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WELCOME BACK!
UPDATED BUS TOUR SCHEDULE
Dear Fairhill Families,
Welcome to the first edition of the Fairhill Forum for the 2026-2027 school year!
The Fairhill Forum is an important resource for our families, bringing together information from Fairhill, our PTA, and FCPS all in one place. We know how busy family schedules can be, and we truly appreciate you taking the time each week to read through the Forum. Staying informed about upcoming events, important dates, and opportunities is one of the best ways we can work together to support our students.
As we begin another exciting year at Fairhill, our focus continues to center on our three core values: Relationships. Rigorous Instruction. Connections to Our Community. These values guide the work we do each day and reflect what makes Fairhill such a special place. We believe strong relationships create the foundation for learning, rigorous instruction helps every student grow and succeed, and meaningful connections with our families and community make us stronger together.
We hope to see all of our Fairhill families at the upcoming events listed below. These gatherings are wonderful opportunities to connect with one another, strengthen relationships, and start the school year together as a community.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any specific questions or if there is anything we can do to support your student or your family. We are looking forward to a fantastic year together!
All our best,
Ted & Maura
August
- August 21st - Open House 10 am - 11:30 am
- August 22nd - Kindergarten Popsicles
- August 24th - First Day of School
September
- September 2nd - PTA Meeting 9:30 am
- September 4th - September 7th Labor Day Weekend (No School)
- September 9th - Whole School Popsicle Day 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
- September 16th - BTSN 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
- September 11th - Fall Student Pictures
- September 21st - Yom Kippur (No School)
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September 30th - Wednesday Early Release (3 hours)
October
- October 6th - Parent Coffee 9:30 am
- October 28th - Fall Picture Makeup Day
- October 30th - Fall Festival
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Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-27
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.
Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays, including the list of early release dates.
2026-27 Early Release Wednesday Dates for Fairhill Elementary
The following are our three hour early release dates for the 2026-27 school year. Please add to your calendars now and more information will be coming at the start of the 2026-27 school year
- ERW 1 - September 30
- ERW 2 - November 18
- ERW 3 - January 13
- ERW 4 - April 7
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STAFF SCHOOL BUS TOUR
On Wednesday, August 19th, Fairhill hits the road with our tradition of the Community Bus Tour. Our staff will take the bus to the following stops in our neighborhoods, and we hope you and your students will join us for popsicles and a quick hello and meet your child’s teacher!
Stop 1: 2:10 PM
- Ellenwood & Barrick: Park on Covington Street between Suede Court and Bowler Drive
Stop 2: 2:30 PM
- Stonehurst: Intersection of Stonehurst Drive and Annhurst Street
Stop 3: 2:50 PM
- Dunn Loring Village: Intersection of Grovemore Lane and Dellway Lane
Stop 4: 3:10 PM
Mosaic: Strawberry Park; grassy area on Strawberry Lane in front of Ted’s Bulletin
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Class Placement Notification Update!
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 on the morning of Wednesday, August 19th via TalkingPoints or email so families will know who their child’s teacher is prior to the bus tour.
We’re excited for another great year of learning and connection at Fairhill — stay tuned!
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Medication Drop Off
If your child requires medication at school, either emergency or regularly used, our medication drop-off will be on Thursday, August 20th, and Friday, August 21st from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM in the clinic.
Point of Contact: Vivienne Goldstein (vgoldstein@fcps.edu), Fairfax County Health Department Public Health Nurse
Reminder: Birthday Treats & Outside Food
At Fairhill, student safety is our main concern. Because of that, this is a friendly reminder that due to allergies and dietary restrictions, we cannot accept food treats for birthday celebrations in the classroom or the cafeteria.
We also know how important birthdays are for students, so we have created a system where students can feel celebrated while ensuring that all students remain safe.
Celebrate with a Story!
