|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
 What a busy and rewarding week at Dogwood Elementary! From exploring new stories in the classroom to hands-on learning at Frying Pan Farm Park and career day discoveries, our students have been hard at work growing their hearts and minds. We are so proud of our little learners and their endless curiosity!
Dear Dogwood Families,
As we approach the upcoming spring break, we want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for your continued partnership. Whether it is through volunteering, supporting your child’s learning at home, or participating in school events, your involvement is what makes our school community so special.
We hope this break provides a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to rest and recharge. While we want our students to enjoy their time off, we also encourage them to keep their "learning muscles" active by diving into a great book!
Whether it’s reading together before bed, visiting the local library, or exploring a new graphic novel, keeping a book within reach is the best way to keep the momentum going. We can’t wait to hear about the stories our students discovered when they return!
We look forward to seeing everyone back in the building on Tuesday, April 7th, ready for an exciting final stretch of the school year.
Whatever your plans may be, we wish you a safe, healthy, and happy spring break.
Sincerely,
The Dogwood Administration Team
Principal Beckner, Ms. Bell, Ms. Skerker, and Dr. White
Important Dates
March
March 30 - April 3: Spring Break (No School for Students)
April
April 6: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
April 7: Spring Photo Day
April 10: School Planning Day (No School for Students)
April 10: Kindergarten Orientation from 4:30 - 6:30 pm
April 21: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
April 22: 3 Hour Early Release - CANCELED
April 28: Spring Chorus Concert
May
May 1: Pastries with Parents (Literacy)
May 13: 3 Hour Early Release
May 25: Student Holiday (No School)
May 26: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
May 27: Student Holiday (No School)
 Spring Picture Day is coming on Tuesday, April 7
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVT9KXFZK. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Tuesday, April 7. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.
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.
Stuff the Bus
Help the South Lakes Pyramid schools Stuff the Bus! 🚌🍎
On Friday, April 24, an FCPS bus will be traveling to local schools to collect donations for the South Lakes High School Food Pantry. We are looking for various items to help our community, including:
-Canned Goods: Tuna, salmon, soup, and fruit.
-Dry Goods: Pasta, rice, cereal, and macaroni & cheese.
-Hygiene Products: Toiletries, diapers (sizes 4 and 5), and feminine products.
-Pantry Staples: Cooking oil, peanut butter, and spices (plastic jars only, please!).
Participating schools include Dogwood ES, Forest Edge ES, Fox Mill ES, Hunters Woods ES, Lake Anne ES, Sunrise Valley ES, Terraset ES, Langston Hughes MS, and South Lakes HS.
Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…
Do you know anyone with a Kindergarten student? Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open!
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.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process. For more information, call Erin Silvan at 703-262-3100.
💻 Try Online Registration
Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account.
Dogwood's Kindergarten Orientation is April 10th from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. We hope to see you there!
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.
 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 it 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 due to a recently announced special election that will affect 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.
Summer Student Intern Program Applications Open
The FCPS Summer Internship Program is a six-week, paid, in-person opportunity for FCPS high school students and recent alumni enrolled in post-secondary education. The program will run from Monday, July 6, to Friday, August 14. It offers hands-on work experience across central office departments.
Interns will work alongside professionals on projects that help prepare FCPS for the upcoming school year. They will learn about current trends in fields including AI and emerging technologies, business and finance, architecture and construction, communications, safety and cybersecurity, and education and advocacy as well as participate in weekly professional development workshops.
Job descriptions, details, and the interest form (which should be completed by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10) are available on the Summer Internship webpage. Watch a video about last year’s Summer Internship Program and follow @FCPSInterns on Instagram.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- School Weather Safety
- Science Fair Winners
- Summer Internships at FCPS
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
|
