Volunteers needed! 🚨
2/16/2026 3:22 pm
The PTA is always in need of volunteers. It takes many hands to make our community programs successful. Even an hour or two means a lot and we appreciate any and all help you can muster.
The following events still need your help to make them a success (or also risk cancellation):
♻️ Earth Day Spring Clean Up
- Needed: Event coordinators (2) & Event volunteers
🚴 Bike Safety Event
- Needed: Committee members (6)
🌏 International Festival
- Needed: Event coordinator (1) & Committee members (3 more)
🎟️ Variety Show
- Needed: Event coordinator (1) & Committee members (5)
- Coordinate auditions, rehearsals, and event details
🗳️ We are also looking for 3 folks to be on the election committee. Elections are coming up soon, and time needed for this is minimal. Please consider signing up today.
Latest PTA News
1/6/2026 12:00 pm
Here's what's going on this week with your PTA:
TL;DR
- PTA Spelling Bee - Sign up by Jan 31
- Help OHES grow its Library - donate by Jan 31
- Purchase tickets for this year's Dance-a-thon - presales end Feb 2
- Spots still open for After School Clubs
- More Calendar Dates to Add to Your Crammed Calendars
Sign up by January 31 for the PTA Spelling Bee!
Mark your calendars for February 12 at 6:00 PM in the school cafeteria. Come cheer on our amazing spellers and enjoy a fun evening of words and competition.
Registration is now open:
Help OHES Grow its Library
Add-A-Book is a PTA initiative to help raise funds to support our school library in acquiring newer books.
When you make a donation you are helping enrich our library’s selection of books and their efforts in nurturing the love of reading in our children.
An honorable mention will be added to the books each donor chooses (from a selection of books available).
Every donation counts and will be greatly appreciated!
Spots still open for After School Clubs
STEM exCEL Electronics with Minecraft Redstone
Mondays • starting Jan 26, 2026
STEM exCEL Introduction to Computer Science & Coding
Tuesdays • starting Jan 27, 2026
Sticky Fingers Cooking Club K-2
Wednesdays • starting Feb 4, 2026
Sticky Fingers Cooking Club 3-6
Thursdays • starting Feb 5, 2026
Mad Science Funky Forces and more! K-6
Tuesdays • starting Jan 27, 2026
Mudskippers Pottery Color Explosion Club K-6
Fridays • starting Feb 6, 2026
NOVA Kids in Motion Hip Hop Class K-6
Wednesdays • starting Feb 4, 2026
Save the date!
Some important dates to throw on your crammed calendars:
- Jan 31: Last day to donate to the Add-a-Book program
- Feb 6: Dance-a-Thon
- Feb 12: Spelling Bee Register by Jan 31!
Latest PTA News [copy]
1/6/2026 12:00 pm
Here's what's going on this week with your PTA:
TL;DR
- PTA Spelling Bee - Sign up by Jan 31
- Help OHES grow its Library - donate by Jan 31
- Purchase tickets for this year's Dance-a-thon - presales end Feb 2
- Spots still open for After School Clubs
- More Calendar Dates to Add to Your Crammed Calendars
Sign up by January 31 for the PTA Spelling Bee!
Mark your calendars for February 12 at 6:00 PM in the school cafeteria. Come cheer on our amazing spellers and enjoy a fun evening of words and competition.
Registration is now open:
Help OHES Grow its Library
Add-A-Book is a PTA initiative to help raise funds to support our school library in acquiring newer books.
When you make a donation you are helping enrich our library’s selection of books and their efforts in nurturing the love of reading in our children.
An honorable mention will be added to the books each donor chooses (from a selection of books available).
Every donation counts and will be greatly appreciated!
Spots still open for After School Clubs
STEM exCEL Electronics with Minecraft Redstone
Mondays • starting Jan 26, 2026
STEM exCEL Introduction to Computer Science & Coding
Tuesdays • starting Jan 27, 2026
Sticky Fingers Cooking Club K-2
Wednesdays • starting Feb 4, 2026
Sticky Fingers Cooking Club 3-6
Thursdays • starting Feb 5, 2026
Mad Science Funky Forces and more! K-6
Tuesdays • starting Jan 27, 2026
Mudskippers Pottery Color Explosion Club K-6
Fridays • starting Feb 6, 2026
NOVA Kids in Motion Hip Hop Class K-6
Wednesdays • starting Feb 4, 2026
Save the date!
Some important dates to throw on your crammed calendars:
- Jan 31: Last day to donate to the Add-a-Book program
- Feb 6: Dance-a-Thon
- Feb 12: Spelling Bee Register by Jan 31!
