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The Dunne Dispatch (Calendar Edition) - August 28, 2025
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to the first Calendar Edition of The Dunne Dispatch for the 2025-2026 school year! I am excited to share a comprehensive listing of school events with the Mount Vernon District community. I firmly believe that strong schools and strong communities go hand in hand, and I encourage everyone—even those without children in the system—to attend our public school events. Your support is invaluable.
If you have a school or community event you would like to be considered for a future calendar newsletter, please email the details to mdunne@fcps.edu and copy nnbrown@fcps.edu and slgoodell@fcps.edu.
Very respectfully,
 Mateo Dunne, Mount Vernon District Representative
Inside this issue:
2025 Back to School Night Schedule
All schools will have a Back-to-School Night where you can meet your child's teacher and learn about plans for the upcoming school year. You can check the links below to see the date for your school.
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Region 3: Belle View ES, Bryant HS, Bucknell ES, Cameron ES, Edison HS, Fort Belvoir ES, Fort Hunt ES, Hollin Meadows ES, Mount Eagle ES, Mount Vernon HS, Pully Career Center, Quander Road, Riverside ES, Sandburg MS, Stratford Landing ES, Twain MS, Washington Mill ES, Waynewood ES, West Potomac HS, Whitman MS, Woodlawn ES, Woodley Hills ES
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Region 4: Halley ES, Laurel Hill ES, Newington Forest ES, Silverbrook ES, South County MS and HS
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Region 6: Gunston ES, Hayfield ES, Hayfield SS, Island Creek ES, Key Center, Key MS, Lewis HS, Lorton Station ES, Saratoga ES
No School - Tuesday, September 9 - Due to the special election in Virginia's 11th Congressional District, there will be no school on September 9. Read Superintendent Reid's message for more information.
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Pyramid Events and Activities
2025 Mount Vernon HS Football Schedule
 
Support Mount Vernon HS Athletics: Don't Miss Mount Vernon Pyramid Nights
Cheer on Mount Vernon Pyramid athletes, future Majors, and show your school pride! Students from feeder schools wearing their school's gear get in FREE with a paid adult!
SAVE THE DATES:
- Sept. 2: Boys Volleyball vs. Woodson, 5:30 PM
- Sept 2: Girls Volleyball vs. Woodson HS, 7:30 PM
- Sept. 19: Varsity Football and Cheer vs. Centreville HS, 7 PM
- Sept. 30: Field Hockey vs. Justice, 5:45 PM and 7:45 PM
Don’t miss these additional opportunities to cheer on the Majors:
August 29:
- Varsity Field Hockey vs. Lake Braddock SS, 11 AM. Location: South County HS
- Varsity Field Hockey vs. Oakton HS, 5 PM. Location: South County HS
August 30
- Varsity Field Hockey vs. Chantilly HS, 8 AM. Location: South County HS
- Varsity Field Hockey vs. Woodbridge HS, 2 PM. Location: South County HS
Sept. 2
- Varsity Boys Volleyball vs. Woodson HS, 5:30 PM. Location: Mount Vernon HS
- Varsity Girls Volleyball vs. Woodson HS, 7 PM. Location: Mount Vernon HS
Sept. 3
- Varsity Boys Volleyball vs. Justice HS, 5 PM. Location: Edison HS
- Varsity Golf vs. Edison HS, 4 PM. Location: Fort Belvoir.
- Jr. Varsity and Varsity Girls Volleyball vs. Justice HS, 4:30, 5:30, and 7 PM. Location: Mount Vernon HS
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Whitman MS Fall Athletics Starting Soon!
Fall is here and it's time to get active! Whitman MS is kicking off its fall athletics season with Cross Country, which starts on September 11th. Students interested in joining the Boys & Girls Basketball teams should plan to attend the interest meeting on August 28th at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.
All student-athletes must have an FCPS Registration Form, FCPS Sports Physical, and an Emergency Care Form completed. QR codes for these forms are available on the flyer.
Order Fort Belvoir ES Spirit Wear by September 2
Hey Fort Belvoir Primary and Upper School Families. Get ready for Dolphin Fridays! Every Friday this school year, students, staff, and families are encouraged to show their school spirit by wearing dolphin gear.
If you don't have any spirit wear, you can still join in the fun by wearing blue!
Want to get some official dolphin spirit wear? Now's your chance! The sale is happening now and ends on September 2. You can order online.
For more information, feel free to contact the F.B.E.S. Family Ambassadors on Facebook.
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Attention Washington Mill ES Families: Join the PTA Pack!
📚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.
Woodlawn ES Wildcat Nest Thrift Shop is Open!
Need free clothing for your family? We have you covered! The thrift shop, located at Woodlawn ES (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.
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Woodley Hills ES Advanced Academic Programs Parent Information Meeting, September 4
Attention Woodley Hills ES families! There will be a parent information meeting for all Kindergarten through 6th grade parents interested in understanding Fairfax County’s Advanced Academic Programs. The meeting will take place in-person on Thursday, September 4, from 5:15pm – 6:00pm in the library, right before Back-To-School Night begins. This meeting will explain all the Advanced Academic levels of service, including the Young Scholars program, as well as important deadlines for referring your child for screening. The presentation will be in English and Spanish. If you have any questions about this meeting, please contact Jessica Stebbins, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) at 703-799-2000 or via email at jsstebbins@fcps.edu.
Attention Woodley Hills ES Families: Join the PTA!
Mount Vernon HS Theatre Arts Boosters Fall Festival, October 25
Get ready for some fall fun! The Mount Vernon High School Theatre Arts Boosters are hosting a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will feature a costume contest, a jack-o-lantern contest, kids' activities, a market, and more. It's a great chance to enjoy games, food, and the autumn season while supporting a wonderful cause.
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2025 West Potomac HS Football Schedule
 
