 Kindergaten Orientation, April 2, 2024
Attention Future Falcons! Do you or someone you know, have a student that will turn turn 5 on or before September 30th and will attend Kindergarten during the Fall of 2024? If so, pease join us for Forestdale Kindergarten Orientation on April 2, 2024 from 2:30-3:30 pm.
Forestdale is ready to enroll your Kindergartener for the 2024-25 school year. Please contact Blanca Barrios at 703-313-4300 or bibarrios@fcps.edu to schedule an appointment for registration
AAP Spring Newsletter and Parent Referrals
Please read the AAP Spring Newsletter. In this letter you will find information about our process for screening students for subject-specific advanced differentiation and part-time advanced services. We know that students grow in their strengths and interests each year. We screen all students in the spring for new AAP service levels for the following school year. Parents can submit referrals for these services. Referrals are due to Ms. Spengler by April 15th, 2024. Read the spring newsletter to learn more information and where to find the referrals. Email Katelyn Spengler, the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher at kcspengler@fcps.edu with questions.
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 Forestdale TSI Townhall April 3, 2024 at 6 pm
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recently released the schools that have been identified as being in need of support, based on Virginia’s federal accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Forestdale Elementary School is on this list.
These designations are based on a complex set of factors. Our school was identified as being in need of support in Reading and Math for Asian, Hispanic, and Students with Disabilities. I would like to invite you to a community meeting to explain more about what this designation means, how we have been addressing these gaps, and what additional efforts will be put into place to support students.
Please join us on April 3, 2024 from 6 pm. - 7 pm. in the school’s cafeteria. You can also join the meeting virtually by clicking HERE.
FCPS has a strong strategic plan that focuses resources and support to ensure that each and every student develops foundational academic skills, curiosity, and a joy for learning necessary for success in pre-K through 12th grade.
Working together, we can ensure that each and every student at Forestdale Elementary School is prepared for a future yet to be imagined. I hope to see you on April 3.
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Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8
A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.
Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.
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 New Athletic Opportunities for Students
The FCPS advertised budget for next school year expands high school athletics with boys volleyball and girls wrestling, giving students more ways to nurture their passion and enhance their well-being. FCPS is now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback. See the Budget Calendar for details. Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget.
New Regulation on Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces
FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.
These spaces are for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact Interim Principal, Dr. LaDonna Tate, regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.
Updated COVID Recommendations
In accordance with the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance, FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) have updated school COVID-19 recommendations.
The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer recommended.
New respiratory virus guidance applies to respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Students who have symptoms of, test positive for, or have been diagnosed with a respiratory virus may return to school when the student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; AND the student’s symptoms have improved or resolved.
Students should follow additional precautions as outlined per the CDC upon resumption of normal activities.
Should I Send My Child to School?
Please refer to the chart on this attendance webpage if your child is experiencing symptoms or illnesses, and you are unsure if they should go to school.
Thank you for helping keep our students and staff healthy.
Safe, Supported, and Included — the FCPS Family Summit 2024
The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources, along with a specially curated online component to provide supports for students with disabilities and their families.
Some of the topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. The conference is being planned by several FCPS offices in collaboration with the Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators, Black Women’s Educational Alliance - DC Chapter, Hispanic Educators Association, and Asian Educators Association.
This year’s theme is Safe, Supported, and Included, which aligns with Goal 2 of the FCPS Strategic Plan. More details will be available after spring break.
Community Forums on Middle School Start Times
Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. Prismatic Services, Inc., an educational consulting firm, will lead the forums. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule:
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Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
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Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
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Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
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Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.
Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.
Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read
FCPS funds the use of Lexia for all elementary and middle schools as part of their literacy instruction. Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with data to identify students who need additional support and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize.
Attend a virtual information night on Tuesday, April 9, to learn more about Lexia and how FCPS is integrating it into the classroom to support student growth. Participants will also get tips for supporting their students at home. Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.
 Summer Camp for Middle Schoolers
All rising middle schoolers are invited to attend a summer of fun and leisure with VIP Camp. VIP Camp — which takes place Monday, July 1, to Thursday, August 1 — is designed to encourage teens to develop healthy and positive recreation interests and features a wide variety of leisure activities and programs.
Registration is open. VIP Camp costs $100 to attend. Reach out to your school's after-school specialist for scholarship availability due to financial hardship. This camp is sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.
Important Dates
April 1-2
Teacher Workdays, No School for Students
April 2
Kindergarten Orientation, 2:30-3:30
April 3
Forestdale TSI Townhall, 6:00-7:00
April 10
Eid al Fitr, No School
April 11
Forestdale AAP Night
See the complete FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar.
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