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The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

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Volume 3, Issue 26; March 16, 2025

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

🌙✨ Our third graders recently learned about the beautiful traditions of Ramadan. Thank you to our families who help us learn about the importance of reflection, gratitude, and community. 🕌❤️ #CRESSchoolOfDreams #CRESAllStars

Dear CRES Community,

Spring is in the air, and with it comes a renewed sense of energy and excitement! As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, our students are embracing new learning opportunities and making incredible strides in their academic and personal growth.

This season brings a wonderful mix of activities and milestones. From hands-on projects in our classrooms, to outdoor learning in our Project Learning Garden, our students are applying their creativity and critical thinking in meaningful ways. We are proud to see their curiosity bloom as they explore new ideas and strengthen their connections with one another.

A quick reminder: Tomorrow, Monday, March 17th, is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 12:25 pm.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Centre Ridge family. Let’s make this spring a season of growth, joy, and success!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data and updates in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance.

Present for Success: Why Attendance Matters

We are deeply committed to closing achievement gaps, but we face significant challenges when students miss extended periods of school. Currently, 11.5% of our students (72 children) are considered chronically absent, with most of the increase due to long-term unexcused absences for travel.

We cannot overstate the importance of planning trips outside of scheduled school days. When students miss 10–15 days of instruction, as we have seen with 36 families this year, the impact on learning is profound. The lessons, peer interactions, and classroom experiences that are missed cannot be fully recreated. Additionally, helping students catch-up after extended absences requires significant time, effort, and resources from our staff, which strains our ability to meet the needs of all learners effectively.

Consistent attendance is essential for your child’s academic success and growth. Thank you for working with us to prioritize daily attendance—it makes a difference. Let's work toward 100% attendance until spring break begins on April 14th.

Together, let’s make every day count! Yearbooks: Order Now!

Early Bird Pricing: $22

After April 1st, the price goes up to $25, so act fast!

Use this link to order your CRES 2024-2025 yearbook.
Enter Yearbook ID Code 11001925 and click Next.
Enter your students First Name, Last Name, Grade and click Next.
Choose package and or a la carte items and click Next.
Checkout and receive purchase confirmation.

Attention 6th Grade Families:

The school will be gifting one yearbook to each 6th grader! If you would like to personalize, order an extra yearbook, or purchase additional items, these options are available through paper forms only.

FCPS News Updates 🐻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.

🤝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.

💵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.

Next Steps in the Budget Process

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.

🛑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.

🎤Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS on Monday, April 7th, at Greenbriar West Elementary School, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

📰FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

Second Annual Food Show
Cameras on School Bus Stop Arms
Comprehensive Boundary Review Process Explained

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

🗺️🧭 Our kindergarteners are exploring the Centreville community and learning about community helpers by creating detailed maps of the places and people who keep our town running! 🏡👩‍🚒👨‍⚕️👮‍♂️ Through this hands-on activity, they are developing #criticalhinking and #communication skills while building a deeper understanding of their role as #ethicalandglobalcitizens. 🌍❤️ #CRESSchoolOfDreams #CRESAllStars

For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers The FCPS Family Resource Center Presents "Calming the Chaos: Teaching Emotional Regulation to Twice Exceptional (2e) Students"

March 25th: 10:00-11:30 am

Join Dr. Oladimeji as she supports families to understand the unique emotional regulation challenges of Twice Exceptional (2e) students, including the interaction between giftedness and disabilities, identify proactive strategies to help 2e students recognize, express, and manage emotions effectively, Implement practical tools and techniques at home to foster emotional self-regulation and resilience and collaborate with schools and professionals to support emotional growth in their child’s academic and social environments.

Please note that interpreters are available if requested at least a week before the webinar. Interpretation cannot be guaranteed. We will have closed captioning in any chosen language if we cannot find an interpreter.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, March 17th: Early-release Monday; dismissal at 12:25 pm.

Friday, March 28th: "Walk in My Shoes" program for students in grades 3-6.

Monday, March 31st: No school; Eid al-Fitr (begins sundown 3/30 - sundown 3/31)

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

Food Distribution at Centreville Library

14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville, VA 20121
The food distributions will be offered from 5:30-6:30 PM
on the following dates in 2025:

Thursday, March 27, 2025
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Thursday, June 26, 2025

Free food, clothes, household items, toys, furniture, and diapers

Second Saturday of each month

Distribution from 7:30-9:30 am

April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13

Centreville United Methodist Church
6400 Old Centreville Road
Centreville, VA 20121
Tel: 703-830-2684
www.centreville-umc.org

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

GovDelivery4 weeks 1 day ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Volume 3, Issue 25; March 2, 2025

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

📚🎉 Read Across America Spirit Week is here! 🎉📚

Check out the exciting lineup above and join the fun as we celebrate the joy of reading with dress-up days! 👀✨ #ReadAcrossAmerica #CRESLovesReading 📖❤️

Dear CRES Community,

Tomorrow is SEL Day 2025, a time to recognize the importance of Social-Emotional Learning in helping students develop skills like self-awareness, relationship-building, and responsible decision-making. At Centre Ridge, we prioritize SEL every day through morning meetings, our Brain Lab, and a schoolwide commitment to fostering a supportive and caring environment.

As we celebrate the power of connection and learning, we are also excited to kick off Read Across America Week next week! This nationwide celebration promotes a love of reading and highlights the joy of exploring stories. Stay tuned for fun activities that encourage students to engage with books and build lifelong literacy skills.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting both the social-emotional and academic growth of our students!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

We want to take a moment to highlight an important issue regarding student attendance, particularly for our students with disabilities. A significant number of our chronically absent students have individualized education plans (IEPs), and missing school can have a profound impact on their progress. Consistent attendance is essential, not only to ensure that we can fully implement their IEPs, but also to support their growth in an environment that meets their specific needs.

