|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Dear Freedom Hill Families,
We hope your summer has been filled with opportunities to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends! The countdown is officially on, and in just 17 days, our hallways and classrooms will once again be filled with the energy and excitement of our Eagles. Whether Freedom Hill has been your school home for years or you are joining our community for the very first time, we are thrilled to welcome you!
As we look ahead to the 2026-27 school year, our commitment remains at the heart of everything we do: creating a school where every child feels known, valued, and connected while receiving an exceptional education. Our incredible staff will soon be returning to the Hill, ready to prepare classrooms, reconnect with colleagues, and get everything in place for a fantastic year of learning and growth. Our theme this year will be Ready, Set, Goal! and you will be seeing some updates throughout the year about your student(s) having opportunities to articulate and understand their learning goals.
One of Freedom Hill’s greatest strengths is the partnership between our school and our families. Each weekend, we’ll continue to use this newsletter to keep you connected to important dates, school happenings, celebrations, and opportunities to be involved. We encourage you to make it part of your weekend routine.
And don’t stop scrolling before you reach the latest news from our wonderful PTA! Their time, energy, and support help create so many memorable experiences for our students and families. For example, you'll see this time that our Rising Kingergarten Playdates are still rolling, and you'll have the opportunity to see the team at Open House (and purchase spirit wear!). Don’t forget to join or renew your PTA membership for the new school year and help support all the great things ahead.
Don't forget to also join us on Facebook and Instagram as we celebrate our students' progress this year. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the Hill. Here’s to an exciting new year together. We look forward to welcoming you on Friday, 8/21 for Open House!
In partnership,
Dr. Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Mr. Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal
Ms. Holly Sims, Assistant Principal
2026-27 FCPS School Calendar
Freedom Hill Family Resources
Breakfast/Lunch Menus
-
August 8 - Rising Kindergarten Playdate, 3-4PM (Playground)
-
August 21 - Open House (see schedule below)
-
August 21 - PTA Family Dinner Out @ Ben and Jerry's, 4-10PM
-
August 22 - Last Rising Kindergarten Playdate, 3-4PM (Playground)
-
August 24 - First Day of School - Students Arrive at 9:05
-
September 1 - Back to School Night for Parents, 6-8PM
-
September 11 - PTA Back to School Picnic, 5:30-7:30PM
Each year we welcome families into the building the day before school for you to have an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, to drop off school supplies, and to see their classroom. To alleviate parking and interior crowding, we will offer several sessions on Friday, August 21:
-
9:00 - 9:45 - Adapted Programs: PAC, EAC, ID, IDS, and Preschool Class-Based (ECCB)
-
10:00 - 10:30 - Student Last Names A-L
-
10:45 - 11:15 - Student Last Names M-Z
Some other details:
- You will meet your child's teacher and visit the classroom to explore the safe and welcoming environment that our teachers have created.
- It's a great time to drop off any medications in the school clinic, and pick up a Kiss 'N Ride number in the office if you will be picking up your student at the end of the school day.
- If you cannot attend the Open House, staff members will be available on the first day of school to assist students in locating their classrooms.
We know families are eager to find out who their child’s teacher will be for the upcoming school year! Class placement information will be shared early in the week of August 17 by Talking Points (Grades 1-6) and paper letter (Kindergarten) so families will know who their child’s teacher is prior to Open House.
Want to cross something off of your August to-do list right now? Check out our 2026-27 School Supply Lists and have one thing less to worry about at back to school time! |
|
 |
Senate Bill 108 is a new Virginia law that went into effect on July 1. It requires that all schools in the state follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy and prohibit cellphone possession and use for the entire school day. The updated FCPS Cellphone Policy aligns with this law.
Across all grade levels, cellphones, cellphone accessories, and all smart devices must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day. Watches that serve a dual purpose (like a smartwatch) must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day, too. Personal devices that connect to a cellphone or cellphone accessory or operate as a smart device must also follow the FCPS Cellphone Policy.
This policy does not apply to school-issued devices. However, school-issued devices must be used in accordance with FCPS Regulation 6410, Acceptable Use Policy, which allows the use of school-issued devices for educational purposes. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.
 As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses.
The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.
The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.
It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. 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.
On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app will become 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.
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:
-
View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
-
Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
-
Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
-
Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
-
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.
Please join us in welcoming our community's newest educators!
