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Family Liaison Newsletter
Issue 2, October 2025

Hi Churchill Road Families,

Welcome to our October newsletter! As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, it's the perfect time to cozy up and have some fun. For this month, we've gathered some great ideas and activities (below) to help your kids have fun while building essential skills.

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, ideas, or concerns at nbhatia1@fcps.edu or 571-460-4334.

Nisha Bhatia, Churchill Road Family Liaison 

Creative Corner: At-Home Activities

• Kitchen Chemistry: Use everyday kitchen items to do a simple science experiment. For example, create a baking soda and vinegar volcano! It's a fun and memorable way to learn about chemical reactions.
• Leaf Rubbings: Go on a walk and collect a variety of leaves. Place a leaf under a piece of paper, turn it on its side, and rub a crayon over the paper to reveal the beautiful leaf veins and textures.

Parent's Corner

• Conversation Starters: To hear more about your child's day than "fine," try asking, "What's one thing that made you laugh today?" or "Tell me about something you learned that surprised you."
• Reading Tip: Reading just 15-20 minutes each night with your child can make a huge difference in their reading skills and confidence. You can read to them, or they can read to you!

FCPS has many resources for families designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth. The Family Resource Center offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, tutoring services, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.

The new FCPS Family Academy is a targeted outreach effort to empower and build capacity, connections, cognition, confidence, and awareness through interactive learning experiences, tools, and resources for families in FCPS through a one-stop approach. 

FCPS Programs and Workshops

Navigating Section 504
Essential Knowledge for Families

October 3, 10-11:30 a.m.

Math Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

October 10, 10-11:30 a.m.

Sibshops and SibTeen

October 13, 9 a.m.- noon
Jim Scott Community Center
3001 Vaden Dr, Fairfax, VA

The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun. Register here

SibTeens is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences.Register here

Please contact  FCPSSibshops@FCPS.edu for follow up questions about either program. 

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). Parents will learn about:

• What a reading plan is: 

• Who requires a reading plan:

• How schools will support students: T

• Resources and tools for parents: 

Register Here.

Guided Discussion for Parents

The Sandwich Squeeze: Prioritizing Well-Being While Caring for All Thursday, October 16, 2025 7:00 PM McLean Community Center Led by Robyne Davis, LPC, and Becky Kohm, M.A.T, Ed.S. Join this guided parent discussion, led by licensed mental health professionals, to explore effective strategies for managing multifaceted responsibilities while safeguarding your own mental and emotional well-being. Register Here

Community Events and Camps

Crafty Club: Halloween Thread Card Thursday, October 2, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm Location- Dolly Madison Library Registration needed

Movie Under the Stars!  Friday, October 3, 5PM onwards Franklin Sherman Elementary School field  Roll out your blankets and grab your popcorn for another outdoor movie event! The McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC) and Supervisor Bierman's Office are thrilled to announce the second annual Movie Under the Stars event on Friday, October 3! This free event is the perfect way to spend a fall evening with friends, family, and neighbors. You can officially register for the event here. This time, we're screening The Wild Robot! Don't miss out on this unforgettable community event. It's the perfect opportunity to make memories and enjoy a fantastic night out in Downtown McLean.

Touch-a-Truck Monday, October 13 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location- McLean Community Center Join us on the Fairfax County Public Schools’ holiday for this FREE event that gives families and children the chance to see, touch and explore some of their favorite vehicles. Families and children can now come out to see and touch the trucks without all the noise, from 9-10 a.m. during our quiet hour.

The Floor is Lava! Monday, October 13, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm Dolly Madison Library School Age. Due to the nature of the game, this program is designed for ages 8+. More information here.

The Chess Group Friday, October 17, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm Dolly Madison Library A chess group for beginner and intermediate players.Learn to play chess, then pair off to put your skills to work. All Ages. Beginner/Intermediate.  More information here.

Bike Safety Rodeo & Trail Ride @ Dolley Madison Saturday, October 18, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm Dolly Madison Library Rustle up your bikes and helmets for Dolley Madison's bike safety rodeo! Learn how to ride safely with an interactive skills course. For school age kids ages 6-12. Registration required

Old Firehouse’s Festival of Frights and Trunk or Treat Saturday, Oct. 25, 5-8 p.m. Location- Old Firehouse Free for all participants. More information here.

Chinese Culture Club Saturday, October 25, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm Dolly Madison Library Explore Chinese history, art, music, and culture through a variety of activities. Registration required

7100 Churchill Road, McLean, Virginia 22101 | Main Office: 703.288.8400
Attendance: 703.288.8484 | Web