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Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Families,

We hope you are having a great weekend! It was a busy week last week, with the Book Fair and many engaging instructional activities in full swing! A big thanks to those who were able to attend our PreK Field Trip, 2nd Grade Informance, or our 3rd Grade Ladybug Museum. We also held elections for SCA, and were very proud of how our students campaigned and showcased respect for one another no matter the election results. 

As we start a new week tomorrow, don't forget:

• Tuesday night is a very special Family Dinner Out at Silver Diner. Many of our 6th graders will be working in the restaurant! Come out and support our school and 6th graders! A big thanks to Camille Paredes and our PTA for their ongoing organization of these events. 
• Thursday is our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon! We are excited to welcome families into our school for a meal of fun and gratitude for one another. Please see the flyer below for your child's (modified) lunchtime and lunch prices (cash only). 

Lastly, we ask for your support with our annual Giving Tree Holiday Assistance Program. FH families have the opportunity to sponsor a family and make a meaningful impact on their holiday season. Please see below for more information, and reach out to our Family Liaison, Ms. Riera, if needed. 

 

Have a great week!

 

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• November 19 - PTA Family Dinner Out - Silver Diner
• November 21 - Thanksgiving Luncheon
• November 27 - 29 - Thanksgiving Vacation - School Closed
• December 9 - Early Release Monday (Dismissal at 1:05)
• December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break (School Closed)

School Photos Now Online!

School Photos are now online!

Families should have received an E-proof via email.

Please remember to check your spam.

For any questions about your student's school pictures please contact: [email protected]

The team at Victor O’Neill Studios would like to thank Freedom Hill for a great picture day!

For the next two weeks, we are focusing on Gratitude. You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

“The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.”  

                    ~Robert Holden

 

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• What are the easiest things to be grateful for? What are the most difficult?
• What are some benefits of gratitude?

How does it make you feel to think that others are grateful for you?

 

National School Psychology Week

Eagles, let's take a moment to recognize and thank our amazing school psychologist, Jeong Choi, during National School Psychology Week.

Ms. Choi works tirelessly to support the mental health and well-being of our students. She provides essential services such as:

• Individual and group counseling
• Crisis/behavioral intervention
• Consultation with teachers and parents
• Psychoeducational assessments

Thanks to Ms. Choi's efforts, our school community is a more positive and supportive place for everyone.

Yearly Impact Aid Form

Beginning Monday, October 21st, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid for each child. Submitting this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Help FCPS secure funding by helping us identify: 

• Military families.
• Federally connected families.
• Families living on a military base.

Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form. 

For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12th. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

To access the form, please login to SIS ParentVUE, select Online Packets in the top right hand corner, and then click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page.

If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please make sure to fill out a form for each of your children. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you see a green check next to each of their names on the final screen.

We appreciate you completing the form by December 9th, 2024. 

FHES Holiday Assistance Program

As we celebrate the season of giving this December, we would like to extend an opportunity to come together as a school community to make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need. This year, we invite you to participate in our Giving Tree Program by sponsoring a family. As a refresher, our Giving Tree Program is a holiday assistance program that we offer to families for aid with clothing and gifts.

You may sign up to sponsor a family in the SignUpGenius link below. You will also find the families’ information of clothing sizes, likes, notes, and instructions.

Visit our SignUpGenius link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4DADAD2FA4F8C34-53122112-2024

If you would like to contribute but are unable to sponsor a family at this time, there is an opportunity to purchase individual items for families through our Amazon Wishlist found here: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/25AS2BHGES59C

Let’s make this holiday season unforgettable for every member in our community. Your participation in the Giving Tree Program is a gift in itself.

Important notes

• Gifts must be wrapped, labeled, and dropped off at the Freedom Hill ES front office.
  • When labeling gifts, please use a Post-it or sticky note to label each gift with its contents, the family letter identifier, and age/gender of the child it is intended for. Please do not write this information on the wrapping paper.
• Items are due by December 16th, 2024 to the Freedom Hill ES Front Office
• To maintain the confidentiality of our students the SignUpGenius & Amazon Wishlist links and descriptions of the families are not permitted to be shared outside of the direct FHES community or on any social media platform.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please email the program coordinator, Emely Riera Pineros, at [email protected]

Thanksgiving Luncheon

Our annual Thanksgiving Lunch will take place on Thursday, November 21st. If you missed our Wednesday folder flyer this week, you can find it at this link. Please note that our lunchtimes are modified. Prices are also listed for parents and additional children who would like to buy a lunch. 

Please know that parking at school is limited, and that families are encouraged to carpool or use neighborhood parking spots during the lunchtime. We look forward to seeing you!

Attendance

Our goal is to partner with families to help minimize the number of days students are absent. Getting your student into the habit of daily attendance helps reduce stress and makes it easier to connect with friends and teachers. We understand that each year presents different extenuating circumstances that lead to missed days. However, we hope to increase communication in regards to absences to reduce impact on your child’s well-being. FCPS has created a Health Flyer for Parents indicating when a parent should keep their child home from school. Please review FCPS Attendance Policies and resources to encourage regular school attendance. 

Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, parents/legal guardians can report up to two consecutive absences through SIS ParentVUE. Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVUE HERE. Families can also report absences by emailing [email protected] or calling 703-645-6666 before 10:00 a.m. each day.

AAP Full-Time Information Meeting Resources

If you missed our meeting, you can find resources below:

• Slides - English/ Spanish
• YouTube Presentation

Please reach out to Mrs. Fredericks for more information. She is excited to support your family with the application process! 

FCPS Cares: Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FHES 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 exceptional work happenings at Freedom Hill.

⏰ Limited Early Release Mondays for Elementary Schools

The remaining scheduled dates for 1:05 early releases for FHES are:

• December 9 
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

SAVE THE DATE - FDO AT SILVER DINER

Save the date of next Tuesday, November 19th from 4-8PM for our November FDO at Silver Diner, located by the Tysons mall at 8101 Fletcher Street. You might recognize some familiar 6th grade faces working that night and greeting you at the door! Eat in or carry out.

CELEBRATE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS WITH VIENNA VINTNER

The PTA has partnered with Vienna Vintner (320 Maple Avenue East) and during the month of November, when you mention Freedom Hill ES, 20% of your purchase will go back to our school. Make purchases just for fun, for hosting the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, or even for celebrating winter holidays. Cheers!

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

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Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Families,

As we continue this month of gratitude, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the brave men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. Our veterans' sacrifices ensure the freedoms we enjoy every day. We are grateful for their courage, commitment, and service. If you are a veteran, please let your child's teacher know if you would like to stop in for a short visit to share your experiences with the class. We love having guests for morning meeting times. Thank you for all that you’ve done for our country! 

As we start a new school week tomorrow, don't forget:

• The Book Fair is open this week! We are grateful to Mrs. Trott and all of our volunteers. Make sure you stop by. 
• School pictures are now available for purchase. Please check your email for your link, or contact Victor O'Neill using the email address below. 
• Please complete your family's Impact Aid Form if you have not already
• We'll be sending our schedule for our Thanksgiving Luncheon this week!

 

In partnership,

 

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• November 11 - Veterans' Day, No School 
• November 12-15 - Fall Book Fair - Volunteer Signup
• November 12 - (Virtual) FLE Preview Night, 6:00PM, Link
• November 13 - Q1 Report Cards Delivered in Wed. Folders
• November 19 - PTA Family Dinner Out - Silver Diner
• November 21 - Thanksgiving Luncheon, Schedule Will Be Sent Home

School Photos Now Online!

School Photos are now online!

Families should have received an E-proof via email.

Please remember to check your spam.

For any questions about your student's school pictures please contact: [email protected]

The team at Victor O’Neill Studios would like to thank Freedom Hill for a great picture day!

 

 

 

This week, we are focusing on a review of traits from Q1!

 

Yearly Impact Aid Form

Beginning Monday, October 21st, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid for each child. Submitting this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Help FCPS secure funding by helping us identify: 

• Military families.
• Federally connected families.
• Families living on a military base.

Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form. 

For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12th. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

To access the form, please login to SIS ParentVUE, select Online Packets in the top right hand corner, and then click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page.

If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please make sure to fill out a form for each of your children. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you see a green check next to each of their names on the final screen.

We appreciate you completing the form by December 9th, 2024. 

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

FLE Preview Night

The Freedom Hill ES Family Life Education (FLE) Parent Preview Night will be held virtually on Tuesday, November 12th at 6:00 p.m. Staff will be present to go over the curriculum materials and answer any questions that you may have. 

There are two units of instruction that are designated as Family Life Education: Emotional and Social Health and Human Growth and Development.   Emotional and Social Health lessons are delivered throughout the school year. Human Growth and Development lessons are scheduled for fourth grade on December 20th, fifth grade from December 13-19th, and sixth grade during the week of December 16-20th. 

FLE teaching materials including lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for are available through ParentVue.  FLE information is also available in the Freedom Hill All Parents/Guardians Schoology course, in the Green Parent Preview - FLE Instruction folder, including opt out forms. To opt your child(ren) out of one or more lessons, paper forms will be sent home in Wednesday Folders. If you feel you did not receive one please contact your classroom teacher, Holly Sims, [email protected], or Ian Dowling, [email protected].

Additional information is available through FCPS at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/curriculum/subject-area/family-life-education-fle 

Meeting Link

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. 

FCPS Cares: Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FHES 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 exceptional work happenings at Freedom Hill.

