English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Tue, Apr 21 -     NO SCHOOL, VA Statewide Election Wed, Apr 22 -    2nd Grade Earth Day Concert, 7pm Thu, Apr 23 -     Parent Workshop - Helping Kids                             Handle Big Emotions, 6-7:30pm                            Evening Kindergarten Registration,                            4:30-7pm, walk-ins welcome! Fri, Apr 24 -       SOL Pep Rally Tue, Apr 28 -      Full-time AAP Orientation, 6-7pm

Good afternoon Newington Forest Families,

What a special PurpleUp! Day at NFES! We started the day by honoring our military-connected students with Muffins for the Military. Our military-connected students and families had a chance to start off the day with a sweet breakfast treat, the Pledge of Allegiance, led by our SCA President Everett Conley, a great performance by Ms. Ragusa's Honor Orchestra, a moment of recognition for each military branch, recognition certificates for each student, and fun photo ops. Thank you to Ms. Howard, Family Liaison, for organizing the breakfast for us.

Afterwards, our military-connected students were surrounded by classmates and staff wearing purple to show their support. See below for some the pictures.

Today was the PTA Superhero Fun Run and our Knights sure did have fun. The PTA shared that our students have raised $8,300! Donations will continue to be accepted until Monday, April 20th. The classroom winner will also be announced on Monday. Way to go, Newington Forest!

This week we sent home Student Intention forms for 2026-2027, along with progress reports. Please be sure to complete and return these forms to the school to help us prepare for next year.

Please remember that there will be NO SCHOOL for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Angela Thompson
Principal

PurpleUp! Day &

Muffins for the Military

PTA Superhero Fun Run

Thank you to the NFES PTA Board for organizing today's Fun Run! Thank you also to the parent volunteers who helped this event run smoothly. We were so lucky with the great weather!

Donations will continue to be accepted until Monday, April 20th. The classroom winner will also be announced on Monday. Way to go, Newington Forest!

Bluebirds at NFES

Did you know we have bluebird next boxes on the field? The pictures above are from the box by the ball field. We can't wait to see more progress pictures throughout the season!

NFES Parent Workshop:
Helping KIds Handle Big Emotions

Understanding Anxiety, Stress, and Emotions and How Parents Can Help

THURSDAY, APRIL 23
6:00 - 7:30 PM
ATTEND IN PERSON OR ONLINE

Join us either in person at Newington Forest Elementary or virtually for an informative parent workshop with Rachel Bailey, M.A., Clinical Psychology, who has helped thousands of parents and children learn practical tools for improving behavior, motivation, resilience, and self-esteem. Through her podcasts, speaking engagements, and parenting programs, Rachel shares easy-to use strategies that families can apply right away.

This session will help parents recognize signs of anxiety and stress in children and learn ways to support healthy emotional coping skills at home and at school.

RSVP at bit.ly/April2026Workshop

Questions? Contact Andrea Howard, Family Liaison, at ahoward@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. 

NFES SOL Schedule Spring 2026

Please note the changes in our calendar below! Please help your student feel confident and ready by reviewing the schedule and ensuring they arrive at school on time. If you know your child will be absent on a testing day, please notify their teacher as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly.

Educate Fairfax Student Bookmark Art Contest –

“Today’s Reader, Tomorrow’s Leader”

Educate Fairfax, the 501(c)3 education foundation that partners with the community to support Fairfax County Public Schools students and educators, is launching a divisionwide Student Bookmark Art Contest during March. FCPS students in grades K–12 are invited to design a 2” x 7” bookmark celebrating the power of learning and creativity under the theme “Today’s Reader, Tomorrow’s Leader.”

Artwork must be

• original
• flat (no glitter or pop-ups)
• include the student’s name, grade, and school on the back

Entries will be judged on creativity, connection to the theme, and overall effort. Four winners (K–2, 3–6, middle, and high) will each receive a $25 gift card, and winning designs will be printed and shared in schools and the community. This initiative supports FCPS Goal 3 by promoting literacy and student engagement.

Entries are due Friday, April 17, 2026. Submissions may be mailed to Educate Fairfax (8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031), emailed to info@educatefairfax.org, or sent via pony mail. By submitting, students confirm FCPS enrollment and grant permission for printing and promotion (first name and grade only; parent/guardian signature required for winners).

Please click this link for instructions: Educate Fairfax Bookmark Contest Flyer and Instructions.  

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: 

• Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School
• Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School

Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but it 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.

Resources to Help Infants and Toddlers Meet Milestones

Are you concerned about your infant, toddler, or preschool-aged child’s development? Resources are available if your child exhibits difficulties in one or more of the following areas: communication, fine and/or gross motor skills, self-help skills, problem-solving, and attention skills. Learn more about typical developmental milestones.

The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (ITC) provides evaluations and services for children (0-36 months) who have developmental delays or medical conditions that may affect development. Parents are encouraged to contact ITC at 703-246-7121 to share their concerns.

Early Childhood Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs between the ages of 20 months and 5 years (children must be two by September 30). 

FCPS Early Childhood Identification and Services (ECID&S) offers a free referral process to identify potential developmental delays or disabilities. Special education services are provided for all children who are found eligible through the referral process. Parents are encouraged to call 571-423-4121 with questions.

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of our Newington Forest staff members.

FCPS News In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others: Calendar Updates Teacher on The Kelly Clarkson Show