 
All the Things we LOVE about Forestdale
Last week, Forestdale had a great time celebrating both the 100th day of school and Valentine's Day, which allowed us to document all the ways we love our Forestdale community!
At Forestdale, we have three simple expectations - taking care of ourselves, each other, and our school. We are currently revisiting these school-wide expectations with our students to ensure that everyone understands their role in maintaining a safe, loving, and inclusive environment.
We are looking forward to another wonderful week ahead at the Dale', and we hope to continue to foster a sense of community and belonging among our students and staff.
Warmly,
Dr. LaDonna Tate, Proud Interim Principal
Mrs. Amy Willis, Proud Interim Assistant Principal
 Calendar Reminders
Please note the upcoming calendar reminders:
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
 Safety First in 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.
- All individuals picking up a student through kiss and ride must have the kiss and ride tag that is registered by the office staff at Forestdale.
- 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!
February Monthly Grade-Level Newsletters
The February monthly 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.)
 Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget Focused on Educational Excellence and Competitive Compensation
At the last School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 that focuses on excellence and providing students an equitable education in an inclusive and respectful environment, where access, opportunity, and achievement are available to all.
The budget also prioritizes competitive compensation to attract and retain a world-class workforce.
The FY 2025 Proposed Budget totals $3.8 billion, an increase of $301.8 million, or 8.6%, over the FY 2024 Approved Budget. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction. Key highlights include:
- Supporting students academically by maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students.
- Retaining and attracting world-class educators with a 6% market scale adjustment.
- Strengthening student well-being outside of the classroom with expanded athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
- Continuing initiatives including expansion of inclusive preschool, adoption of green initiatives, and funding assistant director of student activities positions previously funded with ESSER III.
Special education daily contract extensions, funding for the safety and security screening program, and late buses to support academics and activities at middle schools are several of the priorities to be addressed at the end of FY 2024.
The School Board is scheduled to adopt the Advertised Budget on Thursday, February 22. Read more about the proposed budget. Keep up with FCPS’ budget development process.
 Help Students Achieve Their Dreams. Teach for FCPS!
Save the date! Attend FCPS’ instructional job fair on Saturday, February 24, 9 a.m.-noon, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Network and take advantage of interview opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair. Register today.
 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:
- Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
- Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
- Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
- Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
- Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps
Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.
Tech Adventure Camp is available for current grade K-5 students to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.
 Tutor.com Teacher-Referred Tutoring
Through Schoology®, all FCPS students have 24/7 access to no-cost, year-round, on-demand, 1-to-1 tutoring services through Tutor.com.
A new Teacher-Referred Tutoring program feature provides targeted support and extends student learning. Teachers can now refer students for tutoring, with their specific needs already identified. Students can get extra support — on their own schedule — and reinforce their in-class learning.
Caregivers can guide students to access expert tutoring, homework help, and writing support by clicking on the Tutor.com icon in their Schoology portal—anytime, anywhere.
Plus, look for teachers’ tutoring session referrals on the Tutor.com homepage.
Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts.
If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School.
Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.
Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.
 Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.
💻 Try Online Registration
Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process.
When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account. Please note that passwords should be more than 12 characters long. If you have an existing account and your password is shorter, please update it when you log in.
Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge
The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 10:45 a.m., at Hayfield Secondary School. The event features a public tasting of student dishes and demonstrations from two local celebrated chefs.
The student challenge at the heart of this event is to create healthy, delicious, and culturally diverse school menu items that meet USDA guidelines. Entries will be judged by a panel including celebrity chefs, school food professionals, and local food producers. The public is invited to vote for their favorite dish.
Chefs Najmieh Batmanglij and Chris Morgan of Joon will offer a demonstration at 11:15 a.m. Public tasting of student dishes will get underway at noon.
Student-created dishes from this annual event have been featured on school menus throughout the Greater Washington Region. It is free to attend, but registration is required.
Bright Minds, Big City
Literacy, Math, S.T.E.A.M. Family Night at Forestdale
Friday, April 19 5:30-7:00
More Details to Come soon!!
PTA Corner
Next PTA Meeting: March 6th
Our next PTA meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on March 6, 2024. We will meet in person in the cafeteria. Those unable to join in person can join using this Zoom link.
Contact forestedaleelementarypta@gmail.com with any questions
Important Dates
March 5- School Planning Day- Student Holiday (No School)
See the complete FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar.
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