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Messages from Mr. Morris
At Stratford Landing Elementary, our mission is to ensure every student reaches their highest potential. A key driver behind our instructional approach is the thoughtful, intentional use of student data to guide our decision-making.
Here is how we leverage data to support your child’s learning journey, and how you can stay connected:
- Partnering Through Data: You can view your child's academic data through your ParentVUE account. Additionally, during our upcoming Family Progress Conferences, we will dive deeper into the specific data points we use to tailor instruction for your child.
- Proactive Communication: We believe in early and transparent communication. Through our mid-quarter interims, we keep you updated on your child’s progress and quickly alert you to any academic or behavioral concerns so we can work together as a team.
- Targeted Interventions & Remediation: On October 12, during our School Planning Day, our staff will analyze beginning-of-the-year data to finalize math and literacy intervention and remediation groups.
- Acceleration & Extension: Data isn't just for remediation. It also helps us identify students demonstrating mastery and growth. We use these insights to design acceleration opportunities that challenge students to reach even higher levels of achievement.
This year, we are maximizing every instructional minute to deliver targeted, specific instruction. Relevant student data is used to plan for instruction during Dolphin Time (our academic intervention block) and small groups for reading and math. Stratford Landing is already a wonderful school with dedicated teachers who make a profound impact on our students' academic and social development. By using data to fine-tune the great teaching already happening in our classrooms, we will continue pushing our students toward unprecedented levels of growth and success.
I wanted to highlight this survey for our community. Your feedback is a critical component to improving school safety, especially during high volume arrival and dismissal times. Please take the time to provide feedback to inform our safety practices. Your voice and partnership help us get all our families invovled in actively improving our safety conditions during high traffic times at Stratford Landing. Thank you.
Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver Survey
As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership!
Kevin Morris, Principal
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October 5 - Dine Out with SLES at Five Guys (see PTA News section)
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October 15 - AAP Continuum of Services | 6:00 to 6:45 pm. | Virtual
https://meet.google.com/ott-tzpp-iac
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October 15 - Full-Time AAP Identification | 6:45 to 7:30 pm. | Virtual
https://meet.google.com/ott-tzpp-iac
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October 21 - Early Release Wednesday | Dismissal 12:55pm
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October 23 - Rock N' Run
Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place on this day.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
Fairfax County Public Schools is presenting a literacy webinar series to help families understand reading assessments, reading plans, and how to support your child at home.
Series Topics:
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October 20 | 10:00 a.m. - Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
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December 15 | 10:00 a.m. - What is a Reading Plan?
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February 19 | 10:00 a.m. - How Do I Support My Child With a Reading Plan at Home?
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May 14 | 10:00 a.m. - Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer.
Can't attend at these dates? Register now and a link will be emailed to you after the webinar is presented.
First I wanted to say thank you to our parent volunteers for helping out in the library. There is always room for more! Please use our volunteer link or reach out to me directly at fegresham@fcps.edu. Having help in the library really helps it be a positive experience for our students which is a goal of mine. I want everyone to have the same love for the library and the gold mine of stories and ideas that it contains like I did growing up.
This week we are going to reflect on our library procedures and what it means to be a “good library citizen.”
Ellen Gresham, School Librarian
FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
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Franklin Middle: Monday, October 5, at 6 p.m.
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Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
Double SNAP Dollars at Farmers Markets
🧺 Fill your basket with fresh fall produce for nutritious meals. SNAP participants can make their dollars go farther by getting up to $40 dollars matched on fruits and vegetables.
🍎 SNAP is accepted at five farmers markets in Fairfax County: Mount Vernon, Reston, Lorton, Wakefield, and Annandale. Markets are open through October and some until November! Learn more about using SNAP at farmers markets.
Free Language Assistance for Medicaid applicants
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)
Cardinal Care Language and Disability Access Plan provides free language assistance and reasonable accommodations for Medicaid applicants and members with limited English proficiency or disabilities. Support is available throughout the Medicaid process, including applying for coverage, accessing medical services, and participating in appeals.
Family Food Markets
Local family food markets are starting in October. Family Food Markets are open to anyone that knows about them. Families do not need to register or have income verified.
October 5, 2026 | Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
(first Monday every month)
October 7, 2026 | Walt Whitman Middle School | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
(first Wednesday every month)
October 27, 2026 | Hybla Valley Elementary School | 4:15pm until they run out of food, enter at Door #2
(Fourth Tuesday every month, varies)
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.
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Mark your Calendar:
October 1-14th - 6th Grade SLES Cozy Blanket Fundraiser
October 5-16th - Proven Winners Plant/Flowers SLES Fundraiser
October 5th - Dine Out for SLES & 6th Grade (FIVE GUYS) 4-8 p.m.
