Important Upcoming Dates
Friday, 11/21
Last Day for Food Drive: Donation boxes in the lobby
Friday, 11/21
Last Day of Book Fair
Monday, 11/24
Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Zoom (Details below)
Tuesday, 11/25
Pajama Day!
Wednesday, 11/26 - Friday, 11/28
Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, 12/9
Family Life Education (FLE) Parent Preview Night (Details below)
Wednesday, 12/10
3-Hour Early Release
Monday, 12/15
AAP Referrals Due (Details below)
Thursday, 12/18
Virtual PTA Meeting 7 pm
 Check out Sangster's Instagram page for fun coverage of this event!
Attention Parents of Students in Grades 2-6
Join Us for the Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Referral Refresher!
Date & Time: Monday, Nov. 24 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Zoom Link: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/98286934761?pwd=Ffa1fSPBEkpJqRcTTTBT6eCxrxwXEs.1
Some advanced learners require a full-time advanced academic program (AAP) that offers differentiated instruction across all four core content areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. Students eligible for Full-Time AAP services are cluster-grouped with peers who have similar academic needs and receive a curriculum that is specifically designed for acceleration, depth, and complexity in these subjects.
Full-time AAP services continue through Grade 8, and students do not need to be reevaluated each year.
What You'll Learn
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Curriculum Overview: Explore FCPS’ rigorous Full-Time AAP instructional program in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
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How to Apply for the Program: Step-by-step guidance on the application process.
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Eligibility Criteria: Discover the holistic approach to central screening.
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Interactive Q&A: Engage with our AART, Ms. Biberaj, and get your questions answered!
Can’t Make It?
If you have to miss this session, don’t worry! We will have zoom office hours for any additional questions or support:
Friday, December 5th from 9:30 - 11 am
Connect with Ms. Biberaj anytime at LBiberaj@fcps.edu.
Link to Full-Time AAP Referral form: https://www.fcps.edu/system/files/forms/2023-08/aap-fulltimeservicesreferralform-english.pdf
Deadline Alert: Full-Time AAP Referrals Due December 15
Email completed referral forms to both LBiberaj@fcps.edu and JARedford@fcps.edu
SEL Screener Results
The SEL Screener Parent/Guardian Report and Guide is now posted in SIS Parent VUE under the Documents tab. Click here for tips about talking to your student about their screener results. If you have any further questions or concerns about your child’s results, you may reach out to your child’s school counselor, Paula Augenstein PHAugenstein@fcps.edu or Lisa Railan ltrailan@fcps.edu, or classroom teacher.
Pajama Day Tuesday!
 Wear your (school-appropriate) PJs to school on Tuesday, Nov. 25, to kick off the Thanksgiving weekend holiday!
 Family Life Education (FLE) Parent Preview Night Tuesday, Dec. 9
FLE Parent Preview Night will take place in person, at Sangster, on Tuesday, December 9, from 6-6:30 pm for grades K – 3; and 6:30 – 7:30 pm for grades 4 – 6 (room locations TBD).
During this evening, teachers will share grade-level specific lessons and answer any questions related to the FLE curriculum.
All students in grades K-6 participate in teacher-led social emotional lessons throughout the school year, unless opted-out by a parent.
Additionally, students in grades 4-6 will participate in Human Growth and Development lessons the week before Winter Break, unless opted-out by a parent.
Opt-out forms were available via Parent Digital Consent (PDC) at the beginning of the year. Parents still looking to opt their child out of one or more FLE lessons, should complete, print, and return the paper forms, available on the FCPS Web site, ASAP.
6th Grade Updates from the School Counselor
 Transition to Middle School
We are starting the exciting time of preparing for the transition to middle school. This information will be sent in your child’s classroom newsletter each week, too. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Paula Augentein, School Counselor, with any questions! phaugenstein@fcps.edu. Both Lake Braddock and Irving will send communication to families. For a chart of upcoming middle school transition dates click here. Please reach out to Mrs. Augenstein, phaugenstein@fcps.edu, if you know your child is planning on going to a middle school next year other than Lake Braddock or Irving, so we may assist you.
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Week of December 8 – 11
Lake Braddock Rising 7th Grade Video Presentation: Students will watch a video created by Lake Braddock counselors about course selections. There will be a google form students can use to ask any questions they may have before academic advising begins January 5. Students will receive a paper course selection sheet at the time of the video presentation.
December 15
Lake Braddock Curriculum Night for Rising 7th and 8th Grade:
6-6:30pm AAP Sessions, 6:30-8 pm – Curriculum Night Program
Families are invited to visit Lake Braddock Secondary School to learn more about course offerings. At 6 pm, there will be an optional rising 7th grade Advanced Academic Center Meeting.
January 5
Signed LBSS course selection sheets due to Mrs. Augenstein
Washington Irving Middle School
January 13 or 14 (TBD)
Student morning field trip to Irving Middle School to tour the school and observe elective course options. This is a student-only event for students planning on attending Irving next year.
