Coates Family Newsletter for 3/27/26

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We wish all of our students and families a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break! 🌸 Spring Break will take place from March 30th through April 3rd. Please note that Monday, April 6th is a Teacher Workday, so there is no school for students that day. We look forward to welcoming our Stars back on Tuesday, April 7th, refreshed and ready to learn! ✨

Congrats to our Shining Star Shoutout students for this past week.  The students recognized for demonstrating what it means to be a Shining Star this week are:

Kindergarten:

Muska Nasiry (Ready to Shine)

Neha Ramkumar (Ready to Shine)

Kamal Sagal (Ready to Shine)

1st Grade:

 (Respectful)

 (Respectful)

 (Responsible)

2nd Grade:

 (Responsible)

3rd Grade:

Killian Haynes (Respectful)

Kwame Owusu-Afriyie (Ready to Shine)

Jasmine Giron Castro (Ready to Shine)

Melo Roberts (Ready to Shine)

Eva Rivas (Ready to Shine)

4th Grade:

Seba Alboqami (Ready to Shine)

Anthony Stokes (Ready to Shine)

Wesley Smith (Ready to Shine)

Dylan Vilchez Leal (Ready to Shine)

Andres Ventura (Ready to Shine)

Aradhana Saravanan (Responsible)

Abhisheka Saravanan (Responsible)

Danna Cruz (Responsible)

Nauman Sadat (Responsible)

Rishi Suri (Respectful)

Eleanor Toma (Respectful)

Jada Stephens (Respectful)

Alexa Olayo-Morales (Respectful)

Luna Silva Tello (Respectful)

5th Grade:

Joseph Gomez Maldonado (Ready to Shine)

Laya Senthilkumar (Ready to Shine)

Bushra Musadiq (Ready to Shine)

Joud Abuaskar (Responsible)

Kendra Cruz (Responsible)

Kira Naylor (Responsible)

Yadiel Amaya Escobar (Responsible)

Dagem Tilahun (Responsible)

Braylen Brazelton (Responsible)

6th Grade:

Jose Melgar Guzman (Ready to Shine)

Betanya Tebebu (Ready to Shine)

Adel Balto (Ready to Shine)

Kimberly Rivas (Responsible)

Layla Abdelhalim (Responsible)


Weekly Attendance Incentive Winners

The classrooms with the highest attendance from this past week is:

  • Ms. Aboubakr
  • Mr. Casas
  • Ms. Cornejo
  • Ms. Grubbs
  • Ms. Solotruk

Congratulations! 🎉

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Multicultural Night

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Multicultural Night returns this spring to Coates!  The event will be on Friday, April 17th, from 5:30-8:00pm. 

We want to ensure that your country is represented. We currently have 24 countries registered so far!  At this time the google form is closed but you can still send an email or Talking Points message to Solangie McPherson at SVMcPherson@fcps.edu to have your country represented.


Kindergarten Registration Now Open!

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Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 30? It’s time to register for kindergarten at Coates Elementary! We encourage families to register this week so we can begin sharing important information and updates with you.

To register, please call the main office at 703-713-3000 or visit:
https://coateses.fcps.edu/student-services/student-registration

Our Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Wednesday, May 20 from 5–6 PM. We look forward to welcoming our newest Coates Stars! Please be sure to complete registration soon so you don’t miss important communications.


Coates Family Academy Classes

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Strengthening Families – Our last Module

Coates ES offers a free program for families with students aged 10 to 14. Join 7 sessions to build respect and family unity.

Adults: to listen actively, manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and set boundaries.

Students: to set goals, make better decisions, and overcome peer pressure.

Starts April 7 at 6:30 pm. We meet every Tuesday.

Nosotros ofrecemos estas sesiones en español los jueves a las 6:30pm

Dinner and childcare for young kids ( Ages 4 to 11) provided.

Please see the flyer for more details.

Registration link:

Edu-Futuro Información Demográfica Programa para Padres / Edu-Futuro Parent Program Demographic Information


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Loving Solutions Parenting Class

Loving Solutions guide you on how to:

  • Improve communication and boost self- esteem.
  • Support strong-willed children in a positive and loving way.
  • Create a space of harmony at home.

