English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Message from Mantua Admin

We’ve had a wonderful week of learning and exploring!  As we head into the extended weekend, we wanted to send an abbreviated message, but also highlight some very important events ahead:

• Back to School Night, September 16th:  This evening is a special opportunity to visit your child’s classroom, meet their teachers, and learn more about the grade-level curriculum. To help with parking and provide families with multiple Mantua students the opportunity to visit more than one classroom, we’ve divided the evening into two sessions. Please see the details below. We look forward to seeing you!

• AAP Information Session, Thursday, October 1, 6 - 7:30 PM: Families are invited to attend an AAP information meeting, led by Jen Howard, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART). The meeting will cover the AAP Continuum of Services and the Full-Time AAP Identification process, with a short break in between. More information can be found below.

As a reminder, September 7 is a staff and student holiday for Labor Day.  We look forward to welcoming our students back on September 8th!

Have a fabulous holiday weekend!

Take good care, 

Ms. Shannon, Ms. Vaughan, and Ms. Maurer

Save the Dates

September 7:  Student Holiday, Labor Day; Schools and Offices Closed

September 14: Mantua Movement Mondays begin, 8:30-9:05 a.m. 

September 16: Back to School Night for Students and Families, 6-7:30 p.m.

September 21:  Yom Kippur, Staff and Student Holiday; Schools Closed

September 30:  Early Release Wednesday, dismissal at 1:05 p.m.

October 1:  AAP Information Night, 6-7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria

MANTUA News

Back to School Night is on Wednesday, September 16th at 6 PM!

BTSN is a special opportunity to visit your child’s classroom, meet their teachers, and learn more about the grade-level curriculum. To help with parking and allow families with multiple students to connect with more teachers, we’ve divided the evening into two sessions. The evening is designed for parents and caregivers, and childcare will not be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

FCPS Limited Early Release Wednesdays for Elementary Schools

Early release Wednesdays will start in September 2026. Each elementary school will have four of these early release days throughout the school year, and lunch will be provided. Learn more and view dates for early release Wednesdays

Mantua will have four 3-hour early release days (release time is 1:05 PM) on the following dates: 

• September 30th
• November 18th
• January 13th
• April 7th

Please enter your child’s dismissal plan into PickUpPatrol for these dates.  If you need help, contact the main office at 703-645-6300.

AAP Information Night

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.

Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:

• Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
• Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.

FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.

• All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT).
• Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
• Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting our School Testing Coordinators, Lindsey Knoll and Cooper Sved at ljknoll@fcps.edu or casved@fcps.edu by September 30.

Families are invited to attend an AAP information meeting, led by Jen Howard, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) on Thursday, October 1st from 6-7:30pm. The meeting will cover the AAP Continuum of Services and the Full-Time AAP Identification process, with a short break in between. 

• AAP Continuum of Services: Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
• Full-Time AAP Identification: Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.

For more information, please contact Jen Howard, AART, at jhoward1@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.

Family Needs Assessment Survey

The School Social Worker and Family Liaison at Mantua Elementary School work together to support students and families during the school year. This information will help us connect you with helpful school and community resources. Please read this form carefully and check the boxes to receive more information on services that may be available to you. You will receive a paper version on Tuesday Folders.

All answers will be kept private and confidential. Thank you!

Get to Know Our School Health Staff

Our school health aide at Mantua is Diana Henriquez . You may contact her at dnhenriquez@fcps.edu for health plans, medication drop-offs, or questions about chronic conditions. Visit our school health webpage for forms, illness policies, and tips to keep your student healthy!

FCPS News

Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life. 

A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):

• Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
• Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
• Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
• Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
• Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
• Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School

Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. 

The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12

• The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

The first goal of the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start. 

Weather Happens, FCPS Is Ready

Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?

Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.

Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance. 

The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill. 

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.

Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. 

If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.  

Your Child’s Presence at School Matters

The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success by helping them build good habits. 

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.

Help Keep Our School Distraction-Free

Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e. backpacks) for the duration of the school day — bell to bell. This includes:

• Personal laptops and tablets.
• Smartphones and smartwatches.
• Other personal electronic communication or computing devices.

If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at 703-645-6300. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.

Save the Date for the Annual Special Education Family Conference

The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.

Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections. 

The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.

Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu 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  

Jen Howard, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, jhoward1@fcps.edu

Maria Regina Incer, Family Liaison, mrincernunez@fcps.edu

• School Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Contact us
• Meet our mental health team
• Mantua PTA
• Parent Information Lines (Available in 8 languages)