Dear Spring Hill Families,

We have had a busy week that is full of learning, partnering with families, music, fun, and learning about our annual service learning project with the Langley Pyramid.

Our chorus students performed beautifully at the Langley Pyramid Chorus Concert, and The Langley HS Madrigals came to Spring Hill today to perform for our fifth and sixth graders. Meanwhile, we are kicking off our Rise Against Hunger service learning project. Please see below for details.

We ended our week with an incredible Bingo Night! A huge 'thank you' to our incredible PTO and staff for such a fun event that has brought our community together.

I have been enjoying seeing parents at our second round of grade-level coffees. This quarters topic is around literacy and how to help your child at home.

We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend and stay warm!

Sincerely,

Amy Briggs

📚 Seeing Different Perspectives in Language Arts 📚

Benchmark Unit 4 in Language Arts is about points of view. Students in K-5 will be learning about why and how people create stories, and how to understand different perspectives. Grade six students will learn how a person’s life shapes their point of view. 

Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:

• Question: Have you ever disagreed with a friend? How did you see things differently?
• Activity: Make up a silly scenario with your child, like a dinosaur walking down the street or an ice cream thunderstorm. Put on a short play where you and your child each play the role of each other. How does your child think you would react to the silly scenario and why? How would you react if you were your child?

At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.

Important Safety Reminder Our bus lanes are intended for buses during arrival (8:30am-8:50am) and dismissal (3:35pm-4:00pm). Cars are not permitted in the bus lanes during this time. Also, our left parking lot (by the stop light) is closed to traffic during arrival (8:30am) and dismissal (starting at 3pm). Cars are not permitted to enter on the left side of the school during these times. This is a safety issue and we must ensure that students can use our cross walks safely at all times.

  Important Dates

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2025-26   School Calendar

Rise Against Hunger

It’s time again to initiate our Langley pyramid service-learning project in partnership with Rise Against Hunger, a global organization dedicated to ending hunger by providing life-changing meals to those in need. This initiative unites our students, staff, and families from across the pyramid to fund and package meals and make a meaningful impact in the fight against food insecurity worldwide. Please read below for information about how to join us by donating your time or funds in the most impactful way for your family.   

Save the Date: Together We Rise Against Hunger! On Saturday, February 7, 2025, families in the Langley Pyramid will gather at Colvin Run Elementary School to help needy children. In partnership with Rise Against Hunger, the Langley Pyramid elementary, middle, and high schools will collaborate to prepare 82,080 meal packages for schools and orphanages worldwide. 

Sign up to volunteer to package meals on February 1st!

Apply for Your Child to Learn in Two Languages

FCPS’ 2026-27 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program lottery opens today,  Monday, January 12. The program offers students in kindergarten and first grade the opportunity to learn in English and another language — French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Spanish — for half of each instructional day.

The online, countywide lottery is open to Fairfax County residents. Families must have a SIS ParentVUE account. Students not currently enrolled in FCPS should register at their base school before applying for the immersion program. 

Families applying for first grade must do so by Thursday, February 12, at 4 p.m. Those applying for kindergarten must do so by Monday, March 2, at 4 p.m.

Informational meetings will begin in January. View dates and details on the FCPS calendar. If you have questions, please contact Brigid Williams at 571-423-4600.

🎉 Save the Date! 🎉

Cooper MS Core and Elective Curriculum Night

• Who: Rising 7th and 8th grade Students and Guardians zoned to attend Cooper MS 🧑‍🎓
• What: Cooper MS Core and Elective Curriculum Night 🍎📚
• Where: Cooper Middle School 🏫
• When: Tuesday, January 27th from 5:30-7:30 PM 📅
• (Snow Date: February 3rd) ❄️
• Why: Discover all the exciting Core Classes and Elective Options for next year! ✨

Can't attend? No problem! Materials will be available to review online starting the following day on the Cooper MS website. 💻

Winter Weather Recess Reminders Spring Hill ES asks all families to send their students to school with jackets, gloves/mittens and hats labeled with the child's name. These items are essential to supporting safe recess outside and the names help as the students shed their layers through play. Spring Hill ES will go outside each day the weather allows. We follow FCPS and National Weather Service guidelines. At times, outdoor recess times may be shorter than 30 minutes and we will still go outside for the time period it is safe to do so. More information can be found here. 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.

