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 Our Grade 1 students had a busy week. They enjoyed their field trip to the Natural History Museum on Tuesday. Here are some students working on their computation skills in math class.
News from the Fox Den
April 25, 2025
A Message from Ms. Consolla
Now that the weather is nicer in the mornings, I've noticed that some students are arriving or being dropped off before the 8:35am start to the school. It's fine to arrive in our Kiss & Ride line early. But please keep your child in the car until 8:35am. There is no staff supervision before this time. If you walk to school or park and wait with your child out front, that's fine. As a parent who commutes to work outside the home, I understand the pressure that you might be under. I appreciate your efforts to keep all of our students supervised and safe.
As always, thank you for your partnership with us in your child's education at Fort Hunt.
Jean
Jean Consolla, Principal
jtconsolla@fcps.edu
Class Information for 2025-26
In the next month, we will begin planning our class groupings for next year. In order to ensure we have the best information, we need to know if your child/children will be returning to Fort Hunt. Please look for an intentions form in the Wednesday folder beginning next week. This information will help us with both staffing and class groupings. Our Student Information Assistant, Ms. Rosa Dobarco, is happy to help with any families that will be leaving Fort Hunt and will need records transferred to a new school, whether here in FCPS or around the world.
If you are staying at Fort Hunt next year, you are welcome to share information that you would like us to consider. Requests for placement with a specific teacher will not be honored. Instead, information about your child's work habits, strengths and where they might need support can help us. To create equitable and dynamic class groupings, it is impossible to honor every request from a family to place a child in a specific classroom with specific students. Please be assured that with or without family input, each child's needs will be carefully considered to ensure the selection of a classroom in which your child will learn best.
If you would like to share information, please complete this optional form by Friday, May 16. If you have more than one child that you would like to share about, please complete a different form for each child.
Class assignments will be communicated to families via email no later than the afternoon of Thursday, August 14. Our Open House/Supply Drop-off will be held on Friday, August 15 from 9-10am. This will be an opportunity for a quick visit to the classroom and to say hi to the teacher.
SOL Testing Schedule
Students in Grades 3-6 will take their end-of-the-year SOL tests in May. The tests are untimed and will begin shortly after arrival. Please review the schedule below. We ask that any appointments be scheduled for non-testing days for your child.
- Thursday, May 8 | Grades 3 & 6 Reading
- Friday, May 9 | Grades 4 & 5 Reading
- Thursday, May 15 | Grade 5 Math
- Friday, May 16 | Grades 3 & 4 Math
- Tuesday, May 20 | Grade 6 Math & Grade 5 Science (updated!)
- May 21-23 | Reading Retakes
- May 27-30 | Math/Science Retakes
AAP School-Based Services: Screening for Subject-Specific & Part-Time Services
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners.
Screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services
Students can be screened for subject specific and part time AAP services at any time in the school year. In the spring, schools review data on all students to determine services for the start of the next school year.
Screening Process for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services
Multiple criteria are reviewed holistically to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. Committees consider student work from opportunities with AAP lessons, examples of student reasoning or gifted behaviors from class discussions and activities, progress reports, achievement and ability scores, and parent or guardian input. Committees consider whether students have access to a group of students with similar academic needs to support academic conversations and growth in the classroom.
Appeals Process for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services
If a parent or guardian wishes to appeal an ineligible decision, they may submit an appeal with new data for consideration by the local school screening committee. This new information should be submitted to Ms. Preshion Lynch, our AART or Ms. Patty Settel, our assistant principal.
Kindergarten registration
If you have a child who will be turning 5 by September 30, it's time to begin the registration process. You can find all the required paperwork online here. Your child will need a physical completed, so now is a good time to schedule that if you haven't already done. Ms. Rosa Dobarco, our registrar/student information assistant, is available to answer all your questions and assist with completing requirements.
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Montessori Program Coming to West Potomac Pyramid: Free spots available
FCPS will offer a new Montessori program in the West Potomac pyramid. The program will begin in the 2025-26 school year, starting with multi-age classrooms at the pre-K and kindergarten levels.
The program will be located at Bucknell Elementary School. Families of 3, 4, and 5 year olds are invited to apply through a lottery process. Eligible families must have a verified residence in the West Potomac pyramid — Belle View, Fort Hunt, Groveton, Hollin Meadows, Hybla Valley, Stratford Landing, or Waynewood elementary schools. The program is free and transportation will be provided.
The Montessori method helps children become curious, creative, and excited to learn for the rest of their lives. In a Montessori classroom, the whole room is set up to help students learn using Montessori-specific hands-on materials. Students have a lot of choice in their learning, which helps them stay motivated and become more independent.
One special feature of the Montessori approach is having children of multiple ages in one classroom. Children learn valuable social skills such as cooperation and empathy through interactions with peers of different ages. Additionally, the multi-age environment allows students to learn at their own pace, while developing a sense of community. The Montessori classroom is carefully organized with hands-on materials, encouraging students to explore and work independently.
The lottery application for the 2025-26 school year Montessori program at Bucknell Elementary School will be available Monday, March 10, through Thursday, May 1, 2025. Families may learn more about the program and apply for the lottery at www.fcps.edu/montessori
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No Cell Phone/Smart Watches Policy
Just a reminder that students may not use their cell phones / smart watches during school hours. Devices should either be in "airplane" mode or turned off during the hours of 8:55 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. Students should not be texting their parents and/or friends during the school day. We ask that parents also not text or call their child during the school day.
In case of illness, students need to be seen in the health room and the health room aide or public health nurse will call you if your child needs to be taken home. Students may not contact parents through their personal cell phones/smart watches to be picked up.
If you need to reach your child during the school day, please contact the main office at 703-619-2600 who will send your message to your child.
Review FCPS policy by grade level here.
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Our Lost & Found is Overflowing
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.
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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.
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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
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Important Dates
Thursday, May 1 | Field Trip: Grade 6 to Gettysburg
Field Trip: Grade 4 to Jamestown
Friday, May 2 | Field Trip: Grade 5 to Washington, DC
May 5-9 | Staff Appreciation Week
Monday, May 13 | Early Release Monday. Dismissal at 12:40pm (last one!)
Friday, May 16 | Deadline to submit optional Class Information form (see article above)
Monday, May 28 | School Closed for Memorial Day
You can access the full 2024-2025 calendar here.
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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.
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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.
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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
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