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Correction: Our apologies! There was a misprint in the original email. The first day of school is August 22, 2022. We can't wait to see our students! |
 Welcome Back, Forestdale Falcons!
Greetings, Forestdale Family!
It is our sincere hope that you have had a wonderful summer as a family. The new school year is just around the corner, and we can't wait to welcome our Falcons back to school!
We are looking forward to an incredible year ahead of deepening connections with and among families, honoring student voice, and continuing to meet our students by name and by need through high academic expectations and differentiated learning opportunities. We are inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead for our Falcon Family this year.
So, get ready to soar together, Forestdale! Our teachers and staff are excited to see you soon and have planned lots of exciting opportunities for you to learn and grow in the 2022-2023 school year. We can’t wait to see you soon!
Fondly,
Jennifer Cunneen, Proud Principal
LaDonna Tate, Proud Assistant Principal
Save the Dates: August Family Engagement Events
A core value at Forestdale is deepening connections with and among our families. We look forward to connecting with you during the following events prior to the start of the school year. Save the dates below!
Welcome Walks: Thursday, August 18
On the afternoon of Thursday, August 18, between approximately 3:00- 6:00 p.m., Forestdale teachers and staff will be stopping by students' homes to say a quick hello from outside the doorway. Your child's teacher will communicate with you via email during the week of August 15 to share more information and an estimated arrival time. Families may opt out of the visit. We can't wait to personally welcome our Falcons back to school!
Forestdale Family Day: Friday, August 19
In an effort to bring families together and streamline schedules for families, we will continue our tradition of Forestdale Family Day, which is a combined Open House and Back-to-School Night! The event will take place on Friday, August 19 from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. This event will allow students and families an opportunity to visit classrooms and meet the teacher, includes a presentation from the teacher about the 2022-2023 school year, and will culminate in a huge family BBQ in the back field. The schedule is as follows:
 Class Placements
We know that you are eager to learn who your child's teacher is this year! Class placements will be emailed to families via eNotify at the beginning of the week of August 15, prior to Welcome Walks.
School Supply Lists
School supply lists for grades K-6 can be found on our school website here. Teachers of students in preschool will communicate with families directly regarding preparation for the school year.
Families needing support to purchase any of these school supplies should contact the Forestdale Clinical Team (Stephanie Felix and Sofia Echaide, school counselors; Amity Kim, school social worker; Ukindra Johnson, school psychologist) at ForestdaleClinicalTeam@fcps.edu.
 Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
Families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced price meals for SY 22-23. For the past two years, the federal government has provided no-cost meals to all public school students without the need to complete the annual Free and Reduced-Price Meal application. However, the extension of the no-cost meals benefit to all students has expired and families will need to apply for free and reduced meals again.
Families are encouraged to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application prior to the first day of the 22-23 school year. The online application will be available later this summer. Watch your email and our website for more information. Learn more about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program online.
If you have questions about the Free and Reduced-Price Meals program, the additional benefits your child may receive, or no-cost summer meals, please contact Ms. Jami O'Hagan, interim school registrar, at JJOHagan@fcps.edu. We are happy to help.
Immunization Reminder
As a reminder, all students are required to be immunized against certain communicable diseases to attend school in the state of Virginia. It is important for all students to receive the required immunizations.
Please talk with your family healthcare provider about whether or not your children are up to date on their vaccines before the new school year begins. Submit updated immunization records to your school as soon as possible.
More information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation is available online.
School Hours
The first day of school is Monday, August 22, 2022, and every minute counts! Students in grades PreK-6 should be in their classroom seats no later than 8:50 a.m. Our day begins by connecting with one another and building relationships among staff and students for productive learning.
School Forms
It’s important for parents to complete all required school forms. Returning families in grades PreK-6 must complete the following forms yearly:
- Health Information
- Emergency Care Information
- Identification of Military Connected Students
Families can get a jumpstart on the continuing enrollment forms by clicking here. The forms need to be returned to our office assistants, Ms. Hoffmann at dahoffmann@fcps.edu or Mr. Hoffmann at dhoffmann@fcps.edu. If you prefer to wait, the forms will be sent home with your child in the first day of school packet for families to complete and return to school.
