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Dear Freedom Hill Families,
The first day of school is almost here, and we couldn’t be more excited! It was wonderful to see so many families at Open House, and tomorrow we will welcome our students back for another year of learning, growth, and discovery. A heartfelt thank you to our teachers and staff for creating such a warm and welcoming environment for the start of the school year. A big thanks to our PTA for being on site, and for providing a great lunch for our hardworking staff!
This year, our theme is “Ready, Set, Goal!” From the very first day, we will encourage our students to embrace new challenges and celebrate their progress along the way. We are excited to support every student as they discover what they can achieve.
Please take a moment to review the newsletter below for important reminders about arrival and dismissal procedures. Ensuring a safe start and end to each day is our top priority, and it requires all of us, staff and families alike, working together. In particular, please help keep our students safe by not crossing Lord Fairfax Road, except at our designated crosswalk. Your partnership makes this possible.
We look forward to a fantastic year ahead. Together, we are ready, set, and goal-bound!
In partnership,
Dr. Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Mr. Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal
Ms. Holly Sims, Assistant Principal
Kiss and Ride (Red) - Parents follow the loop and drop off students in the safe area where staff members meet the students. Cars in the bus loop need to allow for space for families to access the accessible parking spaces.
Accessible Parking (Blue) - There are two areas designated for accessible parking. Please note that our Facilities Department will be reconfiguring these this year - please be aware of signage.
Door #1 - Students that ride the bus enter and exit the building at Door 1.
Door #8 -Walkers and Kiss and Ride students enter and exit the building at Door 8.
Door #5 - Walkers from behind the school and some students in our special education programs enter and exit the building at Door 5.
In the interest of student safely, please do not:
- Make illegal U-turns on Lord Fairfax Road
- Park in the bus lanes (yellow area) during arrival/dismissal
- Walk across the road or bus lanes (please use the crosswalk)
- Park at the neighboring apartment complex
- Block community mailboxes
2026-27 FCPS School Calendar
Freedom Hill Family Resources
Breakfast/Lunch Menus
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August 24 - First Day of School - Students Arrive at 9:05
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August 31 - Deadline to register for Fall before-school enrichment classes
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September 1 - Back to School Night for Parents, 6-8PM
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September 4 - 7 - Labor Day Break
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September 11 - PTA Back to School Picnic, 5:30-7:30PM
PTA-sponsored enrichment classes for the Fall 2026 session are now open for registration! Our teacher-led programs offer students a fun and meaningful way to explore new interests before school.
The Fall Session runs from September 8 – December 18 and includes a variety of engaging options across grade levels.
Before-School Options for the Fall Include:
(Class days and times vary; see the registration page for complete details.)
All enrichment classes are taught by FHES teachers, providing a safe, familiar, and supportive learning environment.
To register, visit the PTA Enrichment Activities page and store: https://freedomhillespta.givebacks.com/w/enrichment
Note: Classes require minimum enrollment to run.
Registration Closes August 31 @ 9 PM
Contact the PTA at info@freedomhillpta.org if you have any questions, issues, or need additional help.
Three-hour early release days for Freedom Hill are:
- September 30th
- November 18th
- January 13th
- April 7th
Read more about early release Wednesdays on the FCPS website. Directions for how to indicate your childcare needs are below. Please complete by August 25th.
Opt In/Opt Out for ERW Childcare
We anticipate most students will be dismissed at 1:05, like last year. However, we recognize that some families may require childcare during the limited Early Release Wednesdays; these students will be supervised by instructional assistants. No new instruction will take place as after-school care is strictly supervision.
Directions to Indicate your Childcare Needs for ERW
Log in to ParentVUE to review and provide your choice for Early Release Days Child Care.
⇒ No, I have childcare arrangements on Early Release Days and do not require childcare
⇒ No, My child is enrolled in afternoon SACC
⇒ Yes, I require childcare, and my child will stay at school until the normal dismissal
Experience an easier way to view your child’s school menus using MealViewer:
- View what is being served each day.
- View the nutritional information for each meal.
- See if any specific allergens are being served.
- Get notified when your student’s favorite meal is being served.
Printable menus are always available on the Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
Again this year, families will use the Parent Digital Consent System to complete some forms that have used paper in the past. You will log in using your ParentVUE Account credentials, there, you will be able complete the Digital Resources Consent form for the school year, which is required for all students. You will also be able to find more information about opt-out forms and complete those forms for your student.
Senate Bill 108 is a new Virginia law that went into effect on July 1. It requires that all schools in the state follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy and prohibit cellphone possession and use for the entire school day. The updated FCPS Cellphone Policy aligns with this law.
Across all grade levels, cellphones, cellphone accessories, and all smart devices must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day. Watches that serve a dual purpose (like a smartwatch) must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day, too. Personal devices that connect to a cellphone or cellphone accessory or operate as a smart device must also follow the FCPS Cellphone Policy.
This policy does not apply to school-issued devices. However, school-issued devices must be used in accordance with FCPS Regulation 6410, Acceptable Use Policy, which allows the use of school-issued devices for educational purposes. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.
 As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses.
The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.
The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.
It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
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 for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. 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 students 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 will be 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.
