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October 3, 2025
Happy Friday!
What a truly fantastic week it has been here at Waynewood Elementary! It's an absolute joy to walk the halls and peek into classrooms. To see our students deeply engaged in learning—eyes wide with curiosity, hands busy with discovery—is a daily reminder of why we do what we do. Our teachers are incredible, bringing such passion and creativity to their lessons every single day. Their dedication to fostering a love of learning is inspiring, and the enthusiasm they bring is truly contagious!
We are so excited to welcome the beautiful month of October! We're hopeful that this also means welcoming in some of that crisp, cooler weather we've been waiting for.
As the weather cools and your children start to wear extra jackets, sweaters, and layers, we see an increase in items making their way to the Lost and Found. Please take a moment to remind your child to double-check their hooks, cubbies, and desks for any extra clothing they may have shed during the day before heading home. While our staff does its best to reunite items with their owners, a little reminder from home goes a long way! As always, labeling clothing with your child's name is the best way to ensure its safe return.
Next week, we're excited to host the PTA Book Fair from October 6th to October 10th! This is a great opportunity for your child to explore new books and expand their reading horizons. Students will be able to attend the book fair at scheduled times during the day. We highly encourage you to set up an electronic wallet for your child to make purchases easily at the fair. We also invite our Waynewood families to join us for a special Late Night Book Fair event on Wednesday, October 8th, where you can shop together with your child. We can't wait to see you there!
October is a special month for another important reason: it is Custodian Appreciation Month! Our dedicated team of custodians is the backbone of our school. They work tirelessly to keep our building not only clean but also safe and welcoming for every student and staff member. They are often behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth operation of our campus, and we are profoundly grateful for their hard work and commitment.
Please join us in thanking these essential members of the Waynewood family when you see them! A simple "thank you" or a kind note can truly brighten their day.
Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend,
Katie Cachine, Principal
Alyssa Bonner, Assistant Principal
Allison Ovalle, Assistant Principal
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This week, our Get 2 Green Initiative teamed up with Farmer JP from Arcadia Farms and Mrs. Schwartzman and the PTA SEEDS Committee for a wonderful Fall Planting Day in the school garden! One class from each grade level got their hands dirty, learning about sustainability as they planted cool-weather crops like lettuce, kale, and garlic. Our students embraced their inner gardeners by using tools to clean up the garden beds. This hands-on event was a huge success, teaching our children valuable lessons about where food comes from and the importance of caring for our environment. A big thanks to our partners for making this enriching experience possible! Join us tonight (Friday, October 3rd from 4:15pm-5:15pm) to support the Courtyard Clean Up! |
⏰ Take the School Start Times SurveyFCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of beginning the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any costs associated with this change, elementary and high school start times would need to shift as well.
Providing feedback opportunities for the community is a critical part of this effort. Since 2024, FCPS’ consultant has hosted five community forums and administered two surveys. A new School Start Times Survey is open and includes two options that are designed to support student well-being, align with research, balance transportation logistics, and minimize costs.
Staff, parents and caregivers, students, and community members may provide input on the two options by taking the survey. The survey deadline has been extended to Monday, October 6. Find more information on adjusting school start times on the FCPS website.
Why Are Bonds Needed to Fund FCPS Construction Projects?The building and renovation of schools are not financed through the FCPS’ operating funds, but through bonds. Similar to an individual or a family obtaining a mortgage on a residence to spread the cost of home buying over several years, bonds spread the cost of major capital improvements over a number of years. This ensures that current and future residents and users share in the payment.
This approach is good for our taxes, too. If capital construction were financed out of current tax revenues on a pay-as-you-go basis, projects would need to be paid for in a much shorter time frame, likely reducing other county services or necessitating tax increases. Fortunately, the county’s bonded debt is not likely to be a contributing factor to any increase in local taxes.
A bond referendum to benefit FCPS will be on the ballot this Election Day, Tuesday, November 4. It represents an investment by the community into the facilities everyone uses — whether for school or to gather as a community.
Read more about the FCPS 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a voting plan and vote on Tuesday, November 4.
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