Celebrate your child’s birthday or another special event in an exciting way by donating a book to the Fairhill Library! Parents and children can select and purchase a title from the Amazon Fairhill Wishlist, which will be published at the beginning of the year, and the book will be delivered directly to the school. During library time, Ms. Parker will help your child create a personalized dedication label for their donated book. It’s a wonderful way to honor your child while giving the gift of reading for all Fairhill students to enjoy!
Thank you for your collaboration.
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Order Pictures Now! Ordenar Fotos Ahora
strawbridge.net
Click "Order Pictures & Yearbooks"
Haga clic en "Solicitar Fotografias y Anuarios"
Enter the code FM518850
Introduzca elcodigo a continuacion y haga clic on "Buscar" para realizar el pedido
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News from PTA
Calling for Volunteers: Help to Make a Big Difference in our community
The Fairhill PTA again will continue to support Fairhill families and our broader local community by collecting unused food purchased from the cafeteria (e.g., milk, string cheese) and/or unopened store-bought food (e.g., crackers) during the spring semester
Our kids' role -> Kids are asked to leave food they may otherwise toss in the garbage and instead put it off in the Food for Others fridge in the cafeteria.
Our volunteers' role -> Once a week (Mondays or Tuesdays), we are asking for a volunteer to collect the food and drop it off at Food For Others (1 mile away).
Our collective Impact -> In addition to minimizing food waste, we are helping 75,000 Fairfax County (and Fairhill families) who are food insecure. On a weekly basis last year, we collected hundreds of milk cartons, string cheese packets, crackers, yogurts and more.
Sign up here to volunteer! Questions???? Call/text//email Anika Marpaka (anikaamin@yahoo.com or 703 855 0500)
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Help Us Erase Student Lunch Debt
Please consider donating to eliminate school lunch debt through our Educate Fairfax platform. All donations are tax deductible; you will receive a receipt for tax deduction purposes.
News, Updates & Resources
from FCPS
Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County with economic and educational risk factors.
- The pre-K program prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and parents/guardians of children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. However, space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail (printable application), or in person at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
Spanish
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
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 at no cost for their children. 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 children 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 are being 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.
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.
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Spanish: Nuevas credenciales de identificación para estudiantes y sistema de navegación de autobusesFCPS está implementando un nuevo sistema de navegación para los autobuses escolares. Como parte de este sistema, los estudiantes que utilizan el autobús recibirán una credencial de identificación. Al subir y bajar del autobús, los estudiantes deberán acercar su credencial al lector. Esto permitirá que FCPS y las familias sepan con mayor precisión que estudiantes viajan en cada autobús.
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Conozca más sobre el nuevo sistema y cómo ayudará a mejorar la eficiencia de las rutas, la seguridad y la información que reciben las familias. No olvide consultar las preguntas frecuentes para mayor entendimiento.
Be First-Day Ready
The first day of school, Monday, August 24, is just around the corner! Check out these back-to-school tips to make sure your child gets off to a great start.
Also find out what will be new this school year.
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Spanish: Prepárese para el Regreso a Clase
¡El primer día de clases está a la vuelta de la esquina! Nos vemos este lunes 24 de agosto. Revise estos consejos para el regreso a clase y asegúrese de que su estudiante tenga un fantástico inicio.
Entérese de qué habrá de nuevo en este año escolar.
Back-to-School Immunization Requirements
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:
Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date and ready for the first day of school!
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.
Other local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA)
E-IFTA is a welcoming, supportive arts enrichment program where students experience Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance each day in a fun and engaging environment. One thing that makes our program especially unique is that we are intentionally staffed with Instructional Assistants (IAs), Public Health Training Assistants (PHTAs), and Special Education Resource Teachers. Because of this, E-IFTA can be an excellent fit for families who may not feel comfortable enrolling their child in a more traditional summer camp setting.
As a reminder, we are also able to offer:
- Tuition assistance • Transportation
- After care options
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News from Fairfax County Government
Family Information Phone Lines
FCPS family information phone lines are available in nine different languages. An FCPS employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.
