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- Shining Star Shoutouts
- Purple Star Award
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day- No School
- Outstanding Employee Awards 2026-2027
- Lost & Found
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Coates Parent Engagement Series
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Clothing Donations Needed
- Coates Fall Festival- Get Tickets Now!
- Gum, Candy, and Soda
- From FCPS
- Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond
- Mark Your Calendar
Congrats to our Shining Star Shoutout students for this past week. The students recognized for demonstrating what it means to be a Shining Star this week are:
Kindergarten:
King Stanley (Ready to Shine)
Mohammed Sadik (Responsible)
Jenasys Sanchez (Responsible)
1st Grade:
Anika Sharma (Responsible)
Jaswitha Veerareddygari (Responsible)
Kaleabe Tilahun (Ready to Shine)
Qinyi Salih (Ready to Shine)
2nd Grade:
Declan Devine (Respectful)
Yahya Hashimi (Respectful)
3rd Grade:
Amari Brewer (Ready to Shine)
Isaiah Burgess (Respectful)
4th Grade:
David Donato (Ready to Shine)
Kwame Owusu-Afriyie (Responsible)
Leah Alberto Urias (Ready to Shine)
Axel Vivas Bautista (Ready to Shine)
5th Grade:
Monica Garcia Lopez (Ready to Shine)
Noah Smith (Ready to Shine)
Soliana Gashaw (Ready to Shine)
Adeeb Jahesh (Ready to Shine)
Eleanor Toma (Ready to Shine)
Elijah Toma (Ready to Shine)
Ranjot Virk (Ready to Shine)
Leilani Farmer (Responsible)
Anthony Stokes (Responsible)
Jostin Rapalo Diaz (Responsible)
Victoria Spencer (Respectful)
6th Grade:
Annika Jha (Ready to Shine)
Wudaise Seifu (Ready to Shine)
Fartun Hashi (Responsible)
Melany Cardona Ruiz (Responsible)
Tyson Sawyers (Respectful)
Nahum Desalgane (Respectful)
We are proud to share that Lutie Lewis Coates Elementary School has received the 2026–2027 Purple Star Award! On October 7, the Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children approved Coates as a recipient.
The Purple Star Award recognizes schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting students and families connected to the U.S. military. We are honored to celebrate this recognition and the welcoming, supportive community we continue to build for our military-connected families.
Help to honor the amazing employees at Coates! You may nominate an employee in one or more categories listed below. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. Please note that if your nominee is selected to represent Coates ES, you will be asked to complete the Nomination Packet. The google form link on each category has information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below. Please submit your nomination by Friday, November 13th!
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Outstanding Teacher - Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
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Outstanding New Teacher- Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
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Outstanding Principal - Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal
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Outstanding School Based Leader - Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) Common positions in this category: Assistant Principals
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Outstanding School Based Professional Employee - Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership Common positions in this category: School Counselor, School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Special Education Department Chair, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
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Outstanding School Based Operational Employee - Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position. Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA
If you have any questions, please contact Prasuna Saraswathula at psaraswathul@fcps.edu
We have several items in our lost and found in the cafeteria. Please check the photo for anything your child may be missing. At the end of next week, we will be donating all lost and found items to charity.
Parents, please label all clothing, lunch boxes, and water bottles so lost items can be quickly identified and returned to the owner. Articles found in classrooms are temporarily held by the teacher until identified by the child. After a reasonable time, these articles are placed in the "lost and found area" in the cafeteria. Parents are encouraged to come to school to check for lost items.
Our Parent Engagement Series is designed to support families and help parents feel informed, confident, and connected to our school community. Through these sessions, parents can ask questions, learn how the school system works, and discover ways to advocate for their children. We believe that when families and school staff communicate and work together as a team, we can better support every child’s success.
Dinner and childcare are provided during each session to support families’ participation
You are invited to our first Family Engagement Series ONE
Date: October 14th
Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm
Location: Coates Library
Topics:
- Safety
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Discipline Process
- Communication
- Family Engagement Opportunities
Please click on this link to confirm your attendance:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmLL1gE_QoDtr-yMpdxVyXZWJBb9XjKzREW6QSa38pIUW_hg/viewform
We welcome donations of clean, gently used clothing for families in our school community who may need extra support.
Donations may be dropped off at the main office during the week of October 19–23.
