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Message from Mr. Morris
Last Friday, we had an incredible Rock N Run. I heard from so many students (and parents) joy about the day. I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who ran, cheered, volunteered, and donated. Rock N Run is far more than a fundraiser; it is a tradition that brings out the absolute best in our students and unites our school.
Why Rock N Run Matters:
- The Excitement: Our kids look forward to this day each school year, and their energy on the track is unmatched.
- School Spirit: Watching students use their recess time to stand by the track and cheer on other grades is what our Dolphin Decree is all about.
- Pride in Every Lap: Students wear those lap ticks on the back of their shirts like badges of honor. They keep these shirts for years and come back every fall determined to beat their personal record.
- Building Community: Tradition matters. This event gives families a chance to connect with each other and build stronger relationships across our classrooms.
Beyond the fun, the funds raised serve critical purposes for our school. Some examples include.
- Special assemblies and school programs
- School beautification
- Classroom and learning materials
- Books and classroom libraries
- Student incentives and prizes
- Boosts for staff morale throughout the year
- Direct support for school families in need
- And much more! Our PTA is deliberate about ensuring the money raised is used for great purposes and benefits all our students
Thank you for making our school such a supportive place for our kids to learn and grow. Big thanks to the PTA Board and our Rock N Run Committee. Special shout outs to our volunteers for another magical Rock N Run. There is a ton of behind the scenes work to bring an event like this together and successfully raise money to support our school. Day of volunteers were critical to the success of the event, too.
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November 1 - 30 - National Family Engagement Month
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November 2 - School Planning Day | No School
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November 3 - Teacher Work Day (Election Day) | No School
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November 9 - Grades are viewable in ParentVUE
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November 11 - Veteran's Day Event | 8:35 - 9:35 a.m.
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November 12 - Author Visit: Stuart Gibbs
Daylight Saving Time Ends
This Sunday, November 1, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends.
Don’t forget to (Fall Back) move your clocks back one hour!
Student Holidays
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.
This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success.
FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.
Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.
If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.
Join us as we honor our veterans and military families at our Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, at 8:35 AM!
All SLES students and families are welcome to attend this special celebration. Following the ceremony, veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists are invited to visit classrooms to share their experiences with students.
We are still looking for classroom speakers, and we'd love your help making this day memorable! We are also seeking volunteers to contribute breakfast items or assist with setup. Please use the sign-up links below to participate. Questions? Contact military@slpta.org
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA9AB2BA4FFC70-64980967-2026#/
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA9AB2BA4FFC70-59466369-sles#/
Stratford Landing Outstanding Employee Awards
The categories for outstanding employee are Professional Staff Leader, Principal, Teacher and New Teacher, Operational Service Employees, Educational Service Employees.
Nominations are due Friday, November 13, 2026.
This week, students in grades 3–6 will explored everything they can do when they sign in to the library catalog with their Google accounts. They learned how to place books on hold and check which books they have borrowed. We’ll also take a closer look at the library’s wonderful online databases and discover how they can help us find reliable information.
Our younger readers learned how books are organized and shelved in the library. And, as always, I’m very grateful to our parent volunteers for sharing their time and helping make our library a welcoming place for everyone!
Ellen Gresham, School Librarian
Expanding Your Knowledge of Available Community Resources
Friday, November 6, 2026 10 - 11:30 AM
Join us to learn about resources that can help families navigate education, advocacy, disability services, and more. Representatives from the FCPS Family Resource Center, FCPS Office of the Ombuds, NOVA IDD, and PEATC will share information about their services and supports for individuals and families in our community.
Register here
SNAP Food Assistance
SNAP provides grocery assistance to eligible individuals and families. You can apply online or by phone, and phone applications offer interpretation in many languages. SNAP does not affect the chance of becoming a U.S. citizen, but starting September 18, 2026, it may affect some family- or work-based green card applications.
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Eligibility: Household income requirements apply. A household member must be a U.S. citizen, a child born in the U.S., or a lawful permanent resident.
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Registration: Apply online or call 855-635-4370, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Contact: Fairfax County Department of Family Services, 703-324-7500, DFSinfo@fairfaxcounty.org. For questions about green card applications, call Virginia Legal Aid Justice Center at 703-778-3450.
Discounts for SNAP Recipients
Families enrolled in SNAP may qualify for discounts on Metro and Metrobus fares, Capital Bikeshare memberships, home internet, and fresh produce at Fairfax County farmers markets. Families may also qualify for free air-conditioning repair or installation through AC Rescue.
