Sangster News From The Nest 2-6-25
GovDelivery4 days 18 hours agoHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
Upcoming Events February 6 - Spelling Bee February 7 - Team/Jersey Spirit Day February 10 - 3 Hour Early Release February 17 - Holiday Yearbook Orders Are HERE!Early bird sale!
The price per yearbook will increase to $18 after the deadline.
Deadline: February 28, 2025
Online orders only, please!
Click Buy the Yearbook and enter School ID 724824, or scan the QR code.
STEAM Needs: NewspapersPlease bring in your unwanted newspapers.
Your student can drop it off in the STEAM collections container outside the library. Or bring it in on their STEAM day to give to Ms. Hartman.
Thank you!
2025-2026 Registration is Underway!It's Time to Register for Kindergarten!
If your child will be 5 years old by September 30, now is the time to register your student.
Click Here! to head over to FCPS' online registration page.
There you will find all the information to register your student!
Dual Language Immersion Lottery RegistrationRegistration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program is open through Thursday, March 6, at 4 p.m. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2025-26 school year.
Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Interested parents/caregivers may want to 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.
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.
To learn more about the programs and the registration process, families are encouraged to attend one of the Parent Information Nights:
- Hunters Woods Elementary
- February 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)
- and Bailey’s Upper Elementary School
- February 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)
This show is a sweeping, beautiful musical theatre classic with gorgeous ballet inspired dance numbers and stunning vocal harmonies, and a timeless tale updated in the 2013 Broadway revival book by Douglas Carter Beane to enliven beloved characters with agency and personality and add new ones to the story. This particular musical is incredibly family friendly, and wonderfully lush. It's a perfect experience for your students, families, and teachers to be introduced to a love of the performing arts or to deepen an existing one, and we would love to have as many of them with us as possible.
We offer discounted student tickets, of course, and we are also offering two special event tickets for our Saturday matinee. The first, a meet and greet with Cinderella and her Prince after the show for our youngest guests, and the second a Future Cast Member clinic prior to the show with the production's dance captains, where fifth graders through eighth graders can learn a piece of choreography on the stage, with members of the high school cast, and then see that very choreography replicated in the show they attend.
Irving Theatre - Frozen JR.Tickets are available through etix.com (search Irving) or https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15636/irving-middle-school-theatreperformance_id=47509861&country=US&language=en.
Save the Date: Academy Open HousesFCPS high school academies are holding open houses for interested students. Open houses are a great opportunity to visit classrooms, labs, instructors, and academy counselors.
An academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Academy elective courses provide students with various career experiences, including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses. Students can explore more than a dozen career fields through FCPS academies!
Watch this video to learn more about academy programs. View the calendar of Academy Open Houses. For questions, email Bonnie Wannett.
✨ Availability of, accessibility to, and student enrollment in coursework in the arts, STEAM, career and technical education, trades, technology, and world languages is one measure of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity.
Course Selection for Middle School StudentsBeginning in January 2025, rising 7th-12th grade students meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.
As students choose courses, it is important for them to consider:
- Current academic strengths and habits.
- Graduation requirements (high school students).
- Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
- Personal well-being.
- Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.
School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
🎓 Graduation Requirements and PlanningPlanning which courses to take next year — and in future years — must be given considerable thought. Students and families should review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond.
The Program of Studies may also be helpful. Students and families should refer to their school’s website for their school-specific course catalog and course selection information.
Friendly Reminders! 🏫 Resources for FamiliesFairfax County Public Schools believes that public education is the cornerstone of a successful community. We will continue to do all that we can to ensure access to safe and vibrant learning spaces for all of our students, families, and staff. While some things may be changing, what’s unwavering is our commitment to ensuring that all students benefit from a world-class education in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment. We encourage our students to come to school every day.
Parents/caregivers, students, and staff have asked what FCPS is doing to ensure a safe learning experience for our community. Please see resources below.
FCPS continues to monitor national policy decisions that impact our students, their families and some of our staff and their families. There are existing laws that govern our work as a public school system.
In accordance with federal law, FCPS does not require any student or family member to share their immigration status. Also, FCPS does not collect student or family member immigration status.
For more information about FCPS resources click here.
❄️ Prepare for Winter WeatherWinter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.
🚌 Change of Plans at DismissalWe have noticed an increase in last minute change of dismissal plans over the last several weeks. Please know, while we want to accommodate everyone, it is difficult to do so when less than 24 hours notice is given. Please make change of dismissal plans directly with the teacher and only contact the office in an emergency situation.
📅 AttendancePlease remember to email or call the attendance line with any messages regarding your student's attendance. Absences and late arrivals should be reported to avoid getting a robo-call from FCPS. If you email the teacher to let them know about your student's attendance, please copy [email protected] to ensure your message reaches our attendance staff. You can also call, 703-644-8282 to report any attendance messages.
Sangster New Family and Military Family Information Night📅February 26 | 7:00–8:00 PM 📍 Sangster Elementary School
Join us for a special evening for Sangster families! Let’s connect with new families at Sangster and military families who might be moving soon. We’ll offer ideas on how to support families experiencing major transitions, and hear from our clinical and administrative staff as they share ideas on helping children adjust to change. All Sangster families are invited!
Stay tuned for more details. For questions, contact Stacy Huisman, Family Liaison at [email protected].
🗓️ Upcoming Events with the Family AcademyYou are an important part of your child's education! The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.
🏫Family Resource Center WebinarsUnderstand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Upper Elementary (3-6)
February 7, 2025
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Discover how to support your child’s executive function skills in our webinar series. We will present information on understanding your child’s developmental milestones, recognizing signs of executive dysfunction, and implementing effective strategies to support their learning at home and in school.
-----------------------------------------------------------
FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Part 1 Risk Prevention
February 18, 2025
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Review how FCPS Risk Prevention processes and procedures support a safe and healthy school community. Learn about risks assessments when a child expresses threats of harm to self and threats of harm to others and/or demonstrates concerning behaviors. Families and caretakers will be provided practical information and strategies to support building factors for those in their care.
------------------------------------------------------------
Nurturing Adolescent Growth: Part 4 - Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens
February 21, 2025
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Join us for Part 4 of our Teen Series with Dr. Unnatti Jain, a Certified Behavior Change Expert / TEDx speaker / Author / Keynote speaker who studies behavioral patterns. Dr. Jain will help caretakers and families be able to identify mental health symptoms, enhance communication skills, and explore professional and self-care strategies.
------------------------------------------------------------
SibShops
February 22, 2025
10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
For children grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. An opportunity to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs. Share sibling experiences, while receiving peer support. Enjoy games and have fun!
Sibshops: Located at Sully Community Center, 13800 Wall Road Herndon, Virginia
------------------------------------------------------------
FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Suicide Prevention – Supporting Your Child
February 25, 2025
10 - 11:30 a.m.
This session will equip caregivers with the knowledge and skills to identify signs of suicidal ideation in their children and respond effectively to these crises. Caregivers will learn how to respond if they learn or observe that their child may be experiencing thoughts of suicide. This session will provide practical tools and strategies to help caregivers navigate these challenging situations with compassion and confidence.
Military FamiliesNavigating Special Education Needs and Parental Rights for Military Families
Fairfax County Public Schools provides many supports and services to students with special needs and their families.
Partners In Promise - Protect the Rights Of Military children in Special Education and disability communities to ensure they receive equal access to an education. We develop data-informed solutions that equip parents, inform leaders and enable military students to thrive.
Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity grants to children and teens of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post-9/11 combat wounded, ill, or injured Veterans in treatment. OMK activity grants build the children's self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community.
Access to childcare directly affects mission readiness, morale, and retention of defense personnel worldwide. For this reason, the Department of Defense is committed to connecting military and DoD-affiliated families to quality, affordable childcare programs. For an overview of MCC and how you can request childcare for your family, watch this short video and/or select Learn More.
National Museum of the United States Army (Fort Belvoir)
Free general admission ticket reservations are encouraged. Walk-up tickets are available. Up to 9 tickets per request. See Group Tickets for 10 tickets or more.
Military Family & Life Counselors
The Military and Family Life Counseling Program provides free, confidential non-medical counseling to service members, their families and survivors on or near installations. Trained to work with the military community, military and family life counselors deliver valuable counseling services, briefings and presentations to the military community.
Facebook groups for local military families
GAMS - https://www.facebook.com/groups/greateralexandriamilitaryspouses/
PCS to DC - https://www.facebook.com/groups/PCSMilitaryMovetoVirginia
Fairfax County Spouses - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2053938148258566/
Other Resources
School Liaison Office – Fort Belvoir
EFMP Military One Source
News from the Sangster PTA
Quick Links
- ParentVue
- FCPS News
- School Meal Menus
- Here Comes The Bus
- Schoology
- Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
7420 Reservation Dr, Springfield, VA 22153 | Main Office: 703-644-8200