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Dear Freedom Hill Families,
We hope you are well, and preparing for a "sneak peak" of summer temperatures early this week. What a week it was last week! Our students are "doing hard things" on their SOLs and other end-of-year assessments, we watched in wonder as many chicks emerged from their eggs, we hosted our new Eagles for Kindergarten Orientation, and the FH Drama Club dazzled us with a fabulous inaugural performance (pictured above).
The end of May and beginning of June are truly a busy and joyful time as we celebrate our learning from the 2025-26 school year, and we invite you to be a part of our many events. It is a full calendar, so please see below. In particular, one time-sensitive item is signing up for our Freedom Hill 5K by May 25 so that we can be sure to have your t-shirt(s) printed for you. Also still to come of our final PTA meeting of the year, our Cultural Heritage Night, a final Family Dinner Out, the SCA Talent Show, Field Day 2026, and many grade-level celebrations.
Lastly, caregivers who wish to leave input for next year's class placement must submit this using the form below by Friday at the latest.
Have a great week, and dress cool tomorrow!
In partnership,
Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Tim Scesney, Asst. Principal
Holly Sims, Asst. Principal
2025-26 FCPS School Calendar
Freedom Hill Family Resources
Breakfast/Lunch Menus
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May 19 - Grade 6 Math Grade SOL
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May 19 - Family Dinner Out: Shake Shack @ Pike 7 Plaza, 10:30AM-10PM
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May 21 - PTA Meeting & Volunteer Celebration in the Library and via Zoom, 6PM
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May 22 - Last Day to Complete Parent Input for Class Placement Form
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May 25 - 27 – School Closed, Memorial Day & Eid al-Adha
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May 29 - Cultural Heritage Night, 6–8 PM, in the Cafeteria (Info to Participate) 🌐
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June 6 - Freedom Hill 5K Run 2026, 9AM, MySchoolBucks to Register
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June 11 - SCA Talent Show, 2-4PM
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June 12 - SAVE THE DATE! For Field Day 2026
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June 17 - Last Day of School, Early Release at 2:05
 We are excited for the return of the Freedom Hill 5K, which will begin in front of the school on June 6 at 9AM. The $25 registration fee can be paid on MySchoolBucks and includes a t-shirt, medal, snacks, and a drink after the race. Please register by May 25 to guarantee your shirt arrives on time! We are looking forward to it!
As the 2025-2026 school year is coming to a close, your Freedom Hill staff is starting to prepare for the 2026-2027 school year. Class placement is one of the most important tasks that our staff engage in during the last weeks of school. If you feel that there is pertinent information to support your child’s success, please complete this optional Parent Input Form by Friday, May 22nd
Your child’s current classroom teacher, specialists, counselors, and administrators will collaborate to make well-balanced classes. We value and consider your insight into your child’s learning needs. Please note that this system is not intended for families to request specific teachers.
Freedom Hill is hosting a month-long Spring SOAR Challenge to encourage students to exhibit self-control throughout the school. Each week the school community will focus on one area of the school where our Eagles can SOAR and show great self-control. Week four will focus on our PLAYGROUND!
How can you encourage your Eagle to SOAR? Remind them that on the playground we:
- Maintain a safe body with hands to ourselves
- Are aware of the activities around us
- Can use a voice level 4, communicating with kind words
We can’t wait to see our Eagles SOAR with strong self-control!
Students in grades 3-6 participate in state assessments each year. These assessments measure how students are learning the state standards. Below is the current schedule for the spring Standards of Learning tests at Freedom Hill. More information will be provided as we get closer to the testing window and is available on the SOL Tests in Elementary School page on the FCPS website.
- Tuesday, April 28: Grade 6 & Grade 4 Reading SOL
- Thursday, April 30: Grade 5 & Grade 3 Reading SOL
- Thursday, May 7: Grade 5 Math SOL
- Tuesday, May 12: Grade 4 Math SOL
- Thursday, May 14: Grade 5 Science & Grade 3 Math SOL
- Tuesday, May 19: Grade 6 Math Grade SOL
- May 28 - June 3: Retakes for identified students
Please avoid scheduling appointments for students on the dates that students will participate in the SOLs.