Please label each bag with the clothing size and gender. If you have any questions, please contact our family liaison, Solangie McPherson, at svmcpherson@fcps.edu or through TalkingPoints.
Thank you for your kindness and for supporting our school community!
🍂 Join us for the Coates Elementary School Fall Festival! ⭐
Mark your calendars for an awesome afternoon packed with games, delicious food, exciting prizes, and autumn fun for the whole family!
🗓️ Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Coates Elementary School (behind the school)
🎟️ Presale Ticket Packages:
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$16 – Family of 4 Admission
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$4 – Individual Admission
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$5 – Food Combo (Pizza slice, chips, candy, drink)
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$10 – Food & Dunk Tank Combo (Pizza slice, chips, candy, drink, 3 dunk tank balls)
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$10 – Food & Henna Combo (Pizza slice, chips, candy, drink, Henna tattoo)
Don't wait in line—grab your presale tickets early! Scan the QR code on the flyer or click the link below to get yours:
👉 Buy Your Fall Festival Tickets Here
We can't wait to see all of our Coates Stars there! 🌟💙💛
Help make the Coates Fall Festival Cake Walk a success!
Please consider donating a non-refrigerated baked good for our Cake Walk on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Donations may be dropped off in the Coates main office on Thursday, October 22, or Friday, October 23.
Use this link to sign up to donate.
Please include a list of ingredients with your donation to help families identify potential allergens. Thank you for supporting our school community!
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Fall Festival Family Booth Sign-up
Be part of Coates Elementary’s Fall Festival by hosting a family booth! Families may lead an activity with prizes or share a special talent, such as face painting, hair braiding, jewelry making, crafts, games, or another fun experience.
Please complete this sign-up form with your information. A member of our team will contact you with additional details. The Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and booth hosts should be prepared to set up and participate during that time.
Coates will provide one long table and folding chairs. Families are responsible for all other supplies and materials. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Gray at JLGray@fcps.edu.
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To help maintain a clean, safe, and healthy learning environment, students should not bring gum, candy, or soda to school.
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Gum is not permitted during the school day.
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Candy should remain at home and should not be brought to school for snacks or lunch.
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Soda and other sugary drinks should not be brought to school. Students are encouraged to bring water in a refillable water bottle.
Exceptions may be made for school-sponsored events or activities.
These expectations help us keep our school clean, reduce distractions, support healthy choices, and ensure that food and drinks are handled appropriately given student allergies and dietary needs.
Thank you for helping us maintain a positive and healthy school environment for all students.
Westfield Theatre invites you to experience William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet! Join us October 15 and 16 at 7 p.m., or October 17 at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. The October 16 performance will include ASL interpretation. Visit westfieldtheatre.com for details and tickets.
Free Theatre Workshop for Students
 Westfield High School Theatre is offering a FREE workshop for students in 4th to 8th grade on October 12 from 10am to noon. Students will play theatre games, take a backstage tour, and enjoy an immersive theatre experience!
Registration Required. Space is limited. Sign up here
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! 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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Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (note date change)
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
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.
Celebrating the Power of School Lunches
Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers.
This National School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) reminds families that they are dedicated to providing delicious, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.
Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? View the Nutrition Services menus.
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 available.
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The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees, specifically at Coates. |
12th- Student Holiday (Indigenous Peoples’ Day & School Planning Day)
14th- PTA Meeting- 6-6:30 pm
14th- Parent Engagement Series Session #1: Behavioral Supports, Discipline, and the SR+R- 6:30-7:30 pm
21st- 3 Hour Early Release at 1 pm
24th- Fall Festival (Saturday)- 10-2 pm
30th- End of First Quarter- Dismissal at 2 pm & Book Character Dress up Day
31st- Halloween
2nd- Student Holiday (School Planning Day)
3rd- Student Holiday (Teacher Workday) & Election Day
8th- Diwali
11th- Veteran's Day & Coates' Veteran's Day Celebration
17th- FLE Parent Preview- 5:30-6 pm
17th- Family Math and Science Night- 6-7:30 pm
18th- PTA Meeting- 6-6:30 pm
18th- Parent Engagement Series Session #2: Internet and Phone Safety- 6:30-7:30 pm
19th- Thanksgiving Parent/Student Lunch & Fall Picture Retake Day
25th-27th- No School (Thanksgiving Break)
*The full FCPS 2026-2027 calendar can be accessed here.
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