Franconia ES Wednesday Word - 9/23/26

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/23/2026 05:00 PM EDT

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☎️ Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/Caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

 

Franconia Elementary encourages Bell-to-Bell attendance

School starts at 8:35am and dismisses at 3:30pm

Upcoming Events

  • Wed, Sep 30: 3hr early dismissal (12:30pm)
  • Fri, Oct 2: Picture Day (see info below)
  • Mon, Oct 12: NO SCHOOL-Indigenous People's Holiday (also teacher work day)
  • Fri, Oct 16: PTA Fall Festival
  • Fri, Oct 30: 2hr early dismissal for end of 1st quarter (1:30pm)

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.

FOOD INSECURITY...

Are you and your family suffering from food insecurity?  Franconia ES can help.  Use the link below to share your contact information and our Family Liaison (Mrs. Cruz) will reach out to you to discuss your needs.

https://forms.gle/bZa3o2PUdpuVtrSi8 

morning routine

Morning Routine Tips

  • Check the bag: Review a quick checklist near the door before leaving.
  • Prep the night before: Place backpacks, clothes, and lunches in a set spot.
  • Label items: Write your child's name on jackets, water bottles, and lunchboxes.

 

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. 

School Picture Day is Coming!

📅 Date: Friday, October 2, 2026

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416942

📸 Images Available: Approximately two-three weeks after picture day

📧 Questions about Ordering? Email Victor O'Neill Studios at underclass@vosphoto.com

Please note:

  • Pictures are taken from the shoulders up, NOT full-length.
  • The photo studio does not provide a proof or preview prior to ordering - families should pre-order.
  • Pre-ordering guarantees prints will be shipped to the school.  Prints ordered after Picture Day will be shipped home for a fee.
  • Prints will be shipped to the school within 3 weeks after Picture Day.  They will be distributed to teachers to be sent home with students.
  • Pictures taken on Picture Day will be used in the school yearbook.
  • Re-take day will be Monday, 11/16, if you wish to have your child's picture be re-taken or if your child misses the original Picture Day on 10/2.

There are no paper order forms - all orders should be submitted online.

 

A Quick Reminder when Reporting a Student Absence:

(the secret to avoiding a follow up call from the health room 😊)

When calling the attendance line, please include a specific reason for your child’s absence. 

For example:

  • Flu like symptoms (fever of 100.4, and cough or sore throat)
  • Vomiting/diarrhea
  • Positive Covid test
  • Medical appointment (annual check ups), Injuries/Vacation/Funeral
  • Any other communicable diseases- rash, strep throat, Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

This information is important to our school’s Public Health Nurse for illness tracking and follow up when needed.  Providing the reason when you call helps us keep accurate health records and may prevent the nurse from needing to call you later for additional information if an illness investigation is necessary. 

Back - To - School - Night

back to school night

Thank you so much for taking the time to attend Back to School Night last Wednesday! It was wonderful meeting you and sharing our goals, routines, and expectations for the upcoming Franconia school year.

Your presence, support, and engagement mean the world to our classroom community. Strong partnerships between home and school make a huge difference in your child’s success.

3RD GRADE 

“Our third-grade entomologists are observing the larval stage

“Our third-grade entomologists are observing the larval stage".

LIBRARY CORNER

The Literati Book Fair is coming!

The book fair will open on the evening of Friday, October 16, during the Fall Festival. It will continue into the next week until Friday, October 23.

The volunteer sign-up will be available next week. Set-up will be Friday, October 16 at 9AM!

Reading Challenges

Book Bingo is a monthly challenge. Each month there will be a bingo board just for kindergarten and grade 1, and another bingo board for all grades.

You can find the September Book Bingo boards here.

The Million Word Challenge lasts all year. Students and adults write down the book that students read, on paper or through this online form. The librarian will look up the word count and keep track of all the words!

Library Volunteers

The library always needs volunteers! The biggest need is help with shelving, but we are also looking for help with weekly notices and bulletin boards! Email the librarian, Debby Vandersande, at dmvandersand@fcps.edu if you want to help!

KINDERGARTEN

Kindergarten under whole parachute

All kindergarten students under whole parachute. FUN FUN 

PE doing Health

Kindergarten in PE doing health 

Franconia's 3-hour Early Dismissal Days

2026-2027 School Year

FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number of days has been reduced from eight to four. 

Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with their peers.  A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students. 

Students will be dismissed at 12:30pm on the below days.

  • Wednesday, September 30

  • Wednesday, November 18
  • Wednesday, January 13
  • Wednesday, April 7

PTA CORNER

Franconia PTA Fall Festival Friday, October 16 | Evening: Exact time TBD

Mark your calendars for one of our favorite community events of the year! The Franconia Fall Festival returns and while the exact details are still in the planning stages, we can share that we are exploring some new ideas (movies? costumes? we'll see where we land!), and considering keeping familiar favorites like carnival games (with prizes!), and the popular on site food trucks with treats for purchase.

We need your help to make this community event a success!  Thanks so much to the couple of folks who stepped up to help plan. We need a few more to pull off an event of this scale. And there will be future asks for help the day of. If you can lend an hour (or two!), please reach out to president@franconiapta.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:

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning. 

Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) (Enrollment Open)

The Virginia Preschool Initiative provides quality early childhood programming for eligible 3- and 4-year-old children. VPI programs offer developmentally appropriate instruction, screenings, kindergarten readiness support, and family engagement opportunities through center-based and family child care programs.

Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC)

Upcoming: September 23, October 7, and October 21, 2026

Special Education Webinar Series

PEATC’s 2026 virtual webinar series will help families better understand the special education process, including eligibility, IEPs, 504 Plans, and family-school collaboration. Families may attend only the sessions that best meet their needs.

Family and School Partnerships Academy Courses (Registration Open)

Let’s Grow Our Family Engagement Practice Together! Family and School Partnerships is offering two five-week virtual Academy courses this fall. Learn practical ways to build strong partnerships with families and create a welcoming school community. Both courses meet virtually from 4:30–6:30 PM, beginning in October.

Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) (New Resource)

Cardinal Care Language and Disability Access Plan provides free language assistance and reasonable accommodations for Medicaid applicants and members with limited English proficiency or disabilities. Support is available throughout the Medicaid process, including applying for coverage, accessing medical services, and participating in appeals.

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.

September 

your presence matters

Attendance Awareness Month

  • Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow! The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit the FCPS Attendance web page for tips and strategies. 

Sept. 15-Oct. 15 

Hispanic Heritage month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

 

Sept. 26 to Oct. 4 - Blue Star Welcome Week

Blue star welcome week

Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging to their school communities. Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity to empower military families to thrive as they serve.

Quick Links

  • School Year Calendar

    • Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:

      • Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
      • Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
      • Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
  • Visit the Franconia ES Website
  • Report your Child's Absence 
  • Temporary Change in Dismissal Form
  • Monitor your student's academics with a SIS Parent Account
  • Join the Franconia PTA

  • Like our Facebook page

  • Follow us on Instagram 

  • Recognize a FCPS Employee at FCPS CARES. The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, 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 at Franconia Elementary School.