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October 2, 2026
Dear Waynewood Owls,
Happy Friday! It has been another wonderful week at Waynewood Elementary! As we head into October(how is that even possible), our school calendar is full of exciting activities and community traditions.
First, we are thrilled that our Fall Book Fair is right around the corner! Next week, our library will be transformed into a reader's paradise where students can explore new books, discover favorite series, and foster a lifelong love of reading. Events like this take a village, and we still have several volunteer slots open on the PTA website. If you have an hour or two to spare to help students select books or assist with check-out, we would love to have your helping hand. Additionally, please mark your calendars for Tuesday evening, which will be our Book Fair late night—a fantastic opportunity for families to come browse and shop together.
While you are planning for next week, don't forget about our delicious 6th Grade Chick-fil-A fundraiser! Our 6th graders are working hard to raise funds for their end-of-year activities. The deadline to place preorders for Chick-fil-A is tonight, so please make sure to get your order in before the cutoff.
On the academic front, interim progress reports were sent home with students this week. These reports serve as a valuable checkpoint during the quarter to highlight successes, reflect on growth, and identify areas where your child can continue to strive for excellence. I encourage you to sit down with your child, celebrate their effort, and talk through any goals for the weeks ahead. As always, our teachers are here to partner with you, so please reach out if you have any questions regarding your child’s progress.
Looking ahead to next week, we are excited to participate in Walk or Bike to School Day on Wednesday, October 7! This annual tradition is a wonderful way to promote health, safety, and community connections. Whether you walk, ride a bike, or roll on a scooter, we look forward to seeing our Owls flock together for an energized morning commute.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Katie Cachine, Principal
Alyssa Bonner, Assistant Principal
FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 7, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.
Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where safe to do so. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school, and to work with their school and PTA or PTO to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event. Schools are encouraged to register online with Walk and Bike to School. Get more information about Walk to School Day.
FLE Parent preview night is October 13 at 5:00pm. This drop-in session is designed to give parents an opportunity to learn how to access and navigate the Family Life Education materials within the "All Parent" Schoology course. Please note that there will be no formal presentation during this event; instead, it is an open window for you to explore the online curriculum resources which you can also explore at home and ask any quick navigation questions.
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
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Franklin Middle: Monday, October 5, at 6 p.m.
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Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and other important skills that support their success in school and throughout life. Join a workshop for parents and caregivers to:
- Understand your child’s Fairfax County SEL Screener results.
- Use the results as a starting point for meaningful conversations at home.
- Support your child’s social and emotional development.
- Build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills together.
Learn practical ways to talk with your child about their social and emotional well-being and support their continued growth at home. Events will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Skyview High School and Wednesday, October 21, at Kingstowne Regional Library. View additional dates on the FCPS Family Academy webpage.
Childcare will be available. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, contact the Family and School Partnerships office at 703-204-4300 or FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu.
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.
Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join a session. Upcoming topics include:
- Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.
- Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
- Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
- Communication: A Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10.
Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.
There’s so much happening this month—thank you for staying involved and supporting our school! We always welcome your questions, feedback, and ideas, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Fall Book Fair
Morning and Afternoon Enrichmond Opportunities have a few openings!
- October Start Dates-ACT, Piano Lab, Girls Who Code, Chess
- Sign Up Here
Save the Date
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PTA Meeting: October 13
- Jog-A-Thon Prize Day: October 15 & 16
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4th-6th Grade Author Visit: October 27, Pre-purchase books!
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Fall Fun Night: October 29
Monday, October 5-Friday, October 9-Fall Book Fair
Tuesday, October 6-Book Fair Late Night (Open until 7pm)
Monday, October 12-Student Holiday
Tuesday, October 13-FLE Preview Night 5pm, PTA Meeting 6pm
Wednesday, October 21- 3 hour early release (1:00pm)
Thursday, October 29-Fall Fun Night
Friday, October 30-End of 1st Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release (2:00pm)
Monday November 2-No School, Teacher Work Day
Tuesday, November 3-No School, Teacher Work Day
See the complete school year calendar.
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