FCPS

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اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

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Second grade artists created paintings with Mrs. Jarvis.

A Message from Principal Crews

Hollin Meadows Families,

Spring is officially here, and time has just flown by! We are getting ready to close out the third quarter. Remember that our teachers will be working on grades this upcoming Tuesday, April 2nd during the teacher workday and Monday is a holiday. In an effort to make sure that everyone is aware of different dates, we have sent home an April calendar, which includes our spring break dates, upcoming events, and SOL tests. We will be sending home calendars like this for the month of May and June. Next year, we will send them starting in August. I hope you find them helpful, and I suggest putting them on your refrigerator or somewhere to help keep track of important dates. 

I am sure many of you saw certificates and medals for the first quarter for perfect attendance. We have more certificates for quarters two and three. They will be going home next week. Our students are very proud of their attendance and love showing off their medals. We are continually thankful for our parents and guardians who communicate with us regularly and try to have our Hornets at school on time and ready to learn!

Hornets of the month for March will be announced next week. Thank you for reinforcing the behaviors we expect to see at our school! We want our students to be responsible, respectful, and safe throughout the school building and on school buses. We know that we cannot do it without all of you, so we thank you for your continued partnership! Our school is a beautiful, happy place. Our goal is to have hornets learn and thrive, so we need your support. 

Thank you! 

Reading Month Update

The Read Around the World Parade is Friday, April 4th @ 2:20 pm.  Students and staff can wear traditional clothing, and/or carry a flag or some other object that represents their native and/or ancestral homeland.

Read and Smile Opportunities!

“I Can Read This Library Book All By Myself!”

In the library we are encouraging students to check out books that they can read "all by myself".  We often use the 5 Finger Rule. Students read a page, and if they cannot pronounce or understand the meaning of 5 words or more, then that book may not be a good fit for them to independently read. If your child brings home a Hollin Meadows library book that they can mostly read by themselves, we want them to come back to school and read it to us. We will take their picture and place it on the library wall!

“I Love This Book”

Students who recently read a Hollin Meadows library book and LOVED it can come in the library to get their picture taken with the book. We will add their picture to the library wall!

Both photo events will continue until May 23, 2025.

Hollin Meadows Multicultural Fair

We are excited to invite you to our Multicultural Fair! The event will be held on Friday, April 4 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. We invite families to experience the many wonderful cultures that come together at Hollin Meadows! There will be food, a cultural fashion show, crafts, and performances.

Title I Family Engagement Feedback Request

We appreciate and value feedback from our school community, and we are seeking feedback from our families for the upcoming school year. Our current Title I Family Engagement Policy/Compact can be viewed HERE and the School Improvement and Innovation Plan can be viewed HERE on the Hollin Meadows' website  

Please take a moment to complete the Google form below providing feedback about our Title I Parent & Family Engagement Policy/Compact. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Title I Family Engagement Feedback 2024-25

Important Dates

March 31: No School (Eid Holiday)

April 1: No School (Teacher Workday)

April 4: Read Around the World Parade (2:20 pm) and Multicultural Fair (5:30 – 7:00 pm)

April 9: Purple Up! Day! 

April 10: Full Time AAP Information Session (5:30-6:30 pm)

April 21: 3 Hour Early Release Day

April 26: HMES Earth Day

April 28: Kindergarten Orientation (4:30 - 5:30 pm)

 

We Want Your Feedback! Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire

On Monday, March 24, parents and guardians of Hollin Meadows will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.

Topics covered in the survey include:

✅Instructional leadership

✅School climate

✅Management (human resources and organizational)

✅Communication and community relations

✅Culturally responsive and equitable leadership

✅Professionalism

The questionnaire will be open March 24 – April 4 and will be collected online. Keep an eye out for an email from [email protected] and take a few minutes to complete it.

Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and feedback!

SOL Testing Dates at Hollin Meadows

Dates for this year’s SOL tests are listed below. Please work to avoid appointments on these days so that students can test on the same day as their peers this helps ensure students do their best.

If you have questions about these tests, please visit the FCPS SOL Tests in Elementary and Middle Schools webpage or reach out to Lisa Lin, our SOL School Testing Coordinator, at 703-718-8300.

• Apr. 29: Grade 5 Science
• May 6: Grade 4 and 6 Reading
• May 8: Grade 3 and 5 Reading
• May 15: Grade 4 and 6 Math
• May 20: Grade 5 Math

⏰ Coming Soon: School Start Times Survey

Last year, FCPS held community forums and surveyed middle school families regarding middle school start times. Now, we would like to hear from all staff and families on the possibility of adjusting school start times across the division. The goal remains to begin middle school at 8 a.m. or later at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

On April 1, a survey link will be sent by email to staff, parents/caregivers, and students in grades 5-12. The confidential survey will be open for two weeks and will be available in multiple languages.

🏫 Helping Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten

We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Explore the resources on FCPS’ School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage for ways to help ensure your child starts kindergarten with confidence.

☀️ Save the Date for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza

Discover summer learning and activities available in Fairfax County! 

Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning. At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth. 

Activities will include student performances, story time, a moon bounce, and face painting. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

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Read with an Author Week at HMES

March 17th-21st  was Read with an Author Week at Hollin Meadows! Authors Ada Ari presented to the students in 3rd-6th grades, and Chakayla Absalom presented to K-2nd grade students. Thank you to our Hollin Meadows Hornets for being such a great audience for these authors! If you are interested in purchasing their books, click on the author's name to visit their website.