⏰ Limited Early Release Mondays for Elementary Schools

The remaining scheduled dates for 1:05 early releases for FHES are:

• December 9 
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

DON’T FORGET - JOIN THE PTA BY NOVEMBER 15th

If you haven’t already joined the PTA, make sure you join by this Friday, November 15th to be eligible for Freedom Hill swag. Thank you to all the families, teachers and staff that have joined! Visit our PTA website here to join today.

 

SAVE THE DATE - FDO AT SILVER DINER

Save the date of next Tuesday, November 19th from 4-8PM for our November FDO at Silver Diner, located by the Tysons mall at 8101 Fletcher Street. You might recognize some familiar 6th grade faces working that night and greeting you at the door! Eat in or carry out.

CELEBRATE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS WITH VIENNA VINTNER

The PTA has partnered with Vienna Vintner (320 Maple Avenue East) and during the month of November, when you mention Freedom Hill ES, 20% of your purchase will go back to our school. Make purchases just for fun, for hosting the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, or even for celebrating winter holidays. Cheers!

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Families,

Can you believe the first quarter has come to an end? For eleven weeks our students have shined brightly, and this week was certainly no different! We navigated an unusual schedule and had lots of fun with our Harvest Spirit Week. We especially enjoyed some sports rivalries on sports shirt day, the comfiness of our PJs, and seeing some great costumes on Thursday. We shared seasonal learning activities together, many fall or Halloween themed, as we continued to meet our goals for the year. 

As we start the second quarter, we need your help! 

1. Please make sure you have signed up for a conference with your teacher(s)! This is a great way to hear about your child's start to the year and to partner with their teacher for success. 
2. Please complete the Impact Aid Form (see below). 
3. If you are able, please consider donating paper towels to the school. We use these for so many activities for staff and students!

Have a great week, and don't forget that the Book Fair launches on Friday! We have opportunities for families to visit after school on 11/12 and 11/13. Thanks, as always, to Mrs. Trott and our great volunteers!

 

See you Wednesday,

 

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• November 4/5 - No School (School Planning / Election Day)
• November 8-15 - Fall Book Fair - Volunteer Signup
• November 11 - Veterans' Day, No School 
• November 12 - (Virtual) FLE Preview Night, 6:00PM, Link
• November 13 - Q1 Report Cards Delivered in Wed. Folders
• November 19 - PTA Family Dinner Out - Silver Diner
• November 21 - Thanksgiving Luncheon, Schedule Will Be Sent Home

 

 

 

This week, we are focusing on Bravery. You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.

 

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”

                    ~Mary Anne Radmacher

 

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• What are some situations that may call for bravery?
• What are the differences between moral, mental, and physical bravery?

Why is it sometimes difficult to be brave?

 

Yearly Impact Aid Form

Beginning Monday, October 21st, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid for each child. Submitting this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Help FCPS secure funding by helping us identify: 

• Military families.
• Federally connected families.
• Families living on a military base.

Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form. 

For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12th. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

To access the form, please login to SIS ParentVUE, select Online Packets in the top right hand corner, and then click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page.

If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please make sure to fill out a form for each of your children. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you see a green check next to each of their names on the final screen.

We appreciate you completing the form by December 9th, 2024. 

Diwali

Did you know that many of our families and staff celebrate Diwali? Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. On Thrusday, some of our Freedom Hill staff members cooked the staff an incredible Diwali meal, and shared some of their traditions with us. Freedom Hill is such a wonderful, diverse place to learn about others!

FLE Preview Night

The Freedom Hill ES Family Life Education (FLE) Parent Preview Night will be held virtually on Tuesday, November 12th at 6:00 p.m. Staff will be present to go over the curriculum materials and answer any questions that you may have. 

There are two units of instruction that are designated as Family Life Education: Emotional and Social Health and Human Growth and Development.   Emotional and Social Health lessons are delivered throughout the school year. Human Growth and Development lessons are scheduled for fourth grade on December 20th, fifth grade from December 13-19th, and sixth grade during the week of December 16-20th. 

FLE teaching materials including lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for are available through ParentVue.  FLE information is also available in the Freedom Hill All Parents/Guardians Schoology course, in the Green Parent Preview - FLE Instruction folder, including opt out forms. To opt your child(ren) out of one or more lessons, paper forms will be sent home in Wednesday Folders. If you feel you did not receive one please contact your classroom teacher, Holly Sims, [email protected], or Ian Dowling, [email protected].

Additional information is available through FCPS at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/curriculum/subject-area/family-life-education-fle 

Meeting Link

Q1 Lost & Found Cleanout

Missing clothing or other personal items? Please stop in and check the lost and found (located in the cafeteria). We will be donating lost clothing to a good cause in the coming weeks if not claimed. 

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. 

FCPS Cares: Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FHES 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 exceptional work happenings at Freedom Hill.

⏰ Limited Early Release Mondays for Elementary Schools

The remaining scheduled dates for 1:05 early releases for FHES are:

• December 9 
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

Thank you to all the families that contributed to the Snack Attack on Monday afternoon.  Your generosity was jaw-some and the fin-tastic treats delighted the many teachers and staff members that stopped by. 

 

CELEBRATE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS WITH VIENNA VINTNER

The PTA has partnered with Vienna Vintner (320 Maple Avenue East) and during the month of November, when you mention Freedom Hill ES, 20% of your purchase will go back to our school. Make purchases just for fun, for hosting the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, or even for celebrating winter holidays. Cheers!

 

SAVE THE DATE - FDO AT SILVER DINER

Save the date of Tuesday, November 19th from 4-8PM for our November FDO at Silver Diner, located by the Tysons mall at 8101 Fletcher Street. You might recognize some familiar faces working that night and greeting you at the door! Eat in or carry out.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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

Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Families,

Attend Today - Achieve Tomorrow! On Monday students participated in an AttenDANCE. The assembly highlighted that our school has amazing students, teachers, and families. This also included some dancing! Freedom Hill is a great school where students grow and learn in a caring environment.

Coming to school when students are healthy helps students thrive. Regular attendance has a direct impact on student success. For example, it correlates with high academic achievement, builds social and emotional learning, and increases a students’ ability to read proficiently by the end of third grade. Thank you for notifying the school when your student is sick and unable to come to school. 

On Friday, we had so much fun at our yearly Hallowingo! A big thanks to our PTA supporters, especially event organizer Gina Song, who created such a fun evening for us in the cafeteria. We were dazzled by the many costumes and, as always, enjoyed the quality time together with our community. 

As we look ahead to Harvest Spirit Week please be aware of our unusual schedule:

• Monday, 10/28 - 3-hour early release at 1:05 (SACC open)
• Thursday, 10/31 - 2-hour early release at 2:05 (SACC open)
• Friday, 11/1 - School Closed (Diwali)  

We hope you have a great week and end of the first quarter! Please don't forget to fill out your family's Impact Aid Form (see below). 

 

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• October 28 - 31 - Harvest Spirit Week
• October 28 - Three Hour Early Release Day
• October 29 - Full-Time AAP Information Night, 6:30PM, Link or Library
• October 31 - Q1 Ends, 2-Hour Early Release
• October 31 - Last Day of Spiritwear Sale
• November 1 - School Closed - Diwali
• November 4/5 - No School (School Planning / Election Day)
• November 8-15 - Fall Book Fair - Volunteer Signup

 

 

 

 

 

This week, we are working on ONE of the FIVE overarching components of the Positivity Project. Knowing that everything you do and say can affect others-and your relationships with them.

 

“Solid character will reflect itself in consistent behavior, while poor character will seek to hide behind deceptive words and actions.”  

                    ~Myles Munroe

Often times, knowing something and acting like you know it doesn’t line up with each other. For example, you know that your words and actions impact other people, but your behavior doesn’t always show that understanding.

What does it look like to KNOW that your words and actions impact others?

Yearly Impact Aid Form

Beginning Monday, October 21st, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid for each child. Submitting this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Help FCPS secure funding by helping us identify: 

• Military families.
• Federally connected families.
• Families living on a military base.

Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form. 

For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12th. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

To access the form, please login to SIS ParentVUE, select Online Packets in the top right hand corner, and then click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page.

If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please make sure to fill out a form for each of your children. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you see a green check next to each of their names on the final screen.

We appreciate you completing the form by December 9th, 2024. 

Full-Time AAP Information Night

On Tuesday, October 29th at 6:30PM we will be holding an information session (Zoom Link or in the Library) for parents interested in referring their child(ren) for full time AAP services (also called level 4). The meeting is intended for parents of 2nd-6th grade students, but all are welcome! We will be focusing on the steps of the full time AAP referral process and answering questions. If you would like more general information about all AAP services, or would like to talk about your student, please email Mrs. Fredericks. Also, please check out the AAP folder on Schoology. There are links to forms, AAP details, slideshows, videos, and more

In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

Social Studies Basel Resources Review

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration which is part of the process for selecting new resources is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person. 

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts Basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.

Community Conversations with Dr. Reid

🎤 Join Dr. Reid for a series of Community Conversations and share your feedback about our schools.

• October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School

Register to attend: https://bit.ly/472s5Oa

FCPS Cares: Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FHES 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 exceptional work happenings at Freedom Hill.

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

The FHES cafeteria was the place to be on Friday night - it was a packed house for Hallowingo!  Thank you to the many parent, student and faculty volunteers and guest number-callers who helped make Hallowingo such a success. A special shout-out to Gina Song who organized the event again this year.