Attend the West Potomac Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, October 17
Students interested in participating/trying out for Sandburg Sports teams (Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball, Track & Field and Soccer) must submit a completed FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE) to Athletic Coordinator Coach Ty Augustin (tlaugustin@fcps.com) as well as the After-School Consent Form via the Parent Digital Consent System.
- Students looking to try out for Basketball or Cross Country must also complete the Fall '25 MS Sports Participant Registration form.
- Basketball starts September 10, 2025 after-school @ 2:25p. Cross Country begins September 29, 2025 after-school @ 2:25pm. Game and meet schedules TBA
For more information, contact Athletic Coordinator Coach Ty Augistin, tlaugustin@fcps.com.
Belle View ES PTA Launches New Website
The Belle View ES PTA has a new website! Please check it out to subscribe to the calendar, get information for important events and pay dues, as well as other announcements! You'll also find notes and Zoom links for PTA Monthly Meetings, forms to volunteer, and business sponsorship information.
Join Today!
BelleViewPTA.com
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Bucknell ES's new spirit t-shirts are a hit! Shirts are $10 and can be purchased via MySchoolsBucks or bring cash/check to the main office! Order forms were sent in Thursday folders. Limited supply available. All orders are due by Friday, August 29.
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Plastic Recycling is at Fort Hunt ES
Fort Hunt ES's Garden Club is sponsoring a bench for Fort Hunt through the collection of plastic bags. You can help!
Deposit clean and dry plastic wrap in the designated bins outside of the library by the front entrance.
Only certain items are eligible: grocery bags, produce bags, Ziploc bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, newspaper sleeves, plastic mailers, bubble wrap, and dry cleaning bags, etc. Read more information about Acceptable Plastic Bag Items.
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Waynewood ES Community Events
Waynewood ES Families, save the date for these upcoming opportunities for you to meet and connect with others from your school community:
- Friday, September 5: Family Picnic on the Waynewood Field 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
- Wednesday, September 10: First PTA Meeting 6:00 pm in the Waynewood ES cafeteria
- Friday, September 12: New Families and Military Families Welcome Coffee, 9:30 am
- Monday, September 22: Jog-A-Thon. More details to come!
2025 South County HS Football Schedule
 
South County HS Senior Post-Secondary Information & Events, September 2, 3, & 4
South County HS Senior Parent Information Night will take place on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 5:00 p.m. in the South County HS auditorium. South County HS Counselors and College and Career Specialist will share information related to post-secondary planning and college applications. This event is scheduled to take place right before South County HS's Back-to-School Night, which starts at 6 p.m.
South County HS Seniors will participate in group meetings with their counselor during Advisory to go over college and career planning topics and important to-do's for this fall.
- Seniors with last names A-K will meet on Tuesday, September 2nd.
- Seniors with last names L-Z will meet on Thursday, September 4th.
Students should check in with their Advisory teacher at the beginning of the period and wait to be dismissed to their designated locations. Counselors will also be following up with seniors throughout the fall to discuss individual plans.
South County Crew Team Open House, September 6
South County HS’s Crew Team is hosting a fall open house on Saturday, September 6th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for interested athletes and their parents to come down to our boathouse (at Sandy Run Boathouse) and tour the facilities! South County's crew team is a high-performing athletic team with more state titles and national championship Top 6 appearances than any other sport.
South County’s Crew Team does not have tryouts and accepts all student-athletes interested in joining the team and will place them at a level that matches their athletic ability, technique, and skill level–which can always change throughout the season.
If you’re interested in joining or would like more information, please visit sc-crew.org for more information and fill out our interest form to get updates on what's happening with the team and information on how to join.
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Salute Your South County HS Senior
Celebrate your South County HS Senior participating in Cheer, Cross Country, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Marching Band, and Volleyball with an Individual or Group Senior Ad in the Fall Sports Program!
The Deadline is Sept. 5, 2025
Please online order on the SCABC Square site or contact Elena Jordon at scabcsponsorship@gmail.com for more information.
Gear Up for Newington Forest Spirit Wear Fridays
Attention Newington Forest ES families: Starting Friday, September 5, 2026, every Friday will be School Spirit Day at Newington Forest ES. Wear your Newington Forest Knights gear, or any royal blue or white shirt!
The Newington Forest PTA has a limited number of NFES shirts on-hand for sale. The PTA Board will be in the school building for in-person sales on select dates until supplies run out.
- Tuesday, September 2nd, 8:35 - 8:50am
- $15/shirt - send your child to school with their t-shirt money in a baggie!
- Youth sizes Small, Medium, Large
You can also purchase spiritwear through the PTA's online store if you want to take a look - visit 1st Place Spiritwear to find your favorite design.
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Silverbrook Seahawk Talk: Student Rights and Responsibilities Discussion, September 8
Silverbrook ES families are invited to attend the school's first virtual Seahawk Talk! The presentation will include a discussion of the 5 Top SR&R Changes.
All parents and families should be informed about these changes. Scan the QR code to learn more and access the log-in information.
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2025 Hayfield SS Football Schedule
 
