Save the Dates

October 13 - PTA Meeting October 13 - AAP meeting (identification process) October 21 - 3 hour early release

Title 1 Family Compact

Our Partnership Matters

At Washington Mill Elementary School, we believe that every student can learn, grow, and succeed—and that families are essential partners in making that happen.

Purpose of This Policy and Compact

Efforts will be made to clearly articulate the school’s intentions to engage with and involve parents/caregivers in the educational process.

Washington Mill Elementary is a Title I school within Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and utilizes the Title I grant to improve student achievement and help all students meet the objectives of the FCPS Program of Studies and the Virginia Standards of Learning. A partnership with families is essential to meeting this goal.

 Under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, schools that receive Title I funds are expected to collaborate with families to develop and maintain a parent and family engagement policy. The policy describes the school’s approach to involving families in students’ learning and includes a compact expressing the partnership among staff, caregivers, and students to reach high academic goals for every student.

 Washington Mill Elementary jointly developed this policy and compact with members of the school community and adopted it for the 2026-2027school year. Several provisions specifically address state or federal expectations for the policy and compact.

Family Voice Matters

This policy and compact is distributed to all caregivers in a language that families can understand. Caregivers have opportunities to provide comments and feedback through:

•   Directly contacting school administrators or staff via email, phone, or in person.
•   Participating as active members of school committees
•   Attending monthly PTA meetings, the Annual Title I Meeting, and designated family engagement nights.
•   Providing input during the annual evaluation of Title I policies and family programs to help identify and overcome barriers to engagement.

Comments are submitted with the school’s policy and compact to FCPS central offices and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). This policy and compact is also made available to the broader school community through the school website.

Important Dates

Please watch school communications and the school website for additional dates and opportunities to connect.

Important Dates

Stay Connected

https://washingtonmilles.fcps.edu/  |  703-619-2500 |  

Family Engagement Contact: Valerie Scraper

Washington Mill ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES

Our Commitment to High-Quality Learning and Family Partnership

Our school will provide a high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables students to meet challenging academic standards.

1. Provide High-Quality Teaching & Learning

• Teach all students according to Virginia’s challenging academic standards, using approved curriculum.
• Provide ongoing professional development and support to all teachers to ensure effective instructional practices are used in all classrooms.
• Use data to monitor student progress and provide targeted interventions and enrichment opportunities.
• Implement evidence-based instructional practices, including AVID strategies, Responsive Classroom practices, and differentiated instruction.
• Provide support services for multilingual learners and students with disabilities to ensure access to grade-level content.

2. Provide a Supportive & Effective Learning Environment

• Provide clear expectations for student behavior and academic learning.
• Offer a variety of resources to help students with their learning.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming school environment where all students feel valued and respected.
• Implement Responsive Classroom practices that promote positive relationships, student engagement, and social-emotional learning.
• Provide behavioral, academic, and wellness support through our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

3. Keep Families Informed About Student Progress

Provide parents/caregivers with frequent reports on their children’s progress, including progress reports and other updates on the dates listed in the Important Dates section on Page 1.

• Distributing formal Progress Reports four times a year on scheduled dates (November 13,

                February 5, April 9, and June 17).

• Distributing Interim Reports four times a year between progress reports (September 25,

                 December 18, March 5, and May 14) to catch learning gaps early. 

• Regularly updating and monitoring classroom Schoology and Google Classroom sites to provide

               caregivers direct access to daily assignments, homework, and academic resources.

• Responding promptly to parents/caregivers within a standard 24-hour turnaround window to

             ensure timely communications regarding academic or behavioral questions.

4. Maintain Open Access & Communication

• Provide reasonable access to staff by being available for consultation with parents/caregivers, including holding parent-teacher conferences at least annually. (See Important Dates on page 1)
• Ensure regular two-way communication between the family and school staff in language requested by the family to the extent practicable. 
• Assist caregivers in understanding the school’s programs, events, and activities by ensuring that information is provided in a variety of modalities and in multiple languages, as appropriate.
• Communicate regularly through TalkingPoints, News You Choose, ParentVUE, school newsletters, social media, and the school website.
• Provide opportunities for families to connect with staff through school events, conferences, and family engagement activities.

5. Build Meaningful Family Engagement 

• Hold an annual meeting to present information on the school’s Title I programs, state and division curriculum and assessments, and the school’s state and federal accountability status.
• Provide multiple opportunities for caregivers to ask questions and give input on Title I programs.
• Invite caregivers to participate as committee members and collaborators in developing the SIIP and plans for the use of Title I family engagement funds.
• Provide opportunities for caregivers to participate as members of the FCPS Title I Advisory Committee.
• Host family engagement events that support student learning and strengthen school-home partnerships.
• Encourage participation in PTA activities, volunteer opportunities, and school improvement efforts.
• Provide workshops and resources to help families support learning at home.

