  Forestdale Families,
It was another great week at the 'Dale! On Wednesday, we loved celebrating our Falcon musicians at our band, strings, and chorus concert. It was such a joy to bring back an in-person concert, and our students and their wonderful teachers were so impressive! We have a school full of amazingly talented students, and we love celebrating all the different ways that they shine!
We have many exciting events coming up this quarter. We hope you join us next Friday, April 28, for our annual STEAM Night! Students and families will be able to participate in a variety of hands-on STEAM activities, and apparently a great way to raise money for our Student Council Association (SCA) is by taping me to the wall! Eek! 😳 We hope you can join us, as we always have fun and deepen relationships when we come together as a school family!
We are also excited to invite you to a new and special Forestdale event... a Family Field Trip! Forestdale families are invited to the Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Museum in Dulles on Saturday, May 13. Forestdale will be funding transportation for families, and we will enjoy spending the day together as a community. See more information in the newsletter below.
Eid Mubarak to all our families who are celebrating Eid al Fitr today, and wishing our whole community a wonderful three-day weekend.
Fondly,
Mrs. Jenny Cunneen, Proud Principal
Dr. LaDonna Tate, Proud Assistant Principal
 Join us for Forestdale Family STEAM Night!
Calling all Falcons, friends, and family! Get ready for a night of STEAM-themed activities, competitions, prizes, raffles and more!
Join us on April 28 from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. to….
- Build a hovercraft!
- Build a robot!
- Create an elephant toothpaste explosion!
- Plant and seed and watch it grow!
- Make a bubble snake!
- Create a piece of art using shaving cream and food coloring!
- Take part in a space-themed competition!
- Build and test different paper airplane designs!
Help Needed:
Families we need your help! In preparation for STEAM Night, we are asking for plastic water bottle (16.9 fl oz. or 33 fl oz.) and paper bag donations. Look out for the bottle/bag drop-off area in the lobby. Thanks in advance for your donations; every little bit helps!
Your Input Wanted for Class Groupings
Creating class assignments for next year requires careful consideration and the involvement of many staff members. We know that a good teacher-student match and a productive mix of children are ingredients for success. Please use this form/ usa este formulario to share information about your child that the school staff should know, particularly regarding friendships or neighborhood factors, by Monday, May 15, 2023. Our teachers and staff use this information to create preliminary class groupings in the end of May.
We also ask that you do not request specific teachers. This does not take into account the many variables to be considered such as grade-level changes or reductions in staff. It is far more valuable to share particular academic or behavioral needs or concerns. Be assured that with or without a parent letter, your child’s strengths and needs are considered in this lengthy and complex process.
Thank you for sharing this important information with us so we can best meet your child's needs next year!
Forestdale Family Field Trip: Saturday, May 13
Join us for a family field trip to the Udvar Hazy National Air and Space Museum on May 13 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
All families are welcome to join, and Forestdale will be funding two buses to provide transportation for families; seats will be allocated based on need and on a first-come-first served basis. Families will receive confirmation if they have a spot on the bus and will receive tickets to present the day of the field trip. Per FCPS regulations, bus transportation is only available for current FCPS students and family members over the age of 18. Families are welcome to transport themselves to the museum. Please bring your own lunch or plan to purchase lunch at the museum.
Sign up using this link or by scanning the QR code in the flier below. Please note that signing up for the trip does not guarantee a seat for you on the bus. Families who are able to ride the bus will receive notification and tickets to present on the day of the field trip. All families are welcome to provide their own transportation and meet us at the museum. See more information in the flier below and on the registration link.
We look forward to spending the day together as a school family!
 Forestdale Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
In April, people throughout the United States celebrate Arab American Heritage Month. This history is a foundational part of American history. Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of Arab Americans year-round, and the celebration of Arab American Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor diverse and important stories.
 April is Autism Acceptance Month
April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Forestdale is the proud home of multiple programs that serve our autistic students, and our school and staff plays a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students. At Forestdale, we are committed to our culture of affirming the lived experiences of all of our students, staff, and families.
These resources are available for families and staff. This calendar of self-paced learning opportunities includes articles and resources for families and staff to support us in growing in our understanding of austim.
 Join us for LHStival
Lewis High School invites all Lewis Pyramid families to the LHStival on Friday, April 28th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. for games, crafts and food. All activities will be held at the Lewis High School baseball field.
