Who doesn't love a good "Taco Tuesday?!"
Enjoy a Night Out at District Taco to support Orange Hunt Elementary School!

Mention OHES when placing your order and we receive 20% of proceeds.

From October 12–18, your everyday grocery shopping can earn DOUBLE Box Tops for Orange Hunt Elementary!

Here's how to make your shopping count:

🥳 DOUBLE earnings on participating products
🎉Buy 4, earn 20 on participating products when you scan your receipt
🛒 Shop the brands you already buy—and help our school earn more!

This is one of the BIGGEST Box Tops earning opportunities of the year, so don't miss it! Every receipt can make a difference, and it only takes a few seconds to scan.

NEW TO BOX TOPS?
Download the Box Tops app and use referral code P9906WAP to get a new member bonus—and start earning for Orange Hunt!

See participating products here: Earn With Hundreds Of Products - Box Tops for Education

Pro tip: Save your receipts and scan them during October 12–18 to qualify for the double earnings!

Let's make National Box Tops Week a BIG win for Orange Hunt!

*Receipts must be scanned during National Box Tops Week to earn double Box Tops. Offer excludes Nugget® products.

As part of their annual assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and the Safe Routes to School team invite parents and caregivers to share their experiences. Your feedback will directly inform local school administrators, safety personnel, and their joint task force as they identify priority areas and work on long-term infrastructure and operational solutions.

What it Covers: Walking and biking routes, traffic congestion near schools, Kiss and Ride experience, physical accessibility, crossing guard needs, and specific safety concerns.

Deadline: Thursday, October 15

Key Details: Please be sure to identify the specific school related to your feedback and highlight exact locations where you have observed hazards or close calls. If you have children at multiple FCPS schools, please complete a separate survey for each school.

Your responses are completely confidential and provide the exact community-level data we need to advocate for safer streets, improved traffic circulation, and enhanced public safety deployments across Fairfax County.

Visit fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/transportation/safe-routes-school-srts for more information. If you have any questions about the survey, feel free to reach out directly to the team at SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.

Take the Survey

Since we're stuck inside anyway, put on your fluffiest socks, grab your favorite snack, and… stay exactly where you are. The OHES Armchair Fundraiser is baa-aack—our laziest, coziest, and most effective fundraiser of the year. No selling wrapping paper. No chasing pledges. No running 5Ks (unless you really want to.) Just a few clicks from your couch to help fund mini-grants, school beautification, teacher support, and more.

Your couch has never done so much good.

Donate Today!

The West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run that was started years ago with the goal of introducing cross-country running, encouraging community involvement, and fostering school spirit among the elementary schools of the West Springfield Pyramid. Students from the participating elementary schools will run a half-mile or one-mile course, depending on their grade level. The event also includes a unified heat with an accessible 200-meter course for students with physical and cognitive disabilities.

The 2026 event will take place on Saturday, November 14 from 10am-12pm at Irving Middle School.

**The deadline to sign up is October 19!**

Register for the WS Pyramid Challenge

Laternenfest is coming—let's glow, sing, and celebrate!

Join us at OHES on November 11 from 6:30–8 PM for our lanternen walk. Kids can show off their lantern creations, enjoy singing traditional songs, eat some yummy treats, and experience a magical evening with friends and family.

All OHES families are invited—don't miss this bright and joyful tradition.

Sign up for kits by November 2nd here.

Sign up to help donate cookies, treats and drinks here.

Put on your fluffiest socks, grab your favorite snack, and… stay exactly where you are. The OHES Armchair Fundraiser is baa-aack--our laziest, coziest, and most effective fundraiser of the year. No selling wrapping paper. No chasing pledges. No running 5Ks (unless you really want to.) Just a few clicks from your couch to help fund mini-grants, school beautification, teacher support, and more.

Your couch has never done so much good.

Donate Today!

The West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run that was started years ago with the goal of introducing cross-country running, encouraging community involvement, and fostering school spirit among the elementary schools of the West Springfield Pyramid. Students from the participating elementary schools will run a half-mile or one-mile course, depending on their grade level. The event also includes a unified heat with an accessible 200-meter course for students with physical and cognitive disabilities.

The 2026 event will take place on Saturday, November 14 from 10am-12pm at Irving Middle School.

The deadline to sign up is October 19!

