Important Upcoming Dates
Friday, 12/19
Last day of school before winter break!
PJ Day!
Monday, 12/22 – Friday, 1/2/26
Winter Break!
Monday, 1/5/26
School resumes
Thursday, 1/15/26
Virtual PTA Meeting 7 pm
Monday, 1/19/26
No School. Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday
Wednesday, 1/21/26
PTA Spelling Bee
Wednesday, 1/28/26
End of Quarter
2-Hour Early Release. Students dismissed at 1:55 pm
Thursday, 1/29/26
No School. Staff Development Day
Friday, 1/30/26
No School. Teacher Workday
More than 64,000 people viewed this fun post from Friday's Federal Agent Spirit Day. Pass it on!
 Check out the moment three outstanding employees of the year learned they were selected! Click to view Sangster's Instagram page.
 Last Saturday, Sangster Elementary Band students joined Lake Braddock Secondary School Band onstage to play some holiday tunes at LBSS's annual Children's Holiday Concert!
 Friday is the last day! Please come and check out the Lost and Found sometime TOMORROW outside Door 1 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.! We have lots of coats and other items. Any item not picked up by END OF DAY TOMORROW will be donated. Thank you!
Is your student missing a coat? It may be in our Lost and Found.
Sangster PTA Spirit Wear Store Closes 12/21
The online Sangster Spirit Wear Store is now open! Get your Sangster t-shirts, hoodies and more now through Dec. 21. Visit the ONLINE STORE and use Access Code: Sangster26
Orders will be ready for pickup at Sangster Jan. 14 and Jan. 15. Thanks for your support!
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Accessing your Student's Benchmark Assessments through Schoology
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1. Log into your child's Schoology Page and select Courses. Then select the Language Arts course. |
2. Select Benchmark Universe. Benchmark Universe will open in a new window. |
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3. Click on All Assignments. |
4. Any assignments will be displayed. Select the Unit or Weekly Assessment to view. Only completed and scored assignments can be opened. |
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3rd-6th Graders: Spelling Bee Registration Closes Dec. 21
The Sangster PTA Spelling Bee is open to 3rd through 6th grade students and will be held in the Sangster Cafeteria on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 (6–9 p.m.).
All interested students must register in advance for the Bee. Final day of registration is Sunday, December 21, 2025. No registrations will be accepted after Sunday, December 21, 2025.
To register for the spelling bee, please submit your registration form here:
https://forms.gle/UcXJFtALmHyJAqsV8
******Download the Spelling Bee words here please******
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qB9C0RrncChGA6YWXyiSSxuBGrxm0gCv?usp=drive_link
Questions? Please contact our Sangster Spelling Bee Coordinator, Danielle Aromando, at danielle.aromando@gmail.com.
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Science Fair in March: Register NOW!
 The Sangster PTA is excited to host its 2026 Science Fair March 2–4!
Participation is optional and is open to all students (K–6). Projects should be worked on at home, under parental supervision, and may be completed independently or with siblings or other partners.
Students will tour the displays in the gym with their class during school hours on March 3 and 4. Families are invited to view projects in person on the evening of March 3 from 6–7pm.
Registration is now open! Use the link below to find more information, display guidelines, FAQs, and the link to register:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p8ZaOr5bbCWUZyVKIgcNDKI4VDxqm-d6XGwIitrobcc/edit?tab=t.0
Attention 6th Graders: Transition to Middle School
 We’re excited to partner with you to prepare your child for middle school! Here is a chart of all Need to Know Dates for the course selection process.. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Paula Augenstein, School Counselor, with questions phaugenstein@fcps.edu.
All students, no matter what middle school they plan on attending, received an overview of the middle school course selection process, including a video on how to pick their classes in four easy steps, created by Lake Braddock. Any students planning on attending Lake Braddock were given a gold paper Course Selection Sheet to bring home, as well as information and an application for the AVID college readiness elective.
Lake Braddock Middle School
December 19: Signed LBMS Course Selection Sheets due to your child’s teacher. If you have questions about course selections, we are happy to help, now and in January. Click here for a Course Selection Sheet.
January 5-29: Mrs. Augenstein will provide academic advising, as needed, and will support course registration in SIS/StudentVue.
Lake Braddock Middle School Counselors will be on hand January 7 and 9 to assist.
January 29: Deadline for entering course selections into SIS/Student Vue for LBMS. After this date, any course changes must be made through Student Services at LBMS.
Washington Irving Middle School
December 18: Permission slips went home for the field trip to Irving Middle School.
January 12: Irving Curriculum Night (6-8 pm) for families at Irving Middle School.
January 14: Field trip to Irving Middle School (9:30 am-12:30 pm) to tour and sample elective courses. This is a student-only event for those planning on attending Irving next year. Course selection sheets will be sent home with students after the trip.
January 21: Signed Irving Course Selection Sheets due to your child’s teacher.
January 22 - February 6: Mrs. Augenstein provides academic advising and support for entering course selections into SIS/StudentVue.
February 12: Deadline to enter final course selections into SIS/StudentVue. After this date, all changes must be made directly through Irving Student Services.
⛄ Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during the upcoming winter break and on snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
Family Resource Center Workshops
Session 1 (virtual) Futures Planning in Unique Circumstances: What Resources are Available and What Plans Do I Need to Put in Place for my Special Needs Child?
January 9 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Participants will examine essential steps in the caregivers’ financial plan, with an emphasis on estate planning, retirement considerations, and long-term care needs. This will help families establish a strong financial foundation to effectively support their children's well-being.
Register here
How to Develop Motivation with Your Child
January 16 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Join us to learn strategies for teaching your child adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving. We'll cover practical ways to navigate unexpected changes, manage disappointments, and help your child thrive in uncertainty.
Register here
Session 2 (In-person) Futures Planning Workshop-Creating the Framework for Futures Planning
January 23 from 10-12 PM
2334 Gallows Road, Room 100
Dunn Loring, VA 22027
In this in person session, participants will have access to a hands-on, thought-provoking workshop geared to get them started with effectively taking long term care of their children with special needs.
Register here
Tips to Reduce Parent Stress and Anxiety
January 27 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Join Rachel Bailey as she discusses how parenting today can feel like a constant cycle of pressure, guilt, and second-guessing. In this workshop, you will learn why certain situations feel so overwhelming (it’s not just the situation itself!) as well as specific strategies to reduce the overwhelm. You’ll also learn how to respond from a place of steadiness rather than reactivity, resulting in less anxiety, more confidence, and a greater sense of ease in everyday parenting.
Register here
Sibshops and SibTeens
January 29, 9 am-noon
Jim Scott Community Center
301 Vaden Dr. Fairfax, VA
The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun.
Register here
SibTeens is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences.
Register here
Please contact FCPSSibshops@FCPS.edu for follow up questions about either program.
3-Hour Early Release Wednesdays (12:55 pm dismissal)
February 18
March 18
April 22
May 13
Attendance
Report absences online through ParentVue, by email, or by calling 703-644-8282. Visit our attendance page for more information!
School Hours, Late Arrival Policy, Early Pick Up
School hours are 9:10 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.
**Students who arrive after 9:10 a.m. must be walked into the main office and signed in by an adult.**
If you need to pick your student up early, come to the office with your ID, and we will call your student down. Early pick up cut-off time is 3:30 pm.
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