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Family Liaison Newsletter
Issue 3, November 2025
Hi Families,
Welcome to our November newsletter! As we settle into the cozy rhythm of late autumn, with the air growing crisp and the holidays approaching, it's the perfect time to slow down, connect, and enjoy some warmth together. This month, we've gathered some fantastic resources and activities designed to help your children have fun while continuing to build those essential skills!
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, ideas, or concerns at nbhatia1@fcps.edu or 571-460-4334.
Nisha Bhatia, Churchill Road Family Liaison
November is National Family Engagement Month!
November is dedicated to National Family Engagement Month, a time to celebrate and reinforce the crucial partnership between families and schools in a child's education.
This month reminds us that families are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
It emphasizes the irreplaceable role parents, guardians, and family members play in shaping a child’s development and academic success. Research consistently shows that when families are actively involved in a child's learning, students exhibit higher academic achievement, better social skills, improved attendance, and more positive attitudes toward school.
Connect the spirit of National Family Engagement Month with Thanksgiving by creating a Family Gratitude Tree.
- Remind your family that Thanksgiving is centered on gratitude.
- Ask everyone to name things they are thankful for, such as friends, new lessons, or even silly jokes that cheered them up. Write each item on a paper leaf cut from autumnal colors.
- Place small branches in a vase to act as your tree and hang the decorated leaves from the branches, creating a Gratitude Tree centerpiece.
This activity not only fosters a key family value—thankfulness—but also models family engagement by working together on a shared, meaningful project that sparks conversation.
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FCPS has many resources for families designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth. The Family Resource Center offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, tutoring services, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.The new FCPS Family Academy is a targeted outreach effort to empower and build capacity, connections, cognition, confidence, and awareness through interactive learning experiences, tools, and resources for families in FCPS through a one-stop approach.
FCPS Programs and Workshops
Listening Beyond Words: How to Hear What Your 2E Child is Really Saying
November 7, 10-11:30 a.m.
Families will learn how to recognize and interpret the underlying emotions, and needs behind their 2e child’s words and behaviors and practice strategies to build trust and open communication at home.
Register here.
Family Engagement in the Special Education Process
November 14, 10-11:30 a.m.
This webinar will support participants to better understand:
- Parent/Guardian’s role in the special education process, ensuring their right to participate.
- Parent/Guardian’s rights, as outlined in federal and state regulations regarding parental participation in these processes.
- Where and how parent/guardian’s input is recorded during local screening, eligibility, reevaluation, and individualized education program (IEP) meetings.
Register Here
Improving Routines: Morning, Evening, and In Between
November 21, 10-11:30 a.m.
You know things run more smoothly when you have morning, evening, and in between routines. But how can you maintain routines when your days all look different or when your kids push back? In this workshop, you'll learn how to create effective routines that reduce drama and resistance in your family – even when life is unpredictable or chaotic.
Register Here.
Community Resources
Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local Community
Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. The county’s Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future challenges for residents, government employees, active military or veterans, contractors, nonprofits, and businesses that may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.
Community Resources for Families in Need
Through partnerships with community-based organizations and other Fairfax County agencies, Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) provides information, referrals, and advocacy to help individuals connect with services, including: basic needs (food, shelter, clothing), financial assistance, health care services, and referrals to other services and resources.
Visit the CSP website or call 703-222-0880 for assistance.
How to Access or Donate Food to Those in Need
Use the Emergency Food Access Providers website to find out where to access food or donate to your local food bank. Our community is strongest when we support each other!
Community Events and Activities
K-Club
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Dolley Madison Meeting
Interested in learning Korean?
Join K-Club!
The Korean Language and Culture Club (K-Club) introduces young learners to the Korean alphabet (Hangul) and basic conversational phrases. Through engaging cultural elements and interactive activities, the program supports language development in both a fun and accessible way.
K-Club normally meets once a month. But this special three day session is a great opportunity to catch from the beginning!
This program is for grades K-3. This program is a student led program.
Register Here.
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Exploring Boundaries in Parenting: Pros, Cons, and Consequences
Thursday, November 13, 2025
7:00 PM
McLean Community Center
Join this parent discussion about scenarios and effective techniques, tools and resources to help with the challenges of parenting led by Dr. Heather Tedesco and Mimi Weisberg, LCSW.
Register Here.
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The Chess Group
Friday, November 14, 2025
4:30pm - 5:30pm
Dolly Madison Library
A chess group for beginner and intermediate players.Learn to play chess, then pair off to put your skills to work. All Ages. Beginner/Intermediate. More information here.
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Game and Puzzle Exchange
Saturday, November 15, 2025
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Dolley Madison Library
Let's Swap!
Tired of the same old puzzles and board games? Swap out your new or gently-used puzzles and board, card and party games with other enthusiasts. Please make sure items are in good condition and complete. All Ages.
McLean High School Robotics Demonstration
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Dolley Madison Library
Come learn about FIRST Robotics program and competition with McLean High School's Robotics Team, The Double Quarter Pounders. Audience members will have an opportunity to test drive a robot after the presentation. No registration required. For all ages.
Holiday Gingerbread House Decorating
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025
10 a.m.-Noon
McLean Community Center
Celebrate the holidays with us! Families decorate a gingerbread house and make their own one-of-kind designs. We’ll supply a prebuilt house, frosting and traditional and not- so-traditional toppings. Please Note: Parental supervision is required for children ages 16 or younger. Products may contain dairy, gluten, eggs and other allergens.
Register Here
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