with students in the hallways and at lunch to hear about their time off.

Here are a few quick reminders for the week ahead.

☕ Principal's Coffee is Tomorrow! 🗓️ Last Chance to Sign-up for the PTA 3-Hour Early Release Camps

The PTA camps for the upcoming 3-hour early release on December 9 closes TODAY! 

PTA is offering Chess and Art camps as an option for families who wish to participate from 1:05-4:05. There are no refunds. REGISTER HERE!

Keep an eye out tomorrow for our early release confirmation email! Any changes to your student(s) dismissal plans for Monday should be directed to the main office.

❄️ Reston Winterfest 2024

Sunrise Valley is proud to be featured at Reston Winterfest this weekend, December 5-7, from 5:00-9:00 p.m.! Our sixth graders designed unique ornaments that will be proudly displayed on the Sunrise Valley tree.

🎶 Jingle on the Lake

Join our Sunrise Valley chorus singers this Saturday at Lake Anne Plaza for the Annual Jingle on the Lake event!

SVES Quick Links

• Sunrise Valley ES
• SVES Family Handbook
• SVES Assessment Calendar
• FCPS School Year Calendar
• PTA Website
• 🌟Recognize a SVES Staff Member
• 📸Submit SVES Photos via Dropbox

Follow Us! Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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

🧡THANKFUL 🤍 HEARTS🤎

The Sunrise Valley staff extends our heartfelt thanks for the beautiful and delicious Pie Bar! This delightful addition has quickly become a treat we all look forward to. A special thank you to Vanessa Varma, Holly Reynolds, Melissa DiLoreto, Colleen Hill and Shashin Singh, for their coordination and setup, as well as to all the families who generously donated. You’ve truly sweetened our day and the week leading into the holiday!

As we approach the upcoming break, we hope it brings time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the company of family and friends. We’re thankful for the incredible partnership and support from our families and look forward to welcoming students back after the break!

For those celebrating, have a safe and joyful Thanksgiving! 🦃🍂

Ashley Younger & Jody Delaney

🗓️ Calendar Reminders

• Nov. 26: Pyramid Chorus Workshop 
• Nov. 27-29: Thanksgiving Break, No School
• Dec. 3: Principal Coffee #2 at 9:30 a.m. (focus on Math)
• Dec. 4: PTA Before School Enrichment
• Dec 9: 3-Hour Early Release Monday

📌 SAVE-THE-DATE: Principals Coffee on Dec. 3 🗓️ Dec 9: 3 Hour Early Release Monday

Our next 3-Hour Early Release is on Monday, December 9. We’ll be using the survey responses submitted for the October Early Release, so no new survey will be sent. On Monday, December 2, you’ll receive an email confirming your selection for each child.

If your plans have changed, please contact the school to update your preference.

PTA will also continue to offer Chess and Art camps as an option for families who wish to participate from 1:05-4:05. 

Registration: Closes 10 days prior to a camp date (next deadline is Friday, November 29). There are no refunds. REGISTER HERE!

☕ Coffee and Breakfast Assistance Needed

Help with coffee and breakfast goodies for Sunrise Valley teachers and staff! 

Sunrise Valley is hosting three wellness sessions for teachers and staff called #FRIDAYSFORYOU. Their first one, a Paint & Sip, is on Friday, December 6, at 8:15am.

Principal Younger is asking for family assistance for coffee and breakfast treats for the teachers and staff for this event. Two items remain: fruit and donut holes! Sign up here and drop off items at the front office on Friday, December 6, at 8am.

Questions? Contact Melissa DiLoreto.

🏅 Sunrise Valley sponsors Math Olympiads Team

Sunrise Valley sponsors Math Olympiads Team

Register your 4th, 5th, or 6th grader now!

This year, the Sunrise Valley PTA is happy to sponsor a Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools (MOEMS) team! MOEMS is a fun-filled global math competition program that fosters mathematical creativity by challenging students to use multiple strategies for out-of-the-box problem-solving.

