FH Weekly Update - 2/9/25
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Principals' UpdateDear Freedom Hill Families,
We hope you had a great week! Thank you to everyone who joined us for a spectacular chorus concert, and/or a productive PTA meeting.
Did you hear that the Read-A-Thon is coming soon? Freedom Hill is excited to welcome local author Alyssa Colman to Freedom Hill on February 28th to kick things off! Alyssa Colman is the author of Where Only Storms Grow (2025), The Tarnished Garden, and The Gilded Girl, which won the 2021 Northern Lights Book Award for middle grade fantasy and was a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. Parents of younger students can read about Ms. Colman’s books here and decide if they would like to read the books aloud to their primary-age students. Mrs. Rossman, FHES reading specialist, is happy to answer any questions.
Books can be purchased in advance of the event through Bards Alley at this link by February 14. Mrs. Rossman will deliver purchased books to students on the day of the event.
Lastly, our PTA has won a Healthy Minds Grant! They are interested in understanding how to best allocate the grant funds toward social and emotional learning supports at our school. Please complete this short survey to share your thoughts and ideas.
Have a great week and don't forget to purchase a Valentine Candygram to celebrate the holiday on Friday.
In partnership,
Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal
Holly Sims, Assistant Principal
Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar2024-25 FCPS School Calendar
- February 3 - 14 - Spelling Bee Classroom Bees
- February 4 - 13 - Valentine Candygram Sales
- February 14 - SCA Valentine's Spirit Day
- February 17 - School Closed - Presidents' Day
- February 24 - 3-hour Early Release Day (Teacher Training)
- February 24 - PTA Family Dinner Out - Panera, Pike 7 Plaza
- February 27 - Spelling Bee Finals, 6PM
- March 3 - 14 - Read-A-Thon - Info coming soon!
This week, we are focusing on Love of Learning. You master new topics and skills on your own or in school.
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
~B.B. King
Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- What kinds of things do you like learning?
- Do you think it’s true that you can learn ANYTHING?
- What do you think are the benefits of loving to learn?
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. If you did not attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:
- Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. Language interpretation will be available.
Virtual meetings will follow the same format as in-person meetings that were recently held and the same information will be shared. Stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.
Reminder: Early Release MondaysThe 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 three hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route.
The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:
- September 23
- October 28
- December 9
- 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].
FCPS Proposed Budget ProgressFCPS Proposed Budget Progress
The Fairfax County School Board discussed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at their work session on February 4. They discussed details regarding student enrollment and investments in students requiring additional support, market comparison data for surrounding school divisions, and an update on progress toward achieving the Baldrige Award for Performance Excellence. Baldrige is a framework used to assess and improve organizational performance across various sectors, including education.
The School Board also held a public hearing on the FY 2026 Proposed Budget on Tuesday, February 4, where they invited the community to share their feedback on the budget.
On Tuesday, February 18, the Fairfax County executive will present the county’s Advertised Budget, and the Fairfax County School Board will hold a work session on the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget. View FCPS’ Budget Development Calendar.
Breaking Down the Budget
More than 85% of the budget is dedicated to instruction and reflects the needs of our community’s young people in response to the changing world around us. Budget priorities include providing competitive compensation for all employees, including a 7% salary increase for all staff. The majority of the budget increase is dedicated to that proposed 7% pay increase.
Our families want their children in high-quality schools with the best teachers who provide rigorous academic experiences. We must provide competitive compensation to attract and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students.
The proposed 7% salary increase would likely move FCPS to the highest starting salary for teachers with a master's degree among our neighboring counties and greatly improve our recruitment efforts amidst an ongoing teacher shortage. Visit the Budget webpage for more information
🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery RegistrationCountywide lottery registration for the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program for first graders in the 2025-26 school year is open through Thursday, February 13, at 4 p.m. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program through Thursday, March 6, at 4 p.m.
Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Interested parents/caregivers may attend an informational meeting at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program registration page for a list of meetings by language offered.
Get more details on the DLI Program webpage.
FCPS Cares: Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and BeyondThe 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.
🧲 Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet SchoolsThree FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts.
Registration for the 2025-26 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 4, through Friday, April 4. Learn more about the programs on the Elementary Magnet Schools page and information on the magnet lottery on our Registration page.
Hill Happenings ♥️ PTA Updates ♥️PTA MEETING RECAP
Love is in the air this week and we especially loved seeing everyone that was able to attend the PTA meeting this past Thursday. The first amendment to the budget to support the 75th FHES Anniversary was approved! If you haven’t already done so, mark your calendars and save the date of Saturday, May 17th, 11AM-2PM for the big celebration! We also discussed the continued need for volunteers for several committees for the remainder of the school year. Please take a look at this google form and express your interest.
In the coming weeks, we will open up nominations (including self-nominations) for the 2025-2026 PTA Board. As part of the election process, we will also need to elect a Nominating Committee at the March PTA meeting. Ths committee (minimum of 3 PTA members) reviews the submitted nominations during March (exact timing TBD) and will present a slate of candidates at the April PTA meeting. If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee, please express your interest in the google form.
VALENTINE’S DAY CANDYGRAMS SALES END THURSDAY
Candygrams for Valentine's Day are back! Sixth grade volunteers will be selling from this Tuesday, February 4th through 13th from 8:30-9:10AM each school day by the main entrance. You can purchase lollipops or rainbow pencils (a non-candy alternative, limited quantity available) for 50¢ each to be delivered to classmates, friends or siblings in other grades, teachers, specialists, and other FHES staff - anyone in the building!
Simply fill out the pink order form that came home last week and have your student bring the completed form and payment to school any day that the 6th graders are selling. Extra order form and candy notes are available for printing at home and will also be available on site.
NEXT FDO - FEBRUARY 24TH - PANERA
Save the date for our next Family Dinner Out on Monday, February 24th from 4-8PM at Panera on Leesburg Pike. With the 3 hour early release also scheduled for that day, it’s a great opportunity to gather with other Freedom Hill families!
SPELLING BEE
The FHES Spelling Bee will be held Thursday, February 27th, beginning at 6PM in the cafeteria. Good luck to all the participants!
LOCAL AUTHOR EVENT - PRE-ORDER BOOKS
As we get ready for this year’s Read-a-thon, we’re excited to announce that Ms. Rossman has lined up another exciting local author event! Alyssa is the author of Where Only Storms Grow (2025), The Tarnished Garden, and The Gilded Girl, which won the 2021 Northern Lights Book Award for middle grade fantasy and was a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. Read about Ms. Colman’s books at https://www.alyssacolman.com/books.html Mrs. Rossman, FHES reading specialist, is happy to answer any questions at [email protected].
Books can be purchased in advance of the event through Bards Alley at this link: https://bardsalley.square.site/school-visits. Mrs. Rossman will deliver purchased books to students on the day of the event, Friday, February 28th.
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