Register Now

Our owls' safety is SUPER important, and as we know, things have been less than ideal at the intersection of Sydenstricker and Huntsman Blvd. (And that's putting it nicely... 😬)

Thanks to our amazing parent volunteer, Emily Bermingham, we have safety flags at the four corners of the intersection for you and your kids to use to draw attention while crossing the street.

As you may have seen in the most recent News We Hoot, "Crossing guards are now employed by private companies and follow updated safety procedures.

The crossing guard assists pedestrians only in the L-shaped crosswalk closest to the school. For his safety, he cannot stand in the center box or middle of the intersection.

To keep traffic moving safely, he assists groups of pedestrians together and must also allow school buses and other vehicles to pass. Please be patient. If you are waiting at the opposite corner, wait for the crossing guard's whistle and signal before crossing. Do not cross diagonally."

This is obviously less than ideal, and we encourage all families to reach out to our district supervisor, Pat Herrity (springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov) and voice your concerns.

Days off. Early Release Days. Teacher workdays. WAIT...isn't there a dentist appointment coming up???

screams into the void

The amount of mental tabs we have to keep open is... a lot.

We've got you. Keep all those dates crammed into one nice spot that you can quickly access.

Oh, and you have the added cuteness of your kids' artwork. Stupid cute, AND stupid convenient.

Order Now

(Or at least, by 10/10.)

Laternenfest is coming--let's glow, sing, and celebrate!

Join us at OHES on November 11 from 6:30–8 PM for our lanternen walk. Kids can show off their lantern creations, enjoy singing traditional songs, eat some yummy treats, and experience a magical evening with friends and family.

All OHES families are invited—don't miss this bright and joyful tradition.

Sign Up for a Kit

Sign Up to Help

Our owls' safety is SUPER important, and as we know, things have been less than ideal at the intersection of Sydenstricker and Huntsman Blvd. (And that's putting it nicely... 😬)

Thanks to our amazing parent volunteer, Emily Bermingham, we have safety flags at the four corners of the intersection for you and your kids to use to draw attention while crossing the street.

As you may have seen in the most recent News We Hoot, "Crossing guards are now employed by private companies and follow updated safety procedures.

The crossing guard assists pedestrians only in the L-shaped crosswalk closest to the school. For his safety, he cannot stand in the center box or middle of the intersection.

To keep traffic moving safely, he assists groups of pedestrians together and must also allow school buses and other vehicles to pass. Please be patient. If you are waiting at the opposite corner, wait for the crossing guard’s whistle and signal before crossing. Do not cross diagonally."

This is obviously less than ideal, and we encourage all families to reach out to our district supervisor, Pat Herrity (springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov) and voice your concerns.

The West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run that was started years ago with the goal of introducing cross-country running, encouraging community involvement, and fostering school spirit among the elementary schools of the West Springfield Pyramid. Students from the participating elementary schools will run a half-mile or one-mile course, depending on their grade level. The event also includes a unified heat with an accessible 200-meter course for students with physical and cognitive disabilities.

The 2026 event will take place on Saturday, November 14 from 10am-12pm at Irving Middle School.

**The deadline to sign up is October 19!**

Register here

Days off. Early Release Days. Teacher workdays. WAIT...isn't there a dentist appointment coming up???

*screams into the void*

The amount of mental tabs we have to keep open is... a lot.

We've got you. Keep all those dates crammed into one nice spot that you can quickly access.

Oh, and you have the added cuteness of your kids' artwork. Stupid cute, AND stupid convenient.

Order yours today

(Or at least, by 10/10.)

Laternenfest is coming—let's glow, sing, and celebrate!

Join us at OHES on November 11 from 6:30–8 PM for our lanternen walk. Kids can show off their lantern creations, enjoy singing traditional songs, eat some yummy treats, and experience a magical evening with friends and family.

All OHES families are invited—don't miss this bright and joyful tradition.

Sign up for kits by November 2nd here.

Sign up to help donate cookies, treats and drinks here.

Danke schön, OHES! Thanks to all our families who came out for Oktoberfest — you brought the fest to the festival. Those pretzels never stood a chance...

A HUUUUUUGE thank you to the dream team that put this event together. It wouldn't have been possible without the help from the planning committee:

Mallory Lyon, Andre Sadowski, Nadine Aderhold, Petra Esseling, Lindsay Leahy, Ellen Dreyer, Abigail Malejko, Allison Tribble, Annie Gedicks, Janeska Sadowski and Kitti Collins.

And since we're spreading the love, thank you to all the day-of volunteers who kept the lines moving and kept those brats a-flowing.

