FCPS

October 8, 2024

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Advanced Academics Program Parent Meeting

All parents are invited to come learn about the Advanced Academics program and how Advanced Academic services are implemented at Mason Crest Elementary. Karen Lyle, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher will be leading an information session on Wednesday, October 9th from 8:15-9:00 AM. The session will take place in the library or you can access the session virtually here: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/98891476959?pwd=Z0F8wArVC5M36F2HbXyWKExIi94U19.1

The presentation will also be posted to the Mason Crest website. If you have any questions, please feel free to send Karen an email at [email protected]

Picture Day is coming on Thursday, October 10!

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTZWPCB6. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!

Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. If you have any questions, please reach out to the office at 571-226-2600.

PTO Meeting

Please join us on Tuesday, October 15 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. for our Parent Teacher Organization Meeting. We will provide an overview of our upcoming events and provide a financial overview of our current budget. Childcare and pizza will be provided for children. If you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected].

Lost and Found

With the change in seasons, there are quite a few sweatshirts and sweaters collected in our Lost and Found. If your child is missing something, please remind them to check the Lost and Found in the cafeteria. Thank you!

October 21--Early Release 

On one Monday each month FCPS elementary schools will be ending instruction three hours early to provide teachers with additional work and planning time.The next early release Monday is on October 21. You have the option to have your child dismiss from school at 1:00 p.m. on this day or to access child care at Mason Crest until 4:00 p.m. In order to ensure that all children are dismissed properly and safely we are conducting a survey of all of our families. We sent home a paper version of the survey on Wednesday, October 2, but also have an online version available. You only need to complete EITHER the paper or the online survey, but we need to hear from everyone by Thursday, October 17. If you would like to access the online survey it can be found at https://forms.gle/HKqVU2JRPXTmepQ58.

Important Events 

October 9: Advanced Academics Parent Meeting 8:15 a.m. 

October 10: Picture Day

October 15: PTO Meeting 6:00-7:00 p.m. 

October 21: 3-Hour Early Release Day

October 31: End of the first quarter (2-Hour Early Release)

November 1: Diwali (No School) 

November 4: Teacher Workday (No School)

November 5: Teacher Workday/Election Day (No School)

November 11: Veteran's Day (No School)

3705 Crest Drive, Annandale, VA 22003-1701 | Main Phone: 571.226.2600
Attendance: 571.226.2626 | Web | Facebook

September 13, 2024

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Volunteers Needed for Science Night

In collaboration with the Children's Science Center, Mason Crest will be hosting a Science Night on September 24th.  In order for our event to run smoothly, we are in need of volunteers to help run the stations. If you are available from 5:15-7:45 p.m. and would like to volunteer please complete the following survey. 

  We always appreciate your support and are looking forward to exploring science together!

Back to School Nights--September 18 & 19

To help accomodate our growing school population, we have divided our Back to School Nights into two evenings from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Preschool - 2nd grade will be on Wednesday, September 18.

3rd -5th Grade & multiage classes will be on Thursday, September 19.

The schedule for each evening will allow for families to visit classrooms and learn about curriculum and grade level updates.

5:00-5:20 Classrooms Open 

5:25-5:55 Session #1 Grade Level Presentation

6:00-6:20 Classrooms Open 

6:25-6:55 Session #2 Grade Level Presentation

Teams will run two sessions each evening, but families only need to attend one of the sessions. Presentations will be available for families who are unable to attend and posted in Schoology.If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher. 

We are looking forward to seeing you at Back to School Night!

Mr. Aiello, Ms. Conroy, and Ms. Shin

Important Events and Dates

Monday, September 16--3 hour early release (students dismissed at 1:00 p.m.) 

Wednesday, September 18: Back to School Night 5:00-7:00 p.m. (Grades PreK-2)

Thursday, September 19: Back to School Night 5:00-7:00 p.m. (Grades 3-5)

Tuesday, September 24: Title I Family Meeting (5:30-6:00 p.m.) and Family Science Night (6:00-7:30 p.m.)

