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To read this newsletter in other languages, please click on the link below.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, haga clic en el enlace a continuación y elija su idioma.
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English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | Français | Русский
 Once again, our music program shines like a bright star. On Thursday evening and Friday morning we enjoyed musical selections from our band, strings and chorus students. The months of hard work by our students, under the direction of Ms. Clark, Mr. Bertolotti, Ms. Gray and Mr. McQuillen, paid off beautifully.
News from the Fox Den
December 12, 2025
A Message from Ms. Consolla
Our final week of school for 2025 is just about here. Teachers have a lot prepared including Family Life Education lessons in the upper grades, Benchmark assessments and more. And there will be fun activities such as our Winter Sing Along on Wednesday, Spirit Week and class parties. We recognize that students may be going through a range of emotions as the week goes on and will continue to provide consistency and hold to our expectations for safe and respectful behavior.
As I shared in my letter this week, we are so proud of the work we have done to be designated as "on track" by the Virginia Department of Education. Using our SOL scores, growth from the prior year and our reduction in chronic absenteeism, we earned a score of 87.7. This was 2.3 points from being designated as "distinguished." This has been a truly collaborative effort by teachers in all areas, staff, students and families. Well done, Foxes!
Our Winter Break is quickly approaching. During this last week of school, our SCA will sponsor our first Spirit Week. See the details for what to wear December 15-19. There will be no school for students from Monday, December 22nd, through Friday, January 2nd. Classes will resume on Monday, January 5th. Our office will be closed during this time. The Fox Den newsletter will take a break and return just before school reopens.
I hope to see you at the Holiday Market tomorrow. So many students have been working on crafts, and our Grade 6 students will be serving up pancakes. Join us from 9am-12noon.
As always, thank you for your partnership with us in your child's education at Fort Hunt.
Jean
Jean Consolla, Principal
jtconsolla@fcps.edu
Follow us on Instagram @FortHuntES
Reminder Early Release Wednesday, December 17
We will have an Early Release Wednesday this coming Wednesday, December 17. Students will dismiss at 12:40pm unless they have already stayed for the previous ER Wednesdays.
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Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. Learn how to help and discover the many resources available to support those who need food assistance or shelter. View the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
 Spirit Week: December 15-19
Join in the fun for our first Spirit Week to end 2025:
Monday, Dec 15: Grinch Day--wear green (no masks)
Tuesday, Dec 16: Stripe Day
Wednesday, Dec 17: Pajama Day--must wear shoes
Thursday, Dec 18: Snow Day--wear as much white as possible
Friday, Dec 19: Festive Day--wear an item to celebrate a favorite holiday enjoyed by your family
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Clothing Items Needed
Cleaning out your child's closet over Winter Break? Our Care & Share closet is in need of gently used boys and girls pants (especially with elastic waists) - any sizes. Jeans, sweatpants, and leggings are welcome. We use them when a student has an accident, slips in the mud, spills milk on themselves, etc. Please bring them into the main office. Thank you!
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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 Preshion Lynch (pmlynch@fcps.edu) 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. As a reminder, please do not ask teachers for work samples.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Our team will include four work samples. 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 Ms. Lynch.
At the elementary level, referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by our school. If you miss the full-time referral deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific or part-time AAP services for the remainder of the year.
At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Winter Break 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.
Winter Break Literacy Adventures
Engaging in literacy activities over winter break helps students maintain the reading, writing, and speaking skills they built during the first half of the school year. Even a little daily practice, such as these 10 fun family activities, helps ensure they return to school confident and ready to continue growing in literacy. Enjoy these literacy adventures as a family!
There’s a story behind the success of every FCPS student — a story about what’s possible with the appropriate funding for world-class teachers, rigorous academics, and future-ready learning experiences. At FCPS, student success starts with a strong budget!
FCPS is currently developing the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, which is for the 2026-27 school year. In January, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will present a proposed budget to the School Board.
During this process, we’ll be sharing FCPS’ budget story with you. The different chapters will explain the impact of chronic underfunding, why strong funding benefits all of Fairfax County, what’s at stake when Fort Hunt and other FCPS schools don’t get the support we need, and more.
We invite you to follow along and learn how you can help write our next chapter!
❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather is here! 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.