What This Looks Like at Our School

We communicate. We share information regularly and make it possible for families to ask questions and provide feedback.

We listen. We value caregiver perspectives and use family input to strengthen our programs and services.

We support.  We provide resources, instruction, and opportunities designed to help every student succeed.

We partner.  We recognize families as essential partners in their child’s education.

Washington Mill ELEMENTARY

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES & TITLE I FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Your Partnership Makes a Difference

Parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting student success. Together, we can help children develop the skills, confidence, and habits they need to learn and grow.

Our Families’ Responsibilities

Support Attendance

• Monitor attendance and ensure my child attends school every day, except when absence is necessary.

Support Learning

• Encourage and support my child’s learning at home and at school.
• Help my child develop positive habits that support academic success.
• Review classroom assignments, homework folders, and online materials on Schoology with my
• child daily.
• Monitor TV, computer, video game, and phone/technology use to ensure healthy learning and
• sleep habits.
• Commit to spending at least 20 minutes a night reading with my child or encouraging them to read independently

Stay Involved

• Participate in decisions related to school programs and my child’s education.
• Share questions or comments about programs in my child’s school.
• Volunteer in my child’s classroom or in school activities, as my schedule allows.

Stay Informed & Communicate

• Stay informed about my child’s education by promptly read all notices from the school or school district, whether received by my child, by mail, or electronically.
• Respond to school communications as appropriate.

Families Are Welcome Partners in Title I

Our school will build caregivers’ involvement in the school’s Title I program through meaningful opportunities to learn, participate, ask questions, and provide input.

Annual Title I Meeting

• Learn about the school’s Title I program, state and division curriculum and assessments, and state and federal accountability status.

Opportunities for Questions & Input

• Ask questions and provide feedback about Title I programs and activities.
• Share ideas about how Title I resources can support students and families.

Shared Planning

• Participate as committee members and collaborators in developing the SIIP and plans for the use of Title I family engagement funds.

Additional Opportunities

Take advantage of schoolwide family involvement events, including:

• Family activities: Return to School Open House, Back to School Night, Principal Coffee Talks,

               Wolf Pack Wobble community walk, Trunk or Treat, Book Fair, Veterans Day Breakfast,

               Thanksgiving Family Lunch, PTA Holiday Activities, Spelling Bee, and Spring Fling.

• PTA participation: Attend monthly parent association meetings to keep up with school programs,

              collaborate with other families, and organize community events.

• Policy evaluation: Help conduct the annual evaluation of our Title I parent engagement policy to

               identify and address any barriers to participation.

A Shared Commitment

School staff, families, and students each have an important role in helping students succeed. Our shared commitment is to maintain open communication, support learning at school and at home, and create meaningful opportunities for families to be active partners.

SCHOOL + FAMILY + STUDENT = STUDENT SUCCESS

When schools and families work together, students are more likely to succeed. Thank you for partnering with [School Name] Elementary to help every student learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

Thank you for being an important partner in your child’s education!

Family Compact Feedback

We value your feedback! Please review our Family Compact and share your thoughts, suggestions, or questions. Your input will help us strengthen our partnership with families and ensure the compact reflects our shared commitment to student success. Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback!

Feedback Form English

Feedback Form Spanish

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.

We ask that 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.

Lunch Buddies - Fairfax County Police

We are excited to continue our partnership with the Fairfax County Police Department’s Mt. Vernon District Station through the Lunch Buddies program. Our first visit will be Tuesday, September 29. 

During Lunch Buddies, officers visit during our regular lunch periods and spend time talking and connecting with students in a relaxed setting. The goal is to build positive relationships and help students get to know our local officers as people in our community who are here to help and support them. 

There is nothing teachers need to prepare or do differently. Officers will simply join students during lunch and spend time getting to know them.  

SIS ParentVUE

Everything You Need to Do in SIS ParentVUE

Are you working your way through back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find important forms and updates. 

• Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in ParentVUE. To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon. 

• Submit daylong absences by clicking “Report Absence.”

• Check your child’s immunization records and submit updates. Please visit the How to Submit Immunization Documentation webpage for step-by-step instructions. 

If you do not have a ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.

Parent Digital Consent

Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources

Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool. 

Opt In or Out to Student Devices Being Sent Home for Grades 1-6

New this year, families can opt out of having student laptops sent home with their student. 

• If you do not want your student to bring their FCPS-issued device home, please toggle the Opt Out button to a check mark and confirm by pressing Save Selection.

• If you would like your student to bring their FCPS device home, no toggle action is needed. Confirm by pressing Save Selection. 