March Reading Month Events March 24th-28th: Read Across the World Week

We will be sharing our many languages with each other with a focus on common words such as hello, goodbye, please, and thank you.

 

The Read Around the World Parade has been rescheduled to Friday, April 4th at 2:20 pm. 

Students and staff can wear traditional clothing, carry a flag or some other object that represents their native and/or ancestral homeland.

 

Read and Smile Opportunities!

“I Can Read this Library Book All By Myself!”

In the library we are encouraging students to check out books that they can read ‘all by myself’.  We often use the 5 Finger Rule. Students read a page, and if they cannot pronounce or understand the meaning of 5 or more words, then that book may not be a good fit for them to read independently.

If your child brings home a Hollin Meadows library book that they can mostly read by themselves, we want them to come back to school and read it to us. We will take their picture and place it on the library wall!

“I Love this Book”

Students who recently read a Hollin Meadows library book and LOVED it can come in the library to get their picture taken with the book. The photo will be placed on the library wall!

Both photo events will continue until May 23rd!

Coming later this Spring: Scholastic Book Fair! HMES Get2Green Plastic Bag Collection

We are 2/3 of the way to our goal with 660 pounds of plastic collected! Our goal is 1000 pounds of plastic by June. Thank you to everyone who is bringing in those plastic bags, cereal bags, bubble wrap, produce bags, Ziploc bags, and dry cleaning bags. Keep it up! Help our school earn a free bench!

Volunteers Needed for our Earth Day Event

We need volunteers for a variety of roles for the Hollin Meadows Earth Day Event on April 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We have many projects planned to help revitalize our gardens. We would also like to have some creative projects and crafts for families at this event. We would love assistance in the planning of our Earth Day Event! Please contact Miss Ali Resch at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering.

We Want Your Feedback! Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire

On Monday, March 24, parents and guardians of Hollin Meadows will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.

Topics covered in the survey include:

✅Instructional leadership

✅School climate

✅Management (human resources and organizational)

✅Communication and community relations

✅Culturally responsive and equitable leadership

✅Professionalism

The questionnaire will be open March 24 – April 4 and will be collected online. Keep an eye out for an email from [email protected] and take a few minutes to complete it.

Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and feedback!

Important Dates

March 31: No School (Eid Holiday)

April 4: Read Around the World Parade (2:20 pm) and Multicultural Fair (5:30 – 7:00 pm)

April 9: Purple Up! Day! 

April 10: Full Time AAP Information Session (5:30-6:30 pm)

April 21: 3 Hour Early Release Day

April 26: HMES Earth Day

April 28: Kindergarten Orientation (4:30 - 5:30 pm)

West Potomac Pyramid Montessori Program

FCPS will offer a new Montessori program in the West Potomac pyramid. The program will begin in the 2025-26 school year at Bucknell Elementary School.

Families of 3, 4, and 5 year olds are invited to apply through a lottery process.  Eligible families must have a verified residence in the West Potomac pyramid. The program is free and transportation will be provided.

One special feature of the Montessori approach is having children of multiple ages in one classroom. The Montessori classroom is organized with hands-on materials, encouraging students to explore and work independently.     

The lottery application for the 2025-26 school year Montessori program at Bucknell Elementary School will be available Monday, March 10, through Thursday, May 1, 2025.  Families may learn more about the program and apply for the lottery at www.fcps.edu/montessori.

Next Steps in the Budget Process

The next steps in the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process include the School Board presenting the budget to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 22. The Board of Supervisors will then conduct public hearings Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Community members can submit testimony or sign up to speak. 

Visit the county government website to view the Fairfax County FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The community is also invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the county’s FY 2026 Advertised Budget. 

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process.

Help and Resources for Infants, Toddlers, and Their Families

Are you concerned about your infant, toddler, or preschool-aged child's development? Resources are available if your child exhibits difficulties in one or more of the following areas:

• communication, 
• fine and/or gross motor skills, 
• self-help skills, 
• problem solving 
• attention skills

Learn more about typical developmental milestones.

 

The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (ITC) is the state’s early intervention system for infants and toddlers (0-36 months) with disabilities and their families. ITC provides evaluations and services for children who have developmental delays or medical conditions that may affect development. Parents are encouraged to contact ITC at 703-246-7121 to share their concerns.

 

Early Childhood Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs between the ages of 20 months and 5 years (children must be two by September 30). 

FCPS Early Childhood Identification and Services (ECID&S) offers a free referral process to identify potential developmental delays or disabilities. Special education services are provided for all children who are found eligible through the referral process. Parents are encouraged to contact 571-423-4121 with questions or to make a referral.

✨ Helping students meet the criteria for kindergarten readiness is Goal 1 of the Strategic Plan. 

Become Unskippable: Share the Facts

Talking with teens about the facts of fentanyl is a conversation you can’t skip. Learning about fentanyl gives teens a better understanding of the risks and effects of the drug. 

Share these important facts with your child:

• Even half a fentanyl-laced pill can be fatal. Just a few salt-sized grains of fentanyl are enough to cause an overdose.
• More than half of local street pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. As of 2023, seven in
10 counterfeit pills in the U.S. contain enough fentanyl to cause a fatal overdose.
• Fentanyl is usually taken accidentally. Many people have no idea they’ve taken it until they overdose because you can’t see, smell, or taste it in pills and powders.
• Overdose can happen in an instant. In as little as four minutes, the lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage and even death.

