School Scoop 2026 2027

School Scoop -- October 11, 2026

SSOM: Fawn Hollow celebrates 5th grader Mary Carafides, our first Superintendent Student of the Month.  Mary demonstrates all the qualities we are looking for in a SSOM.  Her academic accomplishments, her strong moral character, her work habits, and her extracurricular activities reflect a curious learner, a thoughtful problem-solver, and a kind upstander who communicates with confidence.

Growing Up Talks On Friday, fifth graders will meet in two groups—boys and girls—to learn about the physical changes that occur during puberty. Students will watch the Always Changing videos, which are available for parents to preview on the Fawn Hollow website under Parents → Always Changing. We encourage you to preview the videos so you are prepared to answer any questions your child may have.

CAS Awards Winners: Each year, CAS recognizes two outstanding fifth-grade students who demonstrate excellence in the performing or visual arts, along with strong citizenship and cooperation with peers.  The award celebrates not only their artistic talents, but also the qualities they brings to our  school community. Madeline Sherwood was selected for excellence in art and Kai Polak was selected for excellence in music. They will attend a reception at the Aqua Turf in early November.

Happening This Week School Store is open on Wednesday during lunch waves! PTO Meeting on Thursday at Fawn Hollow at 7 PM. Heart of a Lion Day:  Donate $1 or more and wear red, black, white, or Lion gear.   See more information on Heart of a Lion below.

CARE Wheel Spins: Students whose CARE ticket was selected at our frist drawing on October 2 got to spin the CARE wheel. This past week, they enjoyed their first CARE wheel prizes, and for some, this was a VIP lunch with Mrs. Nelly or Mrs. Ances.  So much fun!  In the picture above, you'll notice our PINK HAIR.  As promised, if we raised $500 for Think PInk/Heart of a Lion, we would have a pink hair day.

CARE Wheel Spins: Students whose CARE ticket was selected at our frist drawing on October 2 got to spin the CARE wheel. This past week, they enjoyed their first CARE wheel prizes, and for some, this was a VIP lunch with Mrs. Nelly or Mrs. Ances.  So much fun!  PIctures are below.   

Trick or Trunk:  We look forward to a wonderful event this Friday and Saturday! Our students always enjoy this tradition, and Mrs. Nelly and I can’t wait to see the creative trunk designs. Parent reminder: This is a school event for children. Alcohol and tobacco products are not permitted on campus.

CARE Focus: Our PBIS CARE program teaches students to Choose Responsibility, Act Safely, and Respect Others Everywhere. Our spotlight behavior this week is on respectful communication with adults.  This is an important skill that we can strengthen, and we are looking for your support at home. Thank you for partnering with us. 

• asking questions
• sharing feelings
• expressing disagreement calmly

• arguing after being given a direction
• using hurtful language like, "You're stupid," or "I hate you." 
• saying “You can't make me."  

With your encouragement and support at home, children can learn how to disagree without speaking disrespectfully. Families can help by:

• Setting an example: Speak calmly and respectfully, even when frustrated.
• Teach them words they CAN use: “I need a minute," "Okay," "Can you help me?" 
• Recognizing feelings while guiding their words: “It’s okay to feel upset. Let’s try saying that respectfully.”
• Celebrating growth: “You were frustrated, but you took a breath and calmly explained what you needed.”
  

Family Engagement: At Fawn Hollow, we value the many ways families can participate in our school community. We have events centered around student learning (Back to School Night, Kindergarten Orientation, Parent Teacher Conferences,)  as well as community building events (Turkey Trot, Holiday Breakfast, End-of-Year Picnic).  Each of these builds relationships and fosters a strong sense of belonging.
For the 2026 2027 year, we want to building on this foundation. Our district and school goals focus on strengthening family engagement. We want families to understand what their children are learning and have practical ways to support that learning at home. This week Mrs. Nelly and I worked with teachers to get their insights and ideas, and later this week, we will ask you to complete a survey to gather your ideas about additional ways we can connect home and school in support of your child’s learning.
 

