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Dear Mantua Families,
Our students took full advantage of the warm weather to enjoy outdoor activities, including playing soccer with our new soccer goals! The Mantua PTA has been amazingly generous this year in providing much-needed upgrades to our playground area. Work is ongoing, and we’ll keep you updated on their progress! Our 4th-grade classes visited the Kennedy Center to enjoy the music of the National Symphony Orchestra. They relished the opportunity to dress up and head into the city! We’ve shared some photos of our week below.
We have an important announcement regarding the next scheduled Early Release Wednesday. Please see this critical information below the Save the Dates section.
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March 30 through April 3 is FCPS’ Spring Break for students and staff
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April 6th is a Teacher Professional Workday and a student holiday
- Classes will resume on April 7th. We look forward to seeing everyone back on this day!
We hope you have a wonderful week!
Take good care,
Ms. Shannon, Mrs. Vaughan, Ms. Maurer
 
March 30-April 3: Student Holiday, Spring Break
April 6: Teacher Workday, Student Holiday
April 10: School Planning Day, Student Holiday
April 14: Classroom and Group Photo Day (rescheduled)
April 15: Family Culture Night 6 to 7:30pm in the gym
April 21: Special Election Day, Student Holiday
Special Announcement regarding April 22:
Tuesday, April 21, is now a teacher workday and staff development day because of a recently announced special election that will impact all FCPS schools. April 22 will be a full day of school. This adjustment allows our staff to still have dedicated time for planning, collaboration, and professional learning without reducing instructional time on other school days.Due to this change, we will not be able to hold our Kindergarten Orientation on April 22. Kindergarten Orientation will be held on May 13th from 2 to 3pm. Please adjust your schedule to allow for this new date. Any questions can be directed to our registrar, Mergie Kakouris, at mbkakouris@fcps.edu
Weekly Staff Spotlight
Staff Spotlight is our way to recognize Mantua's incredible staff! Each week, we recognize a group of staff members. Check them out on Mantua ES Instagram. This coming week's featured staff members are our Assistant Principals, Ms. Maurer and Ms. Vaughan.
Please use the Spotlight Submission Form to share a positive message with them. We will share the messages with them at the end of next week.
Thank you for helping us make Staff Spotlight a fun and engaging way to celebrate our school community. We appreciate your enthusiasm and support!
MOVEMENT MONDAY IS BACK!
We are looking forward to having our families and students come join us for some walking/jogging around the track on Monday mornings. Everyone is welcome! Rocky Raccoon also loves this, so he let us know that he will be making lots of appearances on those days as well.
When: April 13th – June 15th.
Times: 830am-9:05 AM (We will send the students to their classes at 9:05!)
Movement Monday is cancelled in inclement weather.
Contact your PE teachers Karen.bruining@fcps.edu or Brianpcollins@fcps.edu for any questions.
Learn About Kindergarten at Mantua
There’s also an easy-to-follow five-step process outlined for registering your child for kindergarten. Early registration helps us to ensure we are properly staffed for the rising kindergartners. Register your child today!
Contact our registrar, Mergie Kakouris, at 703-645-6300 with any questions.
We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Resources on the School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage provide parents with ways to support their children to help ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten.
2026 Special Education Family Conference: Stronger Together: Connecting Families & Schools.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: George C. Marshall High School, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043
This no-cost, in-person event hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools and our community partners will feature:
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Keynote Session: Dr. Shelley Moore, an inclusive education consultant and engaging speaker, will lead our keynote address, The Evolution of Inclusion. She will share how inclusion has evolved as we better understand diversity and identity. She will lead participants to reflect on their own experiences and consider simple, meaningful next steps for advocacy and action. View Dr. Moore’s Five Moore Minutes Videos and Resources before the event.
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Breakout Sessions and Vendor Hall: Explore the full lineup of engaging breakout sessions and vendor hall participants on the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage.
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Childcare: Childcare is available for students of varying abilities. Please request childcare when you register.
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Lunch: Lunch will be provided for attendees.
Learn more and register today!
The conference is a great opportunity to connect with other families and school staff!
If you have questions, please email us at SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS resources for military families.
National Arab American Heritage Month
FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
School Library Month
In FCPS libraries, students develop knowledge and skills, experience a sense of belonging, find inspiration and support, and have the ability to freely pursue their personal interests and academic growth.
Autism Acceptance Month
April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 31 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.
FCPS Commitment to Weather Safety
At FCPS, the safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our highest priority — no matter the season. In extreme cold, we monitor National Weather Service (NWS) guidance, adjust outdoor activities, and ensure our buildings are warm and secure. In extreme heat, we modify or cancel outdoor activities, use on-site measurements to guide athletic decisions, and promote hydration and cooling breaks.
FCPS has plans in place to provide guidance during severe weather, including storms, flooding, and tornadoes. Decisions are informed by industry best practices, weather alerts, and a commitment to keeping our school community safe and healthy year-round. Read more about weather safety, including the differences between an advisory, watch, and warning.
Provide the County Government With Feedback on its Budget
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Advertised Budget and considering possible adjustments before adoption in May. Opportunities to provide feedback to the county include Budget Town Hall Meetings airing on Channel 16 on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m., (Springfield District) and Friday, April 10, at 6 p.m., (Franconia District).
You can also provide your input during the county’s Budget public hearings on Tuesday, April 14, at 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, at 3 p.m. at the Government Center Board Auditorium. Register in advance to speak.
Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website to learn more about the county’s FY 2027 Budget.
Discover What’s New on the Menu
FCPS is excited to bring new and flavorful menu items to students while continuing to meet the high nutrition standards you trust. The school division’s registered dietitian team has developed standards to make school meals healthier while still tasting great.
Here’s what students can look forward to:
- New globally inspired dishes that offer exciting flavors from around the world.
- Fresh ingredients like whole grains, lean proteins, and plant-based options.
- Scratch-made items like homemade granola.
- Vegetarian options like the meatless Philly melt are available alongside classic favorites.
Our goal is to provide balanced, safe, and flavorful meals that support students’ learning, growth, and overall health.
Want to know what’s on the menu? Food and Nutrition Services has menus available.
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. 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.
Linda Shannon, Principal LCShannon@fcps.edu
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal CAVaughan@fcps.edu
Michele Maurer, Assistant Principal, Mkmaurer@fcps.edu
Susan Palomino, Administrative/Finance Assistant SLPalomino@fcps.edu
Mergie Kakouris, Student Information Assistant, MBKakouris@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, FFinaish@fcps.edu
Judy Toy, Office Assistant, JPToy@fcps.edu
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