Orange Hunt News We Hoot!

Check out what is happening here at Orange Hunt:

Thank you to all of our families who joined us for Back to School Night! We loved having the opportunity to welcome you into our classrooms, connect with our staff, and share more about the exciting year ahead. Your partnership is such an important part of our students’ success, and we look forward to working together throughout the year to make it a wonderful one for every Orange Hunt Owl!


New guidance for Crossing Guard Safety

Dear Families,

Crossing guards are now employed by private companies and follow updated safety procedures.

The crossing guard assists pedestrians only in the L-shaped crosswalk closest to the school. For his safety, he cannot stand in the center box or middle of the intersection.

To keep traffic moving safely, he assists groups of pedestrians together and must also allow school buses and other vehicles to pass. Please be patient. If you are waiting at the opposite corner, wait for the crossing guard’s whistle and signal before crossing. Do not cross diagonally.

Thank you for helping keep our school community safe!

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School Picture Day is Coming!

📅 Date: Friday, September 25, 2026

📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416983

📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com


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:

  • Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
  • 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 Heather Mathews, School Testing Coordinator, at HMMathews@fcps.edu by September 30.

Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Jennifer Weis, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):

  • 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.
  • 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.


Family Liaison

Meena Baluch!

Family Liaison Email:  mbaluch@fcps.edu

Phone:   703-913-6807


Stay Connected with Orange Hunt ES!

Parents, please follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for the latest school updates, events, activities, and highlights of what our Orange Hunt Owls are learning and doing!

Instagram

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Upcoming Events.

September 21 - Student Holiday (Yom Kippur)

September 23 - PTA meeting in person and virtual 7:00pm

September 25 - Picture day

September 30 - 3- Hour Early Release at 12:30pm


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


Want To Be Involved?

Visit the Orange Hunt PTA website for all sponsored events and activities.