Fort Hunt Fox Den News | February 21, 2025
Boletín Semanal de Fort Hunt ES - 21 de febrero de 2025

a

To read this newsletter in other languages, please click on the link below. 

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, haga clic en el enlace a continuación y elija su idioma.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | Français | Русский


spelling bee

Our Spelling Bee was a wonderful display of persistence, risk-taking and community. Our students showed such compassion for one another as they both comforted and cheered on classmates. Thank you all the parents and teachers who helped make this a success.


News from the Fox Den

February 21, 2025


A Message from Ms. Consolla

The last few weeks have been filled with weather delays and holidays. While we have enjoyed our recent snow days and holidays, we are ready for a return to consistent school routines. We are hoping for more uninterrupted school weeks in these months ahead! Please continue to be our steadfast educational partners in sending your students to school on time daily. We need your help with supporting higher daily school attendance rates at Fort Hunt.

While we do know the winter season also aligns with cold and flu season, please know that students are able to attend school unless they have a fever, are vomiting or experiencing persistent tummy troubles. Our kids learn so much daily at school, and we love when our entire school community is here together!

As always, thank you for your partnership with us in your child's education at Fort Hunt.

Jean

Jean Consolla, Principal

jtconsolla@fcps.edu


Yearbooks are on Sale Now

Mr. Green has been working hard on putting together a wonderful yearbook for Fort Hunt. Order yours today!  You can order online using the school yearbook ID code: 14445624. Yearbooks are $18 each. The deadline to order a yearbook is April 11th.

Yearbook

Spirit Fridays Are Here!

We are officially in that long stretch of the year where cold, rain and mud can drag us down.  As a fun way to end each week, our SCA is sponsoring Spirit Fridays between now and Spring Break. Students will find posters throughout the school and hear announcements on the morning news show. Check out the list below. Enjoy!

  • February 28: Book Character Day
  • March 7: Fun Hair Day
  • March 14: Twin/Triplet/Squad Day
  • March 21: Pajama Day
  • March 28: Sports Day
  • April 4: Mismatch Day
  • April 11: Pajama Day

Other themed days:

Monday, March 17: Wear Green for St. Patrick's Day

Wednesday, April 2: Wear Blue for Autism Awareness Day

Wednesday, April 9: Wear Purple for Month of the Military Child


FCPS 2025-26 Budget

The Budget Breakdown

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. 

The Budget Process

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.


Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has issued a new, first-time waiver allowing students fasting for Ramadan during the school day from February 28 to March 28, 2025, to request take-home breakfast and lunch meal kits. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) will provide meal kits reflecting the school menu. Meals will be kept cold and must be heated at home. Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day. If a student purchases breakfast or lunch at school, they cannot pick up a kit that day. Meal kits must be picked up by students at the end of the school day—adults cannot collect them. Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

  • February 24, 2025, for February 28 and the week of March 3, 2025
  • March 3, 2025, for the week of March 10, 2025
  • March 10, 2025, for the week of March 17, 2025
  • March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025

Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.


Learn More About How Your Child Feels at School

The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-12 in March. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop the skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who do not have a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.


kindergarten

Save the Date: Kindergarten Orientation Wed, April 2 4pm

If you have a child who will be turning 5 by September 30, please join us on Wednesday, April 2 at 4pm to learn about our kindergarten program and next steps for registration. This event is for both the parent and the rising kindergarten student. Please share with neighbors. 


A New Way to Check the Lost & Found

Our rack is overflowing with jackets and coats. But it's now organized by COLOR! This makes it easier to locate a missing item. We know that parents may not be able to get to the cafeteria to check it. If you know the color, brand, size of the missing jacket, you can email the description to Ms.Consolla at jtconsolla@fcps.edu, and she'll check for you and/or send a photo. 

lost and found

lunch

What's For Lunch?

If you're looking for what's on the menu, visit the menu here . More information about meals in FCPS can be found here. Families can add money to their child's account at My School Bucks.

Families may join their child for lunch on Fridays. You can read about it in our handbook.


Important Times

Arrive on campus: 8:30am

Kiss & Ride: 8:35-8:55am

Doors Open: 8:35am Tardy Bell: 8:55am

Dismissal Bell: 3:40pm

Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm


Important Dates

Thursday, February 27 | Club Pictures Day for yearbook

Monday, March 10 | 3-hour Early Release at 12:40pm

Friday, March 28 | End of Quarter 3

Monday, March 31 | School closed for all staff & students Eid-al-Fitr holiday

Wednesday, April 2 | Kindergarten Orientation 4pm

You can access the full 2024-2025 calendar here.


fox trot

Get Involved with your PTA

Consider becoming a member of the Parent Teacher Association at Fort Hunt. It's a great way to connect with other parents, learn about how to support your child and to have fun at their amazing community events! There are many ways where you can share your voice, talents and time. Everyone working together makes this a great community. Check out the PTA website for more information.  


Parent/Guardian Handbook

Do you have questions about attendance or food/drink at school or what students can wear?  If so, please check out our Parent/Guardian Handbook on our Fort Hunt website. It's available with translations. Click here to access it. Of course, if you have a question about a situation that is not listed, reach out to your child's teacher or an administrator. 


principals

Your Partners in Education

We are honored to work with your family this year and will work everyday to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. We can't do it alone. Please contact us when there is a question or concern, especially related to bullying. As a parent, you will often hear about something before staff might. Thank you for all your support.   

Jean Consolla, Principal          

jtconsolla@fcps.edu

Patty Settel, Assistant Principal   

pasettel@fcps.edu


Quick Links