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Upcoming Events
PWCS News

PWCS News

 
Divisionwide Announcements
Our thoughts and prayers are with the children and families touched by the tragedy in Oklahoma.
Parents and Students—Your Access to Parent Portal and Your School Web Site Will Change Beginning in June
Get a Second Chance at Success, Take a New Course, or Get Started with Driver Education — Register for the PWCS Summer Program
School Announcements
Office of Special Education - Parent Resource Center Workshop
Please click on the attached links for information on the upcoming Parent Resource Center Workshop for ADHD.  Click here for the flyer in English.  Click here for the flyer in Spanish.
Spring Strings Concerts
Please join us for our spring strings concerts.  The 5th grade concert is on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.  Our 4th grade concert is on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.  Get ready to hear some great music!
Summer Reading Lists
Summer reading lists are posted on the library's webpage.  Take a look at some great summer reading ideas and find out how your child can earn extra credit the first week of school next September!
Link to library webpage
SOL Test Schedule
Please click below for the 2013 SOL Testing Schedule. 

2013 SOL Testing Schedule
Signal Hill Principal's Letter
The March-April edition of Ms. Wrenn's Principal's Letter can be found by clicking on the "For Parents" top link of our website.  You will then see the link "Newsletters from the Principal".  Click on the month of the newsletter you wish to read.  Ms. Wrenn's May/June newsletter is now posted.
Arbor Day Celebration
On April 26, 2013, kindergarten, first and second grade students celebrated Arbor Day. Students participated in a ceremony organized by Ms. Burke (second grade teacher) and Mrs. Nichols (music teacher) to recognize the value of trees to our community. A tree sapling will be  planted, and students pledged to care for the small tree to ensure that it grows to provide shade for future students. Welcoming remarks were made by Ms. Wrenn and Prince William County Supervisor Marty Nohe. The Arbor Day Proclamation was led by Steve Danziger, Chairman of the Board of the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District. Students performed three songs for the celebration and will enhance the beauty of Signal Hill by planting a tree.
Signal Hill Thanks Our Volunteers
The staff at Signal Hill prepared a "Garden Party" for our fantastic parent and community volunteers in the middle of Field Day, April 24th.  Ms. Rout and Mrs. Boone-Green organized a lovely luncheon to say thank you for all our community does to help us out.  We without a doubt have one of the best PTA's in the county and we appreciate each and everyone of our volunteers.  Your time is precious and we are grateful you choose to spend it supporting Signal Hill and our wonderful students.

Field Day Fitness and Fun
Students and parent volunteers enjoyed beautiful weather and lots of fun and fitness while participating in and assisting with field day activities!  Field Day was organized by Mr. Chase, Physical Education teacher.  Students benefited from many activities including whiffleball, scooter races, lacrosse skills, jump ropes, hula hoops, the parachute, sack races, tug of war, kickball, bowling and hurdles.  Thank you to our students for their enthusiasm and to our parent volunteers for making this a fabulous field day!
Heritage Night and Poster Contest
Signal Hill celebrated the many cultures and heritages of our school community on Friday, April 19, with our annual Heritage Night. Families tasted foods from around the world and viewed traditional clothing in the Parade of Nations.  The full house of students and the community also enjoyed a recorder performance, French folk song/dance and international composers played by student re-enactors. Thank you to our wonderful PTA and Staff helpers for an outstanding evening and super successful event. Madame Ballve, Stacey Peterson and Jennifer Nichols deserve a special debt of gratitude for organizing this special evening.

We had many outstanding entries to the poster contest and each and every one was excellent.  Families and students learned so much about the many cultures represented in our school.  The winners follow:

Kindergarten - Aaroon Atrobaya and Tatum Hernandez
First - Emily Morgan Clemens
Second - Cady McDowell
Third - Juliana Murillo
Fourth - Mona Abdallah and Guneet Kaur
Fifth - Alexa Nikituck, Faadil Mohammed and Mallika Datta

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all the wonderful families who participated in this tremendous evening.
Signal Hill Celebrates the Month of the Military Child
April is the month of the military child.  Signal Hill Elementary School wants to recognize and thank all of our military children and their families for the many sacrifices they have made to keep our country safe and free. We salute all of you!!!
Summer Camps at Mary Williams Elementary School
Looking for a fun and challenging activity for your child during the summer?  Mary Williams Elementary School will be hosting the following summer camps:  Robotechniweek on June 24-28 (grades 3-5 only), The Circle of Life on July 8-12 (grades 1-5) and To Infinity and Beyond on July 15-19 (grades 1-5).  For more information, please click below.  
Mary Williams Elementary School Summer Camps


Testing Schedules
Please click below for Signal Hill's SOL testing schedule (revised due to the snow days).

