 Balloons Over Broadway
Forestdale Family,
We hope you each had a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving Break and great week back to work and school. We again are so thankful for the ongoing support you provide your children and our staff every day!
Before heading to Thanksgiving Break, our third graders read the book Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet and then hosted our third annual Forestdale Thanksgiving parade. What a fun way to head into the holiday!
We have two weeks of school left before winter break. We are really looking forward to closing out the 2023 year with our Forestdale Falcons with joy and meaningful, engaging learning experiences. We also have some fun spirit days to look forward to as well! See below.
Lastly, our wonderful PTA has been working hard to plan new and continued events for families. They will be hosting our first Parents' Night Out on Wednesday, December 13. Their goal is to provide a cost-efficient child care opportunity for families during this holiday season. See the PTA Corner at the end of the newsletter for more information. Thank you to our PTA for their continued support of our students, families, and staff. We are grateful for your service to our community.
To all families, we thank you for your continued partnership. You are so appreciated.
With love and gratitude,
Mrs. Jenny Cunneen, Proud Principal
Dr. LaDonna Tate, Proud Assistant Principal
Winter Spirit Days
Let's have some fun on the last six days of school! Save the dates for the following spirit days!
 FLE Parent Preview Night: December 5
Family Life Education (FLE) is taught to all grade levels, K-12, in FCPS. Students in grades K-6 receive Family Life Education (FLE) instruction from their classroom teacher. Students in Kindergarten through grade three receive instruction in an emotional and social health unit. Students in grades 4-6 receive instruction in a human growth and development unit and an emotional and social health unit. For more information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, please see the detailed grade-level program descriptions here.
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 Tuesday, December 5 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on this Zoom Link. All program materials and media for all grade levels will be available for your review at this time.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please fill out the form provided to you in your child's Thursday Folder or you may access the opt out forms online here. Alternative non-FLE health lessons are provided for children who do not take part in FLE instruction.
If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons by using the form provided earlier in the school year, you do not need to complete another form. Should you opt your child out and then later decide you want your child included in FLE instruction, you must notify your child’s teacher in writing before instruction begins.
Instruction occurs at various times for the instructional units during the school year. Please contact your child’s teacher for specific dates of FLE instruction. We look forward to working as your partner in providing information that will help your child make healthy choices related to the exciting changes and new challenges he/she will be facing in the next few years.
Full Time (Level IV) AAP Referrals Due December 15
Parents or guardians of students in grades 2-6 may initiate the Full-Time AAP (Level IV) screening process by completing and submitting an Advanced Academic Program Full-Time Level IV Referral Form to the local school on or before December 15, 2023.
If you missed our Full-Time AAP Screening and Identification Meeting and are interested in learning about the process, please contact Katelyn Spengler at kcspengler@fcps.edu.
For parents/guardians of 2nd grade students:
- 2nd grade students who receive test scores at or above the school benchmark score will be automatically screened for possible placement in the Full-time (Level IV) program. You will be notified by the school if your child will be automatically screened.
- Students whose scores do not place them in the universal screening will not receive notification.
- Please do not wait for test scores before submitting a referral as there will be no referrals for Full-time (Level IV) screening accepted past the December 15 deadline. No late referrals will be accepted.
- More information and forms are available on the AAP website.
- Referrals are accepted any time before December 15 and you will be notified that your referral has been received.
 Preparing for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place where we will post an emergency weather closing. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and plan for childcare if appropriate.
 Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. The multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare. You can also reach out to Forestdale's clinical team at forestdaleclinicalteam@fcps.edu, and they can help provide you with support.
 Give Your Student the Gift of Education
We recognize that holidays are an important time to reconnect with family and expose children to their heritage and culture, whether they grew up in another part of the United States or a different country. If your family’s holiday plans include extended travel, please remember the impact to your children’s education if they miss too much school. Visit our website for more attendance resources.
Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
 Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener in October, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices.
The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.
In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.
