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Dear Freedom Hill Families,
We were tremendously grateful for a positive week On The Hill! In particular, it takes a village to hold a successful Read-A-Thon. Thank you to everyone who has supported our literacy efforts and helped our students log their minutes. The fun will be ending Monday evening, so be sure to log your final minutes! And speaking of reading, don't forget that Ms. Trott and her library helpers are holding the Spring Book Fair this week! We were also grateful for our many chaperones who supported field trips this week to Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
In other news - what an interesting week of weather! This time of year can certainly keep us guessing, so it might be wise to keep those winter coats within reach a little while longer. Additionally, in response to potential thunderstorms this week, we will be holding our yearly Tornado Drill (previously scheduled for later this week) on Monday morning.
Strong family engagement helps create a positive, supportive school environment where every student can thrive. Hearing from our families is an important part of that work. The FCPS Family Engagement Survey, offered every other year, gives you the opportunity to share feedback about how we can best support your child and your family.
Parents and caregivers received an email from FCPS on March 9 with the subject line “FCPS Family Engagement Survey.” The message includes a personal survey link. The survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. If you need to pause, your responses will be saved so you can return later. Please submit your survey by Monday, March 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and help strengthen our school community.
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
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March 13 - 19 - Spring Book Fair
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March 18 - 3-Hour Early Release at 1:05
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March 18 - PTA Family Dinner Out @ Taco Bamba Vienna (flyer) & Ben & Jerry's. Mention “Freedom Hill” at checkout, 4-9PM (flyer) 🍨
- March 20 – School Closed, Eid Al-Fitr
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March 27 – End of Q3, 2-Hour Early Release
- March 30 – April 3: Spring Break
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This week, we are working on ONE of the FIVE overarching pillars of the Positivity Project. Identifying and appreciating the good in others can sometimes be difficult to do if we are too focused on ourselves.
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“It’s not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.”
~Confucius
Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- What is expressing appreciation?
- Why does it take COURAGE to express appreciation?
- What are some ways you can show appreciation of others?
- How does it make you feel when someone expresses appreciation?
Students in grades 3-6 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 Freedom Hill. More information will be provided as we get closer to the testing window and is available on the SOL Tests in Elementary School page on the FCPS website.
- Tuesday, March 24: Grade 5 Integrated Reading and Writing SOL
- Tuesday, April 28: Grade 6 & Grade 4 Reading SOL
- Thursday, April 30: Grade 5 & Grade 3 Reading SOL
- Thursday, May 7: Grade 5 Math SOL
- Thursday, May 12: Grade 4 Math SOL
- Thursday, May 14: Grade 5 Science & Grade 3 Math SOL
- Tuesday, May 19: Grade 6 SOL
- May 28 - June 3: Retakes for identified students
Please avoid scheduling appointments for students on the dates that students will participate in the SOLs.
A reminder that our next Early Release Wednesday is March 18th. Students will be released based on the selection that was made earlier this year. At this time, changes cannot be made for 3/18. If you would like to pick your child up early, you may come to the office at 1pm.
Remaining dates include:
Read more about early release Wednesdays on the FCPS website.
April Statewide Election: No School for Students - There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21st, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. They are currently reviewing the county’s 2027 Fiscal Year Advertised Budget and are considering possible adjustments before the final county budget is adopted in May. Provide the county with feedback on how you would like your tax dollars spent by completing this survey.
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. (unless otherwise noted) on:
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Tuesday, March 3, at Waples Mill Elementary School.
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Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
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Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
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Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
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Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, is open from Monday, March 9th, to Monday, March 23rd. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment
- Communication
- Student success
- Advocacy
- Family and school partnerships
- Community partnerships
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive a survey link via email from FCPS on March 9. A survey link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available at each school. Please stay tuned for more information.
FCPS’ 2026 Special Education Family Conference has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18th, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marshall High School. Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event. If you registered before, please re-register for the new date. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this date change may cause and appreciate your understanding.
      
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March 2 - 16 - Read-A-Thon extended until Monday, March 16! 📖
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March 18 (early release) - FDO @ Taco Bamba, 164 Maple Ave West (Vienna Shopping Center). Mention “Freedom Hill” at checkout, or use code GIVE20 for online orders, 9AM-9PM (flyer) 🌮
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March 18 - In the afternoon, head a few doors over for ice cream at Ben & Jerry's. Mention “Freedom Hill” at checkout, 4-9PM (flyer) 🍨
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April 5 - FHES PTA Teacher & Staff Grant Program application due 📝
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April 15 - PTA Meeting in the Library and via Zoom, 6PM
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April 17 - Cultural Heritage Parade, 9:30–10:30AM @ Freedom Hill (Sign-up Form)
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April 24 - Freedom Hill vs. Westgate Volleyball Game, 6:30PM-8PM, Marshall High School 🏐
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May 21 - PTA Meeting & Volunteer Celebration in the Library and via Zoom, 6PM
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May 29 - Cultural Heritage Night, 6–8 PM, in the Cafeteria 🌐
VOLLEYBALL GAME COMING SOON!
We’re serving up an evening of friendly competition between the FHES staff and the Westgate staff in the annual volleyball showdown! If you haven’t already, mark your calendars for Friday, April 24th from 6:30pm-8pm at Marshall High School and we’ll see you there! Tickets are $5 (children under 5 years old are free), whole pizzas are $15, pizza slices are $3, and drinks and snacks are $1-$2. Save yourself time and pre-order your tickets and pizza on the PTA website. We always need volunteers to make events successful so sign-up for a volunteer shift too! Look for a flyer to come home in your student’s backpack.
READ-A-THON EXTENDED UNTIL MONDAY, MARCH 16!
We’re almost at our 300,000-minute goal, so the Read-A-Thon has been extended until Monday, March 16.
Read, Eagles, Read!
There’s still time to log reading minutes and collect donations by registering your reader.
To register:
- Go to https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/XEyHjV/1 and click “Register My Reader.”
- Find and select your reader’s teacher.
- Search for and select your reader, then create your account.
FAMILY DINNER (AND DESSERT!) OUT - MARCH 18 🌮🍨
Our next Family Dinner Out is coming up, and it’s a delicious double‑stop day for Freedom Hill!
Start anytime between 9:00am–9:00pm at Taco Bamba in the Vienna Shopping Center. Enjoy tacos and more, and be sure to mention “Freedom Hill” or use code GIVE20 for online orders.
Then swing by Ben & Jerry’s just a few doors down between 4:00pm–9:00pm for an afternoon treat. Mention “Freedom Hill” at checkout and 20% of all purchases will support our school.
Thank you for helping us build community and raise funds in such a tasty way.
CULTURAL HERITAGE PARADE - SIGN UP BY APRIL 10
Join us for Freedom Hill’s annual Culture Heritage Day Parade on Friday, April 17, from 10:00–10:30 AM. Students are invited to represent their country of origin - submit the form or scan the QR code by April 10. Volunteers are also needed to help organize or clean up.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email the parade coordinator, Smriti Choudhary, at choudharysmriti@gmail.com.
2026-2027 PTA BOARD NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN
Nominations are now open for the PTA Board for the 2026-2027 school year! You can read about the position on the PTA website, and you can self-nominate for one or more positions using this Google form or the paper flier that will come home in your student’s folder. If you have any questions, email president@freedomhillpta.org. Nominations close March 31st.
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