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Happy National School Lunch Week to our wonderful kitchen team!
A Message from Principal Crews
What a wonderful and energetic week we've shared here at Hollin Meadows! The air has been crisp, the leaves are starting to turn, and our students have been full of excitement, especially with Fall in the air!
As we look ahead, please mark your calendars for two very important dates. First, a friendly reminder that there will be no school on Monday, October 20th, as we observe Diwali. We wish all our families celebrating the Festival of Lights a joyful and peaceful holiday.
The end of the quarter is coming up on October 31st and some teachers have begun setting up parent conferences. They can also schedule them on November 3rd or 4th so please reach out to teachers if you have questions.
Our students are learning about book characters through our Benchmark Literacy program so feel free to ask them about the characters they are reading about at home or at school. With that in mind, students are allowed to dress up on Friday, October 31st for Book Character Day!
🎃 Book Character Day is Coming! 📚
On the last day of the quarter we are celebrating Reading with a school-wide Book Character Day! On October 31st students are invited to dress up as their favorite book character.
Encourage your child to get creative and bring their chosen character to life and send them with the book (if possible) to share with classmates!
Please remember to dress school- appropriate:
- No masks or face coverings
- No fake weapons of any kind
- No blood
- No candy
I invite everyone to take a moment to nominate an outstanding staff member at Hollin Meadows for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Award. Even if the employee does not move forward in the process, we do share the nominations with our staff. It means so much and only takes a few minutes. See below for the link to the nominating form.
As always, thank you for your partnership with us in your child's education at Hollin Meadows.
Jasibi Crews
Principal
🥇Outstanding Employee Awards
Nominations are now open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!
You can start nominating Hollin Meadows employees for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards! It’s easy, just complete the nomination through this Google form links:
https://forms.gle/FyBTLyoKetgdKY5bA - English
https://forms.gle/RpcCZedDjRm4CF9V8 - Spanish
All that is required is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work. You may nominate up to one employee per category.
⭐Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
⭐Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district)
⭐Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
⭐Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location.
Positions in this category include Assistant Principal
⭐Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee.
Positions in this category include Resource Teacher, Special Education Department Chair, Instructional Coach, School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Reading Specialist, Social Worker, Speech Language Pathologist, School Counselor, or other employee paid as a Resource Teacher who serves in a non-instructional or administrative role in the school
⭐Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location
Positions in this category include Administrative Assistant, Office Assistant, Student Information Assistant, Finance Technician, School Finance Assistant, Registrar, Custodian, Building Supervisor, Food Services staff, Instructional Assistant, Family Liaison, Public Health Training Assistant, and all hourly employees.
📅The deadline to submit a nomination is November 14th, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Silvia Sandoval at sxsandoval@fcps.edu.
Calendar Reminders
- October 20th - No School (Cultural Observance- Diwali)
- October 22nd - Full Time AAP Referral Information Session 5:30-6:30pm
- October 28th - Parent Coffee- Attendance/Get to Know Your School Network 8:30-9:45am
- October 31st - Book Character Day and End of Quarter (2- Hour Early Release)
⭐ HMES Advanced Academics Program News and Announcements
There will be an Information Session on October 22nd at 5:30 – 6:30 PM for ALL 2nd grade parents and parents of 3rd – 6th graders who are not identified for the Advanced Academics Program. This information session will be helpful for families who are considering referring their child for the Full Time AAP Spring Screening (due Dec. 15). Interpreters will be available.
Contact our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Teresa Johnson (ttjohnson1@fcps.edu) if you have any questions about the AAP screening process. You may also visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) webpage for additional information.
🤩 We love seeing our youngest Hornets using good manners and independently opening up their own yogurt, milk, and ketchup containers in the cafeteria . 🍴
🥗 National School Lunch Week
This week is National School Lunch Week, which promotes the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom. You can view the menu your child’s school to help you plan for the week ahead: Click here for the Hollin Meadows menu.
Did you know that families can apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits anytime during the school year?
If a family’s income changes at any point, they may become newly eligible according to federal income guidelines and can apply immediately. This includes income interruptions caused by furloughs, layoffs, or job losses. Once approved, benefits remain valid for the rest of the school year and for up to 30 school days into the following school year, even if the family’s income changes again. Read Superintendent Reid's October 1 letter regarding other resources available to families impacted by the government shutdown.
🤧 When Should Your Child Stay Home?
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your student succeed by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. So when should your child stay home? Visit the FCPS website for helpful ideas regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify our school and your child’s teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with our public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and tell school staff why and for how long.
📖 Elementary Language Arts Grades
Progress report grades in English language arts (ELA) have changed to reflect the 2024-25 curriculum, assessments, and Standards of Learning.
FCPS is raising the bar and setting high goals! We are teaching and grading students on the skills they need by the end of the school year. Think of it as a growth chart and each quarter students are measured in progress toward end of year expectations. In light of this, first quarter grades are often lower than the other quarters as students work to reach grade-level mastery.
This is an expected part of the learning journey. We are here to support every student as they progress in learning. We are celebrating the effort and growth toward these new, higher standards! Learn more about this change in ELA grading and reporting.
📍 October Community Boundary Review Meetings
FCPS’ October community boundary review meetings will begin on Monday, October 13. Each of the 12 meetings will focus on two pyramids. Our area will be covered at the meeting on Saturday, October 25, 9:30 to 11 a.m., at Sandburg Middle School, in person or virtual. Register by clicking “in person” or “virtual,” based on how you would like to participate.
At the meeting, the consultant will present the latest draft boundary map (Scenario 4) and potential changes specific to our pyramid and the Mount Vernon Pyramid. Participants will also be invited to ask questions.
If you are unable to attend the meeting for our pyramid, you are welcome to attend any meeting that is convenient. View the full list of October boundary meetings.
Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
💻 How AI Is Shaping Teaching and Learning
Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI, a conversation with division leadership, which will take place Monday, November 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at West Springfield High School. Attend to:
- Learn about the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.
- Explore how AI can support FCPS student achievement and workforce readiness.
- Engage in a thought-provoking panel and keynotes.
- Help shape the future of innovation at Fairfax County Public Schools.
Agenda details will be shared with registered participants in the coming weeks. Contact DITEvents@fcps.edu with any questions.
🏫 Bond Referendums Support Communities
The building and renovation of Fairfax County public schools is not funded through the division’s annual operating budget. Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. A $460 million bond referendum is on the November ballot. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a plan to vote by Tuesday, November 4.
✨ FCPS Ombuds Office: Your Go-To Guide for the School System
Do you have a question or concern about Fairfax County Public Schools, but you don’t know where to find the answer? Dawn Clements wants you to know you can ask her! Dawn’s mission as the FCPS Ombuds is to make it easier to understand the school system and help build trust within the community. In honor of Ombuds Day, learn more about Dawn Clements and the Ombuds Office.
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