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Mar 2-6 -            Read Across America Week Fri, Mar 6 -         PTA Donuts with a Grown Up                            (RSVP required - see below) Mon, Mar 16 -    Evening Registration Night,                            4:30-7:00pm                            PTA Virtual Meeting, 7pm Fri, Mar 20 -       NO SCHOOL, Eid al-Fitr Holiday Mon, Mar 23 -    Curriculum Knight, 6:30-8:00pm Wed, Mar 25 -    3-hour Early Release, dismissal                            begins at 12:35pm

Good afternoon Newington Forest Families,

After a snow day on Monday, PTA meeting Tuesday, Knights Clubs and a 3-hour early release on Wednesday, and club pictures today, the week has flown by!

I received news that our solar panels project is almost complete! There was a delayed start due to permits and then the recent snow storms forced the work to pause, but it looks like we are near the end. Please see below for some great progress pictures.

Next week is Read Across America Week. Mrs. Butters, Reading Specialist, has organized a fun spirit week for our students. 

2 Important Save the Dates

1. March 16th - Evening Registration Night. If you have a rising Kindergarten student, please stop by with your registration documentation! 
2. March 23 - Curriculum Knight. This is a free fun event and all students and families in grades K-6 are welcome to come! See how learning happens in the classroom and ways to support learning at home. 

Sincerely,

Angela Thompson
Principal

Read Across America Spirit Week

March 2-6, 2026

Monday - Reading Jogs the Mind: Workout Gear

Tuesday - Hats off to Reading: Silly Hat Day

Wednesday - Knights Love to Read: NFES shirt or blue & white

Thursday - Reading Brightens the World: Class colors
                     K - Green
                    1st - Blue
                    2nd - Green
                    3rd - Yellow
                    4th - Pink
                    5th - Purple
                    6th - Red

Friday - PJ Day D.E.A.R Time

Family Curriculum Knight

WHO: All K-6 Students & Families
WHEN: Monday, March 23, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
WHERE: Newington Forest Elementary

RSVP: http://bit.ly/NFESFamilyLearning

Solar Panels Progress Pictures

PTA Donuts with a Grown Up

Friday, March 6, 2026
7:45am - 8:30am

RSVP at https://newingtonforestpta.givebacks.com/shop

PTA Teacher-Led Enrichments

6 week $125 per student

Registration is open!

https://newingtonforestpta.givebacks.com/shop?

Middle School Transition Fair

Wednesday, March 4, 2026
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Luther Jackson Middle School

Families of rising 6th graders are invited to FCPS' Middle School Transition Fair, an evening for families of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services to learn about planning for the future.

At this event, families can meet Career and Transition Services (CTS) representatives and other support staff, learn about postsecondary education, employment, and community supports, and hear from a student and parent panel sharing real transition experiences.

The fair will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School. Language support will be available.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions, connect with resources, and feel more confident about your child’s next steps. We hope to see you there.

Event Flyer and Translations

Event registration link

New Visitor Management System

We are excited to announce that our school is now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This upgrade is part of our school’s and FCPS’ ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our school. The VMS ensures that no visitor is on the sex offender registry.  For most visitors, the user experience will be the same when you check-in at the front office. But now there is also an app, which can make check-in’s even faster at school. Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use when you check-in at school.  If you have questions or need assistance with the new system, please contact our front office. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!

Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on: 

• Tuesday, March 3, at Waples Mill Elementary School.
• Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
• Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
• Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
• Monday, April 20, Westgate Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.

Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.

Celebrating the Power of School Breakfast

Multiple studies show that school breakfasts are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school breakfast consume more fruit and fiber than their peers. 

This National School Breakfast Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback. 

Would you like to know what’s for breakfast? Nutrition Services has printable menus available. 

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

FCPS News In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others: The FCPS Budget School Safety  Community Conversations Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

8001 Newington Forest Ave. Springfield, VA 22153  |  Phone: 703.923.2600

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