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Family Liaison Newsletter
Issue 7, March 2026

Hello parents and families,

Welcome to March! It is hard to believe how quickly this year is flying by. As the first signs of spring appear, many of us are feeling that familiar urge to “Spring Clean” our homes. Just as we clear out our closets to make room for the new season, we can also refresh our fridges and pantries by being mindful of what we have and using it before it spoils.

This ties in perfectly with our school-wide focus on Reducing Food Waste that kicks in this month. By encouraging students to take only what they need and appreciate the resources behind every meal, we hope to instill a lasting sense of environmental responsibility. 

At home 10-Minute Pantry activity: Spend 10 minutes this weekend with your child "Spring Cleaning" the pantry. Move the items that expire soonest to the front. It's a simple habit that teaches kids the value of food and keeps your kitchen waste-free.

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, ideas, or concerns at nbhatia1@fcps.edu or 571-460-4334.

Nisha Bhatia, Churchill Road Family Liaison

FCPS has many resources for families designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth. The Family Resource Center offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, tutoring services, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.The new FCPS Family Academy is a targeted outreach effort to empower and build capacity, connections, cognition, confidence, and awareness through interactive learning experiences, tools, and resources for families in FCPS through a one-stop approach.

FCPS Programs & Workshops

Tips to Reduce Parent Stress and Anxiety

Tuesday, March 3, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Join Rachel Bailey for a workshop on why modern parenting feels so overwhelming— and how to manage it. Learn practical strategies to reduce stress, respond calmly instead of reactively, and parent with more confidence and ease. Register

Middle School Transition Fair
Future Planning for Elementary
and Middle School Students

Wednesday, March 4, 2026
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Luther Jackson Middle School

It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for your future. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.

You will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of representatives from CTS programs and services for students with disabilities, as well as learn
about short- and long-term postsecondary supports, employment, and postsecondary education considerations, Supported Decision Making, and student self-determination.

This event also includes a session led by middle school employment and transition representatives (ETRs). A question/answer session
will follow.

Click here to register for the event.

You’re Not Doing It Wrong: Parenting Through “Bumps” with Neurodivergent Kids

Friday, March 6, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Parenting a neurodivergent child evolves in stages, often in unexpected ways. This webinar explores how parental roles shift over time and introduces a three-phase framework to help parents navigate change with clarity, curiosity, and intention—building more confident, responsive leadership along the way. Register

Month of the Military Child Purple Up! Pop Up Store through Custom Ink Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is gearing up to honor and celebrate its military-connected youth in April, the Month of the Military Child, and on Purple Up! Day!   This year, Virginia will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Purple Up! Day is a special day for communities to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and their families. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military.  FCPS Purple Up! T-shirts and other items are available for purchase now through Monday, March 9, 2026, in our Custom Ink online store. These items highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our 14,500 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS!    For more information and/or to connect with FCPS resources, email at militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.

Why Smart Kids Struggle

Wednesday, March 11, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Many students struggle not because of ability, but because of executive function. This session helps parents recognize these challenges and learn simple strategies to reduce overwhelm and help kids get unstuck—without nagging or doing it for them. Register

BIS Part 3: How to Develop Emotional Regulation with Your Child

Friday, March 13, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Join us to explore how to move beyond stopping challenging behavior and instead focus on teaching the core skills of recognizing, understanding, and responding to emotions in healthy ways. Walk away with tools leading to a calmer family life. Register.

Countdown to Kindergarten

Friday, March 27, 10-11:30 a.m.

Is your preschooler heading to kindergarten this fall? Join us for Countdown to Kindergarten, a virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition!

During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information to support your child's smooth and successful start to kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools.

Register here

2026 FCPS CTE Summer Camp Information!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below. All information can be found on our webpages! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.