 Register for the Special Education Conference
The FCPS Special Education Conference will take place on Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m.This year's theme is Unity Within Our FCPS Community. Registration is now for this virtual event. Watch this short video to learn more about the event, including guest speakers. We encourage registrants who need language assistance to call the Parent Information Phone Lines.
Save the Date! Safety and Security Town Hall
On Monday, May 8, FCPS will hold a town hall to discuss our approach to safety and security and the work we do every day to keep our schools safe. FCPS staff and experts will review our risk assessment processes, the physical measures we already have in place to protect our students and staff, pilot programs to detect vaping, and how we communicate and collaborate with our partners when there is an incident at our schools. Please stay tuned for additional details.
 New Event: Fentanyl and Other Drugs in FCPS - A Community Conversation with Free REVIVE! Narcan Training
Last month, FCPS hosted a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. Most fatal overdoses in Fairfax County in recent years involved fentanyl.
FCPS will hold a second event with new information focused on the opioid crisis in Fairfax County Public Schools. The conversation will continue on Monday, April 24, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Woodson High School. Families and students will learn how, as a community, we can partner to reduce the impact of these harmful—and often deadly—drugs. All attendees will receive a free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
Childcare will be available. Transportation will also be available from select schools throughout the county. View the registration page for details.
Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for more information. Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and get help for yourself or loved ones.
Tutor.com Services for All Students
Does your student need help with homework or preparing for a test? Don’t forget, FCPS students still have no-cost access to Tutor.com 24/7. Do you have questions about the service? View this FAQ.
 How to Register for Pre-K or Early Head Start
Fairfax County offers pre-K for students 3-4 years old whose parents meet income requirements and Early Head Start is for infants, toddlers, and expectant mothers who meet income requirements. To register, parents or caregivers should:
- Complete the application form.
- Make a copy of the child’s birth certificate and a residency document (lease, dead, or mortgage).
If your child is selected for one of the programs, the following will need to be completed:
- a school physical.
- dental exam.
- FCPS school registration forms.
A family service partner will be assigned to guide families through the entire application process. Learn more on the Early Childhood application webpage, or call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
Child Find Screenings
Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs as well as educating the community about child development and the importance of early intervention. Child Find screenings and services are provided by the FCPS Early Childhood Identification and Services program for children ages 20 months through 5 years who live in Fairfax County or Fairfax city. Learn more on the Child Find website.
ESSER Online Feedback Form
FCPS received Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) Funding in the fall of 2021. The funds are being used to support the safe operation of schools and address the impacts of COVID-19 on students.
ESSER III focus areas include:
- ensuring continuity of learning services and addressing students’ academic needs.
- maintaining the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff.
- addressing student wellness including their social, emotional, mental health, and other needs.
FCPS would like your feedback on how well the school division is responding to the areas above. Please complete this Online Feedback Form, which will be open through Friday, May 5. Your input will inform the School Board and FCPS staff on the community’s view of our work.
PTA Corner
Staff Appreciation Week
To thank the them for all they do for our students each day, we invite you to participate in the national Staff Appreciation Week. Forestdale will celebrate Staff Appreciation during the first week of May, May 1-5. Please see below for some ideas of how you and your student(s) can honor their teachers and staff! A paper flier went home in yesterday's Thursday folder. Thank you, families, for supporting our staff!
 Help Needed for Staff Fiesta on May 5
Your Forestdale PTA is hosting it's last staff appreciation event of the year ... a Cinco de Mayo lunch to wrap up Staff Appreciation Week, feeding 150 people!
Sign up by May 3 using this link, then bring them to school at 8:30 a.m. on May 5. If you need to drop off items early, please contact Kelly at forestdaleelementaryPTA@gmail.com. She also can be at school early on May 5 to accept items during SACC dropoff. Thank you for your participation and support!
Seeking Gift Card Donations
We are seeking gift cards to be raffled off to the Forestdale staff throughout Staff Appreciation Week. Gift cards of any amount ($5 and up) to any vendor are welcome! Please send them in to the school office labeled to Forestdale PTA Treasurer.
 Important Dates
April 27
Progress Reports go Home in Thursday Folders
April 28
STEAM Night, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
May 1-5
Staff Appreciation Week
May 9-12
SOL Testing: Grades 3-6
May 15-19
Make-up SOL Testing: Grades 3-6
May 26
Field Day
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