For more information about the screener please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.
 Holiday Assistance for Families
Forestdale is not directly providing holiday assistance this year. Rather, our Clinical Team is committed to connecting families with community resources.
If you Need Assistance
Please reach out to one of the following organizations as soon as possible.
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Koinonia
Address: 6037 Franconia Rd
Alexandria VA 22310
Phone #: 703 971-1991
https://www.koinoniacares.org/
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• You must register as a client.
• Christmas gifts, meals, small gifts, and food.
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ECHO (For those living off the Fairfax County Parkway)
Address: 7205 Old Keene Mill Rd Springfield, VA 22150
Phone #: 703 569-9160 https://www.echo-inc.org/
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• You must register as a client.
• ECHO is providing limited holiday assistance to their first-time clients.
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To Give/Donate for the Holidays
Please contact one of the following organizations.
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Marine Corps Toys for Tots
American Legion Post 176 6520 Amherst Ave, Springfield, VA 22150
Phone #: 703 440-0336
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Koinonia
Address: 6037 Franconia Rd., Alexandria, VA 22310
Phone #: 703 971-1991 https://www.koinoniacares.org/
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ECHO
Address: 78205 Old Keene Mill Rd Springfield, VA 22150
Phone #: 703 569-9160 https://www.echo-inc.org/
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World Languages Offerings in Elementary Schools Survey
Fairfax County Public Schools is considering expansion of our Dual Language Immersion programs to include new languages and school sites, as well as an expansion of new languages for our Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools program.
Parents/caregivers, please share your thoughts about expanding World Languages elementary program offerings. An FCPS survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Urdu, and Vietnamese. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. The survey is optional and will close on Friday, December 8.
 National Special Education Day: December 2nd
National Special Education Day is recognized each year on December 2 and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. We celebrate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students with special needs, as well as our families who are partners in the education and support of those students. Forestdale is grateful to our amazing special educators for their support of our incredible students!
Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Special Education Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to help assist families of students with special needs.
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.
 Chanukah: December 7-15
Chanukah, an 8-day Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple’s menorah for 8 days. This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Thursday, December 7. That day will be a half-O day, and major events cannot be scheduled that evening. Learn more about Chanukah in National Geographic Kids. See the complete school year calendar.
Bodhi Day
Bodhi Day, Friday, December 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year, including Bodhi Day. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days.Learn more about Bodhi Day in this video from the Miami Children’s Museum. See the complete school year calendar.
PTA Corner
Parents' Night Out
Parents, let the Forestdale PTA take care of your children while you enjoy a night out! For $5 per child or $10 for an entire family, kids will enjoy pizza, crafts, games and a movie while you enjoy some time to yourselves.
When: Wednesday December 13th, 6:00-8:30 pm
Where: Forestdale Cafeteria
Who: Children 4yrs of age and older (must be potty trained)
Please RSVP by Monday December 11th. Unfortunately, we need to limit attendance to 50 children; RSVP now to guarantee your spot! Click here to print and complete the registration form.
Teacher and Staff Appreciation
Let's show support to the wonderful teachers and staff at Forestdale by providing them with a potluck lunch and some delicious hot chocolate and treats. Sign-up using this Sign-Up Genius to bring in a dish or check out this Amazon Wish List to provide them with some snacks to stock the teacher's lounge.
Important Dates
December 5
FLE Parent Preview Night, 6:00 p.m. Zoom link to Join
December 8
Spirit Day: Falcon Pride Friday
December 11
Spirit Day: Peppermint Party (Wear Stripes!)
December 12
Spirit Day: Winter Around the World
December 13
Spirit Day: Holiday Head to Toe
December 14
Spirit Day: Mad About Plain
Quarter 2 Interims go Home
December 15
Spirit Day: Pajama Day
Referrals for Full-Time (Level IV) AAP Services Due
December 18- January 1
Winter Break
January 2
Happy New Year! Students Return to School
See the complete FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar.
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