For a translated version of this newsletter, please click HERE. Next click on the language icon in the upper left corner to choose your preferred language. Para obtener una versión traducida de este mensaje, haga clic AQUÍ. Luego, haga clic en el icono IDIOMA en la esquina superior izquierda para elegir su idioma preferido.
Dear Bailey’s ES Families,
This week at Bailey’s students practiced collecting data they could use to make graphs, engaged in guided discovery to learn how to use their laptops, and learned an affirmation chant in music class. Teachers have been very thoughtful with their instruction to make sure that each day presents a new opportunity for students to build on previously learned skills.
Your child may have shared that there have been some changes in the classroom regarding spacing. We have spent the week reorganizing classroom spaces to ensure that students are socially distanced while working at their table groups and when participating during whole group instruction. We feel this was necessary for maintaining student and staff safety. As we move through the school year, we will continue to revisit our practices and make adjustments as needed.
Thank you for your support! Have a wonderful weekend!
Satonya Dews, Principal
Jillian Bell, Assistant Principal
Elisa Alexander, Interim Assistant Principal
New Health Department Process to Expedite Communications for Students Awaiting COVID-19 Contact Interviews
The Fairfax County Health Department announced a change in their communication process for students waiting for COVID-19 contact interviews. You may read about these changes on the FCHD website. You may also wish you review the FCHD FAQs for parents of school-aged children. We appreciate the continued partnership between FCPS and FCHD.
Returning Strong: How Pausing, Quarantining, and Isolating Keeps Our Schools Safe
Since the beginning of August, the majority of COVID-19 cases have been acquired through community spread, outside of school buildings.
FCPS’ layered prevention strategies are working to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our schools. Pausing, quarantining, and isolating are tools we use to keep schools safe when a positive COVID-19 case is reported. Understanding the difference between the three scenarios can help families be prepared.
Pause
A pause to in-person instruction is a short-term safety measure used by FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to allow time to investigate and determine the safest way to address a positive case within our school community. The pause will be initiated by the FCHD for anyone who interacted with an individual who reported a positive COVID-19 case.
- A pause typically lasts between 24-48 hours while FCHD verifies vaccination status and completes contact tracing.
- Vaccination status may reduce the time spent in a pause but must be verified every time an individual is put on a pause.
- The FCHD does not accept a negative COVID-19 test to release an individual from the pause.
- You will be contacted by the FCHD with a date they can return to school or work.
- This flowchart best explains what happens when there is a pause.
Close Contact
A close contact is any person, regardless of vaccination status, who is within six feet of a COVID-19 positive individual for equal to or greater than 15 minutes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) K-12 Exception indicates that students will not be identified as close contacts if they are at least three feet apart and are consistently wearing masks in the classroom setting. Adults are not included in this exception.
Quarantine
When a student is identified as a close contact, there are two things that may occur as a result:
-
Not fully vaccinated students who are identified as a close contact with someone with COVID-19 must remain home for 14 days after their last exposure. FCPS will notify a student of their return date.
-
Fully vaccinated students must remain home until their vaccination status is verified. Upon verification of vaccination status by the FCHD, and if the student/staff is asymptomatic, they may return to in-person learning and activities once notified by FCPS of their return date.
Isolation
Isolation is the response when someone tests positive for COVID-19. Students who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 may not return until:
- It has been at least 10 days since the student first had symptoms, AND
- The student must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, AND
- The student’s symptoms are getting better.
FCPS is committed to providing students with opportunities to remain engaged in learning when they are in a pause, quarantine, or isolation period. This chart outlines the ways students receive instruction and materials.
FCPS’ goal is to keep students learning in-person all year. We are doing our part by implementing layered prevention strategies and working with FCHD to address positive cases and potential exposures. Every FCPS student and family can do their part by wearing masks, getting vaccinated when they are eligible, practicing healthy hygiene, and staying home when sick.
Provide Input on Boundary Policy Review at a Virtual Community Meeting
The Fairfax County School Board is in the process of reviewing Policy 8130, Facilities Planning, Local School Boundaries, Program Assignments, and School Closings.
In July 2019, the Board requested the Superintendent hire an outside consultant to work with the Board to identify best practices in boundary policy and engage the community in the discussion.
MGT Consulting Group (MGT), an education consulting firm, will be sharing information about the boundary policy review at three upcoming community meetings and seeking community input in a survey.
You are invited to attend a virtual community meeting on Monday, September 20, from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Each meeting will provide the same information and use the same format. No specific boundary changes will be discussed at the meetings.
Please register online to receive the meeting link and indicate if you need an interpreter.
MGT has sent enrolling parents an email with the survey link to collect input. The community meetings will not be discussing any boundary changes for any schools within FCPS. The information shared will focus on what factors should be considered when making boundary changes. Please take part in the FCPS Boundary Policy Review Community Survey. The survey closes on Friday, September 24.
More information about the Boundary Policy Review is available online.
Bailey’s Kiss & Ride 21-22
This year we have more families signed up for K&R than ever before. In order to make sure your child is dismissed safely and efficiently, we need your help!
-
Please practice having your child buckle themselves into their car seats. Parents are asked to remain in their cars to ensure safety and efficiency.
-
Help your child learn their K&R number. Students will be receiving assigned seats based on their K&R number while they wait to be dismissed in the cafeteria for K&R and will need to know their number.
- Talk with your child about what being safe looks like at K&R.
- Waiting until the wheels stop on your car before they walk to get into the car.
- Listening to teachers for directions on where to wait.
- Walking on the grass to their cones, not on the blacktop.
Thanks for your collaboration and support to make K&R safe and efficient for everyone.
|
School Safety Drills
At Bailey's ES, our number one responsibility is to ensure the safety of our students and staff at all times. We continually work with county leaders to ensure coordinated responses to potential safety concerns and we practice emergency drills on a regular basis throughout the school year.
Lockdown Drills
We are required to have two lockdown drills per school year with one within the first 20 days of school. Our first lockdown drill for this school year took place today, Friday, September 17th. REMINDER: Kindergarten and PreK did not participate in the first Lockdown Drill.
The purpose of a lockdown is to protect against intruders in the school building. Prior to the first lockdown drill, teachers will talk to our students about the purpose and practice the procedures to prepare them for our drill.
During a lockdown drill:
- Students stay in place with a teacher or staff member.
- Students and teachers remain in locked classrooms, unobservable from outside (lights off, window blinds closed, door windows obscured with paper).
- Students and staff members disregard fire alarms and school-wide announcements.
- No one enters or exits the school, except public safety personnel.
Digital Resource Consent
Throughout the year, we will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use will require your consent before students can access them. Please complete the Parental Consent for Digital Resources Form as soon as possible. Your child will not be able to use the digital resources until we have received your permission.
|
FCPS is Looking for Substitutes
Are you or someone you know interested in substitute teaching with FCPS? Apply here or attend one of the Friday information sessions to learn more! To sign up for a session, visit the FCPS substitute information page here.
A Message from the Science Lab
Dear Bailey’s Families,
In Science Lab we continued to learn about plants, their parts, and their importance. The seeds we planted last week (radish, spinach, and peas) have all emerged! We also had the opportunity to meet the new member of the Science Lab, Norbert, a Bearded dragon (Pogona barbata).
Franz Misch
Science Resource Teacher
Pea Seedlings pictured below:
Save the Date
September 23rd - PTA Meeting at 6:30pm at Bailey's ES, a virtual option will be provided
October 11th- Student Holiday/School Planning Day
|
|