As required by the Code of VA, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend at a Virginia public school.
In addition, 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.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Immunization appointments are available. Inspire Health Alliance will be providing immunizations for currently enrolled FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Visit the Inspire Immunization Events Student Registration webpage to schedule an appointment.
Additional Immunization Resources are also available.
Our school is seeking individuals who can provide continuity of instructional teaching as a substitute instructional assistant. Able to inspire, enable and empower students to meet high academic standards. The position offers:
✔ Flexible schedule ✔ Make a difference in your local community ✔ Great for people with a passion for teaching/assisting students
Join our team and support student learning!
Apply today! For details, visit the FCPS Substitute Employment Website. When applying, search “Substitute” and select the Marshall pyramid posting.
The FCPS PreK programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children ages 4 and 3 years old by September 30 who live in Fairfax County. Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; students who are 4 years old and those with multiple risk factors are prioritized.
Applications are accepted online, by email, or by mail or in person at our office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.
If you a have question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish) or by email at fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu .
FCPS has been named a recipient of the 2026 Gold Award for Achievement of Excellence by The Partnership for Excellence. This recognition marks the first time an education applicant has won the Gold Award the first time they applied.
The award, based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program, represents the region’s highest level of recognition that a U.S. organization can receive for demonstrating its performance excellence, resilience, and long-term success. Read about this honor and what FCPS practices were highlighted as excellent.
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep families connected and informed directly from their smartphones. You can download the Fairfax County Public Schools mobile app by going to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and searching for “FCPS.”
With the app, you can:
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Stay up to date: Get the latest news from Stenwood and FCPS.
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View school calendars: See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus: See what’s for lunch and breakfast today, tomorrow, or next week.
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Tap to contact: Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Access key links: Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
Users can access updates and content without having to sign in, making it easy for everyone to stay informed.
Learn more about the mobile app, including feedback from parents.
On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.
This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell.
    
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May 17 - Harriette Best Award Nominations Due TODAY (submission link)
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May 19 - Family Dinner Out: Shake Shack @ Pike 7 Plaza, 10:30AM-10PM (Flyer)
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May 21 - PTA Meeting & Volunteer Celebration in the Library and via Zoom, 6PM (Agenda)
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May 29 - Cultural Heritage Night, 6–8 PM, in the Cafeteria (Info to Participate) 🌐
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May 29 - Talent Show Participation Forms Due
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June 6 - Freedom Hill 5K Run 2026, 9AM, MySchoolBucks to Register
- Kindergarten Playdates @ Freedom Hill ES Playground:
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July 18: 3-4 pm
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August 8: 3-4 pm
🌍 CULTURE & HERITAGE NIGHT – JOIN US!
Join us on Friday, May 29 from 6:00–8:00 PM for Freedom Hill Elementary’s Culture & Heritage Night! Enjoy an evening of delicious food, cultural performances, and interactive displays celebrating traditions from around the world.
Families are invited to participate by sharing food, performing, or creating a display. Sign up via the QR code or return this form.
Come celebrate the diversity of our amazing community!
HARRIETTE BEST AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE TODAY MAY 17
Today is the last day to nominate one (or more) staff or family members of our Freedom Hill community for the annual Harriette Best Award using this online Harriette Best nomination form. The award recipients will be announced at the year-end PTA Meeting & Volunteer Celebration on May 21st at 6PM.
The Harriette Ann Best Award was instituted more than a decade ago by the FHES PTA as a tribute to honor former Assistant Principal Harriette Best. Mrs. Best was the epitome of dedication to the staff, students, and community of Freedom Hill from 1991 through 2003. She devoted hours of her own time and went above and beyond on a regular basis to ensure that the staff and students at Freedom Hill had anything and everything they needed to be successful. This award is given each year to the parent(s) and/or staff member(s) who best exemplify the values and contributions for which Mrs. Best was known. A commemorative plaque hangs outside the cafeteria with all award recipients.