October 4, 2026 School Scoop

2 HOUR EARLY DISMISSAL FOR STUDENTS THIS FRIDAY!

                                  Grade 4 FITNESS TRIP ON TUESDAY!

MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) Letters: We have completed fall AimsWebPlus testing as well as other academic testing to ensure every student is making adequate progress toward grade level standards. Together with our instructional leaders, we review the data and determine if your child requires additional supplemental instruction in math or reading, the teacher contacted you last week. On Monday, you will be receiving a letter through ParentSquare.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.

Mental Health Supports:  Social workers, school counselors, and school psychologists help children feel connected, supported, and ready to learn when they are at school. They partner with students, families, and teachers to support children’s social and emotional well-being. At Fawn Hollow, we have a full time school counselor, a full time and a part time school psychologist, and a part time social worker. Each of these staff members may support students through small group lunch bunches/social skills groups. These groups give children opportunities to practice taking turns, listening, navigating friendships, and solving problems, all while enjoying lunch together. 

• Ms. Aldophe is our part time social worker who helps children navigate feelings, friendships, and challenges at school or home. She also partners with families and connects them with helpful resources.

• Ms. Karagus is our full time school counselor who helps children build skills such as managing emotions, solving problems, and developing positive friendships through classroom lessons, small groups, and individual support. She sends a Counselor Courier every month. 

• Mr. Berndlmaier and Ms. Russo-Sotil are school psychologists who support students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), helping teachers understand their learning and emotional needs. They also join classrooms for lessons and activities and work with children across the school.

Free Breakfast: Students know our plan and we are moving them through the line quickly and efficiently. Thank you for your support. If your child has food allergies, review the allergens contained in the breakfast items. Follow these steps

• Visit the FH webpage at fhes.monroeps.org

• Click “Parents”

• Click “Food Services”

• Click “Lunch Menus” (Continue as a guest by typing Fawn Hollow)

• Select Breakfast. When you click on the breakfast meal, the allergens will be listed on top

Think PInk:  Mrs. Nelly and I will most definitely be having a pink hair day!  After Thursday’s Think Pink Day, we raised about $800.  Our next event will be on October 16 for Heart of a Lion Day (see previous Monroe Cares post).  If we hit the following fundraising milestones, here's what Mrs. Nelly and I promised to do:

• $500:   Pink Hair

• $1,000:   Pink Outfits from head to toe 

• $1,500:   Pink Panther spontaneous dance party

• $2,00:   Vote on what happens if we get to $2,500

• $2,500:   Could be pie in the face, silly stringed, taped to a wall, silly costume, etc.

You can also wear your own pink clothing. Donate $1 (or more)  and wear pink this Thursday to support Think Pink Monroe.  Think Pink Monroe is an organization that provides support and encouragement to families impacted by breast cancer.  Think Pink merchandise can be purchased online here.  Some shirts are on display in the Fawn Hollow cafeteria. 

We are also supporting Heart of a Lion on October 16.  Donate $1 (or more) and wear red, black, or white, or your Lion gear. Heart of a Lion raises funds to support families facing a cancer diagnosis.

If FH raises $500, Mrs. Nelly and Mrs. Ances will have a pink hair day

If FH raises $1,000, we will wear pink from head to toe – tutus, pink hair, pink shoes, pink socks

If FH raises $1,500, we will have a Pink Panther spontaneous dance party 

If FH raises $2,000, we will have kids vote on what happens when we get to $2,500

 Slimed???  Pied????  Taped to the Wall????  Dress up in a silly costume?????

C’mon Fawn Hollow – let’s raise awareness about breast cancer as well as raise some money for two important Monroe families!!!

Picture Day
PIcture Day is on Wednesday!  

