Beavergram 9-13

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The image above shows several students enjoying the new school year.

A Message From Your Administration

Dear Woodley Hills Family,

Thank you so much for coming to our Advanced Academic Program night, Title I Parent meeting, and Back to School Night. It was wonderful to see so many of you, and we truly appreciate your helpful feedback on our school improvement plan. Please take a moment to watch the messages below from Superintendent Reid and our school board members.

We also want to remind everyone how important it is for students to attend school every day. Missing school means missing out on key learning, daily routines, and opportunities to build strong relationships with teachers and friends. Thank you for your support and partnership in helping your child arrive ready to learn each morning.

Warmly,

LaChelle Williams and Patrice Wade

Save The Date

9/16 PTA Meeting 6:30-7:30pm (in-person & virtual option)

Link to PTA Meeting

9/17 Fall Photos

9/21 Holiday

FCPS | Welcome Back to School 2026

Click the link below for a message from Dr. Reid, FCPS Superintendent

Mateo Dunne - for Mount Vernon District Schools

The image above links to a YouTube video featuring School Board Member Mateo Dunne.

Marcia St.John-Cunning - for Franconia District Schools

The image above links to a YouTube video featuring School Board Member Mateo Dunne.

Picture Day

Get ready to capture those bright smiles and special moments! Picture Day is coming to Woodley Hills Elementary on September 17th.

Don’t miss the chance to preserve this special school-year memory with a fun, professional portrait of your child.

✨ Special Promotion: Use online order code PX523803 at our partnering studio's website to receive your special Picture Day offer.

Social Emotional Spotlight

Families,

All students in grades 3–6 will complete the SEL Screener during their regularly scheduled school counseling lesson between October 5 and October 30. Students will not participate if their families requested an opt-out through ParentVUE or by returning the paper form sent home last month.

More than 110,000 FCPS students in grades 3–12 participate in the SEL Screener each fall and spring. High participation rates at both the district and school levels help ensure that planning is based on representative data.

If you have questions about the SEL Screener, please contact the school counselors, Ms. Thompson or Mrs. Gibbs.

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:

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.

Reporting Discrimination or Harassment

FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.

Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30

The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.

Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.

Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.

Cellphones and Personal Devices

Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more about the student device requirement.

Schools Build Belonging so Students Can Thrive

What does belonging look like in our school? At Woodley Hills Elementary, we are creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student feels known, valued, and connected — the second goal of the Strategic Plan. From mentoring to cross-grade collaboration, when students feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice at FCPS.

Importance of Strong Attendance Habits

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:

Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.

Stay in the Know With Here Comes the Bus

Even though FCPS has launched a new bus navigation system, some aspects like the new FCPS My Ride mobile app are still in development. Families should still use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to track the location of their child’s bus. This app is still compatible with the new system.

FCPS will notify families and schools when the new app is ready to download and use. In the meantime, everyone should reinforce with students that they need to tap on and off the bus with their student ID cards.

Did you already download the new app? That’s okay! The new app is in the final stage of testing, so some features are not yet fully functional. At this time, you should refer to Here Comes the Bus for the most accurate information.