Students whose families opt out will continue to have access to an FCPS-issued device during the school day. Please reach out to your student’s teacher to understand expectations for homework and any learning activities that may require access to technology outside of the school day.

Transportation Patience and Safety

Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your child’s bus. 

If your child’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150 with any additional questions. 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.

Tap on the School Bus

Tap On and Tap Off, It’s Easy! 

Please help all our bus riders remember to tap on and tap off the school bus each day. We currently have about 70% of students on buses following this process correctly, which is a great start! Learn more about student IDs and bus navigation.

Families wishing to see where their child’s bus is should continue to use the Here Comes the Bus app. 

Attendance

Not Feeling Well? When Your Child Can Come to School

School is better when your child is here! But we do understand that some days, they may feel unwell. Learn more about which symptoms are ok at school (like sneezing or sniffles), and when your child should stay home (if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, for example). 

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify the school so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and, if possible, let them know how long you think they will be out.

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.

2e Resources

Twice Exceptional Students

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities. 

Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.

New information, including printable flyers, has been added under the heading Supporting 2e Learners in FCPS. 

For more information, please contact Jennifer Morris at 703-619-2537

Superintendent Community Conversations

Superintendent Community Conversations

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:

• Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
• Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
• Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
• Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
• Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning. 

Conversaciones Comunitarias Directamente con la Dra. Reid

Acompáñenos en una serie de Conversaciones Comunitarias que se llevarán a cabo en diferentes lugares de la división escolar. Estas reuniones están abiertas a todos, incluyendo familias, estudiantes, y miembros de la comunidad. Puede asistir al evento que le resulte más conveniente, aunque no se lleve a cabo en su escuela o comunidad. Esta es una oportunidad para compartir sus opiniones, conversar directamente con la Dra. Reid y hacerle preguntas sobre temas importantes para nuestra comunidad de FCPS. 

• Lunes 28 de septiembre, a las 6:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria Riverside
• Lunes 19 de octubre, a las 6:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria Spring Hill
• Lunes 26 de octubre, a las 6:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria Beech Tree
• Jueves 29 de octubre, a las 6:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria North Springfield
• Viernes 13 de noviembre, a las 6:30 p.m., en la Escuela Primaria Powell

No es necesario inscribirse, pero hacerlo nos ayuda con la planificación. 

Immunization Events

Immunization Events for FCPS Students

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. 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. Additional immunization resources are also available. 

New Menu Items

Fall into Flavor With FCPS’ New Breakfast and Lunch Menu

FCPS’ new September and October menu items are packed with classic favorites and fresh global inspiration. Check our new online menu system to see when you can try new recipes based on student feedback, and developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts. 

Menu items include: 

• Breakfast items such as honey chicken biscuits, guava pastelitos (whole-grain pastries filled with tropical guava fruit), and roasted apple parfaits, made with vanilla yogurt and homemade granola.

• Lunch items such as crunchy beef or fiesta tacos, ramen bowl with diced chicken or hard-boiled egg, beef or vegan banh mi burger, and southwest fiesta soup with corn chips. 

Stay up to date on FCPS menus and nutrition news by subscribing to the Food and Nutrition Services newsletter. 

Annual Special Education Family Conference

Annual Special Education Family Conference: Registration Open, Call for Volunteers

Join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School. 

Families, educators, and community members are invited to this no-cost, in-person event to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants.

How to Get Involved

• Attend: Register as a family member or educator using the Registration Form. 
• Students Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project.
• Volunteer: Adult volunteers can sign up in Volunteer FCPS to support the event. 

Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions. 

FCPS Mobile App

Have Children in Multiple FCPS Schools?  The FCPS mobile app lets you follow updates from all your children's schools in one place! Simply open the app, tap the teal pull-down menu, then tap the gear icon and select every school you want to follow. See this video of how to follow your school. Find out about more features of the app. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Washington Mill PTA

Stay connected with the Washington Mill PTA Our Linktree page (https://linktr.ee/washmillpta) is your one-stop hub for everything happening in our PTA community! From volunteer opportunities to upcoming events and important resources, it’s updated regularly—so check back often as new ways to get involved are always being added. Don’t miss out—be sure to sign up to receive the PTA newsletter for the latest updates, reminders, and ways to support our amazing Wolf community!

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• • Traffic Safety Near Our Schools
  • Sign and Return the SR&R
  • Check Out New Menu Options

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

QUICK LINKS 

• Health and Safety Guidance Webpage
• Washington Mills Website
• Positivity Project
• Report Absences
• Student Links 
• Join the PTA

9100 Cherrytree Drive, Alexandria, VA 22309 |  Main Phone: 703.619-2500  Attendance: 703.619.2525 | Web | Twitter