 

CELEBRATE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS WITH VIENNA VINTNER

The PTA has partnered with Vienna Vintner (320 Maple Avenue East) and during the month of November, when you mention Freedom Hill ES, 20% of your purchase will go back to our school. You can make purchases just for fun, for hosting the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, or even for celebrating winter holidays. Cheers!

 

SAVE THE DATE - FDO AT SILVER DINER

Save the date of Tuesday, November 19th from 4-8PM for our November FDO at Silver Diner, located by the Tysons mall at 8101 Fletcher Street. You might recognize some familiar faces working that night and greeting you at the door! Eat in or carry out.

 

PURCHASE FHES SPIRITWEAR - ENDS THIS THURSDAY

 Exciting Spiritwear Alert!

We’re excited to unveil our latest additions: the Girls/Ladies V-neck Performance Tee and Performance Polo!

Check out the newest spiritwear refresh here. The online Spiritwear store will close on October 31st. All orders will be delivered to the school approximately 3 weeks after the sale ends.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Families,

As we move toward the end of our first quarter of the 24-25 school year, we want to say a big thank you for your support of our students and programs! We have had such a positive start to the school year. Our hardworking staff are leading the way with much "new", and our students are putting great effort into all that they do. Our hallways and classrooms come alive with the joy of learning and togetherness each day. What a great place to be a student!

Like every autumn, we have many opportunities for families to be involved with our school community. This week, we'd love to see you at the virtual PTA Meeting (Monday), Family Dinner Out (Tuesday), and Hallowingo (Friday) - pre-order your pizza below!  

As we look ahead to next week (and our annual Harvest Spirit Week), please be aware of our unusual schedule:

• Monday, 10/28 - 3-hour early release at 1:05 (SACC open)
• Thursday, 10/31 - 2-hour early release at 2:05 (SACC open)
• Friday, 11/1 - School Closed (Diwali) 

Even with all of these great events, don't forget the importance of having a conference with your child(ren)'s classroom teacher! All families should have received a notification about choosing a time. This is a great way to hear about your child's strengths and how we can partner for a successful year. 

We hope you have a great week!

 

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• October 21 - PTA Meeting, 7:30PM, Virtual
• October 22 - PTA Family Dinner Out, Chipotle Vienna
• October 25 - Hallowingo, 6-8PM
• October 28 - 31 - Harvest Spirit Week
• October 28 - Three Hour Early Release Day
• October 29 - Full-Time AAP Information Night, 6:30PM
• October 31 - Q1 Ends, 2-Hour Early Release
• October 31 - Last Day of Spiritwear Sale
• November 1 - School Closed - Diwali
• November 8-15 - Fall Book Fair - Volunteer Signup

 

 

This week, we are focusing on Creativity. You come up with new and original ways to think about and do things.

"Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not." 

                    ~Pablo Picasso

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• What is one way you were creative today?
• What is a new idea that you've had this week?

How can creativity change the world?

Yearly Impact Aid Form

Beginning Monday, October 21st, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid for each child. Submitting this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Help FCPS secure funding by helping us identify: 

• Military families.
• Federally connected families.
• Families living on a military base.

Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form. 

For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12th. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

To access the form, please login to SIS ParentVUE, select Online Packets in the top right hand corner, and then click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page.

If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please make sure to fill out a form for each of your children. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you see a green check next to each of their names on the final screen.

We appreciate you completing the form by December 9th, 2024. 

Full-Time AAP Information Night

On Tuesday, October 29th at 6:30PM we will be holding an information session for parents interested in referring their child(ren) for full time AAP services (also called level 4). The meeting is intended for parents of 2nd-6th grade students, but all are welcome! We will be focusing on the steps of the full time AAP referral process and answering questions. If you would like more general information about all AAP services, or would like to talk about your student, please email Mrs. Fredericks. Also, please check out the AAP folder on Schoology. There are links to forms, AAP details, slideshows, videos, and more

In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

Social Studies Basel Resources Review

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration which is part of the process for selecting new resources is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person. 

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts Basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.

Community Conversations with Dr. Reid

🎤 Join Dr. Reid for a series of Community Conversations and share your feedback about our schools.

• October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School
• October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School

Register to attend: https://bit.ly/472s5Oa

FCPS Cares: Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FHES 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 exceptional work happenings at Freedom Hill.

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

FRIDAY - COME TO HALLOWINGO 

Join us this Friday, October 25th from 6-8PM as we play B-I-N-G-O, win prizes, eat pizza and enjoy seeing your costume or fall attire. Bingo cards are only $1 and can be re-used throughout the night.

Pre-purchase a pizza dinner here.  Snacks, drinks, a limited amount of pizza, and bingo cards will be available for purchase throughout the event.  And don’t forget to sign up here to volunteer at the event - this is a popular event that requires lots of helping hands.

 

MONDAY - ATTEND THE PTA MEETING

The next PTA meeting is tomorrow, Monday, October 21st at 7:30PM. Join us virtually using this zoom link.

 

TUESDAY - DINE OUT AT CHIPOTLE

Forget the cooking and join the FHES community this Tuesday, October 22nd at Chipotle at 213 Maple Avenue East in Vienna for another family-dinner-out. Stop by anytime between 5PM and 10PM and mention Freedom Hill when you order and the PTA will receive a portion of the sales. Use code D9MFHXR for online orders.

 

STAFF/FACULTY APPRECIATION SNACK ATTACK

The PTA is appreciating the FHES staff and faculty during the October 28th 3-hour early release Monday. You can support the snack attack by purchasing an item from the shopping list here. Make sure to check the delivery address before purchasing - select delivery to Alexandra Bryden who is coordinating this order. Please note that all items must be delivered by Friday, October 25th.

 

PURCHASE FHES SPIRITWEAR

 Exciting Spiritwear Alert!

We’re excited to unveil our latest additions: the Girls/Ladies V-neck Performance Tee and Performance Polo!

Check out the newest spiritwear refresh here. The online Spiritwear store will close on October 31st. All orders will be delivered to the school approximately 3 weeks after the sale ends.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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

Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Community,

We had a great week here at Freedom Hill. We believe we speak for students AND staff when we express how nice it was to have the sun return! Outdoor recess on cool fall days is always the best. As the weather cools this week, don't forget to send your child with layers to school so that they can adjust to recess and indoor temperatures. Tomorrow is a day off for students as staff engage in professional learning. 

As we move toward the conclusion of our first quarter of instruction, we want to say a big thank you to our teachers for their incredibly hard work learning and incorporating our new reading curriculum. They are making it come alive for our students and ensuring that all are supported. On Friday, we saw some great evidence of this - a big thanks to our 5th grade team for extended students' learning of natural resources by holding a "Corn Fest" lunch potluck. Thanks to everyone who attended!

On Friday, we will have our annual Fall Picture Day. Families can pre-order their school photos using the information below from Victor O'Neill Studios. All students will have their photo taken for our school directory.  

 

School Picture Day is Coming!

📅 Date: Friday, October 18, 2024

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001132696#login

📸 Images Available: Approximately two-three weeks after picture day

📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at [email protected]

 

Have a great week! Don't forget to get ready for Hallowingo - see below!

 

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• October 14 - Student Holiday; Staff Development Day
• October 18 - Fall Picture Day
• October 21 - PTA Meeting, 7:30PM
• October 22 - PTA Family Dinner Out, Chipotle Vienna
• October 25 - Hallowingo, 6-8PM
• October 28 - Three Hour Early Release Day
• October 29 - Full-Time AAP Information Night, 6:30PM
• October 31 - Q1 Ends, 2-Hour Early Release
• October 31 - Last Day of Spiritwear Sale
• November 8-15 - Fall Book Fair - Volunteer Signup

 

 

This week, we are focusing on Integrity. You are honest and speak the truth. You present yourself genuinely and sincerely.

“Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it. Right is right, even if no one is doing it.”  

                    ~Unknown

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• What does integrity mean to you?
• When is it difficult to show integrity in your day-to-day life?

Why is it important to show integrity in your relationships with others?

Monday, October 14th, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples' Day.  On this day, we honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. See the complete school year calendar.

In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

Social Studies Basel Resources Review

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration which is part of the process for selecting new resources is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person. 

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts Basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.

Free COVID-19 Tests Available

Households across the country can once again order four free COVID-19 tests that detect current COVID-19 variants, with no shipping costs delivered straight to you. Tests will begin shipping the week of September 30th. 

Community Conversations with Dr. Reid

🎤 Join Dr. Reid for a series of Community Conversations and share your feedback about our schools.

• October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School
• October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School
• October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School

Register to attend: https://bit.ly/472s5Oa

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

PTA Updates

The end of the first quarter is near but we still have a lot of fun activities planned for the community!

 

HALLOWINGO IS BACK!  *B - I - N - G - O*

A Freedom Hill tradition is returning this school year as HALLOWINGO on Friday, October 25th from 6-8PM! Spend the evening playing bingo with members of the FHES community while dressed in costume (no masks please) or festive fall attire. You can support the 6th grade class year-end moving-up activities by pre-purchasing a pizza dinner here.  Snacks, drinks, a limited amount of pizza, and bingo cards will be available for purchase throughout the event.  And don’t forget to sign up here to volunteer at the event - this is a popular event that requires lots of helping hands.

We are still accepting prizes for bingo winners. Use this as an opportunity to clear your home to make space for any new toys, games, and crafts that may arrive during the holidays. Donated prizes can be small or large, new or gently used, leftover gifts, etc. Drop off in the PTA collection box in the main office.

