The Falmouth Falcon Flyer

The Falmouth Falcon Flyer
September 2015
From Mrs. JP
Dear Families,
Welcome Back to a new school year! Falmouth Elementary is moving into its fortyeighth year of serving students and the community through its dedication to education. We would like to welcome the many new staff members, students and families
who are now proud to be called “Falmouth Falcons.” We are approaching a student
body of 540 strong and are looking forward to a successful school year.
This year we are focused on the concept of “Believing is Achieving” and we have an
exceptional staff who will assist your child in achieving in various ways. Additionally,
we cannot take on this challenge alone, we need you as parents to be a part of our
team and know you will continue to support our efforts in assuring we are the BEST
school in Stafford County!
The administration and staff of Falmouth Elementary School continue to be committed to providing a high quality education resulting in academic achievement. We focus on students learning with passion, leading with confidence and living with character. We are committed to creating an environment where students feel they are
active participants in their learning and take on new challenges daily.
Wishing you all the best,
Mrs. Sallie Johnakin-Putnam
Welcome from your new AP
Dear Falcon Families,
My name is Meaghan Sekinger and I am thrilled to join the Falmouth Elementary
School Team. I began my career as a special education teacher at a multicultural
magnet school in New London, CT before moving to Virginia. I was the Instructional Consultation Team Facilitator at Stafford Elementary School for several
years before becoming an Educational Diagnostician. Most recently, I worked at
Stafford Elementary School and Kate Waller Barrett Elementary School as the educational diagnostician.
In the short time I have been at Falmouth, I have been so impressed with the passion of the teachers, the excitement of the students and the friendliness of the parent community. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, staff
and families of the Falmouth community. I look forward to meeting you in the
coming weeks at one of our many exciting events at school.
Sincerely,
Meaghan Sekinger
Falmouth Elementary School
Believing is Achieving
Falmouth Elementary School Vision
Student Vision (Falmouth Pledge):
Today is a new day! I will act in a safe
and healthy way. I will respect the
rights of others. I will take responsibility for my learning. Today I will be the
best I can be. I am proud to be a student at Falmouth Elementary!
Staff Vision:
Staff members facilitate and reinforce
a Growth Mindset with parents and the
community in order to support students
as they reach for academic and social
success. Instruction is enhanced
through collaboration and continuous
professional learning.
Family and Community Vision:
Families and community engage as
partners with staff to increase academic and social success for all students.
Through involvement, they model
effective effort and reinforce the values of 21st century learning.
SCHOOL HOURS
9:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Please remember the TARDY
bell rings at 9:00 a.m.
Students should arrive prior to
that time to ensure they are
able to arrive to their classroom.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Inside this issue:
Principal’s Message
1
Assistant Principal’s
Message
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Important Reminders
2
Staff Highlights
3
Important Dates
4
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STUDENT DISMISSAL
Changes to the way a student will be traveling home
from school will not be taken after 3:00 p.m. This is our
busiest time of the day, and it is not always possible to
ensure that changes can be made safely after this time.
Sending a note to school with your child in the morning
is the safest and easiest way to notify us of a change.
It is appreciated if you do not arrive between 3:15 and
3:45 to pick up your child, as this is a very busy time in
the office.
Lunch Time
Many students are throwing away large amounts
of their lunches. Please remind your child the importance of eating a healthy balanced lunch and
encourage him/her to eat what is packed/
purchased.
PAY School Fees ONLINE
Pay for field trips, lost library books, etc. on-line!
http://osp.osmsinc.com/StaffordVA/BVModules/
CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with%
20Properties/Category.aspx?categoryid=CJ021
Reporting a Student’s Absence
To assist the office staff, please be sure to call the office
number to report your child’s absence. To report an absence, simply call the office at 540-373-7458. Or you may
go to:
http://stafford.falmouth.schoolfusion.us/
then click on the “Report an Absence” Link.
Please call prior to 9:30 a.m.
Important Reminders
Enrollment Forms
Please be sure your child’s teacher receives all
the necessary paperwork from the FES First Day
Folders. It is important to remember that if
your information changes during the school
year, please contact the office immediately.
Medications
Please remember all prescription medications,
over-the-counter medications and cough drops,
will need to be dropped off in the office by a
parent/guardian and must be accompanied by a
“Request for Medication/Treatment During
School Hours” form.
Transportation
If your child’s transportation arrangements
should change during the course of the day,
please be sure to contact the office and SACC if
necessary. This helps to ensure the safety of
your child.