September 29: Immunizations Due

October 3: Rosh Hashanah Holiday (No School)

October 4: Teacher Workday (No School)

October 10: Picture Day

October 14: Indigenous Peoples' Day (No School)

3705 Crest Drive, Annandale, VA 22003-1701 | Main Phone: 571.226.2600
Attendance: 571.226.2626 | Web | Facebook

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Providing a safe and supportive school environment is our number one priority. One of the ways we do this is by regularly reviewing and updating our school crisis management and emergency preparedness plans. Plans include how to respond to a variety of incidents such as fires, severe weather events, and other emergencies. It is critical to have safety drills each year so that our students and staff remember what to do if there is an emergency.

Virginia Law also requires schools to complete two lockdown drills a year, one within the first twenty days of the school session, and to notify parents/caregivers at least 24 hours in advance. We are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of scenario training.  

We will conduct a lockdown drill at our school soon. Our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are not required to participate in lockdown drills during the first 60 days of the school year. They will participate in our second and final drill later this school year.

Additional information including parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this information, it would be helpful to have a talk with your child about safety and school procedures. Below are some tips that can help frame your conversation:

• Ask your child what they know about the drill, and how they feel about it.
• Avoid scary and/or graphic details from the media.
• Discuss that practicing how to be safe in a variety of situations is important because it helps to give them the confidence and knowledge to be safe.
• Let them know it is okay to have feelings about the drill and that you and adults at their school are there to help them be safe and listen if they would like to talk more.

There will be school mental health staff available at your child’s school to help students with concerns around the lockdown drill. If you have questions, please reach out to the school.  

Keeping our school safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe. 

Sincerely,

Larry Aiello, Shana Conroy, and Sherry Shin

Principals

Mason Crest Elementary School

September 5, 2024

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Students Learning How to Have Constructive Conversations

Back to School Nights

To help accomodate our growing school population, we have divided our Back to School Nights into two evenings from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Preschool - 2nd grade will be on Wednesday, September 18.

3rd -5th Grade & multiage classes will be on Thursday, September 19.

The schedule for each evening will allow for families to visit classrooms and learn about curriculum and grade level updates.

5:00-5:20 Classrooms Open 

5:25-5:55 Session #1 Grade Level Presentation

6:00-6:20 Classrooms Open 

6:25-6:55 Session #2 Grade Level Presentation

Teams will run two sessions each evening, but families only need to attend one of the sessions. Presentations will be available for families who are unable to attend and posted in Schoology.If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher. 

We are looking forward to seeing you at Back to School Night!

Mr. Aiello, Ms. Conroy, and Ms. Shin

Science Night--Volunteers Needed

In collaboration with the Children's Science Center, Mason Crest will be hosting a Science Night on September 24th.  In order for our event to run smoothly, we are in need of volunteers to help run the stations. If you are available from 5:15-7:45 p.m. and would like to volunteer please complete the following survey. 

  We always appreciate your support and are looking forward to exploring science together!

SIS Parent VUE Access

Want to easily access back-to-school forms and checklists? Log in to your SIS ParentVUE account to find forms and make updates.

Complete Permission Forms

Families can now easily give permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool. 

Submit Absences

Parents can submit daylong absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Note: Partial day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to the school front office. 

Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?Contact your school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

Important Events and Dates

September 16: 3 Hr. Early Release (Students released at 1:00 p.m.) Please take this survey if you have not done so already.

September 18: Back to School Night 5:00-7:00 p.m. (Grades PreK-2)

September 19: Back to School Night 5:00-7:00 p.m. (Grades 3-5)

September 24: Family Science Night (6:00-7:30 p.m.)

September 25: Parent Coffee 8:00 a.m. in the Library

September 29: Immunizations Due

October 3: Rosh Hashanah Holiday (No School)

October 4: Teacher Workday (No School)

October 10: Picture Day

3705 Crest Drive, Annandale, VA 22003-1701 | Main Phone: 571.226.2600
Attendance: 571.226.2626 | Web | Facebook

August 23, 2024

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

Để đọc bản tin này bằng ngôn ngữ khác, xin quý vị truy cập vào trang mạng của chúng tôi.