Learn more about how to have conversations with your child in a way that will make you Become Unskippable.

🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Reid wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS on Monday, April 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mount Eagle Elementary School. Click on a date to register. Registration is not required but is encouraged for planning purposes.

Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

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Special Guest Speaker Visits Hollin Meadows

We had a special guest speaker this week! Abby Werthmann, a former Hollin Meadows student, current high school senior, and epilepsy awareness advocate joined us on Friday to talk to our students in grades 3 - 6. Our students learned about how epilepsy may affect children, and also how you can overcome obstacles to achieve your goals. Abby reminded us that Hollin Meadows Hornets can do anything as long as they stay focused on their goals and work hard. Go Hornets! 🐝

Hollin Meadows students enjoyed buddy reading with students from different classes as a part of Hollin Meadows Reading Month.

March 17th-21st: Read with an Author Week

Visits from Authors Ada Ari and Chakayla Absalom

March 24th-28th: Read Around the World Week

Students will share words in language that they speak at home

Friday March 28th-World parade!

More info about the parade will be shared later in March!

Important Dates

March 18: Integrated Reading-Writing SOL for Grade 5

March 31: No School (Eid Holiday)

April 4: Multicultural Fair (5:30 – 7:00 pm)

April 9: Purple Up! Day! 

April 10: Full Time AAP Information Session (5:30-6:30 pm)

April 21: 3 Hour Early Release Day

April 28: Kindergarten Orientation

We Want Your Feedback! Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire

On Monday, March 24, parents and guardians of Hollin Meadows will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.

Topics covered in the survey include:

✅Instructional leadership

✅School climate

✅Management (human resources and organizational)

✅Communication and community relations

✅Culturally responsive and equitable leadership

✅Professionalism

The questionnaire will be open March 24 – April 4 and will be collected online. Keep an eye out for an email from [email protected] and take a few minutes to complete it.

Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and feedback!

AAP Corner (Advanced Academics Programs)

Part Time and Subject specific AAP screenings will take place at school this spring for all K-5 students.  Please check out these links for more information on Part Time and Subject Specific Services: 

Arabic | Chinese | English | Korean | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese

If your child was referred for Full Time Services, you should receive eligibility letters by Spring Break.  

Upcoming AAP Dates

April 10 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm: Full Time AAP Info Session – Hollin Meadows

April 15: Part Time Referral Forms are due. Send them to Teresa Johnson at Hollin Meadows

April 23: Full Time AAP Center Information Session – Stratford Landing 

May 1: Full Time Appeals due date

May 5: Full Time Attendance Decisions due date

Part Time Eligibility notices will be sent out in early June.  

FCPS Budget — Our Students Deserve the Best

More than $240 million of FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget is dedicated to increasing compensation for our teachers and staff to stay competitive and reduce turnover. Currently, FCPS ranks fifth out of eight neighboring districts in regards to starting salary for teachers with a master’s degree. 

Our families expect — and our students deserve — the best teachers.

Next Steps in the Budget Process

The next steps in the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process include the School Board presenting the budget to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 22, and then the Board of Supervisors will conduct public hearings Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Community members can submit testimony or sign up to speak. 

Visit the county government website to view the Fairfax County FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The community is also invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the county’s FY 2026 Advertised Budget. 

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process. 

🍎 Reminder to Sign Up Weekly for Student Fasting Meal Kits

Students who are fasting during the school day between now and March 28 can take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families must fill out a separate request form for each week and for each student in order to receive school meal kits. To receive meal kits for the week of March 24, please fill out this form by March 17. 

Please remind your child to pick up their meals each day at our school’s designated location. Visit the Food and Nutrition Services webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.

🛑 Cameras Installed on School Bus Stop Arms

Cameras have been installed on the stop arms of 50 FCPS school buses. These cameras will be used to identify drivers who pass stopped school buses while children are entering and exiting the bus (called a “stop arm violation”). 

Warnings for drivers will begin on Wednesday, April 9. After a 30-day warning period, citations will begin to be issued on Monday, May 12.

According to Virginia law, drivers must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights on and their stop signs extended. Motorists should stop when approaching from any direction (unless there is a barrier or median separating their lane from where the bus is stopped). They should remain stopped until everyone is clear and the bus is moving. 

We appreciate our law enforcement partners for working with us to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Read more information about the stop arm cameras and all of the ways that we work with our county partners to keep students safe on their way to and from school.

📍 The Comprehensive School Boundary Review Process Explained

Want to learn more about the ongoing Comprehensive School Boundary Review process? Watch this video for explanations of terms such as attendance zones, attendance islands, split feeders, and other factors that affect school boundaries. The video will also be available in other languages soon.

 Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information and sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.

🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS on Monday, April 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mount Eagle Elementary School.

Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

Web | Twitter

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | Français | Русский

A Message from Principal Crews

Dear Hornet 🐝 Community,

Spring is in the air and our students are midway through the 3rd quarter. If your students need to work on some academic or behavior areas, you should have received an Interim Report yesterday via the Thursday folder from their teacher.

Our HMES staff are here to support your family and especially your students. Please remember to reach out to our school if you have questions or concerns.  I continue to enjoy being a part of the Hornet 🐝 community and it is a pleasure to serve our school.

