Important Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, 9/30
Picture Day!
Tuesday, 9/30
AAP Info Program, 7 pm, Sangster Cafeteria
Thursday, 10/2
No School for Yom Kippur
Wednesday, 10/8
National Walk to School Day
Monday, 10/13
No School for Students
Monday, 10/20
No School for Diwali
Friday, 10/24
Field Day! Details TBA
Wednesday, 10/29
3-Hour Early Release 12:55 pm
Friday, 10/31
Book Character Day!
Friday, 10/31
End of quarter: 2-hour Early Release
 1st Graders Learn to Use their 5 Senses
(Above and left)
Ms. Lashari's first-grade class used their five senses to taste and compare red, green, and yellow apples.
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4th Graders Hone their Reading Skills
 Ms. Stutzman's 4th-grade class uses "buddy reading" in Language Arts.
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(Above and right)
Reading buddies practice asking questions and visualizing while reading.
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School Picture Day is Tuesday!
 📅 Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001271143
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com
Safety Rules for AM Arrival and PM Dismissal
 🚫 Do not make U-Turns on Reservation Drive
❌ Bus Loop is CLOSED to cars from 8:45 a.m.-9:15 a.m.
🚶 Students should ALWAYS cross Reservation Drive in the crosswalk
🚙 Slow down on Reservation Drive. Speed Limit is 25 mph
Ask: Empty Wrapping Paper Tubes or Paper Towel Rolls
STEAM needs empty paper towel rolls and wrapping paper tubes for a roller coaster 5th graders build at the end of this month. Please drop off in the STEAM box located outside the library. Thank you for your support!
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Interested in Volunteering in the Sangster Cafeteria?
Sangster is seeking volunteers to provide regular, weekly support in the cafeteria during student lunches. Please complete this form by September 30th to indicate your interest and availability. We will be reaching out soon about a start date as well as an opportunity for a virtual volunteer orientation!
All volunteers must register using the new Volunteer System.
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⏰ K-12 School Start Times Survey
FCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of beginning the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any cost for this project, elementary and high school start times would need to shift as well.
Providing feedback opportunities for the community is a critical part of this effort. Since 2024, FCPS’ consultant has hosted five community forums and administered two surveys. A new School Start Times Survey is open through Tuesday, September 30. It includes two options that are designed to support student well-being, align with research, balance transportation logistics, and minimize costs. Staff, parents and caregivers, students, and community members may provide input on the two options by taking the survey. Find more information on adjusting school start times.
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Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Information
Meeting Topic: Continuum of AAP Services & Referring for Full-Time AAP
📅 Date: Tuesday, September 30
🕖 Time: 7 – 8 pm
📍 Location: Sangster Cafeteria
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners. FCPS offers a continuum of Advanced Academic Services for students in Grades K–12. This approach recognizes that each child’s learning needs are unique and focuses on matching services rather than labeling students. Through the continuum, students have multiple entry points for deeper learning and opportunities to grow alongside peers with similar academic needs.
Linda Biberaj, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), will be hosting this meeting. At this session, families will learn more about:
- The AAP Continuum of Services available to all students
- The screening and referral process for the Full-Time AAP Program (for students currently in Grades 2–6, for placement in the 2026–2027 school year)
We invite you to join us on Tuesday, September 30 at 7 pm in the Sangster Cafeteria to learn more. If you cannot attend, please reach out; Ms. Biberaj will be happy to share a recording of the meeting and the presentation slides. There will also be additional opportunities to connect with Ms. Biberaj in November and December via Zoom for further support and Q&A.
📌 Important Deadline: The deadline to submit a Full-Time AAP Referral Form is Monday, December 15 at 11:59 PM. Completed referral forms should be submitted via email to both Ms. Biberaj (LBiberaj@fcps.edu) and Mrs. Redford (JARedford@fcps.edu) anytime between now and the deadline. These forms are for students currently in Grades 2–6 who are applying for consideration for Full-Time AAP placement in the 2026–2027 school year.
For more detailed information, please see the AAP Fall Newsletter that went home in this week’s Thursday Folder. Questions? Contact LBiberaj@fcps.edu
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National Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 8!
Join children and adults around the world to celebrate the benefits of walking.
We are only encouraging students who live in the Sangster are (non-bus riders) to participate in this event because of the potential dangers of walking next to major roads.
We are also encouraging parents to walk their child to school on this day.
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Book Character Day: Friday, Oct. 31!
 To celebrate our school-wide love of reading, students are encouraged to dress up as a favorite book character on
Friday, October 31st
Students are encouraged to bring a book that includes the character they are representing. During the school day, they may be asked to share more about the character they’ve chosen.
Guidelines for Book Character Costumes
- Characters must be age appropriate and from elementary or middle- grade level books.
- Costumes may not involve blood or other horror-type elements.
- No weapons of any kind or masks that cover the entire face.
- Costumes must allow students to take care of personal needs, sit at desks, and participate in school and classroom activities throughout the day, including appropriate shoes for PE/ recess!!
Cafeteria Reminder: Pack the Necessities
The Sangster cafeteria (or school) does not provide spoons, forks, napkins for students who bring packed lunches. Please make sure students have everything they need in their lunch bags.
Remind your children who buy lunch that they should pick up what they need when they go through the lunch line, to include forks, spoons, napkins. Thanks!
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FCPS Family Resource Events
Navigating Section 504 – Essential Knowledge for Families
October 3, 10-11:30 am
This webinar is for families of elementary, middle and high school students.
Register here
Sibshops and SibTeen
October 13, 9 a.m.- noon
Jim Scott Community Center
The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun.
Register here
SibTeens is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences.
Register here
Please contact FCPSSibshops@FCPS.edu for follow up questions about either program.
Online Safety Unlocked: What Every Parent Needs to Know
A representative from the FBI will give tips on what parents need to watch for when their students are online.
Tuesday, October 14
6-7 pm
Lecture Hall B-135 at Lake Braddock Secondary School
RSVP for Oct. 14 Online Safety Lecture
Attendance
Report absences online through ParentVue, by email, or by calling 703-644-8282. Visit our attendance page for more information!
School Hours, Late Arrival Policy, Early Pick Up
School hours are 9:10 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.
Students who arrive after 9:10 a.m. must be walked into the main office and signed in by an adult.
If you need to pick your student up early, come to the office with your ID, and we will call your student down. Early pick up cut-off time is 3:30 pm.
No Glass Containers
Please do NOT send glass containers with students for lunch or snack. They are a safety hazard if they break.
Label All Belongings
LABEL all sweatshirts, jackets, lunchboxes, water bottles with your student's name. If it ends up in the Lost and Found, we can easily return to students.
Quick Links
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