Donation of School Supplies from St. Mary's Orthodox Church

Dear Families,

  We are thrilled to share that the school year is off to a fantastic start! Our students have jumped back into the swing of things and are showing a readiness to learn and grow. 

  Our dedicated team of teachers are working diligently to build strong relationships with their students and establish routines to foster a safe and caring learning environment. They are always willing to share about your child's progress so we encourage you to reach out with any questions you might have.

   We wanted to notify families that we have several new office staff joining us this school year so we ask for your patience and grace as they learn more about the Mason Crest community and receive training on the systems and protocols we utilize to make our school run smoothly. Everyone's always learning at Mason Crest!

   Lastly, we want to thank our Parent Teacher Organization and St. Mary's Orthodox Church for providing school supplies for all our students. We are truly blessed to have such generous, caring community partners.

We are looking forward to another great year at Mason Crest!

Ms. Conroy, Mr. Aiello, and Ms. Shin

Join the Parent Teacher Organization

Hey parents! Want to help make an impact on our school community? Join the PTO for the 2024-25 school year! Whether you've got fresh ideas or just want to lend a helping hand, we'd love to have you on board. We hope you will considering showing your support of Mason Crest by joining our PTO. To join: https://masoncrestpto.org/join/

SIS Parent VUE

Want to easily access back-to-school forms and checklists? Log in to your SIS ParentVUE account to find forms and make updates.

Update Contact Information

Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon. 

Parents/caregivers who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account should print and complete the Emergency Care Information Form (PDF) and submit it to their child’s school.

Complete Permission Forms

Families can now easily give permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool. 

Submit Absences

Parents can submit daylong absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Note: Partial day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to the school front office. 

Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?Contact your school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Todo lo que puede hacer a través de SIS ParentVUE¿Quiere acceder fácilmente a los formularios y listas de comprobación para la vuelta al cole? Acceda a su cuenta SIS ParentVUE para encontrar formularios y ver actualizaciones.Actualice la información de contactoEsté entre los primeros en saber sobre cierres por mal tiempo, retrasos de autobuses y otras comunicaciones críticas de su escuela y FCPS proporcionando su número de teléfono celular y correo electrónico en SIS ParentVUE. Para actualizar su información de contacto en SIS ParentVUE, haga clic en la opción "Paquetes en línea" en la parte superior derecha de la pantalla, luego haga clic en el ícono "Verificación/actualización en línea". 

Los padres/cuidadores que no tengan una cuenta SIS ParentVUE deben imprimir y completar el Formulario de Información de Cuidado de Emergencia (PDF) y enviarlo a la escuela de su hijo.

Completar formularios de permisoLas familias pueden ahora fácilmente dar permiso para que sus hijos accedan a una variedad de recursos escolares a través del sistema de Consentimiento Digital de los Padres. Se puede acceder a esta herramienta en línea utilizando su cuenta SIS ParentVUE. Los padres pueden optar fácilmente por que sus hijos accedan o no a recursos que incluyen herramientas educativas en línea, servicios de orientación escolar y servicios de tutoría. También pueden cambiar cómo se gestiona la información del estudiante.Visite la página web de Consentimiento Digital de los Padres para acceder al sistema. Vea este vídeo para aprender a utilizar la herramienta. 

Cómo reportar las ausenciasLos padres pueden enviar ausencias de un día a través de SIS ParentVUE. Inicie sesión y haga clic en "Reportar Ausencia". Nota: Las ausencias de día parcial y los cambios de transporte aún deben informarse directamente a la oficina de la escuela. ¿Aún no tiene una cuenta SIS ParentVUE?Póngase en contacto con su escuela para obtener un código de activación y siga las instrucciones de la página web de la cuenta SIS ParentVUE. 

Science Night

  In collaboration with the Children's Science Center, Mason Crest will be hosting a Science Night on September 24th.  In order for our event to run smoothly, we are in need of volunteers to help run the stations. If you are available from 5:15-7:45 p.m. and would like to volunteer please complete the following survey. 

  We always appreciate your support and are looking forward to exploring science together!

