News From the Nest ~ Glen Forest ES (9/1/26)

September 1, 2026

A Message from Principal Herndon-Wilson

Dear Glen Forest Families,

What a wonderful start to the school year! As we settle into new routines, learn new names, find our way through busy mornings, and get back into the rhythm of school, I want to thank you for your flexibility, patience, and partnership.

The beginning of a school year is exciting, but it can also be a little messy as we all figure things out together. Thank you for giving our students, our staff, and one another a little grace as we get back into the swing of things. Every day, we are learning, adjusting, and growing together.

At Glen Forest, we know that strong schools are built on strong partnerships. We are grateful for the trust you place in us each day to care for, challenge, encourage, and celebrate your children. We are excited about the year ahead and all that we will accomplish together.

Thank you for being part of our Glen Forest family. From Many, We are ONE! 

With gratitude,

Dee Dee Herndon-Wilson
Proud Principal, Glen Forest Elementary

What Will Your Child Be Learning This Year?

Please visit this link on the FCPS website to see what your child will be learning this year. Our grade levels teams work collaboratively to plan engaging lessons, analyze student data, and adjust instruction based on your child's needs. Our teachers have the support of not only the administrators but also an instructional coach, literacy specialists, and math specialists. Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions related to the grade level curriculum.

Student ID Cards for Bus Riders

We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.

We will be attaching these new student ID cards to your child's backpack tis week during the school day.  They will be in a plastic pocket and attached with a zip tie. You should see these attached to your child's backpack in the next few days.

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.

September is Attendance Awareness Month

Being present every day at school is critically important to your child's future! Too many absences in preschool and elementary school can cause children to struggle socially and academically.  

Did you know?  Missing 10% of school (just 2 days each month) causes significant gaps in learning because your child would be missing and 60 hours of reading and writing instruction and 30 hours of instruction in math. In elementary school, foundational skills are being taught and it can be difficult for your child to recover in order to stay on pace with grade level content.

Please let us know if your child is refusing school and we can help!  Please email the principal, Dee Dee Herndon-Wilson, at dlherndonwi1@fcps.edu, and we can make a plan.  Please don't hesitate to reach out.

SEL Screener Parent/Guardian Notification

The Fall 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. 

Everything You Need to Do in SIS ParentVUE

Are you working your way through back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find important forms and updates.  We have a number of families who still need to set up an account.  ParentVUE gives you access to your child's attendance record, SOL score reports, report cards, and more.

NEW this school year!  We will not be printing report cards and sending them home.  You will need a ParentVUE account to view your child's report cards.  The first quarter report card will be available in ParentVUE on Monday, November 9th at 9:00am.  Make sure your account is set up now!

If you do not have a ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

Message from the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)

The Glen Forest PTO is a collaboration of parent and staff volunteers who work to support and connect the entire school community through events, clubs, and programs. Board members of the PTO have been planning and preparing for a fun-filled year ahead, which began with the Welcome Back Picnic on Friday. Thanks to those who made it out!  

Please consider supporting our wonderful school by joining the PTO. You may register online  (preferred!) or return the blue form that your child received in their Wednesday folder to their child's teacher. Please only return the form if it includes payment. We ask that each family pay a voluntary fee of $20 to support the efforts of the PTO. While joining is optional, we use membership dues to support the school community in many ways, including:

-helping to fund field trips

-5K Fun Runs

-Bingo Night

-bringing in extracurricular programs like assemblies, and much more! 

We invite all members of the school community (PTO members and non-members) to join us for our first monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 9th at 7pm on Zoom . Principal Herndon-Wilson will be reviewing information about Title 1 and what it means for your child(ren), and the members of the PTO Board will present our plan for the year -- including upcoming fall club opportunities! We also will be available to answer questions and hear your ideas!

Please join us at Sweet Frog THIS WEDNESDAY, September 2 for our very first fundraiser of the year! Visit* anytime between 12pm-9pm and mention that you're with Glen Forest, and the restaurant will donate a portion of proceeds back to the PTO. *Valid only at the Baileys Crossroads Sweet Frog location at 5841-A Crossroad Center Way Falls Church VA 22041. 

Visit our online Spiritwear store to purchase your hoodie, t-shirt, or windbreaker jacket (new this year as long as we receive enough orders!). Don't delay, as the store is only open for a few weeks. We can't wait to see you sporting your Eagle pride in the hallways and around town!

Please reach out to anyone in the PTO or email glenforestpta@gmail.org with any questions or to share ideas!

Kaitlin Dinan - President (pictured on the far right below)

Jenie Ferer - Vice President (pictured second from right)

Kathleen Donovan - Secretary (pictured on the left)

Steve San Miguel - Treasurer (pictured second from left)

Follow Us on Social Media

Please follow Glen Forest ES on Facebook and Instagram!  We post pictures, important reminders, upcoming events, and much more!  Don't miss out!

Instagram: @gfesfcps

Facebook: Glen Forest Elementary School

❤️ Also follow your Principal, Dee Dee Herndon-Wilson, on Instagram!  @principaldeedee 

We Need Your Help!

🧸 Please leave toys at home. Our classrooms are full of wonderful materials for learning, and toys can become distractions or lead to disagreements.

🍬 Please do not send gum, candy, or soda to school. These items can create messes, distract from learning, and may not be appropriate for all students.

✋ Please remind your child to have safe hands. We want everyone to feel safe and respected at school. Hands are for helping, learning, creating, and caring for others!

These small reminders make a BIG difference in helping us keep our school safe, clean, and ready for learning. Thank you for being such an important part of the Glen Forest team. Together, we can make every day a great day for our Eagles! 💙💛

Mark Your Calendars

PTO Spirit Night Fundraiser - Wednesday, September 2nd - 4:00pm - closing (5841-A Crossroad Center Way, Falls Church VA)

No School - Friday, September 4th & Monday, September 7th - Labor Day Weekend

PTO Meeting via Zoom - Wednesday, September 9th - 7:00pm-7:30pm https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91953767218#success

Back-to-School Night - September 16th - (K-2nd 6:00pm-7:00pm and 3rd-5th 7:15pm-8:15pm)

No School - Monday, September 21st - Yom Kippur

Family Food Market - Wednesday, September 23rd - 5:30pm-7:00pm

Family Engagement Meeting - Tuesday, September 29th - 10:00-10:45 - in person or via Zoom - Topic: The Eagle Way: Glen Forest Expectations & FCPS Students Rights & Responsibilities - Presented by Principals

https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/97075825377

Electronic Device Policy

All personal electronic devices are prohibited.  If your child carries a cell phone, the phone must be off and stored in backpacks for the duration of the school day, including while on the bus. Smart watches, air pods, smart glasses are also not permitted.  The only exception is if a student has been approved for use due to a disability. Thank you for your attention to this FCPS policy. 

Glen Forest ES Administrative Team

Pictured from left to right:

Cali Loewenberg, Assistant Principal - Contact for PAC, ECCB, LEAC, UEAC, 3rd, 4th and 5th - Email is cmloewenberg@fcps.edu 

Dee Dee Herndon-Wilson, Principal, dlherndonwi1@fcps.edu

Shana Curtis, Assistant Principal - Contact for Pre-K, KG, 1st and 2nd Grades - Email is skcurtis@fcps.edu 

Alexandra Bowman, Assistant Principal (not pictured) - currently on leave