When students who already face academic challenges miss school, it creates additional obstacles that can be difficult to overcome. As a school community, we are committed to providing every student with the resources and support they need to succeed, and regular attendance plays a critical role in making that possible.

Thank you for your partnership in ensuring our students have every opportunity to thrive.

Together, let’s make every day count! Yearbooks: Order Now!

Early Bird Pricing: $22

After April 1st, the price goes up to $25, so act fast!

Use this link to order your CRES 2024-2025 yearbook.
Enter Yearbook ID Code 11001925 and click Next.
Enter your students First Name, Last Name, Grade and click Next.
Choose package and or a la carte items and click Next.
Checkout and receive purchase confirmation.

Attention 6th Grade Families:

FCPS News Updates 🐻 It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

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

🤝 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.

📖 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.

🚀 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.

🗣️ 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.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

Summer Camps and Learning Opportunities
Supporting Academic Growth
Preparing for Tough Conversations With Your Child

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Huge thanks to Centreville United Methodist Church for sponsoring our Valentine’s Day Breakfast! 🍓🥞 We #collaborate with faith-based organizations and local businesses to support our students and community. 🙌

We are #BetterTogether! 💫

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers

Listening to great books being read aloud is a powerful way to support children’s literacy development. 📖✨ Storyline Online offers a fantastic collection of stories read by celebrated actors, helping to improve reading, writing, and communication skills while also fostering concentration, logical thinking, and a lifelong love of reading! Available 24/7, Storyline Online provides families and educators with engaging read-alouds, each paired with curriculum resources designed to strengthen comprehension and language skills—especially for multilingual learners! Check it out and enjoy a great story together! 🎧📚.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Friday, February 28th: Ramadan begins.

Monday, March 3rd: Read Across America Week! (Information has been shared through TalkingPoints, too!)

Wednesday, March 5th: Ash Wednesday

Friday, March 7th: PTA-sponsored BINGO Night!

Doors Open at 6:30 pm
BINGO starts at 7:00 pm
Prizes and 50/50 raffle
All snack sales benefit our 6th grade promotion celebration!

Tuesday, March 11th: PTA Meeting! RSVP here.

Saturday, March 15th: Family Summit 2025: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging; 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston, VA 20191

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

Food Distribution at Centreville Library

14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville, VA 20121
The food distributions will be offered from 5:30-6:30 PM
on the following dates in 2025:
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Thursday, June 26, 2025

Free food, clothes, household items, toys, furniture, and diapers

Second Saturday of each month

Distribution from 7:30-9:30 am

March 8
April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13

Centreville United Methodist Church
6400 Old Centreville Road
Centreville, VA 20121
Tel: 703-830-2684
www.centreville-umc.org

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

GovDelivery1 month 1 week ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Volume 3, Issue 24; February 23, 2025

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

Shoutout to Ms. Jackson, our Centreville Pyramid Outstanding Operational Employee! 🎉 Not only was she an incredible coach for our staff basketball game, but she is also an amazing Instructional Assistant who makes a difference every day. We are so proud of her and wish her the best as she advances to the Region! 🏀👏 #CRESSchoolofDreams #CRESAllStars

Dear CRES Community,

What an incredible evening we shared at the CRES vs. BRES staff basketball game! The energy, excitement, and overwhelming school spirit from our students, families, and staff truly made this event special. Seeing our community come together in such a fun and supportive way is a testament to the strong sense of belonging that makes Centre Ridge such a wonderful place to learn and grow.

A huge thank you to our PTA for their dedication, partnership, and collaboration in making this event possible. Their efforts ensure that we continue to create meaningful and memorable experiences for our students and families. As we look ahead to next year, we want to continue building on this momentum, but we need your help! Our PTA is seeking parents and caregivers to run for PTA office so we can keep these opportunities going. If you are interested in getting involved and making a difference, we encourage you to consider stepping into a leadership role. Please attend our next PTA meeting, on Tuesday, March 11th, from 7-8 pm to learn more about the various positions. RSVP here.

Once again, thank you for your continued support and for being such an important part of our Centre Ridge community. We look forward to many more moments of celebration and connection with you!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

Mornings Matter—Every Day, On Time, Ready to Shine!

A strong start leads to a strong day of learning! Arriving on time each morning helps students settle into their routine, connect with their teachers and friends, and fully engage in the day ahead. When students are present and punctual, they build great habits that support their confidence and success.

Even missing just two days a month can add up, affecting progress over the year. Let’s work together to make every morning count, and ensure our Rams are on time, ready to learn, and excited for the day ahead! Thank you for your partnership in making attendance a priority!

Together, let’s make every day count! Yearbooks: Order Now!

Early Bird Pricing: $22

After April 1st, the price goes up to $25, so act fast!

Use this link to order your CRES 2024-2025 yearbook.
Enter Yearbook ID Code 11001925 and click Next.
Enter your students First Name, Last Name, Grade and click Next.
Choose package and or a la carte items and click Next.
Checkout and receive purchase confirmation.

Attention 6th Grade Families:

FCPS News Updates 🐻 It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

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

📑 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.