• The team will consist of up to 35 students, open to students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades on a first come, first serve basis. 
• The competition includes five math contests. 
• Students must commit to participating in the five contests. 

The five contests and four practice sessions will be held in the cafeteria at 8:15am. See registration for specific dates. If school is delayed or canceled, the contest or practice session will be canceled and rescheduled.

Registration

• The cost to participate is $10 per student. The PTA is committed to access for all students. If this presents a financial hardship, please use the code QNMWX6UPW74N for free participation.
• For more information and to register: https://tinyurl.com/SVESPTAEnrichment
• Registration closes on Sunday, December 1, at 5pm or before if all spots are filled. There are no refunds. 

Questions? Contact PTA parent volunteers Josh Berman and Michelle Kimmel at [email protected].

❄️ Winter Weather

We will make every effort to provide students with outdoor time, even in colder weather. Students need this fresh air and time to run and play. Please ensure your child dresses appropriately in layers and consider labeling their clothing for easy identification.

Winter weather is coming! Watch this video to learn how FCPS makes weather closing decisions. Stay informed through the FCPS website, email, text, social media, and news stations. Update your contact info in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the website, and plan for childcare if needed.

📝 AAP Full-Time Referrals

Deadline for Submitting Referrals: December 15

The deadline for all students in grades 2-6 to apply for full-time advanced academic services to begin at the start of the 25-26 school year is Sunday, December 15. This is a county provided date, there are no exceptions or extensions. Please plan ahead!

To initiate the screening process, please submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form through email to Sara Balcanoff at [email protected] or in hard copy to the front office no later than December 15.

✅ Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

SVES Quick Links

• Sunrise Valley ES
• SVES Family Handbook
• SVES Assessment Calendar
• FCPS School Year Calendar
• PTA Website
• 🌟Recognize a SVES Staff Member
• 📸Submit SVES Photos via Dropbox

Follow Us! Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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

🗓️ Calendar Reminders

• Nov. 19: Fall Picture Make-Ups
• Nov. 20: PTA Before School Enrichment
• Nov. 22: PTA Pie Bar for Staff & Kindergarten Grateful Gathering
• Nov. 26: Pyramid Chorus Workshop 
• Nov. 27-29: Thanksgiving Break, No School
• Dec. 3: Principal Coffee #2 (focus on Math)
• Dec. 4: PTA Before School Enrichment
• Dec 9: 3-Hour Early Release Monday

❤️🤍💙❤️🤍💙❤️🤍💙❤️🤍💙 Veterans Day Ceremony

Wow, what a beautiful ceremony we had on Friday as we gathered to honor the veterans and active-duty members of our military who have dedicated themselves to serving our country and others. Our 5th and 6th-grade chorus performed several tribute songs, heartfelt student thank-you notes were shared, and our entire school community joined in for several sing-alongs.

A special thank you to Colonel Brian Dryzga, USMC, for joining us as our guest speaker. His inspiring and heartfelt words focused on three important themes: gratitude, responsibility, and remembrance. Addressing students, Colonel Dryzga shared the important message: "Veterans don't look for glamour, veterans don't look for praise, veterans don't look for handouts, the best gift you can give a veteran, is to not forget them...[say thank you]!"

It was a meaningful day of recognition and appreciation for all who have served. To those who have worn the uniform, we extend our deepest gratitude. 

Visit our webpage to view the featured article, which includes the full video of the ceremony!

A special thank you to Karina Mondragon de Nica for building our new podium, which had its debut at our Veterans Day Ceremony.

🗓️ Dec 9: 3 Hour Early Release Monday

Our next 3-Hour Early Release is on Monday, December 9. We’ll be using the survey responses submitted for the October Early Release, so no new survey will be sent. During the week of December 2, you’ll receive an email confirming your selection for each child.

If your plans have changed, please contact the school to update your preference.

PTA will also continue to offer Chess and Art camps as an option for families who wish to participate from 1:05-4:05. 

