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CAREER FAIR THIS WEEK!

Dear Fairhill Families,

We hope you are all enjoying the day off for students and have had a chance to vote and support the 6th grade bake sale!

It’s hard to believe, but end of year testing has already begun! On that topic, we have already had two grade levels complete their Spring Reading i-Ready assessments, and the data is incredible. On average, our students are making over a year’s worth of growth this year. This speaks to the outstanding work of our teachers and the strong partnership we share with our families to ensure Fairhill provides every possible opportunity for student success. Thank you. Together, through collaboration, we are making a tremendous impact on our students.

Have a wonderful week, and we look forward to seeing many of you at the Career Fair on Friday!

Warm regards,

Ted and Maura

April April 22nd - Falls Church Pyramid Art Show 5 - 7 pm  April 23rd - 5th Grade Field Trip to Natural History Museum April 24th - Career Fair  1:15 - 3:30 pm April 27th - May 1st Autism Acceptance Month and Spirit Week April 30th - 6th Grade Field Trip to Art Museum April 30th - 1st Grade Field Trip to Clemyjontri  April 30th - Spring Strings/Band Concert Evening May May 1st - Spring Strings/Band Concert Day May 1st  - Parents Night Out - Glow Dodgeball May 4th - May 8th Staff Appreciation Week May 7th - PTA Meeting 6:30 pm May 7th - 4th Grade Field Trip to Baltimore Aquarium May 11th - 3rd-6th Grade SOL Testing Reading May 13th - Wednesday Early Release (3 hours)  Dismissal 1:05 pm  May 18th - 3rd-6th Grade SOL Testing Math (including Grade 7 and Algebra) May 21st - 5th Grade SOL Testing Science  May 25th - Memorial Day (No School) May 26th - Teacher Workday (No School for Students) May 27th - Eid al-Adha (No School)

Fairhill’s 6^th Annual Career Fair is on April 24.

We are all “a buzz” and super excited at Fairhill. We currently have over 40 unique career fair presenters this year!  Our students are preparing to ask good questions and very excited for Career Day.

Dress up for Career Day! Students (and staff) are invited to dress up as what they want to be when they grow up or their future college. Whether it’s a doctor, engineer, artist, athlete, teacher, or anything in between, we can’t wait to see the creativity and hear about their future goals!

Career Day Therapy dog visits:

We are excited to share with you that our Career Fair will have two certified therapy dogs, Lucy and Bailey, available for visits with their therapy dog trainers, who are members of the Fairhill community.  

If you do not consent to your child participating in the therapy dog visit, please contact your child(ren)’s classroom teacher before 4/23.

Career Day possible treats:

In addition, students in grades K – 6 will be participating in our career fair on April 24. It is possible that treats will be available to students from the Career Fair Presenters that will be brought home. Please be aware of potential allergens in these items that are not directly from Fairhill.

Relatedly, small cupcake bites may be available from Lauryn Prattes Events for a “cake tasting” experience on-site. If you do not want your child to participate due to allergies, dietary restrictions, or any other concern, please inform your child’s classroom teacher by 4/23. 

The ingredient list will be available on-site at the Career Fair and is the following:

Chocolate cupcake ingredients: 

Cake: sugar, wheat, flour, canola oil, cocoa, eggs, vinegar, baking powder, citrus fiber, guar gum, natural flavor, sodium bicarbonate, sea salt. Icing: sugar, palm/modified palm oil shortening, cocoa, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, dextrose, agar, titanium dioxide, sodium hexametaphosphate, locust bean gum, mono- and diglycerides with mixed tocopherols, ascorbic acid and citric acid (antioxidants). Sprinkles: icing sugar, fractionated palm kernel oil, cornstarch, glucose, soya lecithin, gum arabic, natural colors.

Vanilla cupcakes ingredients: 

Cake (sugar, enriched wheat flour (niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, canola oil, eggs, natural flavor, baking powder, citrus fiber, guar gum, salt), icing (sugar, modified palm oil shortening, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, dextrose, agar, titanium dioxide, sodium hexametaphosphate, locust bean gum, mono- and diglycerides, ascorbic acid, citric acid), sprinkles (sugar, fractionated palm kernel oil, corn starch, glucose, soy lecithin, gum arabic, natural flavors).

At this time, registration for Career Day, ‘26 is closed and will not be accepting walk ins on April 24.

We hope you can join us next year should you wish to participate at our annual Career Fair.

On behalf of Fairhill Elementary, THANK YOU for your support and collaboration as we look forward to our 6^th annual Career Day.

#FairhillCareerDay2026!

