September 1-8: - i-Ready Reading & Math Assessments
September 7: No school for employees-Labor Day
September 8-15: Book Fair in the Library
September 8: Fire Drill
September 10-25: VALLS Testing
SAVE THE DATE! September 10: Back to School Night (5:15 doors open/5:30-7:00)
September 10-25:VALLS Testing for PrK-3
September 11: Fridays are for Spirit Days!! House Sorting Day- all students should wear their HOUSE shirts or HOUSE colors today |
September 14: Grandparents Day- 7:40-8:20 Breakfast in the cafeteria
September 14: Stop, Drop, & READ MONDAYS
September 14: Scouts of America visit Sandston
September 15: School Security Officer Day (SSO): Celebrate Mr. Cox and Mr. Felice
September 16: Lock & Hide Drill
September 17: House Meeting (Wear House Colors)
September 21: Student-Teacher Holiday-Yom Kippur
September 22: Innovative Learning Coach Day (ILC): Mrs. Dey
September 24: Interims for grades 1-5
September 25: Stuffed Pals Fundraiser Kickoff
September 28: Student Holiday: Teacher/Division PL |
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Every Monday, the entire school will participate in Stop, Drop, and Read for 20 minutes, starting at 7:40 -8:00 am.
We are so excited to see what everyone is reading! |
This planning document is your one-stop shop for school breaks, long weekends, no-school days, and early release days because nothing brings people together quite like discovering that a three-day weekend is closer than they thought!
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Drop-Off: 7:20 a.m. - 7:40 a.m. Students arriving after 7:41 a.m. must be checked in through the main office. Pick-Up: 2:10 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Thank you for a great week of families following our Car Rider Standards and Expectations during both drop-off and pick-up. Your cooperation helps keep our line moving safely and efficiently for everyone.
Important Reminder: Please do not let your STARS exit the vehicle until you have reached the designated drop-off area. This is an important safety measure that helps protect all students, staff, and families. |
Please take the time to review the Student and Family Handbook with your child and submit your acknowledgment by September 18.
This year's handbook includes important information about our school's updated standards and expectations for both students and families. These expectations apply when visiting the school for: - Student drop-off and dismissal
- Classroom visits and volunteering
- Cafeteria visits
- Parent-teacher conferences
- School events and performances
- Office visits
- Any other activities on school grounds
We ask that all families carefully review these guidelines to help us maintain a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment for everyone. ✅ Option 1: Print, sign, and return the last page of the handbook to school by September 18. ✅ Option 2: Send an email to your child's teacher and the principal confirming that you and your student(s) have read and reviewed the handbook by September 18.
10 HOUSE POINTS WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO COMPLETE THIS BY SEPTEMBER 18th
Thank you for your partnership and support as we work together to create a safe, welcoming, and successful school community for all students. |
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This is a friendly reminder to please log in to your Parent Portal and complete all of the required back-to-school forms. Don't have a Parent Portal? Directions to access it in English or Spanish before completing the forms. You will use your student's magnet with their student ID number when creating this account.
These forms include: - Health History
- Code of Conduct
- Device Acknowledgment Form
- Media Release (only complete this form if you want to opt out on behalf of your child)
While you are in the Parent Portal, please take a moment to review your contact information and make any necessary updates. To update your contacts, go to the Forms section and click on Contacts. Please be sure to click Submit after making any changes so your updates are saved. Thank you for taking a few minutes to make sure all of your child’s information and forms are up to date!
If your child will be absent and you need to report their absence during the evening or overnight hours, you can call 804-328-4055, extension 1, and leave a message on the attendance line. Please include: - Your child’s first and last name
- The reason for their absence
Thank you for helping us keep our attendance records up to date! |
As we head into another warm week, classrooms will continue to utilize chillers and fans while the county works on the school's HVAC systems.
Families can help by ensuring their STAR: ✅ Brings a refillable water bottle filled with water only each day
✅ Packs a sweatshirt or light jacket if they are often cold indoors
Please plan ahead, as we will not call home for forgotten water bottles or sweatshirts. |
Please be on the lookout for newsletters from your STAR student's teacher each week. Information is personalized for what is important for the grade and content being taught. Be sure to read it, as it is one of the ways our staff will communicate with you. |
We love getting to know our Sandston families! Please help us create our front bulletin board by sending in a photo of your family and your Sandston star(s). What to do: - Send in one family photo.
- Choose a picture that represents your family.
- Submit your photo within the next few weeks.
Why we're asking: - Helps us get to know your family.
- Builds relationships and connections.
- Celebrates the wonderful families in our school community.
Thank you for helping us showcase the amazing families that make Sandston special! |
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We are in year three of having and wearing our badges. Students must wear their ID badges into the buildings each morning and out of the buildings each afternoon.
How can YOU help your STAR student be successful? - Ask each day if the student does not have it.
- Build a habit: place it at the front of the bookbag each evening and around his/her neck in the morning.
