🌟Principal's Message
🌟Wise Owl Way Positive Referrals
🌟Winter Spirit Week
🌟Winter Break Literacy Adventures Calendar
🌟Green Team Needs Empty Tissue Boxes
🌟Parent Coffee
🌟Save the Date: Rising 7th Grade Course Registration Events
🌟Local Food Bank
🌟Shrevewood PTA News
🌟Family Resource
🌟Limited Early Release Days for Elementary Schools
🌟Ensuring Student Safety: Register for Volunteer FCPS
🌟Procedures for Joining Your Child for Lunch
🌟Cell Phone and Smart Watch Policy
🌟Student Birthday Policy
🌟Attendance
🌟School Meals and Free/Reduced Lunch Applications
🌟FCPS News
🌟Save the Date
Dear Shrevewood Families,
We’ve almost made it! With only one more day until our winter break begins, the energy in our hallways is absolutely electric and spirited this week. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us this week to support our students at the Band, Chorus, and Strings concert. It was a spectacular showcase of talent, and we want to thank our dedicated teachers for their hard work in organizing such a wonderful evening.
We are immensely proud of everything we have accomplished so far this school year. From the academic milestones reached in our classrooms to the kindness and creativity shown on our playgrounds, our students continue to inspire us every day. This progress is a direct result of the hard work of our staff and the unwavering support you provide at home.
While we take this time to recharge over the next two weeks, we are already filled with excitement for what lies ahead. When we return in January, we will step into 2026 with renewed energy and a commitment to making the second half of the year even more impactful for our students.
Please remember that school will be closed from Monday, December 22 to Friday, January 2. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, January 5. Our offices will also be closed over Winter Break and will reopen when we return on January 5.
On behalf of the entire staff, we wish you and your loved ones a safe, peaceful, and joyful holiday break. May your time be filled with rest, fun, and lots of love.
Sincerely,
Katie Vandawalker, Principal
Dan Reichard, Assistant Principal
Tony F.M. (1st Grade)
Cayden H. (1st Grade)
Thiago P.N. (2nd Grade)
Aya Y. (2nd Grade)
Maraki K. (1st Grade)
Helen H. (1st Grade)
Matilda R. (2nd Grade)
Samuel T. (6th Grade)
Curran F. (6th Grade)
Hiba T. (4th Grade)
Max Y. (1st Grade)
Monday - Winter Wonderland Day. Dress Like a snowperson or in white, silver, and light blue to create a snowy, winter-themed look.
Tuesday - Wacky Winter Wear Day. Wear your silly hats, colorful scarves, mismatched mittens--get goofy and warm!
Wednesday - Team Spirit Day. Show off your pride by wearing a jersey, team colors, or Shrevewood school spirit wear.
Thursday - Pajama Day. Stay warm and stylish by wearing your favorite pajamas to school. No slippers permitted.
Friday - Festive Wear Day. Flaunt your funkiest or most festive sweater, hat, or other fun wear.
This winter break, inspire your child to have a literacy adventure! These 10 fun family activities (each one focused on specific literacy skills) are designed to help students practice their reading, writing, and creative thinking. You can keep track of your literacy adventure by printing this page and crossing off each activity as your child completes it. Each family will have different days and times that work best for learning over Winter Break. We encourage you to modify the sample schedule below to best meet your family's needs and to provide plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation! Be sure to also check out our other winter and literacy resources for families. Happy winter learning!
The Green Team needs your empty tissue boxes! Please recycle your empty tissue boxes as the Green Team plans to reuse them as classroom collection boxes for stretchy plastics.
“Go Green – Go Team – Shrevewood Owls on the Scene!” Thank you!
 Multilingual Learners (MLs) Parent Coffee
Friday, January 16, 2026
9:45 am - 10:30 am
Meet our ESOL Teachers!
Learn about:
- WIDA Testing
- Q&A with the ESOL team
Course registration for 7th grade begins in January! Families are invited to a Virtual Information Session on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 5:00 p.m. for an overview of Kilmer Middle School and course options and an in-person Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. to meet teachers, attend information sessions, explore course options, and tour the school. Additional details will be shared by Kilmer M.S. before Winter Break!
Timber Lane E.S. has invited Shrevewood families who are in need to participate in their family market. Market dates are listed below.
 
WINTER CHESS CLUB
Is your student ready to learn a new skill, make new friends, and challenge their mind before the school day starts? The Shrevewood Chess Club, run by Silver Knights Chess Academy, is back for the winter session! All grades and skill levels are welcome, from brand-new beginners to experienced players.
