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October 16, 2026
Dear Waynewood Owls,
Happy Friday! What an incredible, energy-filled week it has been at Waynewood Elementary. I want to start by extending a huge thank you to our phenomenal PTA for sponsoring the STEAM Museum, which visited our school on Thursday and Friday. This amazing hands-on experience was a reward for our students meeting their Jog-A-Thon fundraising goal, and our Owls certainly earned it! Throughout the two days, every single student had the opportunity to dive into interactive science stations featuring robotics, virtual reality, engineering challenges, and electricity experiments. Seeing our students’ eyes light up with curiosity and wonder was a powerful reminder of how much learning thrives when joy and hands-on discovery lead the way.
Looking ahead to next week, we have a few important updates to keep on your radar. First, please note that Wednesday will be a three-hour early release day for all students. Dismissal will take place at 1:00 PM. Students will remain at school until our standard 4:00 PM dismissal only if parents or guardians have previously indicated a childcare hardship with our office.
The excitement continues on Thursday with our annual Field Day! This is always one of the highlights of the school year for our students, full of outdoor movement, teamwork, and school spirit. To ensure your child is comfortable and ready to fully participate, please make sure they wear sneakers and bring a labeled water bottle on Thursday. A special shout-out goes to our talented 6th graders, who will be stepping into leadership roles by running the activity stations throughout the day. We are so proud of their dedication and excited to watch them guide and encourage our younger Owls.
In addition to all of these events, our Student Council Association (SCA) campaign season officially kicked off this week! Candidates have begun sharing their visions, and their campaign posters are popping up everywhere! It is always a privilege to hear our candidates speak with such passion about their ideas for making Waynewood an even more supportive, inclusive, and joyful place to learn and grow.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Katie Cachine, Principal
Alyssa Bonner, Assistant Principal
 This week all students and the opportunity to visit the Steam Museum in the gym. Students got to visit a variety of stations, including virtual reality, robots, engineering, archelogy, and even a huge game of Operation! The students earned this opportunity by meeting our Jog-A-Thon goal! Thank you to everyone who participated, this was a wonderful STEAM opportunity for students that was funded by the PTA!
During Digital Citizenship Week, students will learn about five connected topics on the morning news show:
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Think Critically: Evaluate information before believing or sharing it.
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Protect: Make choices that safeguard privacy, personal information, and safety.
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Shape: Understand how digital choices shape identity and reputation.
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Connect: Build respectful digital relationships and respond to harm.
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Balance: Develop technology habits that support well-being.
Lessons and discussions are age-appropriate, and families are invited to continue the conversations at home using the prompts below.
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Think Critically: Help your child ask questions about information, media, and check where it came from before believing or sharing.
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Protect: Talk with your child about personal information, safe choices, and asking a trusted adult for help when something online feels confusing or uncomfortable.
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Shape: Help your child understand that online actions and shared information can leave a digital trail and influence how others see us.
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Connect: Talk about communicating kindly, including others, and getting help when technology affects someone’s feelings or friendships.
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Balance: Notice how technology affects focus, feelings, and routines, and discuss habits or breaks that support well-being.
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)
The Office of the Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs is seeking input from community members, families, and employees about school facility needs and how FCPS prioritizes facility improvements.
Whether you work in an FCPS school, have a child enrolled, or live near an FCPS school, please share your perspective. The survey asks about building conditions, how facilities affect teaching and learning, renovation priorities, and what information would help you better understand this process.
Look for the survey in your email on Friday, October 16. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey will remain open until Saturday, October 31.
Did You Know? Bond Referendums Fund Facility Renovations
FCPS does not pay for facility renovations out of its general operating budget. Instead, Fairfax County voters decide on how much money FCPS can spend on capital improvement projects through bond referendums. Bonds are issued by the county to the school division and allow FCPS to renovate buildings without increasing taxes.
Learn more about bond referendums and how they support our schools on the Bond Referendum webpage.
Register now to attend FCPS’ annual Special Education Family Conference, Connected Communities, Thriving Students, on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Educators, families, and community members are invited to this in-person event at no cost. Participants can connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Register to attend the conference.
Volunteers Are Needed to Make This Event a Success!
Find out how to volunteer:
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS.
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Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive service hours for their time.
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Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Service hours will be awarded to students serving in these roles.
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Want to better understand how your child learns to read and how you can support them at home? FCPS is offering several free virtual sessions to help families learn about reading instruction, literacy resources, and strategies to build strong reading skills. Explore the opportunities below and register for the sessions that interest you.Lexia Family Information Sessions
Want to learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp? These virtual sessions share how FCPS is using both programs in classrooms across the division this school year to support students’ literacy growth and give families a chance to ask questions.
Every one-hour session covers the same content. Choose the option that works best for your family:
- Wednesday, October 21, at 5 and 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Join a Lexia Family Information Night Session.Literacy Webinar SeriesJoin us for a series of family-friendly webinars designed to help you understand reading assessments, reading plans, and ways to support your child at home. Learn what assessment results mean, how reading plans guide instruction, and practical strategies to strengthen decoding, language, comprehension, and literacy skills, including support for multilingual learners.
- October 20, 2026: Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
- December 15, 2026: What Is a Reading Plan?
- February 19, 2027: How Do I Support My Child With a Reading Plan at Home?
- May 14, 2027: Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer
Register for the Literacy Webinar Series.
Introduction to Dyslexia Webinar – What Is It and What Does It Mean for My Student?Participants will look at the definition of dyslexia and its impact on students including the different types of dyslexia and what support students with dyslexia require. Participants will also leave with activities and tips to support their students at home.Join us on Friday, October 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Register for the Introduction to Dyslexia webinar.
Friday, October 30, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Please note there is no childcare option on two-hour early release days. All students will dismiss their regular way at 2:00pm.
Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 2, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 3, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
We have several Volunteer Opportunities that are a great way to get involved at Waynewood and we would love to see some new faces. Volunteer for Fall Fun Night HERE!
Thank you to all our members who attended the October PTA meeting this week! We had a productive meeting followed by an informative presentation from a FCPS Detective from the Child Exploitation Unit (CEXU). He presented insightful and tangible ways to keep our kids safe in the digital world. We hope you can join us November 10th at our next meeting.
Save the Date
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Season of Giving Kickoff: October 19th, items dropped off in classrooms, Sign-Up for items to donate HERE!
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4th-6th Grade Author Visit: October 27
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Fall Fun Night: October 29, purchase Pizza and non-Waynewood student tickets HERE!
Wednesday, October 21- 3 hour early release (1:00pm)
Thursday, October 29-Fall Fun Night
Friday, October 30-End of 1st Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release (2:00pm- no childcare option)
Monday November 2-No School, Teacher Work Day
Tuesday, November 3-No School, Teacher Work Day
Tuesday, November 10-PTA Meeting
Wednesday-November 11-Veterans Day Assembly
Friday, November 20-Thanksgiving Luncheon
Saturday, November 21-Gobbler Gallop
Wednesday, November 25-Friday, November 27-Thanksgiving Break
See the complete school year calendar.
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