Forestville Focus

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Calendar Reminders

March 26: Tribute Concert for Former Band Teacher, Erica Hirt (Herndon High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.) March 27: Quarter 3 Ends 2-Hour Early Dismissal (Dismissal at 2:00 p.m.) March 30 - April 3: Spring Break - School & Office Closed April 6: Teacher Workday - Student Holiday April 10: Teacher Workday - Student Holiday April 10: Save the Date - Rising Kindergarten Orientation (9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in cafeteria) April 15: Purple Up Day - Wear Purple in support of military-connected youth April 21: NEW**Student Holiday/Teacher Workday - due to special election  April 22: Full day of school - Early Release Wednesday cancelled

Tribute Concert for Mrs. Erica Hirt - TONIGHT

Forestville invites families to attend the Herndon Pyramid Concert this evening, Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Herndon Hight School. Our former band teacher, Mrs. Erica Hirt will be recognized by her Herndon Pyramid students. In addition to her service at Forestville, Mrs. Hirt served the Herndon Pyramid for more than 12 years and was a former Herndon High School band member when she was in school. We have learned that she will be honored in a concert this evening and welcome any interested families to attend (Enter Door 8 across from Football Stadium) or tune in to the livestream. It will be live-streamed on the Pride of Herndon Pridecam —please refresh the page closer to the start time. Videos will also be available for viewing and downloading on the band website and the Herndon Band YouTube channel. . 

In addition, Herndon High Band Boosters has created a donation page to honor Mrs. Hirt through a scholarship fund to support band student trips and materials. Read more information here.

From the Herndon High Band Director:

On Thursday evening, March 26th, we honor Erica Hirt’s contribution to our community. Performers will be wearing pins of a “tuxedo t-shirt” design that Erica created for the Area Band when the current Seniors (Class of 2026) were in the band back in 2019.  There is also a sixth-grade bassoonist from Armstrong Elementary School who is playing the bassoon that Erica played when she was in the Herndon Band. It will be a night full of memories. https://www.herndonband.org/remembering-erica-hirt.

Through donations to the giving fund, the Herndon Band Parent Association will purchase a set of music for the Area Band to keep in their library for all the elementary schools to use over the next few years. We plan to create the “Hirt Family Scholarship” in honor of both Erica and her father Eric for their contributions to the band. It will be an annual $750 scholarship. We will also use some funds to help students who need to pay for our spring trip and to sponsor individual lessons with professional coaches.

2-Hour Early Dismissal FRIDAY Forestville reminds families that there will be a 2-hour early dismissal tomorrow, Friday, March 27. Students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m. Please ensure all students know their route home as there is no supervision available on early dismissal days. SACC is open to registered families.

Forestville Thanks Mrs. Carlson Forestville Assistant Principal Mrs. Afton Carlson will have her last day with us tomorrow, Friday. We are so appreciative of her 4 years of service to our Forestville students, staff and families. She has had such a positive influence on our school community and while we will miss her, we are glad for her to have time with her young daughters! We look forward to welcoming our interim assistant principal, Mr. Rob Plunkett, to our school following Spring Break. Mr. Plunkett will be with us for the remainder of the school year.

Office Closed for Spring Break Forestville office will be closed over spring break. We will re-open on Monday, April 6 at 8:30 a.m. (the student holiday). We wish all students and families and safe and happy spring break!

April Calendar Reminders & Updates Forestville would like to remind families about two recent calendar adjustments impacting our April schedule. As FCPS Superintendent Dr. Reid shared last evening, our April 22 Early Release Wednesday is cancelled and we will have a full day of school. This is due to the closure on April 21 as it is now a special election day in many school. April 6 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday April 10 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday/Kinder Orientation April 21 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday April 22 - Full day of school; no longer Early Release Wednesday

Forestville Fourth Graders at Work

Forestville fourth graders were recently caught working through a Social Studies lesson on identifying differences between the North and South during the mid 1800s. They were using a combination of print and online textbooks and a graphic organizer to capture their thoughts. These Cardinals were caught working right up to our Spring Break and a HUGE shout out to our teachers for keeping up the content until our students begin break!

Kindergarten Keeps on Learning

Forestville kindergarten students were working in math stations and practicing their numeracy skills of double-digit numbers! They were writing numbers, building numbers with shapes and counting and matching quantities. Building these early numeracy skills help set a solid foundation for all the math to come!

Forestville invites all rising kindergarten students and their families to our annual Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, April 10. This fun-filled hour is designed for both student and parents/guardians. Attendees will have a chance to meet Kindergarten staff, Forestville Specialists and Administration. They will get to visit a Kindergarten classroom, the gym and more! Be sure to save the date and spread the word to neighbors and friends!