Registration: Closes 10 days prior to a camp date (next deadline is Friday, November 29). There are no refunds. REGISTER HERE!

📸 Fall Picture Make-ups and Retakes: Tuesday, November 19

Victor O’Neill Studios will be here to photograph students who were absent or not yet enrolled on School Picture Day, September 17, or who are unhappy with their portrait and would like a retake.  Be sure to notify your child’s teacher if you would like a retake. 

If you didn’t get a chance to order Fall Pictures, there’s still time!  Visit vosphoto.com/uc (Online Code = Student ID).

Any questions about school pictures, email Victor O’Neill Studios.   

🏀 The 2nd Annual Late Nite at the Byrd is Back!

A welcoming event for the Boys and Girls basketball programs this year hosted by the South Lakes Athletic Leadership class. It is a free event but there will be a donation available. We invite members of the South Lakes community to join us to see: 3 Point Contest, Dunk Contest, Dance Team performance, Raffle Prizes and Contests for fans.

This is a chance for people to meet with teams, get autographs and take photos with the players!  The event is on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8pm at the Wendell G. Byrd Gymnasium, following the boys basketball scrimmage. Please enter at door 4.

Every middle school and elementary school child must be accompanied by an adult. Boosters will have concessions and gear store open in gym lobby!

Any questions please email Mr. Cincinnati at [email protected]

☕ Coffee and Breakfast Assistance Needed

Help with coffee and breakfast goodies for Sunrise Valley teachers and staff!

Sunrise Valley is hosting three wellness sessions for teachers and staff called #FRIDAYSFORYOU. Their first one, a Paint & Sip, is on Friday, December 6, at 8:15am.

Principal Younger is asking for family assistance for coffee and breakfast treats for the teachers and staff for this event. Sign up here and drop off items at the front office on Friday, December 6, at 8am.

Questions? Contact Melissa DiLoreto.

🥧 Help Needed with PTA Pie Bar

Help with the Sunrise Valley teachers and staff pie bar! 

Back by popular demand, the PTA will be hosting a Pie Bar on Friday, November 22, for our teachers and staff.

We're still in need of a variety of sweet and savory pies, including quiches and some gluten free options. Sign up here to help! Please drop off items at the front desk on Friday, November 22, between 9:00-9:30am (or connect with Vanessa, contact information below, to arrange a different time).

Questions? Contact Vanessa Varma

SVES Quick Links

• Sunrise Valley ES
• SVES Family Handbook
• SVES Assessment Calendar
• FCPS School Year Calendar
• PTA Website
• 🌟Recognize a SVES Staff Member
• 📸Submit SVES Photos via Dropbox

Follow Us! Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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

🗓️ Calendar Reminders

• Nov. 11: Veterans Day, No School
• Nov. 12: Grade 2 Field Trip
• Nov. 13: PTA Before School Enrichment & PTA Meeting at 9:30AM
• Nov. 14: Parent Workshop at 6:30 PM at SVES
• Nov. 15: Veterans Day Assembly - students are encouraged to wear Red, White & Blue
• Nov. 19: Fall Picture Make-Ups
• Nov. 20: PTA Before School Enrichment
• Nov. 21: PTA Pie Bar for Staff

👥 PARENT WORKSHOP: This Thursday!

We’re thrilled to welcome Mary Willcox Smith for our first 2024-25 Parent Series event! This is a wonderful chance to connect with other parents, gain new insights, and leave with valuable resources. Childcare will be available if needed.

Please RSVP and submit questions you may have in advance. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday evening! 

Nominate an OUTSTANDING Sunrise Valley Staff Member Today!

Nominations are now open for FCPS's Outstanding Employee Awards! All nominations are due TONIGHT, Sunday by 11:59PM. 

