Important Upcoming Dates
Monday, 12/15
AAP Referrals Deadline (Details below)
Thursday, 12/18
Virtual PTA Meeting 7 pm
Monday, 12/22 – Friday, 1/2/26
Winter Break!
Monday, 1/5/26
School resumes
Thursday, 1/15/26
Virtual PTA Meeting 7 pm
Monday, 1/19/26
No School. Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday
Wednesday, 1/21/26
PTA Spelling Bee
Wednesday, 1/28/26
End of Quarter
2-Hour Early Release. Students dismissed at 1:55 pm
Thursday, 1/29/26
No School. Staff Development Day
Friday, 1/30/26
No School. Teacher Workday
 Students from Ms. Lashari's first grade class enjoyed a delicious hot chocolate party last week.
 Much fun was had! Thanks to all the parents who donated supplies to all the first grade classrooms!
 Sangster Outstanding Employee Award recipients are:
Ellie Mun (2nd grade) Outstanding Teacher
Linda Biberaj (AART) Outstanding Professional Employee
Kim Schweizer (Kindergarten IA) Outstanding Operational Employee
Congratulations to these extremely dedicated and exceptional Falcons! We are so lucky to have you as part of our team. A huge thank you also goes out to our Sangster community for taking the time to recognize these outstanding employees!
 Please come and check out the Lost and Found sometime next week outside Door 1 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.! We have lots of coats and other items. Any item not picked up by Friday, Dec. 19, will be donated. Thank you!
 Is your student missing a coat? It may be in our Lost and Found.
Sangster Spirit Week Dec. 15-19
 Get excited for the winter holiday break with this fun Sangster Spirit Week!
Monday, Dec. 15: Wear Sangster Spirit Wear or something blue or yellow!
Tuesday, Dec. 16: Wacky Hair Day!
Wednesday, Dec. 17: Holiday hat or headwear!
Thursday, Dec. 18: Winter Character Day!
Friday, Dec. 19: Cozy Winter PJs!
❄️ Dress for Winter Weather
 Classes will go outside in most weather, but students need to be properly dressed—no shorts, and they must have a coat. If a student is not dressed appropriately, they will need to stay inside. Thank you!
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Holiday Gift/Card Drop Off
Parents and students who wish to drop off a card or gift for their teachers may either send it in with their child during the last week of school before Winter Break or drop it off near Door #1 during the week of December 15. Grade-level boxes will be available out front for your convenience.
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 Attention Parents of Students in Grades 2-6
Deadline Alert: Full-Time AAP Referrals Due December 15 by 11:59pm. Email completed referral forms to both LBiberaj@fcps.edu and JARedford@fcps.edu.
Link to Full-Time AAP Referral form: https://www.fcps.edu/system/files/forms/2023-08/aap-fulltimeservicesreferralform-english.pdf
Some advanced learners require a full-time advanced academic program (AAP) that offers differentiated instruction across all four core content areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. Students eligible for Full-Time AAP services are cluster-grouped with peers who have similar academic needs and receive a curriculum that is specifically designed for acceleration, depth, and complexity in these subjects. Eligibility decisions are made by FCPS’s Central Screening Committee, not the local school. Full-time AAP services continue through Grade 8, and students do not need to be reevaluated each year.
Questions?
Connect with Ms. Biberaj ASAP at LBiberaj@fcps.edu
Sangster PTA Spirit Wear Store Now Open!
The online Sangster Spirit Wear Store is now open! Get your Sangster t-shirts, hoodies and more now through Dec. 21. Visit the ONLINE STORE and use Access Code: Sangster26
Orders will be ready for pickup at Sangster Jan. 14 and Jan. 15. Thanks for your support!
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Accessing your Student's Benchmark Assessments through Schoology
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1. Log into your child's Schoology Page and select Courses. Then select the Language Arts course. |
2. Select Benchmark Universe. Benchmark Universe will open in a new window. |
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3. Click on All Assignments. |
4. Any assignments will be displayed. Select the Unit or Weekly Assessment to view. Only completed and scored assignments can be opened. |
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Final Call for Federal Impact Aid Survey!
