Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - October 16, 2026

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/16/2026 05:30 PM EDT

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SCA created pumpkins at SEES

During this month’s meeting, older SCA representatives partnered with younger representatives to bring each pumpkin's vision to life. Students shared ideas, collaborated on their designs, and showed impressive creativity and ownership in their work. It's wonderful to see students across grade levels building connections while carrying on a tradition that brings our school community together.

Art Needs Your Help

Ms. French and Ms. Lee are hoping for some parent volunteers in their primary grade art classes (K-2). Volunteers would sign up to come in each week (and hopefully every week) for the same art class.

A few pairs of extra adult hands helping little artists explore their creativity in art class would be most welcome.

No artistic skill required….consistently coming, a positive attitude, and willingness to assist Ms. French and Ms. Lee are all that is required.

If you are interested in volunteering, please add your name to our SignUpGenius!

Dates & Reminders

AAP referrals are accepted Aug - Dec 15.
  • Oct 20: AAP Screening Process Information Session.There will be a parent meeting on Tuesday, October 20 at 5:00 p.m. in the SEES library for those interested in Understanding the Full-time AAP Screening Process.  If you are considering having your child screened for Full-time AAP services, plan to join us on the 20 to learn about the process and everything that goes into a referral.  Full-time referrals are accepted August 24-December 15. Please contact Allison Donnelly, the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at 703-921-2383 or via email at aldonnelly@fcps.edu, if you have any questions.
  • Oct. 21: Early Release Wednesday 3-hour Release - 1:05 p.m. Students will be dismissed at 1:05 p.m. unless we receive notification from their families that they should stay until 4:05 p.m.
  • Oct 22: PTA Meeting and Workshop. Workshop starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by a PTA meeting at 6:00 p.m. (Note: Bingo has been moved to November 12.)
  • Oct 23: SCA Spirt Day: Pumpkin Day
  • Oct 29: Fall Photo Retakes. This will be for students who were not here on our first picture day or who have been recently enrolled. It is also an option for families who were not satisfied with their child's original photo (if a package was purchased, please send the photo package back with your student on picture day).
Outstanding Employee Nominations
  • Oct. 30: End of First Quarter 2-hour Early Release - 2:05 p.m.
  • Oct. 30: SCA Spirit Day: Book Character Day. Dress up as your favorite book character and celebrate a love of reading. Costumes should be school-appropriate and comfortable. No masks or weapons are allowed.  As always, there is no obligation to participate and, of course, school colors (blue and gold) are a great option on any spirit day!
  • Oct 30:  Deadline for SEES Outstanding Employee Nominations. If you have worked with an
    outstanding employee at SEES, FCPS wants your help recognizing them. Eagle families are invited to nominate outstanding employees here.
  • Nov 2 and Nov 3: School Planning/Teacher Workdays. School is closed for students. 
  • Nov 6: SCA Spirit Day - Fall Leaf Day
  • Nov 13: SCA Spirit Day - 80’s Day
  • Nov 20: SCA Spirit Day - Food Mascot Day 

Family Life Education Instructional Program Information

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve.  Instruction is seen as a partnership among parents and guardians, the school, and the community in supporting the learning essential to the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community.

Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program.  Students who are opted out are provided with age-appropriate, nonpunitive alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices.  If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt out forms are available in Parent Digital Consent.  Paper opt-out forms were sent in students’ folders on Friday, October 9th.  Students receiving special education services and accessing modified curriculum will receive a printed opt-out form for modified FLE lessons. 

Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online at Elementary (K-6). FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights for are available for parents online in Schoology. Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account.  Grade level-specific lessons are also available at the City of Fairfax Regional Library (this location does not have media).  Grade level-specific lessons and media that is not streamed online are available for review at your child’s school library.  Due to copyright permissions, we are unable to stream all media online.

Program questions may be addressed by contacting Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or by email to fle@fcps.edu or by emailing Amtul Sadaf the FLE Lead at SEES amsadaf@fcps.edu

Important Notice for Families who use SACC

For the 2026–2027 school year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has designated Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, as a regular instructional school day, while the Fairfax County SACC Program will be closed. Please plan before and after school care for your children.  

In this Addition

  • Superintendent Community Conversations
  • Virginia Quality Birth to Five Guidelines
  • AAP Expansion
  • Calendar Change
  • Special Education Conference
  • Literacy and Lexia Webinars
  • National School Lunch Week
  • Immunization Events

Superintendent Community Conversations

  • 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:

Virginia Quality Birth to Five Guidelines

  • FCPS Is Participating in Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5) 

Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information.

Literacy and Lexia Webinars

  • Help Your Child Become a Stronger Reader: Upcoming Family Learning Opportunities

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.

AAP Expansion

FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP CentersFCPS 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:

  • 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

Calendar Change

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. 

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. 

Special Education Conference

  • Annual Special Education Family Conference: We Need You!

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:

  • Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS. 
  • Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive service hours for their time. 
  • 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. 

National School Lunch Week

  • 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

  • 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.