|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Important Dates
September
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 5:30 - 7:00
October 5th- PTA Meeting
October 6th - AAP Continuum of Services Family Night
October 7th - Picture Day
October 9th - Math Pastries with Parents from 8:15 - 8:45
October 9th - 1st grade Chuck E. Cheese Fundraiser 4 - 8
October 13th- Spirit Night at Baskin Robins and Chipotle at Franklin Farms
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:
-
September 30
-
November 18
- January 13
-
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!
PTA News:
Thank you for coming out for Nando’s spirit night
Thank you for coming out to support Dogwood students and staff at Nando’s Peri-Peri Chicken this past Wednesday! We loved seeing you all. Your support is crucial to our PTA's support of our kids and teachers!
Join us for Amazing Raffle Prizes at our Family Picnic
Our Welcome Back Family Picnic is only one week away! Join us next Thursday Sept. 24th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the school. Students must be with an adult to attend.
You are welcome to bring your own dinner/food items and a blanket to sit on. We will also have food trucks, free face painting, a free bounce obstacle course and bounce house, and a teacher bake sale! Amazing prizes will be raffled off including:
- $100 Target gift card
- $100 SAFEWAY gift card
- Digital camera
- $50 - Chic Fil A Gift Card
- $25 - Sephora Gift Card
- Pokemon cards and guidebook bundle!
- Fun teacher experiences including lunch with Principal Beckner, a Mario Kart party and a chance to be a WDES New STAR!
Raffle tickets are: $1 per ticket, 12 tickets for $10 and 25 tickets for $20.
***CASH is preferred for each purchase! ***
Proceeds will support events like the picnic and teacher appreciation throughout the year!
We can’t wait to see all the Dragons’ smiling faces, celebrating with each other. See you there!
Picture Day is coming on Wednesday, October 7!
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTTKZG8G. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping! Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online on mylifetouch.com
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:
-
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.
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 our school so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with our public health nurse. Call us as soon as you know your child will be absent and, if possible, let us 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.
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.
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.
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 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 Marissa Dyment at midyment@fcps.edu
Advanced Academic Program (AAP)
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 Ms. Bell, School Testing Coordinator, at jmbell@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend an AAP information meetings, led by Marissa Dyment, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
-
AAP Continuum of Services & Full-Time AAP Identification: Tuesday, October 6th at 5:30 pm in the Dogwood ES Library. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students and the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Marissa Dyment, AART, at midyment@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
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.
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.
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:
- Military Families Find a Community in FCPS
- Receive FCPS This Week in Other Languages
- Not Feeling Well? When Your Child Can Come to School
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
|