January 15, 6–8 pm
Irving Curriculum Night for families
 Lake Braddock Middle School Curriculum Fair Monday, Dec. 15, 6:30-8 pm!
3rd-6th Graders: Spelling Bee Registration Closes Dec. 21
Registration for the 2026 Sangster PTA Spelling Bee is now open! The Sangster PTA Spelling Bee is open to 3rd through 6th grade students and will be held in the Sangster Cafeteria on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 (6:00–9:00 p.m.).
All interested students must register in advance for the Bee. Final day of registration is Sunday, December 21, 2025. No registrations will be accepted after Sunday, December 21, 2025.
The winner of the Sangster Spelling Bee will go on to compete with the other local school spelling bee champions at the Fairfax County Spelling Bee on March 22, 2026, at Lake Braddock Secondary School.
To register for the spelling bee, please submit your registration form here:
https://forms.gle/UcXJFtALmHyJAqsV8
******Download the Spelling Bee words here please******
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qB9C0RrncChGA6YWXyiSSxuBGrxm0gCv?usp=drive_link
Questions? Please contact our Sangster Spelling Bee Coordinator, Danielle Aromando, at danielle.aromando@gmail.com.
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Last Chance to Support Lake Braddock Chorus Poinsettia Fundraiser!
 There's still time to order your poinsettias and support the Lake Braddock Chorus! The deadline has been extended to Monday, Nov. 24.
6" Red Poinsettia - $12/plant
8" Red Poinsettia - $17/plant
6" Red Poinsettia for Donation - $12/plant
Poinsettias will be ready for pickup on Dec. 1 from 3:15 pm - 5 pm outside the Chorus Room. Place your order today at https://lbchorus.org/poinsettia.
 Information for Military Families
November is Military Family Month
Celebrate Military Family Month: It’s our opportunity every year to honor the sacrifices and resilience of our military Families. See long list of unique opportunities to celebrate and support your military family.
Educational Supports for Military-Connected Students
Varsity Tutors provides tutoring and homework help at no cost to active-duty service members and their eligible dependents.
For in-person tutoring, please contact the Family Resource Center for a current list of FCPS employees available for tutoring services. Please visit In-Person Tutors and Tutoring for more information.
The Army Educational Outreach Program provides both students and teachers a collaborative, cohesive portfolio of Army-sponsored STEM programs that effectively engage, inspire, and attract the next generation of STEM talent through K through college programs and expose them to DoD STEM careers.
Employment Opportunities at Fort Belvoir MWR
Join the team that takes care of our Soldiers, Civilians and their Families. At Fort Belvoir Family and MWR, we have multiple positions available. Don't miss this opportunity to take care of those who protect our great nation. FB MWR Job Opportunities
New to Fort Belvoir and Community?
Newcomer Orientation meets once a month!
Military Holiday Food Distribution
Skip the holiday food shopping this year, Family and MWR has your meal covered!
Nov 22, 2025, 11 am - 1 pm
Army Community Service is offering a one-stop shop for all of your holiday meal needs with pre-packaged meal kits and frozen turkey to feed your family! No registration is required, simply present your valid Military ID Card and get to cooking those seasonal favorites your family will gobble right up. Happy Thanksgiving from the Family and MWR team!
Meal Kits Include:
- Frozen turkey
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Canned goods and more
Eligibility: Active Duty Military, Title 10 Reservists, Retirees and Family Members.
Cost
Free!
Volunteer Opportunities
The Armed Forces Hostess Association (AFHA), located in the Pentagon, is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to serving the personal information needs of members of all branches of the armed forces, their families and government civilian personnel. Our volunteers (past and present) are spouses of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard service members who take pride in maintaining the most complete source of non-classified information on base facilities and amenities available to our unique military family community.
THE AFHA CREED: "If we don't know the answer, we will make every effort to find it."
Operation Homefront
This program allows members to serve throughout the year at our Family Events such as including Back-to-School Brigade®, Holiday Meals for Military®, and Star-Spangled Babies®. Because of the kind of family support our events provide, our strongest need for volunteers occurs during the months of June – August and October – December. Your decision to join our Volunteer Reserves would grant us the opportunity to serve even more families at our events and spread the mission of Operation Homefront to those who need it most.
Early Release Wednesdays (12:55 pm dismissal)
December 10
February 18
March 18
April 22
May 13
Attendance
Report absences online through ParentVue, by email, or by calling 703-644-8282. Visit our attendance page for more information!
School Hours, Late Arrival Policy, Early Pick Up
School hours are 9:10 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.
**Students who arrive after 9:10 a.m. must be walked into the main office and signed in by an adult.**
If you need to pick your student up early, come to the office with your ID, and we will call your student down. Early pick up cut-off time is 3:30 pm.
Quick Links
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