A heads up that next week we will be holding a tornado drill. This week, your students did a fabulous job with the unexpected school evacuation due to a smoke smell. I can honestly say they are prepared to evacuate the building in a safe manner.

Remember to change your clocks for daylight savings on Sunday!

Thank you!

We Want Your Feedback! Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire

On Monday, March 24, parents and guardians of Hollin Meadows will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.

Topics covered in the survey include:
✅Instructional leadership
✅School climate
✅Management (human resources and organizational)
✅Communication and community relations
✅Culturally responsive and equitable leadership
✅Professionalism

The questionnaire will be open March 24 – April 4 and will be collected online. Keep an eye out for an email from [email protected] and take a few minutes to complete it.

Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and feedback!

National School Social Work Week

National School Social Work Week is March 2 - 8, 2025. Hollin Meadows is grateful for our school social worker, Salima Jiwa! Ms. Jiwa joined our staff in January 2025. She is at Hollin Meadows on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Click here to find out more about FCPS School Social Work Services.

Early Release on Monday, March 10!

Hollin Meadows students will be dismissed at 12:05 on March 10. 

Important Dates

March 10: 3 Hour Early Release Day

March 18: Integrated Reading-Writing SOL for Grade 5

March 31: No School (Student Holiday)

April 9: Purple Up! Day! 

April 28: Kindergarten Orientation 

SOL Testing Dates at Hollin Meadows

Each Spring, students in Grades 3-6 take the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in Reading and Math. Students in Grade 5 also take an Integrated Reading and Writing SOL and a Science SOL.

Dates for this year’s SOL tests are listed below. Please work to avoid appointments on these days so that students can test on the same day as their peers this helps ensure students do their best.

If you have questions about these tests, please visit the FCPS SOL Tests in Elementary and Middle Schools webpage or reach out to Lisa Lin, our SOL School Testing Coordinator, at 703-718-8300.

• Mar.18: Grade 5 Integrated Reading-Writing
• Apr. 29: Grade 5 Science
• May 6: Grade 4 and 6 Reading
• May 8: Grade 3 and 5 Reading
• May 15: Grade 4 and 6 Math
• May 20: Grade 5 Math

Grade   

Integrated

Reading-Writing

  Science  

     Math   

    Reading    

    3rd         May  20          May 8     4th         May 15      May 6     5th         March 18   April 29     May 20      May 8     6th         May 15       May 6   HMES Reading Month Events

March 10th-14th: Read with a Buddy Week

Classes will buddy up and read together!

March 17th-21st: Read with an Author Week

Visits from Authors Ada Ari and Chakayla Absalom

March 24th-28th: Read Around the World Week

Students will share words in language that they speak at home

Friday March 28th-World parade!

More info about the parade will be shared later in March!

Student Fasting Meal Kits

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and FCPS will be offering meal kits for students who are fasting February 28 to March 28, 2025!  The school meal kits will provide a healthy meal that includes protein, fruits, vegetables, milk, and whole grains.  Students may only pick up the kits if they do not eat at school that day.  If you would like your child(ren) to receive the meal kits, you must submit a request each week by filling out the form on the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

• MONDAY, March 10, 2025, for the week of March 17, 2025
• MONDAY, March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025

Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.  Please make sure you use the right form for each week. Contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions by emailing [email protected]. or by calling 703-813-4800.

Kindergarten Registration

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.

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

💻 Try Online Registration

Online registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. Parents/caregivers may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. 

When registering, parents/caregivers will need to create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Melissa Breen, our school registrar.

📅 Kindergarten Orientation at Hollin Meadows will be on April 18 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. More details will be shared in future newsletters and on our school website.

🏫 Developing a Strong Academic Foundation, Curiosity, and Joy for Learning

The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan. 

A strong start for every student is Goal 1 of the Strategic Plan. Pre-K classrooms are making a difference in our community. In this video, we explore the importance of bringing children under the age of five together, regardless of abilities.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date and learn about opportunities to provide feedback to Fairfax County and FCPS.

💬 Share Your Input on the County Budget

The Fairfax County government presented its Fiscal Year 2026 Advertised Budget Plan to the Board of Supervisors on February 18. The community is invited to share feedback through an online survey, email, phone calls, or by attending Budget Town Hall meetings.

🧸 Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs 

FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County. 

Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children 3 years old by September 30. Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and for children 6 weeks to 2 years old.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however, space is limited and provided based on need, not “first come, first serve.” Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail, or in person at our office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.  

If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).

🗣️ Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens

Discussing tough topics like fentanyl and other drugs can feel challenging — no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses. Prepare in advance with the tips below:

• Set the stage. Choose a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Talk while driving, taking a walk, or doing chores together. 
• Make it a two-way discussion. Ask open-ended questions. 
• Stay patient and reserve judgment. 
• Check in with your child early and often. 

Visit our website for more information on how to Become Unskippable with your teens.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

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Thank you to the Hollin Meadows PTA for their Smart Talk and Dinner Event!

Our PTA was awarded a grant to facilitate a PTA Connected: The Smart Talk digital safety conversation with our families. The Smart Talk is an interactive online tool that walks families through a series of guided digital safety and online privacy questions, helping facilitate open, positive conversations that result in a personalized family technology agreement. Our families enjoyed having dinner together while learning more about how to be safe online.

