Second grade musicians work on proper xylophone technique.
Changes to Universal Masking Begin March 1
Forestdale Families,
As Dr. Brabrand shared Friday, you may choose to elect your child out of the division’s mask requirement starting March 1, 2022. There will be no formal process to let us know your choice– no notes or documentation will be needed.
We strongly recommend that students continue to participate in universal masking to help protect their classmates, teachers, and staff who have health concerns. The ability to not participate in universal masking only applies to students. We will continue to follow our roll back plan, shared earlier this month, which will be implemented when we reach moderate transmission, and remain there for seven days. This week, we saw our community transmission level drop into the substantial category and we anticipate we could be at or very close to moderate community transmission as early as next week. FCPS will formally announce when we are ready to make this transition.
Please talk with your child before March 1 about your family’s decision about wearing masks in schools.
Families of special needs children who may need additional consideration for health reasons should work with their IEP or 504 teams.
I assure all students and families that Forestdale will remain a caring and supportive place to learn. As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Fondly,
Jennifer Cunneen
Principal
Calendar Reminders
As a reminder, this is a shortened week for students:
- Thursday, March 3: Two-Hour Early Release (1:35 p.m.)
- Friday, March 4: No School, Staff Development Day
Please make sure you have made arrangements for the early release on Thursday, especially for kindergartners and PreK students who must be met at the bus stop in the afternoon.
See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar.
Consent Forms Due for March 3 Vaccine Clinic
We are excited that Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is partnering with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to provide a 5-11 vaccination clinic at Forestdale on March 3 and March 24, 2022.
Our first in-school 5-11 vaccine clinic for Forestdale students is this Thursday, March 3. Parents who would like to schedule their child to receive a COVID vaccine at school must send in consent forms by Tuesday, March 1. Paper forms went home in Thursday folders on February 18 and can be found below.
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The two vaccination clinics will be held in school during the school day and conducted within three weeks of each other to include the first and second doses. Vaccinations will be provided only to students enrolled at this school who have provided parental/legal guardian consent.
Forestdale was selected to host one of these clinics based on lower-than-average vaccination rates in the school community as indicated by FCHD data. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and FCHD have a partnership with Ashbritt/IEM, a medical contractor providing COVID-19 services across the country. Ashbritt/IEM is an experienced provider of approved COVID-19 vaccinations for children and adults. Pediatric nurses and nurse practitioners will administer pediatric specific doses and monitor children post-vaccination.
Call the school office at (703)313-4300 with any questions. Thank you for your continued partnership to keep our school open and a safe place to learn.
PTA Corner
Read-a-thon Starts Tomorrow!
Forestdale’s Read-a-Thon begins Sunday! Students can raise money while developing a love for reading. Money raised will go toward field trip transportation costs and upgrading water fountains with bottle dispensers. Follow Forestdale Elementary PTA on Facebook for fun activities and bonus minutes. The event runs through March 13, 2022.
Participation is easy: register online, track your reading minutes, and ask friends and family to make donations. To earn prizes, students must track their minutes and donations through the website. Earn extra minutes by completing the BINGO Board and participating in Spirit Days.
Registration is still available. Visit www.read-a-thon.com/readers and enter your teacher’s class code to register. Class codes can be found here.
   Volunteers Needed
We’re looking for volunteers on March 7 to help organize and distribute read-a-thon prizes. We’ll need one group to assemble bags at 10 a.m. and a second group to distribute them after school. For location, please email forestdaleelementarypta@gmail.com.
Spring Spiritwear Sale
Order your Forestdale spiritwear by March 25! Paper order forms went home in last week's Thursday folders. Order forms, along with cash or checks made out to Forestdale Elementary School PTA, are due by March 25, 2022.
Next PTA Meeting: March 2
Join us on at 6:00 p.m. on March 2, 2022 for our next virtual PTA meeting. We’ll discuss Cultural Night, spiritwear sale, Staff Appreciation Week, and the Read-a-Thon. Resister here to join.
Join our Team!
Interested in joining our PTA team and making a difference at Forestdale? Please consider running for a board position or volunteer to chair a committee. Elections are in May.
Important Dates
February 27 - March 13
PTA Read-a-Thon
February 28
Spirit Day: Travel Day
March 3
Spirit Day: Pajama Day
Forestdale Vaccine Clinic: Dose 1 (during school)
Two-Hour Early Release (1:35 p.m.)
March 4
No School for Students; Staff Development Day
March 7
Spirit Day: Mixed-Up Day
March 10
Interim Reports go Home
Virtual Author Visit/Family Literacy Night, 5:30 -7:00 p.m.
March 11
Spirit Day: Dress-Up Day
PTA Classroom Door Decorating Contest
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