Deer Park Elementary News and Information October 16, 2025

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calendar reminder graphic

Diwali - School Holiday
Monday, October 20

Monday is a school holiday for Diwali and all schools and offices are closed.

We wish a fun Diwali to all celebrating! Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. #OurFCPS

See the school year calendar here.

 

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Parents!

Are you looking for new ways to encourage your child to read?

Have them participate in the ANIMAL READING CHALLENGE! It's easy!

Read 10 books about any animal, complete the challenge form, and turn it in to the Deer Park library! Once completed, your child will get their picture on the Library Wall of Fame for 2025-2026!

Forms can be picked up in the Deer Park library.

LEAP - Library Equity Access Pass

Did you know that every FCPS student PK-12 has a Fairfax County Public Library card? The LEAP program, now in its 6th year, allows all FCPS students to check out up to 3 library books for up to 6 weeks at a time (print books only). In lieu of presenting a physical library card, students give their names to the public librarian (no student ID needed) to check out their books. The best gift you can give your child is the joy of reading…so head to the Centreville library and check out some books!

 

Hispanic Heritage Month

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, students learned about famous Hispanic Americans. Then they shared connections, wonderings, and new information about the person they studied. Take a look at the slideshow that our classes put together.

Deer Park Learns about Hispanic Americans '25

 

Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Information

Tuesday, October 28th at 5:00 p.m. in the Deer Park Library

Interested in learning more about AAP services? Come join us on Tuesday, October 28th at 5:00 p.m. in the Deer Park Library. The first 15 minutes is geared for K-6 and will be spent going over AAP services offered. We will share important information about the continuum of AAP services in FCPS.

The second half will focus on the full-time AAP screening process (geared for grades 2-6). This information is for 2-6 grade families interested in referring a child for full-time services. Your screening and identification questions will be answered, and we will go in depth to cover the referral and screening process to support you.

Deadline: December 15, 2025

The deadline closes for full-time referral submissions. No referrals will be accepted after December 15, 2025.

More information and referral forms can be found here.

 

Reading Plan Webinar

  • Reading Plans and Your Student: October 22, 10-11:30 a.m.

This 1.5-hour webinar is designed to help parents and caregivers understand the new reading plans in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Register here.

Family Hopes and Dreams

 We would like to encourage families to reflect on their hopes and dreams for their students. Any interested members of the family can fill one out. I Please return them as soon as possible to Stephanie Jennings. If you did not receive a copy at Back to School Night or you have any questions, you may contact Stephanie Jennings (sjjennings@fcps.edu) for the copies or you may print one from the attached PDF.  Parent Hopes and Dreams for my child

 

Lightspeed

All Families Opted in to Lightspeed Student Online
Activity Report

FCPS provides families with a free service that allows parents and caregivers a way to stay informed about their child's online activity on any FCPS device. Starting Sunday, October 12, all parents and guardians who have access to student records in SIS ParentVUE will be automatically enrolled to receive a weekly Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report.

This report provides a summary of the websites your child visited during the previous week and is delivered every Sunday to your email directly from Lightspeed, our internet content filter. 

Each weekly report also includes a link to register for the Lightspeed Parent Portal, which provides more detailed browsing information. This portal also gives you the ability to pause internet access on your child’s FCPS laptop during non-school hours, such as dinner or bedtime. 

Visit the Lightspeed Parent Report page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

 

attendance

Attendance Matters!

Deer Park's school goal is to have at least 90% of our students consistently present.  We are currently sitting at 88.6%

Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now to help them graduate from college on time and routinely report to work on time once they have a career.

Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar.  Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school.

Attendance Line: 703-802-5011
Attendance email: Deerparkelem.Attendance@fcps.edu

Visit the FCPS' Attendance Webpage for resources on attendance.

 

Veterans Day Assembly

November 10, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.

Deer Park invites you to join us in honoring our Veterans with the Chantilly Academy Air Force Jr. ROTC, music and special speakers.

3rd Grade: Please wear a red shirt
4th Grade: Please wear a white shirt
5th and 6th Grades: Please wear a blue shirt

Reception following for all Veterans!

veterans day

 

Westfield High School Theatre Presents Puffs

puffs

or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic (Two Act for Young Wizards) by Matt Cox

October 16, 17, 18 at 7pm and October 18 at 2pm

Perfect for all ages!

Tickets: $15 adult, $10 student. All seats reserved. 
All info found at www.westfieldtheatre.com

 


Preschool in Action!

Making friends, learning letters, P.E. time and more!

preschool

Bucky's Thanksgiving Barbeque Bash

date

Save the Date!

When: Thursday, November 20th

Time:  During your child's regularly scheduled lunch time

Menu: Grilled 100% all beef hot dog, chips, dessert treat
and water

We hope you can join us for this FREE fun event
for our families

More information to follow soon.

 


PTA News
www.deerparkespta.org

Fall Festival 

Fall Festival is coming - Friday Oct. 24! - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.