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Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - March 14, 2025

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Green Team members worked together on a poster to encourage recycling in our cafeteria.

Notes From the Nest

Dear Springfield Estates Families,

What a fantastic week we've had here at school! Our Green Team students were hard at work this morning, creating vibrant and thoughtful posters to encourage more of their classmates to recycle. It’s always inspiring to see our Eagles taking the lead in making a positive impact on our environment!

With the warmer weather rolling in, our Lost and Found has been overflowing with jackets, sweaters, and other items left behind. Please remind your child to take a look and reclaim any missing belongings before they disappear for good!

Tonight, we’re looking forward to celebrating Pi Day (March 14th) at Math Night! We hope to see many of you here for an evening of fun, hands-on math activities designed for the whole family.

Our students have also been channeling their inner artists this month, contributing to a beautiful new school mural in the front hallway. Each student is painting a feather on our Eagle to represent their family and background. We are so excited to unveil this meaningful piece of artwork at Heritage Night next month! Every one of our 600 students will leave their mark on this collaborative masterpiece.

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of the Springfield Estates community. We are so grateful for the energy, creativity, and enthusiasm our students bring each day!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards,

April Martin, Proud Principal and Kassandra Flading, Assistant Principal

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for daily updates and photos! https://www.facebook.com/seeseagles and https://www.instagram.com/springfieldestateselem

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

March 17: Spring Pictures.
March 20: Coffee & Conversation. Topic:Getting Ready for Kindergarten. 9:30 a.m., SEES Cafeteria.
March 21: SCA Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day.
March 26: PTA Restaurant Night - Ledo's Pizza (in Kingstowne). Details coming soon!
March 28: SCA Spirit Day: Monochromatic Day.
March 31: School Holiday - Eid al Fitr. School is closed for staff and students.
April 1: Teacher Workday. No school for students.
April 3: PTA Meeting. 6:30 p.m., SEES Cafeteria.
April 10: SEES Annual Heritage Night. Details coming soon!
April 11: Deadline for ordering yearbooks. Prices start at $17.00. Place your order online here; our school ID code is 5582425.
April 14 - 18: Spring Break. School will be closed for staff and students.

Lexia Parent Nights

Do you want to learn more about Lexia? Lexia will be offering virtual Parent Nights on two upcoming dates. The next Lexia Parent Night will be held on March 18, 2025. Learn how to register by clicking on this link.

Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire We Want Your Feedback!

On Monday, March 24, parents and guardians of Springfield Estates ES will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.

Topics covered in the survey include:

✅ Instructional leadership

✅ School climate

✅ Management (human resources and organizational)

✅ Communication and community relations

✅ Culturally responsive and equitable leadership

✅ Professionalism

The questionnaire will be open March 24 – April 4 and will be collected online. Keep an eye out for an email from [email protected] and take a few minutes to complete it.

Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and feedback!

Spring AAP Newsletter

The Spring Newsletter is translated and available. Spring Newsletters and translations are on the hub, under the Community Outreach and Communications tab - https://hub.fcps.edu/aap.

Spring AAP Newsletter ES (PDF) Arabic | Chinese | English | Korean | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese

From the SEES PTA

The SEES PTA is seeking board member nominations for the 2025-2026 school year. Our board consists of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. If you are interested in serving, please reach out to Clare Daly ([email protected]), Jill Hardek ([email protected]), or Amy Garcia ([email protected]).

We are looking for leaders for the 2025-2026 school year for the following committees: Turkey Bingo, Fall Reading Fundraiser, and Hospitality. If interested, please contact Megan Brooks in the SEES office at [email protected].

From FCPS

FCPS Budget — Our Students Deserve the Best More than $240 million of FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget is dedicated to increasing compensation for our teachers and staff to stay competitive and reduce turnover. Currently, FCPS ranks fifth out of eight neighboring districts in regards to starting salary for teachers with a master’s degree.

Our families expect — and our students deserve — the best teachers.

The next steps in the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process include the School Board presenting the budget to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 22, and then the Board of Supervisors will conduct public hearings Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Community members can submit testimony or sign up to speak.

Visit the county government website to view the Fairfax County FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The community is also invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the county’s FY 2026 Advertised Budget.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process.

Reminder to Sign Up Weekly for Student Fasting Meal Kits Students who are fasting during the school day between now and March 28 can take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families must fill out a separate request form for each week and for each student in order to receive school meal kits. To receive meal kits for the week of March 24, please fill out this form by March 17.

Please remind your child to pick up their meals each day at our school’s designated location. Visit the Food and Nutrition Services webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.

🛑 Cameras Installed on School Bus Stop Arms Cameras have been installed on the stop arms of 50 FCPS school buses. These cameras will be used to identify drivers who pass stopped school buses while children are entering and exiting the bus (called a “stop arm violation”).

Warnings for drivers will begin on Wednesday, April 9. After a 30-day warning period, citations will begin to be issued on Monday, May 12.

According to Virginia law, drivers must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights on and their stop signs extended. Motorists should stop when approaching from any direction (unless there is a barrier or median separating their lane from where the bus is stopped). They should remain stopped until everyone is clear and the bus is moving.

We appreciate our law enforcement partners for working with us to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Read more information about the stop arm cameras and all of the ways that we work with our county partners to keep students safe on their way to and from school.

📍 The Comprehensive School Boundary Review Process Explained Want to learn more about the ongoing Comprehensive School Boundary Review process? Watch this video for explanations of terms such as attendance zones, attendance islands, split feeders, and other factors that affect school boundaries. The video will also be available in other languages soon.

Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information and sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - March 10, 2025

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Family Math Night is Friday, March 14th!