FCPS offers the Lightspeed Parent Portal to help you manage screen time on your child's FCPS device at home. With a Parent Portal account, you can control your child’s access to YouTube and pause website browsing during after-school hours.Please note that parent controls are active only during after-school hours, defined as Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. (including student holidays) and all day Saturday and Sunday.
If you haven't signed up for the portal yet, use the link at the bottom of your weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email. To learn more, please visit the Lightspeed Parent Portal page on the FCPS website.
📵Student Smart Watches and Cell Phones
As a reminder, FCPS is phone-free! For elementary school students, this means:
- Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited. At Fort Hunt, this begins when students enter the building in the morning.
- Cell phones and personal devices (airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at 703-619-2600. Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone and personal device policy. Also, view our Media Balance and Well-Being Toolkit for resources to help your child maintain a healthy and balanced relationship with technology at home
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Getting Closer to Our Goal!
We have 740 lbs so far! Our goal is 1000lbs by February. We still need your plastic.
Our Garden Club is sponsoring a bench for Fort Hunt through the collection of plastic bags. You can help!
Deposit clean and dry plastic wrap in the designated bins outside of the library by the front entrance.
Only certain items are eligible: grocery bags, produce bags, Ziploc bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, newspaper sleeves, plastic mailers, bubble wrap, and dry cleaning bags, etc. For more information about what's acceptable, click here:
Acceptable Plastic Bag Items
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Can I Send Cupcakes on My Child's Birthday?
No, we do not have class birthday celebrations. Please do not send in any treats.
At Fort Hunt, we recognize students on their birthday on the morning news show. And at the end of the month, all students born that month are invited to Cupcakes & Books at lunch time. Our PTA sponsors this event where students can pick out a cupcake and a book to enjoy.
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We are PET-Free on Our Campus
As a reminder, all FCPS campuses, including Fort Hunt, do not allow pets at any time or day of the week. This includes drop-off and afterschool pick-up. It's fine to wait up on the sidewalk on Linton Lane with your pet. This rule is in place to ensure all students feel safe and to keep our grounds clean. Thank you!
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Lost & Found
If you are missing a jacket, sweatshirt, or umbrella, be sure to stop by our Lost and Found in the cafeteria to check for any missing items. You can access it from home by going to our website with a live gallery. Follow the directions on the page for how to claim items. Our Family Liaison, Mr. Antoine Pierce, can assist. He can be reached at (703) 619-2674 or apierce@fcps.edu
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What's For Lunch?
You can find the monthly menu here by scrolling down to Elementary menus for breakfast and lunch. Families can add money to their child's account at My School Bucks.
Families may join their child for lunch at Fort Hunt on Family Fridays. You can read about the expectations and procedures for Family Fridays in our handbook.
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Important Times
Arrive on campus: 8:30am
Kiss & Ride: 8:35-8:55am
Doors Open: 8:35am Tardy Bell: 8:55am
Dismissal Bell: 3:40pm
Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
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Important Dates
Saturday, December 13 | Holiday Market & Pancake breakfast 9am-12noon
Monday, December 15 | Deadline to submit parent referrals for Full-time AAP services
Spirit Week: December 15-19 See calendar above
Wednesday, December 17 | Early Release Wednesday dismissal at 1:40pm
Winter break: Dec 22 through Jan 2. Students return Monday, January 5
Monday, January 5 | School re-opens for 2026!
You can access the full 2025-26 calendar here. Days that are shaded pink or blue are holidays for students. Orange days are NOT school holidays.
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Get Involved with your PTA
Consider becoming a member of the Parent Teacher Association at Fort Hunt. It's a great way to connect with other parents, learn about how to support your child and to have fun at their amazing community events! There are many ways where you can share your voice, talents and time. Everyone working together makes this a great community. Check out the PTA website for more information.
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Parent/Guardian Handbook
Do you have questions about attendance or food/drink at school or what students can wear? If so, please check out our Parent/Guardian Handbook on our Fort Hunt website. It's available with translations. Click here to access it. Of course, if you have a question about a situation that is not listed, reach out to your child's teacher or an administrator.
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Your Partners in Education
We are honored to work with your family this year and will work everyday to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. We can't do it alone. Please contact us when there is a question or concern, especially related to bullying. As a parent, you will often hear about something before staff might. Thank you for all your support.
Jean Consolla, Principal
jtconsolla@fcps.edu
Patty Settel, Assistant Principal
pasettel@fcps.edu
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