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March 19, 2026

Dear Beech Tree Families,

I want to take a moment to celebrate a wonderful week in our school community and to recognize the many ways our students, families, and staff continue to make Beech Tree such a special place.

A Fantastic PTA Fun Fair

• A heartfelt thank you to our PTA for organizing an incredible Fun Fair on Saturday, March 14th
• The event brought out a large turnout of families and staff.
• Students enjoyed a wide variety of games, activities, and delicious food.
• We were fortunate to have beautiful weather, which made the day even more enjoyable.
• Most importantly, it was an opportunity for our community to come together and connect.

• It was wonderful to welcome Superintendent Dr. Reid, who spent time engaging with students, families, and staff. She experienced firsthand the energy and spirit of our Beech Tree community.

We are so grateful for the time, energy, and care the PTA and teachers put into creating these memorable experiences for our students. A special thank you to Ms. A and Ms. Parse for being this year's PTA Teacher Liaisons.

Cereal Drive Success

• Our school community collected 754 boxes of cereal.
• Donations will support Cereal 4 All in partnership with Food for Others organizations.
• This effort reflects the generosity and compassion of our students and families.

Thank you for helping us make a meaningful impact for families in need.

A Strong Finish to the Week

• While we began the week with a three-hour early release due to a tornado threat, we quickly regained momentum.
• Classrooms remained focused and engaged throughout the week diligently working through core content areas.
• Students continued to demonstrate perseverance, curiosity, and a commitment to learning even with a disrupted schedule.

Students and staff ended the week on a strong and positive note.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. It is truly a privilege to serve this community.

With appreciation,

Principal Clarke & Assistant Principal Barry

📌March 20-Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz Religious/Cultural Observances, No School

📌March 25-Early Release Wednesday- 1:00pm dismissal 

📌March 27-End of Third Quarter - 2-hour Early Release 2:00pm

📌March 30-April 3-Holidays | Spring Break | No School 

📌April 6-Student Holiday/Teacher Workday-No School 

📌April 10-Student Holiday/School Planning Day-No school

📌April 15-Spring Concert 6:30pm Gym

📌April 16-Spring Picture Day-Individuals and Class Group

📌April 21 - NEW!  No School for Students - Voting Day

📌April 29- Early Release Wednesday- 1:00pm Student dismissal 
 Kindergarten Orientation 3:00pm

**Please reference the 2025-2026 School Year FCPS Calendar when making appointments or scheduling family trips.  Attendance counts and everyday matters! **

*To ensure the safety and well-being of our students, we kindly request that parents or guardians accompany their children to school events*

📝 Important SOL Testing Dates

Please mark your calendars! To help your student perform their best, please try to avoid scheduling appointments on these specific assessment days.

🌟 5 Tips for a Successful Test Day

We want our students to feel confident and ready to shine! Here is how you can help at home:

1. 💤 Catch Some Zzz’s: It is important that students get plenty of rest the night before the test.
2. 🍳 Fuel Up: A nutritious breakfast provides the energy needed for focus and concentration.
3. ⏰ Beat the Clock: Please ensure students arrive at school on time.
4. ⏳ No Need to Rush: Remind your child that these tests are not a race. They may take as much time as they need to finish.
5. ❤️ Positive Vibes: A little encouragement goes a long way! Remind them to simply breathe and do their very best.

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.

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.

📅Future Beech Tree ES Early Release Dates

The following Wednesdays are early release days, with a release time of 1:00 pm:

📌March 25 📌

• April 29
• May 20

Take a moment to acknowledge and affirm a Beech Tree staff member when they go above and beyond in demonstrating care and dedication that ensures every one of our students is seen, heard, and valued. FCPS Cares. All FCPS Cares nominees are considered for an additional monthly award.

📸 Show Your School Pride! Order Your Yearbook NOW! 🌳

It's time to capture the memories of the school year! Don't let your student miss out on the Beech Tree Elementary School 2025-2026 Yearbook. It's the best way to remember friends, favorite teachers, and all the exciting events from this year!

Let’s Be Partners in Your Child’s
Education – Part 1

We are proud to announce that Beech Tree is collaborating with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services to present an important workshop for our families:

Date: March 25, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Beech Tree Cafeteria

Childcare will be available.

Pizza and light refreshments will be provided. Please register to attend using the link below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Y5Z_kTEiZ9LJ_5sigfdNLDn325N22R4UtGgKi2Dauv0/edit

☎️ Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

Beech Day=Lunch Visits

Beech Days (Open Days in YELLOW):

These are the days you can come to school and have lunch with your student:

• April: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Lunch Schedule

Unavailable Days Due to Wednesday Early Release (in RED):

These are the dates where Beech Days are unavailable because of early release closures:

• March: 25
• April: 29
• May: 20

We encourage family members to enjoy the same lunch as their child, whether it's a packed lunch or from the school cafeteria. To maintain the integrity of our meal program, we kindly request refraining from bringing fast food options.

On the day of your child's scheduled lunch, please arrive 5 minutes early to sign in at the office. Our staff will direct you to the cafeteria. As you depart, please remember to check out at the office. For those opting to purchase lunch from the cafeteria, adult pricing is $5.00 and non-FCPS students under the age of 18 price is $3.25, payable in cash. For more details on lunch options, please click here.

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.  

Beech Tree School Information

Hours:  9:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (doors open at 9:05 a.m. for arrival)

Attendance Line:  703-531-2626

Attendance Email: BeechTreeElem.Attendance@fcps.edu

School Registrar: Sandra Merino (703) 531-2620

Family Liaison: Ivett Rivas Urbano (703) 531-2601

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3401 Beechtree Lane, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Phone: 703.531.2600
Attendance: 703.531.2626 | Web | Twitter