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Dear Dragons,
We look forward to having you return to school for another wonderful year. I hope you enjoyed the Dogwood Visits and our Open House. They were great times to connect with your teachers and build comfort and excitement for your children.
The first week of school can cause anxiety with arrival and dismissal. There are a lot of students and many new faces unsure of where to go. Here is a quick briefing of how arrival and dismissal work:
School doors open at 8:35 AM for all and students who want to eat breakfast early can come in door 5 at 8:20 AM.
We always have safety in the forefront of our minds. An adult may accompany their student on the first day to assist them to their classroom. Please send your child off with a hug and kiss and then promptly leave the building so that we are able to secure it and start their first day of school. Kindergarten students may be accompanied by parents for the first week of school. I know it is hard to leave your child, especially if they are anxious or sad, but it is easiest for them if we can quickly move into their school day and establish routines.
Walkers/Arrival: Walkers come in door 5, in the back of the school. Kindergarteners will line up and be able to come in to avoid the crowds of the upper grades.
Walkers/Dismissal: Walkers will be brought out to the blacktop in the back of the school by their teachers. There will be grade level cones to mark where students will line up. Please wait for your children near the cones and ensure the teacher is aware you are taking the child home.
Kiss and Ride/Arrival: You will drive your car past the bus loop towards the staff parking lot and remain in line. All students should be in seatbelts or car seats, depending on age. Remain in the car with your child and stay in the line. An adult will open the door and ensure your child is safe. Do not pass cars to the left, this is a safety concern. Stay in the line until you exit the school property.
Kiss and Ride/ Dismissal: You should have a number for kiss and ride from previous years or from Open House. If you do not have one, one will be provided to you the first time you come to pick up your child. Students will be seated by number and the number will be called out. Please help us ensure your child knows their kiss and ride number. Once the number is called, your child will walk to the car line and an adult will ensure they safely get into your vehicle.
Bus riders/ Arrival: In the beginning of the year buses are figuring out routes and timing. Please arrive at your bus stop 10 minutes early and be patient as the bus may be late. Students are dropped off in the bus loop and enter door 1. For the first week, students will be given color coding to help identify their buses.
Bus riders/Dismissal: We have bus shuttle leaders, which are teachers who walk the hallways and create lines of students to talk to their bus. Again, it is helpful if you share with your child which bus they are on. All kindergarten students MUST be met by an adult at the bus or they will be returned to school and an adult will need to come pick them up.
I am very excited for another great year at one of the greatest schools in FCPS. It is an honor to serve you.
Kate Beckner
Proud Principal
Monday, August 19, is the first day of school. Our building opens at 8:35 AM with the instructional day beginning at 8:50 AM. Students are welcome to enter the building only for breakfast in the cafeteria starting at 8:20 AM.
More information can be found on our Dogwood Elementary School site including our school supplies list. You are also welcome to reach out to our Main Office 703-262-3100 for any questions you may have.
We can’t wait to see all of our Dogwood Dragons.
Dogwood Bus Routes
Through your SIS ParentVue account, you can see your child’s transportation assignments and intent on the “Student Info” tab. If you have any questions regarding the routes please contact our Main Office 703-262-3100.
Keeping Your Child Safe
All exterior doors are locked during school hours. To enter the building, go to Door #1, push the doorbell, and the front office will remotely unlock the door. Upon entering, please report to the office where you will be requested to sign-in and show identification. To maintain the momentum of instruction, forgotten lunches and materials will be delivered by office staff, or students will be called down to the office to get their forgotten items.
For any change in a child’s typical transportation arrangements, send a note to the teacher indicating the date of the change, the duration of the change, and the reason for the change. Students may not ride a non-designated school bus home with a friend as buses are filled to capacity. For safety, we also ask that students get off at their designated stop only.
If picking up a student before the end of school, provide notice to the teacher and school office whenever possible to avoid confusion for your child. If a student must leave unexpectedly, alert the office at least one hour ahead of time.
During arrival and dismissal, please follow the established rules and travel routes for the safety of all. For everyone’s safety, we ask that parents follow the procedures for arrival and dismissal. This will allow you to get your Dragon to school as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Modeling safe procedures is critical and teaches our young students to stay safe when adults are not with them. All bus riders enter and exit the school building through Door #1. All walkers can enter the school building through Door #1 or Door #5. All students that walk home in the afternoons will exit Door #5 with a teacher. Families will meet their students on the blacktop if being picked up and walking home.
As a final reminder, taking the bus is a very safe way to travel to and from school. If you plan to have your child take the bus during the school year, put them on the bus the first day of school. It will help establish the school year routine, and students will be learning the rules and expectations along with peers from day one!
Parent Digital Consent
Student consent forms currently on ParentVUE will be moved to the Parent Digital Consent System (PDC).
Families can log in to the PDC using their ParentVUE credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child.
Example of forms available in the PDC:
- School Counseling Opt-Out
- Digital Resources Consent
- SEL Screener Opt-Out
- Family Life Education Opt-Out
- SOL Retest Permission
As we update the PDC, more district-wide forms will be added.
https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent
Early Release Monday’s
Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development. Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route. However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release Mondays for many of our families. To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it.
The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year with dismissal at 12:35 PM.
- September 23
- October 28
- November 25
- February 24
- March 17
- April 28
- May 19
To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/Up8i1tJxVaKdJVaE7 for each of your children who are enrolled at Dogwood Elementary. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 23, 2024 and October 28, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student.
Student Attendance Matters!
Starting August 19th, parents and caregivers can report up to two (2) consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE.
Student attendance at school is important all year long. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation.
- Check your child’s attendance record.
- Help your student stay engaged at school.
- Report future absences.
- Understand the FCPS school calendar.
Immunizations and Records
🩹 Are Your Child’s Immunizations and Records Up to Date?
Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. Many children missed their well check-ups and their recommended childhood vaccinations during recent years because of disruptions from COVID-19. It is critical to catch up to keep children healthy and ready for school.
While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations.
Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.
Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation to share with your child’s school.
Resources for Families
Parents and caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Learn more about the Family Resource Center (FRC).
In September, the FRC will host webinars for families on supporting siblings of children with disabilities, helping students organize their school work, working with children who like to push boundaries, and teen development and well-being. Sign up for the FRC newsletter for their latest offerings or visit their webinar webpage.
Additional Resources
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School Age Child Care (SACC) – This Fairfax County government program provides before and after school for elementary school-age children.
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FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family involvement.
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Family Engagement Resources – FCPS works to connect, strengthen, and support our families, schools, and communities.
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Translated Family Information Phone Lines- General information about FCPS for families who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese.
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FREE Tutoring services for students with Varsity Tutors.
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Labor Day
Friday, August 30, and Monday, September 2, is the Labor Day holiday for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
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🔖 Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Prepare for the First Day of School
- FCPS.edu Has a New Look
- Free Resources and Workshops for Families
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
August 19 First Day of School for PAC and Grades K-6th doors open at 8:35 AM
August 26: First Day of School for Students Accessing the Pre-K Head Start Program and for students accessing the ECCB Program
August 30 & September 2 Labor Day, Holiday (FCPS Schools Closed)
September 13 South Lakes Homecoming Parade & Game
September 19 Back to School Night 5:00 - 6:30 PM
September 23 Three Hour Early Release 12:35 PM
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