On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app will become 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. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
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:
- Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
- If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
- Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.
Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date.
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.
What an incredible summer of soccer, friendship and fun at Freedom Hill!
A huge THANK YOU to Vienna Youth Soccer for making Freedom Hill part of such a memorable summer. From days spent developing soccer skills and cheering on friends to World Cup fun, games, crafts and plenty of smiles, it was wonderful to see our school filled with so much energy all summer long.
And VYS’s generosity didn’t stop when camp ended! We are incredibly grateful for the wonderful donation of sports equipment, arts & crafts supplies, and financial support left for Freedom Hill. These materials will continue to bring opportunities for our students to play, create and have fun throughout the school year.
We’re so thankful for community partners like Vienna Youth Soccer who invest in our kids and our school.
Thank you, VYS, for an unforgettable summer, and for leaving a little bit of the summer fun behind for our Eagles to enjoy all year long!
A heartfelt thank you to Wheat’s Landscaping for their incredible generosity and volunteerism in helping Freedom Hill get ready for the new school year! Their hardworking team transformed our school grounds, beautifully refreshing our garden beds, pruning trees, and making every area they touched look its very best. A beautiful school creates a sense of pride and excitement for our students, staff, families, and visitors, and we are so grateful to Wheat’s for treating Freedom Hill as such an important place. We proudly display their banner near our parking lot entrance as a small token of our tremendous appreciation!
Upcoming Events
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Aug 31 - Deadline to register for Fall before-school enrichment classes
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Sept 1 - Back to School Night for Parents, 6-8PM
- 5:45 - Doors open for parent/guardians
- 6-6:25 - Session 1 w/teachers K-6
- 6:30-6:55 - Session 2 w/teachers K-6
- 6-7 - Meet & Greet w/ Specialists
- 7-7:30 - Advanced Academics Info Session
- 7:30-8 - Open Discussion w/ our Principals
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Sept 11 - Back to School Picnic - 5:30-7:30PM @ Freedom Hill (Volunteer Link)
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Sept 23 - First PTA Meeting, 6PM-8PM, Library
FALL 2026 TEACHER-LED ENRICHMENT CLASSES
PTA-sponsored enrichment classes for the Fall 2026 session are now open for registration! Our teacher-led programs offer students a fun and meaningful way to explore new interests before school.
The Fall Session runs from September 8 – December 18 and includes a variety of engaging options across grade levels.
Before-School Options for the Fall Include:
(Class days and times vary; see the registration page for complete details.)
All enrichment classes are taught by FHES teachers, providing a safe, familiar, and supportive learning environment.
To register, visit the PTA Enrichment Activities page and store: https://freedomhillespta.givebacks.com/w/enrichment
Note: Classes require minimum enrollment to run.
Registration Closes August 31 @ 9 PM
Contact the PTA at info@freedomhillpta.org if you have any questions, issues, or need additional help.
WE’RE OFF TO A GREAT START!
We’re excited to share that 2 teachers/staff members and 21 families have already joined the PTA! Together, you’ve contributed more than $3,000, putting us well on our way toward our $10,000 fundraising goal.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has joined and donated so far. Your support makes a real difference for our students, teachers, and school community!
Ready to join? You can sign up anytime online here.
We’ll also be sending a flyer home in students’ folders soon with more information.
Important Dates:
- Join by September 23: You’ll be eligible to vote on the budget at our first PTA meeting.
- Join by September 30: You’ll be guaranteed to receive your PTA swag!
Let’s keep the momentum going and see how quickly we can reach that $10,000 goal!
WHAT YOUR PTA DOLLARS SUPPORT
Thanks to our PTA, we are able to directly invest in the resources that make a difference for our students, teachers and school. This year, PTA funds will go toward:
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New Technology for Classrooms – including replacing seven broken projectors to keep lessons engaging and accessible.
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Hands-On Learning Tools – classroom robotics kits that spark innovation and problem-solving skills.
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Stronger Classroom Libraries – expanding book selections to foster a lifelong love of reading.
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Curriculum Support – providing the materials and programs our teachers need to enrich instruction.
Your membership makes these investments possible. When you join the PTA, you’re not just supporting the school; you’re helping every child in every classroom thrive. Join today!
YOU’RE INVITED: BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC - FRIDAY, SEPT 11, 5:30PM
We hope to see you on Freedom Hill’s playground, blacktop, and field as we celebrate the new school year! Please look out for a flyer to pre-order Potbelly dinner or pizza and grab a sweet treat from Ben & Jerry's on-site truck. Sign up to volunteer here. If you have a student who needs volunteer hours, this is a great opportunity. The picnic is from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and we will need help before and after to set up and clean up. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ausra Lagos at alagosedu@gmail.com.
WE ❤️ OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF
We are so thankful for our amazing teachers and staff who make Freedom Hill the wonderfully supportive school community that benefits our students each day. A special thank you to Lauren Starace and Emma Strauss for planning a terrific lunch from Potbelly on Friday, giving teachers and staff a chance to recharge before the busy school year begins. Every dollar contributed to the PTA goes right back into programs, events, and resources that benefit our students and staff- which is why your contributions make such a meaningful difference!
STAY CONNECTED
PTA QUICK LINKS
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