September 11
News and Notes!
Patriot Day
With the 25th anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
Save the Dates
Monday, September 14th: PTA meeting in RVES library - hybrid- 7-8 p.m.
Friday, September 18th: PTA Chalk the Walk (Playground area) 5-7 p.m.
Monday, September 21st: No School Yom Kippur
Wednesday, September 30th: First Early Release Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. dismissal
Wednesday, October 7th: Curriculum Night - 5:30-7:30 (Literacy, Math, Advanced Academic Programming information, Family Life Education Parent Preview)
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
FCPS 26-27 School Calendar
News From Rolling Valley ES
Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) Updates
New Universal Grade Matrices for Families - Families are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses in order to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Updates for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.
Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.
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.
Have you already downloaded 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.
Distribution of Material Dates
As outlined by FCPS Regulation 1367.2, school principals shall offer options to nonprofit organizations that want to make their materials available to students and parents. At Rolling Valley, non-profit organizations can send home flyers in the take-home folder 4 times a year. The dates for the 2026-2027school year are:
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September 25, 2026 (deadline for drop-off: September 23)
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December 18, 2026 (deadline for drop-off: December 16)
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March 19, 2027 (deadline for drop-off: March 17)
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June 11, 2027 (deadline for drop-off: June 8)
These fliers must be age-appropriate and related to the school’s educational mission. Community organizations must submit their materials in advance to the school’s principal. They must include the disclaimer, “These materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this school.”
Once approved, the organization will be required to make the copies necessary for distribution. Please make 25 copies per class, batched into 22 stacks. Any questions can be directed to (703) 923-2700.
Updated Cellphone Policy
Senate Bill 108 is a new Virginia law that went into effect on July 1. It requires that all schools in the state follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy and prohibit cellphone possession and use for the entire school day. The updated FCPS Cellphone Policy aligns with this law, which means high school students are no longer able to use cellphones, cellphone accessories, or smart devices (like smart glasses, earbuds, headsets, and other items connected to the phone) during lunchtime.
Across all grade levels, cellphones, cellphone accessories, and all smart devices must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day. Watches that serve a dual purpose (like a smartwatch) must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day, too. Personal devices that connect to a cellphone or cellphone accessory or operate as a smart device must also follow the FCPS Cellphone Policy.
This policy does not apply to school-issued devices. However, school-issued devices must be used in accordance with FCPS Regulation 6410, Acceptable Use Policy, which allows the use of school-issued devices for educational purposes. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.
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:
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September 30
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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.
PTA NEWS
PTA NEWS:
PTA MEMBERSHIP CONTEST! All classes that reach 85% PTA Membership by Tuesday, September 22 will win a popsicle party! Already joined? You're automatically included- thank you! Membership is just $15 per family, and your dues help fund school events, field trips, author visits, curriculum enhancements for teachers and much more. Plus, members receive updates about school happenings and access to an exclusive online student directory. We love volunteers, but no time or volunteer commitment is required to be a PTA member! Join online today at:CLICK HERE
HAUNTED HOUSE & FUN FAIR: The Rolling Valley Haunted House and Fun Fair is a long-standing community tradition, and will take place on Saturday, October 17th this year. We need volunteers to help our Haunted House planning committee! If you're interested, please contact Tina Brehm at RVESHaunts@gmail.com.
VOLUNTEERS! We can't run this event without a BUNCH of volunteers! Note that teens (7th grade and up) are welcome to volunteer, too.
HAUNTED HOUSE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: CLICK HERE
FUN FAIR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: CLICK HERE
FUN FAIR FOOD/SUPPLIES DONATIONS: CLICK HERE
HAUNTED HOUSE & FUN FAIR T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST: Want to see your student's artwork displayed on this year's Haunted House/Fun Fair t-shirt? Submit a design to the RVES front office by Wednesday, September 16 (DEADLINE EXTENDED) to enter the contest. The winner will receive a FREE HH/FF t-shirt and $10 in HH/FF tickets! Students can vote on the designs at Chalk the Walk on Sept. 18!
FALL BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES: Register now for before and after school classes sponsored by the PTA!
BEFORE SCHOOL CLASSES
RunFit Kidz
Grades 1-6 - THURSDAYS 7:45 - 9:00AM; 9/24 - 11/12; 8 sessions $129
Silver Knights Chess Academy
Grades K-6 - MONDAYS 8:00 - 9:00AM; 9/28 - 12/7; 9 sessions (no class 10/12 and 11/2) $194
AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES
Mudskippers Pottery- FULL
Grades K-6 - MONDAYS 4:05PM - 5:05PM; 10/5 - 12/2; 8 sessions (no class 10/12 and 11/2) $214
Zumba (Kids in Motion)
Grades K-6 - TUESDAYS 4:05 - 5:05PM; 9/22 - 11/17; 8 sessions (no class 11/3) $137
STEM exCEL
Grades 1-6 - THURSDAYS 4:05 - 5:05PM; 10/8 - 12/3; 8 sessions (no class 11/26) $195
Click here to register for RunFit Kidz: CLICK HERE
Click here to register for Silver Knights: CLICK HERE
Click here to register for Kids in Motion Zumba: CLICK HERE
Click here to register for STEM exCEL: CLICK HERE
For scholarship information, please contact Mrs. Del Bagno as soon as possible. For any questions, please contact the PTA’s Before/After-School Programs Coordinator, Tina Brehm at tbrehm517@gmail.com.
CALLING ALL YOUNG ARTISTS: Find out more about the Capital Weather Kids Art Showcase: CLICK HERE
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Monday, September 14; 7:00-8:00pm; FIRST PTA MEETING OF THE YEAR! All RVES families are welcome to our first general membership meeting of the year on Monday, September 14 at 7:00pm in the RVES Library. There will also be a virtual option to attend the meeting. You'll get the inside scoop on the PTA's plans for the year and hear the principal's report from Mrs. Del Bagno. Plus, we'll be voting on the 2026-2027 PTA budget. Note that childcare will be provided. Meeting chat link:CLICK HERE Meeting ID: 882 2713 6327 Passcode: 022936
Friday, September 18; 5:00-7:00pm; CHALK THE WALK & FAMILY PICNIC: The PTA invites all RVES families and staff to come together for an evening of food, fellowship, and fun! Catch up with friends and meet new people. Showcase your school spirit by decorating the sidewalk with chalk. We'll provide the chalk, just bring your blanket and picnic dinner, or treat yourself to the delicious offerings from our on-site food trucks Char'd Burger and Capitol Snow. We're also excited to be joined by Luci's Mobile Library! We look forward to seeing everyone there! All students in attendance will have the opportunity to vote on the Haunted House/Fun Fair t-shirt design contest entries!
Tuesday, September 22; PTA Fundraiser @ Papa Johns: Receive 25% off your order while you enjoy pizza, sandwiches, and wings, all while supporting the RVES PTA. Papa Johns will donate 15% of proceeds to the RVES PTA! Use promo code RVPTA when ordering by phone, on the Papa Johns app, or https://www.papajohns.com to ensure that we get credit. Papa Johns is located at 6228 Rolling Road in Springfield near Aldi.
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 students and families. Please click here for more information and details about upcoming events: CLICK HERE
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! | 
