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Dear Mighty Red Bird Families,
Welcome to Quarter 2! We hope you enjoyed the long weekend and had time to rest and reconnect. As we begin the second quarter, we have a fresh opportunity to build on the growth, learning, and connections we’ve made together. Every day brings a chance for students to feel known, take on a challenge, and discover what they can do with the support of their teachers, families, and school community.
This is the heart of our Blueprint for Student Success. In classrooms, our teachers and staff are setting clear learning goals, planning support and challenge for every learner, and working together to help students grow. Thank you for being part of this work and for the many ways you encourage your children. We’re excited for all that the second quarter will bring and grateful to walk alongside you as our students learn and grow.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Long, Mrs. Agner, Mrs. Compton
Upcoming Dates 📅
November 6 - Lost and Found Donated
November 17 - Thanksgiving Lunch!
November 18 - 3 Hour Early Release Wednesday
November 19 - Heritage Night
 Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
🪔 Happy Diwali
We wish a happy Diwali to all celebrating! Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. #OurFCPS
🌟Mrs. Long's Blueprint Byte
Friday's Distinguished Day was a wonderful celebration of our students' hard work and success! Students brought their best selves to school by dressing in outfits that made them feel confident and proud. The morning kicked off with inspiring energy as our Assistant Building Supervisor welcomed everyone by playing the piano, setting a warm, celebratory tone for the day. Highlighting the wonderful talents within our community, two students also took to the keys to showcase their skills for their peers. This special moment truly embodied our Blueprint for Success by showcasing Cardinal Forest's joyful, supportive environment where every student is empowered to shine.
Paperless Report Cards
Report cards will be available through ParentVUE on November 9, 2026. Be sure to log in to check your child’s progress and celebrate their hard work!
Lost and Found- LAST CALL!
Our Lost and Found is overflowing! Please make time this week to take a look at the rack located in the Cafeteria hallway. Items will be donated on Friday, November 6th. Thank you!
🦃 Thanksgiving Lunch
We are excited to invite you to our Thanksgiving Lunch on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH!
Parents and caregivers are invited to join their student(s) for a festive lunch right here at school. Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/hbpnMSEZakmApTkD6
When you arrive enter door 1 and have your ID ready. We will get you signed in and off to eat lunch with your student. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in.
If you would like to purchase lunch, please make sure you have sufficient funds in your student's MySchoolBucks account or you can purchase a lunch ticket at door 1 with cash or check.
Pricing:
- Student price: $3.75
- Adult price: $5.50
Schedule:
- Kindergarten: 10:00am - 10:40am
- 1st Grade: 10:40am - 11:20am
- 2nd Grade: 11:20am - 12:00pm
- 3rd Grade: 12:00pm - 12:40pm
- 4th Grade: 12:40pm - 1:20pm
- 5th/6th Grade: 1:20pm - 2:00pm
If you need to create a MySchoolBucks account, please see the instructions below:
- Go to www.MySchoolBucks.com to establish an account
- Add your students using the name of the school they are attending, and either their student ID or birthdate
- You will receive a confirmation email that your account has been established.
Social Emotional Learning Resources for Famiies
The SEL Team has partnered with the Family and School Partnerships Office to offer a Family Café Series titled, Growing Together: Talking about Social-Emotional Learning at Home. Families will have the opportunity to learn about the SEL Screener and how they can use their child’s results as a starting point for conversation and skill building. There is one session scheduled within each region, however families can attend any session that is most convenient for them. Sessions will be offered October - December, 2026.
Family Cafe Flyer
Family Cafe Registration
Federal Impact Aid Survey
The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in ParentVUE. Your response helps FCPS receive funding for which it is eligible by identifying military and other federally connected families, including families living on a military base.
Please complete one survey for each child. Only the parent who enrolled the student with FCPS can submit the form. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
To complete the survey, sign in to ParentVUE and click on Online Registration. From there, scroll down to find the Federal Impact Aid Survey.
If you are experiencing difficulty completing the survey, sign in to ParentVUE using Google Chrome, select Online Packets, then choose Federal Impact Aid Survey. If you need help accessing ParentVUE, contact Student Information Assistant Karen Stephens (KDStephens@fcps.edu).
Paper forms were sent home with students starting October 28 for families who cannot access ParentVUE.
NEW 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.
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!
The final event will take place Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School. Click the date to register. Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Arrival and Dismissal - Be A Good Neighbor!
Please help us keep arrival and dismissal times safe and smooth for everyone. We ask families to be good neighbors and mindful of:
- Not blocking intersections or painted boxes during Kiss & Ride —this impacts visibility and also prohibits access for emergency vehicles.
- Crossing only in crosswalks and watching carefully for cars.
- Avoiding parking in residential areas, fire lanes, or private parking spaces.
- Refraining from making illegal U-turns.
- No pets are allowed on school property.
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Family Academy Events
- Resource Fair for Students with Disabilities
- Science Fair Judges Needed
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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