Mill Run RegisterMill Run Register

It’s been a very exciting month at Mill Run! If you attended the Mill Run Around the World Family Festival on Friday, you undoubtedly shared some great food and fellow-ship with your community friends. This year’s festival (formerly called the Interna-tional Family Festival) was a great success. We had many wonderful student and com-munity acts to entertain our guests, and the evening culminated with our third graders joining Mr. Snead and Senora Nagle in singing the song, “Three Cups of Tea,” in both English and Spanish. By celebrating each child’s individuality, while also focusing on the many similarities that all children hold, we are teaching tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of the many cultures that make growing up in Loudoun County so spe-cial. At the Around the World Family Festival, I had the pleasure to announce that our com-munity raised over $1,900 in our Pennies for Peace campaign. Our students are so ex-cited in realizing that they played an important part in the building of schools for chil-dren in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Your contributions will go a long way toward mak-ing a difference in this world, One Penny, One Pencil, One Brick, ONE CHILD AT

A TIME! What an important message for our children to learn at a young age. This campaign demonstrated to our students that we are all interconnected and that educating the world’s youth is the responsibility of each of us. Please join me in recognizing Mr. John Cornely (administrative intern) and Ms. Jeannie Rizzo (ELL teacher), the co-chairs of Mill Run’s Equity Team. Their leadership has helped make both the Family Festival and the Pennies for Peace campaign the rousing successes that they were this year! We are also excited to celebrate the end of our Book Character Month tomorrow with the Book Character Dress-up Parade beginning in the gym @ 1:30. Visitors should sign-in at the front table, beginning @ 1:15 and then report directly to the gym. Mr. Brazina, Mr. Cornely, and I will keep you entertained (sort of) with some holiday rid-dles and jokes until the children begin to flow through the gym in their costumes. Looking ahead to November, please remember that Monday, November 1st and Tues-day, November 2nd are student holidays, as our teachers will be completing report cards and conferring with parents. We will also recognize American Education Week (AEW) during the week of November 15th-19th. You won’t want to miss the many special events that will take place at Mill Run that week, including our annual Parents, Grand-parents, and Special Friends Turkey Feasts. Look for a complete AEW brochure to come home with your children next week. Finally, I want to extend a sincere “thank you” to the many staff members and parents who worked on this year’s School Improvement Plan. It will be available for all to pe-ruse on our website sometime in November. In it, you will find many new initiatives that we believe will make Mill Run an even better school, instructionally. I look forward to seeing all of you during American Education Week. As always, I thank you for sharing your wonderful children with us. We are so grateful for all that you do to support Mill Run Elementary School. Respectfully, Paul L. Vickers

Principal

Newsletter for Mill Run Elementary Volume 11 November 2010

November-At-a-Glance

American Indian Heritage Month

Nov. 1st: Teacher Workday/ No School for Chil-

dren

Nov. 2nd: Teacher Workday/ No School for Chil-

dren/ Election Day

Nov. 3rd: Mt. Lion Pride Citizenship Breakfast

(by invitation) @ 7:50 a.m.

Nov. 4th: Federal Impact Aid forms sent home.

Please return tomorrow!

Nov. 7th: Daylight Savings Time Ends (Set

clocks BACK one hour!)

Nov. 9th: PTO Board Meeting @ 2:45

Nov. 10th: Report Cards sent home today

Nov. 11th: Veterans Day (school in session)

Nov. 12th: Run For Fun from 2:45-3:30 p.m.

PTO Movie Night @ 7:00, concessions @ 6:30

(How to Train Your Dragon & Toy Story 3)

Nov. 15th—19th: American Education Week

(AEW)

Nov. 15th: PTO Lunch for staff in lounge

Book Fair Open until 3:30

Nov. 16th: Innisbrook Gift Wrap delivery

parent pick-up from 2:30-6:15 p.m.

4th grade musical, “Make a Difference”,

rehearsal @ 1:30/ Performance @ 6:30

Book Fair open until 6:15 p.m.

