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March 27, 2026
Dear Families,
As we begin our Spring Break, there is a sense of renewal and excitement in the air. We’ve even spotted a few cherry blossoms beginning to bloom. Hopefully, a sign that our snow days are behind us and warmer days are ahead.
We want to extend our sincere appreciation to Mr. Curtis for an outstanding year of STEAM learning. His dedication, creativity, and passion have made a lasting impact on our students. We wish him all the best as he embarks on his upcoming journey through the Appalachian Mountains over the next few months—what an incredible adventure! As we explored options for continuing STEAM instruction, we worked diligently to find a qualified substitute. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure someone who could effectively support STEAM classes at Aldrin. As a result, this past week marked our final STEAM class for the time being.
We encourage families to continue fostering curiosity and innovation at home by engaging in STEAM-related activities with your children. Simple projects, experiments, and problem-solving opportunities can go a long way in keeping that spirit of exploration alive.
Finally, we want to recognize and thank our amazing teachers and staff at Aldrin. Their talent, dedication, and tireless effort make a difference every single day in our students' lives. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a strong and committed team.
Wishing everyone a wonderful start to spring!
Shane Wolfe
Principal
Mark Your Calendars!
March 30–April 3: Spring Break (No school)
April 6: Student Holiday/Teacher Workday (No school)
April 10: Student Holiday/School Planning Day for Staff (No School)
April 10: Rising Kindergarten Registration/Orientation, 10 am
April 21: Special Election/Teacher Workday and Staff Development (No school)
April 22: Traditional School Day/Early Release Canceled
Important Resources
AES Student Links
AES Homepage
AES PTA
AES Parent
April Early Release Wednesday Canceled
- Elementary Early Release Wednesday Update for April
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.
Students will now have a traditional full day of instruction and be released at the regular dismissal time on April 22 and April 29, which were previously early release Wednesdays for elementary schools.
This adjustment allows our staff to still have dedicated time for planning, collaboration, and professional learning without reducing instructional time on other school days.
Learn About Kindergarten at Aldrin!
Kindergarten Registration/Open House is being held on April 10 at 10 am to give parents of students entering school in August an opportunity to learn more about kindergarten at our school.
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.
There’s also an easy-to-follow five-step process outlined for registering your child for kindergarten. Register your child today!
Contact our registrar, Linda Adgate at LWAdgate@fcps.edu or 703.904.3800 with any questions.
Community Conversations
- 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. Consider attending the closest one to Aldrin..
Click on the date to register to attend. 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.
Special Education Family Conference
- 2026 Special Education Family Conference:
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School.
Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.
Special Education Awards
- 2026 Awards Recognizing Special Education Supporters:
Nominations are open for the 2026 Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Awards, which recognize educators, staff, volunteers, and community members who go above and beyond to support students receiving special education services. The annual program celebrates individuals across Fairfax County Public Schools who demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusion, support, and student success.
Honorees may include teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, therapists, volunteers, and other community members who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families. Nominations are open through Friday, March 27, and can be submitted online.
Award recipients will be recognized at the SEPTA Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 2, where families, educators, and community members will gather to celebrate those helping build more inclusive and supportive school communities. Registration details for the ceremony will be announced at a later date.
2026 CTE Summer Enrichment Programs
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office is once again planning engaging summer enrichment programs for students! For our current kindergarten to 5th grade students, we have Tech Adventure Camp. For our current 6th to 11th grade students, we have CTE Summer Academy.
Tech Adventure Camp
Current Kindergarten - Grade 5 students
Explore Business/Marketing, Family + Consumer Sciences, Health + Medical Sciences, STEAM, and Trades by rotating through daily classes
Visit the Tech Adventure Camp webpage here: bit.ly/FCPS_TAC
CTE Summer Academy
Current Grade 6 - 11
Students choose their classes and dive deeper into CTE program areas, skills, and career exploration
Visit the CTE Summer Academy webpage here: bit.ly/FCPS_CSA
*Early drop off begins at 7:30 am; after care ends at 5 pm
Tuition assistance will be available if needed. More information on the Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy pages.
Dates:
- Week 1: July 6 - 10
- Week 2: July 13 - 17
- Week 3: July 20 - 24
- Week 4: July 27 - 31
- Different weekly offerings; weekly themes and class offerings can be found on the Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy pages.
- Visit our webpages (linked above) for more information! For questions, please contact Beth Mehr at bgmehr@fcps.edu
We look forward to creating, exploring, and learning with your students this summer!
FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the ombuds webpage, where you may submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
More News and Updates — on the go — With the FCPS App
Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here is how it makes life easier:
- Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) different schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events specific to your family.
- No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly — no password to remember, no login required.
- Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates — including weather announcements! — ensuring you never miss an important announcement from the district or your school.
- Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.
To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app, or download it today in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Learn more about the new mobile app, including feedback from parents TeAndra Nelson and Roy Dykes.
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.
Budget
- 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.
Weather Safety
- 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.
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