Hugh Mercer Elementary School

There will be a large presence of public safety agencies at Walker-Grant Middle School and Lafayette Elementary School from 8am to 4pm on Friday, March 7, 2025. This is a non-instructional day where students will not be in attendance. These buildings, along with City Schools teachers and staff, will be taking part in an exercise to test their response to an active threat. Neighbors around Learning Lane and Pender Street may hear sirens and see realistic emergency response behaviors in this area. All activities will be confined to the school grounds. This exercise has been put together as part of the Technical Assistance Program offered through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's (VDEM) Training Education and Exercise Division (TEED). After submitting an application as part of a competitive process, the City of Fredericksburg was awarded the Technical Assistance to conduct a full-scale exercise with the support of VDEM. Members of the City's Police and Fire Departments, Emergency Management, the City's Communications Division, the Sheriff's Office, Fredericksburg City PubIic Schools, and Mary Washington HeaIth Care together form the Exercise Design Team. They have been hard at work coordinating this exercise since September of 2024. The purpose of this collaboration is to work to ensure a safe and secure environment for our students, teachers, and staff in the schools, as well as for our neighbors in nearby communities. Access to the site will be limited. Learning Lane is already blocked at Emancipation Highway due to the Culvert Pipe Replacement Project. The gate on Pender Street will be secured and staffed. Only participants in the exercise will be allowed beyond this point.

As a reminder, there is no school for students tomorrow, Friday, March 7, 2025.

Read Across America - Crazy Hair Day “In my hair, Gorillas leap, Tigers stalk, and ground sloths sleep. Prides of lions make their lair somewhere in my crazy hair.” Crazy Hair by Neil Gaiman (Author), Dave McKean (Illustrator)

UPCOMING CAREER FAIR! 📅April 9, 2025 / 4:30 PM -6:30 PM 📌James Monroe High School 🏫2300 Washington Avenue 🏙️Fredericksburg, VA 22401 👉👉👉Register here: https://fxbg.link/careerfair Pre-registration preferred. Same-day walk-ins are welcomed. Contact Human Resources at 540-372-1130 if you cannot attend in person. Virtual options are available. ↗️Share with a friend.

✨Happy National School Social Work Week! ✨ This week, we shine a spotlight on our small but mighty team of school social workers who play an essential role in supporting our students, families, and communities. Their compassion, resilience, and dedication make a powerful impact every day, shaping brighter futures one step at a time. Thank you for everything you do!

The Book Fair is this week, students may have the opportunity to get books during their library time. Also, don't forget our Literacy Night is on Wednesday where the Book Fair will be open from 6:00-7:00pm.

We’re celebrating Read Across America Week with fun dress-up days!

Hugh Mercer had the honor of swearing in our 2025 Student Cooperative Association Members. 🎉Congratulations to our 2025 SCA council members: 🎉 🎉Our Members-at-Large 🎉 and 🎉Our 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Homeroom Representatives 🎉

✨ Join Us for the Mental Health, Wellness & Safety Resource Fair! ✨ 📅 Date: May 10, 2025 ⏰ Time: 11AM – 2PM 📍 Location: James Monroe High School Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or a loved one, this event is for YOU! 🧠💙 Our Mental Health, Wellness & Safety Resource Fair brings together local organizations, experts, and resources to help you take the next step in your mental health and wellness journey. What you can expect: • Resource Booths from local mental health organizations • Workshops & Talks on coping strategies, self-care, and safety in your home • Interactive Activities to support mental well-being • Free Materials to help you build a toolkit for mental wellness • Experts on Hand to answer your questions and provide guidance • Translation Services available to ensure everyone can access the information they need 🌍 This is a welcoming space for everyone! 🌱 Let's talk, learn, and grow together. Register today at the link below! See you there! Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/wsHR6qud09

Parents, staff, and students—let’s pack the stands and cheer on our Walker-Grant Tigers as they battle for the CHAMPIONSHIP! 🏆🔥 📅 Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM 📍 Location: Walker-Grant Middle School Gym We’re calling on our Tiger family to BLACK OUT the gym in full support! Wear your black gear and bring the energy! 🖤💪 🎟️ Game Entry: $5 per person (cash or card accepted at the entrance) FCPS students & children under 10 – FREE! 🎉 BONUS: The first families to arrive will have a chance to receive pompoms to cheer on our Tigers—while supplies last! 🎊🐯 Let’s show up, show out, and help our boys bring home the championship! 🏀🐯 #TigerPride #BlackOutGame #ChampionshipBound

We’re hosting two Career and Technical Education Nights: one for rising 9th through 12th graders on Thursday, February 27th, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM and another for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders on March 6th. Our goal is to inspire student success, build connections, and ensure everyone has the resources to thrive in both their educational and career journeys.