📢 Today is the last day to register for our Family Math Night. Join us for an evening of fun, learning, and Pi Day celebrations on Friday, March 14, 2025, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM.! 🥧✨🎉📢

Students will explore grade-level classrooms filled with:🔢 Estimation Jars – Put your number sense to the test!🎲 Exciting Math Games – Learn, play and take them home to enjoy!🧠 Number Sense Routines – Strengthen your math skills while exploring and talking about numbers!

To help us plan, please complete this quick form https://forms.gle/sczQXhgb6SmQAi2r5 or scan the QR code above by Monday, March 10th to register and let us know if:

✅ Your child will stay after school and meet you in their classroom at 4:30 PM.

✅ Your child will go home first and return with you for the event.

Fill out one form per SEES student.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - March 7, 2025

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Our Eagles wore pajamas and comfy clothing today to celebrate the last spirit day of Read Across Amercia Week: Cozy Up with a Good Book!

Notes from the Nest SEES Eagles Connect with the Lewis Leadership Program

4th and 5th graders from SEES took a walking field trip to Lewis High School to participate in their Leadership Program, the only one of its kind in FCPS!

High school students in this leadership program connected and mentored our Eagles so that they could learn about Lewis High School academics and extra-curricular activities. For more about this amazing program, click here.

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

March 10: Three Hour Early Release Monday. Students will be dismissed at 1:05 p.m. unless we have already received notification from their families that they should stay until 4:05 p.m.
March 12: PTA Meeting. 6:00 p.m., SEES Cafeteria.
Mar 14: SCA Spirit Day: Students Dress as Teachers and Teachers Dress as Students
March 14: Pi Day and Math Night.
March 17: Spring Pictures.
March 21: SCA Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day
March 28: SCA Spirit Day: Monochromatic Day
March 31: School Holiday - Eid al Fitr. School is closed for staff and students.
April 1: Teacher Workday. No school for students.
April 11: Deadline for ordering yearbooks. Prices start at $17.00. Place your order online here; our school ID code is 5582425.
April 14 - 18: Spring Break. School will be closed for staff and students.

From the PTA Coordinator for Bus Driver Appreciation Day

We appreciate our bus drivers so much and can't wait to celebrate them on April 22, 2025 which is National Bus Driver Appreciation Day. The PTA is looking for a volunteer to coordinate this event which involves purchasing gift cards ahead of time and then distributing them to our morning and afternoon drivers. If interested, please contact Megan Brooks at [email protected].

Nominating Committee

As part of the election process for officers for 2025-2026, our bylaws require that a Nominating Committee by formed. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please email Megan Brooks at [email protected]. You do not need to find the candidates yourself, but act as a conduit for names to be submitted to the PTA membership for election; you’ll provide an email address through which people can contact you if they are interested in serving on the board.

From FCPS

Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs

FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County.

Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children 3 years old by September 30. Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and for children 6 weeks to 2 years old.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however, space is limited and provided based on need, not “first come, first serve.” Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail, or in person at our office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.

If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).

Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens

Discussing tough topics like fentanyl and other drugs can feel challenging — no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses. Prepare in advance with the tips below:

Set the stage. Choose a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Talk while driving, taking a walk, or doing chores together.
Make it a two-way discussion. Ask open-ended questions.
Stay patient and reserve judgment.
Check in with your child early and often.

Developing a Strong Academic Foundation, Curiosity, and Joy for Learning The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.

A strong start for every student is Goal 1 of the Strategic Plan. Pre-K classrooms are making a difference in our community. In this video, we explore the importance of bringing children under the age of five together, regardless of abilities.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date and learn about opportunities to provide feedback to Fairfax County and FCPS.

💬 Share Your Input on the County Budget

The Fairfax County government presented its Fiscal Year 2026 Advertised Budget Plan to the Board of Supervisors on February 18. The community is invited to share feedback through an online survey, email, phone calls, or by attending Budget Town Hall meetings.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - February 28, 2025

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Notes from the Nest

In our SEES school community, we S.O.A.R., meaning that we demonstrate: Support, Optimism, Acceptance, and Responsibility.

Dear Springfield Estates Families,

I hope you are all having a wonderful week! Here are a few highlights and updates from our school community.

Recognizing the Beginning of Ramadan

This week marks the beginning of Ramadan, a sacred time for our Muslim students, staff, and families. We want to extend our warmest wishes to those observing this special time of fasting, reflection, and community.

To further support our students who are fasting or praying, we will be opening our library as a quiet space during lunch and recess. We want to extend our warmest wishes to those observing this special time of fasting, reflection, and community. As always, we strive to ensure an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. If your child has any needs related to Ramadan observance, please let us know how we can support them during the school day.

Celebrating Scouting Achievements

We had the privilege of witnessing several of our Springfield Estates students being recognized for their scouting efforts this past Friday. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to personal growth are truly commendable. A special congratulations to three of our 5th-grade students who participated in the Bridge Ceremony, officially crossing over to join their new Scouting Troop! We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing them continue to grow in their new roles. Check out our social media for more information!

March is Women's History Month!

March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. Throughout the month, our students will have opportunities to learn about influential women in various fields, from science and technology to the arts and activism. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home and explore the many inspiring stories that have shaped our world.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out.

Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead!

Warm regards,

April Martin, Proud Principal and Kassandra Flading, Assistant Principal

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for daily updates and photos! https://www.facebook.com/seeseagles and https://www.instagram.com/springfieldestateselem

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

March 3 to March 7: Read Across America Sprit Days!

March 10: Three Hour Early Release Monday. Students will be dismissed at 1:05 p.m. unless we have already received notification from their families that they should stay until 4:05 p.m.
March 12: PTA Meeting. 6:00 p.m., SEES Cafeteria.
Mar 14: SCA Spirit Day: Students Dress as Teachers and Teachers Dress as Students
March 14: Pi Day and Math Night. Details below.
March 17: Spring Pictures.
March 21: SCA Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day
March 28: SCA Spirit Day: Monochromatic Day
March 31: School Holiday - Eid al Fitr. School is closed for staff and students.
April 1: Teacher Workday. No school for students.
April 14 - 18: Spring Break. School will be closed for staff and students.