Latest PTA News
12/15/2025 12:00 pm
Happy Monday, Owl families! Anyone get outside to play in the snow?
Here's what's going on this week with your PTA:
TL;DR
- Sylvester Goodie Bag Volunteers Needed!
- Join us for the PTA Spelling Bee!
- Help Add a Book to the OHES Library
- MORE Winter After-School Clubs Released
- You Can do it, Put Your Back Into It
- December Bonus Offers With Box Tops
- More Calendar Dates to Add to Your Crammed Calendars (Pssst. We included the OHES December Spirit Days to make your life easier)
Sylvester Goodie Bag Volunteers Needed!
January 3, 2026 at 10 a.m.
OHES Cafeteria
In Germany, Sylvester refers to New Years Eve. To celebrate this fun event at school, we'll be assembling the Sylvester goody bags on 1/3/26 at 10am at the OHES Cafeteria. We need volunteers and a few odds and ends that will return home with volunteers (like staplers).
Join us for the PTA Spelling Bee!
February 12, 2026 at 6pm
OHES Cafeteria
Mark your calendars for February 12 at 6:00 PM in the school cafeteria. Come cheer on our amazing spellers and enjoy a fun evening of words and competition.
Registration is now open:
Help Add a Book to the OHES Library
Add-A-Book is an initiative to help enrich and grow our school library. Use this form to make a monetary donation. We recommend $15, as that seems to be the average cost of most children's hard cover books. Our librarians will purchase the books and add an honorable mention of your child's or your family's name.
MORE Winter After-School Clubs Released
STEM exCEL Electronics with Minecraft Redstone
Mondays • starting Jan 26, 2026
STEM exCEL Introduction to Computer Science & Coding
Tuesdays • starting Jan 27, 2026
Sticky Fingers Cooking Club K-2
Wednesdays • starting Feb 4, 2026
Sticky Fingers Cooking Club 3-6
Thursdays • starting Feb 5, 2026
Mad Science Funky Forces and more! K-6
Tuesdays • starting Jan 27, 2026
Mudskippers Pottery Color Explosion Club K-6
Fridays • starting Feb 6, 2026
NOVA Kids in Motion Hip Hop Class K-6
Wednesdays • starting Feb 4, 2026
You can do it, put your back into it
Snow Removal Help
Mother Nature isn't messing around, folks. We already got some snow last week, with more to come... We're still in desperate need of snow shoveling volunteers. Our amazing custodial staff does a lot of the heavy lifting (pun totally intended) but they can't do the sidewalks connecting to OHES. These are sidewalks that don't belong to FCPS, but we use them every day.
You can even let the kids help out and make it a family volunteer effort.
Please sign up today so that when the snow does hit, we're not scrambling to clear paths safely.
December Bonus Offers with Box Tops
As you stock up on cooking and baking supplies, don't forget to scan your grocery receipts to earn Box Tops for Orange Hunt Elementary.
December Bonus Offers
Buy 2, earn 5 Box Tops with the following brands:
- Betty Crocker
- Nature Valley
- Totinos
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch
- Pillsbury
Save the date!
Some important dates to throw on your crammed calendars:
- Jan 3, 2026 at 10am Sylvester Goodie Bag Assembly
- No PTA Membership Meeting in December
DECEMBER SPIRIT DAYS
Latest PTA News
11/17/2025 3:00 pm
Mondayyy, Mondaaayyy... (bonus points to anyone who knows the song) We hope you had an excellent weekend! Now onto our first full week of school in what feels like FOREVER!
Here's what's happening with our PTA this week:
TL;DR
- Restaurant Night on Tuesday: Taco Bamba
- Bingo and Craft Fair: December 4
- Grab a Bag at Giant Food
- Registration Now Open for WINTER STEM exCEL
- Box Top Holiday Products That can Earn
- Boosterthon $ Update
- More important upcoming dates!
Thank you volunteers!
Before we get to the newsletter, we wanted to sincerely thank all our amazing volunteers.
We want to especially thank Petra Esseling for organizing Laternenfest and Aline Steele for being the OHES organizer for the Pyramid Challenge. We also want to thank our awesome Lost & Found crew: Becky Lane, Dorothy Arnold, Sara Root, Kate Gray, and Jennifer Weis. They've been keeping the lost and found organized, returning items to students, and also cleaning and donating items that have not been picked up.