📐 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.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

Middle School Start Times
New Lunch Items
Talking to Teens About Tough Topics

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

What an incredible night of energy, teamwork, and school spirit at the CRES vs. BRES staff basketball game! 🏀🔥 Our amazing staff gave it their all on the court, and the cheers from our students and families made the event even more special. In a fun and friendly matchup, CRES came out on top, but the real win was the collaboration and community spirit shared by all! A huge thank you to our PTA for their support in making this event such a fantastic experience! 💙🐏

#Collaboration

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Benchmark Advance for Families

At Centre Ridge, we are committed to ensuring that every child becomes a confident, skilled reader. This year, we have strengthened our literacy instruction by aligning with the Science of Reading, a research-based approach that emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

To support this work, we have introduced Benchmark Advance, a structured literacy program that provides explicit, systematic instruction to build strong foundational reading skills. For our multilingual learners, we are using Benchmark Express, which offers additional language supports to help students develop literacy skills while strengthening their English proficiency.

These resources, combined with our teachers’ deep knowledge and expertise, ensure that all students have the tools they need to grow as readers. We are excited to see their progress and appreciate our families’ partnership in fostering a love of reading at home!

To further understand your child's reading journey and how you can support at home, we encourage you to explore this website. There is also translation in Spanish.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

School Spirit Day! Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, February 24th: Early Release Monday; School day ends at 12:30 pm.

Thursday, February 27th: School Spirit Day at Red Robin, Fair Oaks. Let them know you are dining on behalf of Centre Ridge to support our PTA fundraiser! See the flyer above for more information!

Tuesday, March 11th: PTA Meeting! RSVP here.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

Food Distribution at Centreville Library

14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville, VA 20121
The food distributions will be offered from 5:30-6:30 PM
on the following dates in 2025:
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Thursday, June 26, 2025

Free food, clothes, household items, toys, furniture, and diapers

Second Saturday of each month

Distribution from 7:30-9:30 am

March 8
April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13

Centreville United Methodist Church
6400 Old Centreville Road
Centreville, VA 20121
Tel: 703-830-2684
www.centreville-umc.org

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

GovDelivery1 month 1 week ago

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Volume 3, Issue 23; February 18, 2025

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

We celebrated the 100th Day of School in style! 🎉 Students and staff went all out, dressing up as their favorite decades—from the roaring '20s to the groovy '70s, the rad '80s, and everything in between! It was amazing to see the creativity and spirit as we marked 100 days of learning, laughter, and growth together! 💯✨

Pictured above: Our Kindergarten Team!

Dear CRES Community,

We have so much to celebrate together as a school family!

On Tuesday, we hosted our second H.O.M.E. (Helping Our Minds Excel) meeting, where families gathered to learn about their child’s literacy progress, reflect on data, and explore new strategies and resources. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this valuable and engaging event!

On Valentine’s Day, we were reminded of the kindness and love that make Centre Ridge such a special place. From classroom celebrations to acts of appreciation, it has been heartwarming to see our students and staff lifting one another up.

This week also marked the 100th Day of School, a special milestone that reminds us of all the learning and growth we have accomplished so far. It is incredible to see how far our students have come, and we are excited to see all they will achieve in the months ahead!

As we continue to celebrate our school community, don’t forget to cheer on our amazing staff as they take on Bull Run Elementary in the much-anticipated basketball game—CRES vs. BRES! Mark your calendars, and bring your Rams spirit to our game on Friday at Liberty Middle School. It promises to be a fun and energetic event for the entire family!

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in making our school a vibrant and welcoming place for all.

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

Shoutout to Melany, one of our talented fifth graders, and the proud winner of our Attendance Poster Art Contest! 🎨🏆 Her incredible design captures all the unique and special features that make Centre Ridge shine. 🌟 Take a closer look and see how she brought our school’s spirit to life through her artwork! #AttendanceMatters #CRESCreativity

Celebrating Creativity and Community

This week, we are thrilled to announce our Attendance Poster Contest winner! Melany's creative design will inspire our school to stay committed to showing up every day! Her artwork will be included in this year's yearbook, while all poster entries will be displayed throughout our school.

We also hosted an exciting Attendance Pep Rally, filled with energy and school spirit, as we celebrated the importance of kindness and building a culture of belonging. It was a joyful reminder that every student matters and that together, we create a community where everyone feels supported and valued. ❤️📚

Be sure to check out our InstagRAM account for more photos and updates from the Pep Rally—you don't want to miss the highlights! 🎉📸

Together, let’s make every day count! Yearbooks: Order Now!

Early Bird Pricing: $22

After April 1st, the price goes up to $25, so act fast!

Use this link to order your CRES 2024-2025 yearbook.
Enter Yearbook ID Code 11001925 and click Next.
Enter your students First Name, Last Name, Grade and click Next.
Choose package and or a la carte items and click Next.
Checkout and receive purchase confirmation.

Attention 6th Grade Families:

FCPS News Updates 🐻 It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!

✨ 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.

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.

🏗️ FCPS’ Construction Projects Offer Community-Wide Benefits

The Fairfax County School Board approved the annual update to FCPS’ FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at their regular board meeting last week. A CIP is a working budget document that shows the timing and costs of improvement to school buildings, such as renovations, additions, and new schools. Learn more about planned improvements. Fairfax County Public Schools’ updated plans for new school construction, capacity enhancements, and renovations are outlined in the CIP. Projects include constructing two new elementary schools; renovations at 18 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools; and relocation of modular buildings.

🤧 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.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

Flu Prevention
Students Spread Joy
Investing in our Classrooms

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Our students are building important 21st-century skills through CueThink, an engaging platform that encourages them to think critically, collaborate, and communicate effectively as they work through math challenges. It’s inspiring to see them grow as problem-solvers and creative thinkers! 💡✨

#Communicator #Collaborator #CriticalandCreativeThinker

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers February Is Career and Technical Education Month!

By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school including Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology and Engineering Education, and Trade and Industrial Education. Since this is an elective, course offerings may vary by school. Learn more on the FCPS CTE webpage.

