 Honoring our Veterans
Falcon Family,
What a beautiful celebration we had on Friday in which we gathered as a school family to honor the active duty military and veterans in our school community. We enjoyed performances from second, fifth, and sixth grade Falcon singers. We heard some touching words from our active duty military parents (one even speaking to us from overseas!) about what Veterans Day means to them. Most importantly, we came together to share our gratitude to our staff, family members, and community members who have served in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force for their selfless service to our country.
We honor our military students and families for their flexibility and dedication to our country as well. Forestdale is currently working on getting our Virginia Purple Star School designation, which is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. As part of this commitment, we are excited to have started our Student Ambassador program this year! Through this new program Falcon students will gain leadership experience by serving as welcoming peers for new students, with a particular emphasis on supporting the transition for their military family peers.
As I shared at our assembly on Friday, we only have three expectations are Forestdale: Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of this place. Our veterans are the ultimate example of "taking care of this place," our whole world, and we invite you to join us as we thank them for their service today and everyday. Have a wonderful Veterans Day weekend!
Your partners in education,
Mrs. Jennifer Cunneen, Proud Principal
Dr. LaDonna Tate, Proud Assistant Principal
 Forestdale's New Generous Neighbor
A big thank you is in order to our new neighbors across the street, the Burlington store team at Springfield Town Center, for their generous $5,000 donation to Forestdale through the AdoptAClassroom program. The store's opening was on Friday, November 10, and Forestdale staff had the privilege of joining the team in the special ribbon cutting ceremony and check presentation. Forestdale will be using the funds to purchase academic and social-emotional learning (SEL) resources for all grade levels. Thank you, Burlington and AdoptAClassroom! We look forward to a continued partnership with our new neighbors!
Join us on Wednesday, November 15 for the Family Thanksgiving Luncheon
As a reminder, our special family Thanksgiving Luncheon will be held this coming Wednesday, November 15. Families are invited to attend.
To accommodate space for family members, class lunch times have been adjusted slightly. Click here to see your child's lunch time that day.
Lunch is free for all Forestdale students. Family members must purchase a ticket for $4.75. Families may pay by adding money to their student's account via MySchoolBucks or purchase a ticket on site the day of the luncheon (cash only).
So that our cafeteria staff may order the right amount of food, we encourage families to RSVP in advance via this link or using the QR code on the flyer below. Thank you!
We look fellowship and community building at our Thanksgiving Luncheon!
PTA Restaurant Night
The Forestdale PTA invites you to join them on Thursday November 16th and let Hangry Burger cook dinner for your family! From 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., Hangry Burger will generously donate 15% of sales to your Forestdale PTA. Dine in or take it home to go.
Hangry Burger 6699 Frontier Dr Suite G, Springfield, VA 22150
Thank you for your support of our PTA and school!
 Action Needed: Federal Impact Aid Survey
On Monday, October 16, the Federal Impact Aid Survey was released electronically to all families through their SIS ParentVUE account. Paper copies went home to those who had not completed the survey online.
A completed survey is required for each school-age child in every household by Thursday, November 16.
Survey results help fund our schools. If have not yet completed the survey and need another paper copy, please contact Ms. Erika Delgado, office assistant, at eydelgado@fcps.edu or contact your child's teacher. Thank you for your support in ensuring Forestdale has a 100% completion rate from our families.
Full Time (Level IV) AAP Referrals Due December 15
Parents or guardians of students in grades 2-6 may initiate the Full-Time AAP (Level IV) screening process by completing and submitting an Advanced Academic Program Full-Time Level IV Referral Form to the local school on or before December 15, 2023.
If you missed our Full-Time AAP Screening and Identification Meeting and are interested in learning about the process, please contact Katelyn Spengler at kcspengler@fcps.edu.
For parents/guardians of 2nd grade students:
- 2nd grade students who receive test scores at or above the school benchmark score will be automatically screened for possible placement in the Full-time (Level IV) program. You will be notified by the school if your child will be automatically screened.
- Students whose scores do not place them in the universal screening will not receive notification.
- Please do not wait for test scores before submitting a referral as there will be no referrals for Full-time (Level IV) screening accepted past the December 15 deadline. No late referrals will be accepted.
- More information and forms are available on the AAP website.
- Referrals are accepted any time before December 15 and you will be notified that your referral has been received.
Nominate an Outstanding Forestdale Employee
Nominations are now open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards! What better way to celebrate a Forestdale staff member then to recognize their "heart work." To submit a nomination for a Forestdale Falcon Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)
The deadline to submit a nomination is November 17.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Jeanne Igo at jligo@fcps.edu.
 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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 Thank You Voters! 2023 School Bond Referendum Passed
Thank you to the Fairfax citizens who supported the 2023 Bond Referendum. Roughly 67% of those voting in the 2023 election supported the $435 million bond referendum, continuing a long history of school bond approvals in Fairfax County.
Stay engaged as we build our future. Keep up-to-date on construction and capital improvements across FCPS by visiting our Capital Improvement Project webpage.
 Observance Graphics Created by Students in Design Challenge
Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate this day and the victory of light over darkness. This year's Diwali artwork was created by Chantilly High School student Rijuta D. as part of the FCPS Observance Design Challenge for Students.
In May, the FCPS Office of Communications called for entries for new graphics to help acknowledge the religious and cultural observances identified on the 2023-24 School Year Calendar. Eleven winning designs will be featured on FCPS and school social media platforms, and in newsletters leading up to the holidays starting with Diwali, which falls on Sunday, November 12. See the full list of winners.
 Forestdale Celebrates American Education Week
For American Education Week we celebrate ALL who work in our Forestdale community: our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, support staff, teachers, leadership and more! Learn more from the National Education Association. Want to recognize someone from our school who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS Cares.
Important Dates
November 15
Family Thanksgiving Luncheon
November 16
Impact Aid Surveys due for all students
Progress Reports go home
PTA Restaurant Night @ Hangry Burger, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
November 17
Outstanding Employee Award Nominations due
November 22-24
Thanksgiving Break, No School
See the complete FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar.
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