Please help us share the news: Wednesday, February 26, from 5-7 PM at Walker-Grant Center, located at 210 Ferdinand Street, will be the final event for 2025-2026 kindergarten registration. 👉If you know a rising kindergartener, please share this invitation with their families. 👉Share this link for more information and details: https://hmes.fxbgschools.us/article/1953097

Come one!! Come all!!

✨ Join Us for the Mental Health, Wellness & Safety Resource Fair! ✨ 📅 Date: May 10, 2025 ⏰ Time: 11 AM – 2 PM 📍 Location: James Monroe High School Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or a loved one, this event is for YOU! 🧠💙 Our Mental Health, Wellness & Safety Resource Fair brings together local organizations, experts, and resources to help you take the next step in your mental health and wellness journey. What you can expect: • Resource Booths from local mental health organizations • Workshops & Talks on coping strategies, self-care, and safety in your home • Interactive Activities to support mental well-being • Free Materials to help you build a toolkit for mental wellness • Experts on Hand to answer your questions and provide guidance • Translation Services are available to ensure everyone can access the information they need 🌍 This is a welcoming space for everyone! 🌱 Let's talk, learn, and grow together. Register today at the link below! See you there! Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/wsHR6qud09

FCPS will be on time tomorrow, Friday, February 21. 

Due to the current weather advisory that suggests additional snow during morning travel in addition to what we already have and how that impacts parking lots, sidewalks, and roads, FCPS will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 20 on Code Blue/Remote Learning Day. All previously scheduled after school activities are canceled. Students should not report to school but should participate in teacher-planned learning opportunities. Students should work remotely. Some students received at-home learning packets while other students will complete work on Canvas or another online platform. If families have questions, please contact your student’s teacher on ParentSquare. All employees should work from home while essential workers should contact their supervisor for report times. Again, tomorrow, Thursday, February 20 is a remote learning day with all staff working from home. Essential staff should contact their supervisor for report times.

📢POSTPONED Due to incoming weather conditions, CTE Pathway Night at Walker-Grant Middle School will be rescheduled to a date in early March. 

🌟 Meet Ms. Wilson and Ms. Schooler, your Walker-Grant Youth Mental Health Taskforce Leaders! 🌟 The Fredericksburg City Public Schools Youth Mental Health Taskforce is a diverse group of middle and high school students who have come together to raise awareness about mental health issues within their school community. The youth taskforce is working on a variety of initiatives, including hosting workshops, creating informational materials, and organizing events aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. Ms. Wilson, a school counselor at Walker-Grant Middle School, supports students’ academic, emotional, and career growth. She’s passionate about helping them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Ms. Schooler, now teaching art at Walker-Grant Middle School after seven years of teaching English, is excited to help students express themselves creatively. Ms. Wilson believes mental health is key to success. She’s seen how it impacts students' learning and provides a safe, supportive space for them to thrive. Ms. Schooler stresses the importance of speaking up about mental health and encourages students to share their feelings and prioritize self-care. Fun facts: • Ms. Wilson is a proud Swiftie and saw Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour three times! 🎶 • Ms. Schooler recently started crocheting and loves making amigurumi while listening to audiobooks! 🧶

Due to incoming weather conditions, Kindergarten Registration has been postponed. Please spread the word. A new registration date will be announced soon.

Due to the current weather advisory as well as uncertain weather conditions, FCPS will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, February 19 on Code Blue/Remote Learning Day. Students should not report to school but should participate in teacher-planned learning opportunities. Students should work remotely. Some students received at-home learning packets while other students will complete work on Canvas or another online platform. If families have questions, please contact your student’s teacher on ParentSquare. All employees should work from home while essential workers should contact their supervisor for report times. Again, tomorrow, Wednesday, February 19 is a remote learning day with all staff working from home. Essential staff will need to report later in the day upon speaking with their supervisor.