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 3rd graders participating in their ladybug ecosystem observation.
Dear Freedom Hill Families,
We hope you are well! It seems that the autumn weather has finally arrived in Virginia, giving us some wonderfully cool days for outdoor learning activities, recess, Green Team, Running Club, sports, and more. As the colors of the world begin to change, we hope you will stay involved with our fall community activities.
We were grateful to all those who joined us for our first PTA meeting of the year last week, during which we finalized the PTA budget for the year and reflected on the many volunteers and events that enrich our community for our Eagles! We hope to see you at Shake Shack this Wednesday for our Family Dinner Out fundraiser.
We have the first of four Early Release Wednesdays this week. It is essential that all families have filled out the ERW form to share how their child will be getting home and if they require childcare. Each family has received the digital form at the beginning of the school year, as well as an additional paper form last week. Please return these Monday or Tuesday if you have not already.
Lastly, our staff will be holding an "underground spirit week" this week to surprise our students. Are you able to pick out the theme of the day that is being coordinated? We hope you enjoy it and that it brings some smiles and giggles to our students.
Let's make it a great week!
In partnership,
Dr. Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Mr. Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal
Ms. Holly Sims, Assistant Principal
2026-27 FCPS School Calendar
Breakfast/Lunch Menus
"This is Us" Staff Bio Slides
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September 30 – Early Release Wednesday, Dismissal #1 at 1:05
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September 30 - Family Dinner Out @ Pike 7 Shake Shack, 10am-10pm, mention Donation Day or use promo code, DONATE (Flyer)
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October 12 - Teacher Work Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day
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October 19 - 23 - Digital Citizenship & Harvest Spirit Week
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October 20 - Full-Time AAP Information Night, 6PM
A reminder that our first Early Release Wednesday is this Wednesday 9/30. Students will be released at 1:05 or 4:05 based on the selection that was made earlier this year. Please send in the paper form, or call our Front Office, if you have not made a selection.
Many incredible professional educators choose to spend their days at Freedom Hill. For those who would like to learn more about them, many have contributed to our "This is Us" staff slides, which can be viewed at this link. You can expect to learn some interesting things about our staff, and you'll also be able to see their favorite drink, snack, and gift card in case you'd like to appreciate them this year for their work with your child(ren). This link will be permanently hosted under the "Upcoming Dates" section this year.
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.
We ask that 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.
 Your voice matters, and Dr. Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
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. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
On Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30PM we will be holding an information session for parents interested in referring their child(ren) for Full-Time AAP services. The meeting is intended for parents of 2nd-6th grade students, but all are welcome! We will be focusing on the steps of the full-time AAP referral process, important forms, and understanding the timeline. If you would like more general information about all AAP services, or would like to talk about your student, please email Mrs. Fredericks at TLfredericks@fcps.edu
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways families can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
- Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
- Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to your school’s front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
 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.
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.
 As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses.
The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.
The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.
It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
 
Upcoming Events
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Sept 30 - Family Dinner Out @ Pike 7 Shake Shack, 10am-10pm, mention Donation Day or use promo code, DONATE (Flyer)
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Sept 30 - Deadline for PTA membership to qualify for swag, yearbook & class incentives (join here)
WANTED: HALLOWEEN BINGO PRIZE DONATIONS We are getting ready for Freedom Hill's annual HALLOWINGO on Friday, October 23rd and we need your help! Additional details are forthcoming but you may be able to guess that this will involve Bingo and Fall fun. We are in need of prizes for winners. Use this as an opportunity to clear your home to make space for any new toys, games, and crafts that may arrive during the holidays. Donated prizes can be small or large, new or gently used, leftover gifts, etc. Drop off in the PTA collection box in the main office.
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