We can't believe it, but it's already time for our Oktoberfest celebration this Friday, from 6-8pm!!!

We'll have traditional German fare from Alexandria Bier Garten, games and activities for the kids, and awesome entertainment from Alte Kameraden Band.

Break out those lederhosen and dirndls folks, because it's time to celebrate!

ONE LAST THING—we can't do this without your help. Please consider donating some of the items on our list, or helping out at the event. 🫶🏽

Oktoberfest Donations Needed

Start the new school year strong and join us for the Orange Hunt ES PTA Kick-Off Meeting this Wednesday, September 23, at 7 PM!

We know everyone's schedules are packed, so we're offering two convenient ways to participate:

• In-Person: Meet fellow parents, teachers, and administrators in the school library and enjoy some snacks while you're there!
• Online: Join us via Zoom from wherever you are.

 No matter how you attend, your participation gives you a voice in your child's academic experience and helps strengthen our Orange Hunt community. We can't wait to see you there!

Save the date!

The West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run that was started years ago with the goal of introducing cross-country running, encouraging community involvement, and fostering school spirit among the elementary schools of the West Springfield Pyramid. Students from the participating elementary schools will run a half-mile or one-mile course, depending on their grade level.

The event also includes a unified heat with an accessible 200-meter course for students with physical and cognitive disabilities. The 2026 event will take place on Saturday, November 14 from 10am-12pm at Irving Middle School.

Advance registration is required and will open soon!

If you're new to Box Tops, now is the perfect time to join!

Box Tops for Education is a fundraiser of the Orange Hunt PTA. Our school earns money through the Box Tops for Education program, and the more active members we have, the more we can earn for Orange Hunt Elementary!

* Download the Box Tops app
* Shop for groceries as usual
* Scan your receipts
* Earn money for Orange Hunt!

BONUS FOR NEW MEMBERS: New Box Tops members can help Orange Hunt earn an additional $10 bonus just by signing up and getting started! Use referral code P99O6WAP when you sign up.

Every receipt counts, and every new member helps us reach our fundraising goals.

Here is a video to show how to scan receipts.

It's September, which can only mean one thing... OKTOBERFEST, BABY!! (If you're left scratching your head why this German tradition takes place in September--and not October--like the name suggests, here's a little light reading.)

If you're already a fan of Oktoberfest, then mark your calendars for our Oktoberfest on Friday, September 25 from 6-8 pm in the OHES cafeteria.

We'll have traditional German fare from Alexandria Bier Garten, games and activities for the kids, and awesome entertainment from Alte Kameraden Band.

Break out those lederhosen and dirndls folks, because it's time to celebrate!

ONE LAST THING--we can't do this without your help. Please consider donating some of the items on our list, or helping out at the event. 🫶🏽

Donate to Oktoberfest here

Hate thinking of what to eat?
Us too. 🫣
Worry not--we've got meals covered on September 16 at ChiMc Burke. Order in-store or online and mention OHES and we will get 20% of proceeds!

Yummy food and no stress? Check, and CHECK.
Order from ChiMc here

We're excited to offer a variety of fun after-school activities for your kids this fall!

A full list of all our after-school clubs and activities can be found HERE, or we've listed them below for your convenience:

• RunFitKidz - Wed or Thurs, 3:35-4:45
• Robotics w/ STEM exCEL - Mon 3:35-4:45
• Electronics w/ Minecraft Redstone STEM exCEL - Tues, 3:35-4:45
• Drama Club - FULL (no more registrations being accepted)
• STEAM-sational Art w/ Kidz Create, Mon 3:35-4:45
• Double Play: Bball & Flag Football w/ Overtime Athletics - Fri, 3:35-4:45
• Go-Time Sports w/ Overtime Athletics, Tues, 3:35-4:45
• COOL-inary Cooking Club w/ Sticky Fingers - Wed or Thurs, 3:35-4:45
• Artistic Drawing & Cartooning w/ Young Rembrandts - Fri, 3:40-4:40
• Chess Club - Fri, 3:45-5:00
• Kinderchor - Fri, 3:30-5:00

Any questions? Please reach out to Lindsay at: clubs@orangehuntpta.org.

What My Culture Means to Me

Celebrate culture. Inspire creativity. Give every student a voice.

The 2026-2027 PTA Reflections Program is an exciting opportunity for students to explore, express, and celebrate what their culture means to them through the arts.

