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Check out what is happening here at Orange Hunt:We’ve had a wonderful first few weeks filled with learning, laughter, play, and new friendships. We are off to a fantastic start, and our teachers look forward to meeting the families of our amazing students tonight at Back-to-School Night!
Back To School Night
We are excited to welcome families to Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, September 9, from 5:30–7:15 p.m. This evening is a wonderful opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, learn more about the school year, and connect with members of our school community.
New Families to Orange Hunt. The administrative team will be in the front lobby before sessions and will be around during sessions. We look forward to meeting you tonight!
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5:30–6:00 p.m.: Visit specialists in the lobby, including Music, PE, Art, Counselors, FLES German, the Librarian, Band, and Strings. Families may also attend an optional math session with Ms. Simonsen or Mr. Moeller for Algebra 1 and seventh-grade math.
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6:00–6:30 p.m.: First homeroom teacher presentations, followed by Q&A.
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6:30–6:40 p.m.: Transition.
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6:40–7:10 p.m.: Second homeroom or afternoon teacher presentations, followed by Q&A.
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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:
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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 Kate Austin, School Testing Coordinator, at kbaustin@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Jennifer Weis, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services and Full-Time AAP Identification: October 6 at 9:00AM in Room 165 – Mrs. Weis’ Room and October 6 at 5:00PM – Virtual. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students and learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: November 17, 9:00AM in Room 165 – Mrs. Weis’ Room and November 17, 5:00PM – Virtual. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Weis, AART, at jcweis@fcps.egu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
Digital Resource Consent
Online verification update. It must be completed each year. When you open this page, you need to click on packets. You will need to verify several pieces of information. This is where you will indicate if you have a hardship for Early Release Wednesdays.
In order to make sure your child has access to digital FCPS resources that a teacher may choose to use in class, please take a moment to review the Digital Resource Consent Form. If you have any questions about how a program might be used in your child’s classroom, please reach out to their teacher. More information about FCPS vision for intentional technology use can be found on the Educational Technology in FCPS website.
Updates to Technology in School
The Virginia legislature has passed a law updating what personal electronics are permitted in school. Starting this year, students must turn off and place in backpacks all personal electronics, including cell phones, smart watches, laptops, and wireless headphones. Students may not wear these items during the school day in the building.
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Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) Updates
New Universal Grade Matrices for FamiliesFamilies are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses in order to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Updates for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.
Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.
New Family Liaison
Welcome Our New Family Liaison, Meena Baluch!
We are excited to welcome Meena Baluch to Orange Hunt Elementary School as our Family Liaison!
Meena has lived in the United States for 14 years and brings four years of experience working with a nonprofit organization, where she helped families connect with and navigate the school system. She is passionate about helping families feel welcomed, informed, and connected to their school community.
As our Family Liaison, Meena will serve as a bridge between families, our school, and the community. She can help families navigate FCPS, connect with teachers and school staff, learn about school programs and events, access community resources, and find opportunities to become more involved in their child’s education.
Meena is excited to get to know our Orange Hunt families and support them throughout the school year. We encourage families to connect with Meena whenever they have questions, need support, or are looking for resources. She is here to help make Orange Hunt a welcoming and connected community for every family.
Family Liaison Email: mbaluch@fcps.edu
Phone: 703-913-6807
Upcoming Events.
September 9- Back To School Night 5:30-7:15
September 21 - Student Holiday (Yom Kippur)
September 30 - 3- Hour Early Release at 12:30pm
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PTA News & Events
Check out the PTA website for information on all activities.
Looking for Orange Hunt Spirit Wear check out the PTA website for a great collection
Orange Hunt Spiritwear
Our Orange Hunt Back-to-School Sale Deadline has been extended through September 18th! If you missed the initial deadline take advantage of some extra time and big savings! Click here to get your gear:
Plastic
Orange Hunt is NO longer collecting plastic. Thank you so much for all the donations over the past two years. We earned two free Trex benches. You can continue saving plastic on your own and drop it off at Giant.
Orange Hunt Elementary PTA - OHES PTA Blog
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Your Partners In Education
We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with your family this school year. Our commitment is to provide every child with a safe, welcoming, and positive learning environment where they can grow and thrive.
Please know that we are always here to listen, answer questions, and address concerns. Thank you for your continued support and for being such an important part of our Orange Hunt team. Together, we can make this a wonderful year for every child!
Your Partner Principals,
Karen Tuttle kmtuttle@fcps.edu
Kate Austin kbaustin@fcps.edu
Heather Mathews HMMathews@fcps.edu
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Want To Be Involved?
Visit the Orange Hunt PTA website for all sponsored events and activities.
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