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Dear Mighty Red Bird Families,
We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful, restful long weekend! It is hard to believe we are already into our third week of school. Our school year is off to a remarkably strong start. Your children have settled beautifully into their classrooms, started building great connections with their peers, and deep learning is already well underway in every classroom. It has been such a joy seeing their energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm each day. We are truly off to an extraordinary start!
We invite parents and guardians to join us for Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 16. We will kick off the evening together at 6:00 PM with an in-person PTA meeting in the cafeteria. It's a wonderful way to get involved and connect with other families. Right after the meeting, you'll head to the classrooms to meet your child's teachers, explore their learning environment, and hear more about what lies ahead this year.
Thank you for your partnership and support in making these first few weeks so successful. We look forward to seeing you next Wednesday!
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Long, Mrs. Agner, Mrs. Compton
Upcoming Dates 📅
🗓️ September 16 - Back to School Night
- 5:50 - Doors Open
- 6:00 - 6:30 - PTA Meeting (Cafeteria)
- 6:35 - 7:10 - Session 1
- 7:15 - 8:00 - Session 2 (repeat of Session 1)
🗓️ September 21 - NO SCHOOL (Yom Kippur)
🗓️ September 30 - 3 Hour Early Release Wednesday
Patriot Day
 With the upcoming 25th anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
As part of our National Day of Service observance, Leashes of Valor will visit Cardinal Forest on September 11. There will be an assembly for Kindergarten - 6th Grade students. Service dogs and their handlers will share how service dogs support veterans and others in need. The assembly will launch a weeklong school service project in which students and families will collect items to donate to the Leashes of Valor facility. More information about requested donation items will be shared soon. We invite all students to wear red, white, and blue this Friday.
Rosh Hashanah
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Shanah tovah to our Jewish community celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! Meaning “head of the year,” Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection that ends with Yom Kippur. #OurFCPS |
🌟Mrs. Long's Blueprint Byte
At Cardinal Forest, we are a Responsive Classroom school, which means we intentionally teach and reinforce the social, emotional, and behavioral skills students need to learn and thrive. Throughout our building, signage reminds students of shared expectations for common spaces, including hallways, bathrooms, the cafeteria, and recess, so everyone knows how to move safely, show respect, and care for our school community. These reminders connect to our Mighty Red Birds SOAR commitments: Strive for excellence, Own your learning, Act with kindness, and Respect everyone. Together, we are building a positive, respectful environment where every student feels safe, included, and ready to learn.
Composting Pilot Begins!
Cardinal Forest has been selected to participate in FCPS’s composting pilot, and students began sorting waste this week. Students are doing a wonderful job learning what belongs in compost and what belongs in the trash. When in doubt, throw it out! We are proud of our Mighty Red Birds for caring for our school and the environment.
alt text: Graphic explaining that compost includes food scraps, cafeteria trays and food boats, wooden utensils, and uncoated, non-shiny paper products.
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.
Boundary Study Community Meeting on September 14
Fairfax County Public Schools is moving into the second phase of the boundary study for Rolling Valley Elementary School student planning area (SPA) 8922 middle and high school feeders, and Keene Mill Elementary School attendance island and surrounding schools (e.g., Cardinal Forest and White Oaks elementary schools).
Families are invited to attend a community meeting to learn about the revised draft scenarios on Monday, September 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Cardinal Forest Elementary School. You may register to attend by clicking in person or virtual, based on your preference.
As a reminder, the revised draft scenarios will focus on addressing over capacity at Cardinal Forest, the Keene Mill attendance island, and the elementary school assignment only for SPA 8922.
Visit the FCPS website for more information about the Rolling Valley Elementary School Middle and High School Feeders, and Keene Mill Elementary School Attendance Island and Surrounding Schools Boundary Study.
Advanced Academic Programs Information
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K to 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 to 7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2 to 7 may be referred by December 15.
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 Test (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Mrs. Agner, school testing coordinator, at CAAgner@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings led by Mrs. Rico, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: October 8, 2026 at 5:30pm. This meeting will be held virtually - a sign up for the link will be coming soon!
- Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: October 16, 2026 at 5:30pm in the library at Cardinal Forest. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Mrs. Rico, AART, at arico@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
Forms and Links
Please access the Cardinal Forest Parent Links to fill out the Digital Consent Forms and review key family resources. We recommend you save these for easy access throughout the year!
Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-2027
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.
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.
Scoliosis Fact Sheet
What is scoliosis? Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. A spine affected by
scoliosis has a sideways curve, making it appear more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line. Early detection and treatment may prevent scoliosis
from progressing.
When should my child be screened for scoliosis? Scoliosis most commonly occurs during the growing years, between age 10 and the time an adolescent is fully grown. Screenings should begin in early adolescence. Pediatricians should check for early signs during a routine physical exam.
For more information about scoliosis use this link to check out the Scoliosis Fact Sheet.
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 703-923-5200. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.
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.
Arrival and Dismissal - Be A Good Neighbor!
Please help us keep arrival and dismissal times safe and smooth for everyone. We ask families to be good neighbors and mindful of:
- Not blocking intersections or painted boxes during Kiss & Ride —this impacts visibility and also prohibits access for emergency vehicles.
- Crossing only in crosswalks and watching carefully for cars.
- Avoiding parking in residential areas, fire lanes, or private parking spaces.
- Refraining from making illegal U-turns.
- No pets are allowed on school property.
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
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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