From the PTA Coordinator for Bus Driver Appreciation Day

Nominating Committee

Get Ready for an Epic Family Math Night at SEES!

📢 Join us on Friday, March 14, 2025, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM for an evening of fun, learning, and Pi Day celebrations! 🥧✨🎉📢

To help us plan, please complete this quick form https://forms.gle/sczQXhgb6SmQAi2r5 or scan the QR code below by Monday, March 10th to register and let us know if:

✅ Your child will stay after school and meet you in their classroom at 4:30 PM.
✅ Your child will go home first and return with you for the event.

Fill out one form per SEES student.

From FCPS

📖 Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Third Grade The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.

Across FCPS, teachers, staff, parents, and even older students are invested in helping our youngest learners grow their love of reading from a strong foundation.

The goal is for students to move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by the end of the third grade. Reading on grade level is connected to other Strategic Plan goals, including completing advanced coursework and graduating on time.

Last fall, FCPS introduced a new reading curriculum that aligns with evidence-based literacy instruction. Between fall and winter, reading screener results show more than a 4% increase in the number of students in kindergarten to third grade approaching or meeting expectations. Similarly, 3.4% more third graders demonstrate strong foundations of reading and 8.4% more third graders are mastering grade-level standards.

Discover how an elementary school employs a science-based approach, including phonics, to supercharge students' reading.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date.

🗣️ Connect With Your Kids: Simple Steps to Stronger Communication

Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. How do you connect with your children and really know what's going on in their lives? How can you become “unskippable”?

Effective communication can build trust and understanding, but it takes thought, planning, and effort.

The latest Healthy Minds Blog offers practical strategies to improve communication and build strong, lasting relationships:

Ditch distractions and create a safe space where your child feels comfortable opening up.
Listen actively and validate their feelings, even if you don't agree.
Ask "how" questions instead of "what" questions to get them talking about their experiences.

For more tips and techniques, read the full article on the Healthy Minds Blog, which shares information related to youth mental health and wellness.

For support on talking with your teen about difficult subjects like fentanyl, discover how to Become Unskippable.

🚀 Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun

Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.

Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore activities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps.

E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.

For more information, see the Summer Learning page.

2025 Family Summit - Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging! (an Extension of the Special Education Conference)

Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners. The summit will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.

This event will feature:

Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.

Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.

Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process.

Learn more about this event and register today! Contact [email protected] for more information.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - February 21, 2024

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Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

February 28: SCA Spirit Day: Dress to Impress Day!
February 28: Spirit Wear Order Deadline. See below for details.
March 3 to March 7: Read Across America Sprit Days!

March 10: Three Hour Early Release Monday. Students will be dismissed at 1:05 p.m. unless we have already received notification from their families that they should stay until 4:05 p.m.
March 12: PTA Meeting. 6:00 p.m., SEES Cafeteria.
Mar 14: SCA Spirit Day: Students Dress as Teachers and Teachers Dress as Students
March 14: Pi Day and Math Night. Details below.
March 17: Spring Pictures.
March 21: SCA Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day
March 28: SCA Spirit Day: Monochromatic Day
March 31: School Holiday - Eid al Fitr. School is closed for staff and students.
April 1: Teacher Workday. No school for students.
April 14 - 18: Spring Break. School will be closed for staff and students.

Get Ready for an Epic Family Math Night at SEES!

📢 Join us on Friday, March 14, 2025, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM for an evening of fun, learning, and Pi Day celebrations! 🥧✨🎉📢

To help us plan, please complete this quick form https://forms.gle/sczQXhgb6SmQAi2r5 or scan the QR code below by Monday, March 10th to register and let us know if:

✅ Your child will stay after school and meet you in their classroom at 4:30 PM.
✅ Your child will go home first and return with you for the event.

Fill out one form per SEES student.

From the SEES PTA

Online Spirit Wear Store - Deadline February 28

Looking for new SEES Spirit Wear? The PTA's online store is now open! Choices include short sleeve, long sleeve, and hoodies. Order online now here. After the online store closes, purchases will be sent home directly with your student.

Shirts are only available through pre-order (we will not have extras for sale). Once the online store closes on February 28, no other purchases can be made. Apparel is all printed locally in Fairfax by DMV TEES, who works closely with SEES for Custom Apparel throughout the year! Proceeds benefit the SEES PTA.

For questions, contact Megan Brooks in the SEES office at [email protected].

From FCPS

Breaking Down the Budget: Supporting Academic Growth and Algebra by Eighth Grade The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.

Since the 2023-24 school year, FCPS has seen a 9.5% increase in eighth graders taking Algebra I or more advanced math and a 6.8% increase in fifth graders in advanced math.

Studies show that students who complete algebra in middle school have more opportunities to take advanced math and science courses in high school. This can open up new academic paths for students! Watch a video that shows why eighth grade algebra matters.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget.

VDH Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders

As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations:

Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.

Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - February 20, 2025

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Notes from the Nest Important Traffic Guidance

Dear Springfield Estates Community,

To ensure the safety of our students, staff, and neighbors, we kindly remind families to follow these Fairfax County parking and traffic regulations:

🚗 No Parking Within 10 Feet of a Driveway – Parking too close to driveways blocks access and creates safety hazards. (Fairfax County Code 82-5-1(a)(2))

🚒 No Parking Within 15 Feet of a Fire Hydrant – This applies to both public and private roads and is strictly enforced by Fairfax County Police and Fire & Rescue. (Fairfax County Code 82-5-1(a)(4), Chapter 9 PFM)

⚠️ Avoid 3-Point Turns on Narrow Roads – Making 3-point turns near the school puts our student walkers and buses at risk. Please use designated routes and be mindful of traffic flow.

