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This wraps up our 6th graders last Woodburn Gingerbread event! Many of our 6th graders have participated since Kindergarten.
Dear Woodburn Families,
As we head into winter break and the holiday season, I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your partnership and support. This first half of the school year has been filled with learning, growth, and joyful moments across our building. From inspiring field trips to creative gingerbread house projects to the many celebrations in classrooms this week, our students continue to shine through their curiosity, enthusiasm, and kindness.
Academically, our focus on strong math and literacy instruction remains at the heart of our work. Teachers and staff are deeply committed to ensuring every student builds the skills and confidence they need to thrive. We are also continuing to strengthen our intervention supports so all learners—at every level—are growing. Your encouragement at home plays an important role, and we appreciate all you do to reinforce a positive growth mindset with your children. Together, we are building momentum that we will carry proudly into the second half of the school year.
As we enter this season of rest and reflection, I want to extend warm wishes to all in our community—whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, the New Year, or simply enjoying a peaceful winter break. May this time bring joy, connection, and renewal for your family.
This is also a wonderful time to enjoy reading together. Here are a few family-friendly suggestions you might love:
English Read-Together Books:
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The Day You Begin — Jacqueline Woodson
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Last Stop on Market Street — Matt de la Peña
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The Wild Robot — Peter Brown
Libros en Español para Leer en Familia:
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El día en que descubres quién eres — Jacqueline Woodson
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Última parada de la calle Market — Matt de la Peña
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La oruga muy hambrienta — Eric Carle
Don’t forget to check out our podcast for December. We will be sharing one each month with special tips and guests. “ROAR Report!”
**PLEASE NOTE: Woodburn office will be closed during the two-week break. Please leave us a message on the voicemail and we will get back to you.
Thank you for being an essential part of the Woodburn family. We look forward to welcoming our students back in January—ready to continue growing, learning, and thriving together.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Warmly,
Mrs. Iyer and Ms. Dauberman
Bringing a gingerbread house to life with creativity and care!
Upcoming Events
December 14-22 - Cultural Observance, Chanukah
December 21 - Nutcracker Performance Invitation
December 22 - January 2 - Winter break
December 25 - Christmas Day
January 1 - New Years Day
January 6 - Cultural Observance, Three Kings Day/Epiphany
January 7 - Cultural Observance, Orthodox Epiphany
January 19 - No School, MLK Day
January 28 - 2-hr Early Release, Quarter End
January 29 - No School, Staff Development Day
January 30 - No School, Teacher Workday
📆 Calendar Reminders: Winter Break
❄️ Winter Break
Winter break is Monday, December 22, 2025, to Friday, January 2, 2026.
To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks before the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately after the break.
We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year. Classes resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Three Kings Day and Orthodox Christmas (Observance Days)
FCPS has designated Three Kings Day/Epiphany and Orthodox Christmas, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, and Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as religious and cultural observance days. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.
🎤 In Case You Missed It: The ROAR Report
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We are launching a new monthly podcast for families, available in English and Spanish, that will feature important news, helpful reminders, and exciting things happening around the school. Episodes will also feature special guests who share tips and insights from their work in reading, math, technology, counseling, and more.
Here’s our first episode for December!
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Our Kindergarten students did a great job creating their first Woodburn Gingerbread creations!
🌮 A Heartfelt Thank You!
We sincerely appreciate our PTA and families for generously providing a warm meal from District Taco along with sweet treats. Your thoughtfulness and support truly made a difference and were greatly enjoyed by our staff. Thank you for your continued kindness and for helping create such a caring school community.
FCPS CARES Recognition
Congratulations Ms. Khan for being recognized in this months FCPS CARES Feature. You can read the submission on the FCPS CARES December Webpage.
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The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. Learn more about how to recognize staff in FCPS on the FCPS CARES Webpage.
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Winter Break Literacy Adventures
Engaging in literacy activities during 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 students return to school confident and ready to continue growing in literacy.
 Students learning, growing, and connecting together!
📸 Strawbridge pictures have shipped!
You should receive them within the next few days. Parents who still need to order can use our Code Lookup Tool to access their child’s picture gallery—just scan the QR code and follow the instructions. No Customer Service access code is needed. For security purposes, the student’s last name and Student ID number will be required. If you need support, please reach out to the Customer Service team via Live Chat at www.strawbridge.net.
We had a great "Holiday Headwear" Spirit Day this week! These Kindergarten students were ready to show their school spirit!
Staff “Favorite Things” Information
This information is now available on the Woodburn PTA website and will be updated regularly throughout the year. We invite families to reference the site for the most current version as updates are made.
Reid Reflects: State Standards and the FCPS Budget Story
In her latest Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid thanked every member of our community for supporting FCPS as it remains fully accredited. Referencing a news release on accreditation, Dr. Reid noted how FCPS needs funding to support and maintain this excellence.
Visit the Budget Story webpage to learn more about the FCPS budget and the funding challenges that schools across Virginia, not just FCPS, face because of outdated state funding formulas. Read more of Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections.
Make Your Voice Heard!
Look for opportunities to share your ideas about funding public education and encourage your neighbors, friends, and community members to follow the FCPS budget process. Several key decision dates and engagement opportunities are listed below:
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Wednesday, January 7, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. - There will be virtual regional public hearings on the governor’s proposed 2026-28 biennial state budget.
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Thursday, January 22, 2026 - Dr. Reid will present the proposed FCPS budget to the School Board.
Visit the FCPS budget webpage for more information.
 4th Graders are learning how to use different strategies to solve math problems.
⛄ 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.
🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide
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.
5th Grade is all smiles! We love our annual Gingerbread House tradition!
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Family Academy Offers Support to Parents and Guardians
- Boundary Review Advisory Committee Update
- Enjoy Your Winter Break!
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Follow Us
FCPS CARES
Do you want to celebrate a Woodburn employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.
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