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 What a whirlwind of a week at Dogwood! 🌟 From diving deep into our final lessons of the year to celebrating the season with friends, this week was the perfect mix of academics and fun. We are so proud of our students' hard work and the joyful community we’ve built together. Wishing everyone a restful and happy Winter Break! ❄️📚✨
Important Dates
December
Dec. 22 - Jan. 2: Winter Break (No School)
January
Jan. 9: Pastries With Parents - Math Night
Jan. 13: PTA Meeting
Jan. 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School)
Jan. 28: End of Quarter/2-Hour Early Release
Jan. 29: Staff Development Day (No School for Students)
Jan. 30: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
Dogwood Office Hours
The office will be closed over winter break and will re-open on Monday, January 5th at 8:20 a.m.
Winter Break Learning Legends Challenge
We are excited to invite our students to participate in our Winter Break Learning Legends Challenge! This optional challenge encourages students to continue learning in fun, meaningful ways while they are away from school.
To earn the title of Learning Legend, students will complete activities in three areas:
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Digital Dares using ST Math, Lexia, and SummitK12
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Family Fun activities that encourage learning conversations at home
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Creative Choice activities that allow students to show what they learned
Students who complete the challenge will earn a Learning Legend medal and be recognized on our school news show. In addition, classes will compete to earn the Learning Legends Champions title, awarded to the class with the most students who complete the challenge.
Learning is even more fun when families get involved, and we appreciate your support in encouraging your child to participate. Keep a lookout for the Winter Break Learning Legends Challenge flyer and recording sheet in your child’s Thursday folder. Thank you for partnering with us to make learning legendary!
SummitK12 families
We are excited to offer an after-school support session from 3:50-4:50 for students who are required to complete Summit K12 as part of their homework. This dedicated hour will give students focused time to work solely on their Summit K12 assignments in a supportive environment. Students will be provided with a snack to help them get started and stay energized. If you would like your child to participate in this opportunity, please complete the registration form that was sent home in Thursday folders and return it by January 12. Additional forms are available in the school office.
New Winter Break Literacy Activities
A Winter Break Literacy Adventures Calendar has been developed to support students in maintaining the reading, writing, and speaking skills they have built during the first half of the school year. In addition, for students in primary grades or those with reading plans focused on foundational skills, it’s recommended to encourage students to practice reading decodable text. Primary teachers should ensure students have their black and white Benchmark decodables for practice. Additionally, for students who access UFLI, the UFLI Foundations Toolbox includes aligned home practice activities and additional decodable texts available to print.
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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Thursday, December 18, 2025 - The Virginia Governor introduced the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget.
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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.
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