When: Friday, April 10, 2026

Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Location: Forestville Elementary

Missing Something?

Forestville invites all families to visit our Lost and Found the next time they are at school or send your child on a reconnaissance mission! Our Lost & Found is busting at the seams and all items left over Spring Break will be donated. Please check for any items that may have been left behind.

💻Standards of Learning Assessments 

Students in grades 3-8 participate in state assessments each year.  These assessments measure how students are learning the state standards.  Below is the current schedule for the spring Standards of Learning tests at Forestville Elementary. Visit the FCPS webpage here for more information about these assessments.

• Grades 5 and 6 Reading

  • Tuesday, May 5

• Grades 3 and 4 Reading

  • Thursday, May 7

• Grades 5 and 6 Math

  • Tuesday, May 12

• Grades 3 and 4 Math

  • Thursday, May 14

• Grade 5 Science

  • Tuesday, May 19

Want to see what learning, laughter, and life at Forestville really look like? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for a front-row seat to the amazing moments happening in our classrooms and around our school. From special events and student highlights to spirit days and everyday fun—you won’t want to miss a thing!

📸 Facebook: ForestvilleFCPS
📸 Instagram: @forestvillefcps

Nominate a Forestville Employee Today Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team? Share an FCPS CARES! Families, colleagues, and students are all invited to submit. The FCPS CARES is automatically sent to the recipient(s) and their supervisor, and is posted on fcps.edu. Additionally, each month one school in our region wins a staff celebration from HR. We encourage our community to show our staff that their hard work is appreciated and we thank you in advance for your time!

April is Purple Up Month Forestville and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are 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, in our Custom Ink online store. These items highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our 14,500 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS!    Spirit Wear Store (for families): https://www.customink.com/s/fcps-purple-up-spirit-wear-store

Langley Pyramid Youth Night - April 14

Forestville invites all students and families to join us at Langley Pyramid Youth Tailgate on April 14. Students are admitted free to high school Lacrosse and Baseball with a paying adult. Come root on our former Cardinals and current Saxons!

Tuesday Folder

Forestville uses Schoology for all Tuesday Folder contents. All flyers are posted to Schoology Course: Forestville All Parents and contents are listed below.

• Kindergarten Orientation & Registration Flyer
• Pupatella Fundraiser - April 7
• Great Falls Basketball Camp
• PTA Monday Afterschool Activity - Soccer
• Tuesday Folder Content Disclaimer
• Great Falls Celebration
• Bands on the Run - Langley Pyramid 5K
• Langley Pyramid Youth Tailgate
• Techstravaganza 2026

Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on: 

• Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
• Thursday, April 16, at Ravensworth Elementary School (note date change).
• Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.

Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.

2026 Special Education Family Conference

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School. 

Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.

Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.

2026 Awards Recognizing Special Education Supporters

Nominations are open for the 2026 Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Awards, which recognize educators, staff, volunteers, and community members who go above and beyond to support students receiving special education services. The annual program celebrates individuals across Fairfax County Public Schools who demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusion, support, and student success.

Honorees may include teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, therapists, volunteers, and other community members who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families. Nominations are open through Friday, March 27, and can be submitted online.

Award recipients will be recognized at the SEPTA Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 2, where families, educators, and community members will gather to celebrate those helping build more inclusive and supportive school communities. Registration details for the ceremony will be announced at a later date.

📰FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Winter Sports Champions
• Parent Acknowledgement of Course Requests
• Last Chance to Take the Family Engagement Survey

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  

Thank you Forestville Families! Forestville would like to thank our wonderful PTA for partnering again with Celebrate Great Falls for our annual auction. Forestville families raised more than $3000 and we look forward to the variety of staff sponsored activities happening with students later this spring.

📔Yearbooks Now On Sale Don't Miss Out on the 2025-26 Yearbook The 2025-26 school year is full of special moments. You can make sure they last forever by ordering your yearbook today! Online sales are officially open. Ordering is quick and easy through our secure website. Please use the link and school ID code below to reserve your copy: Website: www.BuyTheYearbook.com School ID Code: 732280 There are two options available for families this year: Standard Yearbook: $25 Yearbook with Foil Name on Cover: $30 Be sure to order soon to guarantee your student receives a copy of this year’s memories!

Hollywood Night Dance for Grades 4-6

Forestville PTA is looking forward to Hollywood Night, a dance for students in Grades 4-6 on Friday, April 24. This is NOT a drop off event. More information to come! See you on the red carpet!

1085 Utterback Store Road | Great Falls, VA 22066 | 703.404.6000 
Attendance: submit online or call 703.404.6098 | Web | Twitter
Administration: Sarah Brooker | Afton Carlson