 
Forestdale Families,
Today was such a fun day at Forestdale! A leprechaun must have visited our school, as many classes, including these kindergarteners, found some shenanigans in their classrooms today. ☘ What a joy it is to get to celebrate small moments of fun and joy amidst strong instruction and learning, today and everyday!
We've also had lots of fun and joy this past month during our amazing PTA fundraiser, the Read-a-Thon! Thank you to ALL of our families and staff for all you've done in support of our Forestdale community. You logged minutes for your students, raised funds for the school, participated in classroom activities, served as "guest readers," and most importantly, spent time reading with your children!
This week I had the opportunity to celebrate our top readers in the school at a very special VIP lunch. It was the highlight of my week to celebrate these readers and all readers in our school! I would also like to extend a very special thank you to our amazing PTA for their work planning our Read-a-Thon and ensuring it was a great success. You are so appreciated!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Fondly,
Mrs. Jenny Cunneen, Proud Principal
Dr. LaDonna Tate, Proud Assistant Principal
 It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events—including orientation—in the Spring during March or April. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps schools prepare and ensure they have the teachers and resources on hand that they need on the first day of school.
After determining which school their child will attend, families should prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms, details can be found on the FCPS kindergarten registration webpage. FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, visit the kindergarten registration webpage.
Kindergarten Orientation: April 13, 2023
Forestdale's Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Come and meet the staff, learn more about kindergarten in FCPS and at Forestdale Elementary, and enjoy meeting families of other rising kindergarten students. More information will be sent to families soon.
 Spring Picture Day- Tuesday, March 28th
Students will have the opportunity to take individual and class photos on Tuesday, March 28. Order forms were sent home in this week's Thursday folders.
Forestdale Families Celebrate Ramadan
This year, the first day of Ramadan is Wednesday, March 22. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year, a time for spiritual discipline for Muslims, who believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to Mohammed. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids. Ramadan begins with a half “O Day” on March 22, followed by an O Day on March 23.
The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
Ramadan Mubarak to our students and families who observe!
Ramadan Accommodations
All students at Forestdale are offered an alternate space during the lunch period instead of the cafeteria during Ramadan. Teachers will be checking in with students to learn their preference prior to the start of Ramadan. Parents are also welcome to contact the teacher to share their request and any questions or concerns.
Save the Date: Lewis Pyramid Family Partnership Workshop
Our Forestdale staff invite you and all Lewis Pyramid families to our upcoming virtual workshop, "Social Media & Your Student." This workshop is appropriate for all families, whatever your child's age. A link to join will be shared next week.
 Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
On Monday, March 13, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis hosted nearly 400 families, staff, and community members for a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. During this impactful event, audience members heard testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic and learned facts from medical experts and law enforcement representatives.
The conversation will continue on Monday, April 24, with our next community meeting on the critical topic of fentanyl danger and opioid awareness. More information is coming soon. Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for updates as they become available.
Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and how to get help for yourself or loved ones.
 No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for Students Starting April 10
FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to begin offering virtual mental health services to high school students via live video sessions. Starting Monday, April 10, parents/caregivers who have been struggling to find a therapist for their child or who notice changes in their child’s behavior will be able to connect them virtually with a licensed therapist.
Teletherapy services for students are short-term, evidence-based, and culturally-responsive. Teletherapy is available on any device, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Therapists will be locally-licensed clinicians; 50% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC); and 40% of whom are bilingual. More than 15 languages are available.
Hazel Health’s licensed therapists can help students who are experiencing:
- Mood/behavior changes, lack of motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Bullying, sexual identity challenges, challenging peer and family relationships.
- Academic stress.
The first step for parents is to provide information through an opt-in form. Visit FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for details.
Proposed Updates to Student Rights and Responsibilities
The Department of Special Services will be hosting two virtual meetings for the FCPS community regarding proposed updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation. Please join one of the meetings below via Zoom (click the date to register):
Participants will have an opportunity to learn about the suggested updates and ask questions via Zoom Chat. Language interpretation will be available in Spanish. A certified deaf interpreter will be available as well.
Beginning Monday, March 20, families and staff will also be able to provide feedback on proposed updates to the SR&R via a short survey. Please stay tuned for details. Visit FCPS’ website for more information.
 Virtual Strategic Planning Community Forums Coming Soon
FCPS is hosting a virtual community forum to discuss the first draft of proposed goals for the new Strategic Plan. Forums are scheduled for:
- Monday, April 10, at noon.
- Tuesday, April 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (in Spanish).
- Monday, April 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
FCPS Strategic Planning Survey Closes March 20
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to share your perspectives on the current draft of FCPS’ new Strategic Plan. Your input is important to this work and will help ensure a thriving future for each and every FCPS student.
Parents and caregivers of current FCPS students, please check your email for a message from FCPS dated Tuesday, March 14. For community members who do not currently have a student enrolled in FCPS, please use this link to participate.
All responses are anonymous. Visit our Strategic Planning webpage for more details.
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 Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
This year, spring break is April 3-7. We will be eager to welcome your children back in school on Monday, April 10. Their attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources.
 Important Dates
March 27
6:00-7:00 p.m.- Lewis Pyramid Virtual Social Media Family Partnership Workshop (link coming soon)
April 3-7
Spring Break, Schools Closed
April 12
Virtual PTA Meeting, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
April 13
End of Quarter; Students Dismissed at 1:35 p.m.
April 14
Teacher Workday, No School for Students
April 21
Eid al-Fitr Holiday, No School; Office Closed
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