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Dear Forestdale Families,

It's been a whirlwind week! Don't miss out on important updates below. We're so excited to see you all tomorrow night at 5:30pm for our Annual STEAM Night!

Warm Regards,

Ms. Nikki Steptoe-Coleman, Principal

Ms. Mary-Elizabeth Hagaman, Assistant Principal

Dr. LaDonna Tate, Assistant Principal

February

February 21                     Principal/Parent Coffee (Virtual @ 12pm)

                                        STEAM Night, 5:30-7pm

February 26                     PTA Meeting @ 7pm

February 28- March 28    Ramadan

March

March 10                          Early Release Monday (12:35pm)

March 10-14                     Pi Spirit Week

March 10-14                     PTA: Coin Wars

March 18                          Spring Pictures

March 19                          Principal & Family Coffee 6pm

What's Happening at The Dale

STEAM Time 6th Grade (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, Math) In STEAM, a 6th grade class builds line-tracking code for their customized Valentines Day -themed robots!

STEAM Time 5th Grade In STEAM, a 5th grade class experiments with electricity using Makey Makey circuit boards and snap circuits.

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28, 2025

Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day.

Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student.

To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.

Family STEAM Night, February 21st 

Join us THIS Friday, February 21st, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM for an evening of hands-on fun and learning for all ages. Enjoy snacks while you explore how we integrate science, technology, engineering, art, and math into our everyday learning. We can't wait to see you there!

🐻 Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events, including orientation, between January and April. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us prepare and ensure we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. 

Families should prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms on the FCPS kindergarten registration webpage. FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, visit the kindergarten registration webpage.

If you have any questions, please reach to Mr. Dylan Hoffmann at (703)313-4300 or at @email. We are excited to welcome our newest Falcons!

✨ A strong start is Goal 1 of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

Principal Coffee: Friday, Feb 21st

Join us online for a mid-day chat with the Principal. This week we will discuss Family Engagement and School Everyday. Here is link for the meeting. We will start at 12pm, and there will be a Spanish interpreter available for the meeting.

Virginia Tech STEM Discovery Fair

You are invited to the upcoming Virginia Tech STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Discovery Fair, taking place on March 1, 2025 at Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Academic Building I, Alexandria VA. This event promises to be an exciting and educational opportunity for students to showcase their innovative projects and engage with peers, educators, and industry professionals. 

Event Highlights 

• Student Exhibits: Students from various schools will present their STEM projects, demonstrating creativity, problem-solving skills, and scientific knowledge. 
• Guest Speakers: Hear from inspiring leaders in the STEM fields who will share insights and experiences. 
• Workshops: Participate in interactive sessions designed to deepen understanding and spark interest in the world of STEM. 
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow educators, industry experts, and students passionate about STEM. 

Event Details 

• Date: March 1, 2025 
• Time: 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Three full hours of STEM Fun 
• Location: Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Academic Building I, 3526 Potomac Avenue, Alexandria VA, 22305 
• Registration Deadline: Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 11:59 pm,  

How to Participate 

To register, please complete the online registration form available at Registration Link by the deadline, February 25th.

Contact Information 

For any questions or further information, please feel free to contact us at @email or call us at 919-376-5696. 

We look forward to welcoming your school to the VT STEM Fair and witnessing the incredible talents and innovations of your students. Together, let's inspire the next generation of STEM leaders! 

Forestdale PTA Corner

https://www.forestdaleelementarypta.com/homeBecoming a PTA member helps shape school programs and raise funds to directly support our students and teachers. Join us to help create a stronger, more vibrant school community! Click the picture to join.

Forestdale Safety Updates

Family Tip: Have an emergency reunification plan.

• Families, let's work together to ensure our children's safety. Take a few minutes to create a simple reunification plan. Knowing where to meet and who to contact will provide peace of mind in any emergency.
• Talk to your children about 'just in case' meeting places. Practice your plan, and make sure everyone knows who to call.
• Your child's safety is our priority. We encourage every family to have a reunification plan.

