 With Gratitude for our Falcon Family
Falcon Family,
It was another wonderful week at Forestdale, with a highlight being the return of our annual family Thanksgiving Luncheon on Wednesday. It was such a joy to have students, families, and staff gather together for this special meal and to continue to build relationships with one another. As for me and Dr. Tate, it is always our privilege to join our amazing cafeteria staff and serve lunch to our students, families, and staff. We even had some serving help from our very own Region 6 Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Boyd. (Thanks for joining us, Dr. Boyd!). It's always one of our favorite days of the year!
This week is a short week with only two full days of school on Monday and Tuesday. School will be closed for all students and staff on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, we didn’t want to miss an opportunity to share how grateful we are for our Forestdale family. We are humbled by the commitment from staff, families, and community members to support our amazing Falcons. We appreciate each and every one of you and look forward to our continued partnership.
On behalf of the entire Forestdale Elementary School staff, we would like to extend our warmest Thanksgiving greetings to you, your family, friends and loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving, Falcon Family!
With gratitude,
Mrs. Jennifer Cunneen, Proud Principal
Dr. LaDonna Tate, Proud Assistant Principal
No School on November 22-24
Schools and offices will be closed November 22-24 for the Thanksgiving holiday. (SACC will be open on Wednesday, November 22.)
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, November 27. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. See the complete school year calendar.
 Label Items and Check Lost & Found
With the arrival of colder weather, we remind families to put children’s names in their outerwear and on accessories (lunchboxes, water bottles). This helps minimize the amount of lost clothes and ensure items get returned to their owners. Thank you in advance!
At the end of the first quarter, all items in the lost and found were laid out in the lobby. Please have your student(s) to check the lost and found for any items that may be theirs. As our lost and found in the cafeteria fills up, we donate unclaimed and unmarked items to a local charity.
Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season
Cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses often rise this time of year. It is important for students to wash their hands regularly and cover their coughs and sneezes. Please monitor your child’s health daily and keep them at home if they are sick. Visit FCPS' Health and Safety Guidance webpage for more tips.
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National Family Engagement Month
This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success.
FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.
Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development. Our family liaison at Forestdale is Ms. Claudia Flores.
If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.
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 Special Education Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to assist families of students with special needs.
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.
 Student Attendance and Engagement
During the Academic Matters segment of the November 9 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed student attendance and engagement. Attendance and absenteeism rates are one measure for Goal 2 of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Chronic absenteeism — which is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school for any reason — is a concern across Virginia school districts. Although FCPS continues to outperform the state average in attendance rates, we are tracking chronic absenteeism closely.
Data shows that:
- Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
- Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
- Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
- By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
Attendance is critical for academic success!
Missing School Over the Holidays
Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, please speak with your child’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work. However, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom.
Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
 Access Free Tutoring through Tutor.com
All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works
Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
FCPS will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for the 2024-25 school year. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources.
You may access the resources in person and online from Wednesday, November 15, until Friday, December 15, at noon. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review webpage. Those reviewing instructional materials may complete an electronic comment sheet that will be available on the webpage during the review period.
Visit FCPS' website for instructions on how to view hard copies of the instructional materials at Pimmit Hills Center. The Elementary Language Arts team will be there to answer questions Friday, December 1, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and School Board.
 Holiday Assistance for Families
Forestdale is not directly providing holiday assistance this year. Rather, our Clinical Team is committed to connecting families with community resources.
If you Need Assistance
Please reach out to one of the following organizations as soon as possible.
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Koinonia
Address: 6037 Franconia Rd
Alexandria VA 22310
Phone #: 703 971-1991
https://www.koinoniacares.org/
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• You must register as a client.
• Thanksgiving baskets
• Christmas gifts, meals, small gifts, and food.
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ECHO (For those living off the Fairfax County Parkway)
Address: 7205 Old Keene Mill Rd Springfield, VA 22150
Phone #: 703 569-9160 https://www.echo-inc.org/
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• You must register as a client.
• ECHO is providing limited holiday assistance to their first-time clients.
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The Journey & New Life Open Bible Church
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Thanksgiving Give Away
When: Sat. November 18, 2023
Time: 11:00 - 2:00pm
Where: 6427 Franconia Rd.
Springfield VA 22150
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To Give/Donate for the Holidays
Please contact one of the following organizations.
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Marine Corps Toys for Tots
American Legion Post 176 6520 Amherst Ave, Springfield, VA 22150
Phone #: 703 440-0336
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Koinonia
Address: 6037 Franconia Rd., Alexandria, VA 22310
Phone #: 703 971-1991 https://www.koinoniacares.org/
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ECHO
Address: 78205 Old Keene Mill Rd Springfield, VA 22150
Phone #: 703 569-9160 https://www.echo-inc.org/
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Important Dates
November 22-24
Thanksgiving Break, No School
December 14
Quarter 2 Interims Go Home
December 18- January 1
Winter Break
See the complete FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar.
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