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Friday, February 13, 2026
Dear Waynewood Owls,
We were finally able to settle into the rhythm of a full five-day week. It was wonderful to see our students’ faces every day this week, and the building was full of excitement as we reached two very big milestones today: the 100th Day of School and our Valentine’s Day class celebrations. This is always a magical day in an elementary school, where many new memories are made! The kindness and friendship on display during our card exchanges today was the perfect way to cap off a productive week.
Amidst the celebration, we also marked the midpoint of our journey together. Report cards were sent home in backpacks this past Wednesday and are currently available for you to view online through ParentVUE. I encourage you to take a quiet moment this weekend to sit with your child and celebrate their progress. Whether it is a mastered math concept or a glowing comment about their citizenship, these milestones deserve a high-five.
If you are looking for a way to keep the Friday festivities going without having to worry about cooking, please join us in the Waynewood parking lot this evening! The DC Slices truck will once again be on-site serving up fresh pizza. It is a fantastic way to treat your Valentines to a delicious meal while simultaneously supporting our incredible PTA. Speaking of our PTA, I want to extend a massive "thank you" to everyone who contributed to today’s Staff Chili Bar. It is a legendary tradition here at Waynewood, and I can confidently tell you that the warmth of that meal (and your kindness) truly fueled our teachers today.
Please take note of a few changes to our schedule for the coming days. There will be no school this Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents Day. Additionally, students will stay home on Tuesday, February 17, while our staff engages in a dedicated Teacher Work Day. We look forward to seeing everyone back in the classroom on Wednesday! Once we return, the fun continues quickly with our highly anticipated BINGO Night on Thursday, February 19. It is always a night of laughter and friendly competition that you won’t want to miss.
I hope your long weekend is filled with rest, relaxation, and perhaps a little bit of extra chocolate from your Valentine. We will see you all on Wednesday!
Sincerely,
Katie Cachine, Principal
Alyssa Bonner, Assistant Principal
Allison Ovalle, Assistant Principal
 This week Dan Storck, the Mount Vernon District Supervisor, joined us in character as Abraham Lincoln to celebrate President Lincoln's birthday. Mr. Storck read Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner to kindergarten and 1st grade students. He answered questions about Abe Lincoln and even showed them what was in his hat! A big thank you to Mr. Storck for spending time with our Waynewood Owls this week!
Notices were emailed this week about all books currently checked out. Thank you for helping students return any that are overdue. Have a nice weekend!
At Waynewood, the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. To ensure we are using the most effective tools available, FCPS is transitioning from our current visitor sign-in process to the Raptor Visitor Management System.
While you are used to checking in at the front office, this new system provides a more robust, real-time screening process that enhances our ability to protect our elementary community.
What is Changing?
The biggest change is how we verify identity. To enter the school building beyond the front office, all visitors must bring a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) to be scanned into the system.
How the New Process Works
- ID Scan: On your first visit, the office staff will scan your ID. The system instantly checks your information against national databases and school-specific alerts.
- Visitor Badge: Once cleared, Raptor will print a visitor badge featuring your name, photo, and the date/time of your visit.
- Future Visits: The system remembers your profile, making subsequent check-ins even faster—though you will still need to have your ID on hand.
Why the Switch?
By moving to Raptor, we are replacing manual logs with a digital database that allows us to know exactly who is in the building at all times and ensures that everyone at Waynewood has been properly vetted.
We appreciate your patience as we transition to this new technology. Thank you for helping us keep Waynewood a safe place for our students to learn!
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
On Monday, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students received an email to participate in a voluntary and confidential survey. (Please check your spam folder if you have not received it.)
Questions refer to proposed changes to FCPS’ SR&R document for next year. This document outlines the rules that students are expected to follow, and guidelines for consequences if those expectations are not met. Possible changes include:
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Universal Discipline: Charts will list consequences and supports for students. They will help ensure that two students of the same grade will be treated fairly and receive the same level of support.
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Standards for In-School Suspensions of Students with Disabilities: Creating standards for how in-school suspensions are handled for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
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Accommodations for Multilingual Learner Student Statements: Providing translation accommodations when Multilingual Learner students provide statements about disciplinary incidents.
The survey will be open until Friday, February 20. Survey materials are available online.
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Families, caregivers, and educators of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services are invited to join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school.
The transition fair will take place on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Luther Jackson Middle School.
Ensuring the success of our students with disabilities after high school is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
An exhibitor fair will include teachers and representatives from CTS high school courses, career academies, age 18-22 programs, and transition services for students with disabilities. This event also includes a presentation with a brief overview of transition services and a student/parent panel sharing firsthand experiences. Register in advance.
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