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1. Welcome Back Stars!
2. First Day of School
3. Cheers and Tears for Kindergarten Parents
4. Coates Family Academy- CFA
5. From FCPS
6. Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond
7. Mark Your Calendar
Welcome back, families!
To help everyone prepare for the new school year, we have created a one-page resource on our website called the Family Information Hub. You will find important tasks to complete, along with additional information to help you stay connected throughout the year.
Please take some time to review these resources. If you have any questions, contact our main office at 703-713-3000.
We look forward to seeing you all soon!
The first day of school is Monday, August 24th!
The arrival bell will ring at 9:00 a.m., and the tardy bell will ring at 9:15 a.m. Students arriving after 9:15 a.m. must be signed in by a parent or guardian at the office.
The dismissal bell will ring at 4:00 p.m. Kiss-and-ride and walker parents should arrive by that time for student pickup.
We are excited to welcome our students and begin a wonderful year of learning and growth together!
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Dear Kindergarten Families,
The first day of Kindergarten is a big moment for children and parents!
After you say goodbye to your Kindergartener, please join us for coffee, conversation, and connection with our Principal and Family Liaison.
Whether you are celebrating with cheers or holding back a few tears, we would love to have you join us!
📅 Date: 8/24/2026
🕒 Time: 9:15 - 10:15
📍 Location: Coates Library
During the meeting, we will talk about:
- What to expect in Kindergarten
- Daily routines and schedules
- Attendance and arrival/dismissal
- How families can support learning at home
- School resources and support
- Your questions!
We look forward to meeting you and working together to make this a wonderful Kindergarten year!
💙 We hope to see you there!
 Starts in September!
No matter what stage you are in on your parenting journey, there is a program at Coates Family Academy (CFA) that is right for you!
Our goal is to empower parents and provide you with the tools, information, and support you need to raise happy, healthy, and successful children.
We invite you to join us throughout the school year. We are here to support and accompany you on the wonderful—and sometimes challenging—journey of parenting.
📅 Please see the attached flyer for information about our sessions and dates. Everyone is welcome to participate!
🗓️ Session Schedule
Tuesday Sessions | 6:00–8:00 p.m. Classes are taught in English.
Thursday Sessions | 6:00–8:00 p.m. Classes are taught in Spanish.
👧 Childcare & Student Support
We are happy to offer childcare for children ages 4–12 while parents participate in the Academy.
We are also partnering with Westfield High School Helping Hands to provide children with basic reading and math tutoring support while their parents attend Coates Family Academy sessions.
✏️ Join Coates Family Academy!
Everyone is welcome! We hope you will join us, connect with other families, learn new skills, and become an active part of our CFA community.
Register here: [Insert Registration Link]
💙 We look forward to learning and growing together!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdqsu-0WW9cNNsdALd2Fmr8_QwhMTWiAbTzFAzNKRx1sqZ7Q/viewform
Academia para Familias de Coates – CFA 💙 Empezamos en Septiembre
No importa en qué etapa de su camino como padre, madre o cuidador se encuentre, ¡siempre habrá un programa en la Academia para Familias de Coates (CFA) ideal para usted!
Nuestro objetivo es empoderar a las familias y brindarles las herramientas, información y apoyo necesarios para criar niños felices, saludables y exitosos.
Los invitamos a participar en nuestra Academia durante todo el año escolar. Estamos aquí para apoyarlos y acompañarlos en la maravillosa —y a veces desafiante— aventura de ser padres.
📅 Por favor, consulte el volante adjunto para obtener información sobre nuestras sesiones y fechas. ¡Todos son bienvenidos a participar!
🗓️ Horario de las sesiones
Sesiones de los martes | 6:00–8:00 p. m. Las clases se ofrecen en inglés.
Sesiones de los jueves | 6:00–8:00 p. m. Las clases se ofrecen en español.
👧 Cuidado de niños y apoyo académico
Nos complace ofrecer cuidado de niños de 4 a 12 años mientras los padres participan en la Academia.
También estamos colaborando con Helping Hands de Westfield High School para ofrecer a los niños apoyo básico de tutoría en lectura y matemáticas mientras sus padres participan en las sesiones de la Academia para Familias de Coates.
✏️ ¡Únase a la Academia para Familias de Coates!
¡Todos son bienvenidos! Esperamos que nos acompañe para conectarse con otras familias, aprender nuevas herramientas y formar parte activa de nuestra comunidad de CFA.
