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Dear Mantua families,
Our 2nd- and 3rd-grade classes recently explored Hidden Pond Nature Center and Frying Pan Park! These venues provide excellent opportunities for students to observe and enjoy nature while building friendships with classmates.
It’s hard to believe we are nearing the end of another wonderful school year! We have added all remaining events and important dates to the calendar section below, and many exciting end-of-year activities are still to come. Be sure to stay connected through our newsletter and Instagram page, where we will continue to share updates and event details as they become available.
For the coming week:
- Rising 4th-grade students are invited to join Ms. Easton, our strings teacher, for an informal introduction to string instruments! This will be held on Tuesday night, see details below.
- Monday, May 25th, is the Memorial Day holiday, and schools and offices will be closed. Tuesday, May 26th, is a teacher workday (student holiday), and Wednesday is a school holiday, Eid al-Adha.
Take good care,
Ms. Shannon, Mrs. Vaughan, Ms. Maurer
 
May 19: Strings Instruments Petting Zoo, 6:30 PM, Room 18
May 25: School Holiday, Memorial Day
May 26: Teacher Workday, Student Holiday
May 27: Student Holiday, Eid al-Adha
June 2: High School Grad Walk for All Graduating Mantua Alumni, 3:00 PM
June 9, 10: Mantua Field Days
June 11: 5th and 6th Grade Spring Chorus Concert, 7 PM, Gym
June 15: 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony, Woodson HS, Details Coming Soon
6th Grade Promotion Party, sponsored by Mantua PTA
June 17: Last Day of School, 2-hour Early Release
June 18: Teacher Workday, No School
June 19: Juneteenth, School Holiday, Schools and Offices Closed
Weekly Staff Spotlight
Staff Spotlight is our way to recognize Mantua's incredible staff! Each week, we recognize a group of staff members. Check them out on Mantua ES Instagram. In recognition of National Speech-Language Pathologist Day on May 18, we honor the Speech-Language Pathologists, Katie Ho, Ling Du, and Jenifer Baker.
We had a mix-up with our form last week, so we are again recognizing last week's staff on the Spotlight Submission Form, including our Family Liaison, Multilingual Learner, and instructional support coaches: Regi Incer, Lindsay Knoll, Bethany Farrell, Jackie Cordiner, and Kathy Van Dyke.
Please use the Spotlight Submission Form to share a positive message with them. We will share the messages with them at the end of next week.
Thank you for helping us make Staff Spotlight a fun and engaging way to celebrate our school community. We appreciate your enthusiasm and support!
Mantua Field Days Reminders
Field days are one of our most-anticipated days of the year! To make Field Days safe and fun for your student, we have a few friendly reminders as you prepare:
- Have your child wear closed-toed/tennis shoes that day. We want our students to stay safe as they actively run and participate!
- Send your child with a water bottle and sunscreen
- Consider packing a towel and/or a change of clothes. Students get very wet during the water games and may need a way to dry off before heading back to class
We want every child to feel they can participate fully, and we appreciate your consideration!
 The Mantua PTA is offering a beginner's volleyball clinic for 3rd through 5th grade girls. The event is free, but space is limited, so please register now! Clinics will be held June 3rd and June 10th.
 Looking for summer activities? Join us for the Woodson Field Hockey Camp, June 22-25th! This camp is open to all rising 2nd-9th graders. Registration information can be found at woodsonsports.com.
Frost Bingo Night
Join us for one of Frost MS’s favorite traditions! It’s going to be a huge night of games, prizes, and community fun.
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When: Thursday, May 21
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Where: Frost MS Cafeteria
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Doors Open: 5:30 PM (Games: 6:00 – 8:30 PM)
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Who: All Frost families + rising 7th graders!
Expect exciting raffles, gift cards, pizza, and concessions. You can also grab your Spiritwear and Graduation Yard Signs while you're there!
Buy your tickets here! Parent volunteers needed to make this event a success, sign up here!
Questions? Please contact Ali: aliackaliack@gmail.com
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update
On Friday, May 8, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget. FCPS receives the majority of its funding from the Fairfax County Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Fairfax County Government recently adopted its FY 2027 Budget, and at the funding levels provided, there is currently a $28 million budget gap. In addition, the state budget has not been finalized. At last Thursday's School Board meeting, the superintendent proposed adjustments that would balance the FCPS budget.
Read Dr. Reid’s message to the community for more information on the budget process and budget priorities.
New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1
On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.
This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell.
Linda Shannon, Principal LCShannon@fcps.edu
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal CAVaughan@fcps.edu
Michele Maurer, Assistant Principal, Mkmaurer@fcps.edu
Susan Palomino, Administrative/Finance Assistant SLPalomino@fcps.edu
Mergie Kakouris, Student Information Assistant, MBKakouris@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, FFinaish@fcps.edu
Judy Toy, Office Assistant, JPToy@fcps.edu
Avril Donat, Office & Library Assistant Andonat@fcps.edu
Kathy Van Dyke, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher kkvandyke@fcps.edu
Maria Regina Incer, Family Liaison, mrincernunez@fcps.edu
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