- When: Thursday mornings, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
- Dates: January 22 - March 19 (No Club on 1/29)
Spaces are limited, so sign up today to secure your spot!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR POWER PACK DISTRIBUTION
Help us ensure every student at Shrevewood has the fuel they need to succeed! We are looking for volunteers to assist with our Power Pack Program which provides weekend food bags to students.
We need 1-2 volunteers, most on Thursday afternoons, to help distribute these packs (if there is no school on a Thursday, the delivery date will be earlier that week). Your time makes a direct difference in supporting our school community. The first time you sign up, you will have someone train you on how to deliver the bags. Middle and high school volunteers are welcome to sign up (this is a great opportunity for service hours).
Volunteer Responsibilities:
- Meet at the school to collect the prepared food bags.
- Discreetly deliver bags to designated classrooms.
- Time Commitment: Approx. 45-60 minutes.
Thank you for helping us power up our students! Sign up here.
PTA MEETING
Please save the date for our next PTA meeting on Tuesday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Shrevewood Library. Childcare will be provided, and there will be light refreshments
Bored Over Winter Break?
Looking for fun ways to keep kids busy over Winter Break? Check out this list of simple, family-friendly activities — from indoor crafts to outdoor adventures. There’s something for everyone! Click here to read more.
Three-hour early release days for Shrevewood E.S. will include:
- February 18
- March 18
- April 22
- May 13
Read more about early release Wednesdays on the FCPS website.
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.
As a reminder, all volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
For full details, visit the Volunteer FCPS website or contact our Volunteer Point of Contact, Pilar Quintero Flores, pjquinterofl@fcps.edu, with questions.
We are excited to open our cafeteria for parents and guardians to join their children for lunch at school! We know how much you value connecting with your child, and this is a great chance to share a special moment during the school day.
If you'd like to have lunch with your child, please follow these steps:
- Enter at Door 1 and report to the Main Office.
- Using a government issued photo ID, sign-in and receive a visitor sticker.
- Wear the visitor sticker at all times.
- Report directly to the cafeteria.
- Enjoy lunch with your child(ren).
- Return to the main office to check-out using your visitor sticker.
- Please don't visit the classroom or recess, so our daily schedule and routines can continue without interruption for our students.
- Please do not bring fast food for lunch.
- Please do not bring any food to share with other children due to safety protocols and allergies.
Please remind your child that 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.
- 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. Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone and personal device policy.
As an administrative team and school, we will be recognizing and honoring our students' birthdays monthly. For the safety of all students and staff in our building and to limit the amount of classroom disruptions, please do not send in food or toys for your child's birthday.
Our goal is to partner with families to help minimize the number of days students are absent. Getting your student into the habit of daily attendance helps reduce stress and makes it easier to connect with friends and teachers. We understand that each year presents different extenuating circumstances that lead to missed days. However, we hope to increase communication in regards to absences to reduce impact on your child’s well-being. FCPS has created a Health Flyer for Parents indicating when a parent should keep their child home from school. Please review FCPS Attendance Policies and resources to encourage regular school attendance.
Parents/legal guardians can report up to two consecutive absences through SIS ParentVUE. Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVUE HERE. Families can also report absences by emailing shrevewoodelem.attendance@fcps.edu or calling 703-645-6666 before 10:00 a.m. each day.
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, students will enter their student ID number as their cafeteria PIN at the cash register to receive their meals. You can access your student’s ID number via ParentVUE.
Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast will be $1.75. Lunch will be $3.25. Money can be added to your child(ren)’s accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com. You may also write a check to Shrevewood Food Services and deliver it to our Food Services Manager. During the school year, you can find the menu for breakfast and lunch at https://linqconnect.com/public/menu/ESSF44.
Free and Reduced-Price Status
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September. A new application must be completed each new school year. Forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/frm. Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 813-4800 if you need help. This application must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- State Standards and the FCPS Budget Story
- Go on a Literacy Adventure this Winter
- Family Academy Offers Support to Parents and Guardians
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
⭐Winter Spirit Week⭐
Dec. 15-19
⭐Winter Break⭐
Dec. 22- Jan. 3
(No school for students or staff)
⭐PTA Meeting⭐
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 6:30 p.m.
⭐Parent Coffee⭐
Friday, Jan. 16, 9:45-10:30 a.m.
⭐MLK Holiday⭐
Monday, Jan. 19
(No school for students or staff)
⭐End of Quarter/2 Hour Early Release⭐
Wednesday, Jan. 28
⭐Staff Development Day/Student Holiday⭐
Thursday, Jan. 29
(No school for students)
⭐Teacher Workday/Student Holiday⭐
Friday, Jan. 30
(No school for students)
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