News You Choose - 3/28/25

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Spring is here and so is our Observation Station!

Dear Families,

Spring brings exciting learning opportunities to our school with our Observation Station. Located in the lobby by the cafeteria, this interactive exhibit provides a real-time look at life cycles and growth. This year, students can observe ant farms, caterpillars, cabbage plants, and hatching chicken eggs, connecting classroom concepts to tangible experiences. Students are invited to observe, predict, and record their findings, reinforcing science and math concepts. Questions are answered weekly by our math resource teacher. Teachers are utilizing the station as a valuable resource, integrating it into their curriculum and enriching student understanding. Please feel free to visit during an upcoming school event and see the learning in action.

Sincerely,

Michelle Makrigiorgos

Principal

Announcements

Our Schools, Our Future – Spring Series 2025: Community Conversations

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community and Employee Conversations across the school division this spring. These events are a valuable opportunity for you and your communities to share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage directly with Dr. Reid. Your input matters, and we encourage you to participate.

Community Conversations

Interpreter services will be provided for all events.

Dr. Reid values your communities' input, and we look forward to seeing you at the community conversations. Feel free to submit questions anytime on the Superintendent’s webpage or by emailing [email protected].

SOL Schedule - Spring 2025

As a reminder, please try to avoid appointments or travel plans on these dates.

3rd Grade

May 9 - Reading

May 14 - Math

4th Grade

May 8 - Reading

May 15 - Math

5th Grade

May 13 - Reading

May 16 - Science

May 20 - Math

6th Grade

May 12 - Reading

May 21 - Math

Coming Soon: School Start Times Survey

Last year, FCPS held community forums and surveyed middle school families regarding middle school start times. Now, we would like to hear from all staff and families on the possibility of adjusting school start times across the division. The goal remains to begin middle school at 8 a.m. or later at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

On April 1, a survey link will be sent by email to staff, parents/caregivers, and students in grades 5-12. The confidential survey will be open for two weeks and will be available in multiple languages.

Lost and Found

Do any of these items look familiar? Please have your child claim their lost clothing located near Door 10. All unclaimed items will be donated soon. 

Reminders

Kindergarten Orientation

Kindergarten Orientation is scheduled for Monday, April 28th from 2-3pm. Your child must be registered in order for you to attend.

Spread the word, especially if you have families in your neighborhood! There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

  • Determine eligibility. 
  • Identify your local school. 
  • Gather documents. 
  • Fill out forms. 
  • Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one guardian must be present), the student will be ready for our spring orientation! Details to come! Read more about the registration process. For additional information, please contact Ms. Jennifer Hanks, school registrar.

Advanced Academics: Screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services

Please be on the lookout for the Spring Advanced Academics Programs (AAP) Newsletter in your student’s Tuesday folder next week. The newsletter includes information about screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time AAP services. We will be reviewing data on all students to determine services for the start of next school year.

If your grade 2-6 student was screened for Full-Time AAP services, Full-Time AAP eligibility decisions from the AAP office will be sent to the enrolling parent’s email on or before April 4th. Referrals for Full-Time AAP services must be submitted to the school’s AART by December 15, annually.

Upcoming School Events

March 31st - Holiday - no school

April 1st - Teacher Workday, Student Holiday

April 3rd - Louise Archer vs. Wolftrap Staff Volleyball Game, 6:30pm at Madison HS

April 9 - STEAM Extravaganza, 6-7:30pm, Cafeteria

Chick Crew hard at work!

We love having you as a part of the Louise Archer family! Like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all of the exciting things happening at our school!

324 Nutley Street, N.W., Vienna, VA  22180 | Main Office: 703-937-6200
Attendance: 703-937-6262 | Web | Twitter

News You Choose - 3/14/25

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The book fair was a huge success! Thanks to all who participated in the book fair, family reading night, and Read-a-Thon.

