Ram Gram - September 25, 2026

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/25/2026 05:15 PM EDT

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو۔۔

Important Dates

Friday 10/2: Wear blue or red to celebrate Blue Star Welcome Week

Tuesday 10/6: Interim Reports in Tuesday Folders- all students

Monday 10/12: Student Holiday - Teacher Workday

Thursday 10/15: Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Parent Information Night 6:00-7:30 pm

Tuesday 10/20: Fall Picture Day

Wednesday 10/21: 3-hour Early Release Day - Students dismiss at 12:25

Friday 10/23: Book Character Day

Tuesday 10/27: Family Science Night, 6:00-7:00 pm, gym

Friday 10/30: End of Quarter - 2-hour early release-Students dismiss at 1:25

 

A Message from the Principal

We are less than a month away from our first 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday.  As a reminder, during the 2026-2027 school year, students will be dismissed at 12:25 pm on the following school days:

  • October 21, 2026
  • December 2, 2026
  • February 10, 2027
  • May 5, 2027

Currently less than 100 families have reponded in ParentVue to let us know if your child(ren) will go home or stay for child care on these days.  Please select your preference in ParentVue or let your child’s teacher know if your child will go home at 12:25 pm or stay for child care.  We are asking families to select their preference for the year.  This information is essential for planning to ensure we have the proper number of staff members to supervise students.  If you have questions please contact the Centre Ridge Office at 703-227-2600.

Thank you for your continued support of your child’s education.

Sincerely,

Erika Aspuria

Principal

Blue Star Welcome week

Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate, and schools are a primary way they get integrated into their new location. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community. 

Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week, FCPS will help ease their transition through events, messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections. Please help us welcome our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week, September 26 through October 4, 2026, and throughout the year! #BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS.

Centre Ridge’s Blue Star Welcome Week Schedule:

Monday, September 28th – Information about Blue Star Welcome Week with be shared with students

Tuesday, September 29th – Students will create displays and letters to decorate the halls

Wednesday, September 30th- Our military connected students will start their day with a special breakfast treat

Thursday, October 1st- The poem called The Dandelion will be shared with students

Friday, October 2nd- Spirit Day- students and staff will wear blue or red in support for our military families

FCPS News

Literacy Webinar Series

Fairfax County Public Schools is presenting a literacy webinar series to help families understand reading assessments, reading plans, and how to support their child at home.  The series and topics:

  • October 20, 10 a.m.- Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
  • December 15, 10 a.m.- What is a Reading Plan?
  • February 19, 10 a.m.- How Do I Support My Child with a Reading Plan at Home?
  • May 14, 10 a.m.- Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer. 

Register here- https://forms.gle/JEYjp1T3SyK8qhh26

 

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:

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning. 

Review and Sign 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. We encourage families to discuss these expectations with their child(ren). 

Families should review the SR&R and sign the acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or by signing and returning the Signature Sheet. 

Cellphones and Personal Devices

Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the student’s 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 on the FCPS website. 

Understanding the Acceptable Use PolicyFCPS provides students with digital tools and devices to support their learning, encourage easy collaboration, and help students learn how to interact with technology safely. The FCPS Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) guides how these technologies are used both inside the classroom and at home. By following the AUP, students learn how to become not just users of technology, but responsible and ethical digital citizens with critical real-world skills such as:

  • Responsible Communication and Conduct: Communicating respectfully and using technology appropriately.
  • Digital Footprint Awareness: Understanding online actions can have lasting effects on a student’s reputation, future opportunities and relationships, career prospects, and safety.
  • Data Privacy and Security: Learning how online safety can protect their digital work and personal information, and guard against cybersecurity risks.
  • Self-Regulation: Learning to manage digital distractions to stay focused when needed.
  • Accountability: Understanding that they are responsible for how they use FCPS technology and digital resources.

Learn more about digital citizenship at FCPS.

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. 

We all belong video

Attendance

We all Belong

Each one of us is unique. And every student matters and belongs in school. If a student is having a difficult time attending class, please tell a trusted adult at school. There are solutions.

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies. 

Traffic Safety Near Our Schools

We understand that families may need to drop off or pick up their children at school from time to time. Please familiarize yourself with your school’s kiss-and-ride procedures for the safety of all children and staff. 

Please drop off or pick up your students in the designated areas. Students should not be dropped off or picked up in other areas around the school or in nearby neighborhoods. Also avoid parking in neighborhoods or double parking in front of a school if you intend to walk your child to school. This can increase the number of students walking through busy intersections and create traffic hazards for other drivers and families trying to get to school. 

Always follow all signs and directions posted at schools, on public roads, or provided by school staff or crossing guards, and avoid making U-turns. Most of all, always — ALWAYS — drive slowly near our schools. The safety of all our students is one of our top priorities!! 

The Fairfax County Police Department has additional safety tips for families, including ways to keep walkers safe and what to do about scooters, bicycles, and e-scooters.