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Hello Forestdale Families!
As we launch into the Second Quarter, I want to first take a moment to acknowledge the challenges facing many in our community.
Support During the Government Shutdown
We understand that the current government shutdown may be creating significant stress and uncertainty for many of our families. Please know that we are sending our thoughts and support to all who are directly impacted.
FCPS has compiled a Resource Hub with helpful links and information to assist families during this time. We strongly encourage you to review the resources available here:
Federal Workforce Resource Hub
Looking Ahead to Second Quarter
We are excited for the learning and growth ahead in the Second Quarter!
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Report Cards: Look for your child's first quarter report card to arrive soon:
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Family Conferences: We believe strongly in the partnership between home and school. Please remember that family conferences are available all year! Take a moment to connect with your child's teacher so you can collaboratively plan and ensure your child is on the path to Soar Beyond Limits.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support of the Forestdale Falcons!
Together for OUR Students,
Nikki Steptoe-Coleman, Principal
Mary-Elizabeth Hagaman, Assistant Principal
Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal
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Forestdale Calendar Reminders
FCPS Annual Calendar (Click Here)
November 2025
11/11: Veterans Day (No School)
11/12: Silver Diner Fundraiser (PTA)
11/13: PTA Meeting @ 7pm
11/19: Early Release @ 12:35pm
11/20: Thanksgiving Family Lunch
11/26-28: Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)
December 2025
12/2: AAP Referral Support Night @6pm
12/11: Pajama & Books Night @ 6:30pm
12/17: Early Release @ 12:35pm
12/18: Winter Concert @ 6:30pm
12/22-1/2: Winter Break (No School)
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🥞 Breakfast Menu 🧃 🥪 Lunch Menu 🍎
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Thank you, Families! We couldn't have asked for a better turnout for our first Back to School Block Party! What a success! |
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Soaring high! Huge congrats to our 2nd and 5th graders for mastering their science and engineering lessons and delivering an amazing Rocket Day presentation to the entire school. |
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Celebrating the bravery of our community at our powerful Veterans Day Assembly. We thank our veteran and active duty families for their attendance and their service. |
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After a great Storybook Character Day—where we challenged students to create characters like "6 7"—we're ready for the next chapter! |
Soaring Beyond Limits, we are expanding horizons through every medium, especially books! In this segment of the Falcon Press, we're diving into "What are Students Reading" to bring you a curated collection of must-read recommendations directly from our students to your family's library. Let's see what's captivating the next generation of readers!
Ready to take the night off from cooking dinner? We’ve got a delicious way for you to support the Forestdale PTA while enjoying a great meal!
Join us for our Silver Diner Dinner Fundraiser on Wednesday, November 12th, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Please consider dining at Silver Diner that evening! Every order helps the PTA—that includes dine-in, all to-go orders, online orders, and even catering orders placed during that window!
Dine out, support our students, and let Silver Diner handle the cooking! Don't forget to invite your family, friends, and neighbors!
Families: This is our first partnership with Silver Diner, and we’re excited to involve our students! They'll have the opportunity to work short 30-minute "shifts" to help out (and earn a special reward for their efforts!).
Join us for a special Family Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, November 20, 2025! We invite families to come and celebrate with us.
To ensure we have enough room for everyone, we've made small adjustments to class lunch times, see picture below.
Lunch is free for all Forestdale students. Family members are welcome to join for $5.00 per ticket. You can purchase a ticket on-site on the day of the luncheon (cash only).
To help our cafeteria team prepare enough food, we kindly ask that you RSVP in advance using this link.
We look forward to building community and sharing this time of fellowship with you!
Forestdale is hosting their annual Thanksgiving Luncheon, where family members can come have lunch with their students the week prior to Thanksgiving. The kids love it, but it requires some help!
The event is Thursday, 20 November, from 10:15-2:00, but we’ve created 30-minute volunteer spots.
Please see the attached class lunch schedule (see above), so you’re not signing up to work when you can be dining with your kiddo.
Join the PTA in volunteering for slot to help welcome families and take lunch payments: Sign up HERE.
Reliable internet access is essential for student success, and we want to ensure every student can keep learning effectively at home. To help with this, our district has partnered with Cox to offer a fantastic, ongoing resource: the Cox Connect2Compete program, which will be fully paid for by FCPS!