Testing Schedule
Ms. Stecker
Teal We Find A Cure!
 
Signal Hill parents and students, you will notice in April that some of our teachers will be wearing jeans on Mondays as well as our traditional Spirit Day on Fridays.  This is because our staff is coming together to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer.  Each of these teachers has generously donated to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (www.ovarian.org) in honor of Ms Stecker's mother Donna who died of the disease in 2010.  They will also be wearing teal shirts to represent this ongoing search for a cure. Thank you for supporting our teachers while they support this worthy cause!
 
 
SHES Science Fair Winners
Congratulations to the winners of Signal Hill Elementary's Science Fair.  We had excellent projects in every category this year!  First place winners will have the opportunity to enter their projects in the PWCS Regional Science Fair.  Thank you to all the students, teachers and volunteers who made the science fair possible. We had many excellent projects this year!  And, good luck to those students who will attend Regionals!

2013 Science Fair Winners

Overall Winner:  Abigail Golladay (Engineering and Mathematics Category)

Behavioral Science:
First Place:  Aiden Mosher
Second Place:  Sydney Wood
Third Place:  Kyle Kuhn
Honorable Mention:  Aanya Rai

Chemistry:
First Place:  Tyson Boxer
Second Place:  Owen Stephanian
Third Place:  Malika Datta
Honorable Mention:  Sabrina Ulate
Honorable Mention:  Mallory Leonard

Engineering and Mathematics:
First Place:  Abigail Golladay
Second Place:  Riley Coomer
Third Place:  Nicholas Frazier
Third Place:  Mason Wickstrom
Honorable Mention:  Michael Noyes
Honorable Mention:  Colby Pettigrew

Environmental Science:
First Place:  Nick Raiti
Second Place:  Mitchell Carrillo
Third Place:  Alex Torres

Medicine and Health:
First Place:  Joshua Couch
Second Place:  Zoe Tuminello
Third Place:  Alexandra York
Honorable Mention:  Ashely Smith

Physics:
First Place:  Conner Westoff
Second Place:  Natalie Martin
Third Place:  T.J. Bembry
Honorable Mention:  David Homere

Plant Science:
First Place:  Christian Estevez
Second Place:  Asghley Wannamaker
3rd Place:  Matthew Minter

Earth Science:
2nd Place:  Sam Radocha
Stonewall Middle School Information Night for Rising 6th Graders
Stonewall Middle School will host a parent information night for rising 6th grade students on Wednesday, April 3 at 7:00 pm. This is an opportunity to obtain a better understanding of what to expect for your child when they begin attending Stonewall Middle School next Fall.
Gallery Walks
During March, students were treated to “gallery walks” by Mrs. Shaw (art) and Madame Ballve (French) for their art and French class time. Students viewed “The Sleeping Gypsy”, “Woman in Red”, “Snake Charmer”, “Tiger in a Tropical Storm Surprised” and a self-portrait by French Post-Impressionist painter, Henri Rousseau. The artwork was described and students critiqued the paintings. World events that took place during Rousseau’s life were also discussed. Students in all grades enjoyed their “gallery walk” and gained a better understanding about Henri Rousseau’s life and art.
Book Fair Closing Friday PM
The book fair will stay open throughout the school day on Friday, March 8.  Parents may order online (see below), send in paid orders with their children or come in to shop Friday during the school day.  The book fair will end Friday at 3:30.  Because the weather forced a schedule change, we need parent volunteers to help student shoppers Friday morning and again on Monday to help us pack up the fair from 9:30-noon.  If you are available to help with either please email Mrs. Flench at flenchce@pwcs.edu.  Thank you!
All-County Elementary Chorus
Fifth grade students Abigail Golladay, Caila Serrano, Lexi York and Lauren Poirier represented Signal Hill Elementary School at the All-County Elementary Chorus. The students rehearsed weekly in preparation for the county-wide rehearsal and concert on Saturday, February 22nd at Patriot High School.  Concert selections included “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “Feng Yang Song”, “Three Quotes by Mark Twain”, “J’entend le Moulin” and “Foggy Birthday Shuffle”.  Congratulations!
Book Fair Website Handy
In case bad weather interrupts our book fair please remember that you can visit our book fair website to inspect the books available. You may send in an order with your student the next school day or order online and have the books delivered to school at no extra charge. If we lose Wednesday, Thursday and Friday due to inclement weather, we will keep the book fair open Monday morning from 9:30-12:00.  The online site remains active until March 15. http://www.scholastic.com/fair
Choose: VIRGINIA--> MANASSAS--> SIGNAL HILL to find our own Scholastic Book Fair webpage.
Catworts School of Science and Magic
Battlefield High School’s Science National Honor Society is hosting Catwort’s School of Science and Magic for elementary school students. Catwort's School allows students to expand their knowledge in earth science, biology, physics and chemistry.  Please click on the link below for details. 
Catworts School of Science and Magic
Book Fair Volunteers Needed
Book Fair sales begin Tuesday.  If you are able to volunteer, we'd like to have more daytime support and more volunteers to help at the evening Family Event.  Times and needs are listed below.  Please give us a call or email at flenchce@pwcs.edu if you can help.

