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Dear Mantua families,
Yesterday marked the 100th day of school, and we were ready to celebrate! This milestone was a good time to reflect on and celebrate what we’ve accomplished so far this school year and to begin thinking about goals for the remainder of the academic year. It was exciting to see our kindergarten and 1st-grade students working on 100th-day projects and participating in a 100-second exercise challenge!
We continue to monitor weather conditions to ensure safe outdoor recess and activities. Our wonderful custodians cleared a small safe area for our preschoolers to play outside this week, and our littlest ones were grateful for the chance to soak up some sunshine! We look forward to the warmer weather ahead.
Reminders for next week:
- Monday, February 16th - Student Holiday in observance of Presidents’ Day; Schools and Offices are Closed.
- Tuesday, February 17th - No School - Teacher workday and Student Holiday
- Wednesday, February 18th - Our next Limited Early Release Wednesday with dismissal at 1:05 PM. Please make sure your child’s dismissal plan is accurate in PickUpPatrol.
Have a fabulous weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Take good care,
Ms. Shannon, Mrs. Vaughan, Ms. Maurer
 
February 16: Washington’s Birthday and Presidents’ Day, staff and student holiday, schools closed
February 17: Teacher Workday, Student Holiday
February 18: Limited Early Release Wednesday, Dismissal 1:05 PM
February 19: Warm up FCPS, wear your brightest colors to school!
February 25 to March 4: Mantua Book Fair
February 28: Book Fair open 10am to 1pm
February 26: Family Engagement Night, 6 to 7:30 PM
Book Fair opens at 5:30pm
March 3: Photo Day, Classroom and Group Photos
March 18: Limited Early Release Wednesday, Dismissal 1:05pm
March 20: Student Holiday, Nowruz
March 30-April 3: Student Holiday, Spring Break
Weekly Staff Spotlight
Staff Spotlight is our way to recognize Mantua's incredible staff! Each week, we recognize a group of staff members. Check them out on Mantua ES Instagram. This coming week's featured staff members are our 2nd and 3rd grade teachers and support staff: Ms. Thomas, Ms. Grottle, Ms. Hill, Ms. Lampkin and Ms. Jamerson.
Please use the Spotlight Submission Form to share a positive message with them. We will share the messages with them at the end of next week.
Thank you for helping us make Staff Spotlight a fun and engaging way to celebrate our school community. We appreciate your enthusiasm and support!
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Don't miss the Mantua Book Fair! The Book Fair will be February 25th through March 4th, with special hours during Family Engagement Night and Saturday, February 28th! Find a favorite book or pick out a book that the whole family can enjoy! |
Mantua Family Culture Night
You’re invited to join us for Family Culture Night on April 15th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm! You can host a table or just come take a walk around the world.
Family Culture night (Formerly “Heritage Night”) is a wonderful time to celebrate Mantua’s many cultures and their unique background!
Here are some ideas:
- The culture of your home country.
- The culture of the country, or countries, of your ancestral heritage or that you have lived in or visited.
- The culture of a city or state in the U.S. where you have lived or visited.
- Your family’s traditions and celebrations.
- Any culture to which you feel connected!
Sign up for a table: If you would like to share about your family’s culture by hosting a table, please fill out the Google form or the paper form that was sent home in Tuesday Folders on February 10, 2026.
If you have any questions or problems with the form, please contact mrincernunez@fcps.edu
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Join us for Family Culture Night!
April 15th from 6 to 7:30pm
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Woodson Mulch Sale
The annual Woodson Mulch Sale has arrived! Freshen up your flower beds and support the Woodson High School Leadership and Sports Leadership Classes at the same time. The Leadership Classes are once again offering high quality shredded hardwood mulch for purchase. Orders for 3-cubic foot bags of mulch must be received by Thursday, March 5, for pick-up at Woodson or delivery to your home on Sunday, March 15. When placing an order for 10 or more bags, delivery is an option. All mulch will be delivered on Sunday, March 15, beginning at 8:30 AM. The proceeds benefit the Woodson High School Leadership and Sports Leadership Classes and support their activities. For more details or for an order form, please check out our web link.
This year you can also order and pay on-line at MySchoolBucks. Need more info? Send an email to DJSchaefer@fcps.edu.
Ash Wednesday/First Full Day of Ramadan
Wednesday, February 18, is Ash Wednesday and the first full day of Ramadan. FCPS has designated this day as a religious and cultural observance day. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact Principal Shannon regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
Warm Up FCPS – Divisionwide Spirit Day
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
Meal Kits for Fasting Students
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
Survey on Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Now Open for All Families and Middle and High School Students
On Monday, all FCPS parents/caregivers and middle and high school students received an email to participate in a voluntary and confidential survey. (Please check your spam folder if you have not received it.)
Questions refer to proposed changes to FCPS’ SR&R document for next year. This document outlines the rules that students are expected to follow, and guidelines for consequences if those expectations are not met. Possible changes include:
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Universal Discipline: Charts will list consequences and supports for students. They will help ensure that two students of the same grade will be treated fairly and receive the same level of support.
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Standards for In-School Suspensions of Students with Disabilities: Creating standards for how in-school suspensions are handled for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
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Accommodations for Multilingual Learner Student Statements: Providing translation accommodations when Multilingual Learner students provide statements about disciplinary incidents.
The survey will be open until Friday, February 20. Survey materials are available online.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Planning for Life in and After High School for Students with IEPs
Families, caregivers, and educators of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services are invited to join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school.
The transition fair will take place on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Luther Jackson Middle School.
Ensuring the success of our students with disabilities after high school is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
An exhibitor fair will include teachers and representatives from CTS high school courses, career academies, age 18-22 programs, and transition services for students with disabilities. This event also includes a presentation with a brief overview of transition services and a student/parent panel sharing firsthand experiences. Register in advance.
Learn About Kindergarten at Mantua
We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Resources on the School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage provide parents with ways to support their children to help ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten.
There’s also an easy-to-follow five-step process outlined for registering your child for kindergarten. Register your child today!Contact our registrar, Mergie Kakouris, at 703-645-6300 with any questions.
Quick Contacts & Links
Linda Shannon, Principal LCShannon@fcps.edu
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal CAVaughan@fcps.edu
Michele Maurer, Assistant Principal, Mkmaurer@fcps.edu
Susan Palomino, Administrative/Finance Assistant SLPalomino@fcps.edu
Mergie Kakouris, Student Information Assistant, MBKakouris@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, FFinaish@fcps.edu
Judy Toy, Office Assistant, JPToy@fcps.edu
Avril Donat, Office & Library Assistant Andonat@fcps.edu
Kathy Van Dyke, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher kkvandyke@fcps.edu
Maria Regina Incer, Family Liaison, mrincernunez@fcps.edu
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