This year's theme, "What My Culture Means to Me," invites students to reflect on the traditions, experiences, stories, values, people, places, and communities that shape who they are. Through their creativity, students can share their unique perspectives and help others see the beauty and richness of different cultures.

PTA Reflections provides students with a meaningful platform to:

• Express themselves creatively
• Celebrate culture and diversity
• Reflect on their identity and experiences
• Share their voices and perspectives
• Receive recognition for their artistic accomplishments

Students can participate in multiple arts categories, making Reflections an inclusive program for a wide range of talents and interests.

WHAT WE NEED: An OHES Reflections Chair, and/or committee to head this contest for our students.

REFLECTIONS TRAINING: Not sure what it entails? Reach out to Reflections@fccpta.org for a quick introduction and overview!

We're excited to offer a variety of fun after-school activities for your kids this fall!

A full list of all our after-school clubs and activities can be found here, or we've listed them below for your convenience:

• RunFitKidz - Wed or Thurs, 3:35-4:45
• Robotics w/ STEM exCEL - Mon 3:35-4:45
• Electronics w/ Minecraft Redstone STEM exCEL - Tues, 3:35-4:45
• Drama Club - Tues, 3:35-5:30
• STEAM-sational Art w/ Kidz Create, Mon 3:35-4:45
• Double Play: Bball & Flag Football w/ Overtime Athletics - Fri, 3:35-4:45
• Go-Time Sports w/ Overtime Athletics, Tues, 3:35-4:45
• COOL-inary Cooking Club w/ Sticky Fingers - Wed or Thurs, 3:35-4:45
• Artistic Drawing & Cartooning w/ Young Rembrandts - Fri, 3:40-4:40
• Chess Club - Fri, 3:45-5:00
• Kinderchor - Fri, 3:30-5:00

Any questions? Please reach out to Lindsay at: clubs@orangehuntpta.org.

Hate thinking of what to eat?
Us too. 🫣
Worry not — we've got meals covered on September 16 at ChiMc Burke. Order in-store or online and mention OHES and we will get 20% of proceeds!

Yummy food and no stress? Check, and CHECK.
https://www.orderchimc.com/

Help keep your kid's stuff out of the Lost and Found while raising funds for OHES! Name Bubbles donates 20% of all purchases made through our school's unique fundraising link (see below). Feel free to share the link with friends and family to help support our school and make sure your child's coat makes it home everyday!

https://www.namebubbles.com/?rfsn=8712230.5d4990b

OHES staff and student volunteers work hard to make sure that all belongings that are legibly labeled with first and last names get returned to the student's homeroom. Name Bubbles labels make labeling all those coats, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, hats, etc. a lot easier!

One of our beloved Orange Hunt tradition is on the line — and we need a few heroes to keep the bratwursts sizzling and the laughter flowing on September 25! We decided to pare down our annual Fall Festival and have a family friendly, fun Oktoberfest in its place.

We're looking for three key roles to make the magic happen:

• Food Coordinator: Pick up pre-ordered meals from Alexandria Bier Garden, set up in the cafeteria, and lead our teen helpers in serving up smiles.
• Payment Captain: Keep tabs on ticket sales and payments — the numbers behind the fun!
• Decorations Dynamo: Shop for festive décor and transform our space into a Bavarian wonderland.

If we don't form a committee by the end of this week, we'll have to cancel this well-loved community celebration. Let's not let that happen — grab a friend, grab a role, and grab your stein! (For water, of course.) 😉

Those interested, please reach out ASAP to correspondingsecretary@orangehuntpta.org

Joined the PTA? ✔️

Helped your PTA by just a few clicks from the comfort of your home? ✔️✔️

We aren't doing Boosterthon this year; the Armchair Fundraiser will be our primary fundraiser. It is as easy as clicking a button! Please help us support the students and staff; every bit helps!

Donate Today!

Now is the time to get school supplies taken care of. No, seriously. Why panic-buy the night before school? (Unless you work better under pressure. No judgies.)

Save your sanity. Avoid the stress later by ordering your child's supply pack today.

Order here: https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks

Orange Hunt Elementary School early discount deadline is 7/1/2026.
Use School ID: OHE101

This summer, there's a new way to earn 30 Box Tops at a time... and it involves pizza!  🍕

June 9 - August 30, Box Tops and the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! program are teaming up to help kids explore the magic of summer reading and give families a new way to earn cash for schools. 

Check out the flyer above for more details... and if you are new to the Box Tops Program, remember to use referral code P99O6WAP for Orange Hunt Elementary.