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January 16, 2026
Dear Waynewood Owls,
The halls of Waynewood continue to be filled with the warmth of learning and the bright energy of our students even on these cold winter days!
Our 6th-graders visited Carl Sandburg Middle School for a wonderful performance on Thursday. It was a joy to see them step into that new environment with such curiosity and maturity. These visits are important to the transition process to middle school, helping our oldest students begin to envision their next chapters with excitement. I was incredibly proud of how they represented Waynewood during their trip; they modeled our school's best values of respect and engagement.
Back on Waynewood Blvd, we have been focused on our winter assessments in reading and math. I know "testing" can sometimes feel a bit daunting for families and students alike, but our children were focused and displayed a remarkable "can-do" spirit. These assessments are not just numbers; they are celebrations of growth. They allow us to see exactly how far each child has come since the fall and help our teachers tailor their instruction to ensure every student continues to flourish. We are so proud of the stamina and hard work our students showed this week.
For those who enjoy a fun challenge and a chance to shine, please don't forget that registration for our upcoming Spelling Bee is now officially open! This is always such a spirited and encouraging event that allows our students to showcase their vocabulary skills and build public speaking confidence in a supportive environment. We hope to see many of our spellers sign up to participate in this wonderful school tradition. You can register here for the Spelling Bee.
Looking ahead, please remember that there will be no school this Monday, January 19th, as we observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. This day serves as a beautiful reminder for us to pause and think about the impact we have on those around us. I hope your family enjoys the long weekend and finds a moment to reflect on how we can all contribute to a kinder, more supportive community through small acts of service and friendship.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday morning, ready for another week of discovery.
Sincerely,
Katie Cachine, Principal
Alyssa Bonner, Assistant Principal
Allison Ovalle, Assistant Principal
Wednesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter and a 2 hour early release for students.
Schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 29, for a staff development day, and Friday, January 30, for a teacher workday.
See the complete school year calendar.
FCPS’s Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) works to ensure every student has access to school meals that are safe, nutritious, and meet their individual dietary needs.
FNS works closely with families to provide reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical needs affect what they can eat at school. To support students appropriately and safely, families are asked to submit medical documentation to FNS from a U.S. licensed health care provider so we can tailor meals to each child’s needs.
Learn more about the documentation required and the steps to develop a menu for your child.
School safety and security are being enhanced across FCPS with a new emergency management system. The system includes sensors installed in schools and a wearable emergency response button (ERB) for staff.
The button allows staff to quickly and discreetly request help and, once pressed, they provide location information within the school. The ERB will only work on school grounds and does not rely on cellular service. It is not meant to replace calling 911, but is an additional safety tool that can be used if calling 911 may not be safe or practical.
Learn more about the emergency management system. You may submit questions to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.
For a distraction-free start to the New Year, please remind your student about FCPS' policy for cell phones and personal devices. This policy helps students focus, interact more with their peers and teachers, and build independent problem-solving skills.
Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including:
- Exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
- Cell phone use on buses and field trips.
- Consequences for cell phone policy violations.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office.
Help your student succeed in school by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit the FCPS website for helpful insights regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school to minimize impacts on learning.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to let us know so we can provide assistance, if needed.
Healthy Habits to Reduce the Spread of Flu and Other Germs
Fairfax County is seeing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. Visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings.
Consider these tips from the Fairfax County Health Department to help reduce the spread of flu and other germs.
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be available throughout the school year.
Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View immunization resources on the FCPS website.
Hello, Waynewood ES Families!
It is my sincere hope that you had a joyous, restful, and restorative time over the winter break. There are some upcoming webinars being offered by the Family Resource Center that might interest you. Also, information is available regarding a mentoring program. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if there are any specific questions or concerns that I may be able to address. The shared partnership between the school and families in order to ensure success for students is my priority. I am here to help.
--Surayyah Colbert, Family Liaison
Register for Family Resource Webinars Here.
 
Save the date! Waynewood PTA has several fun and exciting events coming up soon!
Spelling Bee – Thursday, February 5 Register here for the Spelling Bee
Bingo Night - Thursday, February 19 More details coming soon!
Math Kangaroo is Coming to Waynewood! Math Kangaroo's International Math Competition is coming to WWES on March 19, 2025 from 4:30-5:45 PM!
Find more information here
Monday, January 19-No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
Wednesday, January 28-2 hour early release, Last Day of 2nd Quarter
Thursday, January 29-No School for Students, Staff Development Day
Friday, January 30-No School for Students, Teacher Work Day
Thursday, February 5-Spelling Bee
Wednesday, February 11-Community Flyer Day
Monday, February 16-No School (George Washington's Birthday)
Thursday, February 19-BINGO Night
You can access the full 2025-26 calendar here. Days that are shaded pink or blue are holidays for students. Orange days are NOT school holidays.
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