Saratoga Connection

October 23, 2025

Principals’ Corner

As the end of the first quarter quickly approaches, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your continued partnership and support in making our school a vibrant place for learning and growth! Our students have made wonderful progress, and we are committed to finishing the quarter strong, continuing to learn and explore new concepts together. We are also looking forward to celebrating Red Ribbon Week with a spirit week! This is an important time for our students to learn about making healthy life choices and committing to a positive, drug-free lifestyle, all while enjoying some fun themed days. Thank you for encouraging your children's participation and for helping us foster a safe, supportive, and enriching environment. 

Be the Change, 

Abby Ragan          Abby Lower                       Jordan Perry

Principal                Assistant Principal             Assistant Principal 

Hate Speech

At the October PTA meeting, Abby Ragan, principal will be discussing the recent community notifications about hate speech and racial slurs at Saratoga.  Ms. Ragan will provide context to the notifications, discuss how Saratoga staff are responding, and how families can support Saratoga being a safe and inclusive community for each student.  Two resources that you may use to talk with your child about hate speech are included below: 

• How to Talk to Your Children About Hate Speech 
• Talking to your child about slurs: When words hurt

Please join the PTA meeting on October 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria to learn more.

Purple Star School 

Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children voted on October 1, 2025, to approve Saratoga Elementary School, a recipient of the SY 2025-2026 Purple Star 3rd Award.  The Council recognizes that earning the award for the third time is no easy accomplishment and that by achieving this award status the school has established an embedded culture of belonging and support. It also recognizes that the school holds dear the important role students play as evident in the description of your school’s active peer-to-peer programming your applicant provided our reviewers. 

Veterans Day

We invite our military connected families to complete the template attached to the Saratoga Connection with a family friendly picture and turn it in to be displayed on our Veteran Wall.  Your child may get a template from their homeroom teacher too.  All templates are to be turned in to your child’s teacher by October 31.  Please know that completed templates will not be returned.  Please do not include original pictures.

We are looking forward to honoring Saratoga connected Veterans.  We will be hosting Doughnuts with Dependents on November 7 from 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.  All military connected families are invited to join us for doughnuts with their Saratoga student(s).  Prior to Doughnuts with Dependents, we encourage all military connected families to submit a family friendly photo to be shown during Doughnuts with Dependents.  Please see the flyer for additional information. 

Following Doughnuts with Dependents, a parade will follow on at 9:30 AM for any veteran who is interested in participating.

Kiss n Ride

We are continuing to work with the Office of Safety and Security to enhance our current arrival and dismissal procedures to support a safe arrival and dismissal for all children, families, and staff members.  It has recently come to our attention that cars are creating multiple lanes of traffic at arrival and dismissal in the parking lot.  Please remain in the Kiss n Ride line and refrain from going around other cars.  Due to the current design of our Kiss n Ride, there are times when people are walking in the parking lot during arrival and dismissal.  We will be adding physical and visual reminders of the need to remain in the Kiss n Ride line and not drive through the parking lot.  Please look for these updates soon!   

Red Ribbon Week

Saratoga will celebrate Red Ribbon week from October 27 - 31.  We will focus on the importance of healthy living through safe and healthy choices.  Students may choose to participate in our Spirit Week.  Please note that October 31 is PJ Day.  Children are welcome to wear PJs.  Please remind your child that we are not wearing costumes to school on Friday, October 31.