đPrincipal's Message
đWise Owl Way Positive Referrals
đK-12 School Start Times Survey Closes Oct. 6
đA Note from Our Library
đFall Picture Retakes
đSchool Picture Orders
đAdvanced Academics Program â Fall Newsletters
đShrevewood PTA News
đFamily Resource
đLimited Early Release Days for Elementary Schools
đGreen Team Stretchy Plastics Collection
đEnsuring Student Safety: Register for Volunteer FCPS
đProcedures for Joining Your Child for Lunch
đCell Phone and Smart Watch Policy
đStudent Birthday Policy
đAttendance
đSchool Meals and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications
đFCPS News
đSave the Date
Dear Shrevewood Families,
What a fantastic week it's been here at Shrevewood! We saw incredible learning, engagement, and fun in all our classrooms, and we are both beaming with pride over what we've accomplished as a school community.
We want to extend a massive thank you to all our families for your incredible participation and generous donations in our Fall Fundraiser! Because of your commitment, we are thrilled to announce that we met our $15,000 goal! Your support will directly impact our students and enhance their educational experience.
To celebrate this exciting achievement, we ended the week with some fun! Our students had a wonderful time cheering on staff members in our Inflatables Staff Race today. We enjoyed dressing up in the hilarious costumes and it was a great way to cap off a successful few weeks!
Finally, we want to give a huge shout-out to our dedicated custodial team. Thursday, October 2, was National Custodian Appreciation Day, and we are so grateful for all their hard work. They are the unsung heroes who keep our building clean, safe, and ready for learning every single day. Please join us in thanking them the next time you see them!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Katie Vandawalker, Principal
Dan Reichard, Assistant Principal
Congratulations to our Wise Owls who earned a W.O.W. positive referral this week!
- Dariel D.M.
- Luella B.
- Ailee C.
- Nelson T.T.
- Melina C.
- Abigail S.
- Helen H.
- Twisha A.
- Max Y.
- Murphy K.
- Jefren M.
- Owen S.
- Arleth P.C.
- Nora H.
- Sofia B.M.
FCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of beginning the middle school day at 8:00 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any costs associated with this change, 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, FCPSâ consultant has hosted five community forums and administered two surveys. A new School Start Times Survey is open and includes two options that are designed to support student well-being, align with research, balance transportation logistics, and minimize costs.Â
Staff, parents and caregivers, students, and community members may provide input on the two options by taking the survey. The survey deadline has been extended to Monday, October 6. Find more information on adjusting school start times on the FCPS website.
Some families recently received an email from the library titled âOverdue 2024â listing their childâs current book checkouts. This email was sent accidentally from the library checkout system and has caused some confusion â our apologies! The email listed all current checkouts including those books that are overdue. The books listed were accurate as of the time the email was sent on the morning of Sept. 25, however the verbiage at the top of the notice was outdated from June 2024. The June due date should be disregarded; the Sept. 25 email reflects the actual current due date of each book. We want students to be excited and feel positive about checking out books from our school library and to enjoy the books they select! We always encourage students and families to keep track of and take care of borrowed books, but please be assured that no one needs to pay for books that are lost, damaged, or returned late. Future monthly reminder notices will contain only overdue books rather than all books a student has checked out. If your child does not have any overdue books at the time the next email is sent, then you won't receive an email. Please contact our librarian, Barbara Oswalt, at barbara.oswalt@fcps.edu with any questions about our library. Happy reading!
Friday, October 24, is Fall Picture Retake Day. Retakes are for:
- Students who were absent on September 16
- Newly enrolled students
- Students whose parents want a retake (please return the original picture package to the photographer on October 24)Â
School pictures are ready and available for purchase.
To order, log in to your account or create an account at mylifetouch.com.
All families can also log on to order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. Find out more about the SmileSafe program here.