Daytime Sales:  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Mar. 5-7)  9:30-12:30;  12:30-3:30
Family Event:  Tuesday (March 5)  5:00-6:30;  6:30-8:00

Pack Up the Fair:  Friday  (March 8)  12:30-3:30

Thanks for helping out!
Mrs. Flench
Spring Book Fair
 


Get charged up for our Spring Book Fair!  Join us for a Story Laboratory Book Fair: Reading Gives You Super Power!



Important dates:
· Thursday, February 28: Set up the fair from 12:15-3:45
· Friday, March 1 and Monday, March 4: Students preview and make wish lists
· Tuesday, March 5: Daytime sales and Evening Family Event (with Ice Cream Social!) from 5-8 PM.  Evening Family Event includes a collaborative effort of Mrs. Shaw and Mme. Ballve bringing us the artwork of Henri Rousseau.
· Wednesday, March 6: Daytime sales
· Thursday, March 7: Daytime sales
· Friday, March 8: Pack up the fair  

Follow this link to the Library/Media webpage for more details about the fair and Storia e-books available this year.
 
If you would like to help with any of the above, please contact us at 703-530-7541 or email Mrs. Raiti at raitibx@pwcs.edu
All-County Arts Festival

The All-County Arts Festival will be held at Hylton High School on Saturday, April 6 from 10 am until 5 pm.  

Hylton is proud to host the Annual All-County Arts Festival: "Speaking Through the Arts"! Enjoy a celebration of the arts education programs in PWCS by viewing student art work from every school, representing Grades K through 12. There will also be dance, music, and theatre performances presented throughout the day. The Arts Festival is a wonderful opportunity to support our talented young artists and performers. We hope to see you there!

Quality Students Breakfast
On February 22, 2013, Signal Hill held a special breakfast to honor our Quality Students and their parents.  The event was held in the Panda Cafe which was beautifully decorated for the event.  Parents and students were able to relax and enjoy breakfast while watching a slide show of their quality students and while listening to music played by Ms. Verner on the piano.  Awards were presented to each Quality Student by Ms. Wrenn.  Congratulations and thank you for making Signal Hill proud of our Quality Students!
Author Visits Signal Hill
Tuesday was a great day at Signal Hill! We got to meet a nationally recognized author, Fred Bowen, and learn about his craft. During the day he met with all 5th Graders to talk about his work as a writer, and in the evening met with 3rd-5th Graders and their parents to lead discussions of his book, Winners Take All. Both presentations were exciting and interesting and will not be forgotten! Follow this link to the Library Media webpage for more details and photographs.
Spring Concerts
Below is our spring concert schedule.  Concert notices will also be sent home with students.  Please see Mrs. Nichol's music webpage for more information. 

K-2 Concerts
Kindergarten Concert: 04/02/13 from 3:00-3:30
Grade 1 Concert: 04/03/13 from 3:00-3:30
Grade 2 Concert: 04/04/13 from 3:00-3:30

Grades 3-5 Concerts
Grade 3 Concert: 04/02/13 from 6:30-7:00
Grade 4 Concert: 04/03/13 from 6:30-7:00
Grade 5 Concert: 04/04/13 from 6:30-7:00
SHES Mixes It Up!
At "Mix It Up Day", students sat with different people in their grade level to "Mix It Up" and meet someone new during lunch.  Instead of sitting with their usual class at lunch, students sat with their grade level according to the color of a sticker they were wearing.  The program promoted meeting new people, making new friends, inclusion and "mixing things up"!  It was a wonderful and rewarding experience for students.  They enjoyed having lunch with students from other classes.  Special thanks to our parent volunteers for their help.   We appreciate all your assistance!  We are now looking forward to "Mixing It Up" again!
Specialist Teachers "Mix It Up" on 1/2 Day
Instead of attending their usual specials (art, music, P.E., guidance, computer lab, library, and French) on the Parent/Teacher Conference 1/2 Day, the specialist teachers prepared a special program for students.  This program was presented on the day before Signal Hill's "Mix It Up" Day, and began with an introduction to the significance of "Mix It Up" Day.  A question and answer session for students followed.  Kindergarten to Grade 2 students then listened to a reading of Panda and Polar Bear by Matthew Baek.  The story is about friendship between these two bears.  Students in Grades 3-5 watched a slide presentation titled "Mix It Up--The Power of Friendship" prepared by Mrs. Flench.  Famous quotations about the power of friendship were presented in the slide show.  All students sang a friendship song.  The shortened day created a perfect schedule for students to prepare, ask questions and learn about "Mix It Up" Day.
Fifth Grader Wins MLK Essay Contest
Congratulations to T.J. Bembry for his winning essay.  On January 21 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day),  T.J. represented Signal Hill Elementary at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at Highland School in Warrenton.  The event was sponsored by Mount Zion Baptist Church also in Warrenton.  T.J.'s essay won the elementary division, and at the celebration he read his speech to the audience.  Well done T.J.!  Keep up the good work!
Sparks
All fifth graders of Signal Hill began this year exploring their career interests and abilities.  This "career exploration" was designed to be taught over four counseling lessons lasting 45 minutes so that students begin to recognize their likes, dislikes, abilities and interests.  Our "career exploration" is based on the book, Sparks, by Peter Benson, Ph.D.  According to the book, "sparks" are things that really get you excited, make you feel good about yourself, let you know that there is something you love and do really well and are important.  Students were asked to play detective and discover the things they love to do and the things they do not like to do.  Then, they take an interest inventory to discover what job cluster they prefer.  Results showed a 60% increase in recognizing what students loved to do and finding long term career goals that fit with their interests!
Community-Read Event
Fred Bowen, published author of 15 sports books for kids and a Thursday sports column called The Score (in the Washington Post's KidsPost) will join us from 7:00-8:30 PM on February 19 to talk about his book Winners Take All.  Students in grades 3-5 are invited to read the book with a parent, and then come as a pair to discuss the book with others who have read it and with its author.  An assembly and written form were recently shared with all grade 3-5 students.  If you'd like to participate with your child and did not receive an invitation, please call the librarian at 703-530-7541 or email her at flenchce@pwcs.edu to receive one. 

We have received 250 copies of this short chapter-book to loan out until mid-February.  After completing the Community-Read event on February 19 all of these books will be returned to the library and sent on to the next participating school, which is in New Jersey.

This is going to be a great event, from the opportunity to read with your child and discuss a book about sportsmanship and integrity, to the chance to meet an author and get to know how he thinks about his books!  I hope you and your 3rd, 4th or 5th grader will join us! 

Mrs. Flench
Winter Concert
Parents, staff, teachers and students enjoyed the musical performances by all Signal Hill students during the first week of December.  For our winter concert, students played a variety of instruments and sang in Japanese, Zulu, English and Spanish.   Students also performed partner and circle dances.  Some of the musical works performed were:  Star Light, John Kanaka, Wimoweh and Meryton Townhall Dance.  The performances were enjoyed by all!  We are looking forward to our spring concerts during the first week of April. 
Snow Closings and Helping Ensure Student Safety
During periods of heavy snowfall, School Division staff work long hours removing snow from school and office parking lots, sidewalks, and walkways. They put great effort into getting schools ready to open as soon as possible. However, we need your help in your communities to make sure students are safe if they walk to school, or wait at bus stops. If everybody pitches in to clear sidewalks and walkways it will make a tremendous difference. Please consider gathering a group of parents to clear away bus stops. If you have a residential association, please contact them to request help with bus stop clearing and urge them to help clear fallen trees, common sidewalks, and side streets for school buses, if this is not already done.

With everyone’s help and support, we help schools reopen in a safe and timely fashion. Thank you for your continued support of PWCS and the safety of students.

