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1. Shining Star Shoutouts
2. Back to School Night Info
3. Coates Family Blue Star Breakfast
4. Coates Elementary Birthday Treat Policy
5. Coates Fall Festival Info
6. From FCPS
7. Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond
8. Mark Your Calendar
Congrats to our Shining Star Shoutout students for this past week. The students recognized for demonstrating what it means to be a Shining Star this week are:
1st Grade:
Makka Ataee (Responsible)
Dekai Anderson (Responsible)
2nd Grade:
Wyn Richards (Ready to Shine)
Jonathan Girum (Respectful)
Demari Anderson (Respectful)
4th Grade:
Nahom Aragawu (Ready to Shine)
Hadi Yassin (Ready to Shine)
Leia Murray (Ready to Shine)
5th Grade:
Anaya Orantes (Respectful)
Yolanda Cruz Martinez (Respectful)
Wesley Smith (Responsible)
6th Grade:
Jordan Major (Ready to Shine)
 Please join us at Coates on Thursday, September 17, 2026!
5:30–5:55 p.m. — PTA Meeting and Principal’s “State of the School” Presentation
Location: Coates cafeteria
Doors open at 5:15 p.m.
6:00–6:25 p.m. — Session 1
6:35–7:00 p.m. — Session 2
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Grades K–4: Teacher classrooms
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Grade 5: Cafeteria
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Grade 6: Library
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Specialists and Clinical Team: Gym
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Office Team Help Desk: Main Office
The optional PTA meeting will also serve as our Title I Parent Meeting. The principal will share updates on SY25–26 data and SY26–27 school improvement initiatives.
We look forward to seeing our Coates families!
We’re excited to host our military-connected families for breakfast! Join us in the Coates Cafeteria for a morning of connection and community.
🗓 When: Friday, September 25th | 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
📍 Where: Coates Elementary Cafeteria
🌐 Who: Open to ALL military-connected families, including international military connections!
Please RSVP by Monday, September 21st: https://forms.gle/xzycKKcystZwyJHs6
We look forward to seeing you there! 🌟
To celebrate student birthdays, Coates Elementary offers each birthday student the opportunity to select a special, non-food class celebration. These options ensure that all students can participate while avoiding concerns related to food allergies, dietary restrictions, and excess sugar.
Birthday celebrations will be scheduled by the classroom teacher so they do not take away from instructional time. Please do not send food, candy, or toys to school for your child’s birthday.
Available options include:
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Stuffed Animal Day: Students may bring a stuffed animal to school.
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Pajama Day: Students may wear pajamas to school.
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Extra Recess: The class will enjoy a few additional minutes of recess.
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Favorite Story Day: The birthday student may choose a read-aloud book for the class.
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Additional Non-Food Options: Teachers may offer other appropriate options for their class.
Thank you for supporting the Coates birthday treat policy and helping your child choose a special celebration option.
Mark your calendars for our annual Coates Elementary School Fall Festival! Join us for an afternoon full of games, delicious food, exciting prizes, and autumn fun for the whole family.
Event Details
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Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
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Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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Location: Coates Elementary School (behind the school)
Keep an eye out for details on presale ticket pricing coming soon in upcoming newsletters!
Help make the Coates Fall Festival Cake Walk a success!
Please consider donating a non-refrigerated baked good for our Cake Walk on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Donations may be dropped off in the Coates main office on Thursday, October 22, or Friday, October 23.
Use this link to sign up to donate.
Please include a list of ingredients with your donation to help families identify potential allergens. Thank you for supporting our school community!
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Fall Festival Family Booth Sign-up
Be part of Coates Elementary’s Fall Festival by hosting a family booth! Families may lead an activity with prizes or share a special talent, such as face painting, hair braiding, jewelry making, crafts, games, or another fun experience.
Please complete this sign-up form with your information. A member of our team will contact you with additional details. The Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and booth hosts should be prepared to set up and participate during that time.
Coates will provide one long table and folding chairs. Families are responsible for all other supplies and materials. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Gray at JLGray@fcps.edu.
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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.
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.
Schools Build Belonging so Students Can Thrive
What does belonging look like in our school? At Coates ES, we are creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student feels known, valued, and connected — the second goal of the Strategic Plan. From mentoring to cross-grade collaboration, when students feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice at FCPS.
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.
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.
The Importance of the Flu Vaccine
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.
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The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees, specifically at Coates. |
17th- PTA Meeting (State of the School - Title I Parent Meeting)- 5:30-6 pm
17th- Back-to-School Night- 5:30-7:00 pm
21st- Holiday (Yom Kippur)
25th- Blue Star Breakfast for Military Connected Families- 9:15-10:15 am
7th- National Walk to School Day
8th- Fall Picture Day- 9:30-4 pm
12th- Student Holiday (Indigenous Peoples’ Day & School Planning Day)
14th- AAP Level IV Parent Information Meeting /Full-Time Referral Information Night- 5:30-6 pm
14th-PTA Meeting- 6-7 pm
21st- 3 Hour Early Release at 1 pm
24th- Fall Festival (Saturday)- 10-2pm
30th- End of First Quarter- Dismissal at 2 pm
31st- Halloween
*The full FCPS 2026-2027 calendar can be accessed here.
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