3/7/25 Happening at Hutchison

By Sarah Aiello
For Parents
March 07, 2025

Look for the translate button at the top-right of the screen. translate icon

 

Busque el botón de traducción en la parte superior derecha de la pantalla. 

Tìm nút dịch ở phía trên bên phải màn hình. 

ابحث عن زر الترجمة في أعلى يمين الشاشة. 

Message from the Principal

Hello Hutchison Families,

Happy March! Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes a season of growth and renewal. This month, we're reconnecting with our theme of "Growing Greatness" at Hutchison ES. Focusing on nurturing our students' potential and fostering a positive learning environment.

To stay up-to-date on all the exciting events and activities happening at Hutchison this month, please be sure to check out our latest newsletter! 

We believe that by working together, we can help our students achieve their full potential and "Grow Greatness" in all aspects of their lives.

Sarah C. Aiello 

View Upcoming Events at Hutchison

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Contact:

Sarah Aiello

@email 

March Community Calendar

  • Thursday, March 13:  Community Connections: Summer Programs & Opportunities  6:00-7:00 PM
  • Monday, March 17: Early Release Monday– Dismisses at 12:35
  • Monday, March 24: Spring Photos
  • Thursday, March 27: Fundraiser at Silver Diner! 5:00-7:00 PM
  • Monday, March 31: EID, No School
  • Tuesday, April 1: Teacher Workday-No classes for students

Contact:

Maureen Griffin

@email

Summer Camp Fair: March 13th 6:00-7:00

Come join us on Thursday to dIscover local camps in our area for all ages! Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

 

 

Contact:

Maria Michlik 

@email

Karla Poggi

@email

 

PTA Corner: SAVE THE DATE: Hutchison Fundraiser at Silver Diner 

Please plan on attending our next fundraiser at Silver Diner on March 27th!  Stay tuned for more details.

 

Contact:

Michael Gueltig

@email

Yearbook Orders

Order your copy of the 2024-25 Hutchison yearbook online now!

$15.00  www.strawbridge.net  Online Code: YB30385

             

Complete the paper order form sent home in your 2/11/25 Tuesday folder.

Contact:

Maureen Griffin

@email

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:

  1. Determine eligibility. 
  2. Identify your local school. 
  3. Gather documents. 
  4. Fill out forms. 
  5. Schedule an appointment with Hutchison Registrar, Magda Calancha Vargas (703-925-8300).

Read more about the registration process. For additional information, please contact  Magda Calancha Vargas (703-925-8300), 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

Contact:

Magda Calancha Vargas

@email

Career Fair at Hutchison:  Coming Soon!

Hutchison Families:  Know anyone with a real cool job or profession? We’re hoping to generate a great list of professionals who will present to our students!  Please contact Andrea Kessler!

 

Contact:

Andrea Kessler

@email

 

Spring Individual & Class Photos–Monday, March 24

Check the Tuesday 3/11/25 folder for more information and order form.

Please note there are separate order forms for individual photos and class photo.

Order online:  www.strawbridge.net  

Individual Photo Code: FM449631

Class Photo Code:  FM449630

Contact:

Maureen Griffin

@email

Absences ADD UP

  • Starting in Kindergarten, missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read. That is just a day or two days every few weeks.
  • By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of the three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
  • Students who are frequently absent in Kindergarten do less well in first grade. 
  • Absences add up in elementary school. Research shows that missing 18 days in a school year or 2 days every month can result in lower test scores and possible retention in later grades.

Contact:

Hollie Daniel

[email protected]

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Updates from the County

Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Third Grade

The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan

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

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

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

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

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

Connect With Your Kids: Simple Steps to Stronger Communication

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun

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

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

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

For more information, see the Summer Learning page.

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

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

This event will feature: 

  • Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
  • Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.
  • Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
  • Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.

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

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

Developing a Strong Academic Foundation, Curiosity, and Joy for Learning

The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan

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

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

Share Your Input on the County Budget

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

Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens

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

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

Visit our website for more information on how to Become Unskippable with your teens. 

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

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

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

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

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