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Dear Mighty Red Bird Families,
We’re already at the midpoint of another busy week, and it’s been great to see how engaged our students continue to be in their classrooms. Even as the weather warms up, our focus on strong teaching and learning remains steady so we can finish the year well.
As temperatures rise, please consider sending your child to school with a water bottle. Our filling stations are available throughout the day, and staff will continue to remind students to stay hydrated so they can feel their best and stay focused.
We also want to take a moment to recognize our military-connected students and families. It has been an honor to celebrate you this week! Your children demonstrate resilience and adaptability every day, and we are proud and grateful for the roles you play in our school community.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Long, Mrs. Agner, Mrs. Compton
Upcoming Dates 📆
April 13 - 16 - Scholastic Book Fair
April 17 - Spartan Spring Carnival
April 20 24 - Earth Week
April 20 - 24 -National School Library Week
April 21 - No School, Statewide Election
 No School April 21/Meals for Students
April Statewide Election: No School for Students
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.
FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on April 21 at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site, and enrichment activities will be available. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
Theravada New Year (Observance Day)
National Library Week
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April is School Library Month and it's a great time to celebrate the essential role that school librarians play in the lives of students. School librarians ensure students have access to a wide variety of high-quality books and resources that connect them to the world and build a culture of literacy. Librarians develop lessons that are meaningful to students and help them develop critical thinking, inquiry, and information literacy skills. They support learning across all subject areas by teaching students the skills to be independent problem-solvers and creative thinkers. By creating a safe environment for all students to be engaged and curious learners, FCPS libraries are places where everyone belongs.Take a moment to learn more about FCPS Library Programs and share your appreciation of our wonderful librarian, Ms. Hawk! |
Autism Acceptance Month
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🌈 Join us in recognizing #AutismAcceptanceMonth! One in 31 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students. #OurFCPS |
🌟Mrs. Long's Blueprint Byte
I was incredibly proud to see the creativity of our featured artists on display at the West Springfield Pyramid Art Show! Art is for everyone and we are grateful that each week, every student has the opportunity to explore and create. A huge commendation to Mr. Clement and Ms. Saffron for fostering such a vibrant creative community of artists at Cardinal Forest and for their dedication in displaying beautiful student work for the Art Show. Art highlights our Blueprint for Success by empowering our young creators to find their unique voices and providing opportunities creative expression.
Third Quarter Progress Reports
Report cards are now available to view and/or print on ParentVue.
If a physical report card is needed, please contact Karen Stephens at kdstephens@fcps.edu
If you have not already, sign up for a ParentVue account today!
🌎 Earth Week
Earth Day is April 22, and we’re turning it into a week-long celebration at Cardinal Forest! While we all work hard to protect our planet each day, Earth Week gives us a chance to learn about new opportunities and make commitments to do even more. Students will enjoy special activities at school, and families can join the fun at home using our BINGO board (available in English and Spanish). Groups of student readers will be visiting classrooms during Morning Meeting to read an Earth-week related book during the end of April. Show your school spirit all week long by dressing to match our daily themes:
Monday wear a nature print for Wildlife Day
Tuesday (at home): wear white for Zero Waste Day
Wednesday: wear green to celebrate Earth Day
Thursday: wear red for Climate Day
Friday: wear blue for Watershed Day
SPARTAN Spring Carnival
Friday, April 17, 5-6:30 at West Springfield High School on the grass fields
Enjoy time playing carnival games and watching lacrosse, softball and baseball games!
Admission: Adults $7 - Kids grades 6 and under get in free with a paying adult
Carnival Game Tickets: 10 for $5; 20 for $10
Community Clean Up
Gather with your neighbors for a Cardinal Forest Community Cleanup! The Cardinal Forest HOA is hosting a day of service to help preserve our local environment, and all supplies will be provided.
Beyond the cleanup, enjoy:
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Light bites and refreshments
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A spring-themed photo op area
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Raffle giveaways and prizes
Event Details
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Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
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Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
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Meeting Point: Surrey Hill Clubhouse
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Rain Date: May 2, 2026
Benchmark/Literacy Updates
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.
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.
☀️ Friendly Face Fridays!
Join us for Friendly Face Fridays at 9:20 AM to experience the heart of our school day! Parents and caregivers are invited to jump into our 20-minute Morning Meeting to share in the greetings and activities that bring our community together. It’s a wonderful way to connect with your child’s classroom and feel the warmth of our school family firsthand before the workday begins.
Please mark your calendars for your child's grade-level date:
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
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.
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)
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- 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.
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