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 Fun was had by all of our staff, students and their families at the annual Woodson Pyramid Feeder Night.
September 14: Green Team Meeting - 3:30 pm
September 16: Back to School Night - 6:30 pm
September 21: Student Holiday - Rosh Hashanah
September 23: Hearing/Vision Screening - Ms. Thomas/Ms. Vick
September 23: BTSN - Ms. Conques Class Only - 6:15 pm
September 23: PTA Meeting - 7:00 pm - Library
September 24: Hearing/Vision Screening - Ms. Teran
September 28: Purple Heart/Military Family Breakfast - 8:00 am
September 30: Grade K & 1 - Parent Coffee w/Principal Prindle - 9:00 am
September 30: 3-hour Early Release
Dear Wakefield Forest Families,
Today marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. While this was a monumental point in history for all of the adults in our children’s lives, our students hold a very different perspective, as it is a historical event they did not live through. On September 11, 2001, I was in my second year as a special education teacher at Rolling Valley Elementary School. That day, I served on the response team—notifying teachers, covering classes so staff could reach their spouses, and helping organize reunification plans for our families. As age-appropriate for your family, I encourage you to share your own experience from that day with your children, as it remains a meaningful part of our collective history.
Behind the scenes, Wakefield Forest has faced a challenging start to the school year. We gained both 4th and 6th grade classroom positions right before school began, and this week, a 5th-grade teacher unexpectedly resigned due to significant health issues. While this is certainly not the ideal situation any of us wanted to be in, life doesn't always follow the path we expect. We are deeply grateful to our dedicated staff members who have stepped in without hesitation to cover classrooms and ensure our students remain supported, cared for, and on track. Thank you to our families for your ongoing patience, understanding, and grace.
While we navigate our own school’s adjustments, our broader pyramid bond holds us together during times of deep sadness. Our hearts break for our neighbors at Frost Middle School as they mourn the tragic loss of one of their students. Loss of this magnitude affects our entire school family, and our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the student’s family, friends, and the entire Frost community.
This heartbreaking tragedy is a painful reminder of how fragile life can be and of the serious dangers our children face on and around our roads—even when they are doing everything right. As adults in this community, we share a vital responsibility to protect our children. Whether driving through school zones, passing near neighborhood streets, or traveling during arrival and dismissal times, please slow down, eliminate all distractions behind the wheel, and remain vigilant for pedestrians and cyclists.
We encourage you to talk with your children about travel safety at home, and please remember that our counselors are always available if your child needs extra support processing this news.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Principal Prindle
sbprindle@fcps.edu
 We're at it again this year...the Wakefield Forest House System!
Last week our 6th graders were all "sorted" into the various houses above. Our amazing house system allows each grade level to be paired with a 6th grade House. This partnership includes having 6th grade students engage with their younger counterparts. In the beginning of the school year, 6th graders talk with their younger House mates about their House color, character traits and about the animals who belong to the House. Ongoing activities include holding House events during early release Wednesdays and holding three schoolwide assemblies. K - 5 classes can earn House tickets which are tracked in the front of the school with a visual to create healthy competition. The top House is recognized on the morning news, on a bulletin board and 20 bonus points are given to the 6th grade House. Sixth grade tracks points to see which House wins the House Cup at the end of the year.
We wrapped up this week with an energetic whole-school pep rally to officially kick off our House System. The excitement in the gym was electric as students and staff came together to celebrate teamwork, community, and school pride. Our House System is designed to foster belonging, character building, and positive connections across all grade levels, and Friday’s rally was the perfect launch for what promises to be a fantastic year of house spirit.
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Would you like to be part of the WFES Green Team? We will have our first meeting Monday, September 14th from 3:30-4:30 pm. All students, parents and guardians are welcome. If you plan to have your child attend, please inform their teacher about this change to their dismissal. After the meeting, children will be released to door #1.
Our mission is to encourage student driven environmental stewardship through hands-on activities in our school and community. These activities might include reducing waste, conserving energy, planting and maintaining wildlife habitats or tending to gardens. K-3 students are encouraged to be accompanied by an adult. Questions? Contact Mary Muratore at mpmuratore@fcps.edu
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Save the date: Wednesday, October 7th Bike, Roll and Walk to school day
Wakefield Forest will be hosting Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 16th. Back to School Night is an opportunity for families to get to know the classroom space, teacher, and expectations for the school year. The purpose of this evening is to review instructional content and expectations; it is not intended for students.