Click here to learn more about our amazing PTA! Ramadan Mubarak to those in our community who observe! Ramadan starts tonight, Feb. 28, and lasts until March 29. Important Dates

Mar. 4 - Family Science Night

Mar. 6 - Spring Picture Day

Mar. 7 - Spelling Bee 

See below for details about the HMES Reading Spirit Week and other Reading Month events!

HMES March Reading Month  Read Across America Spirit Week is March 3-7

Monday, March 3rd: “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”

College READy day! Wear a college t-shirt or hat, OR wear any shirt or hat with words on it!

Tuesday, March 4th: “Cozy up to a Good Book”

Wear your pajamas to school

Wednesday, March 5th: “Rhyme Time”

Pair up with a friend and wear something that rhymes.  If your need some ideas, then check out our brainstorming wall near the library!

Thursday, March 6th: “Smile and say Read”

Dress up for class picture day!

Friday, March 7th: “What a Character”

Dress up like your favorite character from a book!  Remember to wear something comfortable for the day and no face paint or toy weapons.  Photos will be taken and shared!

Additional HMES March Reading Month Events

March 10th-14th: Read with a Buddy Week

Classes will buddy up and read together!

March 17th-21st: Read with an Author Week

Visits from Authors Ada Ari and Chakayla Absalom

March 24th-28th: Read Around the World Week

Students will share words in language that they speak at home

Friday March 28th-World parade!

More info about the parade will be shared later in March!

Student Fasting Meal Kits

Student Fasting Meal Kits for March 3 - March 28, 2025

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and FCPS will be offering meal kits for students who are fasting February 28 to March 28, 2025!  The school meal kits will provide a healthy meal that includes protein, fruits, vegetables, milk, and whole grains.  Students may only pick up the kits if they do not eat at school that day.  If you would like your child(ren) to receive the meal kits, you must submit a request each week by filling out the form on the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

• MONDAY, March 3, 2025, for the week of March 10, 2025
• MONDAY, March 10, 2025, for the week of March 17, 2025
• MONDAY, March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025

Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.  Please make sure you use the right form for each week. Contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions by emailing [email protected]. or by calling 703-813-4800.

Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites their child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

📖 Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Third Grade

The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan. 

Across FCPS, teachers, staff, parents, and even older students are invested in helping our youngest learners grow their love of reading from a strong foundation. 

The goal is for students to move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by the end of the third grade. Reading on grade level is connected to other Strategic Plan goals, including completing advanced coursework and graduating on time. 

Last fall, FCPS introduced a new reading curriculum that aligns with evidence-based literacy instruction. Between fall and winter, reading screener results show more than a 4% increase in the number of students in kindergarten to third grade approaching or meeting expectations. Similarly, 3.4% more third graders demonstrate strong foundations of reading and 8.4% more third graders are mastering grade-level standards. 

Discover how an elementary school employs a science-based approach, including phonics, to supercharge students' reading.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date.

🚀 Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun

Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.

Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore activities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps.

E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes. 

For more information, see the Summer Learning page.

💛 2025 Family Summit - Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging! (an Extension of the Special Education Conference)

Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners. The summit will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.

This event will feature: 

• Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
• Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.

• Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
• Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.

Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process. 

Learn more about this event and register today! Contact [email protected] for more information.

🗣️ Connect With Your Kids: Simple Steps to Stronger Communication

Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. How do you connect with your children and really know what's going on in their lives? How can you become “unskippable”?

Effective communication can build trust and understanding, but it takes thought, planning, and effort. 

The latest Healthy Minds Blog offers practical strategies to improve communication and build strong, lasting relationships:

• Ditch distractions and create a safe space where your child feels comfortable opening up.
• Listen actively and validate their feelings, even if you don't agree.
• Ask "how" questions instead of "what" questions to get them talking about their experiences.

For more tips and techniques, read the full article on the Healthy Minds Blog, which shares information related to youth mental health and wellness.

For support on talking with your teen about difficult subjects like fentanyl, discover how to Become Unskippable.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

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اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

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HMES Students with the West Potomac Area Orchestra

Thirteen Hollin Meadows student musicians performed in a concert on Thursday night as a part of the West Potomac Area Orchestra. The orchestra was comprised of string players from the West Potomac Pyramid elementary schools. The students had the opportunity to meet their future middle school director and fellow musicians. 

Our group of musicians from Hollin Meadows rehearsed after school five times with our strings teacher, Ms. Herrera. They also met with her for extra practice to learn some challenging pieces. 

All of their hard work paid off when they performed on stage at Sandburg Middle School last night. We are so proud of them! 

Young Scholars Field Trip

Our Young Scholars took a fantastic field trip to Washington, D.C today. They visited the Navy Yard to see the United States Navy Band perform at the Sail Loft. The Sail Loft is the rehearsal and performance space for the band. The trip was lead by our AAP teacher, Mrs. Johnson. Mrs. Johnson's husband is a Senior Chief Musician with the Concert and Ceremonial Band, so the students had a special opportunity to meet him and learn more about the Navy Band. Click here to visit the The United States Navy Band website to learn more about what the Navy Band does.

Important Dates

Mar. 4 - Family Science Night

Mar. 6 - Spring Picture Day

Mar. 7 - Spelling Bee 

🌟 VDH Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders 

As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations: 

• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
• Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
• A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. 

• After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.

Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

📐 Breaking Down the Budget: Supporting Academic Growth and Algebra by Eighth Grade

The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan. 