PBIS CARE Program

We officially kicked off our PBIS CARE program last week. Each grade level had their own kickoff, and students can now earn CARE tickets for showing respect, responsibility, and safety. Our first CARE spin is this Friday. Our CARE board is already fillig up.  Ask your child about the Golden ticket, bundling (grades 3-5 only), spots, and the new CARE wheel rewards!  As students arrived at school on Friday, Raining Tacos was playing over the PA system.  Our PBIS CARE program is an evidence based program that promotes a positive school climate and strengthens relationships between students and staff.

Review the post sent on Friday morning. It provides specific logistical information. We will all need to work together to make this program successful. Remember to talk to your child so that they know whether or not they are participating.  The menu can be found on the district website and will be sent home Monday or Tuesday.   Breakfast starts on Thursday, and it is available to everyone.  2nd-5th graders will go to the cafe immediately upon arrival. K and 1 will visit after 2nd-5th.

Book Bingo Celebration:  Students who participated in the Book Bingo summer reading challenge were celebrated during lunch on Friday! Thank you for your support or reading.  Fun fact – children learn between 4,00 -12,000 words every year through reading.  In order to fully comprehend a text, students need to know 95-98% of the words on the page.   Pro parent tip:  make time to read to your child.   Kindergarteners and 1st graders will enjoy their popsicles on Tuesday. Between pizza lunch and the school store Friday, there wasn’t enough time.

Hispanic Heritage Month Tuesday kicked off Hispanic Heritage month. From September 15 - October 15, we will celebrate the contributions, histories, and cultures of U.S. citizens with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. It’s an opportunity for all of us to learn, appreciate, and celebrate Hispanic and Latino cultures.   The National Education Association has  created this list of curated resources, books, lessons, videos, activities, and more.   As you already know, Mrs. Rauner also has a display in the Fawn Hollow library.   Annually, Congressman Himes (4th District) asks students from elementary, middle, and high schools to participate in honoring Hispanic/Latino icons and their legacy. Each student is allowed (1) essay submission and all submissions may be sent to Christine Cornielle at christine.cornielle@mail.house-gov  Read more HERE. Submissions due October 1, 2026.

PBIS Kick Off:  This week, we are launching our PBIS program. Your child should wear Fawn Hollow spirit wear or red for their kick off.  After the assembly, we will be giving out spots for the CARE board and individual CARE tickets.  If your child shares that they received a CARE ticket, positively reinforce them for showing responsibility, respect, and safety across alls school settings.  PBIS Kick Off Assembly Schedule Wed – 4th and 5th Thu – 2nd and 3rd  Fri  –  K and 1

AimsWebPlus:  AWP is a screening test that is administered to every student in the fall, winter, and spring.  It is completed so that we can check and track your child’s academic progress in reading and math. Your child’s Fall scores will be sent home in early October via secure mail. Elementary Instructional Leaders Dr. Kara Tanner and Evelyn Ciaburri have created a helpful video that explains your child’s scores. https://www.monroeps.org/373185_2

Parent Drop Off:  For everybody’s safety, please follow these guidelines during AM parent drop off.  Left turns into the FH parking lot are not allowed; they are reserved for staff who begin their work day at 9:00.  Please look forward when your vehicle is moving, put your vehicle in park as your child exits the vehicle. All children being dropped off are to exit the passenger side of the vehicle. If there is a sibling in a car seat on the passenger side of the vehicle, the student should still exit the passenger side of the vehicle.  Children should be ready to exit. Please be aware that if for some reason there is a long delay with getting your child from your vehicle, staff  may request that you either park and walk your child to the cross walk. Our staff must maintain a steady flow to safely and efficiently transfer your child(ren) from the parking lot into the building.

Birthday Lunches:  We had birthday lunches last Wednesday, and Mrs. Nelly and I enjoyed meeting with the students and learning about family traditions and anticipated birthday celebrations.  It also gives us an opportunity to check in with students and learn directly from them about how their year is going. 

Picture Day:  Remember, it’s on September 30. 

