Upcoming Events November 1 - Holiday November 4 - School Planning November 5 - Teacher Workday November 6 - Picture Day November 11 - Holiday

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

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.

2024 Youth Survey Coming Up in November

The 2024 Fairfax County Youth Survey will be given to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 between Tuesday, November 12, and Friday, November 22. Parents/caregivers will be notified by their child's school of its plans to administer the survey and given the opportunity to opt their student out of the survey.

Visit the Fairfax County Youth Survey webpage to review the opt-out forms. There, you can also find more information and translations of the parent letter.

Join Us for the Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Referral Refresher!

Attention Parents of Students in Grades 2-6!

If you missed our October meeting about the Full-Time Advanced Academics Program, don’t worry! We invite you to a helpful Zoom session to catch up on everything you need to know about how to apply for Full-Time AAP services. Even if you attended the previous session, you’re welcome to join us to hear the information again!

What You'll Learn:

• Curriculum Overview: Explore FCPS’ rigorous Full-Time AAP instructional program in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
• How to Apply for the Program: Step-by-step guidance on the application process.
• Eligibility Criteria: Discover the holistic approach to central screening.
• Interactive Q&A: Engage with our AART, Linda Biberaj and get your questions answered!

Important: The referral deadline is December 15, so mark your calendars! Email completed referral forms to both LBiberaj@fcps.edu and JARedford@fcps.edu! Link to Full-Time AAP Form: https://www.fcps.edu/system/files/forms/2023-08/aap-fulltimeservicesreferralform-english.pdf

Date & Time: Thursday, November 14^th 1:00 – 2:00 Zoom Link: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/92258647564?pwd=NC8aoq8QjIhcdPDK7ZkSUcbI8hMpsx.1

Can’t Make It? If you have to miss this session, don’t worry! We will have Zoom office hours available in December for any additional questions or support. You could also connect with Ms. Biberaj anytime at LBiberaj@fcps.edu.

Information Night about Full Time AAP Services (formerly Level IV) at Irving Middle School:

Irving staff will provide a program on Thursday, November 7 at 6PM in Barker Hall at Irving to talk about the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) they offer for students who have qualified for Full Time AAP (formerly referred to as Level IV) services as they differ from what students experience in elementary schools.

• Irving staff will discuss the classes offered for students who have qualified for Full Time AAP services and the process to apply should families want their child to participate in these classes.
• The FCPS AAP website also provides information about the various levels and the process to apply.
• If your child has not qualified for Full Time AAP services, but you would like for them to be screened, please reach out to your elementary school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Ms. Biberaj, and be aware that the deadline for this is December 15^th. If you have any questions about this program or the classes for Full Time AAP students at Irving, please contact Irving’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Katie Richter kerichter@fcps.edu. Please include “Irving Full Time AAP question” in your email’s subject line.

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

You are an important part of your child's education! The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.

🖥️ Free Webinars for Families

In November, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

• Supporting siblings of children with disabilities for middle school siblings (in-person event).
• 5 Ways to De-Escalate a Nuclear Meltdown and Stop the Shame Cycle.
• Language Arts and Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities.
• Executive Functioning Skills (presented in Arabic).
• Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence.
• Starting the Conversation About Drugs.

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

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.

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