Dear Spring Hill Families,

This December, we have embarked on another school-wide celebration of the many and varied holidays that our Spring Hill families and staff celebrate throughout the year! This school-wide celebration focuses on the power of food to help us celebrate the days and traditions that help make us who we are. SHES students and staff were invited to illustrate their own plate of food, highlighting a food that is used for a celebration in your home. The SHES hallways are filled with tables that feature each and every one of us and the foods that are near and dear to our hearts. 

We are so proud of our beautifully diverse cultures and traditions that make up our SHES community!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Amy Briggs

Safety Corner Our back fence has been installed! We are still waiting for the gates to be delivered and installed (and the gap between the back fence and our gate), but we are very excited that this will add to the safety and security measures we already have in place.

Last Chance...We Need Your Vote!

Your input is essential in making a decision that best serves our students and community.

Please click the link below to cast your vote on how we should best spend our Boosterthon funds. Two options are presented with pictures. 

Vote here

🙋‍♂️ Attendance Is Important Every Day!

Every year, absences increase in the weeks before and after winter break. Give your child the gift of education and help build a habit of attendance. Visit the FCPS website for more attendance resources.

  Important Dates

2025-26   School Calendar

Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15

Parents and guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services must submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Erin O'Connor no later than December 15, 2025.

Each year, families can submit a referral for full-time AAP services any time from the first day of school through December 15. No late referrals for full-time AAP services will be accepted.

Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of six trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for full-time AAP services. 

Next Steps for Parents

Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of their child’s materials after February 20, 2026, by emailing [name and email address of the AART].

Winter Resources for Families

A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!

We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during the upcoming winter break and on snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.

Yearbook Sales are open.

If you are interested in ordering a yearbook, you will need to order online through Strawbridge.

FCPS participates in VQB5 (Virginia participates in Virginia Quality Birth to Five)

To prepare all children for kindergarten, and in response to state law, Virginia has developed the Unified Virginia Quality Birth to Five System (VQB5) to measure and improve the quality of all publicly-funded birth-to-five classrooms and support families to choose quality programming across all types of programs. Learn more about VQB5 here.

❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.

⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.

Steam & Science Updates 

We are excited to announce that Science Fair Sign-up is open!  STEAM Night, Science Fair, and Literacy Night will be held on March 18, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.  All students are welcome to participate.  For detailed information, please read our Science Fair Handbook here.

Here are a few highlights to keep in mind:

• Science Fair is for individuals or pairs – Science Fair Sign-up: Here.  It can also be found in Schoology, All Students,  STEAM, and Science Fair
• Only students' emails can access the sign-up form.
• All projects have a maximum budget of $50
• Set up will be 8:15- 8:30 am on 3/16; Projects will be taken down 7:00 pm on 3/16.
• Family viewing will be 4-7 pm. 
• Project presentations should be on a standard-size tri-fold board (28-36” x 40-48”)

Holiday Light Recycle

We are seeking holiday light sets that no longer work for our upcoming STEAM Night.  If you are willing, please cut the light string apart and send in the bulbs, with at least an inch of wire between each.  This is a fascinating way to look at how series circuits work and what can go wrong.  Please do not send in whole light chains once they are cut down; put them in a bag, and we can prep them for their subsequent use! 

🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life. 

A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are also a chance for you to share your thoughts and ask questions about FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates from 6 to 8 p.m.:

• Tuesday, December 9

• Thursday, December 11

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.

A Message from the PTO

PTO MEETING

Please join us next Friday, December 19, at 9 am for our monthly PTO Meeting. Connect with fellow parents and hear about upcoming PTO events and activities.

OSA ANNOUNCEMENTS

PARKING - For everyone’s safety, vehicles must not park along the emergency fire lane directly in front of the school entrance. This area must remain clear at all times. Thank you for helping keep our school safe and accessible for all.

FALL OSAs finish up this week, with a few exceptions for makeup classes. Look out in the new year for our next OSA Calendar and registration information.

BINGO NIGHT IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!

Bingo Night is back at Spring Hill on Thursday, January 15, and we can’t wait!! To make the magic happen, we’re seeking volunteers to help plan and execute the event. Please CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER FOR BINGO NIGHT Thank you for helping make this community tradition so special!

Questions or suggestions? Reach out at springhillptopresident@gmail.com.

PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR FUNFAIR 2026 - March 14, 2026

Planning is now underway for the 58th Annual Fun Fair 2026! Mark your calendars for March 14, 2026 when Spring Hill will once again be transformed into a lively carnival filled with games, prizes, and excitement for the whole community!

We need your help to make this beloved event a success. There are opportunities to get involved before, during, and after the big day—whether you have a few hours or a few days to spare. Click Here to view Fun Fair volunteer opportunities - sign up to be part of the FUN!  

LOST & FOUND CORNER

The Lost and Found corner is rapidly growing…Be sure to label all clothing items and please consider purchasing from Mabel's Labels to ensure clothing items return home again!  Check the Lost & Found corner in the cafeteria anytime for missing items, but anything that is labelled will make its way back to your students.

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

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. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

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