Contact: MetroLift, 888-762-7874; AC Rescue, 703-528-1999.
Medicare 101 Workshops
VICAP offers in-person and virtual workshops for people who will soon be eligible for Medicare, people with Medicare, and their care partners. Click on the date below, registration is required.
Wednesday, October 21, Noon–1 p.m., Virtual
Family Caregiver Support Programs
Medicare 101 Webinar
Thursday, October 22, 2–3:30 p.m., In-Person
Sherwood Regional Public Library
2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria
Contact: VICAP at 703-324-5851
Fairfax County Fuel Assistance (Applications open through November 13)
Eligible households can apply for help with winter heating costs. If approved, applicants will receive their benefit amount in late December; payments are made from January through April or until the benefit is used.
Apply online through CommonHelp or call 855-635-4370.
Learn more about Fuel Assistance.
Family Food Markets
Local family food markets are starting in October. Family Food Markets are open to anyone that knows about them. Families do not need to register or have income verified.
November 2, 2026 | Mount Vernon Woods Elementary | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
(first Monday every month)
November 4, 2026 | Walt Whitman Middle School | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
(first Wednesday every month)
November 24, 2026 | Hybla Valley Elementary | 4:15pm until they run out of food, enter at Door #2
(Fourth Tuesday every month, varies)
Mark your Calendar:
November 12th - Dine out for SLES @
El Fresco Tex-Mex Grill 9am-9pm
November 12th - Rock N Run Prize
Author Stuart Gibbs Visits SLES Grades 3-6!
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Exciting news for this school year! As part of our 2026 Rock N' Run prizes, we are thrilled to host author visits for students in grades K–2 and 3–6.
Our first guest author, Stuart Gibbs, will visit Stratford Landing Elementary School during the school day on Thursday, November 12th. Mr. Gibbs is the bestselling author of the wildly popular Spy School series, as well as fan favorites like Charlie Thorne, FunJungle, and Moon Base Alpha.
A huge thank you to Old Town Books for helping bring Mr. Gibbs to Stratford Landing Elementary and offering personally signed copies of his latest release, Spy School Secret Files. Order your copy today! Books will be delivered to your student on November 12th!
https://oldtownbooks.com/teachers-schools/stuart-gibbs-at-stratford-landing
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Don’t forget to include your student’s name for personalization, student’s grade and teacher’s name in the Notes section of checkout!
The deadline to order signed books will be 5pm on November 9th. Email us if you have any questions, president@slpta.org
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Dine Out for SLES
Thursday, November 12th
El Fresco Tex Mex Grill
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Need an excuse to go out to eat? The perfect reason is to help Stratford Landing Elementary School! During the ‘26-‘27 school year we will be conducting “Dine Outs for SLES” and “Dine Outs for SLES and the 6th Grade”! Check out slpta.org for more details!
The November “Dine Out for SLES” will take place at El Fresco Tex Mex Restaurant (7324 Richmond Hwy) from 9am-9pm on Thursday, November 12th! Online orders: when checking out, please write in the comments “Stratford Landing Elementary School”. In store orders: please inform the cashier you are here for the Stratford Landing ES fundraiser and show the flyer. El Fresco Tex-Mex will donate 15% of all sales that use the code or mention the fundraiser to the Stratford Landing ES PTA!
Thank you to Nina Berkowitz Homes for being a Signature SLES Sponsor and thank you to McAlister’s Deli for being a Diamond SLES Sponsor this year! We have so many amazing sponsors this year! The following businesses have donated to the Stratford Landing ES PTA in support of our students and the SLES staff:
Nina Berkowitz Homes, McAlister’s Deli, Ted’s Bulletin,
Tremolo Security, Five Guys, Belle Haven Family Dentistry,
Hughes Ortho, Encore Boutique, Renée C. Gage Photography,
MVP Chess, Taekwondo Masters, The Laboratory Salon, Fed Upward, Trident Swim and Triathlon, Master Roofing, Tracy Vitali with Coldwell Banker, The Little Well, Passport Auto, Alexandria Children’s Theatre, Happy Place, Wegmans, Continues Arcade, Hooray Art, STEM exCEL, Hollin Hall Pastry Shop, and The Cut.
Volunteering at Stratford Landing Elementary!
We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS, click “Learn More,” and then “Sign Up.” After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application.
Follow FCPS Military Families on Social Media
Stay up-to-date on all of our latest events, workshops, and resources to support our FCPS military families by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more information on FCPS military resources, please email militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
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