WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE FOREST - 11/22/2024

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Wed - Fri, November 27-29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Mon, December 2 - Classes Resume at 8:35am

Wed, December 4 - PTA Holiday Market, 6pm


Thanksgiving Luncheon 2024

Thanksgiving Luncheon

A wonderful feast was shared with students and families today at our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.

Thank you to our hard-working cafeteria staff for preparing the meals, and to the parent volunteers for helping with preparation and serving! Everyone's efforts paid off to make for an enjoyable day.


Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Break

No School: Nov 27-29

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, FCPS schools will be closed Wednesday, November 27th - Friday, November 29th. Classes will resume on Monday, December 2nd at 8:35am.

If you need to report an absence, please submit full-day absences through ParentVUE or leave a message on our attendance line 703-926-2626.


Family Life Education Lessons

Family Life Education Lessons are taught in Gr. K-6. The OPT-OUT forms were delivered electronically through a central office email communication and parents were able to log into their ParentVUE SIS account and mark any opt outs. However, this is a new process, and parents may have missed the electronic opt-out option. Teachers will attach paper opt out forms in their weekly emails.


Advanced Academics Program Info

Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Full-Time referrals (for students in grades 2-6) are due by 12/15.

The referral form and optional parent questionnaire for Full-Time files can be submitted to Mrs. Trope at cjtrope@fcps.edu.  Mrs. Trope must receive your referral form by 12/15 for your child to be considered for Full-Time services for next school year.  If you complete a referral, please make sure that you receive confirmation from Mrs. Trope that she has received your referral.  You can reach out to Mrs. Trope with any questions you might have.

Fall AAP 2024 Newsletter Fall 2024 Newsletter


Community Flyers

If you wish to include a flyer with our Wednesday folders, we welcome flyers from the community on the first Wednesdays of each month. All flyers must be submitted for approval a week prior to the first Wednesday of the month. Please be sure to include the required Fairfax County Public Schools disclaimer on the flyer. If with to submit a flyer for approval, or need a copy of the disclaimer, please contact Patty Helms at phelms1@fcps.edu.


❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.


Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.

The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25


Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.


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📍Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary School (Cafeteria). If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available.


Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by Friday, November 17

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because 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.

Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information.  

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).


FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of our Newington Forest staff members.

FCPS Cares

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FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

  • Preparing for Winter Weather
  • SEL Screener Results
  • Varsity Girls Wrestling Is New Winter Sport

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.