To submit a nomination for a Sunrise Valley Outstanding employee in one of the categories below, please click on the appropriate nomination title which is linked to a google page. You may nominate more than one employee across multiple categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a brief statement. If your candidate is chosen, we will contact you with more details. Additional information regarding each of these awards, as well as the criteria and considerations, are included within each link.

• Outstanding Teacher – a teacher or librarian with 3 or more years of experience
• Outstanding New Teacher– a teacher or librarian with less than 3 years of experience
• Outstanding New Principal – A school principal within the first 3 years of their assignment as principal in FCPS
• Outstanding Leader – an Assistant principal
• Outstanding Operational Employee – these positions could include administrative and office assistants, custodial staff, food service staff, Instructional Assistants, Public Health Assistants, Public Health Training Assistants
• Outstanding Professional Employee – These positions could include school-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, After-School Specialist, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school, Special Education Department Chairs that teach less than 50% of their time, Reading
  Specialists that do not have a regular course load/do not give grade.

If you have any questions, please contact our Awards Liaison, Buki Peters.

📚 Changes in Literacy

At our Principal's Coffee on Tuesday, October 8, Ms. Carrie Brotemarkle shared updates on the new Virginia Literacy Act and the recently adopted curriculum, Benchmark Advance. For those who couldn't attend but would like to learn more, a voiceover PowerPoint has been created.

📝 Look for Fall Screener Score Reports in ParentVUE

• Kindergarten (VALLSS, EMAS, CBRS) by 11/15
• VALLSS Grade 1-3 by 10/25
• iReady Grade 1-6 - by 10/31

*Families that do not have ParentVUE will receive their reports by mail.

📸 Fall Picture Make-ups and Retakes: Tuesday, November 19

Victor O’Neill Studios will be here to photograph students who were absent or not yet enrolled on School Picture Day, September 17, or who are unhappy with their portrait and would like a retake.  Be sure to notify your child’s teacher if you would like a retake. 

If you didn’t get a chance to order Fall Pictures, there’s still time!  Visit vosphoto.com/uc (Online Code = Student ID).

Any questions about school pictures, email Victor O’Neill Studios.   

🎥 SLHS Movie Night: Nov. 12 🎬SLHS Theater Presents: Radium Girls

BUY TICKETS!

Based on a true story, Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory is about female dialpainters in the 1920s who were poisoned by their factory's radium-based paint. This shocking, heartbreaking story exposes the corporate greed and denial of their employer while also showcasing the insurmountable strength of the human spirit in the face of the bleakest circumstances.

Under the direction of Mr. Michael Viola, South Lakes Theatre Arts’ dedicated cast and crew bring this moving and thought-provoking story to life, honoring the courage and resilience of the women who stood up for justice against overwhelming odds.

Radium Girls Show Dates:

• Thu., Nov 14 - 7:30pm
• Fri., Nov 15 - 7:30pm
• Sat., Nov 16 - 2:00pm
• Sat., Nov 16 - 7:30pm

🗓️ PTA Meeting: Nov 13

Guest Speaker: Jennifer Savory, SVES School Counselor, special performance by our Sunrise Valley Chorus, and a display of student artwork!

Join us for our next PTA meeting on Wednesday, November 13, at 9:30 am in the school cafeteria. We’ll share programming updates, highlight upcoming events, and welcome School Counselor Jen Savory as our guest speaker. She’ll discuss her role at Sunrise Valley, share tips on managing anxiety, and more. Join us in person or virtually via Zoom! Questions? Contact Geetha Estep and Angeline Van Evera.

🥧 PTA Pie Bar for SVES Staff

Back by popular demand, the PTA will be hosting a Pie Bar on Friday, November 22, for our teachers and staff. Sign up here to help!

Questions? Contact Vanessa Varma

🫶 National Family Engagement Month

Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that families are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. 

The FCPS Family Academy was created to support the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.

📝 AAP Full-Time Referrals

Deadline for Submitting Referrals: December 15

The deadline for all students in grades 2-6 to apply for full-time advanced academic services to begin at the start of the 25-26 school year is Sunday, December 15. This is a county provided date, there are no exceptions or extensions. Please plan ahead!