If your child is starting kindergarten or if you are new to Forestdale, please know that all school registration forms must be completed in order to receive class placement. Electronic forms for new students can be found here. Parents who have questions about registering in Fairfax County Public Schools can visit the FCPS website for additional information.
If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact our interim registrar, Ms. Jami O'Hagan, at JJOHagan@fcps.edu, or call 703-313-4300 for an appointment.
 Kindergarten Registration
Children turning 5 on or before September 30 should be registered for kindergarten for the 2022-23 school year.
Now is the time for students to be registered. We are planning academic screenings, a kindergarten playdate, and other gatherings for kindergarten students to get to know the school and each other over the summer. Register soon to make sure you don’t miss out!
Students should be registered at the school they will be attending. A boundary locator is available online, along with a list of required documents, and additional help for military families, families who need language assistance, and other forms of support.
If you have not already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter to learn more about school events, celebrations, and deadlines. Find the sign up link on our website, or view the full list online.
Your Child’s Health
Your child’s heath needs at school is a priority. School health room services, including the administration of medication and modified first aid, are performed by the health room aide. When we return to school, prescription and most over-the-counter medications at school require strict adult supervision and should not be in the child’s possession. Please let us know if your child has special health needs that may impact learning in school as soon as possible. We will connect you with our Public Health Nurse, Susan Staub, to develop a school plan. A letter regarding school health services will be sent home with your child on the first day of school. For more information about School Health Services, click here.
Communicating with Forestdale
On the first day of school, all students will receive a Take Home Folder with critical back to school information. We ask that parents complete the forms if they haven’t done so electronically and return those forms in the same folder to the classroom teacher.
News You Choose
Forestdale uses News You Choose to distribute the parent newsletter, The Falcon Press, every two weeks. News You Choose is an electronic communication platform that allows community members the ability to select what information they want to receive and how often from individual schools, the School Board office and members, departments, programs, and PTA/PTO and booster organizations. Subscribers can change their settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Make sure we have your current email so that we can send you updates. Or, you can click here to subscribe!
eNotify
Parents of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students are automatically enrolled to receive e-Notify Communications. FCPS central offices and schools use this system to communicate emergency, delayed opening and school closing information, attendance, and other essential communications. Contact information from the student information system are uploaded to the eNotify system. It is important that parents keep their child’s emergency contact information up-to-date. To update, email Ms. Jami O'Hagan at JJOHagan@fcps.edu, fill out an emergency care card, or update through your SIS ParentVUE account.
Talking Points
Teachers use the Talking Points messenger app, which allows teachers and staff to connect and communicate with families via text messaging directly to their phones and in their native languages. Teachers will information on how to sign up for Talking Points.
SIS ParentVUE
Parents can access information about their child’s attendance, class performance, and manage emergency communication and FCPS forms via a SIS ParentVue account. Click here for more information. If you need an activation code, please call the school at 703-313-4300.
Schoology /SKOO-luh-jee/
Schoology is FCPS' Learning Management System. In Schoology, parents will find teacher schedules, information about the curriculum and other important information. It’s also a great platform for teachers to communicate with families. Parents will receive information about accessing classroom sites from the classroom teacher. To learn more, click here.
Communicating with the Teacher
Parents may contact the classroom teacher by leaving a message with the office staff or by emailing the staff member directly. It is best to always start with the classroom teacher if you have a question or a concern, as they are often the person with the most knowledge regarding your child. Staff email addresses can be found on the school website here.
Follow Us!
Don’t forget to take a look at us on Twitter! Follow us @ForestdaleES!
Important Dates
August 18
Welcome Walks, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
August 19
Forestdale Family Day (Open House/Back-to-School Night/Family BBQ), 2:00- 6:00 p.m.
August 22
First Day of School
September 2-5
Labor Day Holiday, No School
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