Last chance to complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey! See below for directions on how to find it in ParentVue.
 Federal Impact Aid helps FCPS offset the cost of educating students in areas affected by federal activity. These funds are added to the school division’s general operating budget and are essential to maintaining the high-quality education FCPS provides to all students by providing additional financial support for essential services.
Please complete the survey if you haven't already! Thanks for your support!
3rd-6th Graders: Spelling Bee Registration Closes Dec. 21
Registration for the 2026 Sangster PTA Spelling Bee is now open! The Sangster PTA Spelling Bee is open to 3rd through 6th grade students and will be held in the Sangster Cafeteria on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 (6–9 p.m.).
All interested students must register in advance for the Bee. Final day of registration is Sunday, December 21, 2025. No registrations will be accepted after Sunday, December 21, 2025.
The winner of the Sangster Spelling Bee will go on to compete with the other local school spelling bee champions at the Fairfax County Spelling Bee on March 22, 2026, at Lake Braddock Secondary School.
To register for the spelling bee, please submit your registration form here:
https://forms.gle/UcXJFtALmHyJAqsV8
******Download the Spelling Bee words here please******
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qB9C0RrncChGA6YWXyiSSxuBGrxm0gCv?usp=drive_link
Questions? Please contact our Sangster Spelling Bee Coordinator, Danielle Aromando, at danielle.aromando@gmail.com.
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Science Fair in March: Register NOW!
 The Sangster PTA is excited to host its 2026 Science Fair March 2–4!
Participation is optional and is open to all students (K–6). Projects should be worked on at home, under parental supervision, and may be completed independently or with siblings or other partners.
Students will tour the displays in the gym with their class during school hours on March 3 and 4. Families are invited to view projects in person on the evening of March 3 from 6–7pm.
Registration is now open! Use the link below to find more information, display guidelines, FAQs, and the link to register:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p8ZaOr5bbCWUZyVKIgcNDKI4VDxqm-d6XGwIitrobcc/edit?tab=t.0
West Springfield Breakfast With Santa
 The West Springfield High School Choral Department presents Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m. - noon. Enjoy holiday sing-a-longs, Santa photos, make ornaments and feast on bagels, muffins, fruit and coffee.
Advance tickets required. Buy your tickets:
https://www.spartanchoir.com/shop/p/breakfast-with-santa-tickets-6afjb
Lake Braddock Band Children's Holiday Concert & Open House
 On Saturday, Dec. 13, starting at 11 a.m., the Lake Braddock Band Program invites you to a (free) special Holiday Concert and Open House designed for children and young band students! Join the Bruin Symphonic Band as they play some festive holiday tunes, see the Marching Bruins Halftime Show, and listen to various small instrumental ensembles. Children can explore the “Bandieland” trail through the Music Department wing, collect treats and stickers at the various stops, and learn more about instrumental music program along the way. Treats will end your tour!
The concert will take place in the Lake Braddock Little Theater (door 14).
Click here for a video preview of Lake Braddock Band!
Attention 6th Graders: Transition to Middle School
 We are starting the exciting time of preparing for the transition to middle school. This information will be sent in your child’s classroom newsletter each week, too. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Paula Augentein, School Counselor, with any questions! phaugenstein@fcps.edu. For a chart of upcoming middle school transition dates click here. Please let Mrs. Augenstein know if your child is planning on going to a middle school outside of the West Springfield and Lake Braddock Pyramid next year, so she may assist you.
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Week of December 8 - 12
Students will watch a video created by Lake Braddock counselors about course selections.
LBSS students will receive a paper course selection sheet that should be completed and signed by parents by 12/19.
December 15th
Lake Braddock Curriculum Fair for Rising 7th and 8th Grade Students - Families and students are invited to visit Lake Braddock Secondary School to learn more about course offerings.
