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Dear Cardinal Families,
We are just a few days away from welcoming our entire staff back from break, and the energy and excitement in our building are growing by the minute! We cannot wait to fill our hallways with learning, laughter, and community once again.
To help ensure your child gets off to a strong start this school year, this edition of our newsletter is packed with essential information. While it’s a bit lengthier than usual, I have carefully selected only the most important details YOU need to know to prepare for day one. Please take a few minutes to catch up on these key updates.
Thank you for your partnership and support as we kick off another amazing school year together!
Warmly,
Allison Hoak, Principal
Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal
📅Important Dates!
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Open House: Friday, August 21, from 9:00–10:00 AM
Come meet your teacher and reconnect with our school community and staff. If you preordered PTA school supplies, they will be in your child's classroom. School supply lists can be found on our website.
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First Day of School: Monday, August 24
Doors open for breakfast at 8:20 AM, and all students may enter beginning at 8:30 AM. Check out these back-to-school tips to make sure your child gets off to a great start.
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Back-to-School Night: Tuesday, September 1, from 5:30–7:00 PM *This evening is for parents. Teachers will present at 5:40 PM and again at 6:20 PM. Meet the Specialists in the library and check out community resources in the cafeteria.
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Early Release Wednesdays: Students dismissed at 12:20 PM unless staying for supervision.
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
🏫We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
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 registrar at [email/phone number] 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.
🚌New Student ID Cards and Bus Navigation System
FCPS is launching a new bus navigation system, which includes student ID cards for students who ride the bus. Students will use the cards to tap on and off the bus, helping FCPS and families know exactly which students are riding which buses.
Learn more about the new system and how it will improve route efficiency, safety, and transparency with families. Check out the frequently asked questions for families
💻New Student Device Requirement
Starting this school year, students may only use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. This is in accordance with a new School Board requirement, approved on July 16, which states that students may not use personal electronic communication or computing devices, including personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices.
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device.
Families can help support this requirement by reminding students to bring their FCPS-issued device each day and use it for all school-related digital activities unless an approved exception applies.
📖Understanding Student Rights and Responsibilities Updates: New Universal Grade Matrices for Families
Families are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses in order to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Updates for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.
Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.
Hello! My name is Patrick Johnsen, and I am excited to introduce myself as your new PTA President. As we get ready for an exciting school year, I wanted to highlight a couple of special events that will help us kick things off together.
We’re especially thrilled to welcome families of incoming kindergarteners! Join us for a special kindergarten playdate this Saturday August 15th from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the school playground. This is a wonderful chance for your children to meet classmates, explore the playground, and enjoy a refreshing freeze pop.
And don’t miss our Pizza Party and first PTA meeting on August 28th from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. Leave dinner to us, bring the whole family, and connect with fellow parents as we wrap up the first week of school. I look forward to meeting everyone and collaborating to make this a memorable year for our students and community!
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