 

STAFF/FACULTY APPRECIATION SNACK ATTACK

The PTA is appreciating the FHES staff and faculty during the October 28th 3-hour early release Monday. You can support the snack attack by purchasing an item from the shopping list here. Make sure to check the delivery address before purchasing - select delivery to Alexandra Bryden who is coordinating this order. Please note that all items must be delivered by Friday, October 25th.

 

PURCHASE FHES SPIRITWEAR

Didn’t find what you were looking for at Open House?  Looking for something new?  Our spiritwear store is up and running - check it out here!  The store will be available through the end of October and all items will ship to the school approximately 3 weeks after the store closes.  From there, we’ll deliver your purchases to your student’s homeroom class.  Spiritwear makes great winter holiday gifts for students, grandparents, and aunts and uncles.

 

SAVE THESE UPCOMING DATES

• The next PTA meeting will be Monday, October 21st at 7:30PM and it will be virtual only. A zoom link will also be provided closer to the meeting.
• The next Family Dinner Out (FDO) will be Tuesday, October 22nd at Chipotle on Maple Avenue in Vienna. Stop by anytime between 5PM and 10PM and mention Freedom Hill when you order and the PTA will receive a portion of the sales.
• Hallowingo will be Friday, October 25th from 6-8PM. Start planning your festive fall attire and/or costume.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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

Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Community,

We hope all of our students enjoyed their long weekend, and that everyone who celebrated Rosh Hashanah had a wonderful holiday! We are excited to welcome everyone back to school tomorrow as we continue our great progress this year. A big thank you to our community for your support of school attendance this year, which is so important for our students' success. Our chronic absenteeism rates have dropped again so far this year. We will be sharing some additional information soon on some fun we have planned for classes that are demonstrating great attendance!

Last week, we appreciated our FHES Custodial Crew on Custodian Appreciation Day. A big thanks to Salvador, Yeni, Rosalina, and Vilma - the best team in FCPS! Their diligence maintaining our building and grounds is essential, and we appreciate their care that they show each day. 

On October 18, we will have our annual Fall Picture Day. Families can pre-order their school photos using the information below from Victor O'Neill Studios. All students will have their photo taken for our school directory.  

 

School Picture Day is Coming!

📅 Date: Friday, October 18, 2024

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001132696#login

📸 Images Available: Approximately two-three weeks after picture day

📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at [email protected]

 

Have a great week!

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• October 14 - Student Holiday; Staff Development Day
• October 18 - Fall Picture Day
• October 21 - PTA Meeting, 7:30PM
• October 22 - PTA Family Dinner Out, Chipotle Vienna
• October 25 - Hallowingo, 6-8PM
• October 28 - Three Hour Early Release Day
• October 29 - Full-Time AAP Information Night, 6:30PM
• October 31 - Last Day of Spiritwear Sale

 

 

This week our school community will be focusing on the Other People Mindset of Being Present and Giving Others My Attention. This means when I’m with other people, I’m present and give them my full attention.

This element of the Other People Mindset is so important today due to the increasing number of distractions vying for our time and attention. Phone calls, text messages, emails, social media notifications all have the dangerous capacity to pull us away from the present moment and, what’s most important -- our relationships with other people.

Just like plants need sunlight to grow, our relationships need attention. If we don’t give our attention to the people we’re building relationships with -- whether family members, close friends, or even distant colleagues -- we can’t build those relationships. It’s vitally important that we pick our heads up from our cell phones and truly listen to other people when they’re talking. A positive culture is built on positive relationships -- and we can’t build positive relationships without attention.

Friday, October 11th, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school. See the complete school year calendar.

In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

Save the Date for Our Thanksgiving Luncheon!

We are looking forward to hosting our families for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, November 21! Please save the date and stay tuned for additional details.

Free COVID-19 Tests Available

Households across the country can once again order four free COVID-19 tests that detect current COVID-19 variants, with no shipping costs delivered straight to you. Tests will begin shipping the week of September 30th. 

Community Conversations with Dr. Reid

🎤 Join Dr. Reid for a series of Community Conversations and share your feedback about our schools.

• October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School
• October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School
• October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School

Register to attend: https://bit.ly/472s5Oa

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

PURCHASE FHES SPIRITWEAR

Didn’t find what you were looking for at Open House?  Looking for something new?  Our spiritwear store is up and running - check it out here!  The store will be available through the end of October and all items will ship to the school approximately 3 weeks after the store closes.  From there, we’ll deliver your purchases to your student’s homeroom class.  Spiritwear makes great winter holiday gifts for students, grandparents, and aunts and uncles.

 

WANTED: HALLOWEEN BINGO PRIZE DONATIONS

A Freedom Hill tradition is returning this school year as HALLOWINGO on Friday, October 25th from 6-8PM! Details on pre-purchasing and volunteering are forthcoming but you may be able to guess that this will involve Bingo and Fall fun. We are in need of prizes for bingo winners. Use this as an opportunity to clear your home to make space for any new toys, games, and crafts that may arrive during the holidays. Donated prizes can be small or large, new or gently used, leftover gifts, etc. Drop off in the PTA collection box in the main office.

 

SAVE THESE UPCOMING DATES

• The next PTA meeting will be Monday, October 21st at 7:30PM and it will be virtual only. A zoom link will also be provided closer to the meeting.
• The next Family Dinner Out (FDO) will be Tuesday, October 22nd at Chipotle on Maple Avenue in Vienna. Stop by anytime between 5PM and 10PM and mention Freedom Hill when you order and the PTA will receive a portion of the sales.
• Hallowingo will be Friday, October 25th from 6-8PM. Start planning your festive fall attire and/or costume.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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

Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Community,

Thank you for another week of support as our students continue to Shine Bright this year. The first week of autumn was cloudy and cool, but there was much going on in our classrooms! We were so appreciative of our families' flexibility during our Early Release Monday. The extra time allowed our teachers to begin their 27-hour course focused on the Virginia Literacy Act and supporting our students' early literacy. Without this protected time, our teachers would not be able to engage with this material. Thank you!

We were also excited to celebrate our first Golden Plate award winners! Our students worked incredibly hard to demonstrate their learning of our cafeteria rules and to earn raffle opportunities for this award. Mrs. Weise's class was selected as our winners this month and enjoyed a very fancy lunch experience!

Lastly, we wanted to draw your attention to the new FCPS Strategic Plan, which was finalized last year. The culmination of the strategic planning work resulted in the development of five student-centered goals. Beginning next weekend and running through October, we will be showcasing how these goals are brought to life each day at Freedom Hill. Stay tuned! 

Have a great week! Don't forget that there is no school for students on Thursday and Friday. 

 

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• October 1 – Green Team First Day Meeting, 4:15
• October 3 – School Closed, Rosh Hashanah
• October 4 – Student Holiday; Teacher Workday
• October 14 - Student Holiday; Staff Development Day
• October 18 - Fall Picture Day
• October 21 - PTA Meeting, 7:30PM
• October 22 - PTA Family Dinner Out, Chipotle Vienna
• October 25 - Hallowingo, 6-8PM
• October 29 - Full-Time AAP Information Night, 6:30PM
• October 31 - Last Day of Spiritwear Sale

 

 

This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Open-Mindedness.  Open-mindedness means you like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.

Open-mindedness is the willingness to actively search for evidence that goes against one’s favored opinions, plans, or goals. Open-minded individuals are able to weigh all evidence fairly, when it is available. They see the other side and fight the tendency to have a bias for their own views. And, rather than favoring the socially dominant views, they give attention to those that are less dominant. 

Shanah tovah to our Jewish community celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! Meaning “head of the year,” Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection that ends with Yom Kippur.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2nd. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.

Thursday, October 3rd, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed. 

Friday, October 4th, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students. 

Save the Date for Our Thanksgiving Luncheon!

We are looking forward to hosting our families for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, November 21! Please save the date and stay tuned for additional details.

Free COVID-19 Tests Available

Households across the country can once again order four free COVID-19 tests that detect current COVID-19 variants, with no shipping costs delivered straight to you. Tests will begin shipping the week of September 30th. 

Providence Day and Back to School Celebration - Saturday, October 5th

Join us for a day of fun, connection, and community spirit! The inaugural Providence Day and Back to School Celebration is on Saturday, October 5th, from 11 am to 3 pm at Marshall High School. We will celebrate the vibrant and diverse community we're proud to call home and highlight local organizations and businesses while fostering stronger connections among residents and community leaders. This free, family-friendly event is open to all Fairfax County residents and will feature interactive booths, live performances, food trucks, activities for kids, giveaways and prizes, community spotlights, and more!

RSVP TODAY: https://www.facebook.com/share/b12h6pJutavJcxX3/

Accessibility and Transportation: George Marshall High School is easily accessible by car, bus, or bike. Shuttle services will run from the Jim Scott Community Center (3001 Vaden Drive) and the James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road).

Questions: Email [email protected] or call 703-560-6946.

Community Conversations with Dr. Reid

🎤 Join Dr. Reid for a series of Community Conversations and share your feedback about our schools.

• September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School
• October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School
• October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School
• October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School

Register to attend: https://bit.ly/472s5Oa

From September 15th to October 15th, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

PURCHASE FHES SPIRITWEAR

Didn’t find what you were looking for at Open House?  Looking for something new?  Our spiritwear store is up and running - check it out here!  The store will be available through the end of October and all items will ship to the school approximately 3 weeks after the store closes.  From there, we’ll deliver your purchases to your student’s homeroom class.  Spiritwear makes great winter holiday gifts for students, grandparents, and aunts and uncles.

