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Lockdown Drill Next Week
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. We have a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan for our school that is reviewed and updated regularly. Our plan includes procedures on how to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Students and staff regularly practice these drills every school year. We also practice lockdown drills. Virginia Law (22.1-137.2) requires schools to notify parents at least 24 hours before a school practices a lockdown drill. However, we are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. We are required to practice lockdown drills two times a year.
FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of active shooter scenario training, they are instruction and classroom based. We will conduct a lockdown drill at our school soon. Our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are exempt from mandatory participation in lockdown drills during the first 60 days of the school year. They will participate in our second and final drill later this school year. Additional information on our lockdown drill program to include parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this content, you should discuss the value of these safety drills with your child. Keeping our school safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe.
Sincerely,
The Dogwood ES Admimistration
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Important Dates
September
September 14th - 18th - Hispanic Heritage Week
September 16th - Nando's PTA Fundraiser from 5 - 9 pm
September 21st - Student Holiday (No School)
September 24th - Back to School Picnic 4:30-6:30 pm
September 30th - 3 Hour Early Release (Information coming soon)
October
October 1st - Back to School Night
October 6th - AAP Continuum of Services Family Night
October 7th - Picture Day
October 8th - PTA Meeting
October 9th - Math Pastries with Parents from 8:15 - 8:45
October 9th - 1st grade Chuck E. Cheese Fundraiser 4 - 8
October 29th - Trunk or Treat
October 30th - 2 Hour Early Release/End of 1st Quarter
3 Hour Early Release
This school year, Dogwood Elementary will have four 3-hour early release Wednesdays for state-required teacher professional development. Please complete the digital dismissal form below by TODAY, Friday, September 11th to let us know your child’s plans.
Early Release Dates:
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September 30
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November 18
- January 13
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April 7
Childcare Hardship Supervision
If this schedule creates a childcare hardship and you cannot make arrangements, supervision will be available at school for unique situations.
Action Required:
Please select and complete the appropriate form for your child by TODAY, Friday, September 11th:
Thank you for helping us prepare for a safe and smooth dismissal!
Two things the Dogwood Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) wants you to know!
1. Reminder, please join us for Spirit Night at Nandos on Sept. 16!
Have you seen a flyer come home with a Dragon enjoying a delicious piece of chicken? Get it on the fridge so you don’t forget!
We’re excited to see families and teachers at our Spirit Night on Wednesday, Sep. 16th from 5-9pm at Nando’s in Reston! Please use the fundraising code: NANDOS2026. You’ll help us raise funds for our back to school family picnic. We’re grateful for your support!
2. Don’t miss our Back to School Family Picnic on Sept. 24th from 4:30-6:30pm
The Back to School Family Picnic is going to be a blast! We’re celebrating this new school year with a lot of fun activities:
- Teacher bake sale
- Free face painting,
- Free bounce house AND bounce obstacle course
- RAFFLE with fantastic prizes like a $100 Target gift card, a digital camera, $50 Chic Fil A gift card, Pokemon Cards, and fun teacher experiences.
Grab your picnic blanket, pack dinner, or plan to purchase from the food trucks!
We can’t wait to see all our families having a great time together.
Please reach out to Elaine Kincel with any questions! ekincel@dogwoodpta.org
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, at 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.
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.
Schools Build Belonging so Students Can Thrive
What does belonging look like in our school? At Dogwood 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.
Transportation: 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.
Have you already downloaded 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.
For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.
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.
What’s for Lunch? Check the FCPS App! 🍕
The FCPS mobile app makes it easy to view daily breakfast and lunch menus for any school in FCPS — no login required. Find out more about the app’s features. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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 take 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.
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.
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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