WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE FOREST - 4/10/26

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Apr 13-17          Month of the Military Child                            Spirit Week Mon, Apr 13 -    NEW DATE: 3rd Grade Recorder                            Concert, 7pm Wed, Apr 15 -    FCPS PurpleUp! Day                            Military-Connected Family                            Breakfast, 7:45 - 8:30am                            Progress Reports sent home Fri, Apr 17 -       PTA Superhero Fun Run Tue, Apr 21 -     NO SCHOOL, VA Statewide Election Wed, Apr 22 -    2nd Grade Earth Day Concert, 7pm Thu, Apr 23 -     Parent Workshop - Helping Kids                             Handle Big Emotions, 6-7:30pm                            Evening Kindergarten Registration,                            4:30-7pm

Good afternoon Newington Forest Families,

This morning's Kindergarten Orientation was a great time! I always love to see the faces of rising Kindergarten students as they walk through our halls. I can't wait to see them in the fall.

Next week is going to be a big week at NFES! We will have - 

• Month of the Military Child Spirit Week
• PTA Superhero Fun Run

Please see more details.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Angela Thompson
Principal

Kindergarten Orientation 2026

Rising Kindergarten students for the 2026-2027 school year came through NFES this morning to explore Art, Music, PE, and the Kindergarten hall. We saw lots of excited faces - students AND parents! 

Thank you to the families that came out and supported our Community Clean Up Day! We were able to spread out our mulch mountain into our gardening and outdoor learning space, as well as our pollinator garden. Students were also excited to transplant corn seedings that we started during our last Garden Club day. The garden is ready for more spring planting!

Month of the Military Child is Here! 💜

April is the Month of the Military Child, and we are proud to recognize and celebrate our military-connected students for their strength, resilience, and contributions to our school community.

Get ready to celebrate! During the week of April 13–17, Newington Forest Elementary will honor the Month of the Military Child with a:

• Fun-filled School-Wide Spirit Week - see below!
• Special banner display recognizing our military-connected students
• Military Family Breakfast on April 15.

Be sure to check Wednesday folders for the Spirit Week flyer and student display form—please return completed forms by Monday, April 13 (add a photo if you’d like your child featured on the banner!).

Military-connected families can RSVP for the breakfast here: https://forms.gle/FToud4moaq7w9mBR6.

We can’t wait to celebrate our amazing military kids!

Monday - Heroes in Action Day: Represent your favorite Military Branch

Tuesday - Stars & Stripes Day: Wear stars and/or stripes

Wednesday - PurpleUp! Day: Wear purple

Thursday - Hats off to our Heroes Day: Wear your favorite hat or superhero cape

Friday - Grade Color Day

• K - neon green
• 1st - light blue
• 2nd - black
• 3rd - gray
• 4th - dark blue
• 5th - tie dye
• 6th - red

PTA Fun Run Kickoff

All students from grades K-6 were pumped up. Thank you to the PTA for a fun Kickoff. We can't wait for the Superhero Fun Run! 

NFES Parent Workshop:
Helping KIds Handle Big Emotions

Understanding Anxiety, Stress, and Emotions and How Parents Can Help

THURSDAY, APRIL 23
6:00 - 7:30 PM
ATTEND IN PERSON OR ONLINE

Join us either in person at Newington Forest Elementary or virtually for an informative parent workshop with Rachel Bailey, M.A., Clinical Psychology, who has helped thousands of parents and children learn practical tools for improving behavior, motivation, resilience, and self-esteem. Through her podcasts, speaking engagements, and parenting programs, Rachel shares easy-to use strategies that families can apply right away.

This session will help parents recognize signs of anxiety and stress in children and learn ways to support healthy emotional coping skills at home and at school.

RSVP at bit.ly/April2026Workshop

Questions? Contact Andrea Howard, Family Liaison, at ahoward@fcps.edu

NFES
UPDATED SOL Schedule Spring 2026

Please note the changes in our calendar below! Our SOL testing days are just around the corner. You can help your student feel confident and ready by reviewing the schedule and ensuring they arrive at school on time. If you know your child will be absent on a testing day, please notify their teacher as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly.

Educate Fairfax Student Bookmark Art Contest –

“Today’s Reader, Tomorrow’s Leader”

Educate Fairfax, the 501(c)3 education foundation that partners with the community to support Fairfax County Public Schools students and educators, is launching a divisionwide Student Bookmark Art Contest during March. FCPS students in grades K–12 are invited to design a 2” x 7” bookmark celebrating the power of learning and creativity under the theme “Today’s Reader, Tomorrow’s Leader.”

Artwork must be

• original
• flat (no glitter or pop-ups)
• include the student’s name, grade, and school on the back

Entries will be judged on creativity, connection to the theme, and overall effort. Four winners (K–2, 3–6, middle, and high) will each receive a $25 gift card, and winning designs will be printed and shared in schools and the community. This initiative supports FCPS Goal 3 by promoting literacy and student engagement.

Entries are due Friday, April 17, 2026. Submissions may be mailed to Educate Fairfax (8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031), emailed to info@educatefairfax.org, or sent via pony mail. By submitting, students confirm FCPS enrollment and grant permission for printing and promotion (first name and grade only; parent/guardian signature required for winners).

Please click this link for instructions: Educate Fairfax Bookmark Contest Flyer and Instructions.  

VDH Immunization for Rising 7th Graders

All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations: 

• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older; 
• Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older;  
• A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. 

• • After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents or guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.

If you have an updated immunization record for your student, please submit to Ms. Padua, Registrar, at jpadua@fcps.edu. 

Halfway Through Journeys and Themes in Language Arts

We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 6 in Language Arts! Across grade levels, students have explored stories involving quests, challenges, and problem-solving. 

Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:

• Question: Which character has been your favorite from this unit and why?
• Activity: With your child, brainstorm a brand-new invention to solve a problem, like shoelaces that tie themselves or a clothes dryer that folds clothes. Ask your child to tell or write a story about someone using the invention. 

At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.

FCPS Cares 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 our Newington Forest staff members.

FCPS News In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others: Support Military Children National Merit Finalists School Board to Present Budget to Board of Supervisors Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

8001 Newington Forest Ave. Springfield, VA 22153  |  Phone: 703.923.2600

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