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Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, haga clic en el enlace a continuación y elija su idioma.
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English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | Français | Русский
 Ready! Set! Go! We are ready to climb to new heights this school year. Check out all of the information below about starting off the school year.
Parents of new kindergarten and first graders have organized some playdates on our playground. Check out the fliers on our PTA website homepage for dates and times. Stay safe and have fun!
News from the Fox Den
August 14, 2026
A Message from Ms. Consolla
We are counting down the days until the start of the new school year, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the Fox Den!
Next week, our teachers will return to school and spend time learning together, planning, and preparing their classrooms for our students. There is so much excitement in the building as we get ready for another wonderful year of learning and growing together.
As we get closer to the first day, now is a great time to begin transitioning back to a school-year routine. Consider gradually moving bedtimes a little earlier so that children can get plenty of rest and wake up ready for the day when school begins.
Please mark your calendars for these important dates:
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Thursday, August 20 at 3:15 PM: Kindergarten Open House
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Friday, August 21 from 9:00–10:00 AM: Open House K-6
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Monday, August 24: First Day of School!
I invite you to check out what will be new this school year across FCPS, including the new bus passes for our bus riders. Student will receive their cards once school starts, so don't worry about not being able to ride the bus on the first day.
Enjoy these final days of summer. We are looking forward to seeing our hallways and classrooms filled with students again very soon!
Jean
Jean Consolla, Principal
jtconsolla@fcps.edu
Follow us on Instagram @FortHuntES
Getting Ready for the New School Year
📝What are the forms I need to complete to begin the new school year?
Please check out the Forms for the Start of School
🍎When will I learn about my child's teacher assignment for next year?
Parent/guardians will receive an email on Thursday, August 20th with their child's teacher assignments. Kindergarten families will receive their teacher assignment on Wednesday
🎒Can my kindergarten child visit their classroom before the first day of school?
Yes! If your child will be in kindergarten, please join us on Thursday, August 20th at 3:15-4pm. We'll start in the cafeteria to learn important information. Then you and your child can take a peek into the classroom.
📚What about students in Grades 1-6? When can they visit the classroom?
ALL students in grades K-6 can stop by to visit their classrooms and drop off their school supplies on Friday, August 21 from 9:00-9:55am.
✏️Where can I get information about school supplies for next year?
School supplies for all grade levels can be found here. If you ordered supplies through our PTA-sponsored sale with Sprouts, those items have arrived.
🚌When is the first day of school?
Monday, August 24. Doors will open at 8:35am. It is a full day of school. Dismissal is at 3:40pm.
🏫When is Back to School Night?
Wednesday, September 2 6:00-8:00pm.
📆Where can I see the school year calendar for 2026-27?
Use this link to see next year's calendar..
Will there be Early Release Wednesdays next year? If so, when will they be?
Yes, we will have Early Release Wednesdays next year where we will dismiss at 12:40pm. These days 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.
Fort Hunt Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-27:
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October 21
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December 2
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February 10
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May 5
Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays, including the list of early release dates.
⌚Updates Regarding Smart Watches
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.
This means that smartwatches, even if they are on the "school" setting, cannot be worn once students enter the building. They must be off and away until they leave at dismissal.
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ 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. If parents need to reach their child during the day, please call our front office. Visit the FCPS cellphone policy webpage for more information.
 Our PTA is organizing a "Stock the Lounge." You can sign-up here.
How to Stay Informed
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:
- 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.
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Toys, Fidgets, Stuffies... Stay at Home
If your child has an accommodation for the use of a fidget in their IEP or 504 plan, we will provide a fidget for them. All toys, fidgets, stuffed animals, squishies, pop-its etc., need to stay at home even if they're small. Thank you for ensuring your student complies with this.
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We are PET-Free on Our Campus
As a reminder, all FCPS campuses, including Fort Hunt, do not allow pets at any time or day of the week. This includes drop-off and afterschool pick-up. It's fine to wait up on the sidewalk on Linton Lane with your pet. This rule is in place to ensure all students feel safe and to keep our grounds clean. Thank you!
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Important Times
May arrive on campus: 8:30am
Kiss & Ride: 8:35-8:55am
Doors Open: 8:35am Tardy Bell: 8:55am
Dismissal Bell: 3:40pm
Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
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Important Dates
Thursday, August 20 | Kindergarten Orientation 3:15-4:00pm
Friday, August 21| Open House & Supply Drop-off 9:00-9:55am
Monday, August 24 | First Day of School
Wednesday, September 2 | Back-to-School Night 6:00-8:00pm
Friday, Sept 4 - Monday, Sept 7 | No School - Labor Day Break
You can access the full 2026-27 calendar here. Days that are shaded pink or blue are holidays for students. Orange days are NOT school holidays.
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Get Involved with your PTA
Consider becoming a member of the Parent Teacher Association at Fort Hunt. It's a great way to connect with other parents, learn about how to support your child and to have fun at their amazing community events! There are many ways where you can share your voice, talents and time. Everyone working together makes this a great community. Check out the PTA website for more information.
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Parent/Guardian Handbook
Do you have questions about attendance or food/drink at school or what students can wear? If so, please check out our Parent/Guardian Handbook on our Fort Hunt website. It's available with translations. Click here to access it. Of course, if you have a question about a situation that is not listed, reach out to your child's teacher or an administrator.
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Your Partners in Education
We are honored to work with your family this year and will work everyday to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. We can't do it alone. Please contact us when there is a question or concern, especially related to bullying. As a parent, you will often hear about something before staff might. Thank you for all your support.
Jean Consolla, Principal
jtconsolla@fcps.edu
Tiffani Triplett, Assistant Principal
tttriplett@fcps.edu
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