SARATOGA CONNECTION
September 10, 2026
.Principals’ Corner
What a great week to be a Stallion!
Thank you so much to all of the families who were able to attend Back to School Night! We love welcoming our students in each morning, but having their families fill our halls made it a truly special treat. The night was filled with a wonderful, warm buzz as teachers provided valuable information regarding curriculum, classroom routines and procedures, and communication for the year ahead.
A huge thank you as well to everyone who joined us for Tuesday's PTA meeting. It was a fantastic opportunity to share updates and discuss how we can continue working together to support our school community.
To kick off the school year, our PTA designed and painted three beautiful new murals at Saratoga—our hallways are filled with school pride and look absolutely amazing! We are excited for the next phase and look forward to gathering student input for our upcoming mural designs.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership, energy, and support in making our school community so special!
Be the Change,
Abby Ragan Abby Lower Jordan Perry
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Weather Happens, FCPS Is Ready
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?
Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Your Child’s Presence at School MattersThe beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success by helping them build good habits.
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.
Help Keep Our School Distraction-Free
Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e. backpacks) for the duration of the school day — bell to bell. This includes:
- Personal laptops and tablets.
- Smartphones and smartwatches.
- Other personal electronic communication or computing devices.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at 703-440-2600. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.
Reminders
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September 17: Picture Day
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October 1: AAP Continuum of Services Information Meeting 5:00 p.m. in the cafeteria
- October 1: Full-Time AAP Identification Information Meeting at 5:45 p.m. in the cafeteria
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