Week in Review
After a busy first two weeks, the upcoming week at Fawn Hollow is quieter.  This week, Mrs. Nelly and I will be holding grade level talks with all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to reinforce our behavioral expectations.  Also, Wednesday will be September birthday lunches and on Friday, the School Store will be open AND we will be celebrating students who completed the Book Bingo reading challenge.  All students will receive a Fla-Vor-Ice popsicle unless you opt out.  OPT OUT HERE. During these early weeks of school, we are continuing to build routines and set expectations, and we are proud to say that students are doing an EXCELLENT job acclimating to their new school schedule and school rules.  The week after next, we will have our first PBIS CARE assembly and the first PTO Meeting.  Information about Think Pink and cancer awareness/fundraising for both Think Pink and Heart of a Lion will be shared soon.

Thank you all for attending Back to School Night.  Mrs. Nelly and I hope that you were able to learn more about your child's teacher, this year's curriculum expectations, and special events occurring over the course of the year. We enjoyed greeting and talking to many of you.

To Do List

• Complete/update the annual Back to School ecollect forms  in PowerSchool 
• Review safe, respectul, and responsible behavior on the bus and at school. CARE MATRIX.
• Join the Fawn Hollow PTO as well as the PTO News group in ParentSquare (sign up HERE)
• The CHET scholarship essay contest is accepting applications until November 6. Win up to $20,000 to save for college educaiton.  Students subit an essay, video, or piece of artwork around this question: What does it mean to you to dream big? Draw, write, or show us your biggest dream and how it could help the people around you.  5th grade, answers this question What does it mean to Dreeam Big for not just yourself, but for the people around you.  Describe a dream you have that could make your community stronger.  Visit the  website for all the important details. CHET contest website.

Pro Parent Tips

• Schedule appointments outside of school hours
• Email fhoffice@monroeps.org to notify us of absences or any changes to the dismissal plan
• Check your chlid's red take home folder each night
• Label all water bottles, lunch boxes, jackets, and sweatshirts with your child's first and last name.
• Share medical updates with Nurse Gloria Ganino

Have a wonderful afternoon!  If you need any assistance or want to discuss any concerns, you can email me at lances@monroeps.org or Mrs. Nelly at knelly@monroeps.org 


 

September 6, 2026 School Scoop

WHAT A LOVELY FIRST WEEK! What a fantastic first week of school!  The Fawn Hollow School community came together  to make the start of this school year a very successful one. I am especially grateful for our dedicated and hardworking staff and also very proud of our students for shining bright and starting strong!   As Mrs. Nelly and I walked the hallways and popped in and out of classrooms, it is evident that this past week's focus was on creating classroom communities and establishing clear expectations and routines so that every child feels supported, included, and empowered to succeed.  We are off to a strong start.   For your reference, the School Scoop is posted weely on Sundays at 12 PM.  It reviews what happened  at school the previous week and what's coming up in future weeks.  To keep up with PTO news, join the PTO News group (details below).  There is alrady information posted about the fall fundraiser, the Charleston Wrap.   If you are looking for specific information, use the search bar at the top of the page. Stay Informed Stay Connected

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT Each family should plan on attending Back to School Night this Thursday, September 10.  This is an opportunity to meet your child's teacher, visit their classroom learning space, and get more information about their daily schedule, the curriculum, and the special events taking place in the year ahead. Review the schedule below.  Your BTSN schedule is dependent on what grade your child is in.                      6:00 - 6:30            K-2                      6:30 - 7:00            Specials/Reading will be in the cafeteria                                                     Special Education teachers will be in the staff room                      7:00 - 7:30             3-5   Parking spots are limited, so allow extra time for parking and plan to utilize the Chalk HIll or Jockey Hollow lots.  Parking is prohibited on Fan Hill Road.