Nov. 17th: US Scrip Gift Card order forms due

2nd grade Turkey Feasts

All Kindergarten families have Turkey Feasts @

11:00

Book Fair open until 3:30

Nov. 18th: 1st & 3rd grade Turkey Feasts

Book Fair open until 3:30

Nov. 19th: 4th & 5th Grade Turkey Feast

Book Fair closes @ 3:30

Nov. 22nd—26th: School Closed for employee

furlough days and Thanksgiving Break!

Nov. 29th: “Sing Radio Disney” after-school

performance for parents @ 4:15 p.m.

If due to a disability, you need assistance to enable you to meaningfully participate in any activities listed in this newsletter, please con-tact Mr. Vickers in the Mill Run Office at (571) 252-2160 at least FIVE WORKING DAYS prior to the event. If the event is not at Mill Run, he

will direct you to the appropriate resource.

Mill Run Elementary is dedicated to continu-ous school improvement. A formal School Improvement Plan has been developed by staff, parents, and community members. The plan is reviewed on an ongoing basis. A copy is available in the school office and the school library. You may also call us at (571) 252-2160 to have a copy sent home with your child. We welcome your input!

As with all schools in Loudoun County, Mill Run participates in the process of developing a School Improvement Plan (SIP). The process generally begins in the summer months by ana-lyzing and interpreting recent school testing data. Teachers are involved in the process during the August teacher workdays by reviewing the data in teams and providing input for areas of continuous improvement. One of the suggested action plans by our teachers was the utiliza-tion of an online interactive tool called GIZMOS. GIZMOS are a simulation program where

students are given opportunities to solve real world problems by utilizing mathematical and scientific concepts. During the last school year, our fourth grade teachers began using the math portion of GIZMOS on a trial basis with their students. Because of that, we had firsthand knowledge about the use of this product. The cost for this online program is over three thou-sand dollars. For this school year, funding is being provided by the LCPS Science Department who in turn is using grant money supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

MR. BRAZINA’S BREAKING NEWS

The 4

th grade musical performance of “Making a

Difference” will take place on the evening of Tues-

day, November 16th

, 2010 @ 6:30 p.m. during

American Education Week. “Making A Difference”

is a musical about making a difference in the world,

by giving, helping others, and doing our part to

help make the world a better place for everyone.

Come and enjoy an

evening of song

presented by the 4th graders

of Mill Run!

When Loudoun County experiences inclement weather conditions the safety of our students and staff is the most important consideration. In the event that weather or other reasons require either closing or delaying the opening of school, plan to receive up to the minute notification via e-mail, a cell phone call, or text message by register-

ing with Loudoun Alert. You may register for this free service by accessing the quick link/ LCPS Closings and Delays on the Mill Run home page. Parents have shared that often Lou-doun Alert reported school closings before TV and radio stations began broadcasting the information. Please plan to use this valuable resource.

November is a special time of year that allows for us to reflect upon the year’s events and show thanks for the many things we’re very fortunate to have in our lives. There’s always something for us to be thankful for, whether it’s a roof over our head, being able to spend time with our loved ones, or receiving a great education from wonderful teachers at Mill Run Elementary. This is an es-pecially important lesson to teach our children. One way students can express gratitude is by giving to others. Here are some ways your child can do this:

♦ Donate books to a Children’s Hospital or local organization for children in need.

♦ Write holiday cards to the elderly or our service men and women.

♦ Donate stuffed animals and toys to local shelters.

♦ Collect pennies for charities. Pennies for Peace is a great example of this.

There are several ways, beyond those listed above, for us to show thanks and appreciation for all of the wonderful things we have in our lives. Thank you for encouraging your child to continue be-ing a great citizen of Mill Run and the community.

I personally am thankful for the many gifts I have been granted in my life. One area Jeannie

Rizzo and I especially want to give thanks is to our Around the World Family Festival committee for all of the help and cooperation for the October 15th event. For many of you that were there, it was an exciting time to enjoy delicious food and see wonderful performances. Please see the list below of our teachers and staff who made this event so memorable.

