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Dear Freedom Hill Families,
We appreciated everyone's flexibility and patience last week as we pulled through some very unusual weather! Despite the limited hours, our staff and students have been working hard and prioritizing academics, making the most of our time together. We also had some incredible events, including the Spelling Bee Finals (thank you to Mrs. Jou for organizing, and congratulations to our winner - Daniel L.!), a wonderful Chorus Concert, and SCA hosted a fun-filled Valentine's Dance (thank you to Mrs. Turner and all of our volunteers!) that has us excited about Valentine's week.
As you may have seen in last week's newsletter, it was School Counselor Appreciation Week! Our wonderful counselors, Ms. Kimura and Ms. Loftus, were in action on Friday hosting our Soaring Eagle Lunches! We are grateful for all of the continued support they provide to our students and their families. Congratulations to each of our Q2 Soaring Eagles.
As we enter the 3rd quarter, we begin a period of some of our most beloved events and learning experiences. Please be sure to keep an eye on the upcoming dates below. We've been grateful to everyone's participation in many school events this year, and excited to continue into the spring months.
In partnership,
Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal
Holly Sims, Assistant Principal
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Freedom Hill Family Resources
Breakfast/Lunch Menus
 FHES Girl Scouts are selling cookies TODAY in the Kiss N Ride line from 12-2!
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This week, we are focusing on Love of Learning. You master new topics and skills on your own or in school.
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"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
~B.B. King
Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- What kinds of things do you like learning?
- Do you think it’s true that you can learn ANYTHING?
- What do you think are the benefits of loving to learn?
 Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about Black History month.
We are at the midpoint of the year, and our school Lost and Found (located in our cafeteria) is busting at the seams! If you are missing any articles of closing, please visit us to check the lost and found, or encourage your child to check for their clothing. At the end of the week (February 13), we will be packing up the belongings and donating them to a local charity.
Will include:
- February 18
- March 18
- April 22
- May 13
Read more about early release Wednesdays on the FCPS website.
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information:
- Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
- Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
- Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
- Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
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February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
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February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
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March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
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March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (SmartWatches, AirPods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school. Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including consequences for cell phone policy violations and exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at 703-506-7800.
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19th, 2026.
 Hello FHES 3rd-6th grade families,
Soon 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. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 23, and Friday, March 6. While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in this survey, please complete the opt out information HERE.
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. Thank you!
    
 Marshall High School will be hosting its second annual STEM Night February 24th from 5-8 PM in its cafeteria! Participants include former FHES students.
There will be many activities such as DNA pipe cleaner models, Alka-Seltzer lava lamps, science fair presentations, a visit from their robotics team, and many more!
Marshall has also officially launched their YouTube channel @GCMSTEMStars where they will be posting weekly videos about a range of STEM topics.
Upcoming Events:
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February 11 - PTA Meeting in the Library and via Zoom, 6PM (Agenda)
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February 15 - NEW DATE! Science Fair participation forms due
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February 20 - Science Fair, 6:30-8:30PM in the Cafeteria (ideas and project examples)
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February 25 - Family Dinner Out (FDO) @ Panera, 8364 Leesburg Pike, Vienna (Use code: FUND4U)
WEDNESDAY, FEB 11 - PTA MEETING INFORMATION
The next PTA general meeting is February 11th at 6PM in the Library and via Zoom (Agenda). Feel free to bring your child/children. For anyone unable to attend in person, please join the Zoom Meeting.
Meeting ID: 746 885 8356Passcode: ggH4mf
 THE SCIENCE FAIR IS COMING WITH SPECIAL DEMONSTRATION BY THE MARSHALL HS ROBOTICS TEAM!
Freedom Hill's Science Fair is returning on Friday, Feb. 20th with a special demonstration by the Marshall High School Robotics Team! The Science Fair is a great way to showcase something your child learned with a posterboard/tabletop presentation, demonstrate a cool hands-on experiment, or more! See the flyer for the form to fill out and an example tri-fold poster board. Need ideas? Great resources for ideas are at education.com and ScienceBuddies.
UPDATE: The form is due on Feb. 15th to Hubert at hubertchao@gmail.com or to the PTA Mailbox in the office.
If you need help getting the tri-fold poster board, we have a limited supply; contact Hubert at hubertchao@gmail.com.
We also need people to help with the Science Fair! Sign up here.
GET READY FOR VALENTINE CANDY GRAMS! The Sixth Grade Class of 2026 is spreading kindness and cheer with this year’s Valentine Candy Gram Sale! From February 6–12, students can stop by the school’s main entrance between 9:05–9:20 AM to purchase a sweet message for a friend, teacher, or classmate. Each Candy Gram is only 50¢! You can also find their table at the Valentine’s Dance on Friday, February 6 from 6:30–7:30 PM. Sixth graders will deliver the Candy Grams from February 7–13, each with a yummy lollipop or a fun non‑candy treat.
All funds raised help support special Sixth Grade celebration activities. Let’s fill our hallways with kindness and smiles this Valentine’s Day!
UPCOMING ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES
Support FCPS’ FY 2027 Proposed Budget
Fairfax County Public Schools’ FY 2027 Proposed Budget, presented by Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, reflects FCPS’ commitment to sustaining excellence, restoring critical positions and programs, and attracting and retaining strong educators and support staff, all of which directly impact our students’ success.
Now is the time for families to support this proposed budget by sharing our voices with county leaders. As the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors determines the level of funding provided to FCPS, we encourage you to begin by contacting our local representatives for the Providence District:
Supervisor Dalia Palchik 📞 703-560-6946 📧 providence@fairfaxcounty.gov
Chairman Jeffrey McKay (At-Large)
📞 703-324-2321
📧 chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov
Please reach out and let Supervisor Palchik and Chairman McKay know why school funding matters to you. Here are draft emails from Freedom Hill's PTA website to get you started. Feel free to mention what is going on in your world at the school, including successes and ongoing needs, and ask them to act on what you want them to do--fully fund the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2027 Budget!
Another key decision date and engagement opportunity is listed below:
Visit the FCPS budget webpage for more information.
Visit Virginia PTA 2026 Legislative Priorities for more information.
PTA Quick Links:
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