GovDelivery | Forestdale Elementary School

Falcon Press February 20, 2025

GovDelivery2 weeks 6 days ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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 protected]. 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 protected] 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!

Facebook Instagram

6530 Elder Avenue Springfield, Virginia 22150 | Office: 703-313-4300
Attendance: 703-313-4343 | Health Room: 703-313-4310
Web | Facebook | Instagram

Falcon Press February 2025

GovDelivery1 month 1 week ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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 protected].

Forestdale PTA Corner

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!

Facebook Instagram

6530 Elder Avenue Springfield, Virginia 22150 | Office: 703-313-4300
Attendance: 703-313-4343 | Health Room: 703-313-4310
Web | Facebook | Instagram

Falcon Press 12/10/2024

GovDelivery3 months ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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!

Facebook Instagram

6530 Elder Avenue Springfield, Virginia 22150 | Office: 703-313-4300
Attendance: 703-313-4343 | Health Room: 703-313-4310
Web | Facebook | Instagram

Falcon Press 11/26/2024

GovDelivery3 months 2 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Dear Forestdale Families,

We hope this Thanksgiving season finds you and your loved ones well. As we reflect on the past year, we're grateful for the opportunity to partner with you in your child's education.

As we approach the end of the year, please take a moment to review the exciting events and activities happening at Forestdale over the next few weeks.

We wish you a safe and joyous Thanksgiving break.

Warm Regards,

Ms. Nikki Steptoe-Coleman, Principal

Ms. Mary-Elizabeth Hagaman, Assistant Principal

Dr. LaDonna Tate, Assistant Principal

November

November 27-29 Thanksgiving Break

December

December 4 AAP Night @ 5pm

December 5 Family Life Ed Preview Night @ 6:30pm

December 11 Principal Parent Coffee @ 6pm

December 13 PTA Parent Night Out

December 23-January 3 Winter Break

Thank You Families!

Thank you families for participating in our first "Say Thank You with Pie" Day. Being able to set up this dessert bar for staff made this week extra special. Thank you for being a part of our community, thank you for your children, and thank you for your partnership.

Full-Time AAP Referral Process Parent Information Night, 12/4 @ 5p

Please join Katelyn Spengler, the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, to learn about the referral process for full-time services, formerly called Level IV. This is for parents in grades 2-6 who are interested referring their child for these services. Referrals are due by December 15th to Katelyn Spengler. You may bring them to the school or email them to her directly at [email protected].

Parent FLE Preview Night, 12/5 @ 6:30p

Students in grades Kindergarten-6th grade participate in Family Life Education (FLE). Students receive instruction in a human growth and development unit and an emotional and social health unit.

You are invited to attend an evening opportunity to preview the Family Life Education media and lessons and to talk with school staff about the program. The meeting will be held on Thursday, December 6th at 6:30 via Google Meets (https://meet.google.com/kym-kikv-kbz). All program materials and media for all grade levels will be available for your review at this time.

Principal-Parent Coffee, Dec. 11th

Families join us for another evening discussion around topics that matter to you.

We heard the requests at our last meeting, and on December 11th at 6pm we will be discussing "Math at Home". This is a follow-up to our recent Math Family Night. Our Math Specialist, Ms. Aaliyah James will be joining us to share ideas for supporting math at home.

There will be a Spanish interpreter available at the meeting. We also invite families to bring cookies to exchange as a sweet treat and a way to get to know each other.

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!

Forestdale Safety Corner

Process for Signing Your Child In/Out of School

1. Bring your identification

2. Complete check-in/out form on the computer.

3. Office staff will verify sign-out and call for students to meet you in the office.

4. Early dismissal, students should be picked up from the office no later than 3pm. This supports a safe dismissal plan and arrival of afternoon buses.

Thank you for your support in maintaining this important safety process.

What's for Breakfast & Lunch

Breakfast Menu

Lunch Menu

Follow Forestdale on Social Media!

Facebook Instagram

6530 Elder Avenue Springfield, Virginia 22150 | Office: 703-313-4300
Attendance: 703-313-4343 | Health Room: 703-313-4310
Web | Facebook | Instagram

30 minutes 48 seconds ago

Forestdale Elementary School News and announcements

http://www.fcps.edu/index.shtml Subscribe to GovDelivery feed