What's Happening Mount Eagle

May 3, 2025

A Message from Ms. Kirkland

Last weekend was a week full of fun and community. On Monday, Dr. Reid came to Mount Eagle for one of her Community Conversations. Several Mount Eagle parents came to ask questions, hear from Dr. Reid about her thinking around important issues facing our community, and share input. One question that came up was around how FCPS is coordinating the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and Fairfax County on planned improvements to Route 1 and it's impact on our campus. See the article below for more information about this project.

We also hosted our annual Earth Day celebration last Saturday. Despite the rain, many families came out to help beautify our campus, plant our gardens, and have fun together. This year, we were granted trees through the Fairfax County Community and Urban Forestry division, and we planted the final of 10 trees as a community.

Thank you to the families who have already shared their plans for next year. If you have not yet shared your intentions for your children for next year, please see the article below for information about how you can share this information with our team.

As always, thank you for your partnership.

Kate

Kate Kirkland, Principal

kekirkland@fcps.edu

Future N. Kings Hwy and Route 1 Improvements

On Monday, April 28, Dr. Reid visited Mount Eagle to host a Community Conversation. A community member raised a question about how planned improvements to Route 1 and N. Kings Hwy will impact the Mount Eagle campus, and requested that FCPS work in collaboration with Fairfax County to ensure plans meet the needs of the school community. Dr. Reid's office reached out to county stakeholders, and shared the update below.

There are two overlapping transportation projects on Kings Hwy at Mt. Eagle ES. There is a short-term project by FCDOT to install a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) at the school's entrance to assist pedestrians crossing Kings Hwy before the construction of the Richmond Highway BRT Project. The short-term project has recently initiated preliminary design and will focus on assisting school children and pedestrians at the crosswalk across Kings Hwy in front of the school. Then there is the long-term Richmond Highway BRT Project by FCDOT which will make improvements on North Kings Hwy such as widening the sidewalk. Please note, all the referenced work is funded and implemented by FCDOT. Currently, there is no FCPS-led active construction work on Mount Eagle’s property, but FCPS will continue to be collaborative partners.

Please see responses to the some frequently asked questions:

Did the BRT project remove or have plans to remove the fence from the school property and will it be replaced?

It will need to be removed so the Richmond Highway BRT Project can expand the sidewalk. A new fence is proposed and is intended to have similar characteristics to the existing fence.

Does the BRT project have plans for the expansion of the sidewalk in front of the school?

The sidewalk will not be significantly expanded, but the dimensions will be slightly increased by the Richmond Highway BRT Project, from approximately 4 ft wide to 6 ft wide. The sidewalk will also be placed slightly farther from the curb of North Kings Hwy.

Does the BRT project have any anticipated changes to the school's parking lot?

No, the long-term Richmond Highway BRT Project is only touching infrastructure it is required to for purposes of the sidewalk. The driveway exit will also be reconstructed by the Richmond Highway BRT Project to provide a more accessible crosswalk slope for pedestrians. The short-term FCDOT PHB Project is only touching the infrastructure required to install the PHB.

What is the possibility of installing a traffic light in the vicinity?

FCDOT is proposing to install a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) otherwise known as High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) on North Kings Highway at Mt. Eagle ES not a traffic light/traffic signal. PHBs are intended to help pedestrians safely cross mid-block locations and uncontrolled intersections. More information about PHBs can be found on the FHWA website: Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons | FHWA”

Making Plans for Next School Year

Even if you're not sure about your plans or are leaving, we need to hear from you.

In a few weeks, we will begin planning our class grouping for next school year. In order to ensure we have the best information, we need parents to do the following:

Let us know your intentions for next year by completing this form by Monday, May 12. https://forms.gle/7BXUZCEf4S9uyydh7 Complete it for each child that is currently at Mount Eagle in Grades PK-5. You do not need to complete it for your sixth grade child. If you say now that you are moving, but then your plans change over the summer, that's okay. You can let us know as soon as possible in the summer. We will have a spot for your child.

(Optional) Please share any information you feel will help with class groupings. If you have information you would like us to consider, please do so in the optional question in the form linked above. You can write in your home language. If you are requesting that your child be placed with a particular friend, please include at least 2 names. We do not take requests for a specific teacher. Instead, you are welcome to share particular traits that you feel would best support your child. Note that as a small school, we only have two classes at Grades 3-6, so requesting that your child be separated from another student may not be possible. Again, sharing this information is optional in the form. If you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Ms. Kirkland.

Save the Date: Kindergarten Orientation

Date Correction: If you have a child who will be turning 5 by September 30, please join us on Friday, May 9 at 9:15am to learn about our kindergarten program and next steps for registration. This event is for both the parent and the rising kindergarten student. Please share with neighbors.