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Dear Mighty Red Bird Families,
It’s amazing how time flies. It’s hard to believe we have only two days left in the third quarter! We wanted to take a heartfelt moment to celebrate the incredible effort, growth, and perseverance we see from our students every single day. Our hallways and classrooms have been filled with so much meaningful learning and joy, and we couldn't be prouder of how hard our Mighty Red Birds are working. Let’s keep that wonderful momentum going as we finish the quarter strong together!
As a quick reminder, this Friday will be a two-hour early release for all students.
With Spring Break just around the corner, our wish for you is a week filled with rest, rejuvenation, and plenty of quality time with your loved ones. We hope you soak up every bit of the sunshine and relaxation you deserve.The Cardinal Forest Elementary School office will be closed during Spring Break so that our dedicated staff can recharge alongside our students.
We are already excited to welcome everyone back on Tuesday, April 7, as we kick off the final chapter of the school year. Thank you for being such vital partners in our community and for your endless support of our students.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Long, Mrs. Agner, Mrs. Compton
Upcoming Dates 📆
March 27 - 2 Hour Early Release
March 30- April 3 - No School, Spring Break
(the front office will be closed during Spring Break)
April 6 - No School, Teacher Workday
April 10 - No School, School Planning Day
April 10 - Kindergarten Orientation @ 1:30 PM
April 13 - 16 - Scholastic Book Fair
April 15 - Purple Up! Day
April 21 - No School, Statewide Election
 Quarter End/Early Release
Friday, March 27, is the last day of the third quarter and early release for students.
Spring Break
🌷 Schools and school offices will be closed March 30 to April 3 for spring break. Monday, April 6, is a teacher work day and there will be no school for students.
April Statewide Election
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.
Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.
See the complete school year calendar.
Passover
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Chag Sameach to all in our community who will be celebrating Passover! Passover begins sundown April 1 and ends sundown April 9. For Jewish communities, this holiday celebrates the deliverance of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Many Jewish families eat a ceremonial meal known as the Seder, which involves telling the story of the exodus from Egypt as well as eating various symbolic foods. |
Good Friday
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Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the day on which Christians annually observe the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This year, Good Friday will be observed April 3. Good Friday is a day of mourning. During special Good Friday services Christians meditate on Jesus's suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith. Read more at Britannica.com. |
Easter
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A joyful Easter to all in our community who will celebrate on April 5! The springtime celebration of Easter is the most important Christian holiday. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, who Christians believe suffered and died on the cross for the salvation of the world and the forgiveness of sins. Through his own resurrection on Easter, Christians believe Jesus offers the hope of eternal life with God after death. |
🌟Mrs. Long's Blueprint Byte
Tuesday evening, our 2nd graders delighted families during their showcase with songs centered on unity and togetherness. It was a wonderful reminder of how the arts help students build community and confidence. Experiences like this reflect our strong music program where students learn not only musical skills but also collaboration, expression, and appreciation for the arts. We are proud of our students and grateful to Ms. Cave and Mr. Vance for creating such a meaningful celebration!
Spring School Portraits- Now Available!
Hello Cardinal Forest Elementary Families! Victor O'Neill Studios recently held Spring portrait day at our school and pictures are now online. All orders will include free shipping until April 6th. Please use the link below to view your student's Spring photos.
https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001355961
Please remember, the online code is the Student ID Number.
For questions about orders, please email underclass@vosphoto.com
2025-2026 Cardinal Forest Yearbook Ordering
1 Visit www.candidcolor.net and select Yearbooks. Enter your access code:CRFEYBK26
2 Select the quantity of books to purchase. Add the yearbook to your cart. Click “view cart” or “checkout” to verify your order and continue.
3 Fill out your student’s information. Enter your billing information and pay by credit card.
Order your yearbook by: March 28, 2026
Cardinal Forest Yearbook Cover Contest
 Contest Rules
Please follow all contest guidelines below:
- Submit an original drawing on an 8½ inch by 11-inch piece of white paper.
- The design must be vertical (portrait orientation).
- The drawing must include a cardinal and the words “Cardinal Forest.”
- The drawing must be fully colored.
- Use crayons or markers only.
- Add as many details as possible.
- Write your student name and teacher name on the back of your paper.