Paul Vickers Michele Kovach Todd Snead Dawn Ramsey Kerry Lennon Patricia Smith Alison Seigel Kristin Cornely Susan Dorn Traci Bayfield Becky Page Lori Plummer Tri Bostelman Kristen Neely Rhonda Ready Juan Rios Celia Nagle Thomas Avery Jason Payne Reyna Alvarado

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS ON THE WEB

Mill Run Website: http://cmsweb2.lcps.org/millrun/

Loudoun County Public Schools: http://cmsweb1.lcps.org

By John Cornely, Adminstrative Intern

It’s ThinkFun Time! By Christine Sidilau, SEARCH teacher

I wanted to take a moment and let you know that our ThinkFun games are here! At our October PTO meeting the board approved the purchase of 3 Think Fun Game Club Kits for the cost of $362 for our school and they have arrived!

NOW YOU MAY BE ASKING…

♦ What are ThinkFun games and how will they benefit my child? ThinkFun games are games that en-

courage problem solving and help in building critical thinking skills. These thinking skills are embedded

in the environment of “games” and are engaging to the students – helping them find great success in

completing the challenges!

♦ Will my child have access to the ThinkFun games? Yes! All students in grades K-5 will be using the

ThinkFun games throughout the school year.

♦ How will the ThinkFun games be used in the classroom? Each teacher will sign-up for “ThinkFun

Time” during which the students in the class will have a chance to play the various games (“ThinkFun

Time” will be divided evenly among all classes in all grade levels throughout the year). This “ThinkFun

Time” will allow for building thinking skills beyond the regular classroom.

Please join me in thanking the PTO for their generosity in providing the funds for the

purchase of our new ThinkFun games! THANK YOU! It’s time to start THINKING!

We would like to thank the following students for donating a new book to the Mill Run Ele-

mentary library to celebrate a birthday.

Manasa Pavuloori…Beauty and the Beast

Caden Greene…Flags of the World

Absentee Phone Line If your child is absent for any reason, please make sure to call the Mill Run Absentee Phone Line, 571-252-2162, on the day or days your child is not in school. When possible, we would like to receive your call before our work day begins at 7:30 am. Also, please call the absentee number if your child will be tardy that day to prevent a phone call having to be made home. This absentee phone line is available for your use 24 hours a day, everyday. In addition,

this year, you can save time and email us about your child’s absence! MILABSENTEE@lcps.org.

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

Nathan Weaver

Isabel Will

Gabe Cobean

Taylor Daly

Adrian Runski

Avery Hayward

Jennifer Nunes

Aleigha Mulieri

Jake Louis

Will Hornbeck

Michael Hargenrater

Bill Tozer

Daniel D’Souza

Alexa Kish

Matthew Nulf

Caroline Godwin

Maggie Malin

Hallie Roberts

Shyam Nambiar

Grace Slone

Khushi Maheshwari

Chelsea Imholte

Camryn Adkins

Bryan Thomas

Amanda Amato

Kyra Vlassis

Delaney Gordon

Sophya Hargenrater

Allison Gilliam

Dianna Harris

Madeline Veloce

Clare Lewis

Christopher Beaulieu

Matthew Farley

Brandon Dimitri

Lauren Brylow

SEPTEMBER MILL RUN SUPER CITIZENS—CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

Each month teachers select one student from their class who has Each month teachers select one student from their class who has Each month teachers select one student from their class who has Each month teachers select one student from their class who has demonstrated character traits that are consistent with creating a respectful demonstrated character traits that are consistent with creating a respectful demonstrated character traits that are consistent with creating a respectful demonstrated character traits that are consistent with creating a respectful

and caring school climateand caring school climateand caring school climateand caring school climate.