Lunch/Breakfast
Deposits into accounts can be made on-line
through www.myschoolbucks.com
Please be sure to send any breakfast/lunch
money in a sealed envelope with the following information:
 Your child’s name
 The teacher’s name
 The use of the money
Back to School Night
September 22nd at 6:00 p.m.
KG and 1st Grade
September 23rd at 6:00 p.m.
2nd and 3rd Grade
September 24th at 6:p.m.
4th and 5th Grade
Please arrive promptly, as all sessions begin at 6:00 p.m.
and should last approximately an hour. These are
informational sessions designed for parents only.
From the Nurse
If your child has a chronic medical condition, it is
imperative that he/she has the necessary protocol on
file in the clinic. The school nurse, Joy Jenkins, can
assist you in understanding the paperwork necessary
to create an Asthma Action Plan or a Seizure Action
Plan. It is essential we are proactive and prepared
should an emergency take place with your child. A
current list of medications is necessary as well.
Please contact the school nurse should you have any
questions!
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2015-2016 Teaching Staff
Counselor Corner:
September/October Groups: Please contact
the counselor at 540-373-7458 or at:
williamscf@staffordschools.net if you would
like for your 1st-5th grade child to participate.
 Grieving Falcons: A four week group
learning about the stages of grief and
how to work through them.
 Study Skills Falcons: A four week group
where students learn study skills to help
them be successful in the classroom.
Kindergarten Team
Audra Gulick
Tammy O’Brien
Philip Watt
Jacklyn Smith
*Deborah Foster
* Long-term substitute
1st Grade Team
Lisa Dungee
Kris Cammarano
Michelle Floyd
Stephanie Boucher
Stefanie Colson
2nd Grade Team
Please contact Mrs. Williams by September
22nd if interested.
Thank you! Mrs. Williams/Counselor
Staffing
This year promises to be an exciting year with a few
new faces. As you can see from the staff list, we
have had some changes in our staff. We welcome
many new staff members to the Falmouth Falcons
Team and know each will be a fabulous addition to
our talented, energetic and enthusiastic staff. Additionally, we are still seeking to hire a permanent
kindergarten teacher and have now been notified
that our fourth grade enrollment has increased
enough to warrant another full-time teaching position in the fourth grade. We are growing!
Amber Keech
Tasha Carr
Melissa Rinker
Michele Repass
3rd Grade Team
Kerian Gaston
Karen Smith
Kim Ferranti
Jenny Pickett
Debbie McLaughlin
4th Grade Team
Sara Frazier
Nicole Brizendine
Lavon Folson
TBD
5th Grade Team
John Leonard
Amy Antholzner
Jessica Storey
Special Education Team
Mallory Sanner (LSII)
Joan Baker (LSII)
Chris Grzasko (MD) Sharon Stoeckel (PST)
Kim Murphy Orr (LD)Karita Redmon (LD)
Quinn Maitland (SLP)
… AND MANY, MANY MORE THAT HELP FES REMAIN
SUCCESSFUL!
Library News
Welcome back to school and welcome to the library. Below is some background information about our
library:
 Gr. K-1 can check out 1 book and Gr. 2-5 can check out 2 books at a time.
 Students come once a week for a 45 minute library lesson; however, students can also come during
the morning or at times throughout the day to return and check out books at their teacher’s discretion.
 Our online catalog, along with other useful links, can be found at the library’s webpage.
 Lessons consist of read-alouds, information literacy activities, and various other activities that support the general education curriculum and reading.
 Our school participates in Virginia Reader’s Choice. This year’s titles are listed on the library’s
webpage. More information will be given in a future newsletter.
If you ever have a question or concern please feel free to contact me by calling school or sending an email to wardjd@staffordschools.net. I hope everyone is having a great start to the year and is ready to
read.  Mr. Ward
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Upcoming Dates
September 16 McDonald’s Spirit Night
Chatham McDonalds 5:00-8:00 p.m.
September 17 Constitution Day
September 22 Back to School Night - 6:00 p.m.
KG and 1st Grades
September 23 Back to School Night - 6:00 p.m.
2nd and 3rd Grades
PTO Highlights
A huge thank you to our PTO for continuing to support our technology needs.
The PTO can only be successful with the
help of both PARENTS and TEACHERS.


September 24 Back to School Night - 6:00 p.m.
4th and 5th Grades
September 28 to October 2
Book Fair
September 30 Early Release at 1:10 p.m.
Family Reading Night 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Book Fair Open
One Book/One School Begins in OCTOBER… Stay tuned…
October 7
Interims Go Home - Grades 1st-5th
PTO Meeting - 6:15 p.m.
October 8
Donuts for Dads
October 9
Donuts for Dads
October 12
NO SCHOOL
October 15
Fall Picture Day
October 23
PTO Trunk or Treat & Movie Night
October 26
Early Release at 1:10 p.m.

Please consider volunteering to help
the PTO. If interested, contact Hillary
Taylor at fesptovolunteer@gmail.com
Support the PTO Spirit Nights! Join
us at McTeachers Night on September
16th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Participate in the Boosterthon Fun
Run by assisting your child in obtaining sponsors for their run. This year’s
theme: Big World Recess. It is all
about confidence, endurance, teamwork, curiosity, humility and practice.
The Boosterthon begins on November
10th!
The Book Fair is Coming…
September 28th to October 2nd
* During your child’s regularly
scheduled library time.
Also open during
Falcon Family Read-In
Wednesday,
September 30
6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Falmouth Elementary - Where Believing is Achieving!!
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