We couldn't have such an amazing PTA without our amazing volunteers!! Join us at the PTA meeting this week to get the inside scoop on all things Orange Hunt!
Before we turkey, let's TACO!
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Restaurant Night is TOMORROW at Taco Bamba 6691-A, Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA Tuesday, November 18 9am - 9pm
'Twas the week before Thanksgiving, and all through the homes, the thought of having to cook a meal made all the adult humans groan.
We've got you for dinner this week, Owl fam. Celebrate "Taco Tuesday" by ordering from Taco Bamba Springfield, Tuesday, November 18th.
Use code, "GIVE20" in-store or online, and OHES gets 20% of proceeds! |
Bingo and Craft Fair December 4th!
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Thu, Dec. 4, 2025
Come join us for our first ever Bingo and Craft Fair event on December 4th from 5:30-7:30, following the Book Fair. Play some Bingo, win prizes, buy some handmade crafts from our very own students, and enjoy time with family and friends! Buy tickets online till November 30th, or buy at the door!
Sign up to be a vendor, or buy tickets for Bingo here! You must be signed in to view forms. |
Grab a Bag at Giant Food!
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Just a friendly reminder of our Giant Food Community Bag Program partnership! Throughout November, when you purchase a reusable Community Bag for $2.75 at the Giant Food located at 8320 Old Keene Mill Road, $1 will be donated to the OHES PTA.
During this monthlong partnership, our goal is to sell 100 bags, which is equivalent to $100 donated. We are confident that with the help of our dedicated supporters we can reach this goal.
To make the most of this opportunity, we strongly encourage you to share this news with your friends and family. Make sure everyone knows to look for Community Bags on display racks in our selected store(s) this month.
For more information about the program, please visit giantfood.2givelocal.com. |
Registration now Open for Winter STEM ExCEL
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Calling all gamers! STEM ExCEL has two super fun after-school clubs that are now open for registration for grades 1-6:
STEM exCEL Electronics with Minecraft Redstone Mondays • Jan 26 - Mar 9, 2026
Electronics with Minecraft Redstone allows students to explore electronics in a virtual world with Redstone blocks, power rails, and repeaters! Students will build amazing electrical circuits connected to Minecart rides, trampolines, and Redstone elevators!
STEM exCEL Introduction to Computer Science & Coding TUESDAYS • Jan 27 - Mar 17, 2026
Intro to Computer Science teaches programming logic using scratch blocks, making it the perfect foundation course to learn coding. Students will build a 2D game in Scratch using a variety of statements for animating characters, creating collectables, and designing levels.
Registration is Open!
Please go to www.stemexcel.org/orangehunt to register. |
Box Top Holiday Products That can Earn
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Holiday products that earn |
Boosterthon $ Updates
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New track! We just paid a deposit, along with FCPS and OHES, for a new 1/5 mile asphalt track.
This is a great addition for our school and community, AND it will alleviate some of the drainage issues we have behind the school, (AKA, "Lake Orange Hunt.") |
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Student Assembly We have the Mad Science student assembly booked for November 24th, with three sessions: 9-9:45, 10-10:45, 11-11:45. |
Save the date!
Some important dates to throw on your crammed calendars:
- November 18, Restaurant Night fundraiser @ Taco Bamba
- November 19, PTA Meeting, 7pm
- December 4, Bingo and Craft Fair, 5:30-7:30pm
Latest PTA News
11/10/2025 12:00 pm
Hello, Monday. So we meet again. A very Happy Veteran's Day to all our service members. We thank you for your sacrifice and service! We're excited to see many of you at today's Veteran's Day events. And speaking of events this week...
Here's what's happening with our PTA this week:
TL;DR
- Laternenfest is TONIGHT at 6:30pm
- Lost and Found Final Week for Pickup!
- Bingo and Craft Fair - December 4th
- Grab a Bag at Giant Food
- Registration Now Open for WINTER STEM exCEL
- Box Top Holiday Products That can Earn
- More important upcoming dates!
Laternenfest is TONIGHT at 6:30pm
All OHES families are invited to celebrate and participate in this German tradition TONIGHT at 6:30pm. During Laternenfest, children of the elementary school age walk along the streets holding colorful, often self-made lanterns, sing songs, and share treats. There will also be a Kinderchoir performance!
We will gather at school Door 1 to hear a German story, sing and listen to traditional songs and walk with our lanterns through the neighborhood. We will reconvene back at OHES for warm refreshments & baked goods!
Wir sehen uns heute Abend!
FINAL WEEK for Lost and Found Pick Up!
