Falcon Flyer

Important Events & Dates from F.AVE

August 31, 2020

Ms. Newton's Notes

Happy Monday F.AVE Families!

It's week 3! We are rocking and rolling, building routines and ready to dig deeper into the learning. Thank you for the encouraging emails and kind words to myself and the Cast of F.AVE. A kind note really does make a difference to our day!

Labor Day Holiday

Monday, September 7th is Labor Day. Students will not attend school virtually. We will resume our time together Tuesday morning at 8 AM. We will not have Wellness Wednesday, because of the holiday. Students should log on to their Google Classrooms as they would normally do next Wednesday. Wellness Wednesday will resume the following week.

iReady Diagnostic Assessment

We will also begin the iReady Diagnostic Assessment, Wednesday, September 9, 2020. In order to prepare for what this will look like at home, we have provided information for your review. Additionally, we will hold live parent information sessions Monday, September 7th at 5 PM and Tuesday, September 8 at 5 PM. Please take a moment to review the materials about the assessment and record any questions you want us to be sure to answer during the scheduled information sessions. The schedule for the assessment is also below, please let your teacher know if there are needs that may require scheduling during a different time. We will work with the teachers to find the best solution.

This assessment is used to:

Analyze student strengths and areas for growth
Provide additional information to support the design of instruction that addresses student needs
Set goals with students and engage them in their learning
Engage families in their students’ progress

This assessment is not used to:

Qualify students for any special services or supports (EIP, Gifted, Special Education, 504, etc.)
Assign grades to students in subject areas
Penalize students for where they are in their learning

Learn about iReady Here

Record Your iReady Questions Here

Testing Window September 9- September 23

3rd - 8:30-9:15

4th - 9:30-10:15

5th - 10:30-11:15

F.AVE's Lunch Bunch

We are excited to introduce our F.AVE's Virtual Lunch Bunch! Lunch Bunch is a time for students to connect with other students to socialize and build relationships with other F.AVE cast mates. This time will be facilitated by our Culture and Climate Support Teacher, Eddie Johnson. He will guide the group in having great conversations and navigating social interactions both virtually and in-person. If you are interested in your child participating in F.AVE's Virtual Lunch Bunch!, then complete this form. Mr. Johnson will be in touch with you about next steps.

Every day F.AVE Falcons Rise UP to be:

Risk Takers who

Inquire about global issues.

Striving to be open minded.

Excellent and

Unique in every way. F.AVE students are

Powerful young minds who lead the way!

Have a fantastic week!

CSD Important Information

Annual Data Update:

We have moved the typical beginning of the school year household data update, medical forms, opt-out forms, and handbook sign-offs to the parent portal. On Tuesday, September 1, parents will receive an email with a link to access the update in the parent portal.

It is important for parents or guardians to complete these forms and sign-offs by September 15. Please note, only parents and guardians in the primary household will have access to fill out the information for the annual data update. Please review the 2020-2021 K-12 District Handbook and Code of Conduct and Restorative Practices Handbook prior to completing the update.

Directions for accessing the data update can be found in the graphic below.

For more detailed information, please watch this video.

zoom_out_map

The F.AVE Flybrary Starts This Week!

Tuesday, September 1st is our first day of flybrary bus delivery and Wednesday, September 2nd is our first day of curbside pick up!

Before you come to pick up your library books, please make sure you've done the following:

Signed up on our CSD Flybrary Google Form. We cannot check out books to students unless parents have signed up for the program.
Checked to make sure that your books have been checked out to you (see the photo below). If you placed books on hold, but they were not checked out to you, they should be ready next week, if the materials are in the library.

For a quick reference, please refer to this policies and FAQ document.

If you experienced problems with the Flybrary this week, please see if this document can answer your questions. We have Flybrary Office Hours each week from 1:45-2:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Feel free to drop in for help with anything library book related! Just go to this meet link: https://meet.google.com/lookup/flybraryofficehours

Please direct any email inquiries to the Media Smiths at cosmith@csdecatur.net or tasmith@csdecatur.net

Extra- Curricular Opportunities at F.AVE

Orchestra

Decatur Strings, the UES extra-curricular orchestra program, will be starting up again in September! Intermediate Orchestra is for all students (3rd, 4th, and 5th) with 6+ months of playing experience. NEW THIS YEAR - an extra class day for students with 2+ years of playing experience and who are highly motivated with their practicing.

A parent information session for Intermediate Orchestra will be held via Zoom on Wed. Sept 2nd at 7:00p. Please email the Program Coordinator (Nia.Schooler@DecaturStrings.com) for a zoom link to join the meeting.

About the Orchestra Program:

Students may join either the beginning or the intermediate orchestra.
Intermediate Orchestra is open to all continuing students or to students who have had 6 mo+ of private lessons. Classes will meet on Monday and Wednesday afternoons each week at 2:45p. Start date is September 14th.
Beginning Orchestra is open to all students (3rd, 4th, and 5th) who wish to learn to play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Classes will meet twice per week BEFORE the school day from 7:15 - 7:45a. (Day of the week depends on the instrument your child chooses.) Start date is October 5th.
The fee for the full year of orchestra classes is $200. Need-based scholarships and/or instrument rentals are available.
For more information about classes, instrument rentals, or to register your child for orchestra, please visit www.DecaturStrings.com.

