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Dear Mighty Red Bird Families,
We hope you have been having a wonderful, relaxing summer filled with fun memories. Our custodial team and summer staff have been hard at work preparing for an amazing school year ahead!
If you have an incoming kindergartener at home and haven't registered them yet, please do so as soon as possible. You can reach out directly to our Student Information Assistant, Karen Stephens (Kdstephens@fcps.edu), for assistance with the registration process.
Enjoy these final weeks of break, and we look forward to seeing you all very soon!
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Long (Principal)
Mrs. Agner (Assistant Principal)
Mrs. Compton (Assistant Principal)
Upcoming Dates 📅
🗓️ August 11 - Kindergarten Popsicle Playdate @ 5:00 PM!
🗓️ August 21 - Open House
- 9:00 - 10:00 - Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten
- 10:30 - 11:00 - New Families Orientation and Meet & Greet
- 11:30 - 12:45 - Returning Students (1st - 6th Grades)
🗓️ August 24 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
🗓️ September 16 - Back to School Night
- 5:50 - Doors Open
- 6:00 - 6:30 - PTA Meeting (Cafeteria)
- 6:35 - 7:10 - Session 1
- 7:15 - 8:00 - Session 2 (repeat of Session 1)
2026 - 2027 School Supply List
Kindergarten Popsicle Playdate
Calling all rising Kindergarteners and families!
Come kick off the school year with cool treats and new friends at our Kindergarten Popsicle Playdate!
📅 When: August 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM
📍 Where: Cardinal Forest Elementary Playground
📧 Questions? Contact cardinalforestpta@gmail.com
We can't wait to see you there!
Open House
Cardinal Forest Open House – Friday, August 21 🎒✨
Come meet your teacher, drop off your supplies, and grab some Kona Ice (available 9:00 AM–1:00 PM)! 🍧
Times by Grade/Group:
✏️ 9:00–10:00 AM: Preschool, Pre-K, & Kindergarten
✏️ 10:30–11:00 AM: Families New to Cardinal Forest (Meet in Cafeteria)
✏️ 11:30 AM–12:45 PM: Returning Students (1st–6th Grade)
See you Friday, August 21st!
Back to School Checklist
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Use the following list to help make sure your child is ready!
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our Student Information Assistant, Karen Stephens (kdstephens@fcps.edu), if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. Also, download the new ParentVUE mobile app so you can access your child’s records easily from anywhere!
Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Get Ready for the New School Year With the FCPS App! 📱
Simplify your back-to-school prep! Download the FCPS mobile app to check school calendars, breakfast/lunch menus, and school contacts all in one place with no login required. Plus, get quick access to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the bus app.Download the FCPS mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, and make sure to subscribe to our school in the app settings.
Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-2027
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number has been reduced from eight to four days.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with their peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Please view the dates for our school’s early release Wednesdays below:
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays.
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