Upcoming Dates
December 4: GR 4-6 Band: Daytime Rehearsals & Evening Concerts
December 5: Student Picture Make-Up Day (See details below)
GR 4-6 Chorus: Daytime Rehearsal & Evening Concert
December 6: GR 1 Field Trip
GR 4-6 Strings: Daytime Rehearsals & Evening Concerts
December 5-7: Last PTA After School Enrichment Classes (For this session)
December 7: GR 3-6 Virginia Growth Assessment (Reading)
December 8: GR 4 FLE (Family Life Education)
December 8 & 11-15: GR 5-6 FLE (Family Life Education)
December 12: GR 3-6 Virginia Growth Assessment (Math)
December 13: GR 4 Field Trip
December 16: Lost & Found Items Donated (See below)
December 18 - January 1: Winter Break (No School)
Important Reminder
Federal Impact Aid Surveys Due
FCPS asked all families to complete a Federal Impact Aid Survey by November 17. Hard copies of this form were sent home in student's Thursday folders yesterday (to those families who had not yet returned a completed form). PLEASE complete and sign the form and return to school next week. Our goal is to receive 100% of student forms ASAP. Thank you for your help!
For more information, watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey webpage.
GR 4 - 6 Ensemble Rehearsals & Concerts are Next Week!
Friendly reminders about our upcoming ensemble rehearsals and concerts:
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Monday, December 4: All Band students need to bring their instruments for their rehearsals that morning.
- The concerts will be that evening at 6:00 PM for 4th and 5th grade Band students (5:45 arrival), and
at 7:15 PM for 6th grade Band students (7:00 PM arrival).
- Students should wear black bottoms and shoes, and the black concert T-shirt.
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Tuesday, December 5: All Chorus students need to be prepared to listen and sing at their rehearsals that morning.
- The Chorus concert will be that evening at 6:30 PM (6:15 arrival).
- Students should wear black bottoms and shoes, and the black concert T-shirt.
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Wednesday, December 6: All Strings students need to bring their instruments for their rehearsals that morning.
- The concerts will be that evening at 6:30 PM for Beginning/Intermediate Strings (6:00 arrival), and
at 7:15 PM for Advanced/Intermediate Strings (7:00 PM arrival).
- Students should wear black bottoms and shoes, and the black concert T-shirt.
Families are invited to come and enjoy the evening concerts!
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Make Up Picture Day
Tuesday, December 5
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Make-Up Picture Day is Tuesday, December 5, and is for:
- Students who were absent on Picture Day (October 20),
- Students new to HWES (who began after October 20), and
- Students who would like their photo retaken.
If your student had their picture taken in October and you want to have their picture retaken, they will need to return their original photo package to the Barksdale photographer on December 5. (Photo packages were sent home yesterday in Thursday folders).
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Window for Full-time
AAP Referrals
Closes on December 15, 2023
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Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form to Tara-Jeanne Tompkins, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, no later than December 15, 2023.
The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Tara-Jeanne Tompkins, AART, at tdtompkins@fcps.edu.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
PTA Helping Hands Holiday Program
Our annual Helping Hands Holiday Program has begun…and we are hoping that you can lend a "helping hand" by providing needed goods and gifts so families in our community may have a brighter holiday season. Participation is simple!
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- Go to the following Sign-Up Genius link: 2023 Helping Hands Holiday Program
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Sign up for any of the items listed and go shopping.
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Please obtain a gift receipt, when available, for any gift or clothing item to aid the families in exchanging if an item is the wrong size or a duplicate.
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Please put the items in a gift bag (if possible) as this will help in the preparations.
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Make sure to label the items that you bring with the family number indicated next to each item on the Sign-Up Genius wish list.
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Please have all items delivered to school by Friday, December 8th.
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We will collect the items at Hunters Woods two ways:
- in the front office from 8:40am to 4:30pm, from November 29th to December 8th, and
- in the Kiss & Ride loop during drop-off and pick-up on Wednesday, December 6th through Friday, December 8th.
Want to help...but, a little too busy with the holiday season? You can make a monetary donation - Click Here for CheddarUp link. Scroll down to "Donations - General or Event Specific" and click on "Helping Hands Program Online Donations."
This PTA supported program has been highly successful in past years and we hope that you can help us continue this wonderful tradition. Please give as you are able…and thank you in advance for your support.
Questions? Email Darcie Oemcke at helpinghands@hwpta.org.
PTA Food 4 Thought Program
Holiday Donations are
Urgently Needed
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Food 4 Thought is a PTA-sponsored initiative to help students in need with healthy, shelf-stable food for the weekends and school-day snacks.
We need help stocking our pantry as we prepare to send food boxes home for the long winter break. We are urgently in need of:
- Shelf-stable white milk (32 oz boxes or single-servings)
- Fruit cups and applesauce cups or pouches
- Instant oatmeal packets
- Tuna salad and cracker kits
- Gift cards to grocery stories, Costco, or Amazon
Donations can be dropped off in the box outside the main office, or purchases from our Amazon wish list can be shipped directly to the school (choose the Food 4 Thought gift registry address).
Want to make a donation, but don’t have time to shop? You can make a monetary donation via Cheddar Up. (Scroll down to “Donations – General or Event Specific” and select “Food 4 Thought Program – Online Donations.”)
Questions? Contact Darcie Oemcke at darcie07@gmail.com.
Keeping Your Child Warm
During Outdoor Activities
Throughout the winter weather, FCPS and Hunters Woods monitor the weather for very low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside.
Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and/or other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing our Family Liaison, Jo Wechselblatt, is happy to assist you. You may email her at jewechselbla@fcps.edu or call the main office at 703-262-7400.
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Lost and Found is Overflowing!
Help our "Lost"
Items Become "Found"
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If your child is missing items (jackets/clothes/hats/water bottle/lunch box, etc.) PLEASE have them check the Lost & Found. Parents may also sign in at the Main Office (bring ID) during school hours and go through the Lost & Found.
Items that have not been claimed by Winter Break will be donated.
If you will be attending our 4-6 GR evening ensemble concerts next week, be sure to browse the Lost & Found while you are here.
Community News from the Library
Author Signing Event at Barnes & Noble
December Observances
National Special Education Day (12/2)
Inclusive Schools Week (12/5-9)
Chanukah (12/7-15)
Bodhi Day (12/8)
Christmas (12/25)
National Special Education Day (12/2)
National Special Education Day is recognized each year on Dec. 2 and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. We celebrate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students with special needs, as well as our families who are partners in the education and support of those students!
Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
- Special Education Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to help 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.
- The Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Sign up for their newsletter. Contact the FRC at frc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-2941.
- 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.
FCPS News & Resources
World Languages Offerings in Elementary Schools Survey
Fairfax County Public Schools is considering expansion of our Dual Language Immersion programs to include new languages and school sites, as well as an expansion of new languages for our Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools program.
Parents/caregivers, please share your thoughts about expanding World Languages elementary program offerings. An FCPS survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Urdu, and Vietnamese. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. The survey is optional and will close on Friday, December 8.
In Case You Missed It
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- How FCPS Announces Weather Closings
- Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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