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Cougar Calendar

September 3rd: CAV Carnival-Woodson Feeder Night 4:30-6:30 PM

September 4th,7th: No School, Labor Day

September 9th: Back to School Night 6:00-7:30 PM

                            PTA Meeting 7:30 PM

September 14th: PTA Spirit Day at Chick-fil-a Annandale

September 21st: Student Holiday- Yom Kippur

September 23rd: Introduction to AAP Parent Meeting-Virtual 5:00 PM

September 25th: Cougar Crawl 5:30 PM

September 30th: 3-hour Early Release 1:05 PM

 

Please bookmark the FCPS School Calendar to stay informed about school holidays, breaks, and observances.


Calendar reminder graphic

Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends.

See the complete school year calendar.


Notes from the Administration

Dear Canterbury Woods Families,

It was a short but busy week at Canterbury Woods! Our students continued to settle into routines, build relationships, and show us what it means to be responsible members of our school community.

This week we held an assembly focused on Student Rights and Responsibilities. This was a great opportunity for students to review what it means to be a responsible member of our school community and to understand the rights and responsibilities we all share in creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive school.

Don't forget the fun continues tonight! We hope to see many of you at the CAV Carnival this evening! Activities will run 4:30-6:30, and the elementary schools will line up to run the field at 6:45. 

 

Have a wonderful weekend, 

Leslie Malkowski, Kaitlin Turzi, and Mindy Milliron

CWES Administrative Team

 


AAP Referral Window for New Families

Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15 

The Advanced Academic Program (AAP) fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3 to 8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time AAP services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Andrea Warren and Erin Quinn Advanced Academic Resource Teachers, at (amwarren@fcps.edu) and (erquinn@fcps.edu) by Thursday, October 15. Late referrals will not be accepted.

For students who are not new to FCPS, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2 to 7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by Tuesday, December 15.

Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.

 

Other Advanced Academic Services 

At the elementary level, all students are screened each spring for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services. Families may also refer their student for consideration for Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP at any time during the school year. Eligibility decisions are made at the school level, and families are notified of the decision within 30 school days of the referral. The Full-Time AAP referral deadlines do not apply.

For more information, please contact Andrea Warren (amwarren@fcps.edu) and Erin Quinn (erquinn@fcps.edu) or visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.


Woodson HS-Feeder Night (CAV Carnival)

Cav Carnival and Woodson Pyramid Night – September 3rd - 4:30-7:00 p.m.

Come celebrate the new school year and Woodson Pyramid Night on Thursday, September 3rd at the Woodson Football Stadium!  At our annual Cav Carnival we will have games, face painting, prizes, and finish with running of the field.  Students K-6 get in free with a paying adult. Carnival Games start at 4:30pm, running of the field at 6:45. Our football game will start at 7:00pm against the Edison Eagles.  


FCPS News


BYOD/Cellphone Policy

Help Keep Our School Distraction-Free

Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e. backpacks) for the duration of the school day — bell to bell. This includes:

  • Personal laptops and tablets.
  • Smartphones and smartwatches.
  • Other personal electronic communication or computing devices.

If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at (703) 764-5600. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.


Superintendent Community Conversations

Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life. 

A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):

Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.


Weather Safety

Weather Happens, FCPS Is Ready

Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?

 

Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.


Safety Drills

Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance. 

The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill. 

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.

⚠️ Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. 

If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.


Attendance

Attendance

Your Child’s Presence at School Matters. 

The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success by helping them build good habits. 

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.

 


Tuesday Folder Contents

CWES will use Schoology for all Tuesday Folder contents. All flyers are posted to the Schoology Course: Canterbury Woods Elementary School All Parents/Guardians, and contents are listed below.

  • AAP Fall Newsletter
  • FCPS Twice Exceptional Learner Flyer

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Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team? Share an FCPS CARES!! Families, colleagues, and students are all invited to submit. The FCPS CARES is automatically sent to the recipient(s) and their supervisor, and is posted on fcps.edu. Additionally, each month one school in our region wins a staff celebration from HR.