Since the 2023-24 school year, FCPS has seen a 9.5% increase in eighth graders taking Algebra I or more advanced math and a 6.8% increase in fifth graders in advanced math.

Studies show that students who complete algebra in middle school have more opportunities to take advanced math and science courses in high school. This can open up new academic paths for students! Watch a video that shows why eighth grade algebra matters. 

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

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Hollin Meadows students celebrated the 100th day of school on Feb. 13 and Valentine's Day on Feb. 14. Important Dates

Feb. 17 - No school (President's Day)

Feb. 27 - PTA Meeting (SmartTalk Communications Event)

Mar. 4 - Family Science Night

Mar. 6 - Spring Picture Day

Mar. 7: Spelling Bee 

HMES PTA's SmartTalk Family Conversation

The HMES PTA is hosting a family conversation about digital safety on Thursday, Feb 27. Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm. The Smart Talk program will be from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

During this event, families will learn how to:

1. Make the best online choices for themselves and their families
2. Have honest conversations about technology use
3. Set technology rules everyone can agree on

Click here to register for this event.

HMES PTA's Family Science Night

The HMES PTA has partnered with the Children's Science Center to host the HMES Family Science Night on Tuesday, March 4th from 6:00 - 7:30pm in HMES Cafeteria. The PTA is looking for 16 volunteers to run science stations. Volunteers need to be ages 16 and older. Sign up to be a volunteer by clicking the following link: HMES PTA Volunteer Opportunities

🐻 It’s 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.

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

 

💻 Try Online Registration

Online registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. Parents/caregivers may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. 

When registering, parents/caregivers will need to create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Melissa Breen, our school registrar.

💜 FCPS Purple Up! T-Shirts and Hoodies

April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to honor and celebrate the resilience, courage, and contributions of FCPS military-connected children. FCPS will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Interested families may purchase the FCPS Purple Up! T-shirt and/or hoodie between now and March 7, 2025. You do not need to purchase a shirt to show your support. Students and families may also show support by wearing other purple clothing items on April 9. 

🤧 Protect Yourself and Your Community From the Flu

Fairfax County is experiencing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Read a letter from the health department. 

The health department suggests taking the following steps to reduce the spread of flu and other germs:    

• Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others while ill, wearing a mask can help reduce spread.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.

According to the health department, to help prevent or reduce the spread of illness it is important for individuals who are sick to stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. Visit this Attendance webpage for guidance on when your child should go to school.

🍎 Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28

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.

🌟 Learn More About How Your Child Feels at School

The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-12 in March. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop the skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who do not have a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Breaking Down the Budget: Investing in Our Classrooms

Did you know that more than 85% of FCPS’ budget stays in our classrooms? Currently, 92.5% of FCPS staff are school-based, more than neighboring school districts. We are in the middle of FCPS’ annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback. Learn more about the proposed FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget and see the budget timeline.

🏗️ FCPS’ Construction Projects Offer Community-Wide Benefits

The Fairfax County School Board approved the annual update to FCPS’ FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at their regular board meeting last week. A CIP is a working budget document that shows the timing and costs of improvement to school buildings, such as renovations, additions, and new schools. Learn more about planned improvements.

Fairfax County Public Schools’ updated plans for new school construction, capacity enhancements, and renovations are outlined in the CIP. Projects include constructing two new elementary schools; renovations at 18 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools; and relocation of modular buildings.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

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اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

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HMES Hornets shared their goals for the Accomplishment Walk.

A Message from Ms. Crews

Dear Hornet Community,

This week was busy! It was nice to see our families at the 5th & 6th Grade Winter Concert on Tuesday. I think we can all agree that our students did a wonderful job playing instruments and singing in chorus. Our teachers worked hard with our oldest Hornets, and it showed. It was also nice to have parents join us for the AVID and AAP Parent Coffee this morning. The presentation lead by the AVID presenter and Ms. Teresa Johnson was thorough and well received. A few parents asked for the presentation to be shared. We will be placing it on Schoology so all our families can access it. Our plan moving forward is to house some of our school presentations on this platform.

I continue to feel extremely lucky to be your principal. Our students are continuing to grow in showing our Hornet Values on a regular basis. Please partner with us and discuss the importance of being respectful, responsible, and safe throughout our school, at home, and on the bus. Take a look at the images above to see how happy and proud the students felt at our Accomplishment Walk this past Monday.

Sincerely,

Jasibi Crews

Parents attended the Principal's Coffee to learn more about the AAP and AVID programs.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the HMES Winter Concert! Calendar Reminders

Feb. 10: Three-Hour Early Release Monday for Hollin Meadows

Feb.17: Student Holiday (President's Day)

Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations

Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!

Starting Monday, May 19, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE. 

Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Countywide lottery registration for the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program for first graders in the 2025-26 school year is open through Thursday, February 13, at 4 p.m. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program through Thursday, March 6, at 4 p.m.  

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Interested parents/caregivers may attend an informational meeting at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program registration page for a list of meetings by language offered. 

Get more details on the DLI Program webpage.

🧲 Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts. 

Registration for the 2025-26 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 4, through Friday, April 4. Learn more about the programs on the Elementary Magnet Schools page and information on the magnet lottery on our Registration page.

📅 Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration (Note: Date Change)

FCPS’ Chief Equity Office invites the community to an Inaugural Black History Month Kickoff Celebration on Wednesday, February 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.   