 

WANTED: HALLOWEEN BINGO PRIZE DONATIONS

A Freedom Hill tradition is returning this school year as HALLOWINGO on Friday, October 25th from 6-8PM! Additional details are forthcoming but you may be able to guess that this will involve Bingo and Fall fun. We are in need of prizes for bingo winners. Use this as an opportunity to clear your home to make space for any new toys, games, and crafts that may arrive during the holidays. Donated prizes can be small or large, new or gently used, leftover gifts, etc. Drop off in the PTA collection box in the main office.

 

SAVE THESE UPCOMING DATES

• The next PTA meeting will be Monday, October 21st at 7:30PM and it will be virtual only. A zoom link will also be provided closer to the meeting.
• The next Family Dinner Out (FDO) will be Tuesday, October 22nd at Chipotle on Maple Avenue in Vienna. Stop by anytime between 5PM and 10PM and mention Freedom Hill when you order and the PTA will receive a portion of the sales.
• Hallowingo will be Friday, October 25th from 6-8PM. Start planning your festive fall attire and/or costume.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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

Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Community,

We had an incredible week of learning at FHES, where our students dedicated themselves to sharpening their reading, writing, math, science and social studies skills. As we visit all of our classrooms throughout the building, we're consistently impressed by our students' creativity, focus, and work habits.  That's quite the compliment for only being five weeks into the school year - a true testament to the quality of teachers here at FHES and our amazing student community!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first PTA meeting of the year. The PTA budget for the year was finalized and approved - thank you for your generous support of our school programs. There is also information below on before/after school programs (TODAY is the last day for registration) and the spiritwear sale. Lastly, don't forget to stop over to Shake Shack in the Pike 7 Plaza tomorrow for our first Family Dinner Out of the year!

Finally, we have our first 3-hour Early Release this coming Monday. Students will have a modified instructional schedule. All students will have a full lunch block and our normal lunch menu will be available though it will be on an earlier schedule. Dismissal will begin at 1:05.

Have a great week, and enjoy the first day of autumn!

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• September 22 - Last Day to Register for PTA Activities 
• September 23 - 3-hour Early Release (Dismissal at 1:05)
• September 23 - PTA Family Dinner Out, Shake Shack, 11am-10pm
• October 1 – Green Team First Day Meeting, 4:15
• October 3 – School Closed, Rosh Hashanah
• October 4 – Student Holiday; Teacher Workday
• October 18 - Fall Picture Day
• October 31 - Last Day of Spiritwear Sale

 

 

This week, we are focusing on Teamwork.

Individuals with this strength think, feel and behave in the following ways:

• If we can work together we can do amazing things!
• It is important for our country to work together and make it better.
• It feels good to help others.
• Working together will make us more successful and productive.
• We would love for you to join us!
• It is more important that WE are successful than it is that I am successful.

“I am a member of the team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.”  - Mia Hamm

Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.

Dunn Loring Administrative Center Community Meeting

As you might know, the Dunn Loring Administrative Center is being repurposed into a new elementary school. This new school will serve the growing needs of our community. While the project is scheduled to be completed in 2027, we understand that you may have questions about the impact on our work environment in the coming years.

To address your concerns and keep you informed, a virtual community meeting will be held on Monday, September 23rd from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. During this meeting, a project update will be presented to the community.

It is specifically focused on community interests, attendance can provide valuable insight into the project's timeline and potential impacts.

Register to attend here. 

Community Conversations with Dr. Reid

🎤 Join Dr. Reid for a series of Community Conversations and share your feedback about our schools.

• September 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Newington Forest Elementary School
• September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School
• October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School
• October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School
• October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School

Register to attend: https://bit.ly/472s5Oa

From September 15th to October 15th, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

CLOSING TONIGHT!!!  LAST CHANCE TO TRY A BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY THIS FALL

There are still spots available in the following classes that begin early October:

• Monday AM: PE Club (3rd-6th grades)
• Tuesday AM: Chess (K-6th)
• Tuesday PM: Cooking - Baroody Bakes (K-6th)
• Tuesday PM: Soccer (K-3rd)
• Wednesday AM: Lego spike robotics: Crazy carnival games (K-6th)
• Thursday AM: Spanish (K-6th)
• Thursday PM: Autumn artifacts: Pottery (K-5th)

Morning classes are before school and run 8:10-9:10AM; afternoon classes are immediately following school and run from 4:15-5:15PM. We’ve already had to cancel a few classes due to low enrollment so if you’re interested don’t wait, sign up here. If you’ve already signed up, invite a friend to join you! Registration has been extended and will now close tonight, Sunday, September 22nd at 11:59PM. 

 

DINE OUT TO SUPPORT THE PTA

The first Family Dinner Out (FDO) will be tomorrow, Monday, September 23rd at Shake Shack in the Pike7 shopping plaza (8361A Leesburg Pike). Stop by anytime between 11AM and 10PM and mention Donation Day at the register or use promo code DONATESHAKE in the app and the PTA will receive a portion of the sales. This is a great opportunity to meet-up with other friends and families.

 

PURCHASE FHES SPIRITWEAR

Didn’t find what you were looking for at Open House?  Looking for something new?  Our spiritwear store is up and running - check it out here!  The store will be available through the end of October and all items will ship to the school approximately 3 weeks after the store closes.  From there, we’ll deliver your purchases to your student’s homeroom class.  Spiritwear makes great winter holiday gifts for students, grandparents, and aunts and uncles.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Community,

Thanks for another great week on the Hill! We are off to a truly fabulous start to the school year. The week marks the completion of our first month. In only a short time our students have quickly jumped back into old routines and learning is happening every day! In the last few weeks, we've completed our "SOAR into the First 20 Days of School" program, ensuring all students know and can share our school rules and routines. Our students learned and practiced fire and lockdown drills with great success. Next week, we will have our first Early Release Monday so that our classroom teachers have time to dive into their 27-hour professional learning course on our new literacy curriculum. 

This week, we are beginning our traditional Positivity Project curriculum. For families who are new to us, we discuss a new trait each week at Freedom Hill. These traits are embedded in our classroom conversations and on the AM News Show. We welcome you joining in and discussing these further with your students at home. We will share some family conversation starters with you each week (see below). 

Our first Early Release Monday is just over a week away on Monday, September 23rd, 2024. We will be sending out confirmation emails to all families confirming what your child will be doing on the 23rd.  Please look out for this email and let us know if there is an error.  It is really important to us to make sure that we have everyone going where they need to go and when they need to leave. Please note that SACC is closed until 4:05 (September Early Release only). Students who typically go to SACC will be supervised by Freedom Hill staff. 

 

Have a great week!

 

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• September 19 - PTA Meeting, 6PM
• September 22 - Last Day to Register for PTA Activities 
• September 23 - 3-hour Early Release (Dismissal at 1:05)
• September 23 - PTA Family Dinner Out, Shake Shack, 11am-10pm

 

 

This week, we are focusing on Curiosity. You like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.

“Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.”

                                                          ~Voltaire

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

• How is curiosity the opposite of judgement?
• How do you feel when you discover something new? Learn something new?
• What are some things you fear? How can CURIOSITY replace that fear?

Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.

FHES PTA

Join Our PTA! The PTA has a goal of raising $10,000 through memberships. By becoming a member of the PTA and contributing to our fundraising efforts, you are directly investing in your child’s educational journey and our school community. Visit our PTA website here to join today. A flier with more information will come home in your student’s folder.

Apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals

The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.

Early Release Monday Reminders

From September 15th to October 15th, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Hill Happenings

Happy birthday week to Mr. Scesney and Ms. Sims!

PTA Updates

THIS THURSDAY, 9/19 at 6PM, FIRST PTA MEETING

Still not sure what the PTA does, or how to get involved?  Join us for the first PTA meeting on Thursday, September 19th at 6PM in the school library. Use this Zoom link if you need to attend virtually.  Children are welcome to attend; however, we are unable to provide daycare and encourage you to bring a book, or small activity for your child.  We will discuss and vote on the budget for the school year*, provide an overview of all of our planned events/calendar for the year, discuss open needs for volunteers, and more.  See you Thursday!

*Only paid PTA members can vote on official PTA activities. If you haven’t yet joined, now is a great time! The Freedom Hill PTA is a volunteer-driven organization that facilitates exciting programs, activities, and traditions that are not otherwise provided by Fairfax County Public Schools. We have a goal of raising $10,000 through memberships and we are almost halfway there! By becoming a member of the PTA and contributing to our fundraising efforts, you are directly investing in your child’s educational journey and our school community. Visit our PTA website here to join today.

 

DEADLINE EXTENDED! TRY A BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY

There are still spots available in the following classes that begin early October:

• Monday AM: PE Club (3rd-6th grades)
• Tuesday AM: Chess (K-6th)
• Tuesday PM: Cooking - Baroody Bakes (K-6th)
• Tuesday PM: Soccer (K-3rd)
• Wednesday AM: Lego spike robotics: Crazy carnival games (K-6th)
• Wednesday PM: Slime time (K-6th)
• Thursday AM: Spanish (K-6th)
• Thursday PM: Autumn artifacts: Pottery (K-5th)

Morning classes are before school and run 8:10-9:10AM; afternoon classes are immediately following school and run from 4:15-5:15PM. We’ve already had to cancel a few classes due to low enrollment so if you’re interested don’t wait, sign up here. If you’ve already signed up, invite a friend to join you! Registration has been extended and will now close next Sunday, September 22nd at 11:59PM. 