Special Rehearsal for the Half-Day Holiday!
Students celebrated the half-day of school before Thanksgiving by participating in a dress rehearsal for their upcoming winter concert.  Signal Hill's music teacher, Mrs. Nichols, conducted students by grade level.  The program practice replaced specialist classes (art, music, French, physical education, library, guidance and computer) for the half-day, and specialist teachers assisted Mrs. Nichol's with performance details.  Students rehearsed a selection of songs they will perform for their upcoming concert.  Every grade level practiced concert songs involving singing, instruments and movement.  Staff, teachers and students all had a musical learning experience!  Please see the winter concert announcement on this page for concert dates and times.
Girls on the Run Complete Their 5K
Signal Hill Elementary School's Girls on the Run Team successfully completed their 5K at Jiffy Lube Live in Gainesville, Sunday the 18th.  It was a hill filled run but everyone who started, finished.  All the girls did a fantastic job and will complete the fall season with a school service project the last week in November.  A new team will be formed for the spring 5K in March.  We want to thank Mrs. Garrett who served as our catcher at the race and our sensational coaches and sponsor, Ms. Mordas, Ms. Byrne and Ms. Wrenn. 
Signal Hill Receives Two Major Recognitions
Congratulations, students, parents, staff, and community! Signal Hill Elementary School has been named a Prince William County 2012-2013 School of Excellence based on our achievements in the 2011-12 school year. Additionally, we have received recognition from the Virginia Dept. of Education with an "Excellence Award". Thank you to the Signal Hill community for working together to make our school the best.
SHES Participates in Smithsonian Institution's Global Tree Banding Project
Signal Hill students are participating in the Smithsonian’s first global observatory to track how trees respond to climate. This is a citizen science program to research tree biomass. Ten trees were picked on Signal Hill Elementary School’s property, and tree bands were installed.  Ms. Burke’s second grade class will measure the bands. Two measurements are taken in the spring and two measurements are taken in the fall to monitor the growing season. Her students will then participate in a worldwide group to monitor the rate at which their local trees grow. Students will also compare their findings. For more information, please visit Ms. Burke’s classroom page.
What Every Parent Should Know - Ideas to Extend Learning at Home!
PWCS Student Services prepares students to achieve success.  They publish a monthly newletter containing tips for parents and ideas to extend learning at home.  A link to the current month's newsletter is on our School Counseling page.  You can access this month's newsletter by clicking the link below.

Helping Students Learn Newsletter

"For Parents" Link
Please be sure to notice the “For Parents” top link on our website. Under this link,  you will find the principal’s newsletters, advisory council information and links  to PTA information, school lunch menus and health/wellness links.
Right to Special Programs/Services

Signal Hill Elementary and The Prince William County Public Schools Division wants to inform the community of a student’s right to a free, appropriate public education and the availability of programs and services, including a special education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) are federal laws that give the School Division certain responsibilities with respect to providing such educational programs to students with disabilities. Under the IDEA and Section 504, the School Division has the responsibility to actively and continuously identify, locate, and evaluate those children, infant to age 21, living in Prince William County who may be in need of special education and/or related services, or adaptations or accommodations to regular education services. These laws also require the School Division to:
• Refer for possible evaluation any student of school age living in the School Division who a school staff member suspects may be disabled.
• Provide appropriate educational and school‐related opportunities to students with disabilities in an inclusive setting to the maximum extent appropriate.
•Provide notice of the availability of services and types and location of services to nearby private schools, pediatricians, and the Health Department.
•Provide parents/guardians of students with disabilities with notice of their rights annually, and prior to their student’ evaluation and placement, or any significant change in their student’ placement.
•Develop and implement procedural safeguards with respect to actions regarding the identification, evaluation, and placement of students with disabilities.
•Provide written notice of the School Division’ procedural safeguards to parents or guardians.

If you suspect that your student may have a disability affecting your student’ development or academic performance, or may have a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, please contact the Director of Special Education at 703.791.7287 for further information.

Bus Riding is a Privilege!
Just a reminder that Signal Hill is an all bus school.  That means we have no walkers.  All students are either driven to school or ride the school bus.  Students, please remember that the bus is a courtesy and that good behavior is necessary to keep your journeys to and from school safe.  Students who in any way endanger other children with distracting or mean behavior will not be allowed to ride the bus.  We do not want any child to lose this privilege. However, if a child displays inappropriate behavior he or she will be removed from the bus. You will receive our school discipline plan, which outlines bus riding expectations at the beginning of the school year.  Please read it carefully and remember that the ride to and from school each day should be safe, relaxing and fun for all.
SCA Receives Recognition and Meets a Local Inspiration

Signal Hill's Student Council Association (SCA) was thrilled to meet Leukemia survivor Julianna Nicholson, a first grader from Woodbridge, VA. Along with her family, she told her story to the SCA. She was joined by Leah Cutler, a campaign manager from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, who presented Signal Hill with a banner celebrating our success with the Pennies for Patients program. Julianna presented Mr. Peterson, the SCA Sponsor with a Coordinator of the Year award. This year we raised $5,198.59! Signal Hill placed 15th out of over 440 schools in the DC Metro area participating in the program. A big thank you goes out to everyone who sent in those pennies during our fundraiser!

Warning! This Web page may contain links to one or more Web sites outside the PWCS network, which are not PWCS venues and may not reflect the views or opinions of PWCS. PWCS does not control the content of such Web sites and does not sponsor or endorse any messages, products, or services contained on such Web sites.

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