- If left at home, bring it in.
- If lost, replace it immediately. The first one costs $0, and each replacement ID costs $5.
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Get ready to find your next favorite book! Our Book Fair will be September 8–15.
Friday, our students got a sneak peek at all the amazing books and goodies waiting for them at the fair. They are bringing home their wish lists today so they can share their favorites with you!
💳 Make Shopping Easy with an eWallet! One of the easiest ways to shop is to set up a Scholastic eWallet for your child. An eWallet is a safe and convenient way to give your child money to spend at the Book Fair without sending cash to school. You can add funds ahead of time, and your child can shop independently within that amount.
👉 Set up an eWallet through our Book Fair webpage: No cash? No problem! An eWallet makes Book Fair shopping simple, easy, and stress-free!
📝 A Note About Wish Lists Your child’s wish list is NOT a must-buy list! 😊 It is simply a way for students to remember the books and items that caught their eye during our preview. 🛍️ When Can Students Shop? We will have several opportunities to visit the Book Fair: 📚 After School: The Book Fair will be open after school until 3:00 p.m. 📚 Send It to School: Students may return their wish list with money if you would like them to shop during the school day. 📚 Back-to-School Night: Stop by and shop while you're visiting the school! 📚 Grandparents' Breakfast: Bring Grandma, Grandpa, or a special grown-up by for some breakfast and BOOK SHOPPING! 🥞📖💕 We can't wait to see our students find their next favorite book! Thank you for helping us make reading exciting and allowing our students to build their very own home libraries. ❤️📚
Happy Book Fair shopping! Mrs. Williams, Sandston Librarian |
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Life-Ready Expo happening Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m.
All middle and high school students and their families are invited to the 2026 Life-Ready Expo, a free career exploration event. The expo will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Springs Road.
Parents of fifth- and eighth-grade students will find information about our specialty center info sessions and open houses, as well as application deadlines.
Spanish, Dari, and Arabic interpreters will be available throughout the evening.
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- New to HCPS: Recent immigrants, military, or newly relocated students
- Information on schools
- Resources and Interpreters to support new families
- Career and job readiness for students of age
- Free Community Health Services are available
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Parents/Guardians, As we move into the start of the school year, HCPS would like to make families aware of the potential for Remote Learning Days. These are specific days when student learning is not possible in our buildings due to a variety of reasons, such as inclement weather, building maintenance, or other environmental factors. The Division of Learning has provided teachers with instructional packets for students in Prek through 5th grade. If your child’s teacher is unable to provide assignments before the announcement of a Remote Learning Day, students will have the ability to utilize the instructional packet found within your child’s permanent “Take Home” folder throughout the duration that our district is closed.
Parents/Guardians, you can help us as the year moves along by ensuring this packet remains in your child’s “Take Home” folder. If you find that the instructional packet has been damaged or lost, please contact your child’s teacher for a replacement.
Thank you for your support.
Stephanie Anderson, Principal |
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- If students need medicine at school, it must be dropped off in person by a parent or guardian.
- Please make sure all students from PreK-5 have a change of clothes in their backpack. Accidents happen, and we do not have extra clothes, especially for our older students.
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Do you have anything you would like to see the PTA sponsor? Contact our President, Elizabeth Williams, at eewilliams1@henrico.k12.va.us.
All are welcome to our PTA Board Meetings in the school library from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
Upcoming meetings: General Meeting: September 10 at Back to School Night, 5:30 pm - 7 pm
Board Meeting: October 5, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm in the Library |
Join the PTA today to help support activities at Sandston for students, staff and community members. It's only $6 to join and the join helps to bring events to Sandston like Fall Festival, our Winter Shop, classroom parties, Young Scientists and so much more!
This year if you join by Sandston's Back to School event on September 10th, you are automatically entered to win a $50 gift card! |
Help support Sandston when you join the PTA and shop at Kroger! |
Keep an eye on this newsletter to find out all the details on our upcoming events here at Sandston. And please reach out to Elizabeth Williams (elizabethaellis@yahoo.com) if you would like to volunteer at any of our events or donate items to help make these events amazing for our students and families. |
We are incredibly grateful for the local businesses, churches, and families who continuously support our school community. We will proudly recognize our supporters here and on our social media platforms.
If you know of a company, organization, church, or individual who would be interested in providing financial support or donating goods or services, please have them contact: Stephanie Anderson 📧 saanderson@henrico.k12.va.us Alyssa Slater 📧 afslater@henrico.k12.va.us |
Community Partners
- Sandston Presbyterian Church: Tissues, markers, hand sanitizer, headphones, bookbags, paper, notebooks, Ziploc bags, etc., for student needs
- Rise Church: Refreshed our Staff Lounge with paint, decorations, table and chairs, floor rug, couch, lamps, sound machine, dorm-size drink refrigerator, snacks, and repainted one of our adult bathrooms for our staff.
