January 19, 2024
Announcements
WINTER REMINDERS-
We hope you enjoyed the snow days this past week! Please be sure your student wears a winter coat to school with the colder temperatures approaching. Be sure that all coats, hats, and gloves have names on them. These items tend to be left behind at school. Check the Lost and Found regularly for missing items. **Any items left in the Lost and Found will be donated at the end of January, so check it out soon!
WIDA ACCESS TESTING-
All English Language Learners (ELLs) in the state of Virginia are required to take an annual test to evaluate their English proficiency. The purpose of the test is to measure the improvement and proficiency of each language domain (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing) from one year to the next. Your child, if an ELL, will be taking part in this battery of tests. There are four components to the test: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. The test will take place during the weeks of January 22rd – March 3rd.
If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding this test, please contact your child’s ESOL teacher or the school testing coordinator, Mrs. Hall.
SCHOOL FINES PAY OFF WEEK-
Our school fines pay off week has been extended due to the inclement weather! We are having a school fines pay off week from January 12-26th. Send cash for your library fines (no checks please). Your child can pay off their fines to Mrs. Perkinson in the library next week to receive a special treat!
IMPORTANT REPORT CARD SURVEY-
Spotsylvania County Public Schools is excited to announce that we are reviewing and updating our elementary standards-based report cards for the fall of 2024. The primary goal is to make the report card more user-friendly and easier to understand your child's progress toward learning targets. We would appreciate a few moments of your time to provide feedback. This survey will be open until Friday, January 19, 2024. Thank you in advance for your help.
English- Parent Report Card Survey
Spanish- Parent Report Card Survey
RISING 6TH GRADE INFO NIGHTS-
Please see the attached link for information nights for students moving on to 6th grade next year. Rising 6th Grade Night.
Thornburg Middle - February 1st, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Battlefield Middle - January 31st, 5:45pm-7:15pm
Elementary Language Arts Textbook Adoption:
In compliance with the Virginia Literacy Act and SCPS Textbook Selection and Adoption Policy IIAA, Spotsylvania County Public Schools is adopting Elementary (K-5) Language Arts Curriculum Resources for the 2024-25 school year.
All physical texts will be available for review at each elementary school from January 16th through January 26th during regular school business hours. Additional evening review hours will be held at the School Board Meeting Room Lobby, 8020 River Stone Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on January 16, 17, 22, and 29.
SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY TIPS-
Access to social media and cell phones or other electronic devices is a careful consideration for all families. Students of elementary school age often struggle with the responsibility of digital citizenship on social media platforms due to their brain development in the younger years. We encourage families to stay involved and make careful decisions regarding the use of social media and devices. Remember, cell phones are discouraged at the elementary level and are not to be out or turned on while on school property including the bus. Please see the attached online safety tips for families for more information.Social Media Tip Sheet Spanish Social Media Info
ATTENDANCE MATTERS-
It is very important that students attend school regularly. Remember, missing 10 days of school whether excused or unexcused is considered chronically absent under Virginia State Regulations. Consistent and regular attendance is part of our state accreditation and accountability according to the Virginia Department of Education. Remember to always inform the office of absences by emailing leehillesattendance@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
IMPORTANT DATES FOR LHES-
*Every Friday at LHES is Spirit Day! Wear school colors and show your school spirit!
January 27th- Division Wide Spelling Bee at 9:00 am at School Board Office, Good luck to Genesis and Amber who will be representing LHES!
February 1st- Black History Month Begins and Interims are available through ParentVue
February 2nd- Wear your House Colors for House Meeting Day and Free Dressing Days Event Clothing Giveaway from 5:00-7:00 pm at Harrison Road Elementary School.
February 5th-9th- School Counselor Appreciation Week
February 7th- Half Day Early Release for Students at 12:30 pm and Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 14th- SCA Meeting at 3:45-4:45 pm
PRE-ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK-
Lee Hill Elementary - Yearbooks are going on sale! Preserve your student’s memories. Pre-order your 2023 - 24 yearbook today. What a great way to remember this school year! Parents can put faces to the names of teachers and classmates your student(s) have been talking about all year. In the future, you will be able to remember the groups and activities your student(s) have joined. These moments are priceless memories you will treasure forever. Pre-order today. Yearbooks will be delivered to your student’s classroom in May before the end of the school year. Secure your copy today.
To pre-order your yearbook, go to SCPS.SchoolCashOnline.com
HERE COMES THE BUS APP-
Welcome to Here Comes the Bus! Know when your bus is approaching your stop. Here Comes the Bus® app is a school bus tracking app that can simplify morning and afternoon routines for parents and students by giving them real-time bus location and text or email notification alerts, helping them get to the bus stop on time. Here Comes the Bus® utilizes our GPS data and an easy-to-use customizable map that works on one or multiple devices, such as a tablet or smartphone. Register for Here Comes the Bus on the Spotsylvania County Schools webpage under the transportation tab!
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURES FOR LHES
ARRIVALS-
The Bus Loop in front of the school is only for buses from 8:15 - 9:15 am. Parents should NOT drive vehicles into the front bus loop to drop off students for school. Please park in the parking lot and walk students inside if you arrive after 8:45 am.
The curbside parent loop is designated for car riders and families dropping off students in the morning. Students may be dropped off in the curbside parent loop in the mornings from 8:25 am to 8:45 am. Parents should remain in their vehicles and students should only exit when vehicles reach the cone zones. Please cooperate with staff to keep the line moving. The tardy bell rings at 8:45 am. If you arrive after 8:45 am, please park in the parking lot and walk your child to the front office to sign them in. Have your ID ready and ring the front bell for assistance.
Parking in disabled spaces is only allowed for those with disabled tags on their vehicle. Please do not park in these spaces if you do not have a disabled tag. Parents without disabled tags should park in other empty spaces in the parking lot and walk students into the front office to be dropped off. We have families with students with disabilities who need a safe place to exit in these designated spaces. Thank you for your cooperation!
DISMISSALS-
We have 3 designated areas for dismissals each day including the front Bus Loop for bus riders, Curbside Parent Loop for all parent pick up and car riders, and Daycare Vans/Sped Buses in the back blacktop area.
The Bus Loop is reserved for buses only between 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm. Parents should NOT drive vehicles into the front bus loop to pick up students during this time.
The Curbside Parent Loop is for ALL parents coming to pick up their children from school. If you wish to pick up your child regularly from the parent loop, please fill out a curbside form to get a car rider number. New numbers are being issued this year. Please do not use last year’s number when picking up your child. Please remain in your vehicle and follow the directions of staff so we can keep the line moving. It helps to turn right onto Lee Hill School Drive when exiting the curbside loop to increase the flow of traffic.
If you are coming to pick up your child after 3:10 pm, you will need to drive through the curbside parent loop even if you do not have a number. Students may only be signed out of the front office before 3:10 pm for early dismissals.
Transportation Changes- It is important that you notify the office and your child’s teacher in writing before 2:00 pm if your child has a transportation change. Please email the office at leehillesattendance@spotsylvania.k12.va.us and your child’s teacher with any changes or send a note in writing. We want to make sure we send students home the correct way to ensure their safety.
Late Buses- We do our best to notify parents with autodialer messages as soon as we are notified by transportation about late buses. If we send out an autodialer for a late bus and you wish to pick up your child, please call the front office to make arrangements after receiving the auto dialer message.