Community Events and Activities

McLean Community Center Summer Camps and Trips Whether it’s for the summer months or for school breaks, McLean Community Center offers a wide variety of camps with your child’s interests and enrichment clearly in mind. MCC offers full-day and half-day, onsite programs along with exciting day trips to interesting destinations.   Be sure to check out all the possibilities at: https://mcleancenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Camps26-Linked-Guide.pdf

K-Club Wednesday, March 4, 2026 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Dolley Madison Meeting Interested in learning Korean? Join K-Club! The Korean Language and Culture Club (K-Club) introduces young learners to the Korean alphabet (Hangul) and basic conversational phrases. Through engaging cultural elements and interactive activities, the program supports language development in both a fun and accessible way. This program is for grades K-3. Registration is Required. This program is a student led program.  Register Here.

Open Game Nights at OFC Wednesday, March 4 Saturday, March 7 Wednesday, March 11, 18 & 25 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. The Old Firehouse Enjoy table tennis, bridge, mah-jongg, arcade games, a sensory lab and more at the Old Firehouse. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

2026 Youth Art Show Opens March 5

Please explore the 2026 Youth Art Show at the McLean Project for the Arts.  The show runs from March 5-15.  Opening reception is Thursday, March 5th from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

The Chess Group Friday, March 6 Friday, March 20 4.30-5.30 p.m. Dolley Madison Library A chess group for beginner and intermediate players. Learn to play chess, then pair off to put your skills to work. All Ages. Beginner/Intermediate. Information

Tea With Dolley! Tea Party

Saturday, March 7
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Dolly Madison Library

Join us as we celebrate Women's History Month at a tea party with our namesake Dolley Madison! Dolley will host our party where we will have refreshments, play Women's History bingo and learn all about Dolley and her life through a trivia hunt. Fun for all ages. 

Registration required.

Youth: Chess Club - Spring Session Wednesday, March 11-May 6, 6 -7 PM 8 lessons @ 1 hr 6-12 years McLean Community Center Learn chess with world champion Silver Knights Chess Academy. Silver Knights Chess Academy has taught 100,000 children to play, including state and national champions, but most students are beginners looking to learn a new skill and have fun. Class time is divided between lessons and practice games. Lessons range from the basic rules to advanced tournament strategies. Cost: $126/$115 MCC district Residents Instructor: Silver Knights Chess Academy. Register

St. Patty’s Party Friday, March 13, 7-9:30 p.m. 5th and 6th Grader Party  Old Firehouse Old Firehouse 5th-6th grader parties are themed and decorated accordingly. Free catered food and beverages will be distributed to participants. The parties feature a DJ, an open dance floor and a variety of activities. Preregistration is recommended. Cost: $35/$25 MCC district residents/$10 OFC members (must call to make payment) Registration link.

McLean Chocolate Festival - March 15

The McLean Chocolate Festival takes place on Sunday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the McLean Community Center.  This event is a fundraiser for McLean Rotary with proceeds benefitting many school and local organizations.

Comic Bookaneers Book Club

Monday, March 16
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Dolly Madison Library
Ages 9-17

Are you ready to delve into the world of comics? Join the Comic Bookaneers!

Our book for February is One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. Read it ahead of time, then join us on the day of for a discussion! 

Books Available at the Checkout Desk. Register Here.

The Alden’s 2026 Youth Production “The Wizard of Oz” Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22, 2 p.m. The Alden Theater Adapted by Erin Detrick; Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. When Dorothy drops into the Land of Oz, only one thing is certain: she's got to find a way back to Kansas. A funny and fast-paced journey down the yellow brick road ensues, as Dorothy and her new friends travel to the fabled Emerald City to meet the Great Oz. When Oz demands a steep price for sending her home, a perilous new adventure begins. This imaginative adaptation captures the heart of L. Frank Baum's classic tale.Cost:  $15/$10 MCC district residents. Purchase Tickets.

Chinese Culture Club Saturday, March  28 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Dolly Madison Library Welcome to the Chinese Culture Club! Join us on the last Saturday of the month to explore Chinese history, art, music, and culture through a variety of activities. All activities will be facilitated in both English and Chinese Mandarin. All Chinese language levels are welcome!  Registration Required. Please register the children attending the program. Adults do not need to register. Registrations open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026