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☎️ Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages
Parents/Caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
Franconia Elementary encourages Bell-to-Bell attendance
School starts at 8:35am and dismisses at 3:30pm
Upcoming Events
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Fri, Oct 30: 2hr early dismissal for end of 1st quarter (1:30pm)
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Mon, Nov 2, and Tue, Nov 3: NO SCHOOL
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Wed, Nov 11: Veterans Day Recognition
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Mon, Nov 16: Picture Make-up Day
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Wed, Nov 18: 3-hour Early Dismissal Day (12:30pm)
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Fri, Nov 20: Thanksgiving Lunch
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Wed, Nov 25 - Fri, Nov 27: NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Break)
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
Food Share Program:
November Requests
Hello!
With the support of SaNDAI Global and donations from Franconia community members, we have the opportunity to modernize and grow our food share program at FES. Instead of weekly food bags, families in need will now be able to shop from our inventory of food so that they can receive items that are more tailored to their family's dietary preferences and needs.
Non-perishable items have been purchased with monetary donations received. We're hoping to harness the kindness and generosity of the Franconia community to offer our families-in-need additional perishable items to supplement the canned/dried items we are already able to offer them. We appreciate anyone who is able to supply items to fill these needs.
When purchasing items, be sure to consider the expiration date. Food will be received by families on November 7th.
All food items MUST be delivered to Franconia before the end of the school day on Friday, November 6th.
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Donation can be brought directly to our main office during regular office hours (M-F, 8:00-4:30), or deliveries can be shipped to:
Franconia Elementary Food Share Program
6301 Beulah Street
Alexandria, VA 22310
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4AA4A928A6FB6-67065682-food
Thank you for your support!
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.
Counselor Corner
October is Bullying Prevention Month, and our students have been diving deep into what it truly means to spread kindness! Throughout our guidance lessons, we’ve been exploring how to spot the difference between conflict and bullying, how to build empathy for those who experience bullying, and how we can all choose positive, supportive behaviors every day.
To celebrate everything we’ve learned, we are wrapping up the month with an action-packed Spirit Week from October 26–30!
Check out our daily theme schedule to get your outfits ready. Link is also here: https://canva.link/2up6mg1ezut8bj7
We can’t wait to kick off the fun, and we are especially thrilled for our Kindness Costume Parade on Friday! Let’s dress up, show our spirit, and stand together for a kinder school community!
Thursday, October 29 - Crazy hair, socks or hat,
Friday, October 30th – Book Character (dress-up) day, fall colors, or school colors (green/yellow) [NO TOY WEAPONS]
Franconia is excited to celebrate and honor our Franconia ES Military Veterans!
On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 9:00 am to approximately 9:30 am, Veterans are invited to join their children for the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, and a short parade around the school's interior hallways. Coffee and continental breakfast will be provided for all Veterans.
To help us with our planning and ensure we can properly welcome all our guests, we ask that you complete the Franconia ES Veterans Day Celebration Google Form (https://forms.gle/Y3FZyBMVp2fKDkNF6) to register your Veteran if they plan to attend.
Please encourage your student to wear red, white, and blue on Wednesday, November 11, to show their support!
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Attention Penguin Performers (Grades 4–6)
Audition sign-up sheets for Shrek, Jr. are now officially posted near the music ramp!
Starting 10/21/26, students may pick up an audition packet located outside the music room to take home.
ACTION:
- Parents - Please look through the entire packet including the calendar of rehearsals and sign and return the WHITE COMMITMENT FORM
Important Dates to Know:
- Zoom Interest Meeting: Wednesday, November 4 @ 7:00 p.m.
- Auditions: November 11 (recently added), 12, and 13
- Callbacks: November 16
Note: **November 11 was added due to the amount of students interested in auditioning. Anyone interested in auditioning SHOULD attend the Zoom Interest Meeting. Zoom links will be sent out closer to the meeting date via TalkingPoints and Wednesday Word. The calendar of rehearsals was sent via TalkingPoints.
Annual Special Education Family Conference: We Need You!
Register now to attend the annual Special Education Family Conference, Connected Communities, Thriving Students.
Saturday, November 14, 2026
8:30 am – 3:00 pm
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.
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
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Franconia's 3-hour Early Dismissal Days
2026-2027 School Year
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number of days has been reduced from eight to four.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with their peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Students will be dismissed at 12:30pm on the below days.