CTE also offers summer programs for students, beginning in kindergarten, to explore their programs. Enroll now!

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Let's Show BRES Our CRES Spirit! Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Tuesday, February 18th: ESOL Parent Coffee, 9:00-10:15 am, CRES Cafeteria

Friday, February 21st: Staff vs. Staff Basketball Game: Centre Ridge vs. Bull Run at Liberty Middle School, 5:30 pm. Stay tuned for more information!

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

Food Distribution at Centreville Library

Free food, clothes, household items, toys, furniture, and diapers

Second Saturday of each month

Distribution from 7:30-9:30 am

March 8
April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13

Centreville United Methodist Church
6400 Old Centreville Road
Centreville, VA 20121
Tel: 703-830-2684
www.centreville-umc.org

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

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Volume 3, Issue 22; February 2, 2025

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

Learning does not stop at school! When families engage in learning, children thrive. Explore our DedicatED section for workshops and resources that strengthen the home-school connection and support your child’s success!

Dear CRES Community,

Centre Ridge is committed to partnering with families, and we want to make sure you know about the FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC)—a valuable resource offering workshops, webinars, and support for families. Whether you are looking for strategies to support your child’s learning, tips for social-emotional growth, or guidance on special education, the FRC provides expert-led sessions designed to empower families.

In our DedicatED section, you will find links to upcoming FRC workshops that may be of interest to you. These webinars are free and can be viewed from any location, making it easy to access important information at your convenience. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and take advantage of the wealth of support available.

Let’s continue learning together!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

The Hidden Cost of Missing School

Attendance matters more than many realize, especially in elementary school, where every day builds the foundation for future success. Missing just two days a month—or about 18 days in a year—qualifies as chronic absenteeism. If this pattern continues for more than one year, students can fall behind by an entire grade level (or more) in reading and math, making it harder to catch up. Additionally, extended absences around school breaks can disrupt learning, as students miss key lessons, discussions, and hands-on activities that can’t be replicated at home.

Beyond academics, frequent absences impact social growth. Children thrive on routines, peer relationships, and daily classroom interactions. Missing school means missing out on developing friendships, teamwork skills, and confidence in their learning. While family time is valuable, scheduling extended trips during school can create gaps that affect a child’s long-term success. Let’s work together to ensure every child is present, engaged, and ready to learn each day!

Starting the quarter off strong!

Together, let’s make every day count! Yearbooks: Order Now!

Early Bird Pricing: $22

After April 1st, the price goes up to $25, so act fast!

Use this link to order your CRES 2024-2025 yearbook.
Enter Yearbook ID Code 11001925 and click Next.
Enter your students First Name, Last Name, Grade and click Next.
Choose package and or a la carte items and click Next.
Checkout and receive purchase confirmation.

Attention 6th Grade Families:

FCPS News Updates 🧸 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 guardian must be present), the student will be ready for our "Welcome Week" events that begin in August. Read more about the registration process. For additional information, please contact Tricia Kirkpatrick, our school registrar.

💻 Try Online Registration

Online registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. Parents/caregivers may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process.

When registering, parents/caregivers will need to create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.

🏅 Advisory Committee for Students With Disabilities Seeks Nominations for First-Class Awards

First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate the inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.

Nominees should model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and be committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset.

Nominate an administrator, staff member, student, or community partner who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close Wednesday, February 19.

Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!

Ombuds staff engage with FCPS employees, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.

Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools. They do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email [email protected], or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.

Proposed Budget Presented to School Board

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 23. Watch a video of the presentation.

As Dr. Reid noted in her January 24 letter to families, “The budget is fiscally responsible and invests in excellence — not just for FCPS, but for all of us in Fairfax County who want a strong community with successful young people, dedicated educators and support staff, and a thriving economy.”

The proposed budget reflects the needs of and FCPS’ commitments to Fairfax County students, families, and community members. It focuses on competitive compensation, including a 7.0% salary increase for all staff to recruit and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students; investing in students who require additional support; and continuing multiyear initiatives such as inclusive preschool and safety and security updates.

Learn more on the Budget webpage.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

FY 2026 Proposed Budget
Student-Driven Lunch Menus
Inclusion Awards Nominations

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

🎶 Our chorus students were #GoalDirected as they lifted their voices in harmony! 🎤✨

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers February Webinars at the Family Resource Center Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, and Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Upper Elementary (3-6)

February 7, 2025

10:00 - 11:30 am

Discover how to support your child’s executive function skills in our webinar series. We will present information on understanding your child’s developmental milestones, recognizing signs of executive dysfunction, and implementing effective strategies to support their learning at home and in school.

FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Part 1 - Risk Prevention

February 18, 2025

10:00 - 11:30 am

Review how FCPS Risk Prevention processes and procedures support a safe and healthy school community. Learn about risks assessments when a child expresses threats of harm to self and threats of harm to others and/or demonstrates concerning behaviors. Families and caretakers will be provided practical information and strategies to support building factors for those in their care.

Parenting an Anxious Child: Evidence-Based Skills and Strategies

February 21, 2025

1:00 - 2:30 pm

Join Dr. Jonathan Dalton, PhD, founder and director of the Center for Anxiety and Behavioral Change as he reviews the important differences between healthy and unhealthy anxiety with a focus on the role of avoidance in creating and maintaining anxiety disorders. We will discuss specific parenting techniques and approaches that families can begin using immediately to help reduce their children's experience of anxiety.

For additional webinars and other resources available to you, please visit the Family Resource Center website.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Patrols Practice Flag Folding with VFW

A huge thank you to the VFW for teaching our patrols the proper and respectful way to fold the American flag!