Your cooperation helps keep our school community safe and accessible for everyone. Thank you for your attention to these important safety measures!

Sincerely,

April Martin
Principal

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - February 14, 2025

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Happy Valentine's Day Eagles!

Notes from the Nest

In our SEES school community, we S.O.A.R., meaning that we demonstrate: Support, Optimism, Acceptance, and Responsibility.

Dear Springfield Estates Families,

What a wonderful week we’ve had at Springfield Estates! Valentine’s Day was filled with love, kindness, and plenty of sweet treats. It was heartwarming to see our students and staff spreading joy throughout the building!

No School on Monday, February 19Just a reminder that there will be no school on Monday in observance of Presidents Day. We hope everyone enjoys the long weekend and comes back rested and ready for a great week ahead!

WIDA Testing UnderwayOur multilingual learners are hard at work completing their WIDA assessments, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts! This important assessment helps us measure their growth in English language proficiency, and we appreciate the support from teachers and families in encouraging our students to do their best.

Possible Weather Impact Next Week

We are keeping an eye on the potential snowstorm forecasted for next week. Please stay tuned for any schedule updates or school delays/closures. As always, we will share information as soon as possible via email, social media, and FCPS weather alerts.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Enjoy the long weekend, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday!

With gratitude,

April Martin, Proud Principal and Kassandra Flading, Assistant Principal

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for daily updates and photos! https://www.facebook.com/seeseagles and https://www.instagram.com/springfieldestateselem

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

February 17: School Holiday - Presidents' Day. No school for staff or students.
February 18: SEES Spelling Bee. Details coming soon.
February 21: SCA Spirit Day: Blend In or Stand Out Day!
February 28: SCA Spirit Day: Dress to Impress Day!
Mar 7: SCA Spirit Day: Work Out or Sleep In
March 10: Three Hour Early Release Monday. Students will be dismissed at 1:05 p.m. unless we have already received notification from their families that they should stay until 4:05 p.m.
Mar 14: SCA Spirit Day: Students Dress as Teachers and Teachers Dress as Students
March 14: Pi Day and Math Night. Details coming soon!
March 17: Spring Pictures.
March 21: SCA Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day
March 28: SCA Spirit Day: Monochromatic Day
March 31: School Holiday - Eid al Fitr. School is closed for staff and students.
April 1: Teacher Workday. No school for students.
April 14 - 18: Spring Break. School will be closed for staff and students.

Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener

The Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-6 during the week of March 10th. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. More information is available about the SEL Screener by accessing this link: https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/social-emotional-screener

If you have any questions, please reach out to Allison Donnelly at [email protected].

From the SEES PTA

Online Spirit Wear Store - Deadline February 28

Shirts are only available through pre-order (we will not have extras for sale). Once the online store closes on February 28, no other purchases can be made. Apparel is all printed, locally in Fairfax, by DMV TEES, who works closely with SEES for Custom Apparel throughout the year! Proceeds benefit the SEES PTA.

For questions, contact Megan Brooks in the SEES office at [email protected].

Staying Safe - Arrival, Dismissal and Transportation

In collaboration with the Fairfax County Police Department, we are sending out the following guidelines and reminders. Please remember that our school is situated in a neighborhood, and drivers must adhere to the traffic rules and regulations in place. Thank you for helping us to keep our students safe, reduce traffic congestion around our school, and be respectful of our neighborhood!

Families choosing to travel to SEES by car MUST use our Kiss & Ride Line.

Students cannot be dropped-off/picked-up on the street in front of or behind the school.
Students cannot be let out of the car in the middle of the street.
Drivers cannot double-park, especially on Meriwether Lane.
Do not block driveways at any time. Parking is not allowed within 10 feet of driveways.
Do not park next to the yellow curb in the bus loop directly in front of SEES. These areas are reserved as bus-loading/unloading zones.
See the section below for details on using Kiss & Ride at SEES.

Walkers

All walkers use Door #7.
Door #7 is only staffed until 9:20 am for arrivals. If you arrive after that time, please escort your child to Door #1 at the front of the school.
All Kindergarteners must be met and walked home with a family member who is 16 years of age or older. All other walkers should walk home immediately after leaving the building.

Children who leave school as ‘’walkers’’ are considered to be walking directly home and are not supervised once they exit the building. Children may not leave as a ‘walker’ to then meet a parent at a car parked in our neighborhood.

Kiss & Ride

Students using Kiss & Ride are dismissed to our cafeteria where they are supervised until called out to their car.
Our Kiss & Ride line operates from Deepford Street (behind SEES) – turn into our side parking lot and follow the car line/instructions. Kiss & Ride is staffed until 9:20 am in the mornings and begins to shut down around 4:15 pm in the afternoon.
Drivers remain in the car at all times. Please do not pass other cars in the Kiss & Ride line at any time unless directed by a staff member. Your SEES Kiss & Ride Car Tag must be displayed on your rearview mirror. Please pull forward as directed by staff. Students will be called by number when parents arrive in the Kiss & Ride line to pick them up.
Children enter and exit on the right (passenger) side of the vehicle.

If you arrive by car after school starts, please park in a designated parking spot and bring your student to our main entrance (Door #1) and sign them in at the front office. Do not drop them off at our main entrance as this is our bus loop.

Bus Riders

Families should be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to the listed pick-up time. PreK and Kindergarten riders must be met by an authorized guardian.
Transportation can be reached directly at 703-446-2150.
Daily bus delays are listed at www.busdelay.fcps.edu.

