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Dear Dogwood Families,
At Dogwood, we believe that every day a student is in school is an opportunity for them to learn, grow, and flourish. We are reaching out because our current chronic absenteeism rate has reached 14.2%, the highest it has been all year. To support our students in staying on track, we are offering specialized after-school programs and our Saturday Dragon’s Den for targeted instruction and attendance recovery. If your child receives an invitation, please complete the registration form so we can partner together in your child's growth.
To ensure learning never stops, all students should have brought home their Chromebooks or iPads. In the event of inclement weather or a break from school, we ask that your child spend time on ST Math, Lexia, or Summit K12. If you prefer they stay off a device, please have them read a book to ensure their academic progress continues while they are away from the classroom.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to your child's success and for helping our school community flourish!
Sincerely,
The Dogwood Admin Team
 It has been an incredible week at Dogwood, highlighted by the impressive talents of our students during the Strings and Band concert and the high energy of our thriving after-school programs. From the stage to the classroom, it is inspiring to see our students constantly learning, growing, and demonstrating their dedication to excellence.
January
Jan. 27: PreK - Parents as Partners at 2:00
Jan. 28: End of Quarter/2-Hour Early Release
Jan. 29: Staff Development Day (No School for Students)
Jan. 30: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
February
Feb. 12: Stars on Stage Performance at 6 pm
Feb. 16: President's Day (No School)
Feb. 17: Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
Feb. 18: 3 Hour Early Release - Students dismissed at 12:35
PreK Parents as Partners Event
We are thrilled to invite all of our PreK families to the Parents as Partners event on January 27th from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM in the school library! This special gathering is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our team and learn valuable strategies to support your child’s early learning journey. Your involvement is a key ingredient in your child's success, and we look forward to building this strong foundation together. We are so excited to see everyone there for an afternoon of collaboration and community!
Early Release
Wednesday, February 18th
The Early Release Wednesdays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development. Students will be dismissed 3 hours early eight times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route. However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release on Wednesdays for many of our families. To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it.
The following dates are planned for Early Release Wednesdays throughout the school year:
· February 18
· March 18
· April 22
· May 13
Student Experience Survey
Next month, Dogwood will be administering the Student Experience Survey to all students in grades 3-12. It will help the school division better understand students’ experiences in our schools. It will take between 30-45 minutes and will be completed during school hours within the February 23 - March 6 survey window. If you would like to view the survey, please visit the Student Experience Survey webpage.
If you do not want your child to participate in the survey, you may opt them out using the online form on the Student Experience Survey webpage or by completing the opt-out form sent home in Thursday folders. You only need to complete the opt-out form by Friday, February 13, if you do not want your child to participate in the Student Experience Survey.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to make improvements in FCPS schools. If you have questions about the Student Experience Survey, please contact research@fcps.edu.
More News and Updates on-the-Go With the FCPS App
- Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here’s how it makes life easier:
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Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events.
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No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly. There’s no password to remember, and no login is required.
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Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates including weather announcements.
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Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.
To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app or download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation or any other introductory events our school may host. Read more about the registration process. For more information, please call our Erin Silvan at 703-262-3100.
Try Online Registration - Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. When registering, parents will create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.
Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
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, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call 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.
Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter weather. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during snow or inclement weather days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
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