Autism Acceptance Month Spirit Week  We are excited to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with a Spirit Week and recognize the importance of inclusion, understanding, and celebrating the unique strengths of every learner in our community. Students and staff are invited to participate in the following themed days: Monday, April 27 – Magnificent Mind Monday Wear a fun hat to celebrate our amazing minds. Tuesday, April 28 – Neurodiversity Tuesday Wear rainbow colors or tie-dye. Wednesday, April 29 – What’s Your Passion Wednesday Dress to show what you love. Thursday, April 30 – Sensory Friendly Thursday Wear comfy clothes (pajamas, sweats, etc.). Friday, May 1 – Fairhill Family Friday Wear orange, black, white, and gray. We look forward to a fun and meaningful week as we celebrate neurodiversity and continue building an inclusive school community. Thank you for your support!

It’s That Time of Year! Please Help Us Plan for Next School Year As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, we ask all families of students in Kindergarten through 6th grade to let Fairhill Elementary know about their child’s intentions for next year. In the past, this information was collected using paper forms sent home in Tuesday folders. This year, we’re making the process easier and more convenient by moving to a digital format! Please take a moment to complete our short Google Form to let us know whether your child will be returning to Fairhill Elementary for the next school year. Your response helps us with staffing, class placement, and overall planning to ensure a smooth and successful start for all students. If you have more than one child that attends Fairhill, please complete for each child. https://forms.gle/QesM6JrsLR5du6LFA We kindly ask that all families complete the form by Friday, May 1, 2026. Thank you for your time and continued support!

Class Placement Input

We are beginning to plan for the 2026–27 school year and will be collecting parent input electronically. Class placements are an important part of both learning and building a strong school community. If there is information you would like us to consider as we determine placements, we invite you to take a few moments to respond to the questions below.

We recognize that a positive teacher-student match and a well-balanced classroom contribute to student success, and we carefully consider each child’s strengths and needs throughout this process. To ensure we are able to thoughtfully account for all factors, we ask that families do not request specific teachers. Teacher assignments may change due to the needs of the school, and requests for specific teachers are not considered as part of the placement process.

We have found it most helpful when families share relevant academic or behavioral information about their child that may support our decision-making. Completion of this form is optional; however, if you choose to participate, please submit your responses by May 29.

Thank you for your time and for partnering with us.

Use link here: https://forms.gle/WobJSdgm8QBoUNEE6

Support Your Children During Important Spring Assessments 

Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes summative assessments like Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which measure what a student knows, and progress assessments like Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which measure where they are in their learning. 

FCPS encourages all families to support their students in taking these tests. Virginia requires schools to test at least 95% of students on SOLs, so when families choose not to participate in testing, it can impact a school’s accreditation, accountability ratings, and ability to measure student progress accurately.

Parents and caregivers can help their children perform their best on these tests by reminding them to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and the cell phone policy still applies during testing season. 

It is important that students attend school on scheduled testing dates. If you are aware of a conflict that may cause your student to miss a test, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible. 

Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters. 

Monday, May 11: 3^rd - 6th Grade Reading

Monday, May 18: 3^rd – 6^th Grade Math (including Grade 7 and Algebra)

Thursday, May 21: 5^th Grade Science

Spring Concert Date and Times: Evening Concert- Thursday, April 30 4th Grade Arrival 5:00 pm, Concert starts 5:30 pm 5th/6th Grade Arrival 6:00 pm, Concert starts 6:30 pm Daytime Concert - Friday, May 1 9:50-10:50 am

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News from PTA

GLOW DODGEBALL IS BACK!  Need Friday night plans for the kids? Send them to InCourage Fairfax on May 1st for a glowing good time! 🍕 Pizza Provided 🕕 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM 💰 $25/child (All proceeds go to Fairhills PTA!) Don't miss out on the brightest fundraiser of the year! Tag a Fairhill's parent who needs a night off! 👇

Staff Appreciation Week is coming up Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 8th and we’re looking for some help to make it unforgettable. Our theme is “Fairhill staff are the sweetest” and we’re baking up a magical week to celebrate the most delightful staff around —our amazing Fairhill teachers and team members. We can’t make this week as special as they deserve without some extra hands. There are many ways you can help us sprinkle in a little more joy and show our appreciation for all that they do!   Stock the Lounge Stock the Teachers’ Supply Closets Help Setup and Breakdown Staff Snacks and Lunches Volunteer for Kiss and Ride Monetary Donations You and your student can also participate in these daily activities: May 4: Send your teacher a note through the VA Lottery May 5: High five a teacher or admin and say thank you May 6: Draw a picture or write a song for your teacher or other staff to show your appreciation May 7: Classroom cleanup, show your gratitude by helping pick up If you have any questions please email Kimberly Van and Mary Mandell.

2026-2027 Fairhill School Supply Pack Sales 

No time to shop for school supplies? Just click here to order a school supply pack from EPI for the 2026-2027 school year. Purchased packs will be delivered right to your student's classroom in August! Enter the code FAI068 for Fairhill. Additional ordering information can be found in the attached flyer.

