PTA Welcome Meeting on Wednesday!

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PTA Welcome Meeting on Wednesday!


Dear Fairhill Families,

It has been a wonderful week at Fairhill! Thank you for your continued support as we work together to build a strong start to the school year.

We hope to see you this Wednesday at our PTA meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. We also hope you enjoy the upcoming long weekend and have a safe, relaxing break.

In support,

Ted & Maura


Collage 9/1

Save the Date

 

 

 

 

September

  • September 2nd - PTA Meeting 6:30 pm 
  • September 4th - September 7th Labor Day Weekend (No School)
  • September 9th - Whole School Popsicle Playdate 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)
  • September 30th - Wednesday Early Release (3 hours) 
    • Dismissal 1:05 pm

October

  • October 6th - Parent Coffee 8:00 am
  • October 16th - 3rd Grade Field Trip to Zoo
  • October 28th - Fall Picture Makeup Day
  • October 30th - Fall Festival

November

  • November 5th - 1st Grade Field Trip to Frying Pan Park
  • November 2nd - Teacher Workday (Student Holiday)
  • November 3rd - School Planning Day (Student Holiday)
  • November 10th - PTA Meeting 6:30 pm
  • November 14th - Pumpkin Pie Run
  • November 18th  - Wednesday Early Release (3 hours) 
    • Dismissal 1:05 pm
  • November 25th - November 27th Thanksiving Holiday (No School)

School Counseling

6th grade Harassment lessons:

From October 13 – November 20, 2026,  sixth-grade students at Fairhill Elementary School will receive two lessons on the topic of sexual harassment.  These lessons seek to provide students with the necessary information, resources, and strategies to help prevent occurrences of sexual harassment as well as outline the steps to take if they feel they or their peers are targets of these behaviors.  In addition, the lessons share how schools support targeted students so that they can continue to focus on learning in an environment that feels comfortable and secure.  Parents/guardians may request to view these two lessons prior to deciding whether to opt their child(ren) out of the lessons. Please reach out to the school counselor for instructions on where to preview the lessons.

Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of the two sixth-grade lessons on the topic of sexual harassment.  Letters and the opt-out form will be going home today that provide more information on how to opt your sixth-grade child out of the lessons about sexual harassment.  If you do not receive the letter or opt-out form or have any additional questions, please contact Fairhill Elementary School at (703) 208-8100. 

Reach out with any questions.

Public website for more information:

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/counseling-services/school-counseling-services/6th-grade-sexual-harassment-prevention


HCTB

Here Comes the Bus App

Families can use the free Here Comes the Bus app to track their child’s bus and receive notifications when it is approaching the bus stop.

To sign up:

  1. Download the Here Comes the Bus app from the App Store or Google Play.
  2. Use the email address and password connected to your SIS ParentVUE account.
  3. Enter the FCPS district code: 28982.
  4. Follow the prompts to validate your account through the email from Synovia.

If you need assistance accessing your SIS ParentVUE account, please contact the Fairhill main office. Learn more on the FCPS Here Comes the Bus webpage. If you need support, please call 571-423-2400.

Please note that the app tracks the bus route—not individual students—and notifications may occasionally be delayed.


Early Release

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

library

We are so excited for another great year in our library! 

Some new books just arrived and we can’t wait to help students find books they are excited about!

For our new families and as reminder to our returning families, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th graders visit the library once a week every week during their specials block. 4th and 6th graders will visit the library for book checkout weekly during their science and social studies block. Students can check out books for 3 weeks, however may return books as soon as they are done to exchange them for new books.

All students may renew books as well as place books on hold by logging in to our catalog.  You can find the link to our catalog on Fairhill’s website under the Library tab. By having your student log-in, you can also see their current check-outs and due dates!

We do not charge fines for overdue books, but we will charge replacement fees for lost or damaged books.  We do our best to send monthly overdue notices home to help you help your student keep track of their library books.  We suggest having a dedicated space in your home just for library books—away from books you own and from food, drink, pets, or younger family members who may not know how to treat a book with care.

We host a book fair in early December as well!  This is a fun event that helps promote literacy as well as help us earn funds to buy new books and materials for our library.  More information will come as those events get closer.

We look forward to all our Fairhill students visiting the library this year!


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! 

Birthday Book

Thank you for your collaboration.


Fall Pictures

Order PIctures Now!

Fall Individual Student Pictures.

1 - Go to strawbridge.net
Ir a strawbridge.net


2 - Click “Order Pictures & Yearbooks”
Haga clic en "Solicitar Fotografías y Anuarios"


3 - Enter the code below and click “Find” to order Introduzca el código a continuación y haga clic en "Buscar" para realizar el pedido


Code PX518850


News from PTA


PTA Checklist

Volunteers

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).

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)


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


Student ID Cards for Fairhill Bus Riders

We have distributed student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.

ID cards should be worn or attached to your child’s backpack and brought to the bus each day. 

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 are checking in students 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.


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.



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. 

Other local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.



App Image

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:

  • View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
  • Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
  • Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
  • Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
  • 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.

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:

  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • 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:

  • LinqConnect - Find out what’s for lunch each day! 
    • Or, follow FCPS Food and Nutrition Services for weekly updates on Instagram and/or Facebook.
  • 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.

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.


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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