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Welcome to our new Monthly News section! This space is your go-to hub for staying connected with what’s happening in your child's classroom.
Each month, we will provide direct links here to specific grade-level updates. Additionally, a fresh, detailed report for every grade will be posted to our official school website at the start of each month.
Be sure to check back regularly to see the exciting projects, curriculum milestones, and special events our students are diving into!
Kindergarten 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th EAC
Hello Forestdale Families!
It has been a cold and busy winter season here at school! We just celebrated a major milestone this past Friday—the 100th day of school. It is truly hard to believe that we have already reached the middle of the school year.
Last week, paper copies of Quarterly Progress Reports were sent home in student folders. As a reminder, these reports are also available to view digitally via ParentVUE.
We continue to have amazing days filled with deep learning and growth here at Forestdale. None of this would be possible without your constant support. We are so incredibly grateful for your continued partnership in your child’s education.
Together for OUR Students,
Nikki Steptoe-Coleman, Principal
Mary-Elizabeth Hagaman, Assistant Principal
Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal
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Forestdale Calendar Reminders
FCPS Annual Calendar (Click Here)
February 2026
2/17: Teacher Workday (No Students)
2/18: Ramadan Begins
2/23-27: Annual Book Fair
2/25: Early Release, 12:35pm
March 2026
3/9-13: Pi Week
3/12: PTA Meeting @ 7pm
3/13: Spring Picture Day (Individual/ Class)
3/20: Eid al-Fitr (School Closed/ No Students)
3/23-27: PTA Coin Wars
3/25: Early Release, 12:35pm
3/26: STEAM Night, 6:30pm
3/27: Early Release, 1:35pm
3/30-4/6: Spring Break (No Students)
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🥞 Breakfast Menu 🧃 🥪 Lunch Menu 🍎
Volunteer Screening Required! If you plan to volunteer at Forestdale or join us on any field trips this year, please complete the necessary screening using this link: Volunteer FCPS
Get ready, readers! Our annual Book Fair is happening next week, February 23rd–27th, in the school library. While we’ll have more student book recommendations for you next month, now is the time to build those home libraries!
🕒 Shopping Hours
Students will have the opportunity to shop during the school day, but we also have evening hours for families:
🤝 Volunteers Needed
Ms. Wixtrom is looking for some helping hands to make this fair a success! Whether you can spare an hour during the day or help out in the evening, we would love to have you.
Sign up here to volunteer!
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From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The next deadline is Wednesday, February 18, for the week of February 23rd. Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
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It’s time to celebrate your student’s growth! We are excited to share that the Elementary Winter Screening and Growth Assessment reports will soon be available.
These reports help us see how your child is progressing and where we can continue to support them. You will be able to find these centrally through the "Documents" section of your SIS ParentVUE (PVUE) account.
What Reports Should I Expect?
Depending on your child's grade level, you will receive up to three reports:
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Pre-K & Kindergarten: VALLSS report.
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Grades 1–2: VALLSS and MAP Math reports.
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Grades 3–6: iReady Reading and MAP Math reports (some students may also receive a VALLSS report).
🗓️ Important Dates
Keep an eye on your ParentVUE account by these dates:
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MAP & iReady Reports: Available by Monday, March 2
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VALLSS Reports: Available by Monday, March 9
🔑 Need Help with ParentVUE?
If you don’t have a ParentVUE account yet or need a hand getting yours set up, please contact our front office. Our team is happy to help get you connected!
Note: If you do not have a ParentVUE account, the school will ensure a copy of the report is sent home to you.
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We want to hear from our students! From February 23 to March 6, students in grades 3–6 will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey during the school day. This feedback helps us improve our school and ensures every student’s voice is heard. Check out a preview of the survey HERE.
How it works: Students will receive a survey link in their FCPS email on February 23. We plan to administer the survey at school on Wednesday, February 25th.
Flexibility: If a student misses the in-school session, they can complete the survey at home.
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❄️ Staying Healthy This Winter
With more than a month of winter to go, and with more time spent indoors, germs tend to spread more easily. Help us keep our school community healthy with these simple tips:
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Wash Those Hands: It’s the best defense! Encourage your child to wash with soap for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice) before meals and after playing outside.
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Stay Up to Date: Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are great ways to reduce the chance of getting sick or having severe symptoms.
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The 24-Hour Rule: If your child has a fever (100.4°F or higher), they must stay home. They can return to school once they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
💉 Important: 7th Grade Immunization Requirements
Is your student heading to 7th grade next year? To ensure a smooth start to middle school, please note that Virginia law requires all rising 7th graders to have the following immunizations before the first day of school:
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Tdap Booster: One dose (given at age 7 or older).
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Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY): One dose (given at age 10 or older).
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HPV Vaccine: A complete series is required, though parents/guardians have the right to opt out after reviewing educational materials.
What you need to do: Please provide an updated immunization record or a signed medical/religious exemption form to our front office as soon as possible. You can get these vaccines through your healthcare provider or at a Fairfax County Health Department clinic.
📝 How to Report an Absence
To help us keep our students safe and accounted for, please notify the school as soon as you know your child will be staying home. Please submit all absences before 10:00 AM to avoid receiving an automated attendance call.
You have three easy ways to report an absence:
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ParentVUE: Log in to your account and submit the notice directly online (this is the fastest method!).
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Attendance Email: Send a quick note to forestdaleelem.attendance@fcps.edu.
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Attendance Voicemail: Call us anytime at (703) 313-4343.
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