 

DINE OUT TO SUPPORT THE PTA

The first Family Dinner Out (FDO) will be Monday, September 23rd at Shake Shack in the Pike7 shopping plaza (8361A Leesburg Pike). Stop by anytime between 11AM and 10PM and mention Donation Day at the register or use promo code DONATESHAKE in the app and the PTA will receive a portion of the sales. This is a great opportunity to meet-up with other friends and families.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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

Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Community,

It's been a busy week and a half! What a pleasure to see so many from our community at Back to School Night as well as the Back to School Picnic. We are so grateful to our PTA for organizing such a nice evening. The weather was beautiful, and we loved connecting with families to talk about the beginning of another great school year. We also loved that so many of our students supported our kindergarten "color days" last week! If you haven't been able to join, there are two more opportunities on Monday and Tuesday (see below). 

We are still missing some families on our response to our Monday Early Release survey. It is crucial that all families complete the Monday Early Release questionnaire (if you have not already) in order for us to plan effectively. Please take a moment to fill out the survey as soon as possible. Students requiring adult supervision due to hardship will be overseen by instructional assistants, school monitors, school staff, central office personnel, and/or volunteers. Your child will not be with their teacher due to required professional development.

 

Have a great week!

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• September 8 - PTA Before/After School Activity Registration Continues
• September 19 - PTA Meeting, 6PM
• September 23 - 3-hour Early Release (Dismissal at 1:05)
• September 23 - PTA Family Dinner Out, Shake Shack

Kindergarten "Color Days"

Our kindergartners are kicking off their annual "Color Days!"  All Freedom Hill students are invited to join in the fun by dressing up in the colors below. Thanks for supporting our new kindergartners with their learning! 

Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.

FHES PTA

Join Our PTA! The PTA has a goal of raising $10,000 through memberships. By becoming a member of the PTA and contributing to our fundraising efforts, you are directly investing in your child’s educational journey and our school community. Visit our PTA website here to join today. A flier with more information will come home in your student’s folder.

Annual Opt-Out Flyer

The 2024-25 Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms flyer is now online. If you wish to opt your child out of any of the activities mentioned in the opt-out booklet, you must complete and return the appropriate forms to your child’s school.

1st Annual Marshall Mayhem Apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals

The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.

Limited Early Release Mondays

To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form no later than Wednesday, August 21 for each of your children who are enrolled at FHES. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 23, 2024 and October 28, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student. Students who attend PM SACC will still attend. 

The Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development.  Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route.  However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release Mondays for many of our families.  To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it. 

The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 23
• October 28
• December 9 (date change from Nov 25)
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

Additional information can be found on the FCPS  Early Release Mondays webpage. If you have immediate questions, please email [email protected]. 

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

We hope you enjoyed the Back to School picnic on Friday. The combination of picture-perfect weather, ice cream treats, new and old friends, and the students’ boundless energy and excitement made it a wonderful evening. Thanks for celebrating the start of the school year with us!

 

TRY A BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY

Registration is open so don’t wait and sign up here for your student to try an exciting class offered through Baroody Camps this fall. Before school classes run 8:10-9:10AM; after school classes run from 4:15-5:15PM. Classes offered this fall include coding, chess, sports, slime and more! Don’t wait - sign up today! Registration closes next Sunday, September 15th at 11:59pm.

 

JOIN THE PTA

The Freedom Hill PTA is a volunteer-driven organization that facilitates exciting programs, activities, and traditions that are not otherwise provided by Fairfax County Public Schools. We have a goal of raising $10,000 through memberships and we are almost halfway there! By becoming a member of the PTA and contributing to our fundraising efforts, you are directly investing in your child’s educational journey and our school community. Visit our PTA website here to join today.

 

ATTEND THE FIRST PTA MEETING

Still not sure what the PTA does, or how to get involved?  Plan to attend the first PTA meeting on Thursday, September 19th at 6PM in the school library. A zoom link will also be provided for anyone needing to attend virtually. We discuss and vote on the budget,

 

DINE OUT TO SUPPORT THE PTA

The first Family Dinner Out (FDO) will be Monday, September 23rd at Shake Shack in the Pike7 shopping plaza (8361A Leesburg Pike). Stop by anytime between 11AM and 10PM and mention Donation Day at the register or use promo code DONATESHAKE in the app and the PTA will receive a portion of the sales. This is a great opportunity to meet-up with other friends and families.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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

Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Community,

Happy Labor Day! We hope that you have been able to spend it in the company of family and in the spirit of relaxation. 

Week 2 is in the books "on the Hill"! Last week we welcomed our youngest (preschool) Eagles back to the building with all of their smiles and enthusiasm. It was such a pleasure to have all of our students back with us. This week we continue to learn the structures and routines of the school while having fun with our learning and friends. 

As a reminder, our PTA's annual Back to School Picnic is this Friday at 5:30! Our PTA always does a fabulous job organizing a fun night, and we hope to see you there. You can pre-order dinner below. 

As a reminder, it is crucial that all families complete the Monday Early Release questionnaire (if you have not already) in order for us to plan effectively. Please take a moment to fill out the survey as soon as possible. Students requiring adult supervision due to hardship will be overseen by instructional assistants, school monitors, school staff, central office personnel, and/or volunteers. Your child will not be with their teacher due to required professional development.

 

Have a great week!

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• September 2 – Labor Day Holiday
• September 4 - PTA Before/After School Activity Registration Opens
• September 6 – PTA Back to School Picnic: 5:30-7:30
• September 19 - PTA Meeting, 6PM
• September 23 - 3-hour Early Release (Dismissal at 1:05)
• September 23 - PTA Family Dinner Out, Shake Shack

Kindergarten "Color Days"

Our kindergartners are kicking off their annual "Color Days!"  All Freedom Hill students are invited to join in the fun by dressing up in the colors below. Thanks for supporting our new kindergartners with their learning! 

Front Office Updates / Reminders

Our Freedom Hill Front Office - Valerie Berg (School Health Aide), Katherine Cadena-Gonce (Office Assistant), Kelly Harris (Administrative & Finance Assistant), Sey-Lu Sujo (Student Information Assistant), and Jensen Muñoz (Office Assistant, Special Education). Not pictured - Emily Riera (Family Liaison)

Our Front Office is excited to support our FH families again this year! Please see yearly reminders below:

• Please consider donating paper towels to school - they are used for a variety of purposes in a big elementary school!
• If your child will be traveling home a different way than usual or will be picked up early, please let the teacher and the office know by 2:00. It can be difficult and not always possible to accommodate the many requests for end of day dismissals during the last few minutes of school.
• When calling the office regarding your student, please be prepared to give your child’s full name, grade, and teacher’s name.
• This is a reminder to please mark your student’s name on their lunch box, backpack, and water bottle in permanent marker. 
• Glass containers are not permitted. This includes bottles and food containers.

FHES PTA

Join Our PTA! The PTA has a goal of raising $10,000 through memberships. By becoming a member of the PTA and contributing to our fundraising efforts, you are directly investing in your child’s educational journey and our school community. Visit our PTA website here to join today. A flier with more information will come home in your student’s folder.

Annual Opt-Out Flyer

The 2024-25 Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms flyer is now online. If you wish to opt your child out of any of the activities mentioned in the opt-out booklet, you must complete and return the appropriate forms to your child’s school.

1st Annual Marshall Mayhem Apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals

The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.

Limited Early Release Mondays

To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form no later than Wednesday, August 21 for each of your children who are enrolled at FHES. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 23, 2024 and October 28, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student. Students who attend PM SACC will still attend. 

The Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development.  Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route.  However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release Mondays for many of our families.  To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it. 

The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 23
• October 28
• December 9 (date change from Nov 25)
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

Additional information can be found on the FCPS  Early Release Mondays webpage. If you have immediate questions, please email [email protected]. 

Calling All Vocalists!

Any interested 5th and 6th grade students are welcome to join chorus this year! Chorus meets during our Specials block, and performs two concerts per year. Your child may have come home with a green Chorus flier with a QR code you can use to find the Google Form, or you can click this link to sign your child up for chorus! Please email Mrs. Canape with any questions. 

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

LAST CHANCE - PRE-ORDER BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC DINNER

Pre-order a salad or sandwich box from Potbelly here to be delivered on-site at the picnic. All orders must be in by midnight this Tuesday, September 3rd. There will be a limited number of meal boxes available for sale on-site, but there will be plenty of hand-scooped Ben & Jerry’s available for sale!

We still need a few volunteers to work short shifts for this event. This is a great opportunity for students (and alumni) looking for volunteer hours. Sign up here.

See you this Friday, September 6th from 5:30-7:30PM! Feel free to bring your own lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and/or picnic goodies.

 

TRY A BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY

Registration opens here this Wednesday, September 4th at 9AM for your student to try an exciting class offered through Baroody Camps this fall. Before school classes run 8:10-9:10AM; after school classes run from 4:15-5:15PM. Look for a flier to come home in your student’s folder with the schedule of classes.

 

JOIN THE PTA

The Freedom Hill PTA is a volunteer-driven organization that facilitates exciting programs, activities, and traditions that are not otherwise provided by Fairfax County Public Schools. We have a goal of raising $10,000 through memberships and we are almost halfway there! By becoming a member of the PTA and contributing to our fundraising efforts, you are directly investing in your child’s educational journey and our school community. Visit our PTA website here to join today.