Families can sign up for the FCPS Here Comes the Bus App to receive real-time bus location information. Search ‘’Here Comes the Bus’’ at FCPS.edu for details.

Same Day Dismissal Changes

Same day dismissal changes, including planned early pick-ups of students, must be communicated to the front office in writing prior to 3:30 pm (an email to [email protected] is preferred).

A note to the classroom teacher is also appreciated BUT, as classroom teachers may not have an opportunity to check their email before the end of the day, all dismissal changes MUST be communicated to the front office.
If your child is being picked up during their Specials time (music, PE, art, etc.), please allow additional time for them to return to their classroom to pack up their belongings.

If your child attends SACC, be sure to also let the SACC staff know of a dismissal change as SACC operates separately from FCPS.

From FCPS

Breaking Down the Budget: Investing in Our Classrooms Did you know that more than 85% of FCPS’ budget stays in our classrooms? Currently, 92.5% of FCPS staff are school-based, more than neighboring school districts. We are in the middle of FCPS’ annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback. Learn more about the proposed FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget and see the budget timeline.

🤧 Protect Yourself and Your Community From the Flu

Fairfax County is experiencing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Read a letter from the health department.

The health department suggests taking the following steps to reduce the spread of flu and other germs:

Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others while ill, wearing a mask can help reduce spread.
Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
Clean frequently touched surfaces.

According to the health department, to help prevent or reduce the spread of illness it is important for individuals who are sick to stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. Visit this Attendance webpage for guidance on when your child should go to school.

🐻 It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events, including orientation, between January and April. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us prepare and ensure we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school.

Families should prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms on the FCPS kindergarten registration webpage. FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, visit the kindergarten registration webpage.

✨ A strong start is Goal 1 of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

Learn More About How Your Child Feels at School

The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-12 in March. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop the skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who do not have a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28 Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student. To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - February 7, 2025

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Notes from the Nest

In our SEES school community, we S.O.A.R., meaning that we demonstrate: Support, Optimism, Acceptance, and Responsibility.

Dear Springfield Estates Families,

At Springfield Estates Elementary, we are proud to be a welcoming school that honors and celebrates every student. Our commitment to creating an inclusive environment ensures that all of our Eagles feel safe, valued, and supported. As a community of diverse learners, we continue to SOAR higher together by embracing what makes each of us unique while fostering a culture of kindness, respect, and acceptance.

This week, we held our quarterly awards ceremony, recognizing students for their SOARing spirit, excellent citizenship, life skills, and growth throughout the quarter. It’s always inspiring to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our Eagles as they continue to reach new heights.

Additionally, as we celebrate Black History Month, we take special pride in honoring the rich heritage, culture, and contributions of African Americans throughout history and within our own community. It’s a meaningful reminder of the strength found in diversity and the importance of unity in our pursuit of excellence.

Thank you for being part of our incredible SEES family!

With gratitude,

April Martin, Proud Principal and Kassandra Flading, Assistant Principal

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for daily updates and photos! https://www.facebook.com/seeseagles and https://www.instagram.com/springfieldestateselemClick to edit this placeholder text.

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

February 10: Three Hour Early Release Monday. Students will be dismissed at 1:05 p.m. unless we have already received notification from their families that they should stay until 4:05 p.m.
February 12: Coffee & Conversation with PTA Meeting. SEES Cafeteria, 9:30 a.m. We will have a brief and informative PTA meeting followed by a workshop on IEPS and 504s.
February 14: SCA Spirit Day: Wear Red, Pink or Purple!
February 17: School Holiday - Presidents' Day. No school for staff or students.
February 18: SEES Spelling Bee. Details coming soon.
February 21: SCA Spirit Day: Blend In or Stand Out Day!
February 28: SCA Spirit Day: Dress to Impress Day!

Students Invited to Share Their Voices at the 2025 Family Summit

The 2025 FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, March 15, at South Lakes High School. Visit the Family Summit webpage for more information.

At the event, FCPS students will be invited to showcase projects and advocacy efforts around inclusivity in schools. This is a great resume-building opportunity, and students can earn service hours as well. Students may share their work in a share-fair environment using posters, essays, videos, songs, or art. They will interact with attendees through conversations about their work, ideas, and efforts to foster inclusivity in school communities.

Students must use this Google Form to participate by Monday, February 17. A list of possible projects is also on the form. More information will be provided after the student’s submission is received. Please contact Manuel Gomez Portillo with any questions.

✨ Centering student voice is part of FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.

Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration (Note: Date Change)

FCPS’ Chief Equity Office invites the community to an Inaugural Black History Month Kickoff Celebration on Wednesday, February 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.

The event begins with a light reception followed by a formal program, From the Threads of Our Past to the Fabric of Our Future. The program will honor the enduring contributions of Black history and culture while envisioning a future rooted in equity and excellence. It will include inspiring performances, personal stories, reflections, and opportunities to connect and celebrate. The event is open to the entire community.

For more information, contact Nina Thomas, senior manager for Professional Learning and Cultural Responsiveness.

FCPS Proposed Budget Progress

The Fairfax County School Board discussed the FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at their work session on February 4. They discussed details regarding student enrollment and investments in students requiring additional support, market comparison data for surrounding school divisions, and an update on progress toward achieving the Baldrige Award for Performance Excellence. Baldrige is a framework used to assess and improve organizational performance across various sectors, including education.

The School Board also held a public hearing on February 4, where they invited the community to share their feedback on the proposed budget.

On Tuesday, February 18, the Fairfax County executive will present the county’s Advertised Budget, and the School Board will hold a work session on FCPS’ FY 2026 Proposed Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar.

Breaking Down the Budget

More than 85% of the budget is dedicated to instruction and reflects the needs of our community’s young people in response to the changing world around us. Budget priorities include providing competitive compensation for all employees, including a 7% salary increase for all staff.

