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Weekly Firefly Newsletter

Week of May 29, 2023

Weekly FireflyNewsletterWeek of May 29, 2023

Memorial Day: Monday, May 29th - No School Memorial Day: Monday, May 29th - No School

Para ver el boletín en español, haga clic sobre la palabra "Translate" en el cuadro a la derecha y seleccione "Spanish" del menu de idiomas disponibles.


By clicking on the icon to the right, you can translate this newsletter into multiple languages. Just click your selected language.

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Weekly Message from Dr. Fish

Dear Flower Valley Community,


We had yet another successful, fun-filled Field Day! A special shout-out to Mr. Taubman for all of his work organizing a fun day for all and to all of the parents and staff who supported the fun! I also want to thank the PTA and all of our families and staff who supported the FVES Carnival last Sunday. I was not able to make it, as it was my graduation ceremony, but I heard I missed out on a ton of fun. I'm looking forward to next year's carnival. :)


We are nearing the end of the school year with only three weeks of school remaining. Sometimes the end of the school year can escalate emotions and fears for students about leaving their friends for the summer, changes in teachers for next year, moving to middle school, and so much more. Please encourage them to seek out the support of an adult and to use our school-wide strategy of "stop and think and make good choices." Thank you for your continued support and collaboration in ensuring all of our students have a wonderful last few weeks of school.


Don't forget that next Thursday at 7PM is our Spring Instrumental Music concert. Come on out and enjoy some beautiful music from our students.


I hope you all have a wonderful three day weekend! While many of us will be celebrating Memorial Day with pool time, family picnics, and fun, let us also take time to remember the reason behind Memorial Day. It is our annual time to honor those who have died while serving our country. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to everyone who has so bravely served our country and protected our freedom.


With Firefly Pride!


Dr. Fish

We inspire all children to become critical thinkers who are imaginative, adaptable, and collaborative. We strive to cultivate peaceful, life-long learners who contribute positively to the community around them. We inspire all children to become critical thinkers who are imaginative, adaptable, and collaborative. We strive to cultivate peaceful, life-long learners who contribute positively to the community around them.

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Important Items in This Week's Newsletter


  • Parent Input
  • Anti-racist Audit Community Letter
  • Plans for Next Year
  • Counseling Corner
  • PTA Corner - Next Meeting June 5th (Meet our new AP, learn about the anti-racist audit, and vote for the next PTA president.)
  • Important Dates in May and June
  • 5th Grade Promotion
  • Helpful Resources
  • Bus Transportation Updates
  • Attendance, Early Dismissals, and Transportation Changes
  • School Visitors and Volunteers
  • School Contact Information

Last Day to return Media Center Books: June 2nd Last Day to return Media Center Books: June 2nd

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Your Input Needed

It is important for us to continuously reflect upon practices as a school community. Your input is a valuable part of this process, and it helps us develop our action plan for next year. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey linked here to help inform our future work as a school community.
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MCPS Anti-racist Audit

This past Thursday, a letter about the anti-racist audit was sent home in Thursday folders. Here is a link to the letter, which can be translated in any language via Google. We look forward to continuing this important work with our entire community in order to best serve all of our students.

Plans for Next Year for Our Kindergarten-4th grade Students

If your child is in kindergarten through 4th grade and will not be returning to FVES next year, please email Mrs. Sintetos at Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org.
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Counseling Corner

Next year, we will be using social-emotional lessons from Sanford Harmony. Below is a link to some of the resources we will be incorporating in our work with our students.


https://www.harmonysel.org/remote-learning/#families


Here are some additional resources to support families with the SEL needs of their children:


https://www.cfchildren.org/blog/2018/09/lets-talk-sel-parents-this-is-for-you/

https://casel.org/systemic-implementation/sel-with-families-caregivers/


https://www.panoramaed.com/blog/sel-at-home-parent-resources-activities


https://www.infobase.com/blog/5-ways-parents-can-support-sel/
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Flower Valley Elementary School PTA Corner

Meet our new assistant principal, Ms. Kimberly Haden, at the final PTA General Membership meeting this year - Mon. June 5 at 6:30 PM! Dr. Fish will also join us to discuss the MCPS Anti-Racist audit and how the results impact our work at FVES. In addition, we'll vote for the next PTA President. Please join us in the Media Center or on Zoom.


Everyone is welcome to follow the PTA and participate in any way as we support our students, teachers, and community. Sign up on our list to learn more ahead of the 2023-2024 school year!

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Important Dates in May and June

May 29th: No School

June 1st: Spring Instrumental Music Concert at FVES, 7:00pm

June 5th: 6:30-7:00pm- PTA General Membership Meeting

June 6th: 5th Grade Visit to Wood MS

June 14th: 5th Grade Promotion at Rockville High School at 5:30 pm; Students arrive at 5:00pm

June 16th: Last Day of School (Early Release Day)

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5th Grade Promotion Ceremony

When: Wednesday, June 14th @ 5:30 pm

Where: Rockville High School Auditorium

A reception will immediately follow the ceremony in the Rockville High School cafeteria.


Student Arrival Time: 5:00 pm

Please meet in the hall in front of the auditorium.

Dress code: Students should be dressed nicely. Please no jeans, shorts, or sneakers.

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Helpful Resources

FVES Letter to Families

School Supplies

School Website

MCPS Things to Know (Community Messages)

Parent Handbook

Student Rights and Responsibilities (Spanish Version Available in Main Office)

Student Code of Conduct (English) (Spanish Version Available in Main Office)

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Bus Transportation Updates

MCPS has created a transportation dashboard where you can check on the status of any bus delays or cancellations. Click here to access the dashboard.
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Attendance and Dismissal Information

If your child is going to be absent, please email your child's teacher and Mrs. Sintetos at Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org or call the office at 240-740-1780. When your child is absent, please send in a note explaining the reason for the absence within 3 days of the return to school. If your child sees the doctor, please bring in a doctor's note.


If your child is going to be arriving late, you need to bring your child to the main office and sign them in. If you will be picking up your child early or changing your child's dismissal process, please let your child's teacher and Mrs. Sintetos or Ms. Peckoo in the main office know in advance.

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School Visitors and Volunteers

Anyone visiting FVES must sign in at the main office and bring identification with them. We aren't able to have parents eating with students in the cafeteria due to space, but you can certainly sign your child out for lunch if you would like to enjoy lunch together.


If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please contact Mrs. Atanda at Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org.

We are here to serve & help you!

Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:30PM Below are emails and phone numbers for the following departments:


Administration (240) 740-1780

Dr. Angie Fish, Principal – Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org

Ms. Angela Castillo, Assistant Principal - Angela_M_Castillo@mcpsmd.org


Main Office Staff (240) 740-1780

Ms. Nevine Peckoo, School Administrative Secretary – Nevine_A_Peckoo@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. Cathy Sintetos, Attendance Secretary – Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org


Counseling Office (240) 740-6680

Mrs. Jennifer Atanda - Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org

Ms. Colleen Smith - Colleen_B_Smith@mcpsmd.org


All Staff Directory

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Flower Valley Elementary School


Be bright! Be kind! Be you!


We inspire all children to become critical thinkers who are imaginative, adaptable, and collaborative. We strive to cultivate peaceful, life-long learners who contribute positively to the community around them.

Email: Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/flowervalleyes/
Location: Flower Valley Elementary School, Sunflower Drive, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-1780
Twitter: @AngieFish_FVES

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