Dear Families,

Spring is finally here, and it's been wonderful to enjoy the sunshine outdoors! We're making exciting progress on our school grounds this spring. Soon, our fields will be ready for action with fresh grass, new perimeter fencing, and the return of our baseball/softball diamonds, and walking path. We're also planning to enhance our front entrance with beautiful landscaping, thanks to recent fundraising efforts. Inside, we are exploring new murals for our library to create an inviting space for reading and learning.

Join us for a lineup of fantastic PTA events: Pizza Bingo tonight (special thanks to our fantastic callers, Mrs. Kitchen and Mrs. Skousen!), the spirited staff volleyball game against Wolftrap at Madison HS on April 3rd, and our spring STEAM Fair and LA5K. We rely on the support of our wonderful volunteers to make these events memorable for our students and families. Please consider lending a hand; your participation helps build strong community connections and creates lasting memories. We look forward to seeing you at these wonderful spring events!

Sincerely,

Michelle Makrigiorgos

Principal

Announcements

Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS on Thursday, March 20th. interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

  • Thursday, March 20, Cunningham Park Elementary School
  • Monday, March 24, Kings Park Elementary School
  • Tuesday, April 1, Lorton Station Elementary School
  • Monday, April 7, Greenbriar West Elementary School
  • Monday, April 21, Mount Eagle Elementary School
  • Wednesday, April 23, Freedom Hill Elementary School

Advanced Academics: Screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services

Please be on the lookout for the Spring Advanced Academics Programs (AAP) Newsletter in your student’s Tuesday folder next week. The newsletter includes information about screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time AAP services. We will be reviewing data on all students to determine services for the start of next school year.

If your grade 2-6 student was screened for Full-Time AAP services, Full-Time AAP eligibility decisions from the AAP office will be sent to the enrolling parent’s email on or before April 4th. Referrals for Full-Time AAP services must be submitted to the school’s AART by December 15, annually.

SOL Schedule - Spring 2025

As a reminder, please try to avoid appointments or travel plans on these dates.

3rd Grade

May 9 - Reading

May 14 - Math

4th Grade

May 8 - Reading

May 15 - Math

5th Grade

May 13 - Reading

May 16 - Science

May 20 - Math

6th Grade

May 12 - Reading

May 21 - Math

Lost and Found

Do any of these items look familiar? Please have your child claim their lost clothing located near Door 10. Check it out tonight if you attend Pizza Bingo! We plan to donate all winter items next week.

Reminders

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28

Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.

Kindergarten Registration

For those of you who do not know, our staffing depends on our enrollment. That is why it is important for us to make sure all students who desire to attend Louise Archer register early! Kindergarten registration is open now! Spread the word, especially if you have families in your neighborhood! There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

  • Determine eligibility. 
  • Identify your local school. 
  • Gather documents. 
  • Fill out forms. 
  • Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one guardian must be present), the student will be ready for our spring orientation! Details to come! Read more about the registration process. For additional information, please contact Ms. Jennifer Hanks, school registrar.

Upcoming School Events

March 14 - Pizza Bingo

March 17 - 3-hour Early Release at 1pm

March 31st - Holiday - no school

April 1st - Teacher Workday, Student Holiday

We love having you as a part of the Louise Archer family! Like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all of the exciting things happening at our school!

324 Nutley Street, N.W., Vienna, VA  22180 | Main Office: 703-937-6200
Attendance: 703-937-6262 | Web | Twitter

News You Choose - 2/28/25

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International Night was a wonderful event for our families to learn about our many cultures represented at Louise Archer. 

From the Desk of the Principal:

As I walk around the school each day, I am delighted to observe the energy and enthusiasm our students bring to every classroom. From the engaging discussions to the collaborative projects, it's evident that our students are finding joy in learning, discovery, and connections with their classmates. At Louise Archer, we believe that education is more than just academics—it's about fostering a love for learning and creating memorable experiences that spark curiosity and inspire growth. Beyond academics, our students are finding joy in the connections they form with their classmates—sharing stories, participating in activities, and supporting one another through successes and challenges. I am excited to see the continued growth and achievements of our students as they continue to connect with one another and explore new learning every day.

Announcements

Louise Archer Bookfair

We’re excited to welcome you back to our in-person book fair, hosted in our beautiful new library!

What: In-person Bookworm Central Book Fair. Proceeds support the LAES library!

When: March 3-7 (school-day browsing and shopping for students) with special evening hours March 6 during Family Reading Night (6-8pm)

Where: LAES library

SOL Schedule - Spring 2025

As a reminder, please try to avoid appointments or travel plans on these dates.

3rd Grade

May 9 - Reading

May 14 - Math

4th Grade

May 8 - Reading

May 15 - Math

5th Grade

May 13 - Reading

May 16 - Science

May 20 - Math

6th Grade

May 12 - Reading

May 21 - Math

Lost and Found

Do any of these items look familiar? Please have your child claim their lost clothing located near Door 10. We plan to donate any remaining items soon.

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28

Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.

Kindergarten Registration

For those of you who do not know, our staffing depends on our enrollment. That is why it is important for us to make sure all students who desire to attend Louise Archer register early! Kindergarten registration is open now! Spread the word, especially if you have families in your neighborhood! There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

  • Determine eligibility. 
  • Identify your local school. 
  • Gather documents. 
  • Fill out forms. 
  • Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one guardian must be present), the student will be ready for our spring orientation! Details to come! Read more about the registration process. For additional information, please contact Ms. Jennifer Hanks, school registrar.

Reminders

Food Pantry Donations Needed

Our Louise Archer food pantry is committed to supporting our families facing food insecurity. To help us meet this critical need, we are gratefully accepting donations of the following non-perishable food items:

  • Dry Beans
  • Cereal
  • Shelf-Stable Milk
  • Rice
  • Canned Meat (Tuna and Chicken)
  • Pasta
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Cooking Oil
  • Maseca Flour

Donations can be dropped off in the labeled boxes located in the front lobby or the boxes by Door 10 through March 14. Your generosity is deeply appreciated so we can restock our pantry!

Please note: We are currently well-stocked with canned vegetables and do not need those items at this time.

Upcoming School Events

March 1 - Skate Night

March 3 - Read-A-Thon begins

March 3-7 - Book Fair

March 6 - Family Reading Night

March 11 - In-person PTA Meeting

March 14 - Pizza Bingo

March 17 - 3-hour Early Release at 1pm

324 Nutley Street, N.W., Vienna, VA  22180 | Main Office: 703-937-6200
Attendance: 703-937-6262 | Web | Twitter

Louise Archer Sunshine News 2-14-25

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Students loved celebrating the 100th day of school this week.

From the Desk of the Principal:

Can you believe we're already over halfway through the school year? This third quarter is off to a fantastic start! We even celebrated the 100th day of school this week – what a milestone!

Students are working hard to demonstrate their progress in reading and math through mid-year check-ins. These help teachers see how much everyone has learned and how they can continue to grow. In addition, we're working hard to make every day a fun and enriching learning experience.

Want to know more about your child's learning journey? Please don't hesitate to contact their teacher. They're your best resource for information about your child's progress.

Now, let's get ready for some fun family times at Louise Archer! Our amazing PTA has many exciting events planned to bring our school community together. Mark your calendars for International Night, Skate Night, the STEAM Fair, Pizza Bingo, and the LA 5K!

And that's not all! March is Reading Month, and we're thrilled to welcome back our in-person Book Fair along with the Read-a-Thon! Get ready to dive into some great books!

We hope you and your family can join us for some of these upcoming events. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon from the PTA.

Announcements

Food Pantry Donations Needed

Our Louise Archer food pantry is committed to supporting our families facing food insecurity. To help us meet this critical need, we are gratefully accepting donations of the following non-perishable food items:

  • Dry Beans
  • Cereal
  • Shelf-Stable Milk
  • Rice
  • Canned Meat (Tuna and Chicken)
  • Pasta
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Cooking Oil
  • Maseca Flour

Donations can be dropped off in the labeled boxes located in the front lobby or the boxes by Door 10 between February 18 and March 14. Your generosity is deeply appreciated so we can restock our pantry!