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Tuesday, February 11th: PTA Meeting, 7 pm, via Zoom; RSVP here!

Monday, February 17th: Presidents' Day - no school

Friday, February 21st: Staff vs. Staff Basketball Game: Centre Ridge vs. Bull Run at Liberty Middle School, 5:30 pm. Stay tuned for more information!

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

Food Distribution at Centreville Library

Free food, clothes, household items, toys, furniture, and diapers

Second Saturday of each month

Distribution from 7:30-9:30 am

February 8
March 8
April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13

Centreville United Methodist Church
6400 Old Centreville Road
Centreville, VA 20121
Tel: 703-830-2684
www.centreville-umc.org

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Kindergarten Registration Day Today!

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Centre Ridge Elementary Kindergarten Registration Day Wednesday, January 29th 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Contact Patricia Kirkpatrick 703-227-2605

Spanish-speaking: Contact Mary Pierri 703-227-2656

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

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Volume 3, Issue 21; January 29, 2025

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

🎉 Ronnie Ram is pumped for Quarter 3! ⚾️ Our students have stepped up to the plate with enthusiasm and determination, ready to take on new challenges! 📚 We are already half a year smarter and just two weeks away from celebrating the 100th Day of School! 🎉

Dear CRES Community,

As we step up to the plate for the start of Quarter 3 tomorrow, we are excited for the grand slam of opportunities ahead! Most importantly, we are excited about the growth we will continue to see academically and socially.

Just like in baseball, it is all about teamwork, perseverance, and swinging for the fences! Together, we can keep the momentum going to ensure every student reaches home plate with success.

Thank you for your continued support! Let’s keep hitting it out of the park this quarter!

Go Rams!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

We love having your children at school all year--however, our chronic absenteeism numbers are rising--which means we are missing many students! ❄️ Winter weather, illnesses, and other challenges, can make it hard to get to school, but daily attendance is key to helping students stay engaged and connected.

Here are some steps to keep your children healthy and in school:

Have backup plans for getting your children to school.
If your child is sick, consult with the school nurse or a medical provider.
If anxiety is a concern, talk to your child’s teacher, nurse, or counselor.
Encourage good hygiene habits like handwashing.
Dress your children warmly for the cold weather.
Promote healthy habits like sleep, nutritious foods, and exercise.

We are here to support you! If you need help, resources, or advice, call us at 703-227-2600. Please note, we are sending out invites to some of our families for additional after-school learning opportunities beginning in February!

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students healthy and in school!

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates Proposed Budget Presented to School Board

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 23. Watch a video of the presentation.

The proposed budget reflects FCPS’ continued focus on providing a world-class education for each and every student while recognizing the hard work and commitment of our outstanding employees. The budget focuses on competitive compensation — including a 7% salary increase for all staff — investing in students who require additional support, and the continuation of multiyear investments. It reflects the needs of and FCPS’ commitments to Fairfax County students, families, and community members. Learn more on the Budget website.

🏗️ FCPS’ Proposed Construction Projects Offer Community-Wide Benefits

Fairfax County Public Schools’ updated plans for new school construction, capacity enhancements, and renovations are outlined in the proposed FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Projects include constructing two new elementary schools; renovations at 18 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools; and relocation of modular buildings.

The proposed CIP was presented to the School Board at the January 14 work session. A public hearing was also held January 14. The School Board will take action on the proposed CIP at its Thursday, February 6 meeting.

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 meeting will have the same format and information available as the previous in-person meetings:

Monday, February 10, 6:30-8 p.m.

Click on the date 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.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

SOL Score Reports
Upcoming Budget Presentation
Science Fair Judges Needed

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Did you know that your child can start learning a musical instrument in school as early as 4th grade?

At Centre Ridge, we have a wonderful strings program! Learning an instrument fosters #communication, enhances #critical and #creative thinking, and builds #resilience.

Our students are incredibly talented! 🎻🎶

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Play Helps Children Build Better Brains. Here Are Some Ways to Get Kids Learning

Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child shares insight on why brain-building through play is an essential part of childhood development.

By: Ryan Nagelhout

(To read the entire article, click here.)

Play is an important part in any child’s life. But games and play are much more than just keeping a child occupied: The act of play is an essential part of a child’s overall development. Playful interactions with adults help babies develop executive function skills, while older children need unstructured play and down time as their commitments like homework, sports, and clubs complicate their growing lives. Discovering ways to play is important at any age as children grow to find their way in the world, which is why it’s essential adults help encourage that productive play.

The Center on the Developing Child (CDC) recently shared some ways adults can help support brain-building through play. Developed with support from the LEGO Foundation, the toolkits provide suggestions for games and play-based activities based on a child’s age, from babies (6 months) to teens (13–17 years).

Children at 4–7 Years
Children’s activities like “freeze dance,” “Simon says,” and “I spy” are classics for a reason: They are simple games that children this age can learn quickly while still developing executive function, self-regulation, and physical skills at their own pace. As children grow and develop, the guidance suggests they exercise independence by managing their own games with friends and peers, with adults only stepping in occasionally to sort out disagreements.

Children at 8–12 Years
Children’s play develops in complex and challenging ways as children get older. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, word finds, and mazes are great brain teasers to challenge kids at this age. Strategy games like Go, Battleship, or Clue help kids build memory skills as they contemplate their next moves and develop mental flexibility in responding to opponents. And fantasy games like Minecraft and Dungeons & Dragons build further on these skills, allowing imaginations to run wild.

Adults should encourage kids to focus on having fun and learning new things, rather than on winning and losing, and to take note of each child’s unique interests and talents as they take shape.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Wednesday. January 29th: Lunar New Year - Teacher Workday; no school for students

Tuesday, February 11th: PTA Meeting, 7 pm, via Zoom; RSVP here!