Our families want their children in high-quality schools with the best teachers who provide rigorous academic experiences. FCPS must provide competitive compensation to attract and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students.

The proposed 7% salary increase would likely move FCPS to the highest starting salary for teachers with a master's degree among our neighboring counties and greatly improve our recruitment efforts amidst an ongoing teacher shortage. Visit the Budget webpage for more information.

Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Countywide lottery registration for the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program for first graders in the 2025-26 school year is open through Thursday, February 13, at 4 p.m. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program through Thursday, March 6, at 4 p.m.

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

Interested parents/caregivers may attend an informational meeting at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program registration page for a list of meetings by language offered.

Get more details on the DLI Program webpage.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estate ES News You Choose - January 31, 2025

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SEES welcomed Wendy WAN-Long Shang, a published author of elementary age books, to our school this week.

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

February 7: SCA Spirit Day: Favorite Team Jersey Day!
February 10: Three Hour Early Release Monday. Students will be dismissed at 1:05 p.m. unless we have already received notification from their families that they should stay until 4:05 p.m.
February 12: Coffee & Conversation with PTA Meeting. SEES Cafeteria, 9:30 a.m. We will have a brief and informative PTA meeting followed by a workshop on IEPS and 504s.
February 14: SCA Spirit Day: Wear Red, Pink or Purple!
February 17: School Holiday - Presidents' Day. No school for staff or students.
February 18: SEES Spelling Bee. Details coming soon.
February 21: SCA Spirit Day: Blend In or Stand Out Day!
February 28: SCA Spirit Day: Dress to Impress Day!

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - January 24, 2025

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Ms. Malachowski working with her 1st graders on phonics, word work, and poetry analysis!

Notes from the Nest

In our SEES school community, we S.O.A.R., meaning that we demonstrate: Support, Optimism, Acceptance, and Responsibility.

Dear Springfield Estates Families,

As we wrap up another busy week, I want to take a moment to reflect on our collective achievements and provide a glimpse of what’s ahead.

First, I’d like to remind everyone that next week marks the end of the second quarter. It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the school year! Despite the challenges that snow and cold weather have brought to our schedules, I am incredibly proud of how our students, staff, and families have adapted.

Our school community continues to demonstrate perseverance and resilience, and it shows in our academic progress. For example, I’m thrilled to share that since the fall, our students in grades K-3 have made an impressive 8-percentage-point increase on their reading screeners and mid-year assessments! Even more exciting, we’ve seen many students exceed 100% of their growth targets—and it’s only January! This success is a true reflection of our commitment to SOARing: being Supportive, Optimistic, Accepting, and Responsible in all that we do.

As we enter the final week of the quarter, I encourage families to check in with your children about their goals and celebrate the progress they’ve made so far this year. Together, we’ll continue to support their learning and growth as we move into the second half of the year.

Thank you for being an integral part of our Springfield Estates community. Whether it’s helping with homework, volunteering in classrooms, or simply cheering on your students at home, your support makes all the difference.

Let’s continue to SOAR together as we embrace new challenges and opportunities!

Have a wonderful weekend, stay warm, and we look forward to an exciting and productive week ahead!

With gratitude,

April Martin, Proud Principal

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for daily updates and photos! https://www.facebook.com/seeseagles and https://www.instagram.com/springfieldestateselem

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

January 28: End of 2nd Quarter.
January 29: Teacher Workday. School is closed for students.
January 31: SCA Spirit Day: Twin Day!
February 7: SCA Spirit Day: Favorite Team Jersey Day! (updated)
February 12: Coffee & Conversation with PTA Meeting. SEES Cafeteria, 9:30 a.m. We will have a brief and informative PTA meeting followed by a workshop on IEPS and 504s.
February 14: SCA Spirit Day: Wear Red, Pink or Purple!
February 18: SEES Spelling Bee. Details coming soon.
February 21: SCA Spirit Day: Blend In or Stand Out Day!
February 28: SCA Spirit Day: Dress to Impress Day! (updated)

Author Visit

We are so excited to welcome author Wendy Shang to our school next week! Our amazing PTA has arranged for her to speak with our students about her books.

If your student would like to purchase an autographed copy of one of Ms. Shang's books, please use this link: https://www.readbooknook.org/author-visit-wendy-wan-long-shang. Sales will close on Monday, February 3 at noon. The books will then be signed and delivered to the school in early February!

Middle School Transition Newsletter: Elementary Edition

The Middle School Transition Matters Newsletter: Elementary Edition is here! This Winter 2024-25 edition helps foster curiosity, self-awareness, and career readiness in elementary students. It includes practical tips, activities, and local resource ideas to connect classroom learning with real-life experiences.

Highlights include:

Ideas for integrating transition planning into lessons and family discussions.
Strategies to build self-awareness and explore interests.
Fun ways to introduce career awareness through reflection, exploration, sharing, and activities.
Hands-on group projects and pre-vocational activities to build real-world work skills.

From FCPS

What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse

FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.

What can families do?

Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink.
Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.
Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage.
Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors.
Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”

Get more information on opioid awareness.

📍 Virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings

If you have not been able to attend an FCPS Community Boundary Review meeting yet, it’s not too late! The following virtual meetings will have the same format and information available as the previous in-person meetings:

Click one of the dates above to register and receive your unique Zoom link. Each virtual meeting will be capped at 400 participants to help provide a meaningful experience for all. Language interpretation will be available. Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

📈 Virginia’s Student Assessment Summary for Families

This month, families of students who took any Standards of Learning (SOL) test between school years 2015-16 and 2023-24 will receive a Student Assessment Summary Report. The report shows a student’s state percentile ranking for each test. This allows families to see how their child ranked compared to all Virginia students who took the same test that year.

