 Recess Fun
Forestdale Families,
It’s been another wonderful week at Forestdale, including fun playing and making friends at recess! We are excited for fall weather to arrive.
This year, as part of our commitment to equitable family partnership, we are starting new monthly grade level newsletters that will be housed on our Forestdale website. The intention behind sharing them via the website rather than PDF is so that all families may access them in their native language.
Teams look forward to sharing the great things students are learning each month as well as home-school connections and conversation starters. Thank you for your continued partnership and engagement in your child’s learning!
As a reminder, Monday is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We wish you a lovely long weekend!
Your partners in education,
Mrs. Jennifer Cunneen, Proud Principal
Dr. LaDonna Tate, Proud Assistant Principal
Calendar Reminder
Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. This year, Monday, October 9, is a student holiday and staff development day. Learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day from the National Museum of the American Indian. See the complete school year calendar.
New! Forestdale Monthly Grade-Level Newsletters
All grade level newsletters can now be found on our Forestdale website on the Features page! Moving newsletters to our website allows for equitable access to the information for all families in any language. Translate to any language by selecting your native language at the top of the page. (See image below.)
 Safety First at Kiss and Ride
The safety of our Falcons, big and small, is our number one priority, and we need your help at arrival and dismissal. We are noticing an increase in families who are not following Kiss and Ride procedures, and it is creating a safety hazard for students and staff. Please review and follow the procedures below for the safety of all. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
- Remain in a single line to exit the Kiss & Ride - DO NOT pass other cars in line.
- The Kiss and Ride Lane is one-way: DO NOT turn around in the Kiss and Ride lane.
- Pull all the way up to the far sign to drop off students; this allows more students to exit efficiently and prevents traffic from backing up on Elder Ave. and Franconia Road.
- Do not walk across or through the Kiss & Ride line.
- For safety, students may only exit on the sidewalk where staff and safety patrols are present. Students may not exit into the grass.
- All students must wear seatbelts and/or be in a car seat, if appropriate.
- All people in the car must wear face masks while driving through the Kiss and Ride lane.
- Please help your child learn how to take off their own seatbelt.
- Pets are not permitted on school grounds, unless designated as a service animal.
- Staying in the car is important for all students and for the safety of staff
members.
- Parents/Guardians who arrive after Kiss & Ride has ended will park in the front lot and ring the buzzer at Door 1 to drop off or retrieve their children.
Complete details of Kiss and Ride and other transportation procedures can be found here. Thank you for keeping our students, staff, and families safe!
Hearing & Vision Screening Completed
The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that hearing and vision must be completed each year for kindergarten, third grade, and all students who are new to Fairfax County. The purpose of screening is to identify students who may need further evaluation because they have difficulty with their vision or hearing.
All hearing and vision screenings have been completed. Parents will be notified by letter if screening results indicate that further testing is needed. Follow-up with a medical professional is recommended. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the health room at (703)313-4310 should you have any questions.
Thank you!
Salisa Sathityudhakarn, School Health Aide
Susan Staub, Public Health Nurse
 Lewis Pyramid Night: October 13
All Lewis schools are invited to a special football game at Lewis High School at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 13 for Pyramid Night!
Students get in free and receive a free t-shirt. Tickets are $5 for adults. Students must be accompanied by an adult.
Falcon Chorus to Perform at the Game!
The Forestdale Falcon Chorus (grades 5 and 6) has been invited to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" on Friday, October 13 during the Lewis High School football game! All are welcome to come to the game to support our Falcon Singers!
October 13 Spirit Day
To get excited for this special event, Forestdale will have a Blue & Gold spirit day that day... all Falcons are encouraged to wear the Lewis colors in honor of our pyramid Family!
 Solar Eclipse Resources for Families
Solar Eclipses will be occurring on October 14, 2024 and and April 8, 2024. Resources for families to learn more about the upcoming solar eclipses have been compiled, including safe viewing practices, and are shared on this FCPS website link. These resources are applicable to students of all ages. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon.
 Meet the Family Resource Center
The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families/caregivers, educators, and community members. Visit us at the Dunn Loring Center for Family Services, 2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1, Room 105. Contact us at 703-204-3941 frc@fcps.edu.
