Calendar Reminders
August 26: Back to School Night (Designed for parents/guardians only)
- Session 1: 5:30 p.m.
- Session 2: 6:30 p.m. (will be a repeat of session 1 information)
August 29: Student Holiday - No School
September 1: Student Holiday - No School
September 9: Teacher Work Day - No School
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Hello Forestville Families!
Welcome to our first Forestville Focus. We will send these newsletters out on Tuesdays. We will include information specific to Forestville and general FCPS updates. The FCPS updates may also include repeat information from FCPS family newsletters. We look forward to sharing photos of our week and spotlight upcoming events! Be sure to scroll down for our Tuesday Folder Contents. These will be electronic Flyers and will replace paper copies going home. Check back each Tuesday for updates.
We enjoyed visiting with so many of you at last week's Open House and again on the first day of school. Our students are two days into the year and already picking up so many of our routines. We thank our incredible teaching staff for helping build strong classroom communities where our students will be excited to learn throughout the school year. We thank you for your partnership in supporting our students and staff!
Your Principals,
Sarah Brooker & Afton Carlson
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3 C's at Forestville
Forestville is excited to build community through the 3C's of Caring, Collaborating and Communicating. We have been introducing these ideas to students through our morning announcements. Our teachers will be showcasing these commitments to students and families throughout the school year!
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First Day Class Visits
We were delighted to have time to visit each classroom at Forestville on the first day of school. Our students and teachers were practicing routines and jumping in to content. Second graders were creating a pictograph on how they leave school. Sixth graders were learning about the importance of exercising our math brains to help us develop into mathematicians. Fourth graders were writing letters to their teachers and third grade was reflecting on their first day at school! Kinder and first grade were also hard work practicing routines for walking in lines and playing at recess! Finally, our fifth graders were getting to know their table mates through mind maps, sneaker stories and tower building! Amazing work was underway on only the first day!
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 Stay Connected with Forestville!
Want to see what learning, laughter, and life at Forestville really look like? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for a front-row seat to the amazing moments happening in our classrooms and around our school. From special events and student highlights to spirit days and everyday fun—you won’t want to miss a thing!
📸 Facebook: ForestvilleFCPS
📸 Instagram: @forestvillefcps
Complete Permission Forms Today
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Opt your child in or out of online educational tools and choose how student information is managed.
Visit FCPS’ Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
🎉We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Please review this checklist to make sure your child is ready!
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at [email/phone number] if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meal benefits.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
💻 Catch Up on Your Child’s Classwork in Schoology
Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
Parent accounts will be available after Monday, August 18. To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Get more information on how to login and use Schoology.
Student ID Numbers Needed for School Meals (New This Year)
Starting this school year, students will enter their student ID number — not their current cafeteria PIN — at the cash register to receive school meals. Please remind your child of their student ID number, which you can find in SIS ParentVUE. View more updates and reminders for school meals this year.
We Are a Phone-Free School!
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell). Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool. If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at 703-404-6000. Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone policy, which helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school.
⏰ Limited Early Release Days for Elementary Schools
Limited early release days for elementary schools will shift to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year.
Three-hour early release days for our school will include:
- September 10
- October 29
- November 12
- December 10
- February 18
- March 18
- April 22
- May 13
Read more about early release Wednesdays on the FCPS website. If you have not completed the Forestville Early Release Survey emailed to families on Tuesday morning at 9:30, please do so now. Survey responses are due no later than Friday, August 22.
🍴 Apply Today for Free and Reduced Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost.
Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. Access the application and view criteria on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage
Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Support Your Child’s Success by Checking SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar, Amani Kirk if you need a code.
Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. You may also access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE
🏫 Building a Brighter Future, Together: FCPS Family Academy
The FCPS Family Academy promotes connections and collaborations between families, educators, and the community. Its work is aimed at strengthening partnerships in support of each and every student’s success.
Explore a wide range of resources; tools; and virtual and in-person webinars, workshops, and programs. The FCPS Family Academy helps you become a key part of your child’s education! Learn more about the FCPS Family Academy.
Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
A new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, will allow students, parents/caregivers, and community members to register and search volunteer opportunities within the school division.
All volunteers (new or returning) will register in Volunteer FCPS, complete a volunteer orientation, and be required to sign in using the visitor kiosk. Some volunteers will also be required to undergo a background check. Visit the Volunteer FCPS website for details.
Help Keep Students Safe — Become a Crossing Guard
Dependable and caring adults are needed to serve as crossing guards, helping students safely bike and walk to and from our schools. This is a great opportunity for retirees, stay-at-home parents, or anyone looking to make a difference in their community. Crossing guards will earn $16.50 per hour and receive bonus time: Work 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after school for a total of one hour a day and earn $33.00.
The Fairfax County Police Department has engaged a company, ACMS, to recruit crossing guards. Please visit their website to learn more and apply.
Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County.
- Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children 3 years old by September 30.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and for children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however, space is limited and provided based on need, not “first come, first serve.” Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail, or in person at our office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.
If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
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.
🏗️ School Bond Referendum on Ballot Tuesday, November 4
A $460 million School Bond Referendum will be on the Tuesday, November 4, general election ballot.
Bond-funded projects provide safe, welcoming, effective, and modern spaces for students to learn and staff to work.
The building and renovation of our schools is not funded through FCPS’ operating budget. Voter-approved bonds that allow payment for projects over time, while seeking to avoid an increase in property tax rates, fund building and renovation. Without bond funding, renovations would likely cease, delaying much needed repairs at many schools. Potential bond-funded projects are identified in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program, which was adopted by the School Board in February.
Voters have a direct role in shaping the future of FCPS schools. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- 🎉 Countdown to the First Day of School
- 📞 Family Information Phone Lines
- 🩹 Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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Tuesday Folder Contents
Forestville uses Schoology for all Tuesday Folder contents. All flyers are posted to Schoology Course: Forestville Families and contents are listed below.
- Grade Level Testing Notifications
- FES PTA Cardinal Fund Flyer
- FES PTA Mookie's Dining for Dollars (9/10)
- Citizen for Great Falls Flyer
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ChiCeLaCu!‘s Spanish Program has been offered at Forestville Elementary since 2010. The schedule is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 am to 8:50 am. Trained instructors teach classes of 15-19 pupils. The program is open to all ages. Registration is open now for 2025-2026, and is only open until the end of the summer. Registrants sign up for the year. Cost in 2025-2026 is $1996 for the year.
For more information about this program, see the full flyer here or reach out to Monica Marini at admin@chicelacu.com for more information.
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Registration is now open for Silver Knights Chess Academy for Fall Semester. Chess Club will meet at Forestville on Fridays 9/26-12/19 after school from 4:10-5:10 pm.
Each week students of all levels do a fun but challenging lesson a great coach followed by practice games against other students in the class.
For more information about this program reach out to Silver Knights at info@chessacademy.com or call 703.574.2070.
Registration is now open for Silver Knights Chess Academy for Fall Semester. Chess Club will meet at Forestville on Fridays 9/26-12/19 after school from 4:10-5:10 pm.
Each week students of all levels do a fun but challenging lesson a great coach followed by practice games against other students in the class.
For more information about this program reach out to Silver Knights at info@chessacademy.com or call 703.574.2070.
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Dunk Tank, Cotton Candy and Games, Oh My!
Our Forestville Carnival is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it unforgettable!
We’re forming a Carnival Committee and looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join the fun. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there are so many ways to pitch in and make a difference.
📧 Interested? Email us at social@forestvillepta.org to get involved.
Let’s make this year’s carnival the best one yet—we can’t do it without you!
Forestville Elementary PTA is actively seeking corporate sponsors for the upcoming school year. If your company—or one you know—would be interested in supporting our school community, we’d love to hear from you! 📧 Reach out to us at fundraising@forestvillepta.org
Sponsors will enjoy visibility through branded school swag, newsletters, and PTA-hosted events. It’s a great way to give back and connect with local families.
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