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Dear Dragons,
We are thrilled to share that our school year is off to a fantastic start! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us last night at our first PTA meeting. Your presence and support are truly helping to strengthen the partnership between our families and school, and ensuring a successful year for all our Dragons.
We have an exciting week ahead, beginning with our Homecoming Parade tomorrow! Please join us at Hunters Woods Shopping Plaza by 4:45 PM, specifically in the Safeway Parking Lot, where Dogwood staff will be in spot A15. We encourage everyone to wear green or your Dogwood gear and to dress comfortably, as we’ll be marching to South Lakes High School. We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate our school spirit together!
Additionally, we are looking forward to seeing all of our Dogwood families at our annual Back to School Night next Thursday, September 19th, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with teachers and learn more about the exciting year ahead. More details are provided below.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement. We look forward to sharing these moments with you and making this school year exceptional!
Kate Beckner
Proud Principal
Fairfax County School Board Welcomes You
The Fairfax County School Board holds the critical responsibility of overseeing the public schools in Fairfax County. Comprising of twelve members elected by county voters every four years, the Board is charged with setting the strategic direction and ensuring the effective operation of our school system. Additionally, a student representative, chosen annually by their peers, serves as a non-voting member to provide student perspectives.
The School Board establishes broad policies and guidelines to ensure the smooth functioning of Fairfax County Public Schools. Their decisions are guided by the laws of Virginia and the regulations set by the Virginia Board of Education, ensuring compliance and educational standards.
It is crucial for the community to understand the role and decisions of the School Board. Familiarity with their policies and initiatives enables you to advocate for constructive changes and ensures that the educational needs of all students are addressed. There are numerous opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
To learn more about our FCPS school board, watch this Back to School video from our school board member Ms. Melanie Meren welcome you to the 2024-25 school year.
New Dogwood T-Shirts ~ FOR SALE NOW!
Show your school spirit and help your child get ready for the South Lakes High School Homecoming Parade by purchasing a new Dogwood Dragon t-shirt! Shirts are available now during our EARLY DRAGON SPECIAL- this week only- for $10 and can be picked up in the school office. Please note that we are accepting exact cash only for purchases. Wearing these shirts is a great way for students to show their pride and support during the festivities. Thank you for your support, and let’s make this Homecoming memorable!
You can still purchase a shirt after this week for $15.
Early Release Monday’s- We need every student accounted for.
Please fill out the survey. We need 100% of the responses. 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
- December 9 (updated date change)
- 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.
This year’s annual Back to School Night will be held on the evening of Thursday, September 19th from 5:00-6:30 PM.
5:00- 5:20 PM Information Stations
5:25- 5:55 PM Classroom Session 1
6:00-6:30 PM Classroom Session 2
At Back to School Night, classroom teachers will share information with parents/guardians about grade level curriculum your child will be learning about this school year and specific grade level events such as field trips your child may attend this upcoming school year. You will also hear about the classroom practices and expectations your child’s teacher will employ this school year to support them.
This is a great opportunity to begin establishing your partnership with your child’s classroom teacher(s) to support their success this school year. It is important that parents/guardians plan to attend.
There will be an Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) parent information night for families on Wednesday, September 25th at 4:45 PM in the Dogwood Elementary Library. Fairfax County provides a continuum of services to meet the needs of students at a variety of levels.
Prior to joining, please watch this county prepared AAP Overview Video which outlines the continuum of services available to all students in FCPS. During the first parent information night we will share the specific AAP program supports that are provided at Dogwood Elementary.
Parents of students in second through sixth grade, who are interested in having their child screened for the full-time services will learn about the forms, documents, and deadlines for applications. This Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) parent information night will be held on Wednesday, October 16th at 4:45 PM in the Dogwood Elementary Library. We provide a brief question and answer session for families as well.
Note: AAP Level IV parent referrals are due on December 15, 2024. This is a county deadline, and late entries cannot be accepted.
Any questions please contact Lauren Williams lgwilliams2@fcps.edu
🩹 Immunization Requirements
Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia.
You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office.
Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided to your school’s front office, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:
- A health care provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
- A health care provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with their religious tenets or practices.
Find more information on immunizations.
🍎 Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school.
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 9 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Immunization Reminder
- Make Attendance a Priority
- How Is FCPS’ Redesigned Website Working for You?
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Upcoming Dates
Fairfax County Public Schools 2024-2025 Standard School Year Calendar
September 13: South Lakes Homecoming Parade & Game 4:45 PM at Hunters Woods Shopping Center
September 19: Back to School Night 5:00 - 6:30 PM
September 23: Three Hour Early Release 12:35 PM https://forms.gle/Up8i1tJxVaKdJVaE7
September 25: AAP Parent Night 4:45- 6:00 Dogwood Library
October 3: All Schools Closed, Rosh Hashanah
October 4: No School for Students, Teacher Workday
October 14: No School for Students, Staff Development Day
October 15: Picture Day
October 16: AAP Parent Night 4:45- 6:00 Dogwood Library
October 28: 3 Hours Early Release Monday Grades K-2- Please complete form: https://forms.gle/bEmijZM4A1NH1Taj9
October 31: 2 Hour Early Release, End of First Quarter
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