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Dear Woodburn Community,
It has been a difficult week following the heartbreaking news of the passing of our cherished principal, Kanchana Iyer. Mrs. Iyer was a deeply inspirational leader whose warmth, humor, dedication, and passion left an indelible mark on Woodburn Elementary. Her loss is profoundly felt by our students, staff, and families.
We have been deeply moved by the extraordinary outpouring of support from our parents and community, our School Board Member Dr. Anderson, our Superintendent Dr. Reid, our Region 2 Administrators Ms. Cage, Ms. Barnes and Dr. Menuey, our central office Wellness Team and Crisis Support Teams, and outreach from our neighboring schools and offices. Your kindness, encouraging words, and thoughtful gestures have brought comfort to our staff and school community. We are profoundly grateful for your compassion as we navigate this collective grief.
As we move forward, we remain dedicated to carrying her legacy in everything we do. Our community will continue to honor Ms. Iyer’s memory through our hard work, unity, and steadfast commitment to the goals and vision she set for our school.
We will miss her very much, and we will hold her memory close to our hearts.
With sincere gratitude and sympathy,
Jamey Chianetta
Interim Principal, Woodburn Elementary School
Upcoming Events
September 4 - No School - Labor Day Break
September 7 - No School - Labor Day Break
September 9 - PTA Clean Kitchen Night, Silver Diner, 5:00 – 8:00pm
September 10 - PTA Membership Meeting, 6:30 – 8:00pm
September 15 - Back to School Night, 6:00 - 7:30pm
September 21 - No school - Yom Kippur
September 23 - AAP Continuum of Services, 5:30 - 6:30pm, Woodburn Library
September 25 - Hispanic Heritage Festival, 5:30 - 7:30pm
October 14 - Full-Time AAP Identification, 5:30 - 6:30pm, Woodburn Library
⏰ Early Release Days for Elementary Schools
While we anticipate that most students will be dismissed at 1:05 on early release Wednesdays, we recognize that some families may require childcare. These students will be supervised by school-based staff. No new instruction will take place, as after-school care is strictly supervision.
In order to help us prepare for early release Wednesday’s, we are requesting that families complete our Woodburn Early Release Wednesday Form. Our form includes additional information about student dismissal that will help us in our planning. Your response will be updated by the school in the Parent Digital Consent system. Our Early Release Wednesday days are:
- September 30
- November 18
- January 13
- April 7
Families need to make their selection by Monday, September 14, to receive care for all early release Wednesdays.
Thank you for your support in helping us plan for Early Release Wednesday's.
Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your child’s bus.
If your child’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2050 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.
 In Loving Memory of Principal Kanchana Iyer
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.
- Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in ParentVUE. To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
- Submit daylong absences by clicking “Report Absence.”
Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Opt In or Out to Student Devices Being Sent Home for Grades 1-6
New this year, families can opt out of having student laptops sent home with their student.
- If you do not want your student to bring their FCPS-issued device home, please toggle the Opt Out button to a check mark and confirm by pressing Save Selection.
- If you would like your student to bring their FCPS device home, no toggle action is needed. Confirm by pressing Save Selection.
Students whose families opt out will continue to have access to an FCPS-issued device during the school day. Please reach out to your student’s teacher to understand expectations for homework and any learning activities that may require access to technology outside of the school day.
 In Loving Memory of Principal Kanchana Iyer
Advanced Academic Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-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 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.
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 Tests (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Kelley Dauberman, krdauberman@fcps.edu, and Jessica Nelson, jnnelson@fcps.edu, the School Co - Testing Coordinators by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Mrs. Khan our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: Wednesday, September 23 at 5:30 -6:30 in the Woodburn Library. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Wednesday, October 14 at 5:30 - 6:30 in the Woodburn Library. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Mrs. Khan, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher , at nhkhan@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website
Thank You for Your Care and Support ❤️
We are incredibly grateful for the kindness and support shown by our PTA and families this week. Thank you to the Longstreet family for dropping off coffee and pastries at the start of the week, and to everyone who helped make this thoughtful gesture possible.
We also extend a special thank-you to Founding Farmers Catering and Megan Zebrak for generously providing a delicious lunch for our staff. The care, comfort, and generosity shown by our PTA community mean so much to us, especially during this difficult time.
Clean Kitchen Night at Silver Diner in Merrifield
Wednesday, September 9 | 5:00–8:00pm
Take the night off from cooking and support Woodburn at the same time! Join us at Silver Diner in Merrifield for Clean Kitchen Night. Whether you dine in or order to go, 20% of sales will be donated back to our school. Enjoy a delicious meal while supporting our Woodburn community!
Be Part of Something Special - Join Our PTA!
Our PTA brings families, teachers, and staff together to support our students and strengthen our school community. Whether you can volunteer often, help occasionally, or simply become a member, everyone is welcome and every contribution matters. Together, we can create meaningful experiences and make Woodburn an even more special place for our students and families.
Please click here to join today!
 In Loving Memory of Principal Kanchana Iyer
PTA Membership Meeting
Thursday, September 10 | 6:30–8:00pm
Join us for our first PTA Membership Meeting of the school year in the Woodburn Cafeteria! Learn more about how the PTA supports our Woodburn community, meet the PTA Board, vote on this year’s budget, and hear important updates from Woodburn leadership, including information about what it means to be a Title I school.
Dinner: 6:30–7:00pm
Meeting: 7:00–8:00pm
Childcare and Spanish interpretation will be provided.
2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival
Friday, September 25 | 5:30–7:30pm
The PTA is excited to welcome families to our 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival! Come celebrate with an alpaca petting experience, inflatable obstacle course, crafts, a dance performance, a parade of traditional clothing, and more! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Transportation will be provided from Fairmont Gardens. Stay tuned for more details!
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):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
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.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
The first goal of the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start.
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 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.
 In Loving Memory of Principal Kanchana Iyer
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 703-641-8200. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.
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.
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Save the Date for the Annual Special Education Family Conference
The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.
Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
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Student ID Cards for Woodburn ES Bus Riders
We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.
Student ID cards will be distributed to students soon. Additional information will be shared as needed.
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 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.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-week-september-2-2026, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
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- Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
- Weather Safety
- Attendance Resources for Families
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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