Upcoming Events October 31 - 2 Hour Early Release November 1 - Holiday November 4 - School Planning November 5 - Teacher Workday November 6 - Picture Day

School Picture Day is Coming!

📅 Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2024

📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001139019#login

📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com

To celebrate our school-wide love of reading, students are encouraged to dress up as a favorite book character on 

Thursday, October 31st. 

Students are encouraged to bring a book that includes the character they are representing. During the school day, they may be asked to share more about the character they’ve chosen. 

Guidelines for Book Character Costumes:

• Characters must be age appropriate and from elementary or middle- grade level books.
• Costumes may not involve blood or other horror-type elements.
• No weapons of any kind or masks that cover the entire face. 
• Costumes must allow students to take care of personal needs, sit at desks, and participate in school and classroom activities throughout the day, including appropriate shoes for PE/ recess!! 

Sangster Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Sangster Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.

Outstanding Teacher  

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district)

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding Principal

Outstanding Leader 

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Outstanding Operational Employee

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, Parent Liaisons

The deadline to submit a nomination is Wednesday, November 6th. 

If you have any questions, please contact Meghan Buckles at mlbuckles@fpcs.edu

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Friendly Reminders!

🛑 No U-Turns & Slow Down!

U-Turns on Reservation Dr. are both illegal and very, very dangerous.  We continue to get reports of cars making these illegal U-Turns.  The safety of our school community is compromised every time someone does this. Please take the time to use Kiss-n-Ride and/or find another route to get back up to the Parkway.

Follow all posted Speed Limit signs. Going slowly by the school helps to ensure student, staff, and parent safety as everyone is coming and going. The crossing guard is there to help with the flow of traffic and guarantee all can cross safely. Follow all directions given by the police officer posted at the intersection.

Thank you!

📅 Attendance

Please remember to email or call the attendance line with any messages regarding your student's attendance. Absences and late arrivals should be reported to avoid getting a robo-call from FCPS. If you email the teacher to let them know about your student's attendance, please copy SangsterElem.Attendance@fcps.edu to ensure your message reaches our attendance staff. You can also call, 703-644-8282 to report any attendance messages. 

The application period for Fuel Assistance 2025 began October 8th and will end on November 8th. This year, the state of Virginia pre-approved selected households for Fuel Assistance. If a family is unsure if they were pre-approved, please have them contact Jodie.White@fairfaxcounty.gov. If they were pre-approved, there is no need for them to submit an additional application. More information in attached English and Spanish flyers.

Safeway Pharmacy has been hosting free immunization clinics at Frost Middle School for any FCPS student age 18 or younger. The clinics are one of many ways FCPS is providing opportunities for students to receive their required immunizations. The next clinic will be Monday, October 28th, 3-7 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times.

Looking for a way to support military families in the NOVA area?  Operation Homefront provide Holiday Meals and gifts military families who qualify. Volunteer to pack, wrap, or distribute this season at Operation Homefront/NOVA

👋 Get to Know FCPS: Family Orientation

This interactive orientation seminar provides information about the school system, the links between family engagement and student achievement, school staff you should know, and programs and technology considerations for families. The orientation includes a discussion that is helpful for families new to the United States.

Sessions in English are held online on Tuesday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, December 10, at 6 p.m.; and Thursday, December 19, at 6 p.m. Register in advance. 

Visit the Family Academy catalog page for dates this orientation will be offered in Arabic, Korean, and Spanish.

🗓️ Upcoming Events with the Family Academy

The FCPS Family Academy is where families can learn and get support for their child's school journey. As a parent or caregiver, you are an important part of your child’s education. The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by Fairfax County Public Schools to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home. 

The Family Academy also includes information about resources available to help your student succeed. Browse Family Academy offerings.

✨ Fostering trusting partnerships with families is included in Pillar B of the FCPS Strategic Plan: Vibrant Home, School, & Community Partnerships.

In recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is hosting its annual Dyslexia Open House.

Come meet members of community organizations supporting individuals with dyslexia and attend presentations by FCPS staff.  Presentation topics include Universal Design for Learning and how it supports students with dyslexia in the classroom; an introduction to dyslexia for families who are new to this journey; updates on the Elementary Language Arts curriculum; and an opportunity to ask questions of members of FCPS staff.  We hope you can join us!

When: October 28^th, 2024, 5pm – 7pm

Where:

Fairfax County Public Schools

8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive

Fairfax, VA  22031

Can’t join in-person? Zoom Link

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/98897578815

Fall Festivals

Annandale's Fall Festival 
October 19
Petting zoo, delicious food, and festive activities for all ages, adds up to an autumnal extravaganza! 

George Washington's Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Festival
October 19 - 20 
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities & demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon.

OmBaked Global FallFest
October 20 
Embark on a captivating exploration of distinct regions, each represented as its own autumn traditions. Treat your taste buds to an array of culinary delights and look through handcrafted treasures. 

Military Families

Our Military Kids

Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity grants to children and teens of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post-9/11 combat wounded, ill, or injured Veterans in treatment. OMK activity grants build the children's self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community.

Military Child Care

Access to childcare directly affects mission readiness, morale, and retention of defense personnel worldwide. For this reason, the Department of Defense is committed to connecting military and DoD-affiliated families to quality, affordable childcare programs. For an overview of MCC and how you can request childcare for your family, watch this short video and/or select Learn More.

National Museum of the United States Army (Fort Belvoir)

Free general admission ticket reservations are encouraged. Walk-up tickets are available. 
Up to 9 tickets per request. See Group Tickets for 10 tickets or more.

Military Family & Life Counselors

The Military and Family Life Counseling Program provides free, confidential non-medical counseling to service members, their families and survivors on or near installations. Trained to work with the military community, military and family life counselors deliver valuable counseling services, briefings and presentations to the military community.

Quantico USO

USO Quantico Fall Fest

24010 Montezuma Ave. Quantico, VA United States

🍁🎃 Fall into fun with us at the USO Quantico West Fall Festival! 🍂

Oct 25th, 2024

5:00 PM EDT

Facebook groups for local military families 

GAMS - https://www.facebook.com/groups/greateralexandriamilitaryspouses/

PCS to DC - https://www.facebook.com/groups/PCSMilitaryMovetoVirginia

Fairfax County Spouses - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2053938148258566/

Other Resources

School Liaison Office – Fort Belvoir

EFMP Military One Source

EFMP – Fort Belvoir

MWR – Fort Belvoir

News from the Sangster PTA

Quick Links

• ParentVue
• FCPS News
• School Meal Menus
• Here Comes The Bus
• Schoology
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

7420 Reservation Dr, Springfield, VA 22153  | Main Office: 703-644-8200

Attendance: 703-644-8282 | Web | Twitter