 

SAVE THE DATES

• The first PTA meeting will be Thursday, September 19th at 6PM in the school library. A zoom link will also be provided for anyone needing to attend virtually.
• The first Family Dinner Out (FDO) will be Monday, September 23rd at Shake Shack in the Pike7 shopping plaza. Stop by anytime between 11AM and 10PM and mention Freedom Hill when you order and the PTA will receive a portion of the sales. This is a great opportunity to meet-up with other friends and families.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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

Principals' Update

Dear Freedom Hill Community,

Thank you for supporting our fabulous start to the 24-25 school year! What a pleasure to have our students back in the building. The energy, smiles, and excitement radiated throughout the school, and our students did a wonderful job showcasing our learning from our "First 20 Days of School" schoolwide learning. Our students also completed our first fire drill with organization and quickness.

This Tuesday evening we are holding Back to School Night for our families. This is a wonderful time to meet your child(ren)'s teacher, to see their learning space, and to learn important information about their classroom and our school. The schedule for BTSN is provided below. We hope to see you!

This is also the time of year to get involved with our PTA! We are eager to have families support our school-wide efforts. Please see the PTA section below for information on joining, the Back to School Picnic, and earning our community funds through Box Tops.

Have a great week!

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• August 27 –Back to School Night – 6:00-8:00
• August 30 – September 2 – Labor Day Holidays
• September 6 – PTA Back to School Picnic: 5:30-7:30

Back to School & AAP Information Night

We are excited to welcome you to our 2024 Back to School Night on Tuesday! You will have the chance to visit your child's classroom and to hear a variety of important information from your teacher. We are offering two sessions for families who have more than one students at Freedom Hill. We will also have a Meet and Greet with our fabulous Specialist Teachers, as well as an optional Advanced Academics Information session for parents interested in learning more about the FCPS AAP sequence (please note, this is an overview of AAP - a meeting specifically for the AAP Full-Time referral process will be later in the year). We look forward to seeing you!

FHES PTA

Join Our PTA! The PTA has a goal of raising $10,000 through memberships. By becoming a member of the PTA and contributing to our fundraising efforts, you are directly investing in your child’s educational journey and our school community. Visit our PTA website here to join today. A flier with more information will come home in your student’s folder.

Follow Us on Social

Freedom Hill has amazing things happening and we are always looking forward to connecting with our families in new and creative ways. Please be sure to follow us on the following social media pages to stay up to date with the latest information. We love sharing updates about our community!

• Facebook
• Instagram

Phones Down, Engagement Up: Cell Phones in FCPS

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office. 

Apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals

The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.

Limited Early Release Mondays

To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form no later than Wednesday, August 21 for each of your children who are enrolled at FHES. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 23, 2024 and October 28, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student. Students who attend PM SACC will still attend. 

The Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development.  Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route.  However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release Mondays for many of our families.  To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it. 

The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 23
• October 28
• November 25
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

Additional information can be found on the FCPS  Early Release Mondays webpage. If you have immediate questions, please email [email protected]. 

Calling All Future Girl Scouts!

Ready to embark on an adventure full of fun, friendship, and fulfillment? Join current Girl Scouts, troop leaders and parents in the cafeteria at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 3rd to learn more about the Girl Scout troops at Freedom Hill! 

As a Girl Scout, you’ll have the chance to explore the world around you, have a blast, and—most importantly—find the space to be truly, totally yourself. That’s what being a Girl Scout is all about. Don’t miss your chance to grow, learn, and laugh with a supportive crew at your side. 

For questions or more information, contact Katie Chandra at [email protected]

Hill Happenings PTA Updates

We look forward to seeing you at Back to School Night on Tuesday. Stop by our table in the lobby to get to know members of the PTA Board and ask us any questions you have.

 

JOIN THE PTA

The Freedom Hill PTA is a volunteer-driven organization that facilitates exciting programs, activities, and traditions that are not otherwise provided by Fairfax County Public Schools. We have a goal of raising $10,000 through memberships. By becoming a member of the PTA and contributing to our fundraising efforts, you are directly investing in your child’s educational journey and our school community. Visit our PTA website here to join today. Look for a flier with more information in your student’s folder.

 

SAVE THE DATE - BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC

The PTA looks forward to celebrating the start of the new school year at our annual Back to School Picnic on Friday, September 6th from 5:30-7:30PM! This is a great opportunity to meet other members of the Freedom Hill community. Feel free to bring your own lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and/or picnic goodies. Don’t feel like making dinner? Pre-order a salad or sandwich box from Potbelly by Tuesday, September 3rd here to be delivered on-site at the picnic.

We need a few volunteers to work short shifts to set-up and clean-up. This is a great opportunity for middle school and high school alumni looking to get a start on volunteer hours. Sign up here. A flier with detailed information will come home in your student’s folder.

 

TRY A BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY

Registration opens Wednesday, September 4th at 9AM for your student to try an exciting class offered through Baroody Camps this fall. Before school classes run 8:10-9:10AM; after school classes run from 4:15-5:15PM. Look for a flier to come home in your student’s folder with the schedule of classes.

 

HELP THE PTA EARN MONEY

Box Tops:

Join other families and community members in earning cash for our school by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios!) and scan your grocery receipt each time you shop. Use this referral code F3FQ0H6U when you sign up so download the Box Tops for Education app here. If you shop at Walmart, link your Walmart account to your Box Tops app by August 31st and you’ll earn an extra $5 for the school.

 

Harris Teeter:

Do you shop at Harris Teeter?  By linking your Harris Teeter bonus card to Freedom Hill, you can help us earn money each time you shop for groceries.

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Welcome to School Year 2024-25!

Dear Freedom Hill Community,

The first day of school is upon us! It was wonderful to see many families at Open House. I know we speak for our staff when we express how excited we are for our students to return tomorrow. We want to say a big thank you to our teachers and staff for preparing a wonderful environment for our first day!

Please review the newsletter below for important information on arrival procedures for school. Every beginning and ending of our school day involves the most important goal of the safe arrival and dismissal of our students. It takes a village to supervise this portion of our day but also involves families carefully following our drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure our students' safety.

For families with healthcare and/or medication needs this year, please see the School Health Room Annual Letter. Families will also find the school calendar, cafeteria menus site, and parent resource website linked below. 

We look forward to continued partnership this year! Kindergarten parents, don't forget about our Tears & Cheers Event tomorrow morning!

 

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

First Day Arrival/Dismissal Info

Kiss and Ride (Red) - Parents follow the loop and drop off students in the safe area where staff members meet the students. Cars in the bus loop need to allow for space for families to access the accessible parking spaces.

Accessible Parking (Blue) - There are two areas designated for accessible parking. 

Door #1 - Students that ride the bus enter and exit the building at Door 1.

Door #8 -Walkers and Kiss and Ride students enter and exit the building at Door 8.

Door #5 - Walkers from behind the school and some students in our special education programs enter and exit the building at Door 5.

 

In the interest of student safely, please do not:

• Make illegal U-turns on Lord Fairfax Road
• Park in the bus lanes (yellow area) during arrival/dismissal
• Walk across the road or bus lanes (please use the crosswalk)
• Park at the neighboring apartment complex 

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

FCPS Lunch Menu

Freedom Hill Family Resources

• August 19 - First Day of School - Student Arrival 9:05-9:20
• August 19 - Kindergarten Parents' Tears & Cheers, 9:05-9:45
• August 27 –Back to School Night – 6:00-8:00
• August 30 – September 2 – Labor Day Holidays
• September 6 – PTA Back to School Picnic: 5:30-7:30

We are eager to interview individuals who are interested in joining our team! Please email Dr. Z. with your interest in our open position: 

• Cafeteria Attendant (11:00-2:00 daily) 

FHES PTA

Join Our PTA! The PTA has a goal of raising $10,000 through memberships. By becoming a member of the PTA and contributing to our fundraising efforts, you are directly investing in your child’s educational journey and our school community. Visit our PTA website here to join today. A flier with more information will come home in your student’s folder.

Follow Us on Social

Freedom Hill has amazing things happening and we are always looking forward to connecting with our families in new and creative ways. Please be sure to follow us on the following social media pages to stay up to date with the latest information. We love sharing updates about our community!

• Facebook
• Instagram

Phones Down, Engagement Up: Cell Phones in FCPS

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office. 

SIS ParentVue

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

Apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals

The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.

Limited Early Release Mondays

To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form no later than Wednesday, August 21 for each of your children who are enrolled at FHES. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 23, 2024 and October 28, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student. Students who attend PM SACC will still attend. 

The Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development.  Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route.  However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release Mondays for many of our families.  To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it. 

The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 23
• October 28
• November 25
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

Additional information can be found on the FCPS  Early Release Mondays webpage. If you have immediate questions, please email [email protected]. 

PTA Updates

TEARS OR CHEERS - MONDAY, AUGUST 19th

Our kindergarten TEARS or CHEERS event is tomorrow, Monday, August 19th in the cafeteria from student drop-off until approximately 9:45AM. Come meet other kindergarten parents/families; light breakfast goodies will be provided.

 

WHAT IS THE PTA & HOW DO YOU JOIN

The Freedom Hill PTA is a volunteer-driven organization that facilitates exciting programs, activities, and traditions that are not otherwise provided by Fairfax County Public Schools, such as the following and many more!