To initiate the screening process, please submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form through email to Sara Balcanoff at [email protected] or in hard copy to the front office no later than December 15.

✅ Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

📚 Literacy Resources for Families Webpage & Grading Updates

A new Literacy Resources for Families webpage is available to provide families with information about how to support their children with developing literacy knowledge and skills at home. It provides valuable information about the reading and writing resources to be used at home, the VALLSS, Reading Plans and training available through the Family Academy. 

Elementary Progress Report grades in English Language Arts may be impacted this year by our new curriculum, our new assessments, and the new 2024 ELA VDOE Standards of Learning. We now teach and assess all ELA standards in all quarters using rigorous on-grade level texts in relation to end of year expectations, which could result in lower grades earlier in the year as students work towards grade-level mastery. An update has been posted on the FCPS website.

SVES Quick Links

• Sunrise Valley ES
• SVES Assessment Calendar
• FCPS School Year Calendar
• PTA Website
• 🌟Recognize a SVES Staff Member
• 📸Submit SVES Photos via Dropbox

Follow Us! Twitter, YouTube & Instagram

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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

Sunrise Valley Employee Awards – 2024-2025

 

Nominations are now open for FCPS's Outstanding Employee Awards!

To submit a nomination for a Sunrise Valley Outstanding employee in one of the categories below, please click on the appropriate nomination title which is linked to a google page. You may nominate more than one employee across multiple categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a brief statement. If your candidate is chosen, we will contact you with more details. 

Additional information regarding each of these awards, as well as the criteria and considerations, are included within each link.

 

Outstanding Teacher – a teacher or librarian with 3 or more years of experience

 

Outstanding New Teacher– a teacher or librarian with less than 3 years of experience 

 

Outstanding New Principal – A school principal within the first 3 years of their assignment as principal in FCPS

 

Outstanding Leader – an Assistant principal

 

Outstanding Operational Employee – these positions could include administrative and office assistants, custodial staff, food service staff, Instructional Assistants, Public Health Assistants, Public Health Training Assistants

 

Outstanding Professional Employee – These positions could include school-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, After-School Specialist, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school, Special Education Department Chairs that teach less than 50% of their time, Reading Specialists that do not have a regular course load/do not give grades

 

 

Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Thursday, November 7, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact our Awards Liaison, Buki Peters at [email protected]

 

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter

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October Highlights at SVES

October brought a vibrant mix of learning and connection to Sunrise Valley! Grade-level teams came together to review assessment data, allowing us to create meaningful plans to support each student’s growth. We also enjoyed several exciting field trips, each bringing our students' learning to life beyond the classroom.

Our first Principal’s Coffee focused on literacy updates, where we discussed the new Virginia Literacy Act and the Benchmark curriculum. This month also featured a 3-Hour Early Release Monday, giving teachers valuable planning time, and the PTA’s much-loved Annual Fall Festival, which brought plenty of smiles and family fun!

Before School Enrichment is now in full swing, offering activities like chess, intramurals, and coding. We also said farewell to Ms. Blomquist, a beloved teacher of over 17 years, and warmly welcomed Ms. Sam Cappellari to our SVES family. Here’s to all the learning, fun, and connections October has brought us!

Ashley Younger & Jody Delaney

RULER, RISE & Responsive Classroom

At Sunrise Valley, we use RISE, Responsive Classroom, and RULER as part of our schoolwide framework to support students’ social and emotional needs and to set clear expectations for student behavior.

RISE 

RISE is our school pledge, guiding behavior in every setting—classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, bathrooms, and playground. Teachers model, and students practice, what it means to demonstrate Respect, Independence, Safety, and Empathy. Morning Meetings are used to reinforce RISE in these spaces, and Closing Circles provide an opportunity to reflect on how students showed RISE behaviors throughout the day.