The event begins with a light reception followed by a formal program, From the Threads of Our Past to the Fabric of Our Future. The program will honor the enduring contributions of Black history and culture while envisioning a future rooted in equity and excellence. It will include inspiring performances, personal stories, reflections, and opportunities to connect and celebrate. The event is open to the entire community. 

For more information, contact Nina Thomas, senior manager for Professional Learning and Cultural Responsiveness.

🗣️ Students Invited to Share Their Voices at the 2025 Family Summit

The 2025 FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, March 15, at South Lakes High School. Visit the Family Summit webpage for more information. 

At the event, FCPS students are invited to showcase projects and advocacy efforts around inclusivity in schools. This is a great resume-building opportunity, and students can earn service hours as well. Students may share their work in a share-fair environment using posters, essays, videos, songs, or art. They will interact with attendees through conversations about their work, ideas, and efforts to foster inclusivity in school communities. 

Students must use this Google Form to participate by Monday, February 17. A list of possible projects is also on the form. More information will be provided after the student’s submission is received. Please contact Manuel Gomez Portillo with any questions. 

✨ Centering student voice is part of FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. 

 

FCPS Proposed Budget Progress

The Fairfax County School Board discussed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at their work session on February 4. They discussed details regarding student enrollment and investments in students requiring additional support, market comparison data for surrounding school divisions, and an update on progress toward achieving the Baldrige Award for Performance Excellence. Baldrige is a framework used to assess and improve organizational performance across various sectors, including education. 

The School Board also held a public hearing on the FY 2026 Proposed Budget on Tuesday, February 4, where they invited the community to share their feedback on the budget.

On Tuesday, February 18, the Fairfax County executive will present the county’s Advertised Budget, and the Fairfax County School Board will hold a work session on the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget. View FCPS’ Budget Development Calendar.

Breaking Down the Budget

More than 85% of the budget is dedicated to instruction and reflects the needs of our community’s young people in response to the changing world around us. Budget priorities include providing competitive compensation for all employees, including a 7% salary increase for all staff. The majority of the budget increase is dedicated to that proposed 7% pay increase.  

Our families want their children in high-quality schools with the best teachers who provide rigorous academic experiences. We must provide competitive compensation to attract and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students. 

The proposed 7% salary increase would likely move FCPS to the highest starting salary for teachers with a master's degree among our neighboring counties and greatly improve our recruitment efforts amidst an ongoing teacher shortage. Visit the Budget webpage for more information.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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Hollin Hornet Community,

We have officially ended the second quarter of the 2025-26 school year, and we are officially halfway through the school year. Report cards for our Hornets will go home Thursday, February 6th. If you have concerns or questions for our teachers, please feel free to reach out to them to schedule a conference. Our Kindergarten through 6th grade students will be celebrating their Accomplishment Walk Monday morning and our amazing staff have started working with them to set new goals for 3rd quarter. Ask your students what they are working on and what they accomplished during second quarter.

A huge thank you to ALL parents, students, and staff who participated in our Math and Literacy Night. It was a lot of fun for all of us. Our staff worked hard to come up with fun and engaging math and literacy activities. Join me in sending a humungous thank you to our school staff village! We all love our Hornets and we value what we do!

Thank you,

Principal Crews

Hornets of the Month of January!

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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Hollin Meadows Hornet Community,

Happy New Year! It is so nice to have all of our students and staff back in the building. I am sure that 2025 will be a great year for all of us! Most of our students are already engaged in writing goals for the rest of the school year. Our Morning Meetings in the classrooms as well as our K-2nd and 3rd-6th Community Meetings this week were all about resetting using Responsive Classroom. Our staff are working hard to teach the Benchmark Reading Curriculum, science, math, and so on.

As a reminder we really need for parents to use the Kiss and Ride drop off and pick up lane at arrival and dismissal. It is very unsafe to park across the school and walk over when we have buses and heavy traffic. We have received a lot of complaints from the neighbors who live on Nordok regarding this issue. Please help us keep everyone safe and refrain from parking on Nordok Place. Everyone should use the Kiss and Ride section. We have HMES staff and patrols who are stationed to assist students. I am attaching an image so everyone can see the gridlock I am referring to when buses are trying to pass and cars are parked on Nordok.

                         

Thank you for your continued partnership. We love our Hornet students, staff, and families and want to keep everyone safe.

Sincerely,

Proud Principal Jasibi Crews

December Hornets of the Month Upcoming Events Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day-Holiday January 20, 2025

"Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education" - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

6th Grade Field Trip to Sandburg MS January 22, 2025

6th Grade Performing Arts at Sandburg Middle School.  Performances from: Chamber Orchestra, Advanced Choir, Advanced Theatre, and Symphonic Band!

Math and Literacy Night January 30, 2025 - 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Join us for pizza. Then learn some fun, educational math and literacy games you can play at home. 

Chorus, Band, and Orchestra Winter Concert February 4, 2025 - 6:30 p.m.

Dear Hollin Meadows Families,

Hollin Meadows Chorus, Band, and Orchestra will perform their winter concert on Tuesday February 4 at 6:30 PM in the cafeteria.  All student performers will need to be seated at 6 PM.  Student should wear all black or concert black and white.

Our winter concert will include performances from our 5th & 6th grade Chorus, 6th grade Band, and 5th & 6th grade Orchestra.

