A Message from our Administrators
Dear Hunt Valley Community,
Happy Friday! We had a busy week with picture day and the book fair! Thank you to our PTA and all the parents that supported these events. We appreciate you giving your time to help our students and teachers! The weather has warmed up a little bit and we know our students are happy to have outdoor recess each day. As a reminder, please have students dress in layers as the temperature (both inside and outside the building) changes throughout the day.
On Monday, March 24, Mr. Keith Hirsch will join our adminstrative team as Interim Assistant Principal, while Mr. Kopacz is out on paternity leave. He is excited to spend time at Hunt Valley. If you see him outside or in the hallway, make sure to introduce yourself and welcome him to our building.
Please see below for information about:
- SOL testing schedule
- Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Questionnaire
- Ramadan
- Kindergarten Orientation
- STEAM Night, April 3rd
- Earth Day
- SCA School Supplies Drive
- Cameras Installed on School Bus Stop Arms
- VDH Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders
- Science, Technology and Arts Magnet Schools
- The Comprehensive School Boundary Review Process Explained
- Immunizations
- Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
- Updating Emergency Contacts
- Varsity Tutors
- Yearbook Ordering Information
We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Keieownna Hightower, Principal
Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal
Eric Kopacz, Assistant Principal
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Mark Your Calendar
March 28--Last Day of 3rd Quarter FULL DAY of School
March 31--Eid-al-Fitr, NO SCHOOL
April 1--Teacher Workday, NO SCHOOL
April 3--STEAM Fair
April 14-18--Spring Break
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We Want Your Feedback! Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire
On Monday, March 24, parents and guardians of Hunt Valley will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.
Topics covered in the survey include:
✅ Instructional leadership
✅ School climate
✅ Management (human resources and organizational)
✅ Communication and community relations
✅ Culturally responsive and equitable leadership
✅ Professionalism
The questionnaire will be open March 24 – April 4 and will be collected online. Keep an eye out for an email from FCPSSurvey@fcps.edu and take a few minutes to complete it.
Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and feedback!
February 28- March 29 - Ramadan
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact their child’s school regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
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Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year, a time for spiritual discipline for Muslims, who believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to Mohammed. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.
For students who will be fasting and would like an alternate location during their lunch, one will be provided where they can engage socially with their peers. If your child will be fasting during this time, please reach out to your child's teacher so we can plan accordingly.
Reminder to Sign Up Weekly for Student Fasting Meal Kits
Students who are fasting during the school day between now and March 28 can take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families must fill out a separate request form for each week and for each student in order to receive school meal kits. To receive meal kits for the week of March 24, please fill out this form by March 17.
Please remind your child to pick up their meals each day at our school’s designated location. Visit the Food and Nutrition Services webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
Spring Into STEAM!
- Family STEAM Night on April 3rd from 6:00 to 7:30pm.
- Explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and experiences.
- FREE event at Hunt Valley Elementary School.
- Volunteers Needed – Sign-Up Form Link
- Do you work in a STEAM Career Field or have STEAM activity that you’d like to share? If so, please complete this Parent Station Proposal FORM and we will contact you!
🛑 Cameras Installed on School Bus Stop Arms
Cameras have been installed on the stop arms of 50 FCPS school buses. These cameras will be used to identify drivers who pass stopped school buses while children are entering and exiting the bus (called a “stop arm violation”).
Warnings for drivers will begin on Wednesday, April 9. After a 30-day warning period, citations will begin to be issued on Monday, May 12.
According to Virginia law, drivers must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights on and their stop signs extended. Motorists should stop when approaching from any direction (unless there is a barrier or median separating their lane from where the bus is stopped). They should remain stopped until everyone is clear and the bus is moving.
We appreciate our law enforcement partners for working with us to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Read more information about the stop arm cameras and all of the ways that we work with our county partners to keep students safe on their way to and from school.
VDH Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders
As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
- A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.
Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.
🧲 Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts.
Registration for the 2025-26 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 4, through Friday, April 4. Learn more about the programs on the Elementary Magnet Schools page and information on the magnet lottery on our Registration page.
📍 The Comprehensive School Boundary Review Process Explained
Want to learn more about the ongoing Comprehensive School Boundary Review process? Watch this video for explanations of terms such as attendance zones, attendance islands, split feeders, and other factors that affect school boundaries. The video will also be available in other languages soon.
Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information and sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.
Learn More About How Your Child Feels at School
The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-12 in March. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop the skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who do not have a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations
Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!
Starting Monday, May 19, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE.
Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!
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🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS on Monday, March 24, at Kings Park Elementary School, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
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Returning to In-Person Work?
If you are no longer telecommuting, please make sure your emergency contact information is updated. You can update via ParentVue.
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
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