SNACKS AND EXTRAS FOR GRADES 4 and Next week, we will begin selling snacks/extras during 4th and 5th grade lunch. The decision to purchase snacks is a family decision, so please talk to your child about whether or not this is an option.  If your child has food allergies or food sensitivities, they need to know what they can and cannot purchase. This year's snace offerings are the same as last year. Nutritional information on the snacks can be found on the FH web page under the Parents tab.   Or, click here.  LOOKING FOR PTO NEWS? Remember to join the Fawn Hollow PTO.  This volunteer organization is our biggest supporter and the funds they raise go back to our students.  The PTO purchases Scholastic magazines, Big Read books, headphones, take home folders, and more!  In ParentSquare there is a group dedicated to PTO news. If you want to be up-to-date on fundraisers, ticket sales for community events, join the group.  USE THIS LINK or scan the QR code below. Information on the Charleston Wrap is posted.

PICTURE DAY ON SEPTEMBER 30 More information will be coming home with your child closer to the date.  Be on the lookout!

5th GRADE BAND AND STRINGS INFORMATION We hope you have had a wonderful first week of school! Fifth grade is an exciting time for many reasons, and one of them is that this year your child has the opportunity to choose an instrument to play and join the band or orchestra! Over the next two weeks, your child will be introduced to the band and string instruments through demonstrations at school. Once all of the demonstrations are complete, look for a follow-up email with more information about the process of selecting an instrument, registering for the program, and what the schedules will look like at each school. Participating in band or orchestra is completely optional and is not something that students are required to do. However, it is a wonderful opportunity for students who would like to learn how to play an instrument, make music with their classmates, and be part of a musical ensemble. We hope to have all of the demonstrations completed by September 18, so you can expect to hear more from us around that time!We are excited to introduce your children to the world of instrumental music and hope many of them will decide to give it a try!

NEW FAWN HOLLOW STAFF MEMBERS I am excited to introduce some new staff members at Fawn Hollow this school year.  Open this slideshow which contains information on our 3 new teachers, 2 math interventionists, BT, and 2 permanent building substitutes.

SAFETY DRILLS This week we conducted two different safety drills. A safety drill gives students and staff an opportunity to practice the procedures they would follow in the unlikely event of an emergency. Drills are conducted in a calm way so students feel prepared, confident, and safe. We did  a lockdown and a fire drill.

BIRTHDAY LUNCHES August birthday lunches are up on the stage on Wednesday, September 9, with Mrs. Nelly and me.  September  birthday lunches are on Wednesday, September 16. We look forward to connecting with students and learning all about how they celebrate their special day.

BEHAVIORAL REMINDERS As we begin the 2026 2027 school year, we appreciate your partnership in reinforcing the behavioral expectations that help keep all students safe and ensure a positive experience for everyone.  With regard to electronics, Cell phones and smart watches are not permitted. They may not be used on the bus to or from school, or in class.  Students should not be using smart watches during the day to talk or text.   With regad to the bus,  Students are assigned to sit in specific areas on the bus.  5th graders are in the very back while kindergarteners sit at the very front.  Siblings who want to sit together must sit where the younger child is assigned.  Responsible, Respectful, and Safe behavior is expected on the bus.  Students should remain seated at all times and keep their hands and feet to themselves.  They may not eat snacks while riding home.

[Sunday, Sep 13 at 12:12 PM]
Here is this week's School Scoop! I have created one School Scoop document that I will update each week. You'll see the September 6 edition right below it.

Have a great day!

[Sunday, Sep 20 at 9:53 AM]
Sunday School Scoop has been updated for September 20th.

[Saturday, Sep 26 at 4:57 PM]
I hope everybody is staying dry. Let's hope the power stays on. Here is this week's School Scoop! There is lots to look forward to this week: Picture Day, Think Pink Day, and Universal Free Breakfast.

[Sunday, Oct 4 at 9:54 AM]
School Scoop has been updated for October 4, 2026

[Sunday, Oct 11 at 9:49 AM]
School Scoop for October 11 has been updated.