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 The energy was soaring high in the Dragon's Den this week! Our Dogwood Dragons tackled new challenges with enthusiasm, whether they were mastering new concepts in literacy or finding their rhythm in music class.
Important Dates
November
Nov. 8: Dogwood Clasico
Nov. 11: Veteran's Day (No School)
Nov. 12: 3 Hour Early Release
Nov. 13: PTA Meeting (6 pm) - here's a link to join virtually or come in-person.
Nov. 14: Picture Day Retakes
Nov. 15: Skate Night (6:10 pm)
Nov. 18: Chuck E. Cheese PTA Fundraiser
Nov. 26 - 28: Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)
December
Dec. 9: Winter Chorus Concert (5:30 pm)
Dec. 10: 3 Hour Early Release
Dec. 10: Family Life Education Parent Information Night - virtual
Dec. 18: Glow Walk Night
Dec. 22 - Jan. 2: Winter Break (No School)
Early Release Wednesday- November 12, 2025
The Early Release Wednesdays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development. Students will be dismissed 3 hours early eight times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route. However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release on Wednesdays for many of our families. To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it.
The following dates are planned for Early Release Wednesdays throughout the school year:
· November 12
· December 10
· February 18
· March 18
· April 22
· May 13
 Every Day Is a Stepping Stone to Success
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now that will help them graduate on time and help them with time management. Parents and families can play a big role in helping kick-start good attendance habits.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school. Visit our Attendance webpage for more information.
PTA News
Next PTA Meeting
Our next PTA meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6 - 7 p.m. in the library at Dogwood Elementary, and here's a link to join virtually.
We'd love for you to join our PTA. Here's a quick form to express your interest in joining in whatever capacity works best for you. We're growing and having fun creating a community of parents and teachers - please join us!
Movie Night
Dogwood Elementary PTA was thrilled to see so many families at our free Movie Night featuring Elio last month, our first event of the school year. The kids were psyched to be at the school at nighttime, sitting on blankets, eating popcorn and cookies, and just laughing together. We sold t-shirts for our dragon with the words "In My DRAGON ERA!": you can get one here, priced at $10 for kids, and $15 for adults. We are so thankful to all of you who came out!
Skate Night
Saturday, November 15, 6:10 pm
We have reserved SkateQuest, Reston, for a private skate for students from Sunrise Valley and Dogwood Elementary Schools + their families. Students skate free; additional family members are $7. All skaters should register, as space is limited! Sign up now through Nov 14! If purchasing tickets is a financial hardship for your family, use the code "FREESKATE" at checkout for free tickets. To make this event a success, we'd love a few volunteers to check skaters in and to take pictures. Sign up here if you can help. Questions? Contact Jennifer Glynn.
Chuck E. Cheese
Tuesday, November 18, 4:00 pm
Our next spirit night will be at Chuck E. Cheese on Tuesday, Nov. 18th. Dogwood students and their families will get 20% off if they show our flyer at check-in. Help us make a difference by raising money for our school!
Glow Walk
Glow Walk is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, and Mr. Ericson is looking for parents to volunteer. Reach out to him for more details at jbericson@fcps.edu.
Federal Government Shutdown:
Important SNAP Updates
SNAP benefits will not be issued in November. To fill the gap, Virginia has started a program called VENA (Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance). There is no application process for VENA. Benefits will be issued weekly only to people approved for SNAP as of Oct. 29, 2025. VENA will be funded on a weekly basis instead of once a month and will be added to existing SNAP EBT cards starting November 3, 2025. To check your balance before you shop, call 1-866-281-2448 and enter the 16-digit number on your card. Basis needs assistance (CSP) call: 703-222-0880 (M-F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
Visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ and search “food access program.”
To see our full list of health and human services, visit: bit.ly/Fairfax-HHS
Federal Employee/Contractor Resources
Federal Shutdown Resources
- Shutdown Assistance Map (SAM) by MyFEDBenefits – searchable interactive map for local offers (food, housing, utilities, financial help) for federal/furloughed workers. MyFEDBenefits
- Statewide resource hubs – For example, the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) page for Federal workers in Virginia. Virginia Employment Commission
State & regional workforce supports
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Virginia Employment Commission-“Resources for Virginia’s Former Federal Employees and Other Workers Impacted by Federal Government” (via VEC/Virginia Works) offers job transition services, training, unemployment UI guidance for furloughed federal workers & contractors.
- The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) indicates “Federal Government Shutdown Resources” for the region. Nova Region
Capitol Area Food Bank
Capital Area Food Bank is committed to providing food for our neighbors in need, throughout the year and in unexpected moments of economic hardship.
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To support federal employees and contractors affected by the government shutdown, the food bank is holding additional food distributions at locations throughout its partner network. These new food distributions will offer boxes of shelf-stable pantry items and fresh produce for the duration of the shutdown.
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These new food distributions will begin the week of October 20th. To receive food, visitors will need to show a government work ID.
November Is National Family Engagement Month
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and Learning
The FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
Volunteer Registration Update
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services, at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
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