Upcoming Events

August 30 & September 2: Labor Day Holiday (No School)

September 16: 3 Hr. Early Release (Students released at 1:00 p.m.) Please take this survey if you have not done so already.

September 18: Back to School Night (Grades PreK-2)

September 19: Back to School Night (Grades 3-5)

September 24: Family Science Night (6:00-7:30 p.m.)

October 3: Rosh Hashanah Holiday (No School)

October 4: Teacher Workday (No School)

3705 Crest Drive, Annandale, VA 22003-1701 | Main Phone: 571.226.2600
Attendance: 571.226.2626 | Web | Facebook

August 15, 2024

Donations Needed for Teacher Luncheon

We are so grateful for our hard-working teachers and we want to provide a luncheon for them to thank them for their efforts. Please consider donating items or your time on Friday, August 16 to show your teachers you care.

On Friday, August 16th, the PTO is hosting a back-to-school teacher luncheon for roughly 120 staff in the cafeteria. We are seeking 3-5 volunteers from 10:30am-12:30pm for set-up, serving and clean-up.

• Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054AA9AF2BAAF58-50611623-mcteacher
• Food/drink donations can be dropped off at MCES on Thursday, 8/15 or Friday, 8/16 before 10am. 
• Can't make it to school to drop off a donation? You can send a Venmo to the MCES PTO and we can purchase whatever else is needed on your behalf. Thank you in advance! @Mason-Crest-PTO

We are looking forward to a great start to the year!

Open House

Join us on Friday, August 16 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. for our Open House event. Students and families will have the opportunity to visit classrooms.

We will also have staff available to support families with completing online verification forms and answering any questions you might have regarding the start of the school year. Backpacks will also be available for those families who need one for their child. Hope you can make it on Friday!

3705 Crest Drive, Annandale, VA 22003-1701 | Main Phone: 571.226.2600
Attendance: 571.226.2626 | Web | Facebook

August 13, 2024

If your child is in need of immunizations, please visit the INOVA Cares Clinic this weekend between 9 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Appointments are needed. All students must have their immunizations to remain in school after September 30th.

Open House

Join us on Friday, August 16 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. for our Open House event. Students and families will have the opportunity to visit classrooms. We will also have staff available to support families with completing online verification forms and answering any questions you might have regarding the start of the school year. Hope you can make it on Friday!

Upcoming Events 

August 16: Open House (1:00-2:00 p.m.)

August 19: First Day of School (9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.)

August 30 & September 2: Labor Day Holiday (No School)

September 16: 3 Hr. Early Release (Students released at 1:00 p.m.) Please take this survey if you have not done so already.

September 18: Back to School Night (Grades PreK-2)

September 19: Back to School Night (Grades 3-5)

September 24: Family Science Night (6:00-7:30 p.m.)

3705 Crest Drive, Annandale, VA 22003-1701 | Main Phone: 571.226.2600
Attendance: 571.226.2626 | Web | Facebook

July 29, 2024

Dear Families, 

   We wanted to inform you that the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will be conducting trainings on the Mason Crest playground and blacktop from August 1-3. The trainings will last all day and will include multiple fire stations from our area so there will be many fire engines on school grounds for those days. 

  We are happy to support our local Fire Departments and wanted to ensure our community was informed so you would have an idea of what is happening on school grounds that day and raise awareness.

Thank you and we are looking forward to seeing the students in a few weeks!

Mr. Aiello, Ms. Shin, and Ms. Conroy

Kindergarten Playdate

  To welcome our kindergarten families and students to Mason Crest, the Mason Crest PTO will be hosting a kindergarten playdate on Thursday, August 8, from 12:45-1:45 p.m. on the Mason Crest playground. 

   Join us for a fun-filled time of popsicles, playing on the playground, and meeting new friends and the Mason Crest principals. We hope you can join us!

Welcome Walk

  The Mason Crest Welcome Walk tradition will continue this year on Tuesday, August 13, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Teachers will visit student homes to welcome their students to the school year and drop off a little gift for students to help kick off the school year. We are looking forward to seeing you then!

Upcoming Events 

August 5-8: Kindergarten Jumpstart 

August 8: Kindergarten Playdate (12:45-1:45 p.m.)