What's for Breakfast & Lunch

🥞 Breakfast Menu 🧃                                🥪 Lunch Menu 🍎

Follow Forestdale on Social Media!

Follow us on social media for Forestdale adventures and announcements!  Facebook                      Instagram

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Dear Forestdale Families,

We invite you to cozy up and take a look at this newsletter to learn about all the wonderful things happening at Forestdale. You'll find lots of exciting news and information about what our students and staff have been up to.

A friendly reminder that 2nd quarter report cards will be coming home in Thursday folders.

Our next early release Monday is next week, February 10th. If you need to make any changes to your child's dismissal plan for early release days, please use the link below: Early Release Monday Dismissal Plan

Thank you, as always, for being such amazing partners in your child's learning. We appreciate your support and collaboration!

Warm Regards,

Ms. Nikki Steptoe-Coleman, Principal

Ms. Mary-Elizabeth Hagaman, Assistant Principal

Dr. LaDonna Tate, Assistant Principal

February

February 6                       Report Cards sent Home

February 10                     Early Release Monday (school dismisses 12:35p)

February 17                     Presidents Day (Schools & Offices Closed)

February 21                     Principal/Parent Coffee (Virtual @ 12pm)

                                        STEAM Night, 5:30-7pm

February 26                     PTA Meeting @ 7pm

March

March 10                          Early Release Monday (12:35pm)

March 10-14                     PTA: Coin Wars

March 18                          Spring Pictures

March 19                          Principal & Family Coffee 6pm

What's Happening at The Dale

Valentines Making a Difference Our Forestdale Falcons truly CARE! Last month, our students participated in a heartwarming community service project. Working with the organization "Valentines by Kids," our children created hundreds of valentines for hospital patients. Ask your child about this rewarding and fun project!

3rd Grade Engineering: Winter Parade This winter, our 3rd grade students put their engineering skills to work, designing and building floats for a fun-filled Forestdale parade for our primary grade students. This wonderful project was a great example of both learning and giving back to our community.

Next Early Release Monday, 2/10

Monthly Early Release Monday's are back, this time allows educators an opportunity for planning and professional development.  Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route.  However, we understand that there may be a childcare hardship as a result of the early release Mondays for many of our families.

I you need to change your child's dismissal plan, different from the fall...click here

Family STEAM Night, February 21st 

You're invited to Forestdale's annual STEAM Night! Join us on Friday, February 21st, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM for an evening of hands-on fun and learning for all ages. Enjoy snacks while you explore how we integrate science, technology, engineering, art, and math into our everyday learning. We can't wait to see you there!

3rd-6th Grades: Devices @ Home

Your child will begin bringing their laptops home soon if they have not already.  It is their responsibility to make sure that the laptop is charged nightly and returned to school daily with a fully charged battery.  Your child’s teacher will clarify any assignments that need to be completed on the laptop. Laptops are to be used for school assignments given by the teacher or for extra practice on Lexia, ST Math, or IXL. Students should not be using school issued devices for watching YouTube or playing games. 

Parents/Guardians can sign up to receive a weekly Parent Report from Lightspeed, our internet content filtering service, which will provide a list of the top sites the child visited that week on their school-issued laptop. Click this link to sign up: itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/lightspeed

If you do not have internet access at home and would like to request a MiFi device for your student, please contact your child's teacher to begin the process. 

Student Experience Survey, 3rd-6th Grades

Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements. All students in grades 3-6, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 24. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 24, and Friday, March 7. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose.  We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

GMU School Attendance Survey

According to the AAP’s report, The Link Between School Attendance and Good Health, chronic absenteeism disrupts academic performance and is associated with long-term health challenges. By understanding the barriers students and families face, we can design effective programs and policies to foster improved attendance and overall well-being across Virginia. 