How to Get Connected:
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Apply for the Cox Program: Before considering other options, please take advantage of this FCPS-sponsored service. You can find the submission portal in our service catalog here: https://support.fcps.edu/support/catalog/items/518
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Assistance Available: Our family liaison, Ms. Claudia Torres (cctorres@fcps.edu) is ready to assist you! They can help gather the necessary information to apply for this connection on your family’s behalf.
If Cox is Not Viable:
If the Cox program option is still not a viable solution for your family, please let your child's teacher know directly. We have MiFi internet devices available to provide as needed to ensure your student stays connected.
We are committed to supporting your student's learning outside of school hours.
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Your child’s safety is our top priority. To ensure smooth and secure arrival and dismissal procedures, please take note of these important updates regarding traffic flow:
Morning Arrival (Loading/Unloading)
NO CAR MOVEMENT is permitted in the main parking lot while buses are actively loading and unloading. Please be patient during this critical time.
Driving Your Child? Please utilize our designated Kiss & Ride line at the second entrance.
Alternatively, you may park on the street and walk your child safely to Door 1.
Afternoon Dismissal (Pick-Up)
Student walker pick-up will take place at Door 2 (Walker Door).
Important Safety Note: Please actively monitor your child in the Door 2 area. This location is NOT a safe place for play during dismissal, as buses are still exiting and families are moving through the Kiss & Ride line.
Overall Parking Lot Safety
We understand the rush, but we ask for everyone's cooperation: Please do not rush through our parking lot. Slow and careful driving is essential for the safety of all our students and staff.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our dismissal and arrival procedures safe and efficient!
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To ensure continuous safety at Forestdale, FCPS has updated the process for screening all volunteers. If you plan to support our school in any capacity—including chaperoning field trips—you will need to complete the new volunteer registration process.
Action Required: Complete the Volunteer Screening Form
All new volunteers are now required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
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Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for current volunteer opportunities.
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Field Trip Chaperones: Good news! Chaperoning field trips is now classified as Level 2 and no longer requires a background check (though signing the Certification Statement is still necessary).
Updates Regarding Fingerprinting (Level 3 Volunteers)
Due to an overwhelming community response, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers (those who have frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students).
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If you have an upcoming fingerprinting appointment: Please cancel it unless you fall into the group that still requires fingerprinting (mentors, host parents, or non-parent volunteers with frequent, direct, and unsupervised student contact). Note: FCPS is charged if appointments are missed without cancellation.
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Those who have already been fingerprinted will remain eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Need Help or Have Questions?
We know process changes can be confusing!
For questions about how to complete the registration process, please reach out directly to our Family Liaison, Ms. Claudia Torres, cctorres@fcps.edu.
For general questions about the volunteer program, you can also contact Volunteers@fcps.edu.
Thank you for your dedication to our students and for helping us make this transition smooth and safe!
We are excited to launch the Outstanding Employee Nominations for the 2025–2026 school year!
Your nominations are a wonderful way to acknowledge the staff who go above and beyond for our students, staff, and FCPS initiatives every day.
Who Can Be Nominated?
We are accepting nominations for the following categories:
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Outstanding Teacher
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Outstanding New Teacher
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Outstanding Principal
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Outstanding New Principal
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Outstanding Leader
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Outstanding Professional Employee
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Outstanding Operational Employee
How to Submit a Nomination
Submissions can be made easily by completing the online form linked here: Nomination Form (or by scanning the QR code in the flyer image).
DEADLINE: The deadline to submit a nomination is FRIDAY, November 14, 2025.
Thank you for helping us recognize our outstanding Forestdale staff!
Last month, a fire in our neighborhood sadly resulted in a local family connected to many of our Forestdale Falcons being displaced from their home. This is a difficult time for them, and our Falcon community is stepping up to help.
Members of our community have set up a GoFundMe campaign to provide direct support for this family as they navigate this crisis and work toward recovery.
We understand that financial times are tight for many families right now. If you are in a position to contribute, any amount given through the GoFundMe link below would be deeply appreciated:
GoFundMeCampaign
If you are currently unable to donate, we ask that you please continue to send positive thoughts, encouragement, and well wishes to this family and all those affected by the incident. Community support comes in many forms, and your positive energy is invaluable.
Thank you for showing the strength and compassion that defines the Forestdale spirit.
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