Jenna Spencer - Special Education Teacher (IDS)
Allulu Aldawod - Special Education Teacher (Non-Categorical)
Bethany Thomas - Band Teacher (Part-Time)
Nicolette Polifonte - Music Teacher (Part-Time)
Kim Rill - School Psychologist (Part-Time)
Upcoming Events
- Aug 8 & 22 - Kindergarten Playdates @ Freedom Hill ES Playground, 3-4PM
2026-27 School Year
- Aug 21 - Open House, 9-11:15AM
- 9-9:45AM: Adapted Programs + PS Only
- 10-10:30AM: Last Names A-K
- 10:45-11:15AM: Last Names L-Z
- Aug 21 - Summer FDO (Family Dessert Out) - Ben & Jerry's, 136C Maple Ave West (Vienna Shopping Center), 4-10PM (Flyer)
- Aug 24 - First Day of School!
- Sept 1 - Back to School Night for Parents, 6-8PM
- 5:45 - Doors open for parent/guardians
- 6-6:25 - Session 1 w/ teachers K-6
- 6:30-6:55 - Session 2 w/teachers K-6
- 6-7 - Meet & Greet w/ Specialists
- 7-7:30 - Advanced Academics Info Session
- 7:30-8 - Open Discussion w/ our Principals
- Sept 11 - Back to School Picnic - 5:30-7:30PM @ Freedom Hill
- Sept 23 - First PTA Meeting, 6PM-8PM, Library
VISIT THE PTA AT OPEN HOUSE - AUG 21 @ FREEDOM HILL
We are excited to see all the returning families and meet the new families at Freedom Hill's Open House on Friday, August 21st.
Plan to stop by and visit us during Open House to:
- Learn about the PTA and what we do
-
Join the PTA (for new and returning members. Note, you need to renew your PTA membership each school year)
- Purchase spirit wear
SUMMER FAMILY DESSERT OUT (FDO) - AUG 21 @ BEN & JERRY'S (VIENNA SHOPPING CENTER), 4PM-10PM (Flyer)
Come on out for a sweet treat and see familiar faces! Keep the fun going with a Summer FDO also on Friday, August 21st at the Vienna Shopping Center Ben and Jerry's (136C Maple Avenue West, Vienna, VA) anytime from 4PM-10PM. Mention “Freedom Hill” to the cashier and Ben and Jerry's will give back 20% of profits made to Freedom Hill! Our monthly FDOs raise funds that support all aspects of our school community. A big thanks to Camille Paredes for her ongoing organization of these events.
KINDERGARTEN PLAYDATES - AUG 8 & 22 @ FHES PLAYGROUND/BLACKTOP, 3PM
Our upcoming playdates for rising kindergarteners are Saturday, August 8th and August 22nd at 3PM on the FHES playground and blacktop. Thank you to our Queens Elizabeths (Elizabeth Galvis and Elizabeth Palen) for coordinating the playdates this summer.
JOIN THE FREEDOM HILL PTA!
Welcome to a new school year! The Freedom Hill PTA is excited to partner with our amazing families, teachers, and staff to make this a fantastic year for our students.
We're especially grateful to Soojin Cahill, who has already kicked off our membership campaign with the first PTA membership of the year. Thank you, Soojin, for leading the way and supporting our school community!
The PTA helps create the experiences that make Freedom Hill special, from funding classroom supplies, technology, and our school garden to supporting traditions like the Spelling Bee, Cultural Heritage Day, teacher and staff appreciation, and even the beloved baby chicks in the classroom. We also advocate for our students and help build a strong, welcoming school community.
There are two easy ways to get involved:
-
Become a PTA member. Membership is open to everyone–parents, caregivers, grandparents, and staff. There are no mandatory volunteer hours, and joining before our first PTA meeting (9/23) allows you to vote on this year's PTA budget.
-
Make a tax-deductible donation. Every dollar helps bridge school budget gaps and directly supports programs and opportunities that benefit our students. Families who join or donate by September 30 are also eligible for special Freedom Hill thank-you items.
Visit the PTA website here to join today. Questions? Email membership@freedomhillpta.org.
STAY CONNECTED
We hope everyone has a fantastic school year, and we look forward to seeing you soon! We’d love to hear from you, whether you’d like to get more involved, have questions, or want to share new ideas! As a reminder, your PTA Board for the 2026-2027 school year is:
|