The “Character Word” for the month of November is Fairness. Guidance lessons in the classroom will focus on fairness in the three major developmental skill areas: academic, social and career. We want to encourage group and individual responsibility for fairness. Expressions like “when we play fair, we show we care” and “when I do my share, I show that I’m fair” highlight that message. Academically, students will understand how fairness applies to doing their own work and having their own supplies. Socially, the students will understand the concept of fairness as it applies to friendships, conflict resolution, and expressing emotions. Career objectives include applying the concept of fairness to working coop-eratively to meet goals and as a component of being a responsible citizen. Please ask your children to tell you about what they learned in their guidance lesson. The November Mountain Lion’s Pride Citizenship Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, November 3rd. A gentle re-minder to parents, if you are unable to attend the Mountain Lion’s Pride breakfast when your child is receiving a reward, please let the guidance counselors and/or the classroom teacher know. The Loudoun County Coalition will be providing services to families in need through the Holiday Store. They provide many of the items needed to make the holidays brighter for qualified families. Applications can be picked up in the guidance counselors’ offices. The applications are in both English and Spanish. The deadline for the Winter Holidays is November 3. For further information, please contact Tri Bostelman, Mill Run’s Parent Liaison, at 571-252-2160, or via e-mail at tri.bostelman@lcps.org. You may also contact the Community Coalition Holiday Hotline at 703-771-5878

or go to their website: www.loudoun.gov/dss/holiday. Please feel free to contact your grade-level counselor at any time with your questions or concerns so that we may discuss them with you. It is our pleasure to be able to provide support and information to the students and families of Mill Run. Dawn Ramsey (grades K, 1, & 2) Michele Kovach (grades 3, 4, & 5)

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PTO PRESIDENT ANDREA RONK

I would like to thank everyone who has joined the PTO this year. Your dollars support the many activities at Mill Run throughout the school year. If you have not yet joined the PTO, please take a moment to stop in the front office and complete a form. We need your support! Already this year, your PTO has renewed the school membership to the program Brain Pop, which is used by every classroom. The PTO also purchased the online tool Ed Mark for the Special Education Depart-ment to use with its students, as well as Think Fun Kits for the Search Department to use to enhance our children’s learning. Our softball game was a huge success. I would like to thank Suzie Dimitri, Caroline Price, Melissa O’Rourke, and Bethany Daniel for putting together such a fun community event. Thank you to Christine Andretta for getting the volunteers for this event, and for the teachers and staff that do-nated their time. I would like to recognize Debby Patterson and Stephanie Worthley for putting together a great After School Activity Program. I would also like to thank Rosanna Beaulieu for organizing our first Restaurant Night at Fuddruckers. Thanks to Diane Greene and Christi Hessels for running the Pen-nies for Peace Program. What a wonderful way to teach our children that they can make a differ-ence. Finally, thank you to Lisa Messner for all her hard work with our Innisbrook Fundraiser. We raised over $10,000 for our school! Be on the lookout for our next fundraiser, The United Script Gift Card Program. With the holi-days coming up, you can buy as many gift cards as you need to give as gifts, or to spend on your own shopping. Either way, our school benefits!! Coming up in November, I hope to see everyone in the school for American Education Week and at our Fall Movie Night on Friday, November 12th. Happy Fall! Fondly, Andrea Ronk

The PTO meetings for the remainder of the school year are as follows:

November 9th December 7th January 4th February 1st March 1st April 5th May 10th

Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 2:45 p.m. in the library at Mill Run. All are welcome, including children! We encourage your participation and feedback.

PTO Parents ROCK! Together, WE make OUR school GREAT!

A special thank you to Fuddruckers for hosting Mill Run’s Restaurant

Night!

SPIRITWEAR UPDATE: All Spiritwear

has been delivered. If you have any

questions, please contact Rosanna

Beaulieu, at (703)864-1443.

Way to go Mill Run!! We had an excellent start to our Box Tops program by collecting a to-tal of 5442 Box Tops! Mrs. LaVoy's A.M. Kindergarten came in 1st place with a whop-ping number of 785! Mrs. McVeigh's class came in 2nd place with 433 and Mrs. Marquardt's class in 3rd with 407! As a result of being the winning classroom, each student in Mrs. LaVoy's A.M. Kindergarten class will receive a Free Kid's Buffet pass to CiCi's pizza in Leesburg! Con-

gratulations to everyone who helped make our kick-off such a success!

Remember that Box Tops can be sent in any day to school. The teachers submit their Box Tops on the first Wednesday of each month. Please check the expiration dates. If you have any ques-

tions, please feel free to contact Julia Boland at thebolands@smartneighborhood.net.

