Laurel Ridge Newsletter 08/08/2025

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.

⏰ Limited Early Release Days for Elementary Schools 

Limited early release days for elementary schools will shift to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year. 

Laurel Ridge will dismiss at 12:55 on the following Wednesdays:

• September 17
• October 15
• November 19
• December 17
• February 25
• March 25
• April 29
• May 20

Read more about early release Wednesdays on the FCPS website.

We encourage all parents/caregivers to have their student take their normal route home (bus, walk, kiss and ride) on early dismissal days. While these are designated as early release days — where necessary, we will ensure that every student has supervised activities at the school and returns home at the regular time if that is what works best for your family. 

The Early Release Wednesday consent form can be found in the BOY Digital Consent App under "Early Release Wednesday Childcare" and needs to be completed by August 25.

You can find more information about digital consent here: Digital Consent Directions for Families 

🏗️ 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. 

https://youtu.be/DJih0PB7rBkThe 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.