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Dear Freedom Hill Families,
It was great to spend a full week back together with our students and settle into our normal rhythm again. Our classrooms were buzzing with learning, and it was a joy to see students engaged and reconnecting with their routines. This week also brought special celebrations, including Valentine’s Day and the 100th day of school. Students enjoyed festive activities and creative 100th-day projects that filled the building with excitement and school pride. Thank you to everyone who supported our 3rd grade field trip and participated in the February PTA meeting—we appreciate your involvement and partnership!
As a reminder, there is no school on Monday or Tuesday as we observe Presidents Day, Lunar Near Year, and the first evening of Ramadan. We hope you enjoy the extended weekend, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday (which is an early release day at 1:05).
Lastly, we are excited to see our students in action next Friday as the PTA hosts our Science Fair! The event will begin at 6:30 PM in the cafeteria, and we look forward to cheering on our participants. We welcome all families to support our students, even if you child did not conduct an experiment this year. We are expecting a special demonstration by to the Marshall HS Robotics Team, too!
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
- February 16 – School Closed, Presidents’ Day
- February 17 - No School for Students, Lunar New Year / First Day of Ramadan
- February 18 - Early Release Wednesday at 1:05
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February 19 - "Warm Up" Spirit Day - Wear Tropical/Bright Colors
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February 20 - Science Fair, 6:30-8:00PM in the Cafeteria - non-participating visitors welcome!
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February 25 - Family Dinner Out (FDO) @ Panera, 8364 Leesburg Pike, Vienna (Use code: FUND4U)
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March 2 - Read-A-Thon Kickoff Event, AM
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This week, we are working on ONE of the FIVE overarching pillars of the Positivity Project. Cheering others’ success is an important test of our character every single day.
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Friends don’t get jealous of each other or begrudge the other for finding success. They celebrate every victory together.”
~Karen Kingsbury
Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- Be grateful. The root of jealousy is cut off when you focus on the things you DO have, not that you don’t have.
- Be inspired instead of discouraged by their success.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone is different.
- Know that your value does not come from external things.
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, 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 first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. 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.
 🐎 새해 복 많이 받으세요! 新年快乐! Chúc mừng Năm Mới!
Wishing good fortune to those in our community who celebrate Lunar New Year! For those in many East and Southeast Asian countries, including Pacific Islanders, the Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year and is all about ushering in luck and prosperity with family.
 Ramadan Mubarak to those in our community who observe! In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity, and good deeds. Muslims believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad.
 On Wednesday, we recognize those in our community observing Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is observed as a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the beginning of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading up to Easter. Many Christians attend special Ash Wednesday church services, at which churchgoers receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of penance.
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 15 - 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)
✨YOU’RE INVITED✨TO THE FREEDOM HILL SCIENCE FAIR W/ SPECIAL DEMONSTRATION BY HS ROBOTICS TEAMS!
Freedom Hill's Science Fair is returning on Friday, Feb. 20th, with special demonstrations by the Marshall High School Robotics Team and the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Robotics Team! All are welcome to see Freedom Hill student projects, and to watch some robots in action!
Students are still able to sign up to participate with projects. 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.
The form is due on Feb. 15th to Hubert at hubertchao@gmail.com or to the PTA Mailbox in the office.
We also need people to help with the Science Fair! Sign up here.
PTA Quick Links:
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