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Help Shape the Future of Fairhill Elementary! 🏫

The school year is winding down, but our community’s momentum is just getting started. The Fairhill Elementary PTA is looking for enthusiastic leaders to join our Board and Committee teams for the 2026-2027 school year.

Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or looking to get involved for the first time, we have a place for you!

🌟 Open Leadership Positions

We are currently seeking dedicated individuals for the following roles:

🕒 Commitment & Details

• Meetings: The Board and Committee Leads meet once a month.

• Support: You’ll be part of a collaborative team dedicated to making Fairhill a better place for our students.

Ready to step up? To learn more about these roles, please visit the Fairhill PTA website or scan the QR code on our physical flyers. Interested in joining the team? Send us an email at fairhilles@gmail.com to get started!

Calling for Volunteers:  Help to Make a Big Difference in our community

The Fairhill PTA again will continue to support Fairhill families and our broader local community by collecting unused food purchased from the cafeteria (e.g., milk, string cheese) and/or unopened store-bought food (e.g., crackers) during the spring semester

Our kids' role -> Kids are asked to leave food they may otherwise toss in the garbage and instead put it off in the Food for Others fridge in the cafeteria.

Our volunteers' role -> Once a week (Mondays or Tuesdays), we are asking for a volunteer to collect the food and drop it off at Food For Others (1 mile away). 

Our collective Impact -> In addition to minimizing food waste, we are helping 75,000 Fairfax County (and Fairhill families) who are food insecure.  On a weekly basis last year, we collected hundreds of milk cartons, string cheese packets, crackers, yogurts and more.

Sign up here to volunteer!  Questions????  Call/text//email Anika Marpaka (anikaamin@yahoo.com or 703 855 0500)

Help Us Erase Student Lunch Debt

Please consider donating to eliminate school lunch debt through our Educate Fairfax platform. All donations are tax deductible; you will receive a receipt for tax deduction purposes.

News from FCPS

Luther Jackson Middle School’s drama department is proud to present the timeless class, The Wizard of Oz, and we would love to have you come!  Tickets are available on the LJMS website or by using this QR code for only $6. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $8. The shows are Thursday, April 30th 7:00 pm, Friday, May 1st, 7:00 pm and Saturday, May 2nd 2:00 pm & &:00 pm. The 2:00 pm matinee show is especially for our young audience members- after the show there will be a special photo opportunity with cast & crew. Come out and see the world of Oz come to life! https://jacksonms.fcps.edu/announcements/spring-musical-tickets-now-sale

Partnering with Your Child’s Middle School Families of rising middle school students will explore ways to stay connected to learning and maintain strong family-school partnership throughout their secondary education. Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. For questions email Patricia Ramirez at paramirez@fcps.edu

Family Café The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together Technology connects us like never before, but it’s important to know how to stay safe while using it. This family workshop provides hands-on learning about internet safety to inform families of: ·         Today’s popular social sites and apps used by students ·         Effective strategies to engage youth in discussions regarding internet safety ·         7 primary topics to discuss with youth that will remain important from kindergarten through adulthood Join FCPS Intervention and Prevention Services to learn how your family can build healthy, secure, and positive habits online together. Topic: The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together Date: April 29, 2026 Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m. Location: Mason District Government Center 6507 Columbia Pike Annandale, VA 22003 Interpreters and childcare will be available.  For more information, please contact the Family and School Partnerships Office at 703-204-4300. FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu

Updates to 2026-27 School Year Calendar

• The School Board voted to direct the superintendent to designate Veterans Day as a standard instructional day for the 2026-27 school year. Because this day was added, the 2026-27 school year will now end for students on Wednesday, June 16, 2027. Find additional information on BoardDocs. View the updated complete school year calendar on FCPS’ website.

The last day of school for the current school year — Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — has not changed. 

Adult ESOL The spring semester is enrolling soon for Adult ESOL classes through FCPS ACE. Adults in our community can take advantage of comprehensive English language classes at a much lower cost than college programs or private language schools. Classes are available for all levels of proficiency, with morning or evening classes at FCPS locations throughout the county.

Important Fairhill Contact Information

Fairhill Phone Numbers:

Main Office 703-208-8100

• Health Room 703-208-8110

• Cafeteria 703-208-8121

Administration e-mail addresses:

• Principal, Ted Cooper: egcooper@fcps.edu

•  Assistant Principal, Maura Cotter: mkcotter@fcps.edu

Follow us! Click here to follow us on Twitter. #YouBelongAtFairhill Click here to like our Facebook page. Click here to follow us on Instagram.

3001 Chichester Lane, Fairfax, VA 22031 | Main Office: 703-208-8100
Attendance: 703-208-8181 | Web | Twitter | Facebook