Please note: We are currently well-stocked with canned vegetables and do not need those items at this time.

Appreciation Week

This month, we celebrated our wonderful Counselors, Mrs. Akpinar and Mrs. Robinson! We are so thankful for the support they provide our students, staff, and community. 

Arrival and Dismissal Safety Reminders 

It is a busy place around Louise Archer during arrival and dismissal each day and it is a priority for all of us to make sure our students are safe during this time. There are many students walking and cars driving around Louise Archer and on Nutley Street. Please help us by monitoring your surroundings and adhering to the directions of our crossing guard, our school staff, and all road signs.

Students and adults should only be crossing Nutley Street at the designated crosswalks. Please do not park across the street and motion your child across. In addition, do not stop on Nutley Street to drop your child off at the sidewalk. Only students who are walking to school should be using Door 11 to enter. If you are dropping your child off in a car, you should only be using the kiss and ride parking lot entrance. 

Please help us keep all of our students safe by using caution and maintaining a focus on the roads and students during arrival and dismissal. Thank you for your support with these school safety reminders!

Reminders

Yearbooks on Sale Now

2024-2025 Yearbooks Are Now on Sale!

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL — Softcover available for $20. Upgrade to Hardcover for just $5.

(More upgrade options are available online)

Place your order today! Click here and input School ID 15370225 or scan the provided QR code.

Prices increase by $5 after February 28. The final day to order is April 25th.

For any inquiries, contact [email protected].

Protect Yourself and Your Community From the Flu

Fairfax County is experiencing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Read a letter from the health department

The health department suggests taking the following steps to reduce the spread of flu and other germs:    

  • Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others while ill, wearing a mask can help reduce spread.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces.

According to the health department, to help prevent or reduce the spread of illness it is important for individuals who are sick to stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. Visit this Attendance webpage for guidance on when your child should go to school.

2-Hour Delayed Opening Procedures

If there is a two-hour delayed school opening, students can begin to come into the building starting at 11am. The late bell rings at 11:15am. We do not have supervision prior to 11am, so you may not drop off your child before this time, as they will be unattended. Please consider your options for this situation in advance, as we may encounter this again during the winter months.

Upcoming School Holidays

February 17th - President's Day Holiday, no school

February 24th - 3-hour Early Release, Dismissal at 1pm

324 Nutley Street, N.W., Vienna, VA  22180 | Main Office: 703-937-6200
Attendance: 703-937-6262 | Web | Twitter

Louise Archer Sunshine News - 1-17-25

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Our school renovation nears completion as we enjoy all the new, beautiful spaces inside and outside our building. 

From the Principal's Desk:

It’s the beginning of a new calendar year, filled with hope and opportunities. We have had a great start as our students and staff are back and re-energized! As we near the midpoint of the school year, we want to reflect on our student growth. Teachers are currently conducting assessments to determine student progress to support and guide our instructional practices. We are also sharing schoolwide reminders for behavior expectations in common areas around the school. We will continue to work together to create a positive, productive academic and social learning environment at Louise Archer.

As you know, all of our fabulous educators unselfishly give much time and energy to the students, parents, and community at Louise Archer with the common goal that all children will learn, succeed, and enjoy a wonderful school experience. We are excited to share the following staff members who were nominated by our staff or parents for FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards at Louise Archer this year:

Outstanding Teachers – Vicki Saylor, Kristen Toth

Outstanding Principal – Michelle Makrigiorgos

Outstanding Leader – Jennifer Condra

Outstanding Professional - Haytham Abdulhamid

Outstanding Operational Employee – Kathy Cutri, Sepideh Mousavi, Indu Ranasinghe

I encourage you to recognize the important role all our teachers and staff members play in the education of your children and share your positive feedback with them.  This includes any teacher, specialist, or other staff member who is positively impacting your child.  Collectively, we look forward to the second half of the school year and sharing our success stories with one another!    

