October 9
News and Notes!
Save the Dates
Monday, October 12th: No School - Indigenous Peoples’ Day - School Planning Day
Friday, October 30th: End of Quarter 1 - 2:00 PM Dismissal
Monday, November 2nd: No School - School Planning Day
Tuesday, November 3rd: No School - Teacher Workday
Wednesday, November 13th - Early Release Wednesday - 1 PM dismissal
FCPS 26-27 School Calendar
Advanced Academics Programs Identification & Screening Info. Night
Monday, November 9
Pyramid Challenge!
The Pyramid Challenge is a free fun run with the goal of making fitness fun while also fostering school spirit amongst the 7 elementary schools of the West Springfield Pyramid.
The event will take place on Saturday, November 14th from 10am-12:00pm at Irving Middle School.
This year’s event will also include a unified heat - an accessible 200-meter course for students with physical or cognitive disabilities! Registration ends on Monday, October 19th.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Gabe Gawen at gtgawen@fcps.edu or Joanna McDonald at jlmcdonald1@fcps.edu. Hope to see you there!
https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Springfield/WestSpringfieldPyramidChallenge
We are continuing to collect recyclables for STEAM projects:
We’re continuing to collect recyclable materials and craft supplies for upcoming STEAM projects! We welcome:
- clean plastic containers
- egg cartons
- paper towel rolls
- small cardboard and shoe boxes
- unwanted craft supplies such as felt
- pipe cleaners
- googly eyes
- ribbon, and fabric scraps.
Donations can be placed in the STEAM collection box in the front lobby. Thank you for supporting our students’ creativity and learning!
Learn About Applied Behavior Analysis and Teaching New Skills at Home
All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.
Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join a session. Upcoming topics include:
- Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. (It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.)
- Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
- Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
- Communication: a Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10.
Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.
Twice Exceptional Students
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.
New information, including printable flyers, has been added under the heading Supporting 2e Learners in FCPS.
For more information, please contact Rolling Valley ES at 703-923-2700.
Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Early Release Wednesdays
2026-2027
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. The number has been reduced from eight to four days.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with their peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Please view the dates for our school’s Early Release Wednesdays below:
- November 18
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January 13
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April 7
Visit the FCPS website for more information about Early Release Wednesdays.
After-School Fall Soccer Club
PTA NEWS:
PTA NEWS:
HAUNTED HOUSE & FUN FAIR: LOTS OF IMPORTANT INFO BELOW
WANT TO SKIP THE LINE AT THE HAUNTED HOUSE? Everyone who joins the RVES PTA for the 2026-2027 school year by October 12 will be entered in a drawing for this SPOOK-TACULAR prize - one lucky winner will receive four “fast pass” admissions to the RVES Haunted House on Saturday, October 17 (they'll get free tickets AND go to the front of the line!) The winner will also get twenty bonus tickets to use as they wish at the event! Join the PTA today here: CLICK HERE
VOLUNTEERS! We can't run this event without a BUNCH of volunteers and donations! We are especially in need of ADULT volunteers, especially Haunted House guides, costume room coordinator, clean-up crew).
RVES HAUNTS WEBSITE WITH ALL VOLUNTEER/DONATION LINKS: CLICK HERE
TICKETS! Buy your Haunted House & Fun Fair tickets in advance and save- CLICK HERE
PIE, POPSICLES, & PAJAMA CONTEST is ON! The classes with the highest Haunted House & Fun Fair advance ticket sales will win BIG!
1st Place: Pie Mr. Painter + Popsicle Party + Pajama Party
2nd Place: Popsicle Party + Pajama Party
3rd Place: Pajama Party
Bonus: If we hit $12,000 in advance ticket sales, Mrs. Del Bagno gets pied too!
RVES ROOM PARENTS: Please consider joining Rolling Valley Room Parents! Whether you'd like to volunteer as a Room Parent, or simply sign-up to receive updates from your Room Parent, ALL ARE WELCOME! Each classroom teacher is excited to welcome a parent volunteer who will help serve as their liaison to families, plan events, coordinate field trip volunteers, provide assistance for the classroom, and so much more! Opt-in/out here: CLICK HERE
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, October 10; Downs Syndrome of Northern Virginia Annual Walk @ Lake Fairfax Park: Every October, families across Northern Virginia come together to celebrate their kids, their friends, and everyone in our Down Syndrome community. This is the 22nd year of the DSANV Buddy Walk, and we want you there with our Rolling Valley team! For any questions or scholarship information, please contact Special Education Department Chair, Amy LaCrosse at aelacrosse@fcps.edu. Join the "Rolling Valley Rockin' Robins" team using this link! CLICK HERE
Saturday, October 17; 4:30-8:30pm; Haunted House & Fun Fair @ RVES: The RVES PTA is thrilled to once again host the Haunted House & Fun Fair! This long standing community tradition is one of our biggest fundraisers, and you don't want to miss it! Purchase your tickets online by October 11 (DEADLINE EXTENDED) at rvespta.ptboard.com and receive a discount.
Monday, October 19; 7:00-8:00pm; PTA General Membership Meeting @ Virtual: Join us online for our October PTA meeting - all RVES families are welcome! The Zoom link will be sent out ahead of the meeting.
Monday, October 26 - Friday, October 30; All Day; Chick-fil-A Burke Spirit Week: Head to Chick-fil-A in Burke (5815 Burke Centre Pkwy) for breakfast, lunch or dinner, then mention Rolling Valley Elementary School's PTA fundraiser and 15% of sales will be donated! Mobile Order Code: Rolling26.
Saturday, November 14; 10:00am-12:00pm; West Springfield Pyramid Challenge Fun Run @ Washington Irving Middle School: The West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run that was started over a decade ago. Students from the 7 elementary schools in the West Springfield Pyramid will run a half-mile or one-mile course, depending on their grade level. This event also includes a unified heat with an accessible 200-meter course for students with physical and cognitive disabilities. Register your student by Monday, October 19 at: CLICK HERE
Sunday, December 20; 1:00pm; Atlanta Falcons v. Washington Commanders @ Northwest Stadium: RVES has once again partnered with the Washington Commanders to participate in their program- KIDS IN COMMAND! Families will receive discounted tickets, an on-field photo, and exclusive group seating, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the RVES PTA! Don't miss out on this exclusive offer to see the Washington Commanders play the Atlanta Falcons. Event pricing as low as $75 (+fees). Purchase your tickets today using this link (CODE: KIC)! CLICK HERE
SEPTA (FAIRFAX COUNTY SPECIAL EDUCATION PTA): SEPTA is a PTA organization affiliated with the state and national PTA but specifically established to address the unique needs of special education, special needs, and disabled stu | 