Thank you for supporting the Hollin Meadows Music Programs! We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday February4!                                                                   

Sincerely,

Johanna Salas – Band Director

Danielle Herrera – Orchestra Director

Molly Hill & Brian Welfle – Chorus Director

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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A Message from Ms. Crews

Happy New Year to everyone in our Hollin Meadows community! I hope that you and your family found time to rest as well as connect with loved ones. Our custodial team was busy over the break with deep cleaning and preparing for the return of students this coming Monday.

As I write this, that it seems like snow might be visiting us according to my weather app and the local news. We know that the weather in this area can change rapidly, so please stay tuned for all weather alerts from FCPS. When a 2-hour delayed opening is announced, students may begin arriving no earlier than 10:30am. Please do not drop off students before that as there is no supervision.

As always, thank you for your partnership with us in your child's education at Hollin Meadows. We love our Hornets and cannot wait to see them for the New Year!

Jasibi Crews, Principal

❄️ 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 to find out about emergency weather closings. 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. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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

 

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

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☃️ Have a safe and restful Winter Break! ☃️ We are looking forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Important Dates

Dec. 23 - Jan. 3: Winter Break (Schools are closed)

Jan. 16: Math and Literacy Night (5:30 - 7:30 pm)

🔍 Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites their child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. 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 among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform. 

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for FCPS’ Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year. 

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered. 

Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and the DLI Program Registration webpage.

🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

• Overcoming School Refusal and Resistance
• Virtual Meeting for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
• FCPS Math Week
• Supporting Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills
• Depression in Teens
• Understanding Trauma in Your Child/Comprendiedo el Trauma en su Hijo (presented in Spanish)

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

🌟Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.

📣 Sign Up and Speak Out: Fairfax County’s Pre-2025 Session Public Hearing

The Fairfax County delegation to the Virginia General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2025 session on Saturday, January 4, at 9 a.m., in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center. 

As Fairfax County residents, you may sign up in advance to speak at the hearing and let the delegation know what matters most to you. To participate, register online using this form or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711) by noon on Thursday, January 2. Find additional guidelines for speaking at the public forum on the Fairfax County Government website. 

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:

• Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 

• Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 

• Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 

• Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

• Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
• Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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

 

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

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We are excited to announce our Outstanding Employee Awards winners for 2024-2025!

Outstanding Leader: Assistant Principal Lisa Alderton

Outstanding Teacher: Danielle Lane (Grade 4)

Outstanding Operational Employee: Kitchen/Cafeteria Manager Greg Thomas

Outstanding Professional: Counselor Leslie Fry

Outstanding New Teacher: Haimanot Solomon (Grade 5)

We are so thankful for everything that these staff members do to make our school a great place to learn! These staff members have been selected to move to the pyramid level and compete against the winners from other schools in the West Potomac pyramid. We appreciate the kind words that were shared about all the staff members who were nominated. You can learn more about the Outstanding Employee Awards by visiting the FCPS website.

HMES Student Council’s 5 Days of School Spirit

Monday December 16th: Twin Day or Favorite Color Day

Tuesday December 17th: Crazy Hair or Socks Day

Wednesday December 18th: Hat or Sportswear Day

Thursday December 19th: Pajama Day

Friday December 20th: Holiday Wear Day

❄️ Operation Snowflake PTA Fundraiser

Have you sent your beloved HMES staff members an Operation Snowflake card yet?? There is still time! Open a bit longer, fill out the online form below, or send the paper form back with your child you got in last week’s Thursday folder, and the PTA will deliver a handmade card (like the one pictured) to the staff of your choice! All funds stay directly with the PTA to help with our programming this year! 💙💛

https://hollinmeadowspta.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/7235

Winter Singalong Friday, December 20

Join us as we gather as a school community to sing songs as at our annual Winter Singalong on Friday, December 20 from 1:15 -1:45 p.m. in the cafeteria. Families, please enter the school through the front doors and check in with the main office before going to the cafeteria.

Important Dates

Dec. 15: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes. Click here for more information.

Dec. 20: Winter Singalong - 1:15-1:45 p.m. 

Dec. 23 - Jan. 3: Winter Break (Schools are closed)

Jan. 6: Schools reopen

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow

We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families far away and exposing your children to their heritage and culture, whether you grew up in another part of the United States or a different country. The price of plane tickets often influences when you want to travel. When booking extended travel, please keep in mind the costs to your children’s education if they miss too much school. Visit our website for more attendance resources. 

SIS ParentVue Accounts

Have you set up your SIS ParentVUEaccount yet? It's a great tool for staying connected with your child's school. 

Update Contact Information

Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from our school and FCPS by adding your cell phone number and email to SIS ParentVUE. To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon. 

Complete Permission Forms

Families can now easily give permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account. You can easily opt your child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. You may also change how your student’s information is managed.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool. 

Submit Absences

Parents/caregivers can submit up to two full-day absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Absences longer than two days, partial day absences, and changes of transportation should still be reported to our front office. 

Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet? Contact our registrar Melissa Breen for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

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
• Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
• VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
• 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.

⛄Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

Community Meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review

If you did not get a chance to attend one of the recent community meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review, please consider attending the final meeting in this first phase of the boundary review process. The Region 1 meeting will take place Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m.,in the Madison High School cafeteria. Register today. If you are unable to participate, stay tuned for details about virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings coming early next year.

View FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.

2310 Nordok Place, Alexandria, VA 22306  |  Phone: 703.718.8300

Attendance: 703.718.8383 or [email protected]

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