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Dear Freedom Hill Families,
We hope your weekend is well as we prepare for the final eight days of the school year! Our week of parades was truly thrilling. On Wednesday, we welcomed back our formal FH Eagles who are graduating from Marshall HS on Monday. Our students always look in awe and pride at our seniors as we consider their great accomplishments and hopeful futures, and it's such a pleasure to see the graduates reconnecting with previous teachers and staff.
We must also thank our wonderful PTA, volunteers, and attendees for continuing our tradition of our Culture/Heritage Parade. It is one of our favorite days of the year, and seeing the vibrant, colorful displays that represent the incredible diversity of our learning community is fascinating and educational. In particular, a big thanks to Smriti Choudhary, Rachel Shabica, and Yasemin Bayraktar for their organization.
A few last notes for this week:
- This week, we have our end-of-year musical concerts, as well as our final PTA meeting of the year. With many contributing families currently in our 5th and 6th grades, we are eager to invite new families into our PTA organization who have an interest in supporting our programs.
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Field Day is Friday! We hope for great weather and a fun morning together. As a reminder, the cafeteria will be closed for lunch as the PTA is buying pizza for all. Families are asked to pack an alternative for lunch if they would like to decline the PTA lunch.
- If you have any Freedom Hill library books at home, please be sure to return them this week to Ms. Trott.
- Be sure to check the Lost and Found this week if you have any missing clothing items - they will be donated at the end of the school year.
- It is a great time to print a copy of the 2024-25 FCPS Calendar! In addition, we have finalized our dates for Rising Kindergarten Playdates, Open House and Back to School Night. They are available below for your family calendar.
In partnership,
Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Eric Kopacz, Assistant Principal
2023-24 FCPS School Calendar
FCPS Lunch Menu
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June 4 - Year-End Band (6PM) and Strings (7PM) Concert
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June 5 - Year-End Chorus Concert (6PM)
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June 5 - PTA Meeting, 6:30PM (In-Person)
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June 7 - Field Day
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June 11 - 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony / Dance (Evening)
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June 12 - Last Day of School (2 hour early release at 2:05)
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June 18 - PTA Sprout School Supply Orders Due (See Below)
2024-25 FCPS School Calendar
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June 20 - Rising Kindergarten Playdate, 5PM (Playground)
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July 21 - Rising Kindergarten Playdate, 3PM (Playground)
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August 17 - Rising Kindergarten Playdate, 10AM (Playground)
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August 16 - Open House for Students, 10-11AM
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August 19 - First Day of School
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August 27 - Back to School Night for Parents, 6PM
 For questions, please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than 2:00 pm, student dismissal time, on the last day of school, June 12. Medication left in the health room after that time will be discarded. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student.
Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services. A medication authorization form is required for any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be kept at school.
Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:
- Check your child’s attendance record.
- Help your student stay engaged at school.
- Report future absences.
- Understand the FCPS school calendar.
Learn more about attendance resources.
2024 Summer Parktakes:
The 2024 Summer Parktakes guides are available in the front office if you have any families who may be interested. Page 37 has all the Camps info. New this year is extended care for before and/or after camp. This is a great option for working parents.
Here’s the summer Parktakes link.
RecPac Camps:
June 24-August 1 from 8:30am-4pm for grades 1-6 (students who have completed kindergarten through rising 7th grade and are residents of Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church. Children with disabilities may attend any location or select one of the lower ratio sites (specialized inclusion sites with staff trained to support children with disabilities). Students can register for one or more specific sessions. Fee is determined by a sliding scale based on your family’s total annual income. Students who are Fairfax County residents and currently receive public assistance are eligible for partial scholarships. Please see the attached Recpac brochure with registration form in both English and Spanish.
Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website.
How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions.
 The Fairfax County School Board voted to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Approved Budget at their last board meeting. The FY 2025 Approved Budget totals $3.7 billion — a net increase of $233.2 million or 6.6% over the previous year.
The FY 2025 Approved Budget focuses on providing educational excellence for all students and ensuring that employees’ hard work and dedication are acknowledged through competitive compensation. Both of these efforts fully align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Nearly 86% of the Approved Budget is targeted at instruction. Key budget highlights include funding for a 4% compensation increase for all employees; maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students; and expanding athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
Read the news release.
 FCPS celebrates the rich diversity and honors the many contributions of immigrants of Caribbean heritage to our nation during the month of June. Caribbean individuals are some of the most ethnically diverse in the world. There are more than 8.5 million individuals in the United States born in the Caribbean or of Caribbean ancestry. Learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month.
 In the month of June, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. We stand with those facing an ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
          
CULTURE/HERITAGE DAY - A GREAT SUCCESS!
Thank you to Smriti Choudhary, Rachel Shabica, FHES Staff partner Yasemin Bayraktar and the many volunteers for putting together a truly awesome Culture/Heritage day on Friday! The spirit, joy, and enthusiasm of students and staff was felt throughout the school. We are so proud to celebrate the diversity of our FHES community!
LAST PTA MEETING - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5th
Join us this Wednesday, at 6:30PM for the last PTA meeting of the school year. Lots of exciting items on the agenda - voting in the new Board members, recognizing the recipient of the Harriette Best award, celebrating departing staff and more! This is an in-person event to be held in the FHES library immediately following the chorus concert. Light refreshments will be served.
FIELD DAY TREATS - FRIDAY, JUNE 7th
The PTA is providing treats and pizza to all students during Field Day. There will be Fla-Vor-Ice brand freeze pops during the field day activities, followed by lunch and dessert of Domino’s pizza and Giant store-brand vanilla/chocolate ice cream cups. The cafeteria will be open for breakfast but closed for lunch. Families are asked to pack an alternative for lunch if they would like to decline the PTA lunch.
SUMMER PLAYDATES FOR RISING KINDERGARTENERS
If you have a rising kindergartener joining FHES in the fall, mark your calendars to meet up on the following dates/times for a playdate and freeze pops on the FHES playground. Thank you Alexandra Bryden for organizing these!
- Thursday, June 20th at 5PM
- Sunday, July 21st at 3PM
- Saturday, August 17th at 10AM
JOIN A PTA COMMITTEE FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR
The PTA relies on committee volunteers to plan events throughout the year. Please consider joining a committee - it’s a great way to build relationships within the FHES community. And the best part? No experience is necessary - we will train you!
Complete this online form, or complete and return the flier that came home with your student by Friday, June 7th (extended date). Send any questions to info@freedomhillpta.org.
ORDER SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR 2024-2025
For your convenience, the PTA partnered with Sprout School Supplies for the upcoming year. Sprout offers prepackaged school supply kits customized to match the Freedom Hill grade-specific classroom lists. Supply kits are delivered directly to school prior to the 1st day. Make back-to-school easier than ever and order your school supply kit now through June 18th at sproutsupplies.com with our School Code FHES001.
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