HES teachers have a plan and backup plans to keep teaching your children according to schedule.  They will work with students using a variety of methods including:

• Google Classroom
• FCPS Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
• The Remind App
• Pre-recorded videos
• Weekly learning packets that are mailed to PreK-6 students/families from the FCPS Instructional Services Department.  **
• Email and phone calls.
• FCPS Blackboard 24/7
• Channel 21 ,which provides elementary school instruction
• FCPS Distance Learning Plan  and FCPS 
• Herndon Elementary Website and FCPS Online Learning for Students which include technology support
• Other approved digital resources

*Please contact your child's classroom teacher with any questions. https://herndones.fcps.edu/contact/staff-directory 

**If you plan to access the learning packets online by logging into FCPS 24-7 Blackboard, you can choose to go paperless and opt out of receiving the mailed copies.

What Is Distance Learning?

A learning experience where teachers and students are separated by place. They communicate synchronously (through live face-to-face classes using virtual meeting technology) and asynchronously (through print or electronic media).

As we embark on Distance Learning, we recognize it can present different opportunities and challenges for families and students. While our number one goal is to continue high-quality instruction, we recognize the challenges and obstacles our students and families may face in the upcoming weeks will be exciting yet apprehensive. To prepare for this new approach to learning, it is important that we help our students adjust to the new normal and begin to develop good learning habits.

Where do I start?

Try starting with one thing, and if it doesn’t work out, try something different.

Here are few tips to help parents and students find success in this new environment:

1. Take a deep breath
2. Be there for your child as a parent
3. Continue to maintain family norms and be supportive
4. Know that you are doing the best you can
5. Celebrate your accomplishments and progress!

How will I teach my child?

No one expects you to do home-schooling. Your child may be your best guide as to when, how much and how often. Don’t feel like he or she is behind. The great part of this is that there is suddenly plenty of time to work at his/her preferred pace, to catch up, to work when and where he/she is most comfortable. Create a visible schedule so all family members know what is expected.

What if my student is feeling anxious and not ready or “available” for learning?

It’s not easy to suddenly have to coexist all day, every day, for the foreseeable future. Your child may to need to build up his/her stamina for work, please be patient. His/her emotional health is most important. He/she may need time to process what’s happening in his/her world. Give latitude to emotional outbursts; kids tend to “let loose” where they feel safest.

They may want to watch our "Hello" from Herndon Elementary video to see familiar teachers and staff or listen to Mrs. Fennessy's Friday Songs.  Feel free to contact their school counselor, too.

Herndon ES counselors will hold office hours Monday -Thursday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  During that time, we will set up and meet virtually 1-1 with students, be available for parent and/or teacher consultation, and provide support for students as needs arise.  Please read the links for further information below.  FCPS and HES will continue to work to the best of our ability for our students during this time of Distance Learning. Please contact us if any situation arises!

Ms. Bryant:  @email 

Mr. Falkey:  @email  

Please see the following links for resources available during this time:

Food Resources:  https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-food-resources  

Mental Health and Community Resources:  https://www.fcps.edu/news-features-and-events/news/coronavirus-update/coronavirus-update-mental-health-resources

Fairfax County Resources (Assistance from a Distance):  https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/sites/covid19/files/assets/documents/dfs-assistance-from-distance.pdf

Ways to Support Local Organizations:  https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-support

Academics and Continuity of Learning Plan:  https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-academics-distance

If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please call 911 or access one of the mental health resources below:

Reach out to a trusted adult (parent, counselor, teacher, coach, etc.); https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk

Try these tips for supporting a friend or family member

Text NEEDHELP to 85511 for the Crisis Link Hotline at or call them at 703-527-4077

Chat online with a specialist at CrisisChat.org or ImAlive.org

Call an emergency mental health center at 703 573-5679 (Merrifield Center), 703-536-2000 (Dominion Hospital), or 703-289-7560 (INOVA emergency services)

CR2 – 844-627-4747

Go to the nearest emergency room at your local hospital

Call 911 

 

Herndon ES "Portrait of a Graduate and Positivity Project" Video Series

Mrs. Fennessy's Friday Songs!

June 5, 2020

Dear Bees,

This Friday, I would like to share another song (Bridge Over Troubled Water) by the South Lakes High School Pyramid! We are your bridge, bees!

Love,

Mrs. Fennessy

May 29, 2020

Dear Bees,

We’re still waiting for you bees!  We can’t wait to see you again! This is a great song from the PS22 choir!

Love, 

Mrs. Fennessy

 

May 22, 2020

Dear Bees,

I’m not giving up on you!  Keep working hard!

Love,

Mrs. Fennessy

 

May 15, 2020

Dear Bees,

We hope you enjoy the beautiful sunshine this weekend! 

Walk on sunshine as you dance to this song!

Love,

Mrs. Fennessy

May 8, 2020

We just love our HES Bees!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd4HK37x1KM

Love,

Mrs. Fennessy

May 1, 2020

Dear Bees,

I hope you have had an AMAZING week!!  

Let’s do the Conga to celebrate Friday!! 

Love , 

Mrs Fennessy 

April 24, 2020

Dear Bees,

We hope you have had a wonderful week!

This week’s song is sung by students at

South Lakes High School!

Your teachers can’t wait to “see” you on Monday!

Love,

Mrs. Fennessy

 

April 17, 2020

Dear Bees,

We are HAPPY that you are a bee!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,  

Mrs. Fennessy

April 3, 2020

Here’s our Friday song — We are the World!  

Keep smiling bees!  We’re in this together!!

Love,

Mrs. Fennessy

March 27, 2020

Hi Bees!

This is Mrs. Fennessy and I want you to know that we miss you and can’t wait to have you back at school!  Click on the Friday song…Let’s get on the Love Train!

 

 

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 was our Herndon ES Virtual Art Day.  Art teachers, Ms. McDonald and Mr. Henry, have over hundreds of students in their Google Classroom!  Ms. McDonald created this gallery to honor the art work that students are making at home.  It is not easy to stay motivated and it can be challenging with limited supplies. When they see the work of their friends, students are encouraged to keep creating and showing up to class.  This is something they can share with family and friends around the globe.

Visit the “ It’s Art Day” Gallery to see what students have been creating at home.

Click here to watch the Herndon ES "Hello" video.

Herndon ES Bee Hive is our weekly News You Choose Newsletter which comes out each Friday.  Click here to subscribe.

At Herndon Elementary, a team of teachers collaborated to challenge their students to become members of the N.E.R.D.S. (Neural Enhancement Revitalization Development Squad) by completing 19 critical and creative thinking missions.

https://www.fcps.edu/news/distance-learning-herndon-es

May 26, 2020

Everyone’s needs count, now more than ever. Practicing compassion toward ourselves is essential. Adjusting our expectations, celebrating small successes, and staying connected to sources of support are all examples of building resilience. A new FCPS web page has some tips to support healthy coping. 

Herndon ES is grateful to have your child as our student.  We are in alignment with the FCPS Distance Learning Plan. 

Please review the Distance Learning Plan at your convenience. You may also want to visit our new Learning at Home webpage, which offers simple strategies to support families during the transition to distance learning. 

Check out the FCPS Online Learning for Students webpage.  This covers instruction and technology support.