Hugh Mercer Elementary School

Every student deserves support when they need it. Thanks to our partnership with Hazel Health, FCPS students can connect with licensed therapists through free telehealth services, at school or from the comfort of home.

🔗https://www.hazel.co/get-started

Students in Mrs. Leech's class, Mrs. Obert's class, Ms. Phipps's class, and Mrs. Keeka's class are patiently awaiting the arrival of some new adorable classmates. They are expected to be here on or around May 18th

Earlier this week, Instructure Inc., an international provider of educational software, announced that it had suffered a cybersecurity incident in late April affecting Canvas. Although the security of the Canvas system has been restored, data related to students and educators at hundreds of school systems and universities around the country were subjected to unauthorized access.

Canvas has assured us that they are investigating the matter.

Fredericksburg City Public Schools utilizes Canvas as our online learning system. According to the information currently available, the data potentially involved may include certain personal information; however, Instructure has indicated that passwords, dates of birth, government-issued identification numbers, and financial information do not appear to have been affected.

Planning and preparation have been at the forefront of our actions. We have spent considerable time monitoring and discussing this situation as well as collaborating with neighboring school divisions, insurance companies, and data experts.

Again, the breach was limited to Canvas internal systems, while the security of our network was never disturbed.

We are taking the Canvas data breach seriously and will continue to keep you informed as we learn more.

📰Fredericksburg School Division Chosen to Participate in National Student Mental Health Initiative📰

🔗https://www.fxbgadvance.com/p/fredericksburg-school-division-chosen?utm_source=publication-search

💻 FREE Virtual Mental Health Series for Families – May 💚

Families are invited to join a FREE virtual mental health series this May, presented by ParentGuidance.org through The Cook Center for Human Connection.

🕖 All sessions are offered at:
👉 7:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m. ET

⭐ Special Highlights Include:
• Ask a Therapist LIVE – May 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET
• The Effects of Screen Time & Your Child’s Mental Health – June 1

✅ Expert‑led
✅ Virtual & convenient
✅ Free for families

🌟 Mental Health Spirit Week Is Coming! 🌟

📅 Join us for Mental Health Spirit Week!
This week is all about self‑care, kindness, connection, and well‑being—and we want students and families to participate together!

✅ Dress up
✅ Try daily wellness activities
✅ Start conversations about mental health
✅ Have fun while supporting healthy minds

🧠💚 Every day brings a new theme to remind us that mental health matters for everyone.

📰‘We are playing catch up’: FCPS hatches plan to go from zero to hero in CTE📰

🔗https://bit.ly/4uv128M

📰Transportation Opt-In, Walking Zones On the Table for Next School Year in Fredericksburg 📰

🔗https://www.fxbgadvance.com/p/transportation-opt-in-walking-zones

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. 💚

Did you know 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition this year?
All month long, we will be sharing tips to support your family’s mental health.

Green is the official color of mental health awareness and represents hope and renewal.

The students in room 12 gathered data ( Skittle colors), made a graph, and then compared their data with their classmates. 

⚾ Play ball this summer, FCPS!

Registration is now open for the Fred Nats Baseball League, running June 1 through August 31.

Open to boys and girls ages 8–18, this league is a great way for students to learn the game, build confidence, and stay active all summer long.

✔ Scholarships available (free entry for qualifying students)
✔ Local fields at James Monroe High School
✔ Welcoming environment for all skill levels

📲 Register using the link below.
https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/sunshinebaseball

HM held a Pep Rally to encourage students to do their best on the SOLs. Kindergarten through second grade classes made encouraging signs and lined the halls while grades 3-5 paraded past. Third - fifth grade then attended a pep rally. Thank you to the JM cheerleaders and drumline for coming out to the pep rally.

🚌Happy National School Bus Driver and Aide Appreciation Day! 🚌

The job is not done when the last stop is complete. Post-trip inspections help ensure every student has safely exited and each bus is secure for the next day. Thank you to our drivers for your attention to detail.

Take a moment to see everything that goes into a post-trip inspection.
👉https://youtu.be/upvbp6kolKw

To celebrate the month of the military child, students created a poem about military children using the word PURPLE.

HM scholars Oliver and Maria took part in the 6th Annual Doug Carter STEM.

It’s not too late! Even if you didn’t preregister, you can still join us at the Mental Health, Wellness & Safety Fair.

Fredericksburg City Public Schools presents the Mental Health, Wellness, & Safety Fair on Saturday, April 25, from 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM. Located at James Monroe High School.

Sign up 👉https://bit.ly/4cLf533

Learn new wellness tips, meet local resources, and add to your mental health & safety toolboxes.

Enjoy:
• Wellness & Safety Workshops
• Prizes & Giveaways
• Super Cat Bus, Free Books
• Faded & Co. Free Haircuts
• Food Bank Grocery Giveaway

Happy Earth Day! 🌎

We’re proud to do our part as stewards of our planet. On Monday, April 13, the School Board approved solar installations at Gladys West, Lafayette, Walker-Grant, and Walker-Grant Center, an exciting step toward a more sustainable future.

Looking for your next opportunity in education? 👀 Join us at the Region 3 School Division Job Fair!

Fredericksburg City, Caroline County, Essex County, and King George County Public Schools are teaming up to connect with candidates ready to make a difference.

🗓 April 25
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Caroline High School

We’re hiring across a wide range of roles, including teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodial and maintenance staff, food service, and substitutes.

Thinking about becoming a teacher?
Don’t miss our Pathways to Licensure workshops at 10 AM or 11 AM.

👉 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/Region-3-Job-Fair

Come meet the teams, ask questions, and take the next step toward a career in education.