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Dear Mighty Red Bird Families,
It was wonderful to see so many of our families at Back to School Night! Thank you for taking the time to connect with your child’s teachers, learn more about the year ahead, and strengthen the partnership between home and school. We also appreciated the strong participation at our first PTA meeting of the year! If you have not yet joined the PTA, we encourage you to become part of this important organization that supports our students, staff, and school community.
Our Soar to Success fundraiser is underway! Our Week 1 challenge is to reach 20% participation, or 180 supporters. If we reach our goal, students will celebrate with a PJ Day on Wednesday, September 30. Please donate to Soar to Success and share your child’s link with friends and family.
While our students have been learning in classrooms, this week our Administrative and Instructional Leadership Teams have also been engaged in learning and professional development as we continue preparing for a successful year ahead. We are excited about the learning, growth, and opportunities this school year will bring for our Mighty Red Birds!
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Long, Mrs. Agner, Mrs. Compton
Upcoming Dates 📅
🗓️ September 25 - School Picture Day! 📸
🗓️ September 30 - 3 Hour Early Release Wednesday
🗓️ October 8 - AAP Continuum of Services: 5:30pm (Zoom)
🗓️ October 16 - Full-Time AAP Identification Process: 5:30 (library)
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
🌟Mrs. Long's Blueprint Byte
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Learning is strengthened when we honor the diverse experiences represented within our Cardinal Forest family.
📷 School Picture Day!
📅 Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416924
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email Victor O'Neill Studios at underclass@vosphoto.com
🐦 Cardinal Forest Forms and Links
Please access the Cardinal Forest Parent Links to fill out the Digital Consent Forms and review key family resources. Note: The enrolling parent has to be the one to fill this out.
While there are plenty of forms on your to-do list this time of year, please ensure to fill out the Early Release Wednesday Childcare Request in ParentVue
By default, all students will follow their normal dismissal routine and head home on early release days. If your family requires school-based childcare, you must log in and select that option.
📚 Learning About Life Science in Language Arts 📚
Benchmark Unit 1 in Language Arts is about life science. Students in K-5 will be learning about plants, animals, and nature. Sixth grade students will learn about the natural balance of nature.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
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Question: What are some ways we can take care of nature and living things?
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Activity: Pick an animal and act out how it moves or survives in its habitat — see if family members can guess!
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
Spartans Dance Camp! 📣💃
Calling all dancers in Grades K–8! Join the West Springfield Dance Team and Head Coach Dani Guarin (former 6x NBA Dancer and professional dancer) for an exciting, high-energy Dance Camp!
Participants will learn dance techniques, practice with team members, and perform live at the high school football game on Friday, October 2nd!
Event Details:
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Eligible Grades: K – 8th Grade
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Practices: Monday, September 28th & Wednesday, September 30th (6:15 PM – 8:15 PM)
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Performance: Friday, October 2nd (at the football game!)
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Location: West Springfield High School
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Camp Goodies Included: Poms, Hair Bow, WSHS T-shirt, and more!
Don't miss out on this chance to dance, build confidence, and perform under the Friday night lights! Scan the QR code on the flyer to register today.
Have questions? Reach out to Head Coach Dani Guarin at dvguarin@fcps.edu.
Alt Text for Image: Promotional flyer for Spartans Dance Camp for grades K through 8th grade. Features a photo of dancers with pink poms. Event details state practices are Monday, September 28th and Wednesday, September 30th from 6:15 to 8:15 PM at West Springfield High School, with a performance on Friday, October 2nd. Mentions included goodies: poms, bows, WSHS shirt, and more. Includes a QR code for registration.
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 Mrs. Rico, AART, at arico@fcps.edu, Sam Amey, Special Education Department Chair shamey@fcps.edu or Cindy Agner, AP at caagner@fcps.edu
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.
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:
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
SR&R
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.
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.
Save the Date for the Annual Special Education Family Conference
The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.
Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
Arrival and Dismissal - Be A Good Neighbor!
Please help us keep arrival and dismissal times safe and smooth for everyone. We ask families to be good neighbors and mindful of:
- Not blocking intersections or painted boxes during Kiss & Ride —this impacts visibility and also prohibits access for emergency vehicles.
- Crossing only in crosswalks and watching carefully for cars.
- Avoiding parking in residential areas, fire lanes, or private parking spaces.
- Refraining from making illegal U-turns.
- No pets are allowed on school property.
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
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.
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