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Wednesday, November 18
- Wednesday, January 13
- Wednesday, April 7
SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, November 20
More details to come
The Snowflake Ball
Friday, December 11, 5:30-7:00
Join us for some winter fun!
TICKETS ARE $10 each
We’ll have games, singalongs, dancing, snacks, and other fun activities.
The fun will happen in the Franconia Elementary Cafeteria.
Entry and exit only at Door 3.
This is NOT a drop off event. All K-4 students must attend with an adult family member.
All K-4 students need a ticket to attend.
TICKET MUST BE PRE-ORDERED
LIBRARY CORNER
Reading Challenges
Book Bingo is a monthly challenge. Each month there will be a bingo board just for kindergarten and grade 1, and another bingo board for all grades.
You can find the October Book Bingo boards here.
The Million Word Challenge lasts all year. Students and adults write down the book that students read, on paper or through this online form. The librarian will look up the word count and keep track of all the words!
Library Volunteers
The library always needs volunteers! The biggest need is help with shelving, but we are also looking for help with weekly notices and bulletin boards! Email the librarian, Debby Vandersande, at dmvandersand@fcps.edu if you want to help!
It's Awards Season at Franconia!
Franconia Elementary School is fortunate to have so many outstanding staff members! Fairfax County Public Schools honors outstanding school staff members in several categories. Check out this link for more information.
Here at Franconia, we are seeking nominations from the community for these awards. Please use the form linked below to nominate Franconia's staff for awards. Consider nominating an outstanding classroom teacher or specialist, our amazing office, custodial, and cafeteria staff, or even our fantastic principals!
Awards Nomination Link: https://forms.gle/jkuKF3z1ios4f1GF6
You may nominate multiple staff members by completing a new form for each nomination. Please note there are some qualifications for these awards, so not all staff members may be eligible.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Claire Branson, School Awards Liaison (and teacher) at cebranson@fcps.edu.
Please note, if you need help with preparing a nomination (translation services or writing assistance), we are happy to help!
📢 LOST & FOUND: THE PENGUIN IS PACKED!
 Our Lost & Found penguin is feeling a bit overwhelmed by the mountain of gear left behind! Our retrieval racks are currently bursting with jackets, hoodies, and personal items that are lonely for their owners.
Please swing by the Main Lobby before the end of the week to claim any missing belongings.
Visitor Information
At Franconia, we pride ourselves in maintaining a welcoming and caring community. It is also important that we continue to encourage all our penguins to build their independence skills.
We ask that parents do not enter the building during arrival and, instead, allow their children to walk to their classroom on their own. There are many adults stationed throughout the hallways who can assist students, so please rest assured all our penguins will get to their classroom safely.
If parents need to speak with their child's teacher, they can make appointments via email or Talking Points.
If parents have business in the office, we ask they enter the building ONLY through the front at Door 1.
Thank you for your support for the Franconia Penguin Community!
PTA CORNER
AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS
MONDAY – all start 10/26
- Crochet
- Football
- Origami K-2
- Origami 3-6
TUESDAY
- Comic Book Illustration <starts 11/17>
- Cooking <starts 11/10>
- Soccer <starts 10/27>
WEDNESDAY
- Chess <starts 10/28>
- Science <starts 11/4>
- Sports & PE <starts 11/4>
THURSDAY
- Pokémon <starts 10/29>
- Slime <starts 11/5>
- Spanish <starts 10/29>
FRIDAY
- Basketball <starts 11/6>
- Intro to Game Design <starts 11/13>
BAND MUSIC
5th Students enjoyed Band with Mr. Sorensen
Support Thomas Edison Cross Country & Track & Field at D.C. United!
Join us on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM as D.C. United takes on New York City FC at Audi Field! Enjoy an exciting afternoon of professional soccer while supporting Thomas Edison High School’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs.
For every eligible ticket purchased through our fundraiser link, $5 will go directly back to the programs! Bring your family and friends, spread the word, and help support our student-athletes!
Use this link to purchase tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Thomasedison2
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
OCTOBER
Disability History and Awareness Month
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
Oct. 30 and Nov. 2-3 - *Quarter End Early Release / Teacher Workday / School Planning Day
Friday, October 30, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. 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.
Quick Links
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