August 21, 2023

Dear Aldrin Families,

On Thursday, our halls were filled with energy and voices from students, families, and staff again!  It was so good to greet and see everyone!  It was joyful and the renewal of our relationship building.   The Open House, along with the PTA-sponsored Popsicles on the Playground was a great kickoff to what promises to be a successful and fun 2023-2024 school year!  Here are a few reminders for parents:

FIRST DAY: 

The first day of school for our grades K-6 students and our students in the Preschool Autism Classroom (PAC) is Monday, August 21, 2023.  Our first day for our AM/PM Early Childhood Class-Based (ECCB) Preschool program is August 28, 2023. We can't wait to see you soon!

Our school hours are from 9:20 am to 4:05 pm, and every minute counts!  Students should be in their seats ready to learn at 9:20 am.  All classes begin by connecting with one another and building relationships with students and staff, using the Responsive Classroom model.

Kindergarten parents may walk their child to the classroom door on Monday, August 21.  Students will be walking to class independently beginning on Tuesday, August 22^nd, with staff support available throughout the building.

Thursday Recorder/Information.  On Monday, you will receive a large white envelope with blue lettering; our “Thursday Recorder,” which contains some of our most important forms of the year.  Please sign and return them to your child’s teacher on Tuesday.   After the first day, we’ll send it every Thursday. 

Health Room Information.  We’ve included in this newsletter, a link, https://aldrines.fcps.edu/aldrines%20school%20forms  to the Health Room Greeting Letter from our School Nurse Jeanne Frost.  You can find an electronic copy of the Health Form (A paper copy was in your Thursday Recorder for your convenience.)  You can also find the FCPS Authorization for Virginia Action Plan, the Medication Letter for Parents, and the Scoliosis Fact Sheet (all in English and Spanish).

Transportation.  Bus routes were shared with families by the FCPS Office of Transportation (703-249-7100). If you are unsure of your child’s bus number and stop information, contact the school office at (703) 904-3800.

To know when your child's bus is approaching, get the Here Comes the Bus mobile app. It is a school bus tracking system that gives you real-time bus location and text or email notifications. Click here for more information and the FCPS access code.

If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may want to access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Aldrin will also send email messages for bus delays.

To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. 

Walkers.  Families walking their child to school should cross with the Crossing Guard on their way to Door 5.  Walkers will be dismissed from Door 5 as well at the end of the day.

Kiss And Ride.  Within a couple of days, students who use Kiss and Ride will be provided a Kiss and Ride tag to be placed in the windshield for pick-up.   If you don’t receive one but need it, please contact the main office. Tags are encouraged for families whose students will be picked up every day from Kiss and Ride and help to keep cars moving.

Students will be let out of cars starting at 8:55 am and will be dismissed to cars starting at 4:05 pm.

Please follow all traffic rules and note that the Kiss and Ride area is one-way.  Thank you for your patience and following the rules as you wait for your child.

Breakfast and Lunch.  School breakfasts and lunches are provided at the following costs:

• Breakfast $1.75
• Lunch $3.25
• Milk $0.60
• Free & Reduced Meals are available for those who qualify.  You must apply every year.
• Breakfast will be a paid Grab and Go from the cafeteria each morning.
• The salad bar will be available for lunch each day, beginning on the first day of school. 
• Please ensure your child has enough money added to their MySchoolBucks account to pay for breakfast and lunch each day.
• Students will be provided with their PIN numbers and teachers will assist your children as needed.

We cannot wait to see our students.  Building relationships with and educating your children is what we look forward to.

See you tomorrow,

The Aldrin Family