We provide access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Those services include free consultations and resources, free webinars and workshops, a free lending library, and we maintain the FCPS tutor list. Contact us to get the list of FCPS employees who are available to tutor.
The Family Resource Center offers free, confidential in-person, videoconference, and phone consultations for families and FCPS staff. We can brainstorm strategies and possible solutions to help you address your concerns by drawing upon resources and support from FCPS, as well as community, state, and national centers. Contact us to set up an appointment.
The Family Resource Center Lending Library contains more than 10,000 books, eBooks, DVDs, and CDs on topics related to parenting and educating all children. We can send any materials to your child’s school or FCPS office. The Family Resource Center Library for Families and Staff
Families and staff can check out up to six items and keep them for three weeks. Contact the FRC at frc@fcps.edu or 703‐204‐3941 for help locating resources to support you, your child, or student. Call ahead and they can have resources available for you to pick up, or they can be shipped to any FCPS school or office.
Follow the Family Resource Center Online
The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families/caregivers, educators, and community members. Bookmark these links to access resources from the Family Resource Center (FRC): YouTube Facebook Twitter Newsletters Website
Students Reading by the Third Grade
During the Academic Matters and strategic plan update segments of Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented on the divisionwide target to have students reading by third grade.
FCPS has continued to improve its approach to reading over the last several years through our Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) plan. Reading by third grade is also one of the measures of Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence in our 2023-30 strategic plan.
By focusing on foundational skills for our young readers and literacy intervention for upper grades, FCPS has made significant progress towards narrowing the achievement gaps in this critical skill. Visit the Strategic Plan webpage for more information.
Forestdale Celebrates All our Learners
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
 LGBTQIA+ History Month is recognized in October nationwide. We acknowledge and celebrate that LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families are an integral component of our nation. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
PTA Corner
Become a Member
Join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA)! Your membership helps support events and resources for our school You can join by clicking this link. You can also make donations to the PTA at this link. Membership is $10 per family. Our goal is for 100% of staff and families to join the PTA, allowing us to provide more events and opportunities for our students and families.
Free Pizza at our First PTA Meeting: October 11
Join us for our first PTA meeting of the year at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11 in the cafeteria. Register for upcoming events, learn about our mission, and share your ideas for the year. The meeting will be informal, giving you time to meet other families. Kids are welcome.
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Hangry Burger Restaurant Night: October 18
Back by popular demand, the PTA will be holding another Hangry Burger Restaurant Night fundraiser
Come join Falcon families or pick up diner to go from Hangry Burger on Wednesday, October 18 anytime between 4:00-8:00 p.m.
6699 Frontier Dr Suite G, Springfield, VA 22150
The restaurant is generously donating 15% of all sales (dine in or take out) to the Forestdale PTA. Thank you in advance for your support our school!
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 Save the Date: PTA Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat
The Forestdale PTA is pleased to invite families to a new event, the Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat! Students may wear costumes and join other families for a free, fun, and safe trick-or-treating event.
Information is coming soon for those interested in decorating a trunk or volunteering.
Candy donations are needed! If you would like to send in candy donations, please drop bags off in the front office and "feed our monster" box.
 Learn More about the PTA
Learn more on Facebook by following "Forestdale Elementary PTA" on Facebook or emailing questions to forestdaleelementarypta@gmail.com.
Important Dates
October 9
Indigenous Peoples' Day, Staff Development Day/Student Holiday (No school)
October 3-10
Book Fair (October 4, 5, 6: After-school shopping hours from 4:30- 6:30 p.m.)
October 10-12
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) for students in grades 2 and new students in grades 3-6 without a test on file
October 11
First PTA Meeting: 7:00-8:00 p.m., cafeteria (free pizza will be served)
October 12
Level IV Screening Process for Families, 6:00-7:00 p.m., cafeteria
October 13
Lewis Pyramid Night: Falcon Chorus (Grades 5 & 6) Sings at Lewis HS Football Game; all students get in free. Game starts at 7:00 p.m.
Spirit Day: Wear Blue & Gold to school!
October 18
PTA Restaurant Night Fundraiser: Hangry Burger, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
October 18
PTA Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Bus Loop in front of school
See the complete FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar.
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