BOX TOPS NEWS

YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING JUST GOT EASIER!

Order Form Packet goes home……October 28th!

Check out the local vendors on the next page!

Be on the lookout for your order forms coming home for our Gift Card Fundraiser in Thursday Folders. You will receive a packet in your children’s Thursday folder to include everything you need to make your shopping stress free this year!

Please consider everyone on your list: babysitters, pet sitters, coaches, scout leaders, teachers,

bus drivers, stocking stuffers, gas cards for your college students, and your OWN spending for coffee, pastries, grocery, etc…while you’re out and about this season. We have something for everyone to include your local favorites and free raffles when you purchase from them!

October 28: Order forms go home

November 17: Order forms are DUE!

Go to http://cmsweb2.lcps.org/millrun/ to download extra order forms. Attention Business Owners: If you give Holiday bonuses in the form of gift cards, please con-sider buying them through our PTO this year so that our school may benefit from your pur-chases too! Contact Caroline Molthen at caroline.molthen@verizon.net.

Mark your calendars – Our Innisbrook delivery will be on Tuesday, November 16th, from 2:30 – 6:15.

Remember, you can continue to order items at the Innisbrook.com store all year long,

and Mill Run will receive 40% of every order. Just enter our school number, 102809.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Innisbrook sale! With your

help, we were able to raise over

$10,000 for Mill Run.

Our 2nd annual Softball Game was a great way to start off the school year! It was a huge success and it was wonderful to see so many families come out to cheer on our teachers. Thank you to Bethany Daniels and Melissa O'Rourke for all of your work in putting together this event. Also a big thank you to Christine Andretta for coordinating all of our wonderful

volunteers that helped out during the game.

Harris Teeter was generous enough to donate all of our hot dog buns and condiments for the

game and Holton Design sponsored our teacher's t-shirts. So thank you to all of you!

INNISBROOK FUNDRAISERINNISBROOK FUNDRAISERINNISBROOK FUNDRAISERINNISBROOK FUNDRAISER

Bring the family and plan to join us on Friday, November 12th, for our first movie night. Pizza, soda, popcorn and candy will be available. Don’t forget to bring your blankets and pillows! The two movie choices are Toy Story 3 (G) and How to Train Your Dragon (PG). Doors open at 6:30 and the movies will begin at 7:00. Come enjoy a night at the movies with your family!

Our School and our Community is truly what we make it. We’ve got an amazing student body; passionate about learning, sharing, and making a difference. Parents, the support you give to this growth is inspiring. Thank you to each & every one of you for finding ways to share of yourself & your talents to make Mill Run such an awesome place! Your contributions matter!

The Holiday Project The Holiday Project The Holiday Project The Holiday Project ---- Food Collection Drive Food Collection Drive Food Collection Drive Food Collection Drive

When:When:When:When: Now thru Nov 12th What:What:What:What: Donate food items Where:Where:Where:Where: Your Classroom

Please, if you can, help us reach our goal for each Classroom to collect 50 items of food!

*ALL unused, unopened, non-perishable food is acceptable, especially healthy holiday items, such as: fruits, juices, cereals, peanut butter, canned chicken/tuna, boxed potatoes, soups/stews, rice, pasta, canned beans or vegetables, spaghetti sauce ( meat or plain).

$10 Grocery Gift Cards are also very much appreciated.

Donations support: Loudoun Interfaith Relief, the Holiday Coalition and LINK to distribute holiday food and meals to Loudoun residents in need. If your family is in need of food these holidays, we encourage you to please contact Mr. Vickers, who will respectfully arrange for a private exchange.

Mountain Lions roar with generosity!Mountain Lions roar with generosity!Mountain Lions roar with generosity!Mountain Lions roar with generosity! Pennies for Peace Final Tally: $1, 926.91Pennies for Peace Final Tally: $1, 926.91Pennies for Peace Final Tally: $1, 926.91Pennies for Peace Final Tally: $1, 926.91

When they put their minds (and hearts) to it, small kids CAN make a BIG difference! This money will now be donated to help build a school in either Afghanistan or Pakistan. Kids helping KIDS. Sharing Hope. Building Bridges for tomorrow through Education. Expanding our own knowledge & borders. Now that’s worth talking about!