Reports are available now in SIS ParentVUE Documents. We will distribute them to students whose families do not have ParentVUE access. Learn how to access ParentVUE.

The report is intended to help families reflect on how their child performed across all tested subjects over the years. Our staff members are committed to working with families to help every student reach their highest potential. Learn more about student assessments in FCPS.

SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey

All FCPS families and middle and high school students have received an invitation to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available through Monday, February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - January 17, 2025

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Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

January 20: School Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday. School is closed for staff and students.
January 24: SCA Spirit Day: Crazy Hair Day!
January 28: End of 2nd Quarter.
January 29: Teacher Workday. School is closed for students.
January 31: SCA Spirit Day: Twin Day!
February 7: SCA Spirit Day: Dress to Impress Day!
February 12: Coffee & Conversation with PTA Meeting. SEES Cafeteria, 9:30 a.m. We will have a brief and informative PTA meeting followed by a workshop on IEPS and 504s.
February 14: SCA Spirit Day: Wear Red, Pink or Purple!
February 18: SEES Spelling Bee. Details coming soon.
February 21: SCA Spirit Day: Blend In or Stand Out Day!
February 28: SCA Spirit Day: Favorite Team Jersey Day!

🧥 Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. We monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.

Visit Fairfax County’s website for Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips.

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact our family liaison, [family liaison name], at [email]. You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey Coming Soon

All FCPS families and middle and high school students will be receiving an email invitation on Tuesday, January 21, to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available from January 21 to February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday

Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. See the complete school year calendar.

Quarter End

Tuesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter. See the complete school year calendar.

Quarter End, Lunar New Year Lunar New Year falls at quarter end on Wednesday, January 29. The day will be a teacher work day and there will be no school for students. See the complete school year calendar.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - January 10, 2025

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Notes from the Nest

In our SEES school community, we S.O.A.R., meaning that we demonstrate: Support, Optimism, Acceptance, and Responsibility.

Happy New Year, Eagle Families!

Welcome back to school! We hope your Winter Break was a time of rest, joy, and connection with loved ones. Many of you also experienced some extra, unexpected days off thanks to the snow—we hope you stayed warm, cozy, and safe during the wintry weather!

As we return to SEES, we are excited to welcome our Eagles back into classrooms buzzing with learning and growth. Our focus remains on fostering a supportive and engaging environment where every student can soar. This month, we’ll continue to nurture a love of learning through rich academic discussions, hands-on activities, and collaborative projects. Equally important, we’ll prioritize helping students strengthen their social-emotional skills, building meaningful relationships, and practicing resilience.

Looking ahead, we are excited to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day later this month. In classrooms, we’ll be engaging students in activities and discussions about his remarkable legacy of equality, service, and kindness. As a school community, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the importance of acceptance, inclusion, and making a positive impact on the world around us.

Please keep an eye out for updates regarding any weather-related delays or closures as we prioritize everyone's safety during this season.

Here’s to a fantastic start to 2025! Together, let’s make this year full of optimism, achievement, and community.

We’re so glad to have you as part of our Eagles who S.O.A.R.!

With gratitude,

April Martin, Proud Principal & Kassandra Flading, Assistant Principal

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for daily updates and photos! https://www.facebook.com/seeseagles and https://www.instagram.com/springfieldestateselem

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

January 20: School Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday. School is closed for staff and students.
January 29: Teacher Workday. School is closed for students.

📢 Shout Out to Our Amazing Custodial Team!

A huge thank you to Frank, Gary, Gifty, Mary, and Michael for their incredible hard work over winter break to clean and prepare our building. You went above and beyond to make sure everything was spotless and ready for our return.

On top of that, you tackled this week’s snow and ice with unmatched dedication, ensuring our parking lots, sidewalks, and entryways were safe and accessible for everyone.

The Springfield Estates Elementary community is so grateful for all you do to keep our school looking great and running smoothly. This building is ready to shine today because of your efforts! 🙌👏

— With appreciation,

April & Kassandra

Help Wanted: Seeking Dining Assistant for Our Cafeteria

SEES needs dining assistants to support our lunchtime routines in the cafeteria. The job is 3.5 hours a day (approximately 11:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.), Monday through Friday. Duties include monitoring students to keep order, assisting them as they clean up and clean tables, interacting with them in a positive way to assist them with their social skills, and dismissing them to their teachers.

We are looking for dedicated people who are friendly, energetic, and love working with children but can also be assertive to maintain expectations of cafeteria behavior.

Would you like to join our team? If so, please contact Assistant Principal Kassandra Flading at [email protected].

From the SEES PTA February PTA Meeting

Join us on Wednesday, February 12 at 9:30am for our next meeting! We’ll be discussing spring events and upcoming officer elections.

Winter STEM exCEL Classes

Looking for something fun for your student to do in 2025? Our partnership with STEM exCEL will continue with more computer-based classes starting in January. Register online here: https://stemexcel.org/springfieldestates/. There are still some spaces left in the following classes:

Electronics with Minecraft Redstone
Intro to Game Design (1-6)
Roblox Game Design (1-6)

FCPS Math Week Coming Next Week, January 13th – 17th

We hope your family will join other FCPS families across the division in celebrating math in many different ways. This week is a chance to engage with math as a family through delightful games and stories – all from the comfort of your own home. Learn more about Math Week here.

Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first-grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year.

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered.

Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and DLI Program Registration webpage.

Cell Phone Policy

📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at 703-921-2300.

Varsity Tutors 📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - December 20, 2024

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Reading Buddies in Ms. Szczepanek's and Ms. Hagos' classes wish everyone a warm and wonderful Winter Break!

Notes from the Nest

In our SEES school community, we S.O.A.R., meaning that we demonstrate: Support, Optimism, Acceptance, and Responsibility.

