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Today is Earth Day! Our students, staff, and community collaborated with West Potomac High School's staff and students to reestablish our garden. Students used their critical thinking skills to problem solve and get the job done! So much excitement and fun!
Bucknell families,
It's hard to believe that the end of the year is almost here and that we are already planning for the 22-23 school year. Each year our teachers work together to create classrooms built on the idea that students learn form each others' strengths. This mindset is a driving force as we build heterogenous classrooms that support each child's learning needs.
Again this year, we ask for your input about the learning environment your child will learn best in next year. Please consider providing your input by clicking this link by Monday, May 9th, so that the information can be processed before class building.
Please note that we do not take direct teacher requests. Instead, we ask that you describe the attributes that will support your child best.
Lastly, we encourage you to follow us on Twitter @BucknellElem and follow the hashtag #BucknellStrong Our staff are tweeting updates throughout the day of amazing learning and engagement that is happening! You don't want to miss out!
We look forward to continuing to partner with you and wish you a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Rashida Green, Principal
Tory Swanson, Assistant Principal
Absences and late arrivals should be reported to the office as classes start promptly at 8:55 a.m.
Bucknell ES front doors open at 8:45 and closes at 8:55AM. A child who arrives to school after 8:55 a.m. is considered tardy. If you know ahead of time that your child is going to be late or absent for the entire day, please call the school attendance line (703-660-2929) before 8:55 a.m. If the school does not receive a call from the family, the absence/tardy will automatically be considered unexcused.
Please call before 3:10 p.m. if you plan to pick up your child early from school. It is imperative that the front office staff has enough time to get the students from their classroom before dismissal begins. It is also helpful if you email your child's teacher so they are aware and able to get the student ready for an early dismissal.
 As a quick reminder - all students in Fairfax Count Public Schools are able to receive free lunch this school year. Please make advantage of this opportunity while you have a chance. If you have to drop lunch off for your students, please do so at least 30 minutes prior to their lunch time so that we can ensure the students gets their lunch.
Kiss and Ride Update
The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority as a Bucknell community. Unfortunately, we are seeing increasing incidents of speeding and disregard for staff instruction during arrival and dismissal in our kiss and ride lines. Sadly, this has resulted in several children nearly being struck in our crosswalks.
Please remember to drive slowly in our kiss and ride line, and to be aware of the directions from adults who are outside supporting efficient and safe arrivals and dismissals.
Working together, we can keep our students and staff safe at school.
School Crossing Guard NEEDED!
Our school is in dire need of a crossing guard to join our team! The mission of the crossing guard is to create the safest environment possible for school children and other residents as they walk, or bike, to and from school. A Crossing Guard will...
- Control traffic to ensure safety of students to and from school
- Monitor operations of flashing lights during opening and closing times and report malfunctions
- Report hazardous traffic conditions at student crossings
This job is salary based and the person will receive benefits, training, annual/sick leave, health plan enrollment, and mileage reimbursed!
If you are interested in being a Crossing Guard at Bucknell ES please call 703-246-7560 and click this link for more information!
PTA Creek Clean Up
Come help clean up the Paul Spring Branch creek and White Oaks Park woods behind Bucknell ES on Saturday, April 23 at 10AM to celebrate Earth Day! *All children attending must be accompanied by an adult, 18 or older.* You can register online now! A free gift is available for the first 50 students to register! We will meet at the Bucknell ES Playground. Wear your boots! In the event of rain, the event will be rescheduled.
Kindergarten Orientation
Girl Scouts Camp
Girl Scouts Camp Link
Camp Mariposa is for girls grades K-5 who are not currently in Girl Scouts and they will have the chance to experience outdoor fun, arts & crafts, STEM and learn what being a Girl Scout is all about! The fee is only $45 for the week and there will be bus transportation from Bucknell Elementary School. We offer financial aid to all families.
Autism Acceptance Month
 April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.
Substance Abuse Webinars (April 26, 28)
Due to the rise in opioid overdoses in the Fairfax Health District (which is consistent with national and state trends), Fairfax County Public Schools has partnered with Fairfax County Government to provide educational webinars on youth substance use trends and supports. The free webinars are scheduled for April 26, and April 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Both webinars will provide the same information.
The following topics will be covered:
- Most commonly used substances
- In-depth opioid information
- Reasons why youth use substances
- How parents can support their children
- Available FCPS and Fairfax County Resources
- How students, parents, and community members can connect with support providers
Registration for the webinars is available online.
Tutor.com
We are pleased to announce that students now have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Tutor.com is available 24/7, through online voice or text chat, and in your student’s preferred language. Student participation is optional and parents/guardians can opt their students out of accessing the service. You can learn more about Tutor.com on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.
Students will be able to access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following instructional videos:
elementary video and secondary video. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
This new service will help many Bucknell students complete assignments, better understand classroom lessons, and be successful.
Covid Testing Discontinued
To limit the spread of COVID-19 and to keep schools open safely, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has been providing a COVID-19 screening and diagnostic testing program to students and staff as part of its layered prevention strategies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the community level for Fairfax County is currently classified as low; this classification has continued for the past month. In addition, Fairfax Health District COVID-19 Vaccination Status indicates that more than 70% of all Fairfax Health Districts residents have been fully vaccinated (defined by receiving two of a two-dose vaccine or one of a single-dose vaccine). More than 80% of residents have received one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Vaccination rates by age group indicates that more than 50% of students ages 5-11 and more than 90% of students ages 12-17 have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 Vaccinations are free and available at various locations in our community.
Based on these metrics and CDC guidance, FCPS will discontinue the following prevention strategies on April 22, 2022:
If students or employees have symptoms and need to get tested, the following options are available:
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COVID-19 Testing is available at various sites throughout Fairfax County and the state.
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At-Home Test Kits - Students leaving the school CARE Room with symptoms of illness are provided an at-home test kit.
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Test-To-Stay Program - In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), FCPS is providing access to the Test-To-Stay program for students who have been identified as a close contact when an outbreak has been declared. This program is available to any student who meets eligibility criteria and whose parent/legal guardian has provided consent for their participation.
While we are encouraged by the continued decline in COVID-19 cases in our community, we are also committed to keeping our schools safe for all to learn and work in person. Please continue to do your part to maintain a healthy learning environment by using layered prevention strategies including hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, monitoring for illness, and staying home when sick. Employees should still report positive test results to their supervisors.
Thank you for your patience as we navigate through the late stages of the pandemic together.
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Saturday, April 23: Bucknell PTA Creek Clean-Up
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Wednesday, April 27: AAP Local IV Orientation Meeting
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Thursday, April 28: Kindergarten Orientation
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Monday, May 30: Holiday, Memorial Day
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Friday, June 10: Last Day of School
See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar.
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