WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE FOREST - 3/6/26

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calendar reminder graphic

Mon, Mar 16 -    Kindergarten Evening Registration,
                           4:30-7:00pm

                           PTA Virtual Meeting, 7:00pm

Mar 16-17 -        5th Grade SOL (IRW)

Fri, Mar 20 -       NO SCHOOL, Eid al-Fitr Holiday

Sat, Mar 21 -      STEM FEST, 11am-1pm

Mon, Mar 23 -    Curriculum Knight, 6:30-8:00pm

Wed, Mar 25 -    3-hr Early Release, dismissal
                           begins at 12:35pm

Fri, Mar 27 -       End of 3rd Quarter, 2-hr early
                           release, dismissal begins at 1:35pm

Mar 30-Apr 3 -   NO SCHOOL, Spring Break

Mon, Apr 6 -      NO SCHOOL, Teacher Workday

Fri, Apr 10 -       NO SCHOOL, School Planning Day

                           Kindergarten Orientation,
                           8:30-10:00am


Good afternoon Newington Forest Families,

What a fun PTA Donuts with a Grown Up event this morning. I was outside directing parking traffic for an FCPS event, but I saw so many families coming in together. Thank you to our PTA!

Speaking of PTA, there is a Virtual PTA meeting Monday, March 16th. This is the zoom link to join: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/91569021385?from=addon

Monday, March 16th, we are also hosting a Kindegarten Evening Registration. Ms. Padua, Registrar, will be available in the school from 4:30-7:00pm to receive your registration documentation, make photocopies, and answer any questions. 

Please see below for pictures from Read Across America Week. Our students showed that "Reading brightens our world" by wearing their class colors on Thursday.

Sincerely,

Angela Thompson
Principal


curri

Family Curriculum Knight

WHO: All K-6 Students & Families
WHEN: Monday, March 23, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
WHERE: Newington Forest Elementary

RSVP: http://bit.ly/NFESFamilyLearning

curr stations

Grade

Grade-Level Activity Stations

 Kindergarten 

Math & Phonics Make-and-Take

Play, Prep & Practice!

Create fun, hands-on phonics and math games to build CVC word skills and strengthen number sense at home.

1st Grade

Social-Emotional Learning Make-and-Take

Calm, Create & Connect!

Learn simple coping strategies and create take-home fidgets to support focus and self-regulation.

2nd Grade

Reading Comprehension Bookmark Boost

Read & Succeed!

Discover easy strategies families can use to help students better understand what they read.

3rd Grade

SOL 101: A Parent’s Guide to Student Success

Building Confidence for SOL’s

Learn about SOL question types, test-taking strategies, ways to reduce test anxiety, and resources to support your child during testing season.

4th Grade

By the Book & Fun with Facts

Explore ways to strengthen reading comprehension with any book and practice multiplication with fun card games.

5th Grade

Science SOL Prep Activities

Scientific Investigation Review Take-Away

Hands-on science review and matching games focused on scientific investigation skills that families can practice at home.

6th Grade

The Power of Practice: A Homework Night

Learn why homework matters and get tips for building routines, improving focus, and asking “guiding questions” to support your students at home.


KO

Tuesday, April 1, 2026
8:30am – 10:00am

Join Us to Learn About

  Student Registration Process

  Lunch time

  Preparing for Kindergarten

  Medication/Health Plans

  Our Kindergarten Team

  Kindergarten schedules

  Curriculum

  School/PTA Events


No RSVP necessary!

reg

To accommodate the busy lives of our families, we will be hosting 2 Registration Nights in addition to our daytime appointments.

March 13th

4:30pm – 6:30pm

April 23th

4:30pm – 6:30pm

 

For registration questions, please contact Ms. Jessi Padua, our School Registrar, at jpadua@fcps.edu. Visit http://bit.ly/3KZQVY3 to make a registration appointment.


Read Across America Spirit Week

Knights Wore Their Class Colors!

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stem

 

When: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 11am - 1pm
Where: Newington Forest Elementary School

Enjoy FREE activities related to STEM, including Robotics, Coding, Experiments, and more! 

For students in Pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade!

Pre-register or register on-site!
https://bit.ly/3N8hXhx?r=qr

Questions? Email: steamologyus@gmail.com


April is Month of the Military Child

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is gearing up to honor and celebrate its military-connected youth in April, the Month of the Military Child, and on Purple Up! Day! 

This year, Virginia will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Purple Up! Day is a special day for communities to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and their families. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military. 

FCPS Purple Up! T-shirts and other items are available for purchase now through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in our Custom Ink online store. These items highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our 14,500 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS! 

For more information and/or to connect with FCPS resources, email us at militaryfamilies@fcps.edu


pta

PTA Teacher-Led Enrichments

6 week $125 per student

MONDAYS

Running Knights with Mrs. Pipitone

3:30pm-4:30pm
Grades 3rd-5th
4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1

Build your endurance, confidence, and teamwork while promoting healthy habits with running!

TUESDAYS

Hip Hop Dance with Ms. Cavazos

3:30pm-4:30pm
Grades 2nd-4th
4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/6, 5/13

Learn fun choreography, express creativity, and build teamwork through upbeat music and movement!

WEDNESDAYS

LEGO Knights with Mrs. Dooley

3:30pm-4:30pm
Grades K-2nd
4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13

A screen free time to build creativity, problem solving, teamwork, and fun with building!

TUESDAYS/FRIDAYS

Volleyball with Mr. Graybill

Grades 7:30am-8:30am
Grades 3rd-5th
4/7, 4/14, 4/17, 4/21, 4/24, 4/28

Learn the fundamentals of serving, passing, and teamwork while building confidence and sportsmanship!

WEDNESDAYS

Gym Class Heroes w/Mr. Drummond

7:30am-8:30am
Grades K-2nd
4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13

Gym class with a fun twist! Build coordination, confidence, and teamwork through fun games!

THURSDAYS

Disney Drawing w/Mrs. Lieberman

3:30pm-4:30pm
Grades K-3rd
4 /9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14

A magical club where young artists learn step-by-step techniques to sketch their favorite characters!


Registration is open!

https://newingtonforestpta.givebacks.com/shop?


Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update

Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people who are exposed, if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports. 

If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the United States with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations


Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on: 

Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.


Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

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.