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In this newsletter, you will find ideas for keeping your child engaged and learning throughout the summer, along with helpful tips to prepare for the exciting transition to kindergarten.
We wish you and your family a wonderful summer!
Important Dates
Tuesday, June 16, 2026: Last day of school for PreK, Early Childhood Class-Based (AM and PM), and Early Childhood Resource students
Visit the FCPS School Year Calendar for more information.
PAC Schedule Change: New Early Release Days for 2026-27
As we look ahead to the 2026-27 school year, we want to share an important schedule change for the Preschool Autism Class (PAC) to give you plenty of time to prepare over the summer:
Starting August 24, 2026, early release days for PAC students will shift to Tuesdays and Thursdays (previously Mondays and Wednesdays).
Next Steps for Families:
We know how important routines and scheduling are for our families. Please take some time this summer to:
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Update Childcare: Adjust any afternoon childcare or after-school plans.
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Coordinate Transportation: Update any private transportation arrangements for Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Questions?
We’re here to support you through this transition. If you have questions or need assistance with planning, please reach out to your child’s teacher or the school’s main office.
Summer Fun Awaits: Engaging Activities for Your Preschooler
Keep your preschooler active, curious, and learning all summer long with these free and easy activities. These fun and engaging ideas are a great way to learn, play, and make special memories together:
Creative & Sensory Play at Home
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Build an Indoor Retreat: Create a "pillow land" with blankets for a cozy reading session, or use large cardboard boxes to construct a custom fort.
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Homemade Instruments: Make your own musical instruments with recycled water bottles filled with beans or rice. Decorate the bottle to make it extra special.
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Sensory Exploration: Practice drawing shapes in shaving cream on a washable surface, or make "sensory bottles" using colored water, oil, and tiny fun items.
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Kitchen Fun: Empty the cabinets to build towers with plastic containers, or practice pouring and filling different-sized cups during bathtub play.
Outdoor & Active Exploration
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Sidewalk Art: Use water and a paintbrush to "paint" the pavement, or use chalk to trace your child’s outline on the driveway.
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Nature Treasure Hunts: Take a walk with a bag or container to collect neighborhood "treasures," or use toilet paper roll "binoculars" to find specific colored items.
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Stay Cool: Visit the water fountains in Fairfax City, or freeze sponges to use as cooling tools while playing outside on hot days.
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Active Games: Turn a laundry basket into a basketball hoop for stuffed animals, or have a spontaneous living room dance party.
Early Learning & Literacy
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Everyday Math: Count the windows and doors in your home, hunt for circle and square shapes, or practice matching pairs of socks from the laundry.
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Language Skills: Pick flowers and practice prepositions by placing them "behind" your head or "under" your chin.
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Reading Together: Enjoy a backyard picnic with favorite books, or visit local playgrounds to have story time in the shade.
Essential Summer Resources
Explore these other resources for summer learning, recreation, and family activities:
Preparing for Kindergarten
Starting kindergarten is an exciting time for children and families. It can also bring some anxiety as children adjust to a new school, teachers, and peers.
Fairfax County's Stepping into Kindergarten is a helpful resource with tips for preparing your child and what to expect when school begins.
You can also support your child's transition in these simple ways:
- Visit your elementary school’s playground to help your child become familiar with the space. Point out boundaries and expectations you notice.
- Check your school’s PTA for any summer playdates.
- Help your child build independence by practicing everyday school skills like opening snack or lunch packaging, hanging up backpacks and jackets, zipping and unzipping bags, and putting items in and taking them out.
- Read stories together and talk about them. Share about your day and encourage your child to recall past events and describe details.
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