April 5, 2024
Announcements
SOLAR ECLIPSE INFO-
It is exciting when natural phenomena take place around us. On Monday, the solar eclipse is slated to take place and we encourage our families and students to learn about this unique event. That being said, safety is a top priority for Lee Hill Elementary and we know the timing of the event will occur during dismissal. We will work accordingly to ensure our students are escorted to cars at the curbside area and out to buses in a safe manner. We will share information about the eclipse with our students through class discussions and morning announcements. We will also make sure that there are no outside activities or recess after 12:00 pm that day.
*The following information was shared by the school division regarding safety during the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th:
Important Solar Eclipse Safety Information
A partial solar eclipse will take place on Monday, April 8, 2024. In Spotsylvania County, the eclipse will begin at 2:02 p.m. and end at 4:31 p.m., peaking at 3:19 p.m. During the eclipse, there will be 86% coverage during, which means it will get darker outside, but there will not be total darkness.
All SCPS’ dismissals take place during the eclipse period. After school activities will take place indoors during this time period. We encourage parents/guardians to speak with their children about following these solar eclipse safety tips:
Never look directly at the sun, especially during a solar eclipse. It is dangerous to look directly at the sun and can cause permanent damage to the eyes. Looking at the sun through tinted windows, sunglasses, telescopes, or binoculars may still cause damage.
Anyone using special viewing glasses or filters should only use those that conform to all International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.
If you purchased special viewing glasses, ensure they are from reputable manufacturers. There have been reports of counterfeit products labeled as if they conform to international safety standards.
The American Astronomical Society, whose products are known to conform to ISO standards, provides a list of companies that are reputable and conform to safety standards can be viewed at https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters.
Learn more about solar eclipses and safety practices at the NASA website: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/ or download the attached flyers.Safety Info Spanish Safety Info
SPRING TRACK AND FIELD CAMP INFO-
The Massaponax High School Track & Field Team will be offering our 3rd Annual Spring Track & Field Camp on Saturday, March 30th from 9:00-2:00 pm. See the link below for more info and to sign up:
https://scps.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/9329/376/False/True
CLOTHING DONATIONS NEEDED-
Our school clinic is in need of clothing donations for students. We are running low on pants and shirts for students who become ill at school. Families of students in the lower grades are encouraged to send in an extra change of clothes to keep on hand in classrooms in case of accidents or illness. For specific needs, please contact Nurse Olson in our school clinic.
SCPS PRESCHOOL APPLICATIONS-
SCPS is opening Preschool Applications early this year! Online applications will be available starting March 4th through the Spotsylvania County Schools Website.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR-
Kindergarten Pre-Registration for 2023-2024 school year will open on Monday, March 6th. To enter Kindergarten next fall, a child must be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2023. Click here for more: https://bit.ly/3XVgjz9
SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY SUMMER ENRICHMENT COURSES-
Spotsylvania County is excited to offer in-person sessions for our Summer Enrichment Program for any student looking for a fun, exciting way to learn, explore, and grow this summer! The Elementary Summer Enrichment Course Offerings are for current Kindergarten through 5th graders. You can go to the SCPS Summer Enrichment Website to view the information and register online. The registration deadline is April 19th, but sign up early as classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR LHES-
*Every Friday at LHES is Spirit Day! Wear school colors and show your school spirit!
April 8th- “Tipping Our Hats to Science Day,” Wear your favorite hat for spirit day!
April 9th- PTO Meeting at Ledo’s Pizza at 6:00 pm
April 10th- SCA Meeting at 3:45 pm
April 12th- Special Games Day at MHS, Wear Blue for Autism Awareness
April 15th-April 26th- SCA Special Collection Days for Treasure House, we are collecting hair conditioner donations for SCPS Treasure House. See attached flyer.Treasure House Donation Drive
April 16th- PTO Spirit Night at Red Robin
April 17th- Dressing Days Event Free Clothing Giveaway at Smith Station Elementary, 5:00-7:00 pm
April 19th- Field Day, Grades K-2 9:15-11:00 am & Grades 3-5 1:00-2:45 pm (Informational flyers were sent home with more details)
**April 23rd- SOL Testing Window Begins. See the attached calendar for end of the year SOL testing and school events.End of Year Events and SOL Calendar
*Other Fun Dates in April from SCPS School Division-
April Calendar of Events:
National Child Abuse Prevention Month - Blue Ribbon Month
World Autism Awareness Month (World Autism Day 2)
National Occupational Therapy Month
School Library Month (International Children’s Book Day 2, Library Week 7-13, & National School Librarian Day 9)
Month of the Military Child (division-wide spirit week 15-19)
Financial Literacy Month
Month of the Young Child
National Assistant Principal Month (week 8-12)
Paraprofessional Appreciation Day (3)
National Robotics Week (6-13)
National School Volunteer Week (21-27)
Earth Day (22)
National Administrative Professionals Day (24)
National Student Leadership Week (24-30)
National Arbor Day (26)
YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE-
Lee Hill Elementary - Yearbooks are 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
CURBSIDE REMINDERS-
We work hard each day to keep our students safe during arrivals and dismissal in the curbside line and bus loop. If you are using the curbside line for drop off or pick up, please pull up as close as possible to the car in front of you leaving no big gaps, stay alert, and follow staff directions. Turn right when leaving the parking lot to avoid backup of traffic on Lee Hill School Drive. Please display Curbside Numbers in your window when picking up students. Also remember that vehicles are not allowed in the bus loop during arrivals or dismissal times each day for the safety of students boarding buses. Thank you for your cooperation.
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
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.