- Entries are due by April 8, 2026
🧸Save the Date: Kindergarten Orientation!
We are excited to welcome our newest Mighty Red Birds!
Kindergarten Orientation will be held on April 10 at 1:30 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity for incoming kindergarten students and their families to visit the school, meet our staff, and learn more about what to expect in the year ahead.
More details will be shared soon — we can’t wait to meet our future kindergarten families!
📚 Scholastic Book Fair
Get ready to read, Mighty Red Birds!
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming back to Cardinal Forest Elementary from April 13-16th in the CFES Library.
VISIT Cardinal Forest’s SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR PAGE
Scholastic eWallet
The easiest payment method for the book fair is the eWallet option through Scholastic. Children can pay for their purchases on preloaded accounts set up by their caregivers. Need HELP setting up your child’s eWallet? WATCH this video. Don’t want to set up an eWallet account? No worries, we always accept CASH!
Please join us for Family Shopping Night on Tuesday, April 14th from 4:30-6:30 PM. Families can come and shop at the book fair!
Want a SNEAK PEEK at some of the books at the Book Fair, CLICK HERE for a digital book fair flier.
Volunteers Needed! Please consider helping during our book fair. It’s the BEST volunteer job of the year! CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER!
Interested in donating so students at Cardinal Forest can get free books? Click here to donate. All donations go directly towards Cardinal Forest Students!
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Hawk- mahawk@fcps.edu
☀️ Coming Soon: Friendly Face Fridays!
We are thrilled to announce a new way for our families to connect with our classrooms this spring: Friendly Face Fridays! We invite parents and caregivers to join us for Morning Meeting, the high-energy, heart-centered way we start our school day. This will be a wonderful chance to see our school community in action, see your child in their learning environment, and feel the "blueprint" of our culture firsthand.
Rooted in the Responsive Classroom approach, these 20-minute daily circles use four key components (greeting, sharing, activity, and a message from the teacher) to make sure every student starts their day feeling connected and ready to learn. By participating, you’ll see firsthand how this routine builds the trust and social-emotional skills necessary for a safe, inclusive, and successful day of learning. Friendly Face Friday will begin at 9:20, where parents and caregivers will participate Morning Meeting and then head out as the students transition into their first lesson.
Please mark your calendars for your child's grade-level date:
Please be on the lookout next month for more specific information and details from your child’s classroom teacher. We can’t wait to see your friendly faces in your child's classroom soon!
🎨 West Springfield Pyramid Art Show
Save the Date! Wednesday, April 15th, 5pm-8pm, West Springfield High School
The Pyramid Art Show is our annual art exhibit. Selected artwork from Cardinal Forest ES will be displayed along with artwork from surrounding elementary schools, Irving Middle School and West Springfield High School. Students that have art on display will receive an official invitation with their name on it upon returning from Spring Break! We hope you can join us in celebrating the creativity of our amazing students.
Cardinal Forest SOL Testing Dates (Grades 3-6)
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May 6 – Reading SOL for Grades 3–6
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May 14 – Math SOL for Grades 3–6
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May 19 – Science SOL for Grade 5
Expedited Retake Dates (for students who qualify)
- May 20 – Reading SOL Retakes
- May 21 – Math SOL Retakes
- May 29 – Science SOL Retakes
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.
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.older text.
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:
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.
Countdown to Kindergarten: Supporting a Smooth Transition
 Is your child heading to kindergarten this fall? Join FCPS staff for Countdown to Kindergarten, a virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition! The webinar will take place on Friday, March 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information to support their child's smooth and successful start to kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools. Register to receive the event link.
Kindergarten Registration
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment (the student and one caregiver must be present).
Read more about the registration process. Click to edit this placeholder text.
Arrival and Dismissal - Be A Good Neighbor!
As a reminder, please help us keep arrival and dismissal times safe and smooth for everyone. We ask families to be good neighbors and mindful of:
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Not blocking intersections or painted boxes during Kiss & Ride —this impacts visibility and also prohibits access for emergency vehicles.
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Crossing only in crosswalks and watching carefully for cars.
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Avoiding parking in residential areas, fire lanes, or private parking spaces.
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Refraining from making illegal U-turns.
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
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.
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