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Dear Mighty Red Bird Families,
What a teriffic time we had this week at the 3rd Grade Showcase. It is always a joy to watch our children shine. Singing songs, and playing the recorder, our budding musicians remind us that we can do anything we set our minds to.
At this time of the school year we are moving into a season of end of year assessments. This is a time where we see of all the learning and growth that has taken place. We celebrate your children for their hard work and focus which have made their learning possible. We also extend much gratitude for the work of our teachers who plan, and deliver instruction that meets the needs of every learner.
Your encouragement at home, participation in school events, and ongoing support help create a welcoming environment where every student feels valued and inspired to learn. Thank you for being an essential part of our Cardinal Forest community — together, we continue to make our school a place where all students belong, grow, and shine.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Long, Mrs. Agner, Mrs. Compton
Upcoming Dates
May 6 – Reading SOL for Grades 3–6
May 13 - Early Release Wednesday (12:55)
May 14 – Math SOL for Grades 3–6
May 19 – Science SOL for Grade 5
🌟Mrs. Long's Blueprint Byte
Teachers work hard to deliver explicit skill instruction, and empower students to transfer their learning into authentic reading experiences and a lifelong love of books. Take a peek at Mr. Shield's fourth graders putting their skills to work!
Cardinal Forest Community Cleanup!
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 (NEW DATE!)
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Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
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Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
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Meeting Point: Surrey Hill Clubhouse
Equity Award
Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 18.
The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.
Ombuds
Our Office of the Ombuds Is at Your Service!
Ombuds staff engage with FCPS staff, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Ombuds staff do not make or change decisions, policies, or regulations. They do not take sides, and they do not provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may submit a question.
Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Screening for School-Based Services
This spring, all students in grades K–5 who are not currently eligible for or enrolled in Full-Time AAP will be screened for School-Based AAP Services.
If you would like to share your child’s strengths as part of this process, you may submit the AAP School-Based Services Referral Form, available here:
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/AAPSchoolBasedServicesReferralForm.pdf
Please email the completed form to Karen Mitchell, AART – kkmitchell@fcps.edu no later than May 15th.
Please note:
- Submitting this referral form does not initiate the screening process; all students are automatically screened.
- The form simply provides you with an opportunity to share additional information about your child’s strengths and ensures you will receive an eligibility notification in June.
- If your child already participated in the Full-Time AAP screening process this cycle and was not found eligible, no additional referral is needed; you will automatically receive notification.
- If your child is already eligible and receiving Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP services, you do not need to submit a referral form, as they will continue to receive School-Based AAP services next year.
For more information about School-Based Services, please refer to the FCPS website: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs
If you have any additional questions, reach out to Mrs. Mitchell.
 SOL Support
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 us as soon as possible.
Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters.
☀️ 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:
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May 1: 3rd Grade
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May 8: 2nd Grade
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May 15: 1st Grade
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May 22: Kindergarten
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:
- Student Awards and Recognitions
- Military Child of the Year Finalist
- Required Immunizations Reminder
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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