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 Dear Freedom Hill Families,
We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and have found time to rest, recharge, and make great memories! It's hard to believe, but we are just 11 days away from the start of another exciting school year. Whether you are returning to Freedom Hill or joining us for the first time, we are so glad to have you as part of our community.
This year, we remain committed to our mission of fostering a strong sense of belonging and providing every student with an excellent education. Our dedicated staff will be back on campus soon to prepare for what we know will be a meaningful and successful year ahead.
Strong schools are built on strong partnerships with families, and we’re excited to continue sharing important updates with you each weekend through this newsletter. Be sure to scroll to the end for news from our amazing PTA, whose efforts bring so many enriching experiences to our students. A quick highlight: the PTA is running a Spirit Wear presale—details are included below. Don't forget to also join the PTA for a new year.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued trust in us—it means so much. Don't forget to also follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We love sharing our students' learning!
We look forward to welcoming you next Friday at our Open House!
In partnership,
Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal
Holly Sims, Assistant Principal
 
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Freedom Hill Family Resources
Breakfast/Lunch Menus
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August 15 - Open House
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August 15 - PTA Summer Family Dinner Out @ Ben and Jerry's, 4-10PM
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August 16 - Last Rising Kindergarten Playdate, 10AM (Playground)
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August 18 - First Day of School - Students Arrive at 9:05
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August 26 - Back to School Night for Parents, 6-8PM
 Each year we welcome families into the building the day before school for you to have an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, to drop off school supplies, and to see their classroom. To alleviate parking and interior crowding, we will offer several sessions on Friday:
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9:00 - 9:45 - Adapted Programs: PAC, EAC, ID, IDS, and Preschool Class-based
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10:00 - 10:30 - Student Last Names A-L
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10:45 - 11:15 - Student Last Names M-Z
Some other details:
- You will meet your child's teacher and visit the classroom to explore the safe and welcoming environment that our teachers have created.
- It's a great time to drop off any medications in the school clinic, and pick up a Kiss 'N Ride number in the office if you will be picking up your student at the end of the school day.
- Pick up your spirit wear!
- If you cannot attend the Open House, staff members will be available on the first day of school to assist students in locating their classrooms.
Class/teacher placements have been finalized and will be communicated through SIS ParentVUE by August 14th. If you do not have a SIS ParentVue account, we recommend signing up for one now. The instructions can be found HERE and if you need your activation code, please reach out to Ms. Sujo in the front office.
Additionally, transportation information will be provided by the FCPS Office of Transportation prior to the start of the school year. If you have questions about your child's transportation, please reach out to the FCPS Office of Transportation, Team 41, at 703-249-7100.
Early release days for elementary schools will shift to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year. Three-hour early release days for Freedom Hill are:
- 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.
We know families are eager to find out who their child’s teacher will be for the upcoming school year! Class placement information will be shared early in the week of August 11 by Talking Points (Grades 1-6) and paper letter (Kindergarten) so families will know who their child’s teacher is prior to Open House.
Want to cross something off of your August to-do list right now? Check out our 2025-2026 School Supply Lists and have one thing less to worry about at back to school time! |
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The goal of the school health room is for students to experience a healthy and safe school year. Please help us by following current medication policies and updating emergency contact and student health information!
Medications: Prescription and nonprescription medications must stored and administered in the school health room. All medications, including Tylenol, ibuprofen, inhalers and epinephrine, require a properly completed Authorization Form each school year. Prescription medications must be in original containers with a pharmacy label (up-to a 30-day supply). The instructions on the completed Authorization Form (e.g., medication name, dosage, administration time) must match the pharmacy label. Over-the-counter medications must be in original, unopened containers with no more than 100 pills/tablets/capsules.
Emergency Contact and Health Information: Parents/guardians should update emergency contact and health information using the ParentVUE Online Verification/Update Packet (select ‘Online Packets’ at the top right corner and then ‘Online Verification/Update’). Alternatively, you may complete paper Emergency Care Information and Health Information forms at any time.
Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions: Parents/guardians of children with food allergies or dietary restrictions must have this form completed by their physician and sent according to the instructions to ensure our kitchen staff, classroom teachers, and office staff have pertinent information related to your child's needs.
If you have any medication-related questions or would like to discuss student health concerns, please contact our Public Health Nurse, Megan Rayes.
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.
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child.
Once you have activated a 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 ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Missed our 2024-25 Year-End Report? Many thanks to our families, students, and staff who contributed to share some great news from our school year!
At their May 8 meeting, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R), including its cell phone policy. Other SR&R updates include added clarity and/or procedures around topics such as discipline data, parent notifications, hate speech, and integrated discipline training. The full list of changes is available on BoardDocs.
Please join us in welcoming our community's newest educators!
MaryPat Julian - Special Education Teacher
Helen Hinders - PE Teacher
Shoko Kimura - School Counselor
Elissa Austria - ESOL Teacher (Part-Time)
Julia Shin - School Psychologist (Part-Time)
Casey Loftus - School Counselor (Part-Time)
Elise Yun - Adapted Art Teacher (Part-Time)
Samah Abdelfattah & Basma Abad - Instructional Assistants
   We hope you enjoy the last few weeks of the summer and we look forward to seeing you soon!
VISIT THE PTA AT OPEN HOUSE - AUG 15 @ FHES
We are excited to see all the returning families and meet the new families at Freedom Hill's Open House on Friday, August 15th.
Plan to stop by and visit us during Open House to:
- Learn about the PTA and what we do
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Join the PTA (for new and returning members. Note, you need to renew your PTA membership each school year)
- Purchase spirit wear
- Learn how you can earn money for the PTA using the Box Tops app and referral code F3FQ0H6U
- Learn how you can also earn money by linking your Harris Teeter bonus card to Freedom Hill
SUMMER FAMILY DINNER OUT (FDO) - AUG 15 @ BEN & JERRY'S (VIENNA SHOPPING CENTER), 4PM-10PM
Come on out for a sweet treat and see familiar faces! Keep the fun going with a Summer FDO also on Friday, August 15th at the Vienna Shopping Center Ben and Jerry's (136C Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA) anytime from 4PM-10PM. Ben and Jerry's will give back 20% of profits made to FHES! Our monthly FDOs raise funds that support all aspects of our school community. A big thanks to Camille Paredes for her ongoing organization of these events.
LAST KINDERGARTEN PLAYDATE - AUG 16 @ FHES PLAYGROUND/BLACKTOP, 10AM
Our last playdate for rising kindergarteners is Saturday, August 16th at 10AM on the FHES playground and blacktop. Thank you to Camille Paredes and Kiara Osorio for coordinating the playdates this summer.
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Upcoming Events
- August 15 - Open House, 9-11:15AM
- August 15 - Summer Family Dinner Out @ Ben and Jerry's, 4-10PM
- August 26 - Back to School Night, 6PM
- September 5 - Back to School Picnic, 5:30PM
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JOIN THE PTA!
The Freedom Hill PTA is gearing up to make our school the best it can be with fun events like the upcoming Back to School picnic, Spelling Bee, Cultural Heritage Day, and many more! We encourage every family to join and volunteer with the PTA with benefits for students, families, and community. If you are able to donate, please consider supporting the PTA HERE. Our goal is to raise $10,000 through donations, with every dollar counting and going directly back to our students and school.
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GET SOCIAL WITH US
Please reach out if you want to learn more about any of the PTA's activities. Your family is a valuable part of our school community and we can’t do it without you!
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