After checking the website, if you have further questions, please contact the Program Coordinator (Nia.Schooler@DecaturStrings.com).

Girls On the Run

Girls on the Run is still happening this season! We will have two virtual teams, with one on T/Th, and one on W/F. If school transitions to “in person”, the T/Th team may as well. The W/F team will be virtual only.

Trained coaches will lead lessons with your girls, and they will complete some walking/running activities on their own. It’s a great way to keep your girls active and to foster social and emotional skill development.

Please see the website for more information. Registration is open through September 1st.

https://www.girlsontherunatlanta.org/Program-Registration

Chess Club

Click here to sign up for chess club!

PTO News

Room Teachers Wanted!

Looking for a way to support your child's teacher this year? Consider volunteering to be a Room Parent! Typically, Room Parents help with...

Coordination of learning celebrations, birthdays and other events in the classroom
Solicitation of volunteers when needed
Organization of teacher appreciation efforts
Communication between the PTO and parents in your classroom

While we are in this virtual environment, you will partner with your child's teacher and brainstorm creative ways to support their needs during this unique time.

If you are interested, please email your child's teacher. You can buddy up with another parent and Co-Room Parent together – double the fun!

Sign Up for the Student Directory & PTO Website

Did you know we have a student directory that only FAVE families can access online? It’s a great way to connect with other families during these virtual times – e.g. if you want to schedule a socially distant bike ride or meetup outside.

If you haven’t done so already, please visit www.favepto.org to check it out, sign up and make sure your information is correct. You can easily update it, as needed. The first time you visit, a password is required to ensure that all new users are part of our community:

FAVEFalcons (case sensitive, no spaces)

Passive Fundraising Reminder

In just a few clicks, you can set up your Amazon, Kroger, Publix and Box Tops digital accounts to automatically give back to F.Ave! It won’t cost a penny extra and is a super easy way to support our school with your everyday purchases.

Box Tops - Box Tops have gone digital!! Download the App, Box Tops for Education. Enter your information, select “Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary”, scan receipts and done.
AmazonSmile - Go to smile.amazon.com and, using your existing Amazon account, select The Academy at 5th Avenue PTO* as your charitable organization.
Publix - No more keychain! Select The Academy at 5th Avenue PTO* as your charitable organization. https://corporate.publix.com/community/corporate-campaigns/publix-partners
Kroger - Register your Kroger Plus Card online and click on "enroll." Select The Academy at 5th Avenue PTO* as your organization https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

*A note about Amazon, Publix and Kroger… last year, our school name was updated to "The Academy at 5th Avenue PTO". To ensure funds are being properly directed, please take a quick moment to log into your respective shopping accounts and look for our updated school name.

CSD News

Greetings from Your CSD School Health Team-

We are excited for the start to the 2020-21 school year and wanted to provide some important reminders as the year gets under way. We know this school year is beginning unlike any other and wanted to make sure students and families have what they need for a safe and healthy start.

In keeping with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC, we strongly recommend that children continue with routine well visits and immunizations. These visits serve several important purposes, including:

tracking growth and development including milestones, social behaviors, and learning
discussing any concerns about your child’s health, and
getting scheduled vaccinations to prevent illnesses

In addition, if your child has any chronic medical conditions requiring a specialist’s care, please contact that provider to ensure they are current with all recommended visits.

We encourage families to be prepared in person learning with all necessary health requirements. These requirements include:

A current Georgia 3231 Certificate of immunization record or completed Georgia Department of Health form 2208 (Affidavit of Religious Exemption to Immunization)

If this is your child’s first year enrolled in a Georgia public school, a Georgia Department of Health form 3300 Certificate of Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition Screening is required

If your child has a medical condition that will require treatment in school, a Care Plan is required from your child’s healthcare provider. These may include Asthma, Seizure or Diabetes Care Plans and must be updated yearly

If your child will require medications at school, please be sure to follow the guidelines outlined in our District Handbook regarding Medications

Additional forms may be found at CSD Medical Forms

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nurse Marla at: mdubyak@csdecatur.net Wishing you all a safe and healthy school year!

DEF News

DEF is pleased to announce that we are sponsoring two of Decatur Book Festival’s Virtual Kid events on September 5th and September 15th!

Sept 5th at 10 am: The Kidnote Presentation with Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James, authors of I Am Every Good Thing, an uplifting picture book that celebrates Black boys. As part of this presentation, DEF has purchased a copy of the book for every classroom teacher in our five K-2 City Schools of Decatur! To sign up for the presentation, click here.

Sept 15 at 7 pm: Raise Your Voice - a Young Adult Panel brings together five YA authors to discuss how to make yourself heard and to find your place in the world. Panelists include Elizabeth Acevedo, Becky Albertalli, Aisha Saeed, Renee Watson, Brendan Kiely. To register for this presentation, click here.

You can find books from all of these authors at Little Shop of Stories and Brave + Kind Books.

The Madison Ave. Soapbox Derby’s Ramp to Success Fundraiser benefitting DEF continues through September! If you would like to help students and families face the virtual learning challenges ahead, consider donating at https://madisonavesoapboxderby.org/donate -- there’s a gift from Oakhurst Market for every donation level!