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Remember when we said last week was our final week to pick up those lost water bottles, hoodies, jackets, lunch bags, and...
So, we moved the deadline to Friday, November 14. After that, there's no take backs — it's all off to a great cause. In the words of Europe, "It's the finalll count doooown..." (to grab your stuff). |
Bingo and Craft Fair December 4th!
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Thu, Dec. 4, 2025
Come join us for our first ever Bingo and Craft Fair event on December 4th from 5:30-7:30, following the Book Fair. Play some Bingo, win prizes, buy some handmade crafts from our very own students, and enjoy time with family and friends! Buy tickets online till November 30th, or buy at the door!
Sign up to be a vendor, or buy tickets for Bingo here! You must be signed in to view forms. |
Grab a Bag at Giant Food!
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Just a friendly reminder of our Giant Food Community Bag Program partnership! Throughout November, when you purchase a reusable Community Bag for $2.75 at the Giant Food located at 8320 Old Keene Mill Road, $1 will be donated to the OHES PTA.
During this monthlong partnership, our goal is to sell 100 bags, which is equivalent to $100 donated. We are confident that with the help of our dedicated supporters we can reach this goal.
To make the most of this opportunity, we strongly encourage you to share this news with your friends and family. Make sure everyone knows to look for Community Bags on display racks in our selected store(s) this month.
For more information about the program, please visit giantfood.2givelocal.com. |
Registration now Open for Winter STEM ExCEL
|
Calling all gamers! STEM ExCEL has two super fun after-school clubs that are now open for registration for grades 1-6:
STEM exCEL Electronics with Minecraft Redstone Mondays • Jan 26 - Mar 9, 2026
Electronics with Minecraft Redstone allows students to explore electronics in a virtual world with Redstone blocks, power rails, and repeaters! Students will build amazing electrical circuits connected to Minecart rides, trampolines, and Redstone elevators!
STEM exCEL Introduction to Computer Science & Coding TUESDAYS • Jan 27 - Mar 17, 2026
Intro to Computer Science teaches programming logic using scratch blocks, making it the perfect foundation course to learn coding. Students will build a 2D game in Scratch using a variety of statements for animating characters, creating collectables, and designing levels.
Registration is Open!
Please go to www.stemexcel.org/orangehunt to register. |
Box Top Holiday Products That can Earn
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Holiday products that earn |
Save the date!
Some important dates to throw on your crammed calendars:
- November 10, Laternenfest, 6:30pm
- November 15, Pyramid Challenge @ Irving MS
- November 18, Restaurant Night fundraiser @ Taco Bamba
- November 19, PTA Meeting, 7pm
Latest PTA News
10/27/2025 12:30 pm
Good morning, Owl families! We hope you had an excellent weekend! Here's what's happening with our PTA this week:
TL;DR
- Deadline to Pick up Lost and Found Items: Fri, 11/7
- Pyramid Challenge Needs Volunteers!
- Reflections Art Contest Deadline: THIS Fri, 10/31
- Laternenfest Supply Sign up Deadline: THIS Thu, 10/30
- Veterans Day Volunteers Needed!
- More important upcoming dates!
Deadline to Pick up Lost and Found Items: Fri, 11/7
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With the colder weather hitting, and many jackets coming to school and never leaving, let's just say that the lost and found is PACKED.
114 items. Only 8 labeled. Encourage your kids to get their sweatshirts, jackets and other lost things at Lost & Found ASAP. We will be donating all the items in November. Last day for pick up is November 7.
At the very least, make sure first and last names are written on the tags or use name stickers so items can be delivered to them. Looking for great labels? Try Name Bubbles and order through the link so that the PTA gets a share of the profits.
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Pyramid Challenge Needs Volunteers!
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The always fun, Pyramid Challenge is quickly approaching and we need your help! Even if you volunteer for an hour, you'll still be able to see your child run their race.
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Reflections Art Contest Deadline THIS Friday!
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Have an art enthusiast in your house?
Enter the PTA Reflections contest for a chance to win! The Orange Hunt ES PTA is eager to see your Original Visual Arts entries for the “I Belong” theme. Submit artwork by October 31. The winner will advance to the next level.
Guidelines and Forms can be found on: vapta.org/reflections
Not an artist and want to participate? Volunteer to be a judge. |
Laternenfest Supply Sign up Deadline October 30
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During Laternenfest, children of the elementary school age walk along the streets holding colorful, often self-made lanterns, sing songs, and share treats.