FDO - MAY 19 - 10:30AM-10:30PM, SHAKESHACK
Join your fellow Eagles at Shake Shack for our LAST Family Dinner Out of the 2025–2026 school year! Swing by anytime on Tuesday, May 19, from 10:30am-10pm, grab your favorite burgers and shakes, and help us celebrate an amazing year of community support. It’s an easy (and delicious) way to show your Eagle pride, and help raise money for our school, as we wrap up the school year together.
Where: Shake Shack at 8361A Leesburg Pike Vienna, VA
Code: Donation day (at register); DONATE at checkout
YOU’RE INVITED: PTA MEETING AND VOLUNTEER CELEBRATION🎉
Join Us for the FINAL PTA Meeting & Celebration of the Year on Wednesday, May 21, 2026 at 6PM in the Library or online via Zoom.
Come celebrate an incredible year at Freedom Hill! We’ll recognize our amazing volunteers, highlight volunteer accomplishments, hear from Dr. Zapadka, present the Harriette Best Award, and look ahead to summer and next year’s plans (full agenda).
PTA members will also vote on several important items, including:✔️ Summer PTA Budget✔️ Teacher & Staff Grant Requests✔️ 2026–2027 PTA Board Elections
We hope all parents, teachers, and staff will join us as we wrap up the year together with gratitude, celebration, and community spirit!
REGISTER FOR THE 2026 FHES 5K + CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Lace up, Eagles, the Freedom Hill 5K Run is almost here! Join students, families, and staff for a fun morning of movement, school spirit, and community pride. Whether you run, jog, or cheer from the sidelines, your energy helps make this event unforgettable. We can’t wait to see our Freedom Hill community out on the course.
When: June 6, 9:00AM
Where: FHES
Register on MySchoolBucks - $25 registration fee and includes a commemorative t-shirt (***register soon to guarantee a t-shirt arrives in time for the race!***), finisher medal, snacks, and drinks after the race!
FHES TALENT SHOW - SIGN UP BY MAY 29
Our Eagles are ready to shine! Have your student sign up to participate in the Freedom Hill Talent Show, where students will share their creativity, confidence, and amazing skills on stage. It’s a joyful event of the year, and we can’t wait to cheer on every performer. Talent Show Participation Forms are due by Fri, May 29.
Talent Show Details:
Where: FHES Cafeteria
When: Thurs, June 11: 2 - 4PM
BOOKMOBILE DATES!
Freedom Hill’s Bookmobile is returning this summer! Come out to see teachers and friends, get cold treats and pick out free books! Save the following dates at the intersection of Los Pueblos and Pimmit Run streets in Falls Church:
If you have books to donate for the Boombile, please bring them to the office. We’d be grateful for early readers (think: Scholastic levels 1-3 or Step into Reading levels 1-3, etc) or early chapter books like Junie B Jones or the Magic Tree House books or graphic novels.
VIENNA YOUTH SOCCER CAMP AT FREEDOM HILL
We are excited to announce that Vienna Youth Soccer Summer Camp is now happening at Freedom Hill Elementary School!
In addition to the engaging soccer programming, campers will now enjoy access to:
- Indoor gymnasium to cool off from the heat (Yes, we have AC!)
- Indoor classroom as we offer creative crafts & projects
- Multi-Sport offering in the afternoon
- A TV to watch World Cup games during camp hours (who wants to miss a game?!)
- World-Cup themed days
To register for Half-Day & Full-Day, Click Here
To register for Early Drop-Off & Late Pick-Up, Click Here
https://www.vys.org/programs/camps#SummerCamps
We look forward to an unforgettable summer of camps at Freedom Hill with Vienna Youth Soccer.
PTA Quick Links:
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