Please note: Effective for Fall 2025, we will no longer accept late paper orders after Picture Day. Families should place late orders online through mylifetouch.com.Â
Please click this LINK to view the Fall newsletter for the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) at Shrevewood E.S. You will also see the referral forms for Subject-Specific Advanced Differentiation (open all year for grades K-6) and the referral forms for the Full Time AAP Program (open for grades 2-6, deadline December 15, 2025, for the following school year). Â
Shrevewood E.S. will host two parent meetings this school year. The meetings will be held on October 7 at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. These will be repeat presentations. The parent meeting will focus on the AAP Continuum of Services, as well as the referral and screening process for Full Time Services.Â
Unlock the Block: Update!
The PTA would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated to our fundraiser! Your support directly impacts our students, teachers, and school programsâand we couldnât do it without you. Every dollar brings us closer to our goals, and weâre so grateful to be part of such a generous and caring community. As of 11:00 a.m. on October 1, we raised $15,176. Students got to enjoy extra recess, and this Friday, students will get to watch several staff members race against Ms. Vandawalker in inflatable costumes. Thank you for helping us make a difference!
Become a PTA Member - Get Connected and Make a Difference!
Be a part of the incredible community that supports our school! By joining the PTA and becoming a member, youâre helping to support our school and create a stronger connection between families and school life. Become a member today and stay informed, involved, and inspired!
Join Us for the Shrevewood Elementary Fall Fun Fair!
Join us for the Shrevewood Fall Fun Fair on Saturday, October 25, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.! Bring the whole family for an afternoon of games, laughter, and seasonal fun with our amazing community.
Costumes are welcome and encouragedâjust a reminder that costume masks and toy weapons are not permitted for everyone's safety.
To help make this event a success, weâre collecting candy, small prizes, and mini donuts. Donations can be made through our Amazon Wish List or dropped off in the bin labeled âFall Fun Fair Donationsâ at the schoolâs front entrance.
Wristbands are now available for $7 on the Shrevewood PTAâs website.
Want to lend a hand? Click here to explore volunteer opportunities!
Checkmate! Chess Club is Back this Fall!
Is your student ready to learn a new skill, make new friends, and challenge his mind before the school day starts? The Shrevewood Chess Club, run by Silver Knights Chess Academy, is back for the Fall! All grades and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced players.
When: Thursday mornings, 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Dates: Oct. 23 - Dec. 18 (skipping Thanksgiving week, Nov. 27)
Spaces are limited, so sign up today to secure your spot! Register here.
Enter the PTA Reflections Contest
Starting this year, Shrevewood is participating in the National PTAâs annual art contest, Reflections. The theme for this year is âI belongâ. We welcome students to submit entries for dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. For more information about this yearâs contest, please email Taylor and Ben Powell at reflections@shrevewoodpta.org, or visit our PTAâs reflections webpage.
The FCPS Resource Center has an organized list of supports for military families. The Digital Resources Guide can be found here.
Three-hour early release days for Shrevewood ES will include:
- October 29
- November 12
- December 10
- February 18
- March 18
- April 22
- May 13
Read more about early release Wednesdays on the FCPS website.Â
Our SWES Green Team has collected 884Â pounds of STRETCHY PLASTICSÂ from our community, and the collection CONTINUES!!! We only have 116 pounds left to collect before October 31 to reach our 1000 pound goal! Stretchy plastics can be dropped in the collection bins located by Door 1, at Kiss and Ride, or at SACC.
Ask your family and friends to collect with you!  If we reach our goal, we will receive a special new bench made of recycled plastics!!!
As our Green Team likes to say, âGo Green â Go Clean â Shrevewood Owls on the Scene!â
At Shrevewood Elementary School, our volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students.Â
Recent updates to our volunteer process focus on one primary goal:Â keeping students safe.
These updates â such as checks against the sex offender registry and, in some cases, criminal background checks â are safety measures that will help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.Â
We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS, click âLearn More,â and then âSign Up.â After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application.Â
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, and help out regularly in classrooms, libraries, or cafeterias. Volunteers who work unsupervised with students will also be required to undergo a background check.