Announcements

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Information

Students in grades 3-6 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school counselor, Brigit Akpinar, at [email protected].

Community Boundary Review Meetings

Virtual Meetings

If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person meeting, please consider participating in one of our virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings. All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the recently held in-person meetings, and the same information will be shared. Join us:

Please register by clicking a date above. Each virtual meeting will be limited to 400 participants, and each participant will receive their own unique Zoom link. Language interpretation will be available. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

Movie Screening at Madison High School

Join the What School Could Be Community and New American History for the 10th Anniversary screening event of the award-winning documentary Most Likely to Succeed.

 You are invited to James Madison High School from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. on January 25th to watch the groundbreaking film (for free!). 

After the screening, enjoy cake and conversation with community members and a video discussion with Greg Whitley, director, and Ted Dintersmith – executive producer, educational thought leader, and 1969 graduate of James Madison High!

Please share with others! Bring friends, neighbors, family, kids – all welcome!

     

RSVP HERE:  bit.ly/MLTS25

Reminders

Lost and Found

If you recognize any of these items, please encourage your child to visit the lost and found items in the lobby by Door 10.

Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made. FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. Be sure to plan for the winter season.

2-Hour Delayed Opening Procedures

If there is a two-hour delayed school opening, students can begin to come into the building starting at 11am. The late bell rings at 11:15am. We do not have supervision prior to 11am, so you may not drop off your child before this time, as they will be unattended. Please consider your options for this situation in advance, as we may encounter this during the winter months.

Upcoming Events

January 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - School Holiday

January 28 - End of 2nd Quarter, 

January 29 - Teacher Workday, No School

324 Nutley Street N.W. Vienna, VA 22180  |  Main Phone: 703.937.6200 
Attendance: 703.937.6262 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Louise Archer Sunshine News - 12-20-24

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Students enjoyed participating in our spirit days this week.

From the Principal's Desk:

Winter Break starts this afternoon, and we would like to wish all of you a wonderful break. As mentioned at Thanksgiving, we take these opportunities to remind our staff at each long break the need to give our students (and themselves) a respite from schoolwork during the holiday. While teachers may have long-term assignments that span over the course of a break, we have shared with the staff to not assign homework, projects, essays, etc. to be specifically done over the break. 

This break, all of us need the opportunity to spend time with our families and friends. We want our students to have the opportunity to catch a breath from schoolwork and to enjoy time with friends and family. We also want our teachers to decompress and put their lesson plan books and laptops away for a few days to enjoy time with their friends and family. Our goal is to have students and teachers return to school anxiety-free without the pressure of looming deadlines. This is a unified message that Madison pyramid principals are sending out to all our schools. 

The entire Louise Archer staff hopes you find ways to take time to relax and make new memories with your family over the upcoming winter break. We look forward to seeing everyone back in the new year and we are excited to start 2025 together!

Announcements

Louise Archer Office Closed

The front office will be closed from December 23rd - January 3rd. Students and staff will return on January 6, 2025.

Winter Break Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs. 

Middle School Start Time

It is important that all of you are informed about the discussion on Middle School Start Times, which don’t just affect Middle School! At a recent School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent. Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

Reminders

Winter Weather and Outdoor Recess

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. We are notified by safety and security if the temperatures get too low. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing (labeled with the name!), so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. On the majority of days, students will go outside for recess.

Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made. FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. Be sure to plan for the winter season.

If you need assistance getting cold weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare.

Upcoming Events

December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break 

January 6 - Return to school

324 Nutley Street N.W. Vienna, VA 22180  |  Main Phone: 703.937.6200 
Attendance: 703.937.6262 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

27 minutes 42 seconds ago
Louise Archer Elementary School News and announcements
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