What's Happening Mount Eagle | October 23, 2026

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What's Happening Mount Eagle

October 23, 2026

students on playground

A Message from Ms. Kirkland

Dear Families,

t's hard to believe we are already approaching the end of October and the close of our first quarter! Our students have been working hard, building new skills, and growing as learners. As we wrap up the quarter, we are proud of the progress our students have made and grateful for the partnership of our families in supporting their success.

Please remember that Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 3 are professional workdays, and there will be no school for students. Our teachers will use this time to reflect on student progress, plan instruction, and prepare for the second quarter.

We also have some exciting community events coming up in November!

  • Friday, November 6 – Annual Bingo Night! We can't wait to bring our families together for one of our favorite Mount Eagle traditions. Join us for a fun evening while supporting our PTO's efforts to fund field trips and after-school clubs.

  • Friday, November 20 – Thanksgiving Luncheon! We look forward to welcoming families to share a special meal with their children. A schedule with grade-level lunch times and additional details will be shared soon.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we finish our first quarter strong. Wishing everyone a beautiful final week of October, filled with crisp fall weather and time to enjoy the season!

Warmly,
Kate Kirkland, Principal


Fall Pictures Make-ups & Retakes

Our make-ups and retakes for fall pictures is on Thursday, October 29. Parents interested in ordering a photo package should go to www.barksdalephoto.com and enter code 0037889AR.  The code expires on October 30!

make-up day info

Calendar reminder graphic

Upcoming Student Holidays

Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 3 are professional workdays for teachers. There is no school for students on these days.


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Family Engagement Input Needed

Maintaining strong partnerships between home and school is critical to our children's success.  We are seeking parent and guardian input about upcoming math and literacy events. Our goal is to provide meaningful opportunities for you to see what your children are learning in school and walk away with tools and resources that support you as your child's first and most important teacher. 

Please take a moment to respond to this short survey by October 23.  This information will be reviewed by our team to help plan for upcoming events. 


PTO Events & News

calendar

Thank you to everyone who came out for Pizza and Puzzles! It was a fun night, and the event helped us raise money to fund after-school clubs and field trips for students. 

At Mount Eagle, every parent is a member of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). It's a great way to connect with other parents, learn about how to support your child, and have fun! There are many ways you can share your voice, talents, and time. Check out the PTO Website for more information. It's available in multiple languages.

PTO Meeting

The next general PTO meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 27 at 6:30 pm on Zoom. A link for the meeting will be shared via Talking Points.

Bingo Night!

Bingo Night will be held on Friday, November 6 6:00 - 8:00 pm. PTO is calling for donations by October 30.  Donations should be in new condition and be in their packaging. Reach out to mteaglepto@gmail.com with questions!

 

Bingo Flyer

Mount Eagle Families: Explore SafeWalkr!

FCPS Safe Routes to School is excited to invite Mount Eagle families to try SafeWalkr, a new interactive walking map tool developed by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students in collaboration with our team!

If you live within Mount Eagle's designated walking boundary, explore information about sidewalks, road crossings, and crossing guard locations to help plan your walk to school.

Go to the SafeWalkr tool, select [school name], and explore a route with your child. Review current conditions and consider your child’s abilities and supervision needs before walking. The tool does not change walking boundaries or transportation eligibility. Help us improve SafeWalkr by sharing your feedback during the pilot. Thank you for supporting safe, active trips to school!


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.


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:


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, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.

🤒 Not Feeling Well? When Your Child Can Come to School

School is better when your child is here! But we do understand that some days, they may feel unwell. Learn more about which symptoms are ok at school (like sneezing or sniffles), and when your child should stay home (if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, for example). 

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify our school so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with our public health nurse. Call us as soon as you know your child will be absent and, if possible, let us know how long you think they will be out.

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.


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Updates to Technology in School

The Virginia legislature has passed a law updating what personal electronics are permitted in school.  Starting this year, students must turn off and place in backpacks all personal electronics, including cell phones, smart watches, laptops, and wireless headphones.  Students may not wear these items during the school day in the building. 


Explore School Meals in the New Menu Platform

Experience an easier way to view your child’s school menus using MealViewer:

  • View what is being served each day.
  • View the nutritional information for each meal.
  • See if any specific allergens are being served.
  • Get notified when your student’s favorite meal is being served.

Printable menus are always available on the Food and Nutrition Services webpa


Important Times

Kiss & Ride: 8:20-8:40am

Doors Open: 8:25am Tardy Bell: 8:45am

Dismissal Bell: 3:30pm

Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm


Important Dates

Tuesday, October 27 | PTO Meeting on Zoom, 6:30 pm.

Thursday, October 29 | Fall Picture Day Make-ups

Friday, October 30 | End of First Quarter--2-hour Early Release 

Monday & Tuesday, November 2-3 | School Planning and Teacher Workdays. No school for students. 

Friday, November 20 | Thanksgiving Luncheon

Wednesday, November 23-Friday, November 25 | Thanksgiving Break. Schools and offices are closed. 

December 21 - January 1 | Winter Break. No school for students.

You can access the full 2026-27 calendar here. Days that are shaded pink or blue are holidays for students. Orange days are NOT school holidays.


Attendance Matters

Daily, on-time attendance is critical to your child's success in school.  Now is the time to begin planning for family events, making sure to plan trips during school breaks and holidays. Please be sure to review the 2026 2027 calendar to begin planning. 

Calendar Student Services

Parent/Guardian Handbook

Do you have questions about attendance or food/drink at school or what students can wear? If so, please check out our Parent/Guardian Handbook on our Mount Eagle website. It's available with translations. Click here to access it. Of course, if you have a question about a situation that is not listed, reach out to your child's teacher or an administrator. Their contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.


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Your Partners in Education

We are honored to start the school year with your family, and will work everyday to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. We can't do it alone. Please contact us when there is a question or concern, especially related to bullying. As a parent, you will often hear about something before staff might. Thank you for all of your support.

Kate Kirkland, Principal

kekirkland@fcps.edu

Frances Torres, Assistant Principal

fetorres@fcps.edu