Responsive Classroom

At Sunrise Valley, Responsive Classroom is a central part of our school culture, promoting a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment. We focus on key practices such as Morning Meeting and Closing Circle to build community and help students start and end their day with a sense of belonging. Logical Consequences are used to encourage intrinsic motivation, helping students reflect on their choices and learn from them. Through intentional Teacher Language, we support positive behavior and foster a respectful, collaborative classroom atmosphere that nurtures social-emotional growth alongside academics.

RULER

The RULER approach, from Yale's Center for Emotional Intelligence, helps build emotional awareness and self-regulation skills to enhance student learning and well-being. At Sunrise Valley, classrooms have a class charter, collaboratively created by students and teachers, that outlines shared emotional goals to foster a supportive learning environment. Students are encouraged to use the Mood Meter—a tool that helps them recognize and label their emotions based on energy and pleasantness levels—enabling them to build self-awareness. Teachers also model strategies like taking a "meta moment," a pause to help students reflect and choose constructive responses, which supports thoughtful and respectful interactions.

IDEAS FOR HOME

• Use the Mood Meter: Encourage your child to identify and share their feelings using the Mood Meter colors. This will reinforce their ability to label emotions and discuss how they’re feeling.
• Model and Discuss RISE Behaviors: Use the principles of Respect, Independence, Safety, and Empathy (RISE) at home by discussing what each behavior might look like in different settings.
• Set Up a Family Charter: Create a family charter with shared emotional goals to build a supportive, respectful atmosphere at home.
• Encourage Meta Moments: When conflicts or challenging situations arise, practice "meta moments" by pausing to think before reacting, helping them learn to choose constructive responses.
• Reflect at the End of the Day: Have a Closing Circle or reflection time as a family to discuss how each person demonstrated positive behaviors and met their goals for the day.

Sentence Starters for Families

• "How are you feeling today? Can you show me where that would be on the Mood Meter?"
• "What does it look like to show respect and empathy at home and at school?"
• "Let’s take a ‘meta moment’ together. How could we handle this situation differently?"
• "Can you share one way you showed independence or safety today?"
• "What went well today, and what would you like to do differently tomorrow?"
• "Let’s come up with our own family charter. What feelings are important for us to have at home?"

FIELD TRIPS

We're so fortunate to have a generous PTA that provides enriching field trip opportunities for our students. Thanks to their support, including covering bus costs and portions of entrance fees, October was filled with exciting trips!

Kindergarten visited Great Country Farms, 5th grade explored the Walker Nature Center and had a guest speaker from Amazon Prime Air, and 6th grade ventured to the National Art Museum and George Mason's The EDGE.

5th Graders at Walker Nature Center

Our 5th graders had a great time at Walker Nature Center – this field trip offered students a hands-on opportunity to explore geology in a real-world context. It deepened their understanding of key concepts like rock formation, earth processes, and natural events, all while directly supporting essential standards from the Virginia SOLs.

Ms. Hansen's class had the exciting opportunity to meet with a software engineer from Amazon Prime Air via Zoom, supporting their Project-Based Learning (PBL). The students gained valuable insights into Amazon Prime Air, the role of an engineer, and the fascinating technology behind drones!

Kindergarten at Great Farms Pumpkin Patch

Kindergarten had the chance to go to Great Country Farm to learn all about pumpkins! We learned about different types of pumpkins, the life cycle of a pumpkin, how pumpkins grow, and had the chance to pick our own pumpkin to bring home!

6th Graders at the American Art Museum & George Mason's The EDGE

This month, our SVES 6th graders went on field trips to the Smithsonian's American Art Museum and George Mason's the EDGE. At the Art Museum, students explored the world of American art, while at the EDGE, they participated in team-based challenge courses centered on the 4 P's: Patience, Practice, Persistence, and Positivity. These challenges focused on building trust, strengthening teamwork, developing leadership, and enhancing communication skills.

10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191  | Main Office: 703-715-3800
Attendance: 703-715-3838 | Web | Twitter