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9/13 Happening at Hutchison
What a great week at Hutchison! Thank you to all the families who joined us for family lunches. This week, we look forward to welcoming our 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-grade families. Please see the schedule below.
Our Eagles are soaring! Students are following our RISE expectations and demonstrating Greatness in Action every day.
Next week, we will begin our beginning-of-year assessments: MAP on Monday and i-Ready on Tuesday. Please see the September Assessments section for additional details.
Ms. Aiello, scaiello@fcps.edu
Community Calendar
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- 9/12: Food Distribution at Hutchison, 8:00am
- 9/21: Yom Kippur, NO SCHOOL
- 9/24: Family Learning & Dinner Night: Title 1 Programming, 6:00pm
- 9/29: Picture Day
- 9/30: Early Release Wednesday, 12:35pm
- 10/6: Family Science Night, 6:00pm
- 10/12: School Planning Day, NO SCHOOL
POC: Elise Velez egvelez@fcps.edu
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Why PTA? Because when families get involved, amazing things happen for our students and staff. Join us for our first General Membership Meeting on Thursday Sept. 24 from 6:30–7:00 p.m. in the school library. We’ll approve the budget, share exciting upcoming events, and—most importantly—hear what you want this year to look like.
Make your voice count and fill out the PTA survey. Let’s make this our strongest year yet! Follow us on social media, or simply become a member. Click Here to Join the PTA!
POC: Michelle Lansel president@hutchisonespta.org
The Beginning of the Year assessments used in FCPS serve as a screening and growth tool to help teachers understand students' strengths and areas for support. The tests help teachers monitor the growth of every student in learning the content knowledge and skills of the state standards, regardless of their starting point.
POC: Mikaela Antonio mantonio@fcps.edu
Learning About Life Science in Language Arts
Benchmark Unit 1 in Language Arts is about life science. Students in K-5 will be learning about plants, animals, and nature. Sixth grade students will learn about the natural balance of nature.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
Question: What are some ways we can take care of nature and living things?
Activity: Pick an animal and act out how it moves or survives in its habitat — see if family members can guess!
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
POC: Amanda Salvo (K-3) amsalvo@fcps.edu
Andrea DeSilva (4-6) aldesilva@fcps.edu
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Hutchison will host picture day for our students September 29, 2026
We will send out physical photo forms for cash in our next Friday folders, or you can purchase online using the steps below:
- Go to www.strawbridge.net
- Click “Order Pictures & Yearbooks”
- Enter the code PX519058
POC: Erika Hernandez ehernandez1@fcps.edu
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The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation will provide shelf-stable food to individuals and families in need at Hutchison Elementary every second Saturday of the month.
Next Event: Sept 12. 8:00-9:00am.
Please bring a valid ID and reusable shopping bags.
Food is available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
POC: Reyna Perez-Arreaga rjperezarrea@fcps.edu
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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 Mikeala Antonio, School Testing Coordinator, at mantonio@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Caitlin Pickett, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART). Dates will be announced.
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AAP Continuum of Services: Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
POC: Caitlin Pickett capickett@fcps.edu
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Our grade level picnics will begin in September. Please see below for each grade level's date. Picnics will take place during regular lunch hours.
Sept. 15- 2nd grade
Sept. 16- 3rd grade
Sept. 17- 4th grade
Sept. 23- 5th grade
Sept. 24- 6th grade
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Tuesday, October 6 at 6:00pm
The Children’s Science Center’s Family Science Night Program offers interactive and engaging activities designed to excite students and their families about STEM. Family Science Night combines science learning and family bonding within the school community.
POC: Katy Curran KLCurran@fcps.edu
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FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will be taking 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.
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Stay in the Know With Here Comes the Bus
Even though FCPS has launched a new bus navigation system, some aspects like the new FCPS My Ride mobile app are still in development. Families should still use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to track the location of their child’s bus. This app is still compatible with the new system.
FCPS will notify families and schools when the new app is ready to download and use. In the meantime, everyone should reinforce with students that they need to tap on and off the bus with their student ID cards.
Did you already download the new app? That’s okay! The new app is in the final stage of testing, so some features are not yet fully functional. At this time, you should refer to Here Comes the Bus for the most accurate information.
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School Board Welcome Videos
Welcome videos from ALL Fairfax County School Board members are available.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Reporting Discrimination or Harassment
FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.
Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students
Register now for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students. The free conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS in collaboration with community partners, the conference highlights the power of partnerships in supporting student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall with local resources, and lunch for all participants.
Register for the conference and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
- September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
- Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
- Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
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.
Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
Cellphones and Personal Devices
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more about the student device requirement.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Review and Sign the SR&R
- Your Child Belongs at School
- What’s for Lunch? Check the FCPS App
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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