Inscríbase aquí:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdqsu-0WW9cNNsdALd2Fmr8_QwhMTWiAbTzFAzNKRx1sqZ7Q/viewform
Student ID Cards for Coates ES Bus Riders
We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.
These cards are expected to arrive at our school by Tuesday, August 25th and we will be distributing them over the next week. Students will all have their cards no later than Thursday, September 3rd.
Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers will begin checking in students next week and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
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Get Ready for Day One with the FCPS App! 🎒
As we gear up for the first day of school, make sure you have the FCPS mobile app downloaded! It's the quickest way to check the school year calendar, view lunch and breakfast menus, find school contacts, and jump to ParentVUE or Schoology from your phone.
Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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Help Your Child Navigate the Lunch Line
Check out some tips to help your child get through the lunch line quickly and have more time to eat:
- Teach your child their student ID number to receive meals at school.
- Sign up for and add money to MySchoolBucks to purchase meals at school.
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Apply for free and reduced-price meals. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should submit a new application as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
If your child has any food allergies, learn how to submit accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergens.
Access menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals, as well as allergen and nutrition information.
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You Can Manage Student Web Access at Home
At Coates Elementary, we acknowledge that parents are our students' first and most important teachers. Parents now have greater control over their child’s FCPS-issued device outside of school hours through Lightspeed Parent Portal.
In addition to monitoring weekly internet activity, parents can now also customize web access at home on FCPS devices through Lightspeed using Schedules and Web Rules.
With Schedules, you can set tailored times to automatically pause or restrict internet access. This makes it easier to enforce rules around homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
In Web Rules, you can create Custom Block Lists to block specific, individual websites they do not want your child accessing at home. This allows parents greater control over what is happening online, under their own roof.
These new custom controls take effect at home, outside of school hours, and when the device is off the FCPS network. They will not override standard district filtering policies during the instructional day.
Customize Your Lightspeed Settings
All parents should be receiving weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report emails. To set up these new features, click the “Log in or Register” button at the bottom of your weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email.
Visit the FCPS Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide for more information. If you have additional questions, submit a Parent Technology Support Ticket.
Parents are encouraged to discuss internet boundaries with their children so that they can understand the reasoning behind any limits and the differences between access at home and at school. Get tips on talking to your children about technology safety.
💻 Catch Up on Your Child’s Classwork in Schoology
Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Get more information on how to login and use Schoology.
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SEL Screener Parent/Guardian Notification
The Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3 through 12 in October. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Advanced Academic Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K to 12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3 to 7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2 to 7 may be referred by December 15.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services:
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Test (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Ms. Herring, school testing coordinator, at klherring@fcps.edu by September 30th.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings led by Ms. Buck, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: October, 14th at 5:30-6 pm in the library. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: October, 14th at 5:30-6 pm in the library
- . Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Ms. Buck, AART, at LLBuck@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Family Information Line Available in Nine Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records
Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Prior to the start of school on Monday, August 24, please submit your child’s immunization documentation. If your child has an appointment to receive their required immunizations after August 24, please submit an Immunization Action Plan to confirm the appointment.
You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. Please visit the FCPS How to Submit Immunization Documentation webpage for step-by-step instructions on how to submit each of these items.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
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.
Additional immunization resources are also available.
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The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees, specifically at Coates. |
24th- First Day of School/ Cheers & Tears
2nd- Fall Festival Planning Committee (PTA)- 6-7 pm
4th-7th- Holiday (Labor Day Break)
17th- PTA Meeting (State of the School - Title I Parent Meeting)- 5:30-6 pm
17th- Back-to-School Night- 5:30-7:00 pm
21st- Holiday (Yom Kippur)
25th- Blue Star Breakfast for Military Connected Families- 9:15-10:15 am
7th- National Walk to School Day
8th- Fall Picture Day- 9:30-4 pm
12th- Student Holiday (Indigenous Peoples’ Day & School Planning Day)
14th- AAP Level IV Parent Information Meeting /Full-Time Referral Information Night- 5:30-6 pm
14th-PTA Meeting- 6-7 pm
21st- 3 Hour Early Release at 1 pm
24th- Fall Festival (Saturday)- 10-2pm
30th- End of First Quarter- Dismissal at 2 pm
31st- Halloween
*The full FCPS 2026-2027 calendar can be accessed here.
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