We will gather at school Door 1 to hear a German story, sing and listen to traditional songs and walk with our lanterns through the neighborhood. We will reconvene back at OHES for warm refreshments & baked goods! Featuring a Kinderchor performance!
RSVP by October 30 to ensure we send lantern supplies home with your child in advance and that refreshments are available for all: RSVP here |
Veterans Day Volunteers Needed!
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Veterans Day Celebration
OHES Veterans Day Celebration is a much-anticipated event with our Owls. It’s an opportunity to recognize the Military Veterans (Active Duty, Reservists, and Veterans) within our own community.
Our celebration is an interactive event where classes rotate between four “stations”: Careers, Bootcamp, Music Performance, & an Art Station. This event’s success depends on our volunteers. We need people in the following areas:
Please remember, ALL volunteers must be registered at Volunteer FCPS. |
Save the date!
- October 29, Early Release @ 12:30pm
- October 31, Early Release @ 1:30pm
- November 3-4, NO SCHOOL
- November 10, Laternenfest, @ 6:30pm
- November 15, Pyramid Challenge @ Irving Middle School
- November 18, Restaurant Night fundraiser @ Taco Bamba
- November 19, PTA Meeting @ 7pm
Fall Festival is tonight!
10/17/2025 12:43 pm
Join us for games, crafts, and food!
One of OHES' long-standing family fun events is TONIGHT, from 6-8pm at OHES. A HUGE thank you to all those who have signed up to help. We couldn't do it without you!
Please note that this is a family event, and an adult must be with your children for the entire event. AKA, this isn't a drop-off situation.
Pre-sale tickets are now closed, but you can still buy them at the door:
Entrance fee: $5/ person. Children 3 and under are free. (Max $20/family)
OHES Staff and Families: $5 for your family
Pizza: $5/slide or $30/whole pizza
Cotton Candy: $2
Popcorn: $2
Drinks: $1
...& more!
See you "owl" tonight!
Latest PTA News
9/22/2025 12:00 pm
TL;DR
- A Message From Our PTA President
- PTA Meeting this Wed., Sep. 24
- Let's Help Our Teachers - Nominate OHES for a New Lounge
- Mark Your Calendars: Fall Festival is Oct. 17
- More important dates
A Message from our PTA President
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Take a quick moment to watch a welcome video from Eli from Back to School Night!
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Join your PTA meeting this Wednesday
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Our kick-off PTA meeting is this Wednesday, September 24 at 7pm. This meeting is important, as we'll be voting on the PTA Budget and Organizational Structure.
We know that everyone's schedules are bananas, so we offer all meetings in a hybrid format. This means more flexibility and convenience for everyone!
In-Person: Join us in the school library for a warm, engaging experience. It's a wonderful opportunity to connect directly with other parents and staff. (And we have snacks!)
Online: If you prefer the comfort of your own home, you can still be an active participant via Zoom.
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Let's help our OHES teachers win a new lounge!
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Let's give back to our amazing Orange Hunt teachers who inspire us every day.
The Virginia Lottery, in partnership with The Supply Room, is excited to announce the Teachers’ Lounge Makeover promotion—OHES could win a refreshed, revitalized teachers’ lounge valued at $7,500.
Open to all K-12 public schools across Virginia, this giveaway is a chance to create a space where teachers can relax, recharge, and connect. Must be 18+ to enter a Virginia K-12 public school in the drawing.
Enter here now through October 3, 2025! |
Mark your calendar: Fall Festival
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October 17, 2025, 6-8pm Join us for games, crafts, food, and a silent auction! PTA will be selling pizza, cotton candy, popcorn and drinks. Avoid the lines and pre-order admission tickets and food & drinks here (log in to place your order).
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Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year!
8/18/2025 9:00 am
The Orange Hunt PTA Welcomes you to our school!
We have many great events and activities planned for this year. We hope you and your family will join us as we build our Orange Hunt Elementary School community.
The PTA is a great place to meet and connect with other parents and guardians, teachers, staff, and administrators!
Click here to Join the PTA Today!
Want to Get Involved?
The PTA is always looking for volunteers. We know how busy you are, between hectic commutes, work commitments, after-school activities, and more! We promise, every little bit of time or donation helps! We have opportunities for everyone!
Volunteer Sign-up: OHES PTA Volunteer Sign-Up
Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/OrangeHuntPTA
Sign-Up for the PTA Newsletter: FCPS News You Choose
(Enter your email, then scroll down to Elementary Schools -> Orange Hunt Elementary School -> OHES PTA News. Also sign up for OHES News and Announcements while you are there to get the emails from the school as well!)