August 13: Welcome Walk (5:00-7:00 p.m.)

August 16: Open House (1:00-2:00 p.m.)

August 19: First Day of School (9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.)

August 30 & September 2: Labor Day Holiday (No School)

September 16: 3 Hr. Early Release (Students released at 1:00 p.m.)

September 24: Family Science Night (6:00-7:30 p.m.)

3705 Crest Drive, Annandale, VA 22003-1701 | Main Phone: 571.226.2600
Attendance: 571.226.2626 | Web | Facebook

July 11, 2024

Dear Mason Crest Families,

We hope that you are having a wonderful summer!  We wanted to put some important dates on your calendar for this upcoming school year and provide information about the early release Monday dates.  Mason Crest will release at 12:55 p.m. on these days.

  Some other important dates for this upcoming Fall are:

• Kindergarten Jumpstart (Incoming Kindergarteners Get a Jumpstart to the School Year): August 5-8; 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Kindergarten Playdate (Incoming Kindergarteners): Thursday, August 8; 12:45-1:45 p.m.

• Welcome Walk (Mason Crest Teachers will greet students at their homes): Tuesday, August 13; 5:00-7:30 p.m.
• Open House (Families Come Visit their Classrooms): Friday, August 16; 1:00-2:00 p.m.

  We are looking forward to a great school year!  Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the summer,

Mr. Aiello, Ms. Conroy, and Ms. Shin

Early Release Mondays

Mason Crest will have early release Mondays on the following dates. We will dismiss at 12:55 p.m. on these days.  More information can be found here.

• September 16
• October 21
• November 18
• February 10
• March 10
• April 21
• May 12

Kindergarten Registration

Do you have or know a child that is five years old or will be turning five by September 30, 2024? If you do, please register them for Kindergarten at your earliest opportunity. To start the process you can either visit THIS FCPS SITE or stop by the Mason Crest Elementary School office. Please also share this information with anyone in our neighborhood who may have a child that is ready to start Kindergarten in August. We can't wait to meet all our new Tigers!

Summer Meals

As part of its efforts to ensure children have access to healthy meals during the summer months, Fairfax County Public Schools is pleased to announce it will be participating in the Summer Food Service Program.  Summer meals are available on July 1st to July 26th from 9:00-10:00 a.m. and 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Mason Crest Elementary each day.

3705 Crest Drive, Annandale, VA 22003-1701 | Main Phone: 571.226.2600
Attendance: 571.226.2626 | Web | Facebook

June 24, 2024

Dear Mason Crest Families,

We hope you are enjoying your summer so far and are finding ways to rest, relax, and refresh with friends and family. Our office hours from June 24-July 12 will be 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. If you need to come at a time outside of that window, please call the school and we can schedule an appointment for you.

  Some other important dates we want to put on your calendar for this upcoming Fall are:

• Welcome Walk (Mason Crest Teachers will greet students at their homes): Tuesday, August 13; 5:00-7:30 p.m.
• Kindergarten Jumpstart (Incoming Kindergarteners Get a Jumpstart to the School Year): August 5-8; 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Open House (Families Come Visit their Classrooms): Friday, August 16; 1:00-2:00 p.m.

  We are looking forward to an amazing school year!

Thank you and have a safe summer,

Mr. Aiello, Ms. Conroy, and Ms. Shin

Summer Reading Challenge

We encourage students to read over the summer. Mason Crest is offering some opportunities for students to read and earn prizes! Please see the BINGO boards below and see how many squares you can fill and bring the form back to Ms. Lingler in the library. Happy Reading!

Kindergarten Registration

Do you have or know a child that is five years old or will be turning five by September 30, 2024? If you do, please register them for Kindergarten at your earliest opportunity. To start the process you can either visit THIS FCPS SITE or stop by the Mason Crest Elementary School office. Please also share this information with anyone in our neighborhood who may have a child that is ready to start Kindergarten in August. We can't wait to meet all our new Tigers!

3705 Crest Drive, Annandale, VA 22003-1701 | Main Phone: 571.226.2600
Attendance: 571.226.2626 | Web | Facebook