Student Experience Survey

Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

All students in grades 3-6, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 23, and Friday, March 6. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

Enhancing Safety and Security for Staff and Students

School safety and security are being enhanced across FCPS with a new emergency management system. The system includes sensors installed in schools and a wearable emergency response button (ERB) for staff. 

The button allows staff to quickly and discreetly request help and, once pressed, they provide location information within the school. The ERB will only work on school grounds and does not rely on cellular service. It is not meant to replace calling 911, but is an additional safety tool that can be used if calling 911 may not be safe or practical. 

Learn more about the emergency management system. You may submit questions to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.

Yearbook Sales are open.

If you are interested in ordering a yearbook, you will need to order online through Strawbridge.

Reid Reflects: State Standards and the FCPS Budget Story

Encourage your neighbors, friends, and community members to follow the FCPS budget process and look for opportunities to share your ideas about funding public education. Key decision dates and engagement opportunities are coming up in the next few weeks:

• The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2026 session on Saturday, January 10, at 9 a.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Fairfax County residents can sign up in advance to speak at the hearing online or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151, TTY 711, by Thursday, January 8, at noon.

• Thursday, January 22, Dr. Reid will present the proposed budget to the School Board. 

Visit our budget webpage for more information. 

Steam & Science Updates 

We are excited to announce that Science Fair Sign-up is open!  STEAM Night, Science Fair, and Literacy Night will be held on March 18, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.  All students are welcome to participate.  For detailed information, please read our Science Fair Handbook here.

Here are a few highlights to keep in mind:

• Science Fair is for individuals or pairs – Science Fair Sign-up: Here.  It can also be found in Schoology, All Students,  STEAM, and Science Fair
• Only students' emails can access the sign-up form.
• All projects have a maximum budget of $50
• Set up will be 8:15- 8:30 am on 3/16; Projects will be taken down 7:00 pm on 3/16.
• Family viewing will be 4-7 pm. 
• Project presentations should be on a standard-size tri-fold board (28-36” x 40-48”)

Holiday Light Recycle

We are seeking holiday light sets that no longer work for our upcoming STEAM Night.  If you are willing, please cut the light string apart and send in the bulbs, with at least an inch of wire between each.  This is a fascinating way to look at how series circuits work and what can go wrong.  Please do not send in whole light chains once they are cut down; put them in a bag, and we can prep them for their subsequent use! 

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.

A Message from the PTO

BINGO NIGHT 2026 WAS A HIT!

Spring Hill PTO’s much-loved Bingo Night was such a fun and lively community event - thank you to all those families and volunteers who made it possible.

SPRING OUTSIDE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES (OSAs) open today at 5pm!

The PTO is pleased to offer a variety of outside school activities led by our talented teachers and approved vendors.  Spring OSAs will be available for registration from 5pm today, January 16th, until 5pm, January 23rd.

Active PTO Members can use their one-time coupon discount for course fees.

If you have any questions for our dedicated volunteers, please reach out to springhillptoosa@gmail.com.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Phishing Scam

The PTO has recently been made aware of a phishing email scam currently circulating. As a reminder, the PTO will NEVER ask families to make a personal payment or purchase on behalf of the PTO for ANY reason. If you receive an email or text message of this nature, requesting money or sensitive information (and claiming to be from the PTO), please do not respond and disregard the message.

If you have any questions or would like to verify a communication, please contact SpringHillPTOTreasurer@gmail.com or SpringHillPTOPresident@gmail.com.

For more information on how to spot and avoid phishing scams, please visit: HOW TO RECOGNISE AND AVOID PHISHING SCAMS

PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR FUNFAIR 2026 - March 14, 2026

Planning is now underway for the 58th Annual Fun Fair 2026! Mark your calendars for March 14, 2026 when Spring Hill will once again be transformed into a lively carnival filled with games, prizes, and excitement for the whole community!

We need your help to make this beloved event a success. There are opportunities to get involved before, during, and after the big day—whether you have a few hours or a few days to spare. Click Here to view Fun Fair volunteer opportunities - sign up to be part of the FUN!  

Congratulations to our Div B Science Olympiad Team! SHES Mavericks Div B Science Olympiad team beat all elementary schools and most middle schools in the science Olympiad regionals yesterday.  Kid Grade Mayan R 6 Annika B 6 Noah S 5 Elena S 6 Ayaan S 6 Leon K 6 Emma C 6 Anna D 6 Linna L 6 Ryan Y 6 Govindan N 5 Rowan G 6 Elina G 6 Alice L 6

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

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