We understand these changes may seem disruptive, especially for long-time volunteers. Our intent is to ensure that our students feel safe and supported with each and every person they encounter at school.
As a reminder, all volunteers â and visitors to a school â are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
For full details, visit the Volunteer FCPS website or contact our Volunteer Point of Contact, Pilar Quintero Flores, pjquinterofl@fcps.edu, with questions.
We are excited to open our cafeteria for parents and guardians to join their children for lunch at school! We know how much you value connecting with your child, and this is a great chance to share a special moment during their school day.
If you'd like to have lunch with your child, please follow these steps:
- Enter at Door 1 and report to the Main Office.Â
- Using a government issued photo ID, sign-in and receive a visitor sticker.Â
- Wear the visitor sticker at all times.Â
- Report directly to the cafeteria.Â
- Enjoy lunch with your child(ren).Â
- Return to the main office to check-out using your visitor sticker.Â
- Please don't visit the classroom or recess, so our daily schedule and routines can continue without interruption for our students.Â
- Please do not bring fast food for lunch.Â
- Please do not bring any food to share with other children due to safety protocols and allergies.
Please remind your child that FCPS is phone-free! For elementary school students, this means:
- Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
- Cell phones and personal devices (airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office. Learn more about FCPSâ cell phone and personal device policy.
As an administrative team and school, we will be recognizing and honoring our students' birthdays monthly. For the safety of all students and staff in our building and to limit the amount of classroom disruptions, please do not send in food or toys for your child's birthday.
Our goal is to partner with families to help minimize the number of days students are absent. Getting your student into the habit of daily attendance helps reduce stress and makes it easier to connect with friends and teachers. We understand that each year presents different extenuating circumstances that lead to missed days. However, we hope to increase communication in regards to absences to reduce impact on your childâs well-being. FCPS has created a Health Flyer for Parents indicating when a parent should keep their child home from school. Please review FCPS Attendance Policies and resources to encourage regular school attendance.Â
Parents/legal guardians can report up to two consecutive absences through SIS ParentVUE. Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVUE HERE. Families can also report absences by emailing shrevewoodelem.attendance@fcps.edu or calling 703-645-6666 before 10:00 a.m. each day.
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, students will enter their student ID number as their cafeteria PIN at the cash register to receive their meals.  You can access your studentâs ID number via ParentVUE.
Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast will be $1.75. Lunch will be $3.25. Money can be added to your child(ren)âs accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com. You may also write a check to Shrevewood Food Services and deliver it to our Food Services Manager. During the school year, you can find the menu for breakfast and lunch at https://linqconnect.com/public/menu/ESSF44.
Free and Reduced-Price Status
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September. A new application must be completed each new school year. Forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/frm. Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 813-4800 if you need help. This application must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Welcomes Military Families
- October Community Boundary Review Meetings
- Community Conversations
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.Â
â5th Grade Field Trip -
Huntley Meadows Parkâ
Tuesday, October 7
âAAP Parent Info Meetingâ
Tuesday, October 7, 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Shrevewood Library
â4th Grade Green Team Field Trip -
Potomacâ
Friday, October 10
âIndigenous Peoples' Day/Staff Development Dayâ
Monday, October 13
(No school for students)
â6th Grade Field Trip - Udvar Hazyâ
Friday, October 17
âDiwaliâ
Monday, October 20
(No school for students or staff)
âDigital Citizenship Weekâ
October 21-24
â1st Grade Field Trip - Zooâ
Tuesday, October 21
âEAC Field Trip - Cox Farmsâ
Thursday, October 23
âFall Picture Retakesâ
Friday, October 24
âFall Fun Fairâ
Saturday, October 25, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
â3 Hour Early Release Wednesdayâ
Wednesday, October 29
âEnd of 1st Quarter - 2 Hour Early Releaseâ
Friday, October 31
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