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Dear Dragon Families,
A huge thank-you to our PTA President, Elaine Kinsel, and the entire PTA for organizing our wonderful first Back-to-School Picnic! The evening was filled with smiles, laughter, and meaningful moments shared across our school community. For those who missed it, we had moon bounce relays, face painting, tattoos, cotton candy, popsicles, balloon animals, music, a bake sale, raffles and food trucks!!!!! We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the event such a success.
Through the Nando’s Spirit Night and the PTA picnic, our PTA raised more than $1,200. These funds directly support our students and school community by helping provide memorable experiences, special activities, and additional resources for our school.
Our PTA plays an important role in making Dogwood such a connected and joyful community. We encourage all families to consider joining the PTA and becoming involved in any way that works for you. Membership does not require a large time commitment. Every member, volunteer, idea, and contribution helps strengthen our school and create more opportunities for our students.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to many more wonderful events and shared experiences this year!
With appreciation,
Principal Beckner
Important Dates
September
September 30th - 3 Hour Early Release
October
October 1st - Back to School Night 5:30 - 7:00
October 5th- PTA Meeting-VIRTUAL ONLY
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 Wednesday, September 30th we will have our first early release. Dismissal will begin at 12:35pm. Please reach out to your child's teacher to let them know if your child will be dismissing at 12:35pm or if you have a childcare hardship and you need your child to stay until 3:35pm.
Thank you for helping us prepare for a safe and smooth dismissal!
Thank you from the PTA!
We were thrilled to see so many families at our first ever Back-to-School Picnic! Kids jumped and conquered the bounce house course, teachers baked and sold their best treats, and raffle prizes were given out! We are so grateful that we had volunteers to support stations; it would not have been possible without your help!
Our ultimate goal was accomplished: students and their families having fun with their Dogwood teachers and staff as one big AWESOME dragon community. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for joining us and celebrating the beginning of this school year! Go DRAGONS!
Save the dates:
Oct. 5 - Date change! The next PTA planning meeting will now be Oct. 5, 2026 at 6pm Please join us! Fully VIRTUAL (click or call to join):
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qyd-rvvr-fnt Or dial: (US) +1 209-782-0343 PIN: 867 503 286#
October 13 - Dual Spirit Night at Chipotle and Baskin Robbins - teachers scooping ice cream! See flyer that came home Thursday for details.
October 21 - Informational Event for Parents hosted by PTA: Back-to-Books and Changes in Technology use. Join Principal Beckner, Librarian Sharon Frank, and Instructional Technology Specialist Kara Armstrong to learn about the change in how technology is used at Fairfax County Public Schools and what it means for your student.
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:
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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.
Learn About Applied Behavior Analysis and Teaching New Skills at Home
All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.
Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join a session. Upcoming topics include:
- Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. (It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.)
- Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
- Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
- Communication: a Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10.
Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.
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.
Tap On and Tap Off, It’s Easy!
Please help all our bus riders remember to tap on and tap off the school bus each day. We currently have about 70% of students on buses following this process correctly, which is a great start! Learn more about student IDs and bus navigation.
Families wishing to see where their child’s bus is should continue to use the Here Comes the Bus app.
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.
Set Screen Time Limits and Monitor Online Activity With Lightspeed
The free Lightspeed Parent Portal makes it easy for you to see and manage how your child uses their FCPS-issued device outside of school hours. New Lightspeed Parent Portal features for this school year include:
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Schedules: Pause or restrict internet access during specific times, such as during homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
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Web Rules: Block specific websites you don’t want your child accessing at home.
Be sure to check your email (subject line: “Filter Portal Weekly Report”) each Sunday for the Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report, a weekly summary of the websites your child has visited. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
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:
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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 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):
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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.
New ParentVUE Mobile App Is Here
- The new ParentVUE mobile app is available in the Apple and Google App stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their ParentVUE account. The previous app will be deactivated at the end of 2026.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature. Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
Digital Literacy Resources for Families
- As part of FCPS’ continued support for digital literacy, families can access lesson materials that introduce the concepts students will explore throughout the school year. These resources include student lessons and supporting materials organized by grade level. Resources will be shared on a quarterly basis through Schoology.
The All Parent/Guardian Course is available in Schoology through a parent or guardian account. Schoology and ParentVUE use the same login credentials. Families who need assistance can review How Do I Log in to and Access Schoology? or watch the brief walkthrough on the Schoology Snippets page.
Families can also learn more about FCPS guidance and practices on the Educational Technology in FCPS webpage.
Traffic Safety Near Our School
We understand that families may need to drive their children to school from time to time. If you need to, please familiarize yourself with our 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. Please also avoid parking in neighborhoods or double parking in front of our 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.
Please follow all signs and directions posted at our school, 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 school. 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.
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.
The Importance of the Flu Vaccine
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 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.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan —
Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation
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FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
This week, we’re highlighting Goal 5, which focuses on preparing every student for life after graduation with the skills they need to thrive. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
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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
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FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Traffic Safety Near Our Schools
- Sign and Return the SR&R
- Check Out New Menu Options
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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