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Dear Freedom Hill Families,
We are filled with gratitude after a truly wonderful week. Though the number of school days remaining is rapidly decreasing, it seems that each day holds another wonderful event. Thursday was one of our favorite traditions of the year as we welcomed returning seniors back to FHES for their Senior Walk. Our students lined the hallways to cheer on the graduates as they returned to the school where so many of them began their educational journey! On Saturday, Eagle student, staff, and family runners took to the streets for our 2026 FHES 5K Run! It was a fabulous few hours of exercise and togetherness. Both of these events were supported by many wonderful staff and family volunteers, and we appreciate Stacy Finkelstein and LeeAnn Turner for serving as POCs for the events. Thank you to all who supported and participated!
Today we are also sharing a bittersweet announcement of our departing staff so that we can acknowledge and celebrate their contributions to our community. Each of them has made a lasting mark on us and the lives of our students. Please join us in celebrating these incredible Eagles:
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Nephy Lauture (1st Grade) has moved to Fredericksburg, and she has accepted a role at Widewater ES in Stafford
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Ellena Canape (Music) is relocating closer to home, and will be teaching music at Eagle View ES
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Minsun Cha (Instructional Assistant) will be contributing to our FHES community as a parent and a substitute
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Chris Bateman (Long-Term Sub SBTS) will hopefully be finding a fantastic new role in FCPS with Mrs. Kelly returning to us
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Casey Loftus (Part-Time School Counselor) is looking for her next role after her position at FHES was discontinued
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Valerie Berg (School Health Aide) is retiring and is excited about reporting for Grandma duty!
We are looking forward to a week of learning celebration and, of course, Field Day 2026 (volunteer signup still open below)! Don't forget that the PTA is providing pizza and popsicles that day, and that our 6th graders have a larger lunch celebration. The cafeteria will be closed on Friday.
We hope to see you soon!
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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June 8 - Marshall HS Graduation
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June 9 - EOY Band/Strings Concert, 6:30PM
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June 10 - EOY Chorus Concert, 6:30PM
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June 11 - SCA Talent Show, 2-4PM
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June 12 - Field Day 2026 - Volunteer Signup!
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June 17 - Last Day of School, Early Release at 2:05
Kindergarten Playdates on the Playground:
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July 18: 3-4 pm
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August 8: 3-4 pm
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August 22: 3-4 pm
Bookmobile Dates at Los Pueblos + Pimmit Run Streets, 10-11AM:
2026-27 School Year
2026-27 FCPS School Calendar
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August 21 - Open House, 10-11AM
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August 24 - First Day of School!
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September 1 - Back to School Night for Parents, 6-8PM
Yearbooks are selling fast, and are only available while our supply lasts. We don't want you to miss out on a copy! This is a wonderful way to commemorate the year. Families can order a yearbook by 1) visiting MySchoolBucks or 2) returning our flyer with cash or check made out to "Freedom Hill" in the amount of $20. Please contact Mrs. Harris in the front office with any questions about sales.
One of our favorite traditions returns this summer! Join your FHES teachers for free books, cold treats, and summer fun! We meet at the corner of Los Pueblos and Pimmit Run streets from 10-11AM on the following dates:
- Wednesday, July 8th, 10-11
- Wednesday, July 22nd, 10-11
- Wednesday, Aug 5th, 10-11
If you have books to donate for the Bookmobile, 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.
Starting Monday, June 22, no-cost meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis at the sites and times listed on the FCPS Summer Food Service Program webpage. Students must remain on-site while eating their meals.
Summer sites will continue to be added, so check the Summer Food webpage regularly for updates.
Hello Freedom Hill Elementary Families!
Victor O'Neill Studios recently held Spring portrait day at our school and pictures are now online. E-proofs have been delivered to your email inbox. Please be sure to check your spam. All orders will receive free shipping until: June 4th.
For questions about orders, please email underclass@vosphoto.com
Dear Parents,
This spring we are beginning to prepare for our annual fitness and field day. The theme is "We Can Play Quite Literally...". The event will take place on Friday, June 12th. All students in the school (PreK, Kindergarten through Sixth Grade) will be participating from 9:30-11:45am.
In order for the event to be successful, we need volunteers to assist in running the activities. Volunteers would need to arrive no later than 9:10am on the day of the event and stay until 11:50am to help with clean up.
If you can volunteer, please fill out the form by Friday, June 5th. You will receive your activity assignment and details about Field Day through email shortly before the event. On the actual Field Day, volunteers would need to sign in at the front office and then report to the gym. Please let us know if you have a particular station you would prefer to be assigned to, and we will do our best to accommodate you. Thanks!!!
- Mr. Dowling and Ms. Hinders
Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services.
Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Additional Mental Health Resources
FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional support can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number.
Recent reports have shared an 11% drop in suicides among young people since the rollout of 988. Please note, the hotline is not only for those experiencing suicidal ideation (or thoughts), it is also available for any mental health or substance abuse-related crisis and those with a loved one experiencing those crises or suicidal thoughts.
And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.
FCPS values your input as we plan future school calendars. On Friday, June 5, all caregivers and FCPS staff will receive an email from noreply@fcps.edu containing a unique link to complete the FCPS Calendar Survey.
Your feedback matters. Please take a few minutes to share your priorities and perspectives by Monday, June 22, at 11:59 p.m.
Your individual responses will be kept confidential and will not be shared with school staff or used in any way that identifies you or your student. Only aggregate, summary-level results will be reported to the Fairfax County School Board.
If you do not receive a link to the survey or have technical difficulties completing the survey, please contact the FCPS Office of Research and Program Evaluation.
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 Summer Resource Guide has activities and tips on a variety of subjects and interests, from camps and activities to health and safety resources.
Additionally, the FCPS Summer Learning webpage offers ideas and strategies for families to keep students curious until August. Summer is the perfect time to help your student explore new interests, reinforce concepts, and stay engaged!
Be sure to check back over the summer, as more resources may be added.
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.
It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer.
If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year.
      
Kindergarten Playdates @ Freedom Hill ES Playground:
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July 18: 3-4 PM
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August 8: 3-4 PM
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August 22: 3-4 PM
Bookmobile Dates at Los Pueblos + Pimmit Run streets
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July 8: 10-11 AM
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July 22: 10-11 AM
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August 5: 10-11 AM
FIELD DAY - FREEZE POPS, PIZZA, AND ICE CREAM
On Friday, June 12th, the PTA will provide freeze-pops, Domino’s pizza*, and ice cream cups to students as part of Field Day. The cafeteria will be open for breakfast but closed for lunch. Families are asked to pack an alternative for lunch if they would like to decline the PTA lunch.
*Students in 6th grade will have a separate lunch on Field Day.
SUMMER PLAYDATES FOR RISING KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS
If you have a student starting Kindergarten at FHES this coming 2026-2027 school year, please plan to meet up with other Kindergarten families on the FHES playground on the following dates/times. This is a great way to make new friends (for both the parents and the students) and get to know future classmates! Many thanks to the Queens Elizabeths (Elizabeth Galvis and Elizabeth Palen) for managing these playdates for us.
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July 18: 3-4 PM
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August 8: 3-4 PM
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August 22: 3-4 PM
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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