6:00 – 6:30 pm Multilingual Learners (MLL) Room 247
6:00 - 6:30 pm Meet our amazing Specials Teachers (art, PE, music, etc.) in the cafeteria.
6:30 - 7:10 pm Session 1 in classrooms (longer to accommodate for videos)
7:15 - 7:45 pm Session 2 in classrooms (repeat of session 1)
We hope our military connected families will pick up a Purple Star sticker in the lobby to wear during the evening so our military families can connect with one another. We are proud to be a Purple Star School.
** Ms. Conques Class: due to a family conflict, Ms. Conques will not be able to be present on September 16th for the scheduled Back to School Night. She will be holding her own Back to School Night to share about the school, her classroom and the year ahead of us. Please join her on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:15 pm in her classroom.
**Ms. Bullard's Class: due to the unexpected departure of Ms. Bullard Back to School Night for this class will be delayed until more permanent staffing is identified.
As we kickoff the start of the 2026-27 school year, our Braddock District and at large members extend their welcome for all of our families. Learn more about our School Board members here:
Tom Dannan - for Braddock District Schools
Kyle McDaniel - represents all schools
Ryan McElveen - represents all schools
Ilryong Moon - represents all schools
Under Virginia Code § 22.1-273, public schools must screen students for hearing and vision issues in kindergarten, grade 3, and newly enrolled students. Hearing and vision screenings will be held for all Kindergarten and 3rd grade students. These will occur in the morning. Students should bring their glasses to the screening if they wear them regularly for school.
The schedule is as follows:
September 23rd - Ms. Thomas and Ms. Vick
September 24th - Ms. Teran
October 8th - Ms. Maturan and Ms. Sill
October 9th - Ms. Lee
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Results: Schools send a written notice to parents if a child does not pass or needs a follow-up medical exam.
- Opt-Out: Parents can decline the screening in writing for religious reasons.
- Absent: If your child is out during the screening, they will be screened at another time.
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 Alex Dilldine, School Testing Coordinator, at adilldine@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend AAP information meetings, led by Alina Delarosa, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: On September 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom, families learned about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students. If you were unable to attend, click here, View Continuum of Academic Services Presentation, then scroll down to "Presentations."
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Full-Time AAP Identification: November 5th 2026 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. (Link to be shared later). Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Alina Delarosa, AART, at amdelarosa@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
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.
The Fall Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3 through 6 in October. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
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.
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.
- 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.
As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, the health and well-being of our students continues to be one of our priorities. Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:
- Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
- Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
- Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.
Upcoming Flu Shot Events
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.
Accessing K-6 Family Life Education (FLE) Materials
K-6th grade classes will be participating in Family Life Education (FLE) lessons beginning in December. (Be on the look out for communication from teachers regarding the specific dates).
For your convenience, the lessons and materials are available for families to view at your own pace on the All Parents/Guardians: Wakefield Forest Elementary School Schoology Course. Detailed instructions on how to access these materials can be found HERE.
Additionally, the Woodson Pyramid will be hosting a Virtual Parent Preview Night for FLE on Wednesday, October 21 from 5:30-6:00PM. This event provides an opportunity to ask questions and receive assistance in accessing the materials virtually. If you want to opt your child out of these lessons the form is due by October 23rd.
Join us using this link: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/93938963976?pwd=IHjKylFG1cXWapiZ25LcSruyS2l9Ba.1
We invite you also to learn more about Fairfax County's elementary FLE program on the FCPS website.
Please reach out to Amy Williams at alwilliams1@fcps.edu with any questions.
Principle Prindle had fun running across the football field with our students at Woodson Pyramid Feeder Night.
The PTA newsletter is the fastest way to hear what's happening with the WFES PTA, including upcoming events, meetings, and volunteer opportunities. It lands in your inbox on Tuesday afternoons. Sign up here.
Want to do more than just read along? A $15 family membership makes you an official PTA member, which gives you a voice on PTA priorities, budget decisions, and events. It also helps fund PTA programs at the county, state, and national levels. Become a member here.
Why it matters: The PTA only works as well as its membership. More members means more voices at the table when we decide how to spend our budget, which events to run, and what to advocate for at the school. Please sign up for the newsletter and join!
Attendance: 703-503-2323 or WakefieldForestES.attendance@fcps.edu
Health Room: 703-503-2310
Family Information Phone Lines/Support for families who do not speak English as their first language: Family Information Phone Lines
Technology Support: Resources for Families Using FCPS Technology
Principal: Sharyn Prindle sbprindle@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Amy Williams alwilliams1@fcps.edu
WFES PTA: HOME
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