Call the phone line with questions about your child’s education or FCPS, and someone will help connect you to resources or arrange for you to speak to the appropriate school employee. Learn more about family information phone lines.
Scroll Smart. Post Smart. Stay Safe.
The Fairfax County Police Department encourages teens and parents to stay informed, have open conversations about digital safety, and practice smart online habits throughout the summer months. Read recommendations to stay safe online this summer.
Fairfax County Government Programs & Services
Fairfax County Health Department – Public Health Center Services (Ongoing)
The Fairfax County Health Department continues to offer a wide range of public health services for children, adults, and families at locations throughout Fairfax County. Services include immunizations, maternal and child health care, HIV/STI testing and counseling, tuberculosis services, pregnancy testing, WIC nutrition support, vital records, and eye care assistance for eligible residents. Walk-ins and appointments are available at Annandale, Herndon-Reston, Mount Vernon, and Franconia-Springfield locations.
Health Department Services & WIC Information (Ongoing)
The Fairfax County Health Department is providing ongoing community health services including environmental health, communicable disease support, refugee services, maternity services, school immunizations, TB testing and treatment, and WIC nutrition assistance. Multiple WIC offices and public health centers remain available across Fairfax County to support families and residents.
- Updated Fairfax County Health Department Flyer (English) (Spanish)
- Contact for more information: 703-246-2411 | WIC Information Line: 703-246-5599
Inova Health System – Community Health Programs for Children (Ongoing Services Available Year-Round) Inova offers a variety of free or low-cost healthcare resources for children, including assistance with Medicaid/FAMIS applications, primary care services for children with Medicaid or no insurance, free virtual nutrition and cooking classes, and care coordination for children with special healthcare needs. Families can access preventive care, immunizations, school and sports physicals, nutrition counseling, and support services at no cost or reduced cost.
Inova Cares Back-to-School Pediatric Health Fairs (Upcoming, Summer 2026) Free physicals and immunizations for children (ages 5+, Medicaid or uninsured only). June 27 – Inova Cares Manassas July 25 – Inova Cares Falls Church Call 703-698-2550 (appointments required, no walk-ins) Available Flyer
Download the FCPS App Today!
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.
New ParentVUE Mobile App Launched July 28
On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app became 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. Although enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. If you need assistance, submit a Parent Support Request.
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Get The App and Save the Site!
Now would be a great time to download important FCPS apps and bookmark key pages to set you up for the school year. Below are our recommendations and their specific use.
Apps:
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ParentVUE - The SIS ParentVUE Account (Student Information System ParentVUE Account) is the FCPS secure solution for accessing information about your child's attendance, class performance, demographic data, and link to Schoology. It provides an additional conduit for communication with your child's school.
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Here Comes the Bus - Know when your bus is approaching your stop! Here Comes the Bus® app is a school bus tracking app that provides real-time bus location. This helps parents and students get to the bus stop on time. Here Comes the Bus® utilizes our GPS data and is available on multiple devices. The FCPS school district code 28982, and you will need your SIS Parent Account set up first.
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Talking Points - TalkingPoints is an easy and safe way families can communicate in their home languages with their child’s teachers for free. We will be using this platform to communicate with you about your child’s education and progress.
Bookmarks:
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LinqConnect - Find out what’s for lunch each day!
- Or, follow FCPS Food and Nutrition Services for weekly updates on Instagram and/or Facebook.
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MySchoolBucks - Online payment for student fees (e.g. field trips), lunch accounts, and school store items are available through the MySchoolBucks School Store. This online payment service provides a quick and easy way to pay for school-related purchases. You will be able to pay for a variety of school fees using credit/debit cards or electronic checks.
Important Fairhill Contact Information
Fairhill Phone Numbers:
Main Office 703-208-8100
• Health Room 703-208-8110
• Cafeteria 703-208-8121
Administration e-mail addresses:
• Principal, Ted Cooper: egcooper@fcps.edu
• Assistant Principal, Maura Cotter: mkcotter@fcps.edu
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