“Success through Working with Integrity and Motivation!”
|
|
|
From the Principal’s Desk
Dear Jennie Dean Families, As we enter the month of December, I want to take a moment to thank you for the continued support you provide to your children and to our school community. Our staff remains committed to ensuring that every student feels supported, connected, and ready to learn each day.
In the classroom, students are engaged in meaningful learning as we build on the strong foundation established earlier in the year. I am proud of the hard work our teachers are doing to create welcoming, structured environments where students can grow academically while also developing important skills such as collaboration, perseverance, and empathy.
December also brings several opportunities for our school community to come together. This month includes events such as our staff/parent volleyball game, PTO Cookies, Cocoa and Coloring event, and our Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) meeting. We look forward to seeing many of you at these events.
As we approach winter break, I hope your family finds time to rest and enjoy the season together. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children. We look forward to a wonderful month ahead and to continuing our work together in the new year. Sincerely, Ed Stephenson, PhD Principal Jennie Dean Elementary School 571.377.6300 |
From the Assistant Principal’s Desk Dear Dolphin Families,
As we wrap up a wonderful first half of the year, I want to wish you a warm and joyful December! To support your child's learning at home, consider activities such as reading together, drawing story endings, or turning baking into math practice by measuring ingredients. You can also play a “number hunt” around the house to practice counting or place value. These activities help reinforce classroom skills and make learning fun during the break.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year. Enjoy the break, and we’ll see you in 2026! Warmly, Ms. Mullen |
Announcements
Food and Drinks: Normally, parents are not permitted to bring food to school and eat with their students. However, parents may come to school to eat lunch with their child on any of four designated student/parent lunch days, if they contact the school at least two days in advance of the date. The remaining dates for 2025-26 are: January 16, March 13, and April 24. |
|
|
Upcoming Events December 4 Staff/Parent Volleyball Game 5:30 8 Title 1 Parent Meeting 5:30 8 PTO Meeting 6:00 10 Early Release 17 PTO Cookies and Coca and Coloring 5:30
18 Parents as Educational Partners 5:30 featuring School Board Chair Ms. Seaberg 22 - January 2 School Closed |
| Letter from our Librarian
Students in grades 2 – 4 participated in their Class Spelling Bees in the library at the end of November. Students moving on to the School Bee on January 12 have gotten their spelling lists. (and something about not obsessively studying over break).
Please make sure that students return their library books and to keep track of them during Winter Break. |
|
|
Family Liaison’s Letter
Your Family Liaison: A Bridge to Resources and Support |
I am here Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. to support you. Please feel free to call me directly at 571-377-6313.. To set up an appointment, please call 571-377-6313 or simply scan the QR code below. We look forward to working with you! |
| Encore Update - Physical Education Dance: We will explore dances from American culture
as well as cultures around the world Culture: Traditions and behaviors held by a
group of people such as food, language, clothing, music, art, customs, and beliefs Winter Olympics: We will have fun recreating events from the winter Olympics
Social Emotional Learning:
Integrity: Doing the right thing, even when no one is watching |
|
|
Pre-Kindergarten
In the month of December, PreK 3-and 4-year-olds will be investigating traditions, cultures, and families. In addition to traditions, cultures, and families, the 2-year-old class will investigate light and how light connects us all at the darkest time of the year.
Young children learn best when they feel connected, understood, and valued. Family, traditions, and culture play a powerful role in helping them build that foundation. When children see their home languages, customs, and routines reflected in their learning environment, they develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging. This confidence supports their social, emotional, and academic growth.
Sharing family traditions—whether it’s a special song, a holiday celebration, or a favorite story—helps children understand who they are and where they come from. It also teaches them to appreciate differences and show respect for others. When parents and educators work together to bring culture into the classroom, children gain rich, meaningful experiences that strengthen learning and help them thrive.
We also invite all PreK and ECSE families to join us for a gingerbread house activity on December 10th. More information will be shared by your child’s teacher soon. | | Kindergarten
Math Kindergarten will be working on adding. Please continue counting with your child to 100. Also practice counting backwards from 20.
Benchmark/ELA Kindergarten will be working on the letters Oo, Cc, and Hh. Please help your child work on writing his/her name correctly with a capital letter at the beginning and rest lower case. When reading a story with your child you can ask them the following questions: Who was the main character? Where did the story take place (setting)?
What happened at the beginning of the story, middle, and end of the story? Reminders Please remember to have your child read every night for 20 minutes and to practice writing at least a sentence about what he/she has done at school. Support your child in completing other tasks. |
First Grade
Math We will be focusing on sorting objects by their attributes, fractions, and addition. Science and Social Studies We are continuing to discuss matter in Science. In Social Studies, we are exploring Virginia history.
Benchmark/ELA In reading, we will continue Unit 3: Being a Good Community Member. Students will continue to learn about s-blends and the final consonant. They will also continue learn about noun-verb agreement and types of pronouns. Students will continue to practice writing. Reminders
Please remember to have your child read every night for 20 minutes and to practice writing at least a sentence about what he/she has done at school. Support your child in completing other tasks. |
|
|
ELA We are wrapping up our unit on government; phonics work on ar, er, ir, ur and or. Please continue to practice writing-getting a notebook and having students write everyday would be great! Math We are learning about 3 digit numbers, addition strategies, and fluency facts to 20.
Science We are wrapping up our unit on matter. We will complete some fun projects with water to show how water can be a solid, liquid and gas. Social Studies We are starting a unit on Indigenous People after Thanksgiving break. Reminders Please read every night and get some flash cards to practice basic math facts. |
|
Math The students will be focusing on multiplication 0, 1, and subtraction (counting on and counting back). Science and Social Studies Science we will be finishing Soil and starting Natural Events and Human Influences. Social Studies we will be learning about Ancient Egypt.
Benchmark/ELA In reading we will be completing Unit 4 Character’s Point of View with a focus on comparing and contracting, context clues and text evidence. We will also be writing an narrative essay.
Reminders 3rd grade will be going on a field trip to Hylton Performing Arts to see The Nutcracker on December 17th.
Please continue to practice multiplication facts at home each night
|
|
|
Reminders
Please check your child’s daily folder for important notices!
If you would like a conference (phone, face-to-face, or on-line) please contact your child’s teacher to schedule one. Conference day is Nov. 3rd!
Contact Information: 3 Methods
Please make sure you set up your ROOMs/Thrillshare account and reach out on ROOMS! or
Email your child’s teacher or send a note in green Daily Communications Folder! At Home Skill Building Practice-
Reading- Please make sure your child is reading for at least 15 minutes each night. It can be a book of choice or a library book.
Math- Study your” Multiples Chart” for a few minutes each night. Charts are in the back of the green Daily folder. |
| Current Skills of Study
Math Multiplication using Partial Products
Va. Studies Colonial Life in Virginia
Reading/Language Spelling Patterns, Word Recognition, Reading Comprehension Vocabulary and Writing Skills
Science Ecosystem Dynamics At Home Skill Building Practice
Reading Please make sure your child is reading for at least 15 minutes each night. It can be a book of choice or a school or public library book. Math Study your” Multiples Chart” for a few minutes each night. Charts are in the back of the green daily folder. |
|
|
|
