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Check out what is happening at Orange Hunt:
Thank you to our PTA and families for making our staff feel like true movie stars before spring break! The personalized stars, treat cart, swag bags, and wonderful lunch meant so much to our team. We are incredibly grateful for your kindness and for the trust you place in us each day to care for your children. We value our partnership with you and appreciate your continued support.
URGENT NOTICE: CALENDAR CHANGE
April 21st - Student Holiday due to special election voting
April 22nd - FULL DAY OF SCHOOL - 3-hour early dismissal is CANCELED
 See more information later in this newsletter for Month of the Military Child.
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Boosterthon is Here!
We’re thrilled for this year’s main fundraiser — Orange Hunt Owl Fun Run! Our goal is to raise $40,000 for enriching student experiences through arts programs, campus improvements, teacher support, and field trips to benefit our students at Orange Hunt.
Sign up and share the site with friends and family! Register your students at mybooster.com
The Fun Run will be held on 4/24 during the school day. Stay tuned for more information.
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THANK YOU!!!
New Earth Landscaping, LLC, and Richard’s Tree Service worked for several hours on Friday, March 20 to trim trees and clean up the Orange Hunt courtyard. The work was provided pro bono to give a jump-start to the Sensory Garden project led by Teacher Costello-Mays. Orange Hunt is the recipient of an Educate Fairfax grant that is being used to help fund the purchase of new plants, planting beds, and sensory items to help make the courtyard a peaceful and useful space for all students and staff. This initiative is also being incorporated into the lessons with Get2Green to have a lasting impact on our school community.
FCPS CTE Summer Learning Opportunity!
We're thrilled to invite you to join us for an unforgettable experience at one of the CTE summer enrichment programs! These week-long programs will introduce you to the wonderful world of Career and Technical Education, help you develop new skills, and make new friends.
Our programs offer a wide range of activities designed to spark your curiosity and keep you engaged. You will have the opportunity to learn coding, problem solving, cooking, and more! Our experienced and enthusiastic teachers are dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and fun environment where you can challenge yourself and discover new passions.
You can find more details about our programs on our camp websites below:
We are able to offer a limited number of students currently in grades 2-6 at Orange Hunt ES with a one-week registration at no cost! If you are interested in this opportunity, please fill out the interest form linked below by April 15th.
CTE Summer Enrichment Interest Form: https://forms.gle/ytfQWmR4MQ6FuvrBA
Families will be notified by the end of April to confirm whether they will receive one of the sponsored seats—students will be chosen by a lottery if there are more interested families than seats available.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Beth Mehr, CTE Educational Specialist at bgmehr@fcps.edu. We'd be happy to chat with you and your family.
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.
Hmmmm, Did I Buy a Yearbook?
Not sure if you’ve purchased a yearbook this year? Search your email for “Do Not Reply Buy the Yearbook.com.”
If you still have questions, you can email Ann Prentice at aiprentice@fcps.edu who can search for you.
You can still order here:
www.buytheyearbook.com
School ID: 730467
The last day to order yearbooks is Friday, April 24th.
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FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback
On Monday, April 6, you will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity for you to share anonymous feedback on key aspects of our school, including:
- Instructional leadership
- School climate
- Management (human resources and organizational)
- Communication and community relations
- Culturally responsive and equitable leadership
- Professionalism
The questionnaire will be open April 6 - April 19 and will be collected online. When you receive the email from noreply@fcps.edu, please take a few minutes to complete it. Your feedback is important and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and participation.
Early Release Wednesdays
Please note that the April 22nd early release day has been reassigned as a FULL SCHOOL day.
Our final 3-hour early release day this school year will be on May 13th.
Attendance Reporting -
Student Absences/Late Arrivals
Please report all student absences and late arrivals by one of the three ways listed below. Be sure to include the reason for absence and symptoms of illness. Emails to your child's teacher regarding attendance are only a courtesy to the teacher (and very appreciated!) but are not official notice of an absence/late arrival. Thank you for understanding.
SIS ParentVUE: https://myparent.fcps.edu/login.xhtml
*Late arrivals may be reported through ParentVUE even though it says full-day absences!
Attendance Line: 703-913-6868
Attendance Email: OrangeHuntES.Attendance@fcps.edu
Questions regarding attendance and FCPS attendance codes may be directed to Connie Keefer in the main office.
Spring SOL Testing Dates
Please avoid scheduling appointments and travel on testing days.
The Spring SOL testing dates for Orange Hunt are as follows:
Date Subject Grade
Thursday, April 30 Reading 3,4,5,and 6
Tuesday, May 5 Math 3,4,5,and 6
(adv. math for 5th & 6th grade)
Thursday, May 14 Science 5th grade only
**Note: Make-up tests will be given throughout the testing window for students who are absent on the day of the school testing.
2026 Special Education Family Conference
Stronger Together: Connecting Families & Schools, has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 18, 2026. This in-person event will offer opening sessions for all participants in the morning and choice breakout sessions. This no-cost, in-person event is hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools in collaboration with a host of internal and external community partners. Families will have the opportunity to hear a keynote address from internationally renowned educator and advocate, Dr. Shelley Moore, connect to resources, and participate in afternoon sessions.
Location: George C. Marshall High School 7731 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22043
Time: 8:30am to 3:30pm
Click here to register and provide your contact information, request for childcare, special accommodations, and language interpretation needs.
Additional information is available on the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage.
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.
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:
See graphic above for Month of the Military Child spirit week!
Upcoming Events
4/10: Student Holiday / School Planning Day
4/30: Reading SOL, Grades: 3, 4, 5 & 6
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PTA News & Events
Check out the PTA website for information on all activities.
Looking for Orange Hunt Spirit Wear check out the PTA website for a great collection
Orange Hunt Elementary PTA - OHES PTA Blog
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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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