Island Creek ES will host a Military Families Meet & Greet on September 12, 8:30 - 9:30 AM. Island Creek ES Military Families are invited to join us to connect with other families and learn about school and community resources available for your family. Meet Island Creek’s Child and Youth Military and Family Life Counselor, the FCPS Military-Connected Youth & Families specialist and more!
Questions? Please contact Family Liaison Amy Garcia, ajgarcia@fcps.edu, 571-642-6307.
Save the Date: I️sland Creek ES Croc Rock-N-Run, September 19
Lace up your sneakers, Crocs, and running shoes! The Island Creek Elementary School PTA is hosting its annual Croc and Run event on September 19 (rain date: September 26). This fun fitness fundraiser brings the whole school together for a day of exercise, community spirit, and prizes. Funds raised will help support a variety of initiatives at the school. Stay tuned for more details and registration information.
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2025 Edison HS Football Schedule
 
Families, Edison Boosters offers a Sports pass to get into all home (regular season) events for the low price of $30 for Students and $50 for adults. This is an amazing deal and pays for itself in just a few weeks of attending games. Visit the booster website for more information.
Twain MS PTA Meeting, September 10
Join the Twain MS PTA today!
Receive a 20% discount on Spirit Wear if you join the MTMS PTA before September 30, 2025!
When you join the PTA, you’re helping fund the programs and events that make our school community stronger — from family nights to classroom resources.
No time to volunteer? No problem.
Becoming a member doesn’t mean you have to commit to volunteering. Your membership alone helps us provide the extras that make a big difference for our students.
Twain MS's PTA is funded primarily through membership dues, so every membership counts. Together, we can make this year amazing for our kids!
First PTA Meeting. Join us for the next PTA meeting on Wednesday, September 10th at 7:00 pm via Zoom. All are welcome to attend! We have several items of PTA Business to conduct, and we need your vote! A zoom link will be available prior to the meeting.
Follow Facebook at Mark Twain MS PTA and Instagram at twainmspta for more information.
Mount Eagle PTO Meeting, September 3
Mount Eagle ES's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has Spirit Wear for sale!
T-shirts (short sleeve)
- Youth - $15 - PINK, GREEN, ROYAL BLUE
- Adult - $20 - ROYAL BLUE
75th Anniversary T-shirt (long sleeve)
- Adult - $15 - WHITE
- Youth and Adult Hoodies - $25 - ROYAL BLUE
Mount Eagle ES's first PTO meeting of the school year will be Wednesday, September 3 at 6:30pm. This will be an in-person meeting held in our Mount Eagle library. At Mount Eagle, every parent is a member of the PTO. It is a great way to connect with other parents, learn about how to support your child, and have fun! There are many ways you can share your voice, talents, and time. Check out Mount Eagle PTO Website for more information.
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2025 Lewis HS Football Schedule
 
Lewis HS Spirit Wear Available
 Please visit Lewis HS's Spirit Wear website to purchase a wide variety of Lewis Lancers gear. Many brands, all size, and personalized options of your favorite Lewis Lancer team apparel.
Visit www.lancersportszone.net and click on Lancers Spirit Wear, or go directly to https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/virginia/springfield/john-lewis-high-school.
Lewis HS Lancers Sports Zone Game Passes Now Available
Be a part of LANCER NATION by purchasing an ALL-ACCESS Sports Zone Game Pass that provides access to ALL Lancer Home Games every season!
With this year-long pass, you will have access to ALL Lancer HOME games fall, winter, and spring seasons! You will not want to miss this opportunity on big savings throughout the year. Join fellow Lancer fans in cheering on Lewis HS athletes at EVERY HOME GAME.
Click here for more information and to purchase your All-Access Sports Zone Game Pass now!
Mark Your Calendar: Key MS Wear-it Wednesdays
Key MS encourage all students and staff to wear college and university inspired gear every Wednesday throughout the school year.
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Registration for the 2025 Tour de Mount Vernon Now Open
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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