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Good Morning Panda Families,
We are excited to welcome you to the 2026-2027 school year! Whether you are a family of new or returning pandsa, we are so glad you are part of the Franklin Sherman family.
As we prepare for the first day of school, there is a lot of important information to share. Please take a few minutes to review the contents of today's newsletter. Here you'll find details about back to school events, required forms, important dates, and other updates to help your family start the year smoothly. Throughout the school year, this weekly newsletter will be your primary source for school news, upcoming events, important reminders, and celebrations of student learning.
The excitement begins soon with our back to school events, and we hope you will make plans to join us as we reconnect, build new relationships, and launch another incredible year of learning.
Farris Thomas
Principal
Franklin Sherman ES
Join us Thursday, August 20th, from 11-12 am for our Franklin Sherman Open House. Open House is a time for students and families to informally meet their teacher and to explore the classroom. We encourage families to enter the building and practice walking to class the same way their students will each day. There will be signs and staff to help guide you on this day. If you are returning to Franklin Sherman, you will note our first hallway to the left will now be our primary hallway (Kinder-2) and our back hallway will be our upper students (3-6).
We are excited to welcome our pandas back to school on Monday, August 24th. Doors open at 9am. School begins at 9:20 and dismissal begins at 4:05 pm. During the first week of school, guardians may walk students to their classroom door. After drop off on the first day, please join admin and the PTA for a coffee meet and great. More details to come.
To avoid conflicts with our pyramid schools, we will have our Back To School Night August 31 from 6-7. Please join us at 5:30 for our first PTA meeting!
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Send them to our SIGN UP FOR THE FSESPTA NEWSLETTER link here!
Our weekly newsletter is filled with important school info.
26-27 School Supply Kits
DEADLINE Extended to 7/31!
Skip the back-to-school shopping and order your Franklin Sherman school supply kit TODAY!
Each kit includes the exact teacher-requested supplies and will be delivered directly to your child's classroom before school starts. Kits also include a headphone replacement guarantee for the entire school year.
Why order a kit?
- You won't find these supplies for less on your own.
- The vendor gives a portion of every sale back to our school with a check!
Order online by July 31! Flyer with info: campussurvivalkits.com/franklinsherman
Opportunities big and small are available to help support students, connect families, and shape our school community. As Elvis put it, “A little less conversation, a little more action, please!” We'd love to have your talents help our school community. Click here.
- August 2 from 9-10:30 am
- August 23 from 9-10:30 am at Chalk the Walk!
Returning families are also welcome! It’s great for new families to meet current families, so please join us if you’re free, want to meet some new families, and want to get your kids some exercise on the playground.
Save the date for chalk the walk – 8/23 at 9am!
We're excited to announce our Fall Before & After School Enrichment lineup at FSES! Registration details will be shared soon.
Tuesday
Spark: Lemonade Stand (Grades K–2)
Instructor: Ms. Mantel
8:05–9:05 AM • 8 weeks
Wednesday
Chess (All Grades)
8:05–9:05 AM • 10 weeks
Thursday
Spark: Stock Market 101 (Grades 3–6)
Instructor: Ms. Mantel
8:05–9:05 AM • 8 weeks
&
Art with Miss Pam (Grades 1-4)
4-5 PM • 11 weeks
Friday
Basketball (All Grades)
8:05–9:05 AM • 8 weeks
More may be on the way! We're also working to add a STEAM class, so stay tuned!
Registration information, pricing, and sign-up details are coming soon. We can't wait to kick off another fun season of learning before the school day begins!
As we prepare for the new school year, we are working toward 100% completion of student re-enrollment forms for every family before school begins. The annual re-enrollment packet, known as the Online Verification/Update (OVU) Packet, includes the early release Wednesdays childcare selection.
Early Release Wednesday Childcare Selection
This year, we will have a total of four early release Wednesdays, where students will be released at 1:05pm . Please view the dates for FS's 2026-2027 early release Wednesdays below:
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
While we anticipate that most students will be dismissed at 1:05pm on limited early release Wednesdays, we recognize that some families may require childcare. These students will be supervised by school-based staff. No new instruction will take place as after-school care is strictly supervision.
The early release Wednesday childcare selection serves as a yearlong commitment for all four early release Wednesdays.
Families may complete the Online Verification/Update (OVU) Packet electronically through ParentVUE, or by downloading the paper forms from the FCPS website and returning them to the school office. All re-enrollment forms must be completed by August 14th. Teacher assignments will be released only after your child's re-enrollment forms have been completed.
Steps to Complete Early Release Wednesday Childcare Selection (due by August 21st):
- Log in to ParentVUE or the ParentVUE app
- Click “Online Packets” or “Online Registration” in the app
- Scroll down and select “Online Verification/Update”
- Make Your Early Release Wednesday Childcare selection. This is a yearlong commitment for all four Early Release Wednesdays.
- Click to submit the packet
This fall, every FCPS student will receive a student identification (ID) card as part of a divisionwide effort to modernize school transportation, improve communication with families, and strengthen student safety while traveling to and from school.
Every student who rides the school bus will need to tap on and tap off the bus every day using their new student ID card. Families can help by reinforcing this new habit with their child.
All students at our school will need to wear their student ID cards throughout the school day. We will be handing out the new student ID cards the first few weeks of school. More details will be shared soon.
Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
Meals for Students Available Through August 21
No-cost meals will be provided to students on a first-come, first-served basis through Friday, August 21, at the sites and times listed on the FCPS Summer Food Service Program webpage. Students must remain on site while eating their meals.
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
With the app, you can:
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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 each school day.
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Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
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Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app.
A new ParentVUE mobile app will is now available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:
- Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
- If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
- Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.
Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date.
Where to Receive Immunizations
If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s healthcare provider or one of the following immunization events.
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit a Health Department clinic. Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) clinics offer immunizations to all Fairfax County students, as well as those who are behind on their scheduled immunizations or need a booster.
Summer back-to-school immunization clinics are also available. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come, first-served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.
Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.
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