Monday, February 17th: Presidents' Day - no school

Friday, February 21st: Staff vs. Staff Basketball Game: Centre Ridge vs. Bull Run at Liberty Middle School, 5:30 pm. Stay tuned for more information!

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

Food Distribution at Centreville Library

Free food, clothes, household items, toys, furniture, and diapers

Second Saturday of each month

Distribution from 7:30-9:30 am

February 8
March 8
April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13

Centreville United Methodist Church
6400 Old Centreville Road
Centreville, VA 20121
Tel: 703-830-2684
www.centreville-umc.org

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

GovDelivery2 months 1 week ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Volume 3, Issue 20; January 19, 2025

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

Second Quarter Strong! 💪 Same RAMtastic energy! Let’s keep the momentum going! 🐏🔥

Dear CRES Community,

As we step up to the plate for the last full week of the second quarter, let’s give it our all! This is our chance to hit a home run by staying focused, completing assignments, and finishing strong!

Every play counts, and your support in encouraging daily attendance and consistent effort makes all the difference. Together, we can ensure our students are rounding the bases toward success!

Let’s make this week a grand slam, Rams! 🐏⚾

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

Attendance Update: Let’s Boost Our Numbers, Rams! 🎯

Current Attendance Alert: 8.2% Absences (51 Students)
Lots of sickness is going around—let’s fight those germs! 🦠 Remember to wash hands often to keep our Rams healthy and learning together!

Attendance Contest Reminder 🖍️

Don’t forget! Attendance Contest posters are due to Ms. Helmer by Thursday, 1/24. Let’s get creative and show how much we value being at school!

Extended Absence Impact 🛑

We are seeing an increase in requests for extended absences. Let’s talk about why every single day matters:

Missing school is tough on students and our incredible teachers.
There’s no “making up” the magic of live lessons with classmates. Learning is a collaborative experience, and worksheets or quick reviews just can’t replace it. Help us keep learning consistent by making daily attendance a top priority! 🙌

Together, let’s give our Rams the best chance to succeed! 💪

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates 🧥 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, Ms. Mary Pierri. 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!

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

Dress Children Warmly
Proposed Construction Projects
Dual Language Immersion Lottery

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Several of our 6th-grade students recently visited Rocky Run to explore whether it will be their middle school next year.

If your child is interested in attending the advanced academic center-based program, Rocky Run is our designated middle school. However, students in the full-time Level IV program also have the option to attend Liberty Middle School, where they can continue to access rigorous coursework and grow as #GoalDirected and #Resilient individuals!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

Abraham Lincoln’s first inauguration on March 4, 1861

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers A Brief History of Presidential Inaugural Speeches, from George Washington to Today

Did you know?

Presidents aren't required to give a speech during inauguration. But President George Washington did and the rest have followed suit. Take a closer look at these speeches with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History!

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, January 20th: Martin Luther King Day - no school; Inauguration of the 47th President of the United States (for a kid-friendly explanation of events, click here!)

Tuesday, January 28th: Second quarter ends

Wednesday. January 29th: Lunar New Year - Teacher Work Day; no school for students

Tuesday, February 11th: PTA Meeting, 7 pm, via Zoom; RSVP here!

Monday, February 17th: Presidents' Day - no school

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

Food Distribution at Centreville Library

14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville, VA 20121
The food distributions will offered from 5:30-6:30 PM
on the following dates in 2025:
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Thursday, June 26, 2025

Free food, clothes, household items, toys, furniture, and diapers

Second Saturday of each month

Distribution from 7:30-9:30 am

February 8
March 8
April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13

Centreville United Methodist Church
6400 Old Centreville Road
Centreville, VA 20121
Tel: 703-830-2684
www.centreville-umc.org

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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Volume 3, Issue 19; January 12, 2025

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

Did you know every student with a reading plan has access to additional resources to support reading development at home? We are thrilled to strengthen our home-school partnership to "Help Our Minds Excel!" Check out this amazing resource we are using to support many of our students!

Dear CRES Community,

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we are excited to continue working together to support your child’s success. This is a wonderful time of year for reflection and renewal, and we are looking forward to building on the incredible learning and growth we have seen so far.

In the coming months, we will focus on deepening classroom connections, fostering creativity through engaging projects, and celebrating the diverse talents of our students. Whether through academic achievements, fine arts performances, or leadership opportunities, we love seeing our Rams shine!

Please keep an eye out for details on upcoming events and ways to stay involved in our school community. Your partnership is invaluable in creating a positive, enriching environment where every child can thrive.

Here’s to a fantastic second half of the school year!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

We were thrilled to welcome students back on Friday! The smiles and joy they brought into the building lifted our hearts. However, we noticed that 24 kindergarteners—an entire quarter of the grade level—were not in school, contributing to absences totaling 25% of our entire school. That is a significant number of missed opportunities for learning and connection, and we truly missed each and every one of our absent students! Regular attendance in all grades, especially kindergarten, is vital for building foundational life skills, including school readiness.

As we are in the second half of the second quarter, we are gearing up to share your child’s State of Attendance reports and celebrate attendance milestones with our second Attendance Pep Rally and Poster Contest. Ask your child for details--and read more below!

Let’s make Monday a strong start with all of our students at CRES—we can’t wait to see them!

Together, let’s make every day count! “Coming to School Every Day is Cool!” Poster Contest Details!