Want to help our Community Cares group? Contact: Diane Greene, d-greene@comcast.net or Christi Hessels, christi_hessels@hotmail.com.

VIRGINIA HISTORY NEWS LCPS Suspends Use of Fourth Grade Social Sciences Text

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) has suspended the use of the state-approved fourth grade social sci-

ences text "Our Virginia: Past and Present."

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) told the state’s school divisions Wednesday that text did not

meet its standards.

“The Virginia Department of Education is advising the commonwealth's 132 school divisions that the statement

in ‘Our Virginia: Past and Present’ about black Confederate soldiers is outside accepted Civil War scholarship and does

not reflect the content of the commonwealth's academic standards,” VDOE Director of Communications Charles B.

Pyle said in a statement on this subject.

LCPS used "Our Virginia: Past and Present" as a supplemental text. Its use will be suspended until VDOE re-views the text and issues corrections and supplements.

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

The purpose of the SEAC is to identify unmet needs for the 6,300 LCPS students with dis-abilities and to provide input on how best to address these needs. The SEAC collaborates with teaching staff, parents, administrators and the Loudoun County School Board. Additionally, professionals provide valuable presentations on topics important to special education caregiv-ers, The SEAC welcomes input and collaboration from stakeholders like you who are instru-mental in the provision of services to students with special needs. SEAC meets monthly dur-ing the school year on the third Tuesday of each month from 7pm to 9pm (September – June, excluding December). All meetings are open to the public: parents, educators, and the commu-nity. Our bi-annual Town Hall meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2011. SEAC leadership invites a representative from each school to attend monthly meetings and re-port back to your school community through your PTA.

Mill Run PTO Wegmans

Buffalo Wing Factory Latin Dance Club at Dominion

Mezza Grill Cici’s Pizza

The Tortilla Factory Mediterranean Breeze

Harris Teeter– Southern Walk Sal’s N.Y. Pizza

Red Hot & Blue Celtic Rhythm School of Dance

Zumbadel Fitness First Broadland’s Brick Oven Pizza

Café Opera Dragon Yong-In Martial Arts

Nagoya Asia Cafe

Arthur Murray Dance Studio -Ashburn

Mill Run would like to say a special

THANKS!THANKS!THANKS!THANKS! to the following sponsors for their generous donations

and contributions to our 6th Annual Mill Run Around the World

Family Festival.

NOVEMBER MENU

MANY THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS!

MILLMILL RUN SCHOOL MOTTOMILL RUN SCHOOL MOTTOMILL RUN SCHOOL MOTTOMILL RUN SCHOOL MOTTO

Today…Today…Today…Today…

I will do more than I have to,I will do more than I have to,I will do more than I have to,I will do more than I have to,

I will treat others as I want to be treated,I will treat others as I want to be treated,I will treat others as I want to be treated,I will treat others as I want to be treated,

And I will try to become a better person.And I will try to become a better person.And I will try to become a better person.And I will try to become a better person.

of Ashburn

Enter to win a gift certificate from a local restaurant, spirit wear, or a similar fun prize! Simply answer all the following questions correctly and your name could be randomly selected by Mr. Vickers for this month’s prize! Give your entry to your teacher ON THE MONDAY AFTER YOU RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER. All of the answers can be found in this newsletter. 1. How much money did our Mill Run Community collect in our Pennies for Peace Campaign? __________________________________ 2. What is the title of the musical that will be performed by the 4th graders on Nov. 16th? _________________________________________________________________ 3. How much money was raised by the PTO during the Innisbrook fundraiser? _______________________________________________ 4. On what day will American Education Week begin? _________________________________________________________ 5. What committee has the purpose of identifying unmet needs for the 6,300 LCPS students with disabilities and to provide input on how best to address these needs? _________________________________________________________________________ CHILD’S NAME_________________________________ TEACHER________________________

NOVEMBER BIG PAW QUIZ