Check out what is happening at Orange Hunt:

A huge thank you to our amazing PTA for helping us add new shelving to organize all of our instruments! With such a large and growing band and strings program, this has been a long-needed improvement. Special thanks to Katharina Horton for creating custom storage for our larger instruments. We are so grateful for the PTA’s continued support in helping our music program thrive!

IMPACT AID - ONLINE NOW

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available to complete online. 

The Federal Impact Aid program provides money to districts that enroll federally connected students. Help FCPS secure funding from the Impact Aid Program by helping us identify: 

• Military families.
• Federally connected families.
• Families living on a military base.

Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the parent that registered the student with FCPS (the ‘enrolling parent’) can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form. 

For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

Your support will ensure that we receive the resources for which we are eligible.

To access the Impact Aid Form from your computer or mobile device, we recommend using Google Chrome.

Step 1: CLICK HERE or type sisparent.fcps.edu into your Chrome address bar to be taken to SIS ParentVUE. If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation letter. 

Step 2: After you’ve logged into your ParentVue Account, look for the ‘Online Packets’ link at the top of the page. Click ‘Online Packets’.

Step 3: Next, click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page. This will take you to the Impact Aid Survey for you to complete.

If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please fill out a form for each child. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you get to the final page, and see a green check next to each of their names.

For questions, please email Connie Keefer. 

Volunteers for Veterans Day Needed!

*Art Zone*:  This volunteer station open to all parents.  Join Ms. Kieffer in assisting students in creating their Veterans Day craft.  Click here to sign up for Art Volunteers

*Military Band*:  Calling all musically inclined Veteran Volunteers!  If you are an Orange Hunt Elementary School parent who plays or played in one of the Military Service Bands, our Orange Hunt Band and Strings Programs could use your help! Veteran Band Volunteers sign up

*Military Career*: West Springfield USArmy Recruiting station volunteers will be hosting a career center to talk about the use of IT/STEM related, and communications in the US Army using some of the equipment available on this day. Hands on uniform explanation and equipment used will be demonstrated. Click here for Military Career Volunteer

*Boot Camp*:  Military Volunteers will be assisting the PE team in welcoming students.  One volunteer will briefly explain the importance of physical fitness in the military.  The most important part of this job is to cheer on the students while they go through the obstacle course.  High-fives are encouraged. Click here for Boot Camp Volunteer 

CONTACT: Susy Layedra Funes, our Family Liaison Orange Hunt ES for help. sdlayedrafun@fcps.edu

Click here to nominate an OHES Staff Member for their outstanding performance.

School Pictures are Still Available!

Early Release Wednesdays - Dismissal Info

As we look toward the next early release Wednesday on 10/29, we want to share some information on how dismissal differs from the normal time.  Students staying for childcare hardship are gathered and attendance is taken to ensure they are accounted for BEFORE students are dismissed to buses, SACC, Kiss & Ride and walkers.  This may result in students being dismissed a bit later than 12:30. Please be patient as we ensure all student safety! 

Our lists of students staying for childcare hardship have been finalized. Parents may not opt-in to staying any longer as we have set our staffing needs based on family responses. Parents can opt to have their children leave at 12:30 p.m. by calling the school prior to the next early release day – doing so will change your status for ALL the remaining early release days.  

For students staying after 12:30 p.m., please limit picking your child up early between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. to appointments only. 

As a reminder, the following is a list of the remaining early release days this school year. Students are provided a lunch break prior to dismissal.  

• October 29
• November 12
• December 10
• February 18
• March 18
• April 22
• May 13

Advance Academic Program Parent Info 

Important dates:

November 20, 2025 – Parent Information Meetings (All families welcome – focus on full-time referral) – 9AM at OHES and 6PM – Virtual

December 15, 2025 – Full-time AAP Referral form due – Any student 2^nd – 6^th grade

PTA News

Visit the PTA website below for all things PTA related, including activities, membership and spirit wear!  https://orangehuntpta.membershiptoolkit.com/

Upcoming events: Fall Festival, October 17th, see website for details. 

Please check the PTA website for upcoming events. 

Reflections Contest - PTA offering

Here is a fabulous opportunity for students to challenge their thinking and share their talents. The Orange Hunt PTA is offering students the opportunity to participate in the Reflections program. They are accepting visual arts entries until October 31,  2025. Please review the theme and guidelines with your student. Discuss with them how they would respond and represent their views. Offer to help them collect supplies for their presentation. Then, set them loose to create! 

Guidelines and Forms can be found on: https://vapta.org/reflections/  Any questions? Email the parent coordinator, Heather Timms, at reflections@orangehuntpta.org (or h_timms@yahoo.com) for more information.  

Ensuring Student Safety: Register for Volunteer FCPS 

Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS prior to volunteering. 

Our intent is to ensure that our students feel safe and supported with each and every person they encounter at school.

As a reminder, all volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more. 

Click here to begin the process. You MUST be registered and cleared as a LEVEL 3 volunteer to go chaperone field trips.  If you think you may want to chaperone a field trip, please register and sign-up as Level 3.  

Click HERE to Volunteer! 

Click here to order your yearbook. 

Weekly School Spirit Day

10/31 Friday: Story Book Character day.  No masks or weapons.

Flu Shots & School Immunizations

Inspire Health Alliance, in partnership with FCPS, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students.

• Immunizations will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to families. 
• Registering families will be required to provide insurance information, if applicable, but students without insurance may still participate.
• Participation is voluntary and additional Immunization Resources are available. 

Current event dates are listed below. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year 4-5 weeks prior to the event.

• Thursday, November 6, 3-6:30 p.m. - Willow Oaks Administrative Center
• Saturday, November 15, 9 a.m-6:30 p.m. - Frost MS
• Tuesday, November 18, 3-6:30 p.m. - Willow Oaks Administrative Center
• Wednesday, November 19, 3-6:30 p.m. - Willow Oaks Administrative Center
• Thursday, November 20, 3-6:30 p.m. - Willow Oaks Administrative Center 

For more information, or to help families schedule an appointment for their student, please visit our Inspire Immunization Events Student Registration webpage.  

Upcoming Events October 21 - Novermber 17-  Federal Impact Aid Survey - The electronic version of the Federal Impact Aid Survey will open to parents in ParentVUE. See directions in this newsletter.  October 29 - Three Hour Early Dismissal (12:30 p.m.) October 31 - Two Hour Early Dismissal (1:30 p.m. - there is no FCPS optional childcare hardship for this early dismissal ALL students will go home at 1:30 p.m.!) End of Grading Quarter

Your Partners In Education We are in this together!!  We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with your family this year and will work every day to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. Please contact us when there is a question or concern. Thank you for your support and being part of our team! Your Partner Principals, Karen Tuttle                     kmtuttle@fcps.edu Kate Austin                      kbaustin@fcps.edu Heather Mathews            HMMathews@fcps.edu

Want To Be Involved?

Visit the Orange Hunt PTA website for all sponsored events and activities.

6820 Sydenstricker Road, Springfield, VA 22152 | Phone: 703.913.6800

Attendance: 703.913.6868 | Web | Twitter | Facebook