Check out what is happening at Orange Hunt:
We had an amazing turnout for this weekend’s Pyramid Challenge, and our community spirit was on full display. Thank you to our dedicated PTA volunteers and all the students who came out to run and cheer each other on. It was a fun and energizing event that brought our school community together. GO OWLS!
Outstanding School-Based Employee Winners
Please help us congratulate our school-based Outstanding Employee Award winners!
Outstanding Teacher: Mrs. Jenn Shaddrix
Outstanding New Teacher: Mrs. Alison Geiger Buchwalder
Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee: Mrs. Connie Keefer
These staff members' nominations will now be forwarded to the West Springfield pyramid to be considered as winners on that level.
Mrs. Shaddrix, Mrs. Geiger Buchwalder and Mrs. Keefer will also be honored at the end of year employee recognition banquet.
Thank you to all who sent in a nomination for our staff members!
Square 1 Art Fundraiser – Orders Due December 2!
It’s time to order your Square 1 Art keepsakes featuring your child’s artwork! Students brought home their completed artwork along with their Square 1 Art order forms last week.
To place an order, simply use the QR code or access code printed on the back of your child’s form and visit: https://square1art.com/shop
Order Deadline: December 2, 2025 Free shipping on all orders placed by the deadline!
Families may also upload additional artwork using Art Upload on the Square 1 Art website.
Your support helps make this fundraiser a success! If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Kieffer at mekieffer@fcps.edu or reach out to Square 1 Art directly using the information on your flyer.
IMPACT AID - ONLINE NOW
ONLY 55% of Orange Hunt families have completed this important survey!!!
The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available to complete online.
The Federal Impact Aid program provides money to districts that enroll federally connected students. Help FCPS secure funding from the Impact Aid Program by helping us identify:
- Military families.
- Federally connected families.
- Families living on a military base.
Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the parent that registered the student with FCPS (the ‘enrolling parent’) can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form.
For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Your support will ensure that we receive the resources for which we are eligible.
To access the Impact Aid Form from your computer or mobile device, we recommend using Google Chrome.
Step 1: CLICK HERE or type sisparent.fcps.edu into your Chrome address bar to be taken to SIS ParentVUE. If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation letter.
Step 2: After you’ve logged into your ParentVue Account, look for the ‘Online Packets’ link at the top of the page. Click ‘Online Packets’.
Step 3: Next, click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page. This will take you to the Impact Aid Survey for you to complete.
If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please fill out a form for each child. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you get to the final page, and see a green check next to each of their names.
For questions, please email Connie Keefer.
Early Release Wednesdays
Our lists of students staying for childcare hardship have been finalized. Parents may not opt-in to staying any longer as we have set our staffing needs based on family responses. Parents can opt to have their children leave at 12:30 p.m. by calling the school prior to the next early release day – doing so will change your status for ALL the remaining early release days.
For students staying after 12:30 p.m., please limit picking your child up early between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. to appointments only.
As a reminder, the following is a list of the remaining early release days this school year. Students are provided a lunch break prior to dismissal.
- December 10
- February 18
- March 18
- April 22
- May 13
Advance Academic Program Parent Info
Important dates:
Thursday, November 20th -
- 9:00 AM – Mrs. Weis’ Room - 45
- 6:00 PM – Virtual – Please complete this Google Form to register. An email will be sent with a link.
Goals of the meeting:
- Understand Fairfax County Public Schools’ philosophy on Advanced Academic Program.
- Understand how a student’s needs for advanced learning are met through a variety of services in the continuum
- Understand the process for applying for Full-Time AAP screening (Grades 2-6)
AAP Important dates:
- November 20, 2025 – Parent Information Meetings (All families welcome – focus on full-time referral 2nd - 6th grade) – 9AM at OHES and 6PM – Virtual
- December 15, 2025 – Full-time AAP Referral form due – Any student 2nd – 6th grade
For more information, please visit the AAP Website - link below
Web Link
AAP Website
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs
PTA News
Visit the PTA website below for all things PTA related, including activities, membership and spirit wear! https://orangehuntpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
Please check the PTA website for upcoming events.
Weekly School Spirit Day
Friday, 11/21: Orange and Blue
National Family Engagement Month
November is National Family Engagement Month! This month is a time to celebrate and recognize families as a child’s first and most important teacher and partners in learning. Strong family-school partnerships have a lasting impact on student success.
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.
Flu Shots & School Immunizations
Inspire Health Alliance, in partnership with FCPS, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students.
- Immunizations will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to families.
- Registering families will be required to provide insurance information, if applicable, but students without insurance may still participate.
- Participation is voluntary and additional Immunization Resources are available.
Current event dates are listed below. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year 4-5 weeks prior to the event.
For more information, or to help families schedule an appointment for their student, please visit our Inspire Immunization Events Student Registration webpage.
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
Recognizing, Understanding, and Responding to Impact of Traumatic Stress
December 5, 10-11:30 a.m.
Come learn how trauma impacts the brain and gather valuable information to help you recognize what is happening, why it is happening, and how to effectively respond in ways that promote safety and support.
Register here
Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for All Learners
December 12, 10-11:30 a.m.
This presentation explores how trauma-informed practices and social-emotional learning (SEL) support student well-being and academic success. We discuss the impact of stress and trauma on children, how it can manifest in their behavior, and the importance of creating safe and supportive learning environments. We will highlight protective factors that foster student resilience and growth. Additionally, we will showcase helpful practices at school that teach and reinforce essential skills such as self-awareness, self-management, and relationship building. Finally, we will explore practical strategies families can use at home to strengthen these skills and nurture resilience in their children.
Register here
Upcoming Events
November 20 - Make-Up Picture Day. Email your child's teacher if you want them to have their photo taken again and return previous purchased photo package on make-up day.
November 26, 27, & 28 - Thanksgiving Break, No School
December 10 - 3- Hour Early Release
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Your Partners In Education
We are in this together!! We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with your family this year and will work every day to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. Please contact us when there is a question or concern. Thank you for your support and being part of our team!
Your Partner Principals,
Karen Tuttle kmtuttle@fcps.edu
Kate Austin kbaustin@fcps.edu
Heather Mathews HMMathews@fcps.edu
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Want To Be Involved?
Visit the Orange Hunt PTA website for all sponsored events and activities.
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