- Sandston PTA: Breakfast for Teacher Work Week and partnered with the school for staff T-shirts.
Business Partners - Toyota Motor North America/Kids in Need Inc: Bookbags and a variety of school supplies for student needs
- Food Lion: Gift card for Staff Lounge items during Teacher Work Week
- Mr. and Mrs. Chapman: Baked cookies for Work Week
- eCMMS Foxconn Technology Group: Lunch for staff during Teacher Work Week, school supplies for teachers' and students' needs.
- Renegade Classics: School supplies for students' needs
- Trader Joe's: Snacks during Teacher Work Week
- Sparklz Cheer and Danz: Breakfast for our staff during Teacher Work Week
- Verlander's Heat and Air: Stocked our staff dorm fridge with drinks and water flavors to start our first week off strong
Family Partners - Cox Family: New Gas Grill for School events and school supplies for students' needs
- Campbell Family: Coffee and Hot Chocolate for Staff Lounge
- Torres Family: Variety of snacks for Staff Lounge
- Milles Family: Cake and snacks for Work Week
If we have inadvertently missed recognizing your community, business, or family partnership, please contact Principal Stephanie Anderson at saanderson@henrico.k12.va.us. |
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All impact meetings will be on the 2nd Thursday of the month 2:30-3:00pm . If we need to cancel a meeting for any reason we will post the makeup date .
This months meeting will be September 17th 2:30-3:00pm . All are welcome ! |
DADS OF GREAT STUDENTS (family members, community members, coaches, etc)
We will have more information at our impact meeting on Thursday September 17th 2:30-3:00pm. We will also have a sign up table at our back to school night September 10th .
Interested in volunteering? Email our Family Advocate, Mrs. Hockaday @ achockaday@henrico.k12.va.us. |
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This week we had our first Lock and Hide Drill and a Cafeteria Lock and Hide Orientation. Students did great !
Next week's Drill: Fire Drill - Tuesday, September 8
Emergency Drill Awareness Sandston Elementary is prepared for many emergencies that could occur on our campus. We have a very comprehensive plan for many situations, and we put those plans into practice throughout the year, especially in August/September. The purpose of the drills is to prepare our staff and students for various possible emergencies such as fire, earthquake, and tornado. Do not be alarmed if you see emergency personnel on campus, as they may be assisting with our practice scenarios. We attempt to exercise the drill in a non-threatening, but serious manner. If necessary, please help our STARS feel comfortable with these safe practices. Review the following resource for more details on certain emergencies, in addition to the role you can play to help our school in the event of an emergency. Crisis Preparedness: Parents and School Emergencies Handbook
Family Reunification Sandston has many plans in place to keep our students, staff, and visitors safe. These plans include procedures to sustain an orderly and communicative process in the event of an emergency. We have a family reunification plan to orderly reunite parents and students. Our emergency communication plan will be to use Parent Square. The message will give you the steps that you need to take and update you throughout the emergency as it is possible. Please see the crisis preparedness parent handbook below for more details.
SAFETY HANDBOOK Sandston is prepared for many emergencies that could occur on our campus. We have very comprehensive plans for many situations and we put those plans to practice from time to time. Consult the following resource for more details for certain emergencies, in addition to information on the role that you can play to help our school in the event of an emergency. Crisis Preparedness: Parent Handbook.
SAFETY CONCERNS? Our school has a safety committee that meets monthly to discuss safety issues and review practices that ensure our school is safe. If you have suggestions or concerns regarding school safety, use this link.
ANONYMOUS ALERTS! This online platform allows students to anonymously report bullying, threats, or any unsafe practices that may occur at school. Of course, we want and encourage our coyotes to have courage and report to an adult at school or home, but Anonymous Alerts is an additional resource to report anonymously if needed. The link will always be on the school website in the top left corner. |
📚 Student and Family Handbook Reminder Please take the time to review the Student and Family Handbook with your child and submit your acknowledgment by September 10.
This year's handbook includes important information about our school's updated standards and expectations for both students and families. These expectations apply when visiting the school for: - Student drop-off and dismissal
- Classroom visits and volunteering
- Cafeteria visits
- Parent-teacher conferences
- School events and performances
- Office visits
- Any other activities on school grounds
We ask that all families carefully review these guidelines to help us maintain a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment for everyone. ✅ Option 1: Print, sign, and return the last page of the handbook to school by September 10. ✅ Option 2: Send an email to your child's teacher and the principal confirming that you and your student(s) have read and reviewed the handbook by September 10.
10 HOUSE POINTS WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO COMPLETE THIS BY SEPTEMBER 10th
Thank you for your partnership and support as we work together to create a safe, welcoming, and successful school community for all students. |
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The school division calendar has important events, school closures and holiday information. Click on the image above for details. |
Our teachers and principal use ParentSquare to connect with families, share photos and provide timely news and announcements. Download the app today! |
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