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Check out what is happening at Orange Hunt:
Congratulations to our Spelling Bee winners! We are grateful to our PTA and to all the students and families who took part in making this event a great success.
NEW VISITOR CHECK-IN SYSTEM Live Now
Welcome to Raptor! Please download the RaptorSafe App to your mobile phone so that you can quickly sign-in as a visitor or volunteer to OHES. Look for these signs to scan the QR code or search for Raptor Safe in your mobile phone app store. You do not need a school code when completing registration.
While you may still use your government issued IDs, the Mobile App is quick and easy - and the preferred method for most visitors.
The new Raptor system replaces the old ScholarChip and is faster and more efficient.
The OHES office staff will be happy to assist you in getting sign-in to the new system should you have any questions.
We are excited to begin using the new RaptorSafe system to keep our building safe knowing who is visiting.
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February is Black History Month
This month we will share information about some lesser-known Black historical figures.
Ms. Jemison was the first African American woman to travel into space in 1992!
In addition to being a former NASA astronaut, Ms. Jemison is also a physician and engineer. She has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the National Medical Association Hall of Fame as well has the recipient of multiple awards and honorary degrees.
Ms. Jemison left NASA in 1993 to start The Jemison Group, a tech consulting firm that encourages the integration of socio-cultural issues in the design of technologies and services.
Learn more about Mae Jemison here.
February is also Love the Bus Month
February is Love the Bus Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the transportation professionals who safely support students every day across Fairfax County Public Schools. This includes our drivers, attendants, floaters, trainers, supervisors, mechanics, dispatchers, and support staff.
Take a moment to say Thank YOU to our hardworking, dedicated Bus Drivers!
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Wear Yellow Day – Friday, February 20 Staff & Students are encouraged to wear yellow to show appreciation and support for our transportation team.
Thank you to all members of Transportation for their professionalism, commitment, and dedication to safely serving students and families across the division.
Kindergarten Registration 2026-27
There’s an easy process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility. Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
Enrolling parent is required to attend the in-person appointment. Once completed the student will be ready for Kindergarten introductory events that Orange Hunt will host.
Please share with families you may know that have a child who will turn 5 on or before September 30, 2026!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Anne-Marie Balmaceda at acbalmaceda@fcps.edu or 703-913-6800.
The Social Lives of Twice-exceptional (2E) Students: Friendship, Belonging, and Identity
Friday, February 20 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Families will understand how to support 2e students establishing authentic connections and how they navigate peer relationships.
Register here
News from the Registrar - Consent to Exchange Confidential Student Information
Please send all requested for student records, teacher evaluations for students such as Vanderbilts or private school recommendation requests to the school registrar, Anne-Marie Balmaceda at acbalmaceda@fcps.edu . Teachers are unable to complete these requests unless the Consent to Exchange Confidential Student Information form has been completed. This form should be sent to Mrs. Balmaceda as well. Please be sure to include the fax number and/or the email address of the agency/individual whom the form is to be sent under the "Contact Information" section.
Please note that all information will be sent directly to the individual/agency and will not be given directly to the parent/guardian.
Health Room News - Important Information
We are seeing a high number of Respiratory Illnesses in our community, including Upper Respiratory, Flu, Covid, and RSV. Please keep sick children home from school. Students may return after being fever-free for 24 hours without medication, with improving symptoms, and no vomiting or diarrhea.
Remember to cover coughs and sneezes and wash hands regularly. Thank you for helping keep our school healthy.
Do NOT send any medication to school with your child. All medication must be signed into the health room by a parent and registered with our school health aide or public health nurse.
Any questions, please call the health room at 703-913-6810.
 www.buytheyearbook.com
School ID: 730467
Submit your photos for the yearbook!
📸 Share Your OHES Photos for Yearbook Consideration!
We’re moving into the second half of the school year, and we’d love your help capturing the amazing moments happening across our community! Families can now upload photos from events like Veterans Day, Field Day, class parties, concerts, field trips, and special spirit days.
To upload:
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Visit www.buytheyearbook.com
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Enter School ID: 730467
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Log in or create an account
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Upload your photos to the event albums
Please upload full-resolution photos (select “Actual Size” if prompted). Screenshots and low-quality images cannot be used.
Note: All uploads are for consideration and not guaranteed for inclusion. Space, layout needs, and photo quality determine which photos can be included.
What makes a great yearbook photo?
- Clear, well-lit images
- Close or mid-range shots where student faces are visible
- Small groups or individual candid moments
- Original, full-resolution images
Hard to use:
- Far-away crowd shots
- Blurry or dark photos
- Screenshots or compressed files
- Photos where faces aren’t visible
Thank you for helping us create a yearbook full of OHES memories! 💚🦉
Early Release Wednesdays
Our lists of students staying for childcare hardship have been finalized. Parents may not opt-in to staying any longer as we have set our staffing needs based on family responses. Parents can opt to have their children leave at 12:30 p.m. by calling the school prior to the next early release day – doing so will change your status for ALL the remaining early release days.
For students staying after 12:30 p.m., please limit picking your child up early between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. to appointments only.
As a reminder, the following is a list of the remaining early release days this school year. Students are provided a lunch break prior to dismissal.
FCPS Offers Take-Home Meal Kits for Fasting Students during Ramadan
FCPS is offering take-home meal kits from Wednesday, February 18 to Thursday, March 19, 2026 to support students who are fasting during the school day.
Thanks to a program from the Virginia Department of Education, students can now take healthy school meal kits home at the end of the day. These kits are designed to be eaten later that day and include both breakfast and lunch.
How to Sign Up
Families must fill out a meal kit request form on the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) website for each student, every week. Because these meals are prepared fresh, we cannot accept late requests. Please check Important Dates and Forms below for weekly deadlines.
Sign up and more information here.
Warm Up FCPS – County-wide Spirit Day
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 19! #FCPSThaw
Month of the Military Child Purple Up! Spirit Wear
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is gearing up to honor and celebrate its military-connected youth in April, the Month of the Military Child, and on Purple Up! Day!
This year, Virginia will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Purple Up! Day is a special day for communities to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and their families. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military.
FCPS Purple Up! T-shirts and other items are available for purchase now through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Spirit Wear Store (for families): https://www.customink.com/s/fcps-purple-up-spirit-wear-store
These items highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our 14,500 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS!
For more information and/or to connect with FCPS resources, email us at militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
Spirit Day:
Thursday, 2/19: Brightest and/or Tropical outfit (county-wide spirit day)
Friday, 2/20: Wear yellow to show support and appreciation for our bus drivers
Friday, 2/27: TBD
Upcoming Events
2/18 - 3/19: Ramadan
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PTA News & Events
Check out the PTA website for information on all activities (link below).
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Happy New Year, and welcome back, Owl famlies!
Now that we're back into the swing of things, here's what's going on this week with your PTA:
* Spots Still Open for After-School Clubs
* More Calendar Dates to Add to Your Crammed Calendars
Visit the PTA website for all the exciting things our wonderful PTA has to offer!
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Your Partners In Education
We are in this together!! We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with your family this year and will work every day to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. Please contact us when there is a question or concern. Thank you for your support and being part of our team!
Your Partner Principals,
Karen Tuttle kmtuttle@fcps.edu
Kate Austin kbaustin@fcps.edu
Heather Mathews HMMathews@fcps.edu
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Want To Be Involved?
Visit the Orange Hunt PTA website for all sponsored events and activities.
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