Your child is invited to participate in an exciting poster contest highlighting why coming to school every day is cool! Encourage your student to listen for helpful tips each week on the News Show to spark their creativity. Posters are due to Mrs. Helmer by the morning of Thursday, January 24th. Winners will be announced at our Attendance Pep Rally and will have the opportunity to showcase their posters on the News Show, around our school, and in our yearbook. We can’t wait to see our students' amazing ideas!

FCPS News Updates Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter

Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps.

Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.

Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVueLearn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.

📵 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 (703 227-2600.

📑 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.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

National Merit Commended Scholars
Celebrating the Best of 2024 in FCPS
Cell Phones Off, Learning On

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Thank you to our PTA for creating a new space where students can practice self-regulation and learn new strategies! We can’t wait to share the final outcome. Pictured: Ms. Hartle, our social worker, and Ms. Echegoyan, a monitor and proud CRES parent.

#Goaldirected #Resilient

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers

Do you have a toddler or pre-school aged child? Read more about how to support learning in their early years. There is so much learning that can happen at home!

"Measuring What Matters"

There is more to preschool than learning your ABCs and 123s, researchers say, as they propose broader range of skills for assessing early education.

Excerpted from Usable Knowledge, Harvard University

By: Elizabeth Ross

(To read the full article, click here.)

What parents and educators can do:

McCoy explains how educators and parents can encourage and support skills in preschoolers:

1) Encourage play – “the work of childhood.”

“Play looks really different for different kids in different situations. It can be solitary or imaginative play where a child is on their own playing. It can be play in relationship to peers, it can be play with an adult. But any and all forms of play are very useful.”

2) Be responsive to children’s interests.

What can be helpful are “child-directed interactions where parents or teachers respond to children's cues and interests. For example, when a child asks a question, an adult can provide an answer and then ask another question related to that topic to deepen and expand the conversation.”

3) Model the skills yourself.

“Kids are always learning by watching and imitating the adults in their lives. So what they do and say is important. If you're angry, you can help kids to know how to self-regulate by saying, ‘I'm kind of feeling angry right now. I need to take a minute and walk away and take some space and then come back.’ Or, if you're trying to take someone else's perspective, [you might say], ‘I'm really trying to understand what you want in this moment. Can you tell me more?’ Just saying out loud what you're thinking about and then using actions that are in line with what you hope your kids will do [is useful]. Adults who are curious, have kids who are curious and adults who use creative methods, have kids who use creative methods, adults who talk about their own identity have kids with a strong sense of self.”

4) Teach children strategies.

“For some of these things — self-regulation, for example — there's a lot of good evidence that we can teach kids specific strategies that support their development. We can tell kids that there are concrete things that they can do to be better regulated, like stopping and taking a breath when they feel upset or excited or angry, to help them to calm down.”

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Tuesday, January 14th: PTA Meeting, via Zoom, 7 pm. Please RSVP here!

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

See you soon!

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Dear Families,

You have recently received notification that we are on a two-hour delay schedule for Friday, January 10th. This means that students will be expected to arrive by 10:35 am tomorrow morning.

Please note that we are quite eager to have all students in the building tomorrow as there is much learning to do! Please take all safety precautions and measures to ensure your child arrives on time and ready to learn!

We are so excited!

Warmly,
CRES Administration

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

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Volume 3, Issue 18; December 26, 2024

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟 Our spirit is forever bright!

Cozy vibes and festive cheer! 🌟 Our amazing staff rocked Pajama Day, spreading school spirit as we wrapped up the year. We look forward to a bright 2025! 🎉❄️ #CRESSchoolofDreams

Dear CRES Community,

As we prepare to wrap up an amazing year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and partnership. Together, we have created a vibrant and caring school community where our students can grow, learn, and thrive.

We hope this winter break gives you time to relax, recharge, and create wonderful memories with family and friends. Whether you are celebrating cherished traditions, or simply enjoying quiet moments, may this season fill your hearts with joy and warmth.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back in January, ready to embrace 2025 with excitement and determination! Thank you for being such an important part of our school family. Here’s to a fantastic new year filled with opportunities and success!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

Happy New Year! As we head into 2025, we are renewing our focus on daily attendance to ensure every student succeeds.

New Year, New Attendance Goals!

We’re asking families to commit to:

95% Attendance or Higher - Aim for no more than 9 absences this year.
Plan Ahead - Schedule appointments outside school hours.
Healthy Routines - Ensure rest and on-time arrival.
Communicate Early - Notify us immediately about absences.

Gentle reminder: As you are taking your winter break and considering planning for the following year, please refer to the FCPS calendar that has already been published for the following two years:

2025-2026

2026-2027

We appreciate you aligning your big plans with school breaks. Below, you can see where we landed regarding attendance for the month of December. We can still reach our goal of 6% or less with your continued commitment!

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies

🍲 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.

❄️ 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 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 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 the DLI Program Registration webpage.

📣 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 pm

Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 pm

Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 am

Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 pm

Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 pm
Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 pm

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.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
Be Among the First to Hear About Closings/Delays
Fall 2024 Sports Champions

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

We hosted our first Helping Our Minds Excel (H.O.M.E.) meeting to empower families in supporting their children's reading development. We are excited to launch Just Right Readers, a new resource that bridges learning at school with continued growth at home!

#Collaborator #Goaldirected #Resilient

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Family Resource Center Webinars and FCPS Family Academy

🖥️ 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.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, January 6th: Return to school! 😊

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

GovDelivery3 months 2 weeks ago

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Volume 3, Issue 17; December 14, 2024

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

At CRES, we are committed to fostering respect, focus, kindness, accountability, and inclusivity in our classrooms, creating a community where every student feels valued and supported to succeed.

Want to know more about what makes our school so special? Click here!

