Check out what is happening here at Orange Hunt:
Our Owls had a wonderful Picture Day!
Students also showed their support for our military-connected families during Blue Star Welcome Week spirit days. Along with making special memories, our Owls continue to learn, explore, and grow every day. We’re proud of their curiosity, hard work, and all they’re learning in the classroom!
New guidance for Crossing Guard Safety
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!
Ensuring Student Safety: Register for Volunteer FCPS
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS prior to volunteering.
Our intent is to ensure that our students feel safe and supported with each and every person they encounter at school.
As a reminder, all volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Click here to begin the process. You MUST be registered and cleared as a LEVEL 2 volunteer to go chaperone field trips.
Notes from the Health Room
October 5 - 9: This week students in grades K & 3, as well as students new to FCPS will be screened for vision and hearing. If your student wears glasses, please be sure to send them to school each day. You will be contacted if your student requires additional screening. If you have questions, please contact the health room at the number listed below.
Please remember that students may not have medication on them during the school day. If your student requires a medication during school hours, an adult must bring the medication to the health room between the hours of 8:15 A.M. - 3:30 p.m.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the health room at 703-913-6810.
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:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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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):
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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.
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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.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
New 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.
Click here to see the flyer.
Family Liaison Corner
Parent Volunteers Needed
Orange Hunt Elementary School is seeking parent volunteers to support our Veterans Day event on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Volunteer opportunities may include helping with the art station, music, STEM station, decorations, boot camp activities, and general event support.
Do you have STEM-related equipment, materials, or projects that you would enjoy bringing to demonstrate or share with students? If so, please include that information in the volunteer interest form. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete this interest form.
If you have not yet signed up for the volunteer clearance process and would like to volunteer, please sign up here.
More details about the event and volunteer time slots will be shared soon.
If you have any questions, please contact Meena Baluch at mbaluch@fcps.edu or 703-913-6807.
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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
Facebook
Upcoming Events
October 12: No School for Students: School Planning Day
October 21: PTA Meeting, 7 p.m.
October 30: 2-Hour Early Release Day (ALL students will be dismissed at 1:30 - there is no option to stay until 3:30 on this day). This is the end of the grading quarter.
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Spirit Day
Friday, 10/9: Orange and Blue
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
Coming Soon - Outstanding Employee Noms!
Look next week for the live QR code/link to nominate an Outstanding OHES Employee! Parents and Staff alike may nominate a deserving staff member. It only takes five minutes of your time to recognize the hard work of a hard-working staff member! Nominations open on October 12th!
Yearbook Sale - Early Bird Special
Buy your yearbook early to save $$$! Purchase your yearbook by 12/21/2026 and pay only $20, prices will go up in January.
Yearbook School ID:
739272
Buy a Yearbook here
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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
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Want To Be Involved?
Visit the Orange Hunt PTA website for all sponsored events and activities.
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