About the Survey 

• Time Commitment: Approximately 10 minutes 
• Confidentiality: All responses are anonymous, collected via Qualtrics, and do not include any identifiable information. 
• Voluntary Participation: Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may skip any question. 
• Deadline: Survey responses will be accepted until February 28, 2025. 

Survey Link Here: https://chhs.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Jhl5NcGDgWbghg 

Opportunity: Work at Forestdale

Do you have some free time during the weekdays? Are you looking for a way to make some extra money? Forestdale is looking for some help for the remainder of the school year. If you enjoy working with families and engaging with students, we have an opportunity for you! Office Support/Cafe Hostess: We are looking for someone to work part-time supporting the front office and monitoring the cafeteria during lunch time. If interested, please email Principal Steptoe-Coleman your resume and references at @email.

Forestdale PTA Corner

https://www.forestdaleelementarypta.com/homeBecoming a PTA member helps shape school programs and raise funds to directly support our students and teachers. Join us to help create a stronger, more vibrant school community! Click the picture to join.

Forestdale Safety Updates

Arrival and dismissal times is especially busy here at Forestdale. To ensure a safe and smooth arrival process for everyone, we kindly ask families to please be mindful of the following:

• Between 8:40-8:50am, cars may not enter at the first entrance (nearest to Franconia Rd) while buses are being unloaded. Please either part on the street or use the second entrance to proceed through kiss and ride.
• In the afternoons, families please meet your student walkers at Door 2, and use the crosswalk to maintain safety with Kiss and Ride Traffic.
• If dropping your student off late to school, please park in a legal parking space. The area in front of the school, marked with a yellow curb is for emergency vehicles and buses.

Special Education Resources

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter
The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

• Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
• Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
• SEL Screener Results
• New Accessibility Resources
• Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
• Executive Functioning Webinars
• Early Literacy Resources
• ESY and Assessment Webinar
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.

What's for Breakfast & Lunch

🥞 Breakfast Menu 🧃                                🥪 Lunch Menu 🍎

Follow Forestdale on Social Media!

Follow us on social media for Forestdale adventures and announcements!  Facebook                      Instagram

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Dear Forestdale Families,

We hope this message finds you well. As we approach the winter break, we wanted to take a moment to share some important information and express our excitement for the time ahead.

We're all looking forward to the upcoming winter break! It's a wonderful opportunity to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones. We hope you have a chance to enjoy the season's festivities, from cozy nights by the fire to festive gatherings with family and friends.

As the year draws to a close, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your continued support and partnership. We wish you a safe and joyous winter break, and a happy and prosperous New Year.

May the new year bring you happiness, health, and success. We look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready to learn when we return to school.

Warm Regards,

Ms. Nikki Steptoe-Coleman, Principal

Ms. Mary-Elizabeth Hagaman, Assistant Principal

Dr. LaDonna Tate, Assistant Principal

December 

December 11                    Principal Parent Coffee @ 6pm

December 13                    PTA Parent Night Out

December 12                    2nd Quarter Interim Reports Home

December 16-20               Winter Spirit Week

December 23-January 3   Winter Break

January

January 6                        Return to school from Winter Break

January 20                       Martin Luther King Jr Day (Schools/Offices Closed)

January 29                       Teacher Workday/ Student Holiday

Winter Spirit Week, 12/16-20

As Forestdale prepares for Winter Break, lets have some fun. Below you will see our Winter Spirit Week schedule. Just our way of coming together as a community and possibly wishing for a little snow this season.

Boundary Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review are underway. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15pm at Annandale High School Cafeteria. 

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. If you are unable to attend on this date, view the list of remaining meeting dates on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage. You may also sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter.

Fairfax Winter Resources

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource GuideFood insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

Forestdale PTA Corner

Click "Forestdale PTA Corner" to go to the PTA website.

Becoming a PTA member helps shape school programs and raise funds to directly support our students and teachers. Join us to help create a stronger, more vibrant school community! Click the picture to join.

