Shrevewood Wise Words - September 3, 2026

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🌟Principal's Message

🌟Advanced Academics Programs

🌟Fall Picture Day

🌟Marshall Mayhem

🌟Join Cub Scouts!

🌟Girls on the Run Registration

🌟Shrevewood PTA News

🌟Family Resource

🌟Early Release Days

🌟Updated Cellphone Policy: No Phones or Devices 

🌟Multilingual Parent Information Line

🌟Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!

🌟FCPS News

🌟Save the Date


Principal's Message

Dear Shrevewood Families,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Back to School Night! It was wonderful to see our school community come together to connect with our staff and learn about the exciting year ahead. If you were unable to attend, please keep an eye out for a communication from your child’s teacher, as they will be sending out their presentation slides for you to review at your convenience.

We are officially wrapping up our second week of school, and our momentum is going strong! Instruction is in full swing, and our students are doing a fantastic job learning and practicing the Wise Owl Way in every corner of our building.

Safety remains our top priority, and today we successfully conducted our first Lockdown Drill of the school year. We are incredibly proud of all our students for their maturity, active listening, and participation during today's drill.

Looking ahead, please join us for our first PTA meeting of the school year this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the library. We would love to see you there!

As a reminder, there is no school tomorrow, September 4th, or Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day. We hope you and your family have an enjoyable, relaxing long weekend, and we look forward to welcoming our Owls back to school next Tuesday!

Sincerely,

Katie Vandawalker, Principal

Dan Reichard, Assistant Principal

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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:

  • Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
  • 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 Kaylin Daniels, School Testing Coordinator, at kldaniels@fcps.edu by September 30.

Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings led by April Done, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):

  • AAP Continuum of Services: September 16 at 10:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. in the Shrevewood Library. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.

If you only want to learn about the Continuum of Services OR the Full-Time Identification, we will take a short break in between topics.  Please note the specific times if interested in one topic or the other.

  • Full-Time AAP Identification: September 16 at 10:30 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. in the Shrevewood Library. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.

For more information, please contact April Done, AART, at ardone@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.


Fall Picture Day

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Fall Picture Day is Tuesday, September 15.

To pay online, go to www.strawbridge.net, click "order pictures", and enter the code PX523795.

To volunteer, please contact Pilar Quintero at (703)645-6600 or pjquinterofl@fcps.edu.


Marshall Mayhem

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The Marshall High School Leadership class is hosting Marshall Mayhem on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. We would like to cordially invite students and families to attend! The event will occur at Marshall High Schools’ upper back lot.

We will have many fun activities, including:

  • Live music
  • Marshall club displays
  • Face painting
  • Games 
  • Activities 
  • And more!

Students/families should bring cash for food and an entrance fee of $5.00 per person.


Join Cub Scouts!

Cub Scouts Pack 1537 is having its Join Scouting Night on September 16th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Shrevewood Elementary School cafeteria. This is a great opportunity for kids who are curious about scouting to learn about the program and enjoy some fun activities. 

Cub Scouts is a year round program for boys and girls in K-5th grades. Pack 1537 meets Wednesdays at Shrevewood E.S. and draws membership from several local schools, including Shrevewood, Timber Lane, Pine Spring, and Lemon Road. For more information, please reach out to scouting@pack1537.org or consult our pack website at www.pack1537.org.


Girls on the Run Registration

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Girls on the Run Registration Now Open!

Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia is returning to Shrevewood Elementary this fall for girls in grades 3–6. This youth development program combines physical activity with lessons on positive thinking, healthy relationships, self-confidence, positive body image, and standing up to peer pressure. The season concludes with a celebratory 5K event that is open to family and friends.

Program Details

  • Season: September 21 – November 22, 2026
  • Practices: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. at Shrevewood Elementary

Registration Registration is available online through Girls on the Run of NOVA from now until September 14.


Shrevewood PTA News

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE PTA


Family Resource

Supporting the ADHD Brain Friday, September 11, 2026
10- 11:30 AM

Register here

Students with ADHD often know what they need to do but struggle to begin, stay focused, and follow through. This session, presented by The StudyPro, helps parents understand how executive function can make seemingly simple tasks much harder for students with ADHD and shares practical strategies designed to work with the ADHD brain.


Early Release Days

FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number of days has been reduced from eight to four.  These are in addition to the end of quarter early release days for all FCPS.  

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. 

Please view the dates for our school’s early release Wednesdays below:

  • September 30
  • November 18
  • January 13
  • April 7

Visit the FCPS website for more information about early release Wednesdays.


Updated Cellphone Policy: No Phones or Devices 

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, which means high school students are no longer able to use cellphones, cellphone accessories, or smart devices (like smart glasses, earbuds, headsets, and other items connected to the phone) during lunchtime.

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.


Multilingual Parent Information Line

☎️ Parent Information Phone Line Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.


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 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.


FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • FCPS Values Your Voice
  • Important School Safety Reminders
  • Building Supportive School Communities

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.


Save the Date

⭐Labor Day Holiday

Friday, Sept. 4, and Monday, Sept. 7

No school for students or staff

⭐PTA Meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m.

⭐Fall Picture Day

Tuesday, Sept. 15

⭐Advanced Academics Information Meetings

Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 10:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m.

⭐Yom Kippur Holiday

Monday, Sept. 21

No school for students or staff

⭐Early Release Day

Wednesday, Sept. 30


Click Here for the FCPS 2026-2027 School Year Calendar


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