Starts April 7 at 6:30 pm. We meet every Tuesday.

Nosotros ofrecemos estas sesiones en español los jueves a las 6:30pm

Dinner and childcare for young kids ( Ages 4 to 11) provided.

Please see the flyer for more details.

Registration link:

Loving Solutions Class- English- Coates Elementary School


🎨 Westfield Pyramid Art Show 🎨

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Come celebrate the creativity and talent of our students at the Westfield Pyramid Art Show! The event will be held in the Westfield High School gymnasium on:

  • April 8th: 8:20 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.
    Awards Ceremony: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • April 9th: 8:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

We hope you’ll stop by to admire the incredible artwork and support our young artists! 🖌️


2026 Special Education Family Conference

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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.


Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

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:

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.


Elementary Early Release Wednesday Update for April

Tuesday, April 21, is now a teacher workday and staff development day because of a recently announced special election that will impact all FCPS schools.

Students will have a traditional full day of instruction and be released at the regular dismissal time on April 22 and April 29, which were previously early release Wednesdays for elementary schools.

This adjustment allows our staff to still have dedicated time for planning, collaboration, and professional learning without reducing instructional time on other school days.Read Dr. Reid’s letter to elementary parents for more details.


🌸 Great Falls Optimist Club Spring Children’s Festival 🌸

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Join the fun at the annual Great Falls Optimist Club Spring Children’s Festival on the last Sunday in April from 12–4 PM! Bring the whole family out for an afternoon filled with rides, games, food, raffles, and more—there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

📍 Located behind the Great Falls Post Office
💲 Cost: $20 per child | Children under 2 and parents are FREE

Don’t miss this exciting community event—we hope to see you there! 🎉


FCPS Commitment to Weather Safety

At FCPS, the safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our highest priority — no matter the season. In extreme cold, we monitor National Weather Service (NWS) guidance, adjust outdoor activities, and ensure our buildings are warm and secure. In extreme heat, we modify or cancel outdoor activities, use on-site measurements to guide athletic decisions, and promote hydration and cooling breaks. 

FCPS has plans in place to provide guidance during severe weather, including storms, flooding, and tornadoes. Decisions are informed by industry best practices, weather alerts, and a commitment to keeping our school community safe and healthy year-round. Read more about weather safety, including the differences between an advisory, watch, and warning.


Provide the County Government With Feedback on Its Budget

About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget and considering possible adjustments before adoption in May. Opportunities to provide feedback to the county include Budget Town Hall Meetings airing on Channel 16 on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m., (Springfield District) and Friday, April 10, at 6 p.m., (Franconia District).

You can also provide your input during the county’s Budget public hearings on Tuesday, April 14, at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m. at the Government Center Board Auditorium. Register in advance to speak

Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn more about the county’s FY 2027 Budget. 


Discover What’s New on the Menu

FCPS is excited to bring new and flavorful menu items to students while continuing to meet the high nutrition standards you trust. The school division’s registered dietitian team has developed standards to make school meals healthier while still tasting great.

Here’s what students can look forward to:

  • New globally inspired dishes that offer exciting flavors from around the world.
  • Fresh ingredients like whole grains, lean proteins, and plant-based options.
  • Scratch-made items like homemade granola.
  • Vegetarian options, like the meatless Philly melt, which are available alongside classic favorites.

Our goal is to provide balanced, safe, and flavorful meals that support students’ learning, growth, and overall health.

Want to know what’s on the menu? Food and Nutrition Services has menus available.


Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

FCPS Cares

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees, specifically at Coates.


Mark Your Calendar

march

30th-31st- Spring Break- No School

april

1st-3rd- Spring Break (continued)- No School

6th- Teacher Work Day- No School

6th-10th- Assistant Principal Appreciation Week

8th- School Spring Picture Day

10th- School Planning Day- No School

15th- Military Child Appreciation Day- "Purple Up! Day"

17th- Multicultural Night- 5:30-8 pm

18th- All County Chorus Concert

21st- April Election Day- No School for Students

27th-May 22nd- SOL Testing Window

28th- School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

*The full FCPS 2024-2025 calendar can be accessed here.