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October 20-27 NGAT Testing (Grade 2 and some 3-6)
October 26-30 Scholastic Book Fair
October 29 Fall Fest
October 30 2-Hour Early Release/End of Q1
November 2 No School
November 3 No School
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There were swerves, squeals, and the occasional near miss, but Washington Mill Elementary School students participating in a biking program this fall agreed: hands down, this is their favorite physical education (PE) unit of the year.
From kindergarten through 6th grade, students here can learn to safely navigate on two wheels, a traditional rite of passage cheered on by Principal Bradley Bennink, whose childhood memories include happily riding around his neighborhood for hours on end.
“When I was growing up, I would ride my bike with my buddies for miles and miles,” he recalled. “As a child, being able to head out on your bike away from home is one of those first exciting chances to experience some independence.”
For students who don’t have access to a bike or a safe place to ride, that opportunity to learn sometimes happens at school.
Thanks to the FCPS Safe Routes to School team, Washington Mill is among 41 elementary and middle schools that benefit from a bike-riding program to meet students’ needs.
In most cases, a fleet of bicycles is transported across the county, but for Washington Mill, a grant funded the purchase of approximately 40 bikes that stay at the school permanently.
PE Teachers Brad Vaccarella and Mike Torres ensure every child from kindergarten to 6th grade gets four weeks of instruction each year — two weeks in the spring and two weeks in the fall — and receives two to three 30-minute classes per week.
Each two-week session starts with a safety video and ends in a ride around the entire school perimeter.
Both educators share enthusiasm for teaching this ready-for-real-life skill.
“Over the weeks and years, the growth we see is huge,” said Torres. “Seeing them become proficient and safe… well, it’s probably the most rewarding unit I teach.”
“When students have mastered a new skill or have moved up to a bigger bike, there is a lot of excitement and smiles on their faces… a lot of pride in what they have achieved.”
He added, “There is the occasional spill, of course, but getting back up and trying again teaches resiliency, how to face fears, and that if you are determined, you will get there in the end.”
Vaccarella worked in a bike store for more than a decade. As well as being a PE teacher at this elementary school in the Mount Vernon area, he trains other FCPS staff during the summer on how to lead the class.
“We tell the students that when they leave elementary school, they are just a few short years away from being able to drive, so having that head start on road sense is a definite advantage,” he explained.
From balance bikes to mountain bikes, all abilities can participate, but there will be no training wheels in sight.
Once a student has learned the basics, they navigate sets of cones and speed bumps while keeping an eye on a collection of road signs.
For those just starting, fear can hold them back, but with support and encouragement, everyone can be successful.
The learning experience also bonds the students. If one struggles or falls, others dash to their aid. They also celebrate each other’s successes.
Fourth grader Pearl felt a little fearful when she was learning, but now she loves to cycle around her neighborhood with her classmate, Sophie.
“I remember that I was a bit scared at first, and I have fallen off before,” she said. But now, riding a bike is one of her favorite things to do.
“It is so fun! You get to be free, you get exercise, and you can breathe fresh air.”
Safe Routes to School is part of the FCPS Office of Safety and Security. Its mission is to encourage students to walk or ride to school safely. This benefits health and the environment by encouraging exercise and taking cars off the roads.
Since the bike program was introduced at Washington Mill five years ago, the number of students riding to school has more than doubled.
Becky Gray from Safe Routes to School emphasizes that the benefits extend far beyond physical health. “This program affords children the ability to get hands-on, practical learning that gives a student a skill that can last a lifetime. Having the skills to ride a bike safely opens up a wider world of opportunities, as it can mean less cars on the road.”
The real-world skills and confidence that FCPS students build through physical education programs like Safe Routes to School prepare them to navigate a changing world safely and responsibly.
To learn more about how FCPS supports active, healthy, and future-ready transportation for students, visit the FCPS Safe Routes to School webpage.
You may also view this article on the FCPS website.
     
✨DO YOU KNOW AN AMAZING EMPLOYEE? ✨
We are now accepting nominations to recognize our outstanding employees at Washington Mill Elementary School for the 2026-2027 school year! If you have worked with an outstanding employee at WMES, FCPS wants your help recognizing them. Wolfpack colleagues and families are invited to nominate:
🏆 NOMINATIONS FOR...
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding Principal or New Principal
- Outstanding Professional Staff Leader
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
🗓️DEADLINE: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, October 30, 2026.
📝SUBMISSIONS: Submissions can be made by completing the form linked here:
English: https://forms.gle/PFyz4qAuwpw1X5h17
Spanish: https://forms.gle/Wdo6siqwcGf1ss3K6
Thank you for supporting our outstanding Wolf Staff!
If you have any question about nominations, please feel free to reach out to Alex Saulnier (asaulnier@fcps.edu).
Book Character Day – Friday, October 30!
Get ready for a fun-filled day celebrating our love of reading! On Friday, October 30, Washington Mill students and staff are invited to dress up as their favorite book characters! Whether it's a beloved classic or a new favorite, we can't wait to see our Wolves bring their favorite stories to life. We encourage families to get creative and have fun with costumes. Please remember that costumes should be school-appropriate, with no masks or toy weapons. Let's make it a wonderful day of reading, imagination, and school spirit! One Pack. One Purpose!
 
 Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to WMES!
Dates: October 26-30th
Location: WMES Library
Family Event schedule and location: October 29, 5:30-7:30 School homepage: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/washingtonmillelemschool
This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books that will get them excited about reading, while also earning funds for our school.
The easiest way to let your child shop the Fair independently is by creating a Book Fair eWallet through our school homepage. It’s easy to set up and easy for family and friends to add funds.
With eWallet, you’ll also have the chance to contribute to Share the Fair™—the giving program that supports students at our school who need help buying books. Consider participating so that no child leaves the Fair empty-handed!
Preview the books coming to the Fair by taking a 360° virtual tour via our school’s Book Fair homepage and explore the titles, watch video book trailers, and more.
We can’t wait to see you at the Fair and help every student discover a book they’ll love!
Happy reading!
¡Prepárense! ¡La Feria del Libro de Scholastic llega a nuestra escuela!
Fechas: 10/26-10/30
Lugar: WMES Biblioteca
Día, hora y lugar del evento familiar: 10/29, 5:30-7:30
Página web de la escuela: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/washingtonmillelemschool
Esta es una excelente oportunidad para ampliar la biblioteca de sus niños con libros nuevos que despertarán su interés por la lectura y, al mismo tiempo, recaudar fondos para la escuela.
La forma más sencilla de que sus niños compren de manera independiente en la Feria es crear una eWallet de la Feria del Libro a través de la página web de la escuela. Es fácil de configurar y es fácil que los familiares y amigos aporten fondos.
Con una eWallet, también tendrán la posibilidad de colaborar con Share the Fair™, el programa solidario que apoya a los estudiantes de nuestra escuela que necesitan ayuda para adquirir libros. ¡Considere participar para que ningún niño o niña se vaya de la Feria con las manos vacías!
Echen un vistazo a los libros que habrá en la Feria realizando un recorrido virtual de 360° a través de la página web de la Feria del Libro de nuestra escuela y exploren los títulos, miren los avances en video de los libros y mucho más.
¡Esperamos verlos en la Feria y ayudar a cada estudiante a descubrir un libro que le encantará!
Feliz lectura
Join the Wolfpack Wobble! Our schoolwide fundraiser is underway, and every donation helps support field trips, classroom supplies, and programs like Food for Thought. Students can earn weekly visits to the prize cart by earning a Wolf Way Paw in class or by registering a fundraising page. At the end of the campaign, top individual fundraisers will earn Principal for a Day, and the three classes with the most paws and fundraising totals will celebrate with an Arcade Truck Party. Register and share using the QR code on the flyer. Thank you for supporting our school!
 
Join us for Fall Fest! Washington Mill Elementary School’s Fall Fest is October 29 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Enjoy Trunk or Treat, games and prizes, food, music, and the Book Fair. Join the Wolfpack by signing up to decorate a car, donating candy alternatives or prizes, or volunteering at the event.
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:
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Conversaciones Comunitarias Directamente con la Dra. Reid
Acompáñenos en una serie de Conversaciones Comunitarias que se llevarán a cabo en diferentes lugares de la división escolar. Estas reuniones están abiertas a todos, incluyendo familias, estudiantes, y miembros de la comunidad. Puede asistir al evento que le resulte más conveniente, aunque no se lleve a cabo en su escuela o comunidad. Esta es una oportunidad para compartir sus opiniones, conversar directamente con la Dra. Reid y hacerle preguntas sobre temas importantes para nuestra comunidad de FCPS.
No es necesario inscribirse, pero hacerlo nos ayuda con la planificación.
Please Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, October 28.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is how we ensure we receive all the resources available to us from the federal government. For more information, please visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
Por favor, complete la Encuesta Federal de Asistencia por Impacto
FCPS solicita a todas las familias que completen la Encuesta Federal de Ayuda por Impacto. El formulario está disponible en SIS ParentVUE, en la sección Online Packets, ubicada en la esquina superior derecha de la pantalla después de iniciar sesión. Por favor, complételo lo antes posible. A partir del miércoles, 28 de octubre, las escuelas proporcionarán formularios impresos a las familias que aún no hayan completado la encuesta en ParentVUE.
¡Cada formulario cuenta! Complete uno por cada niño en edad escolar que viva en su hogar. Así ayudamos a que FCPS reciba todos los recursos disponibles del gobierno federal. Para obtener más información, visite la página de la Encuesta de Ayuda de Impacto Federal.
Regístrese en ParentVUE
Conozca cómo activar su cuenta de SIS ParentVUE para que pueda enviar fácilmente su encuesta y acceder a otra información útil sobre su estudiante.
 Annual Special Education Family Conference: Breakout Session Information Available
Join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, taking place on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
More than 20 engaging breakout sessions have been designed to support, inform, and inspire our community. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage to explore the lineup of presenters, titles, and session descriptions. Complete the Special Education Family Conference Registration Form to secure your spot and let us know about any childcare, language interpretation, or accommodation needs.
Get Involved Today! Volunteer and Student Participation Opportunities
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS using the Volunteer Registration Form by Wednesday, October 28. FCPS staff volunteers will receive MyPDE credit.
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Student Volunteers: Complete the Student Volunteer Interest Form by Wednesday, October 28. Students who volunteer will receive volunteer hours.
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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. Students serving in these roles will receive service hours. Sign up by Friday, October 30.
Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
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.
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Stay connected with the Washington Mill PTA
Our Linktree page (https://linktr.ee/washmillpta) is your one-stop hub for everything happening in our PTA community! From volunteer opportunities to upcoming events and important resources, it’s updated regularly—so check back often as new ways to get involved are always being added.
Don’t miss out—be sure to sign up to receive the PTA newsletter for the latest updates, reminders, and ways to support our amazing Wolf community!
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In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
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- Literacy Resources
- Return Your Impact Aid Survey
- Download the New ParentVUE App
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
QUICK LINKS
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