• Kindergarten Tears or Cheers, Spelling Bee, Science Fair, Cultural Heritage Day
• Field Day pizza/ice cream, Garden improvements/landscaping materials,
• Teacher wish lists, curriculum support, and teacher/staff appreciation events throughout the year

We have a goal of raising $10,000 through memberships. By becoming a member of the PTA and contributing to our fundraising efforts, you are directly investing in your child’s educational journey and our school community. Visit our PTA website here to join today. A flier with more information will come home in your student’s folder.

 

HELP THE PTA EARN MONEY

Box Tops:

Join other families and community members in earning cash for our school by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios!) and scan your grocery receipt each time you shop. Box Tops are worth $.10 each and they add up fast! Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need - equipment, supplies or experiences the kids love!

Use this referral code F3FQ0H6U when you sign up and you’ll get 25 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt, while supplies last! Download the Box Tops for Education app here. If you shop at Walmart, link your Walmart account to your Box Tops app by August 31st and you’ll earn an extra $5 for the school.

Harris Teeter:

Do you shop at Harris Teeter?  By linking your Harris Teeter bonus card to Freedom Hill, you can help us earn money each time you shop for groceries.

 

SAVE THE DATE - BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC

The PTA looks forward to celebrating the start of the new school year at our annual Back to School Picnic on Friday, September 6th from 5:30-7:30PM! This is a great opportunity to meet other members of the Freedom Hill community. Feel free to bring your own lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and/or picnic goodies. Don’t feel like making dinner? Pre-order a salad or sandwich box from Potbelly by Tuesday, September 3rd here to be delivered on-site at the picnic.

We need a few volunteers to work short shifts to set-up and clean-up. This is a great opportunity for middle school and high school alumni looking to get a start on volunteer hours. Sign up here. A flier with detailed information will come home in your student’s folder next week. 

 

GET SOCIAL WITH US

• Bookmark the PTA website as a favorite in your internet browser
• Sign up for the separate PTA Newsletter HERE
• Follow us on X: @freedomhillpta.org
• Follow us on Facebook: Freedom Hill ES Community
• General PTA inquiries: [email protected]

 

We hope everyone has a fantastic first day of school and we look forward to seeing you soon!  As a reminder, your PTA Board for the 2024-2025 school year is:

• President: Kerrey Olden
• Secretary: Hyun Yoo
• Treasurer: Emily Jacobs
• VP: Amber Halaka
• VP of Communications/Technology: Kiara Osorio
• VP of Membership: Aleksia Forster
• VP of New Business Development: Camille Paredes

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Open House - August 16!

Each year we welcome our families into the building the Friday before school to have an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher(s), to drop off school supplies, and to see the classroom. To alleviate parking and interior crowding, we offer several sessions - please attend during your assigned session:

• 9:00 - 9:45 - Adapted Programs: PAC, ECCB, PreK, EAC, ID, IDS
• 10:00 - 10:30 - Student Last Names A-L
• 10:45 - 11:15 - Student Last Names M-Z

Some other details:

• We encourage walking or carpooling with other families, as our parking lot is not able to accommodate all of our families. 
• You will meet your child's teacher(s) and explore the safe and welcoming environment that our incredible staff has created. 
• Open House is a great time to drop off any medications in the school clinic, and pick up a Kiss 'N Ride number in the office if you will be picking up your student at the end of the school day. 
• The PTA will be selling FH spirit wear, and several community groups will be sharing more information on their programs. 
• If you cannot attend the Open House, staff members will be available on the first day of school to assist students in locating their classrooms.

Reminder: Kindergarten Tears & Cheers on Monday

Our PTA kindergarten TEARS or CHEERS event is Monday, August 19th (first day of school) in the cafeteria from student drop-off until approximately 9:45AM. Come meet other kindergarten parents/families; light breakfast goodies will be provided. Complete this google form to let us know you’re coming.

Visit the PTA at Open House

Plan to stop by and visit us during Open House to:

• Learn about the PTA and what we do
• Join the PTA
• Purchase spiritwear
• Learn how you can earn money for the PTA using the Box Tops app and referral code F3FQ0H6U
• Learn how you can also earn money by linking your Harris Teeter bonus card to Freedom Hill

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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

 

Dear Freedom Hill Families,

We hope the summer is well for you and your family! It is hard to believe that we are only 13 days away from a new school year. Whether you are a returning family or joining our community for the first time, we are delighted to have you with us. This year we continue our mission of supporting our students' success through a cultural of belonging and of educational excellence. Our staff will be returning in a few days to begin preparations for what promises to be a great year - and Freedom Hill's 75th!

At the center of all successful schools is an engaged, informed community. To this end we will be continuing to provide families with important updates each weekend through this newsletter. At the end of each newsletter we also include updates from our wonderful PTA, who are frequently supplementing our learning during the school day with a variety of fantastic events and activities. Don't forget to also follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We love sharing our students' learning!

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We are looking forward to seeing you next Friday at Open House!

 

In partnership,

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal

Holly Sims, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

2024-25 FCPS School Calendar

Freedom Hill Family Resources

Breakfast/Lunch Menus (Coming Soon!)

• August 16 - Open House 
• August 17 - Rising Kindergarten Playdate, 10AM (Playground)
• August 19 - First Day of School - Students Arrive at 9:05
• August 19 - PTA "Tears & Cheers" for Kindergarten Families, 9:15
• August 27 - Back to School Night for Parents, 6PM

Each year we welcome families into the building the day before school for you to have an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, to drop off school supplies, and to see their classroom. To alleviate parking and interior crowding, we will offer several sessions on Friday:

• 9:00 - 9:45 - Adapted Programs: PAC, EAC, ID, IDS, and Preschool Class-based
• 10:00 - 10:30 - Student Last Names A-L
• 10:45 - 11:15 - Student Last Names M-Z

Some other details:

• You will meet your child's teacher and visit the classroom to explore the safe and welcoming environment that our teachers have created.
• It's a great time to drop off any medications in the school clinic, and pick up a Kiss 'N Ride number in the office if you will be picking up your student at the end of the school day. 
• The PTA will be selling FH spirit wear!
• If you cannot attend the Open House, staff members will be available on the first day of school to assist students in locating their classrooms. 

Class Placement & Transportation

Class/teacher placements have been finalized and will be communicated through SIS ParentVUE by August 14th. If you do not have a SIS ParentVue account, we recommend signing up for one now. The instructions can be found HERE and if you need your activation code, please reach out to Ms. Sujo in the front office. 

Additionally, transportation information will be provided by the FCPS Office of Transportation prior to the start of the school year. If you have questions about your child's transportation, please reach out to the FCPS Office of Transportation, Team 41, at 703-249-7100.  

We are eager to interview individuals who are interested in joining our team! Please email Dr. Z. with your interest in our open positions: 

• Special Education Teacher, Autism
• Special Education Teacher, Intellectual Disabilities

Limited Early Release Mondays for Elementary Schools

We wanted to provide a reminder and follow up to the FCPS communication that was sent in June regarding seven three-hour early release Mondays for elementary students in the 24-25 year. Freedom Hill will be dismissing at 1:05 on the following dates:

• September 23
• October 28
• November 25
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

These times are incorporated into the schedule this year to support staff with the significant professional development requirements that are part of the Virginia Literacy Act. Additional information can be found on the FCPS Early Release Mondays webpage.

School Supply Lists

Want to cross something off of your August to-do list right now?  Check out our 2024-2025 School Supply Lists and have one thing less to worry about at back to school time!

Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications

According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Families that are earning less than 185% of the poverty level can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost.

Families must complete the Free and Reduced Price Meal application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. Look for the application in August, view criteria, and up-to-date information on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage. Families can call the front office with questions. 

SIS ParentVue

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

FH Year-End Report

Missed our 2023-2024 Year-End Report? It is available for you to download in English and Spanish. Many thanks to our families, students, and staff who contributed to share some great news from our school year!

PTA Updates

We hope you enjoy the last few weeks of the summer and we look forward to seeing you soon!  As a reminder, your PTA Board for the 2024-2025 school year is:

• President: Kerrey Olden
• Secretary: Hyun Yoo
• Treasurer: Emily Jacobs
• VP: Amber Halaka
• VP of Communications/Technology: Kiara Osorio
• VP of Membership: Aleksia Forster
• VP of New Business Development: Camille Paredes

 

VISIT THE PTA AT OPEN HOUSE

We are excited to see all the returning families and meet the new families at Open House on Friday, August 16th. 

Plan to stop by and visit us during Open House to:

• Learn about the PTA and what we do
• Join the PTA
• Purchase spiritwear
• Learn how you can earn money for the PTA using the Box Tops app and referral code F3FQ0H6U
• Learn how you can also earn money by linking your Harris Teeter bonus card to Freedom Hill

 

DON’T FORGET THESE UPCOMING DATES

Our last playdate for rising kindergarteners is Saturday, August 17th at 10AM on the playground and blacktop.  Thank you Alex Bryden for coordinating all the playdates this summer.

Our kindergarten TEARS or CHEERS event is Monday, August 19th (first day of school) in the cafeteria from student drop-off until approximately 9:45AM. Come meet other kindergarten parents/families; light breakfast goodies will be provided. Complete this google form to let us know you’re coming.

 

GET SOCIAL WITH US

• Bookmark the PTA website as a favorite in your internet browser
• Sign up for the separate PTA Newsletter HERE
• Follow us on X: @freedomhillpta.org
• Follow us on Facebook: Freedom Hill ES Community
• General PTA inquiries: [email protected]

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter