WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE FOREST - 5/1/26

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May 4-8 -            Teacher Appreciation Week Wed, May 6 -      Battle of the Books, Halley ES,                             4:45-5:45pm Thu, May 14 -    Strings Spring Concert, 6:30pm Fri, May 15 -      NEW DATE: 1st Grade                            Grandparents Day Concert, 2:30pm                             PTA Spring Fling Wed, May 20 -    3-hour Early Release, dismissal                             begins at 12:35pm Thu, May 21 -     Chorus Spring Concert, 7pm

Good afternoon Newington Forest Families,

Happy May! 

4th and 6th grade students kicked off SOL's this week and they did a great job! Thank you to our entire student body for remaining quiet while moving in the halls for the students in testing.

This week, we collaborated with the other elementary schools in the South County pyramid to host a virtual Algebra I Parent Night. We hope the information helped parents understand what Algebra I will look like in elementary school.

We also hosted AAP Orientation Night for students and parents this week. Thank you to Mrs. Trope, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, for organizing this night, and thank you to our grade-level AAP teachers, Mrs. Pipitone, Ms. York, and Mrs. Hunt, for presenting to our families.

Next week, May 4-8, is Teacher Appreciation Week! 

Please see my separate message below regarding parent input for class placement for the 2026-2027 school year.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Angela Thompson
Principal

Our Kindergarteners were treated with a visit from a local fire department as part of their community helpers unit! Thank you to the Beatty family for organizing this fun in-school field trip for Kindergarten.

Class Placement Parent Input

As we begin planning for the 2026–27 school year, I want to remind families of the process for providing input for class placement.

Class placement is a structured process that takes many factors into account to ensure balanced and supportive learning environments for all students.  Our teams take great care in the class placement process to ensure the best possible experience for every student.

In previous years, we invited families to submit requests based on teacher characteristics.  This year, we welcome families to share significant interpersonal conflicts your child has with other students that could affect their learning environment or friendships that are especially meaningful to your child. If you would like to provide input, please submit it using the Google Form below by Friday, May 29, 2026 - https://forms.gle/6eGp5rrs355WXvqbA 

Please note that our admin team has several mandatory trainings this summer and will not have the time to review late submissions. Please submit input by the deadline.

We value your partnership and the role you play in supporting your child’s success.

Thank you,

Angela Thompson
Principal

NFES SOL Schedule Spring 2026

Please note the changes in our calendar below! Please 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.

Save the Date(s) - Field Days

Mark your calendars for our Field Days in June!

Friday, June 5th

Wednesday, June 10th

We will need volunteer help from parents on these days, so please be on the look out for a sign-up link to help make Field Days smooth and fun for our students!

FCPS CTE Summer Learning Opportunity

We're thrilled to invite you to join us for an unforgettable experience at one of the CTE summer enrichment programs! These week-long programs will introduce you to the wonderful world of Career and Technical Education, help you develop new skills, and make new friends.

Our programs offer a wide range of activities designed to spark your curiosity and keep you engaged. You will have the opportunity to learn coding, problem solving, cooking, and more! Our experienced and enthusiastic teachers are dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and fun environment where you can challenge yourself and discover new passions.

You can find more details about our programs on our camp websites below:

• Tech Adventure Camp: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-tech-adventure-camp 
• CTE Summer Academy: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-CTE-summer-academy 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Beth Mehr, CTE Educational Specialist at bgmehr@fcps.edu. We'd be happy to chat with you and your family.

Asian Night @ SCHS

South County students are hosting a Night Market to represent Asian culture and we want YOU to celebrate with us! Everyone is welcome to experience Asian culture through our food, activities, and performances.

May 29, 2026
6:00 - 8:00 pm

Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School. 

Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family. 

For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

Family Information Phone Lines

FCPS family information phone lines are available in nine different languages. An FCPS employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. 

Call the phone line with questions about your child’s education or FCPS, and someone will help connect you to resources or arrange for you to speak to the appropriate school employee. Learn more about family information phone lines.

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: Summer Learning Mental Health Resources Thank You, Bus Drivers and Food Service Workers 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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