Dear Springfield Estates Families,

As we prepare to wrap up the year 2024, and begin winter break tomorrow, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible community we’ve built together. These past weeks have been filled with exciting learning experiences, meaningful connections, and a true sense of Eagle pride as our students continue to SOAR—being Supportive, Optimistic, Accepting, and Responsible in all they do.

Winter break is a time to rest, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones. As we step into the new year, I’m excited about the opportunities 2025 will bring for our students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Together, we will continue building a strong foundation for their success and creating a supportive environment where every child can thrive.

Thank you for being an essential part of our Springfield Estates family. Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a bright, happy New Year!

With gratitude,

April Martin, Proud Principal
&
Kassandra Flading, Assistant Principal

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for daily updates and photos! https://www.facebook.com/seeseagles and https://www.instagram.com/springfieldestateselem

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

December 23 thru January 3: Winter Break. No school for staff or students. Our offices will be closed from December 24 thru January 3.
January 20: School Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday. School is closed for staff and students.
January 29: Teacher Workday. School is closed for students.

From FCPS

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for FCPS’ Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2025-26 school year.

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered.

🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.

📣 Sign Up and Speak Out: Fairfax County’s Pre-2025 Session Public Hearing

The Fairfax County delegation to the Virginia General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2025 session on Saturday, January 4, at 9 a.m., in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center.

As Fairfax County residents, you may sign up in advance to speak at the hearing and let the delegation know what matters most to you. To participate, register online using this form or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711) by noon on Thursday, January 2. Find additional guidelines for speaking at the public forum on the Fairfax County Government website.

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:

Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m.
Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.

Language interpretation will be available.

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - December 13, 2024

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Thrid grade had a bus safety presentation and drill from FCPS Transporation today.

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

December 2 thru December 20: Spirit Days! We have planned a month of special spirit days to help students and staff count down the days to Winter Break together! Please see the calendar below for details. As always, there is no obligation to participate and, of course, school colors (blue and gold) are a great option on any spirit day!

December 17: PTA Restaurant Night at Hangry Burger. 4 to 8 p.m. 15% of all in-house proceeds benefit SEES!

December 18: Coffee and Conversation with Key MS (at SEES). 9:30 a.m. This will be a bonus coffee session for this month highlighting for families the full time AAP programs offered at Key Middle School.

December 20: Chorus Concert for Students. Our entire school will enjoy a sing-along at the end of the day. Families who may be picking their students up early this day are encouraged to do so prior to 3:00 p.m. to avoid delays. Please note this concert is only for SEES students due to capacity restraints.

December 23 thru January 3: Winter Break. No school for staff or students. Our offices will be closed.

Notes from the Nest

In our SEES school community, we S.O.A.R., meaning that we demonstrate: Support, Optimism, Acceptance, and Responsibility.

Dear Springfield Estates Families,

Next week marks the home stretch before Winter Break, and we’re ready to fill it with fun, learning, and unforgettable memories for our students! Our team has planned an array of exciting activities, and we encourage you to send your child to school each day so they don’t miss out on the joy and engagement.

We also want to take a moment to celebrate our talented band and string students for their incredible performances at the winter concerts this week. Their hard work, dedication, and beautiful music brought so much joy to our school community. We couldn’t be prouder of their achievements and the support they received from their families and our staff!

As we embrace this festive time together, let’s remember to live out our school motto: Together We SOAR. Being Supportive, Optimistic, Accepting, and Responsible are the principles that guide our school community, and they shine even brighter during this season of togetherness.

Thank you for your unwavering partnership and support. Let’s make this final week of 2024 one to cherish! Wishing you all a warm and joyous holiday season filled with love and happiness.

With gratitude,

April Martin

Proud Principal

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for daily updates and photos! https://www.facebook.com/seeseagles and https://x.com/SEESrSIX

From the Lewis HS Pyramid From FCPS School Year 2025-2026 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program Information

For additional registration information, please visit: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/dual-language-immersion-programs-registration.

For general program information: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary/world-languages-immersion-programs

*FCPS offers additional school based Spanish DLI programs at Braddock, Groveton, Herndon, and Washington Mill. Please contact the school for more information.

** Meetings at the school site are hosted by the principal in partnership with the world languages office. The virtual meeting is hosted by the world languages office and includes all general program information.

Special Education Resources

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
SEL Screener Results
New Accessibility Resources
Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
Executive Functioning Webinars
Early Literacy Resources
ESY and Assessment Webinar
COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.

Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue!

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.

Community Meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review

If you did not get a chance to attend one of the recent community meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review, please consider attending the final meeting in this first phase of the boundary review process. The Region 1 meeting will take place Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m.,in the Madison High School cafeteria. Register today. If you are unable to participate, stay tuned for details about virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings coming early next year.

View FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - December 6, 2024

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Our Kindergarten and PreK classes took a walking field trip to Lewis High School to enjoy a winter concert from their amazing fine arts department!

Upcoming Dates & Reminders:

December 11: Strings Concert (for 5th and 6th strings). Key MS, 7:00 p.m. Students report by 6:30 p.m.

December 12: Band Concert. Key MS, 7:00 p.m. Students report by 6:30 p.m.

December 13: PTA Game Night! 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. See flyer below (and in today's Friday Folder) for details.

December 17: PTA Restaurant Night at Hangry Burger. 4 to 8 p.m. 15% of all in-house proceeds benefit SEES!

December 23 thru January 3: Winter Break. No school for staff or students.

SEES Winter Spirit Days Lewis Pyramid Events

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review are underway. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., at Annandale High School Cafeteria.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. If you are unable to attend on this date, view the list of remaining meeting dates on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage. You may also sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter

39 minutes 16 seconds ago

Springfield Estates Elementary School News and announcements

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