Dear CRES Community,

As part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful school environment, we want to address a matter that requires our immediate attention and partnership with you. While we do not have a pervasive issue with discriminatory language at Centre Ridge, we are obligated to notify classrooms and grade levels in real time when such offenses occur. This transparency is essential to our mission of teaching, learning, and building a community of inclusivity.

We ask for your partnership in addressing these matters at home. Discriminatory language and disruptive behavior are not acceptable at school, and we encourage you to have conversations with your child about the importance of treating everyone with respect. Additionally, please supervise your child’s online activity. Many social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, require users to be at least 13 years old. If your child is under this age, they should not be accessing these platforms. Ensuring proper oversight is not optional—it is a vital step in guiding our students toward safe and responsible digital habits.

Here are three ways you can support your child in meeting our schoolwide expectations:

Have ongoing conversations about respect, inclusivity, and the impact of language and behavior on peer relationships and learning.
Set clear boundaries for online behavior and monitor your child's use of social media, as well as video games.
Encourage consistent attendance to help your child fully engage in their education.

We are committed to working with every family to ensure that our students thrive in an environment built on respect, safety, and a shared commitment to excellence. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions for strengthening this partnership.

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

The Cost of Absenteeism in Elementary School

Chronic absenteeism—missing 10% or more of school, or 8 days by this point in the year—serves as an early warning sign that students are at risk of not reading proficiently by the end of third grade, struggling academically in middle school, and potentially dropping out of high school.

Our CRES attendance recovery program is available by invitation for students who are currently chronically absent to help address skills lost while away. If your child has been invited, we strongly encourage participation. However, it is important to understand that the program alone cannot fix chronic absenteeism. Extended travel, frequent doctor appointments, and staying home for minor illnesses all contribute to this issue.

As we enter 2025, we urge you to make a resolution to support full-time attendance. Consistency is key to your child’s academic success!

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

⛄ 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.

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.

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.

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
Join Our Teacher Team!
Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Did you know that our teachers use a variety of approaches to support your child's learning?

Project GLAD and AVID work together to support students with vocabulary development, comprehension, executive function skills, and most importantly student agency!

Pictured below are Ms. Maginnis' 6th grade students!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Second Step® Programs Support Families

As parents and caregivers, you are your child’s first and most important teachers, and play a vital role in their social, emotional, and academic development. Your child’s classroom teachers are here to support you in this, and the Second Step family of programs is one of the tools they are using.

Second Step programs combine discussions with fun activities and family resources. The programs help children learn social-emotional skills such as responsible decision-making, working together to solve problems, managing strong emotions, and getting along with others. These skills can help children succeed academically and socially.

The resources on this page provide information about social-emotional learning for students in grades pre-K-6.

We are proud to offer research-based curricula to help make our school a safe, supportive learning environment.

View a the scope and sequence of units and weekly lesson topics for Grades K–8.

Learn about the research behind the Second Step Elementary digital program.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

We Just Can't Hide Our Ram Pride! Let's get ready to show our school spirit! Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, December 16th-Friday, December 20th: Spirit Week! See the various themes above!

Monday, December 23rd: Winter Break begins! Students return on Monday, January 6th.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

GovDelivery3 months 2 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Volume 3, Issue 17; December 14, 2024

🌟CRES All-Stars!🌟

Want to know more about what makes our school so special? Click here!

Dear CRES Community,

Here are three ways you can support your child in meeting our schoolwide expectations:

Have ongoing conversations about respect, inclusivity, and the impact of language and behavior on peer relationships and learning.
Set clear boundaries for online behavior and monitor your child's use of social media, as well as video games.
Encourage consistent attendance to help your child fully engage in their education.

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Sutton, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford

Every Day Counts at CRES! Help us reach our goal of 6% or less this year!

The Cost of Absenteeism in Elementary School

As we enter 2025, we urge you to make a resolution to support full-time attendance. Consistency is key to your child’s academic success!

Together, let’s make every day count! FCPS News Updates Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

⛄ 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.

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.

Community Meetings on the Comprehensive Boundary Review

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

FCPS News: In Case You Missed It!

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
Join Our Teacher Team!
Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Ronnie Ram's Homerun Highlights!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Did you know that our teachers use a variety of approaches to support your child's learning?

Project GLAD and AVID work together to support students with vocabulary development, comprehension, executive function skills, and most importantly student agency!

Pictured below are Ms. Maginnis' 6th grade students!

Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESSchoolofDreams and #CRESAllStars, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!

We will continue to expand our social media presence this year!

Twitter and InstagRAM

DedicatED: For Parents and Teachers Second Step® Programs Support Families

The resources on this page provide information about social-emotional learning for students in grades pre-K-6.

We are proud to offer research-based curricula to help make our school a safe, supportive learning environment.

View a the scope and sequence of units and weekly lesson topics for Grades K–8.

Learn about the research behind the Second Step Elementary digital program.

Family Literacy Program: Learn English!

Who: For parents with children in FCPS or with children from 3-5 years old.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am-12 pm (You can join anytime!)

Where: At Centre Ridge Elementary!

For more information, please contact Mary Pierri, our Family Liaison, at (703) 227-2600.

We Just Can't Hide Our Ram Pride! Let's get ready to show our school spirit! Please Mark Your Calendars!

Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.

Monday, December 16th-Friday, December 20th: Spirit Week! See the various themes above!

Monday, December 23rd: Winter Break begins! Students return on Monday, January 6th.

See the complete 2024-2025 school year calendar.

FCPS Cares Program Recognizing employees who go above and beyond

Ram Reflection

To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!

14400 New Braddock Road Centreville, Va 20121 | Main Office: 703.227.2600
Attendance: 703.227.2648 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

37 minutes 52 seconds ago

Centre Ridge Elementary School News and Announcements

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