Friday, August 29 - Monday, September 1 Labor Day Break, No School
Thursday, September 4 Toddler and Me Class
Thursday, September 4 Back to School Night 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Friday, September 5 Wildcat Nest Thrift Shop
Tuesday, September 9 Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
Tuesday, September 9 No-Cost Meals Available for Students 9a.m. - 1 p.m.
Wednesday, September 17 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday
Tuesday, September 23 Holiday Rosh Hashanah, No School
Tuesday, September 30 HIPPY Event for Families with Children 2-4 years old
Tuesday, October 2 Holiday Yom Kippur, No School
Monday, October 13 Indigenous People's Day, Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
Wednesday, October 15 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday
Monday, October 20 Holiday Diwali, No School
🏫Back to School Night is September 4!
Get ready for our annual Back to School Night Celebration on Thursday, September 4, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM! This is a wonderful opportunity for you to connect with our school community and learn more about your child's educational experience.
During this special evening, you'll have the chance to:
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Meet and get to know our dedicated teachers and staff.
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Learn about the curriculum and programs your child will be exploring this year.
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See what a typical day looks like for your student.
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Discover the technology and academic programs available to support their learning.
To make it easier for you to participate, we are providing supervision for children! A movie night, complete with pizza and drinks, will be held in the cafeteria for all students.
We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, visit our website at woodlawn.fcps.edu.
 
⚠️Early Release Wednesday Dismissal⚠️
There will be eight 3-hour early release Wednesdays this year. On these 3-hour Early Release Wednesdays, students will be dismissed three hours early at 1:00 p.m. View the 3-hour early release Wednesday dates here.
- ‼️Look at the dates for the Mount Vernon Pyramid.
We require your child's dismissal time for all early release days.
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‼️Please note that we are unable to change dismissal times on a monthly basis.
We have already asked families to share their preferences (1:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. dismissal) with us at Open House and throughout the first week of school. If you have not done so already, you can share your preference for dismissal time with your child's teacher at Back to School Night.
- ‼️If you do not specify your preference for either 1:00 PM or 4:00 PM, please call the Office and share your preference with our office staff. We must account for the dismissal of every child.
If you have already shared your dismissal time preference, we have entered it in into the Parent Digital Consent system for you. You can view this information on the Parent Digital Consent system.
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Below is a screenshot of how your Early Release Wednesday information will be presented.
🐊This Week's Woodlawn Pause
Our Art Therapy teacher, Melissa Hill, creates a weekly video on mindfulness that she shares with students every day called the Woodlawn Pause.
Enjoy this week’s Woodlawn Pause called ALLIGATOR BREATH.
You can access the video here.
This year we will be working with a book called Alphabreaths by Christopher Willard and Daniel Rechtschaffen, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown. These wonderful authors have chosen a breath for each letter of the alphabet for us to practice with. Throughout the school year we will try them out so the students can choose which ones feel the best. Then they will be encouraged to use them during times to feel a sense of safety, calm and nervous system regulation.
The Alligator Breath is helpful to do when students need to re-charge their energy- during times like in the morning, before starting some work or if they feel stuck. The opening and closing of the arms with breath creates space and a sense of expansion in the body, allowing energy to flow.
🍴No-Cost Meals Available for Students on September 9
We’re excited to share that Woodlawn ES will be offering lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on Tuesday, September 9.
As a reminder, all FCPS schools will be closed for students and school staff on September 9 due to a special election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. Many FCPS schools serve as election sites. Since our school is not an election site, we will be able to provide student meals.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Lunch and a snack will be served together from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Cafeteria.
- Meals must be eaten on site at participating schools.
- Only children 18 and under may receive meals.
- Each child may receive one lunch and one snack.
We are proud to support our students’ health and well-being, even on days when school is not in session. We hope to see many of our families take advantage of this opportunity! View a list of all school sites that will be providing meals for children on September 9. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
👨👩👧👦Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families
The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by the school division to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home.
The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help ensure your child has what they need to succeed. Check out some of the upcoming Family Academy sessions:
- Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (available in English and Spanish)
- Loving Solutions
- Military-Connected Youth Family Advisory Council
- Parent Project
- Family Resource Center Webinars on topics including: How to Prepare for School; Building Collaborative Relationships Between Caregivers and Educators; Worried Parents, Anxious Kids; and What Families Need to Know About Drugs for Their Students with Disabilities.
Visit the Family Academy catalog for more information on these sessions and to register to attend.
🔢New Math Screening and Growth Assessment for Elementary Students
Starting in September, FCPS elementary schools will use the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math assessment to assess grade level mathematics skills in grades 1-6. The MAP Math test along with the iReady Reading test fulfill a state requirement to measure academic growth in grades 3-6 throughout the school year.
MAP Math tests are administered in the fall, winter, and spring. They help teachers identify students' strengths and areas where they may need more support.
Families can learn more about MAP Growth assessments by visiting the MAP Test Information 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 Tuesday, November 18, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. Visit the How To Submit Immunization Documents webpage for step-by-step guidance on how to check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information
Please check with your health care provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2025-26 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!
🌩️ Weather Happens, FCPS is Ready
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, there are many different types of weather events that can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. But FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?
Answers to those questions along with resources you can use to prepare for different weather events are now available on the new FCPS weather safety webpage.
💌SEL Screener Parent Notification and Updates
This October, students in grades 3 through 12 will take the Fall Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener.
Students take this screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well the school helps them feel valued, included, and supported, and to gauge their development of important social and emotional skills.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit FCPS’ Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
🚨 The Wildcat Nest Thrift Shop is open!
Need free clothing for your family? We have you covered! The thrift shop, located at Woodlawn Elementary (8505 Highland Ln), is open on Fridays from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm by appointment only.
To make an appointment, please text our Family Liaison, Ms. Bueno, at 571-363-0397. Appointments are required to ensure everyone gets the help they need.
Please note: The thrift shop will be closed on Friday, August 29th, for the Labor Day holiday weekend. We look forward to seeing you soon!
 
 
📚HIPPY Program for Young Learners
Looking for a free educational opportunity to help your preschooler prepare for kindergarten?
The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program is a free educational opportunity for families with 2, 3, or 4-year-old children.
The program provides supplies, books, and curriculum activity packets to help prepare your child for kindergarten with activities relating to mathematics, reading, science, writing, motor skills, and language development.
The program will run from September 30th until the second week of November, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Woodlawn.
To sign up, text our Family Liaison, Julie Bueno, at 571-363-0397.
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