6 - 6:30 pm: AAP Information Session
6:30-8 pm – Curriculum Night Program for all
AVID - LBSS elective course and college readiness program - this elective requires a completed application. Click here to learn more
December 19th
Signed Lake Braddock course selection sheets are due to Mrs. Augenstein so we may support all students with academic advising.
January 5th - 29th - Mrs. Augenstein provides academic advising, as needed, and supports student course registration in SIS/StudentVue. Lake Braddock Counselors will be on hand January 7th and 9th to assist.
January 29th - Deadline for entering course selections into SIS/Student Vue for LBSS. After this date - any course changes must be made through Student Services at LBSS.
Washington Irving Middle School
December - Students receive lessons on the middle school course selection process.
January 12, 6–8 pm
Irving Curriculum Night for families
January 14th - 9:30 am - 12:30 pm - Field trip to Irving Middle School for a building tour and sample of elective course options. This is a student-only event for students planning on attending Irving next year. Course selection sheets will be sent home with students.
January 21st - Signed Irving Course Selection Sheets Due to Mrs. Augenstein.
January 22nd - February 6th - Mrs. Augenstein provides academic advising and support for entering course selections into SIS/StudentVue.
February 12th - Deadline to enter final course selections into SIS/StudentVue. After this date, all changes must be made directly through Irving Student Services.
 Lake Braddock Middle School Curriculum Fair Monday, Dec. 15, 6-8 pm!
Managing Grief through the Holidays, Thursday, Dec. 18, 6:30-8:30 pm
The Center for Community Mental Health and Conner Strong will be offering an in-person workshop on managing grief through the holidays when you have lost a loved one.
Presented by Dr. Geoffrey Harrison PHD, this workshop will teach attendees how to: recognize and understand grief triggers, especially around the holidays, manage stress and process grief in a healthy way, and find support in a safe space from others who have experienced the same.
Register here!
Family Resource Center Workshops
Session 1 (virtual) Futures Planning in Unique Circumstances: What Resources are Available and What Plans Do I Need to Put in Place for my Special Needs Child?
January 9 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Participants will examine essential steps in the caregivers’ financial plan, with an emphasis on estate planning, retirement considerations, and long-term care needs. This will help families establish a strong financial foundation to effectively support their children's well-being.
Register here
How to Develop Motivation with Your Child
January 16 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Join us to learn strategies for teaching your child adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving. We'll cover practical ways to navigate unexpected changes, manage disappointments, and help your child thrive in uncertainty.
Register here
Session 2 (In-person) Futures Planning Workshop-Creating the Framework for Futures Planning
January 23 from 10-12 PM
2334 Gallows Road, Room 100
Dunn Loring, VA 22027
In this in person session, participants will have access to a hands-on, thought-provoking workshop geared to get them started with effectively taking long term care of their children with special needs.
Register here
Tips to Reduce Parent Stress and Anxiety
January 27 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Join Rachel Bailey as she discusses how parenting today can feel like a constant cycle of pressure, guilt, and second-guessing. In this workshop, you will learn why certain situations feel so overwhelming (it’s not just the situation itself!) as well as specific strategies to reduce the overwhelm. You’ll also learn how to respond from a place of steadiness rather than reactivity, resulting in less anxiety, more confidence, and a greater sense of ease in everyday parenting.
Register here
Sibshops and SibTeens
January 29, 9:00-noon
Jim Scott Community Center
301 Vaden Dr. Fairfax, VA
The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun.
Register here
SibTeens is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences.
Register here
Please contact FCPSSibshops@FCPS.edu for follow up questions about either program.
3-Hour Early Release Wednesdays (12:55 pm dismissal)
February 18
March 18
April 22
May 13
Attendance
Report absences online through ParentVue, by email, or by calling 703-644-8282. Visit our attendance page for more information!
School Hours, Late Arrival Policy, Early Pick Up
School hours are 9:10 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.
**Students who arrive after 9:10 a.m. must be walked into the main office and signed in by an adult.**
If you need to pick your student up early, come to the office with your ID, and we will call your student down. Early pick up cut-off time is 3:30 pm.
Quick Links
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