October 23rd - SLES Rock N Run!
October 29th - Fall Festival 6-8pm
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Dine Out for SLES and 6th Grade at Five Guys
Monday, October 5th
Need an excuse to go out to eat? The perfect reason is to help Stratford Landing Elementary School! During the ‘26-‘27 school year we will be conducting “Dine Outs for SLES” and “Dine Outs for SLES and the 6th Grade”! Check out slpta.org for more details!
The October “Dine Out for SLES and the 6th grade” will take place at Five Guys Restaurant (7622 Richmond Hwy) from 4-8pm on Monday, October 5th! Online orders: when checking out, please use the code: FGGIVESBACK. In store orders: please inform the cashier you are here for the Stratford Landing ES fundraiser. Five Guys will donate 20% of all sales that use the code or mention the fundraiser to the Stratford Landing ES 6th Grade Committee! Funds raised from “Dine Out for SLES and the 6th grade” will go towards helping the 6th grade raise money for the graduation activities planned for their final year at Stratford Landing Elementary School. Let’s come together, show them our support…and enjoy some yummy Five Guys!
Cozy Stratford Landing ES Blanket 6th Grade Fundraiser
October 1-14th
The SLES 6th Grade is selling SLES blankets for $28! Purchase before October 14, 2026 to guarantee your blanket — remaining blankets may sell out soon after that date.
These high-quality, cozy 50″ × 60″ blankets are made of 300 GSM, 100% polyester soft minky plush. The SLES logo is on the front, and the back is plush, soft white polyester minky. A great holiday gift or perfect for a cuddle on the couch with your family!
Pickup: December 16, 2026, at the SLES PTA Winter Wonderland event. Arrangements can also be made for pickup after that date.
Buy your SLES blanket today and support the SLES 6th Grade! Go Dolphins!
 Proven Winners Flower/Plant SLES Fall Fundraiser
October 5th-16th
From October 5-16, purchase your fall plants, decor, or gardening supplies and 15% of your purchase price will go to the Stratford Landing PTA. Make sure to use the link below, and happy planting!
Get Ready for the SLES Rock N Run on October 23rd!
Get ready, Stratford Landing Dolphins—the SLES Rock N Run is almost here, and it’s going to be the absolute highlight of the year! As our school’s biggest and most exciting fundraiser, this is your chance to lace up your favorite sneakers, run or walk with your best friends, and move to awesome music playing all around the track. Every donation helps support our school, but best of all, Rock N Run is all about having fun with your classmates, showing off your school spirit, and celebrating how amazing our Dolphin community is. Start practicing your high-fives, because this year's Rock N Run is going to be unforgettable! Want to learn more about Rock N Run? Visit slpta.org/rock-n-run/ and stay tuned for race times and prize announcements!
Stratford Landing Elementary School Fall Festival
Thursday, October 29th | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Join your friends and SLES community for a memorable autumn evening at the Stratford Landing Fall Festival on Thursday, October 29th from 6-8pm. Families can enjoy classic treats like warm popcorn and fluffy cotton candy, participate in games and activities, and collect candy from the trunks set up for Trunk or Treat! Don’t miss a walk through the SLES Discovery Garden to admire the whimsical, student-crafted tiny villages featuring fairies, dinosaurs, gnomes and more! Plus the SLES 6th Grade will soon be taking pre-orders for delicious Chick-Fil-A meals to help fundraise for their final year events and field trips. Stay tuned for updates and Chick-Fil-A pre-order information - we can’t wait to celebrate the season with you!
Become a Stratford Landing Elementary School Sponsor!
Thank you to Nina Berkowitz Homes for being a Signature SLES Sponsor this year! We have so many amazing sponsors this year! The following businesses have donated to the Stratford Landing ES PTA in support of our students and SLES staff: Nina Berkowitz Homes, Ted’s Bulletin, Tremolo Security, Belle Haven Family Dentistry, Hughes Ortho, Encore Boutique, MVP Chess, Renée C. Gage Photography, Taekwondo Masters, The Laboratory Salon, Trident National Team, Master Roofing, Tracy Vitali with Coldwell Banker, Alexandria Children’s Theatre, Happy Place, Wegmans, Continues Arcade, Hooray Art, and the Hollin Hall Pastry Shop. Would you like to be a Sponsor of Stratford Landing Elementary School?
Visit https://slpta.org/sponsors/ to learn more about becoming a Sponsor or contact fundraising@slpta.org with any questions!
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Growing Together: Talking About Social-Emotional Learning at Home
- Shorter Days Ahead: Stay Alert, Stay Visible
- Calendar Update: Eid al-Fitr
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Volunteering at Stratford Landing Elementary!
We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS, click “Learn More,” and then “Sign Up.” After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application.
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