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PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: April 17, 2026

Important Dates 

• April 21 : Election Day- No School 
• April 23 : Rescheduled Picture Day

Fairfax County Public Schools 2025-2026 Standard School Year Calendar

No School April 21/Meals for Students

April Statewide Election: No School for Students

There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled. 

FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on Tuesday, April 21, at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site, and enrichment activities will be available for the children. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage. 

Message from the Principal

Good afternoon Powell Puma Families-

As we move through April and into the spring season, there is a sense of renewed energy and growth across our school community.

Our students continue to be engaged in meaningful learning each day, and we are proud of the effort and progress we are seeing across classrooms.

We also invite you to join us on Monday at 9:15 am for a Parent Coffee focused on SOLs. This will be a great opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and support your child during the upcoming assessments.

This time of year can feel both exciting and busy. We appreciate your continued support at home and all that you do to partner with us.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful week ahead.

Sincerely,

Catherine Han
Principal

Adjusted Elementary Early Release Wednesdays

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.

Powell 2026 SOL Testing Calendar: Grades 3-6th

Support your student(s) in being successful on their SOLs with consistent and on time attendance each day! Please review the schedule below to ensure your students ready for the day! If you have specific questions, regarding testing dates contact your student’s teacher or the school test coordinators, Hope Song khsong@fcps.edu and Sanaz Hosseini shosseini2@fcps.edu 

NOTIFICATION OF TESTING AND RETEST PERMISSION FORM

State Assessments, Grades 3-8

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Students in grades 3-8 participate in state assessments each year. State assessments measure how students are learning grade level standards. Format and timing of state assessments vary by subject and grade level. See the table below. Test formats include:

• Standards of Learning (SOL) mathematics, science, and reading standardized tests with an integrated reading and writing (IRW) component;
• Ongoing local alternative assessments (LAAs) completed as part of classroom instruction in science and social studies;
• Growth assessments completed as part of classroom instruction using the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) for mathematics and iReady for reading.

More information about these assessments can be found on the webpage: SOL Tests in Elementary and Middle Schools (https://www.fcps.edu/node/42716). The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/50045) outlines the division testing schedule for required assessments at each grade. School staff will contact you with the specific dates your student is scheduled to take spring SOL tests.

The state allows elementary and middle school students who fail a spring SOL test to have another attempt before the end of the school year. Retests are not offered for the integrated reading and writing (IRW) component. Parent/guardian permission is required for the school to retest any student in grades 3-8. A decision not to allow retesting will not impact your student’s course grade or academic record. 

If you believe your student would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills on the spring SOL test, submit your decision using the Parent Digital Consent application (https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent). This application uses your SIS ParentVUE login. If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE Account, you may complete and return a paper form to the school to give permission for retesting. Paper forms are available in the front office. 

If you have questions about state assessments or about SOL retesting, contact your student’s teacher or the school test coordinators, Hope Song khsong@fcps.edu and Sanaz Hosseini shosseini2@fcps.edu 

Support Your Children During Important Spring Assessments

Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes summative assessments like Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which measure what a student knows, and progress assessments like Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which measure where they are in their learning. 

FCPS encourages all families to support their students in taking these tests. Virginia requires schools to test at least 95% of students on SOLs, so when families choose not to participate in testing, it can impact a school’s accreditation, accountability ratings, and ability to measure student progress accurately.

Parents and caregivers can help their children perform their best on these tests by reminding them to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and the cell phone policy still applies during testing season. 

It is important that students attend school on scheduled testing dates. If you are aware of a conflict that may cause your student to miss a test, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible. 

Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters. 

Updates to 2026-27 School Year Calendar

The School Board voted to direct the superintendent to designate Veterans Day as a standard instructional day for the 2026-27 school year. Because this day was added, the 2026-27 school year will now end for students on Wednesday, June 16, 2027. Find additional information on BoardDocs. View the updated complete school year calendar on FCPS’ website.

The last day of school for the current school year — Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — has not changed. 

Advanced Academic Program

Happy spring everyone! We are in the final stretch, and we are starting to think about student needs for next school year.  Every spring we complete our school-based AAP screening for students in K-5. This includes potential eligibility for subject specific differentiated services or part-time services (3^rd-6^th). This includes screening for advanced math services.  No referral forms are needed because we follow best practices, which is to screen all students, so we are meeting the needs that are shown here at school. If students are found eligible for any services, you will receive an email notification from Mrs. Bach (kmbach@fcps.edu) noting eligibility.  Emails are only sent for eligible notifications.  These services, if eligible, would begin at the start of next school year.  Keep in mind that students are monitored throughout the year and you may refer for services next year.

Please read our spring AAP newsletter to learn more.

FCPS Get2Green – We Celebrate Earth Day! – Show your Spirit!

Earth Week April 20–24

Get2Green

Semana del Planeta 20–24 de abril

• Monday: Wildlife Day / Día de la vida silvestre

• Tuesday: Zero Waste Day / Día "Cero Desperdicio"

• Wednesday: Earth Day / Día del Planeta

• Thursday: Climate Change Day / Día del Conservacion

• Friday: Watershed Day / Día del Agua Limpia

Celebrate #FCPSEarthWeek

Youseum

Check out this week’s YOUseum, celebrating Autism Acceptance Month and the power of community. This wonderful display highlights autistic voices through books, visuals, and resources that promote understanding, inclusion, and communication. Stop by to explore, learn, and help us build a more supportive school for everyone! Thank you to Ms. Yost for this display, as well as the Autism Acceptance Month bulletin board outside the cafeteria!

Spring Fun fair

Join us for our Spring Fun Fair on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM!