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Important Dates & Reminders October is National School Principals Month Thursday, October 29: Literary Night October 26 - 30: Book Fair Friday, October 30: Storybook Character Day 2 Hour Early Release. Students will be released at 1:55pm. View the FCPS 26-27 School Year Calendar here.

Principal's Message

Dear Crestwood Families,

Thank you for another wonderful week filled with learning and growth! Our Owls are the heartbeat of our school, and seeing their shining faces in our hallways inspires us as we continue climbing to new heights together.

📚 Literacy Night & Book Fair

Join us on Thursday, October 29th for an evening of reading, connection, and learning! This is a wonderful chance to discover strategies to support your child's literacy growth at home while enjoying story time, games, crafts, and a complimentary pizza dinner.

🎃 Storybook Character Day & Early Release

Friday, October 30th is Storybook Character Day (look below in the newsletter for more info)! Please note that this day is a 2-hour early release, and students will be dismissed at 1:55 PM.

🧥 Healthy Habits & Warm Clothes

As morning temperatures drop, please help our kiddos stay healthy by ensuring they dress warmly with heavy coats for arrival and outdoor play.

🚗 Safety at Dismissal

To keep our community safe and respect our neighbors, please do not park in front of or block driveways during dismissal on Hanover Street.

Thank you for your dedication and partnership in making our community so special. We can't wait to see you!

Warmly,

Ms. Casablanca

PTA Corner

Attention all Crestwood Parents and Teachers!

Join the PTA here!

Literacy Night: Reading Under the Stars!

Join us for a magical evening of reading and connection on Thursday, October 29 at 5:30 PM! Literacy Night is a great chance for families and school staff to come together, celebrate learning, and discover simple strategies you can use at home to support your child's reading.

Bring the family to enjoy literacy activities for all ages, including story time, games, and crafts. Plus, a free pizza dinner will be provided! This event is proudly sponsored by Title I. We hope to see you under the stars!

Mark Your Calendars: Storybook Character Day!

Get ready to celebrate the joy of reading! On Friday, October 30th, students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite book character.

Outfit Guidelines:

• Acceptable: Classic, kid-friendly favorites like Fancy Nancy, Ms. Frizzle, Pete the Cat, Percy Jackson, or Miles Morales.

• Not Allowed: Scary or weapon-related costumes (e.g., vampires, ghosts, Grim Reaper, Goosebumps characters, or Captain Underpants).

This is a wonderful chance to read a book with your child at home and discuss their character's role in the story before they share with their class

Outstanding Employee Award Nominations ✨DO YOU KNOW AN AMAZING EMPLOYEE? ✨ If you have worked with an outstanding employee at Crestwood ES, FCPS wants your help recognizing them. Owl families are invited to nominate staff members for recognition! 🏆 NOMINATIONS FOR... Outstanding Teacher Outstanding New Teacher Outstanding Principal  Outstanding Professional Staff Leader Outstanding Educational Services Employee Outstanding Operational Services Employee  🗓️DEADLINE: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 13, 2026. 📝SUBMISSIONS: Submissions can be made by completing the form linked here:  English link Spanish link 🦉Thank you for supporting our outstanding Owl Staff!

Trunk or Treat at Lewis High School!🎃

Join us for a spooky night of fun at Lewis High School's Trunk or Treat on Wednesday, October 28th, from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM in the Senior Parking Lot!

Bring the whole family out to enjoy candy, face painting, games, and a candy corn guessing game. Show off your Halloween spirit—don't forget to wear your costume! You can also enter the Costume Contest at 5:15 PM ($5 entry fee). We hope to see you there!

Pyramid Night at John R. Lewis High School!

Come out and support the Lancers on Friday, November 6th! Kickoff is at 7:00 PM at the John R. Lewis Football Stadium.

All future Lancer students get in free and will receive a free T-shirt while supplies last! Please note that students must be accompanied by a paying adult. We hope to see you there!

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: 

• Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning. 

Impact Aid

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.

Attendance

Encouraging Regular Attendance

Regular attendance is a good habit to establish in childhood. It can lead to greater success in high school, college, and careers. Teachers and students miss your child when they can’t make it to school. If you or your family need support, please reach out to your school's front office. We are here for you! 

If students miss too much school, school staff may reach out to the family to partner with them on addressing barriers to regular attendance. Visit the FCPS website for attendance resources.  

ParentVUE App

Maintain Access to Your Child’s Grades and Assignments: Download the New ParentVUE App

New ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile apps launched in July. Be sure to download the new app before winter break. After that time, you will need to use the new mobile app or a web browser to access ParentVUE or StudentVUE.

For instructions on installing the new apps and learning more about the updated login process, visit ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile app resources. If you need assistance, please submit a Parent Support Request.

Immunizations

The Importance of the Flu Vaccination

The annual flu vaccine is the most effective way to protect your child from getting sick and to prevent the spread of illness within our classrooms. Staying up-to-date with your child's flu vaccination helps:

• Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
• Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
• Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.

Upcoming Flu Shot Events

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will be taking 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.

Digital Device Policy

Help Your Student Stay Focused and Engaged Without Digital Distractions

Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e., in backpacks) for the duration of the school day: bell to bell.

This includes personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and similar devices. Students can only use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day. There are exceptions for students with disabilities and those enrolled in specific courses.  

If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call the school’s front office. Learn more about the FCPS cellphone policy and device policy. 

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• 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.  

6010 Hanover Ave, Springfield, VA 22150  | Main Office: 703-923-5400

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