Parents Night Out, December 13th

Click HERE to Register.  This event is limited to 50 children; register today to guarantee a spot!

Registration closes tomorrow, Wednesday, December 11th.

What's for Breakfast & Lunch

Breakfast Menu

Lunch Menu

Follow Forestdale on Social Media!

Follow us on social media for Forestdale adventures and announcements!  Facebook                      Instagram

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On Friday, 11/8, we were very excited to have families join us for our Annual Veterans Day celebration. 

Dear Forestdale Families,

We’re already two weeks into the second quarter, and it’s been a fantastic start! We’re grateful for your ongoing support and involvement in our school community, which makes such a positive impact on our students and staff.

This week, progress reports will be sent home in Thursday folders. We encourage you to review and discuss your child's progress with them and their teacher.

Important Reminders and Upcoming Events:

• 3-Hour Early Release: Our next 3-hour early release will be on Monday, November 18, with dismissal at 12:35 PM. 
• Thanksgiving Luncheon: Join us on Thursday, November 21, for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon! We can’t wait to celebrate with you. More details below.

At Forestdale, we are dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment. Together, we can help each child reach their fullest potential!

Warm regards,

Ms. Nikki Steptoe-Coleman, Principal

Ms. Mary-Elizabeth Hagaman, Assistant Principal

Dr. LaDonna Tate, Assistant Principal

November

November 14                    Progress Reports go home in Thursday Folders

November 18                    3-Hour Early Release

November 21                    Thanksgiving Luncheon

November 27-29               Thanksgiving Break

December 

December 4                       AAP Night

December 23-January 3    Winter Break

Early Release Monday, 11/18

Our next 3-hour early release Monday is November 18th. Students that are leaving school will dismiss at 12:35pm. We will follow the same dismissal plans provided by parents/guardians for the early release on October 21. SACC will be open for students that attend afternoon SACC.

If you need to make a change to your dismissal plan, please email our Family Liaison, Ms. Claudia Torres at @email by Friday, October 15th.

Forestdale is a Purple Star School!

Dear Forestdale Elementary,

It is with great pleasure that I inform you that the Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children voted on October 21, 2024, to approve Forestdale Elementary School as a recipient of the SY 2024-2025 Purple Star Award.  Your award designation is valid for a period of three school years beginning with this school year 2024-2025.

On behalf of your military connected and newest students please accept my sincerest appreciation to all involved in making your school a welcoming and supportive place, especially for our military connected students. 

Respectfully,

Dan Dunham

Forestdale Thanksgiving Luncheon

Join us for a special Family Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, November 21! We invite families to come and celebrate with us.

To ensure we have enough room for everyone, we've made small adjustments to class lunch times. Click here to find your child's lunch time.

Lunch is free for all Forestdale students. Family members are welcome to join for $4.75 per ticket. You can add money to your student’s  MySchoolBucks  account or purchase a ticket on-site on the day of the luncheon (cash only).

To help our cafeteria team prepare enough food, we kindly ask that you RSVP in advance using this link or by scanning the QR code on the flyer below.

We look forward to building community and sharing this time of fellowship with you!

Outstanding Employee Award Nominations

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! 

To submit a nomination for a Forestdale Elementary Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link: Click here.  You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below. Falcon teams/individuals can work on a nomination packet together. Parents are welcome to make nominations in any category and staff will be available to help with the nomination criteria. 

Outstanding Teacher  

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding New Teacher 

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding Principal

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district) 

Outstanding New Principal

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)                            

Outstanding Leader  

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal): 

Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services

Outstanding Professional Employee  

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership 

Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school 

Outstanding Operational Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)  

The deadline to submit a nomination is November 15th, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeanne Igo at @email

Student Birthday Celebrations

Complete 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 (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

What's for Breakfast & Lunch

Breakfast Menu

Lunch Menu

Follow Forestdale on Social Media!

Follow us on social media for Forestdale adventures and announcements!  Facebook                      Instagram