 Students at Bucknell Elementary School enjoyed another great week of learning!
Bucknell Families!
This week we opened our doors to our youngest learners, our Pre-Schoolers! They enjoyed an amazing first week of school. Students were able to build relationships with their teachers, meet new friends, and explore in the classroom. We're so thankful for their transition this week and we're excited to see them continue to grow as Bulldogs.
Students continued to practice their routines and procedures this week - both in the classroom and in various locations around our school. Students also considered their hopes and dreams for the school year. Continue to ask your children about our school wide expectations and how they exhibit those characteristics.
We hope that you have a great four day weekend!
Sincerely,
Rashida Green, Principal
Gina Toler, Acting Assistant Principal
Follow Bucknell ES on Twitter: @BucknellElem
Friday, Sept, 2, and Monday, Sept. 5, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
 Show Your Bucknell Spirit
Bucknell PTA, in collaboration with Sports Plus, is pleased to offer Bucknell families and staff NEW and classic spiritwear and merchandise options for Fall 2022! Please note prices are reflective of both costs of production, as well as a $ fundraising amount that goes directly to your new Bucknell PTA. We are pleased to offer youth, toddler, infant and adult sizes this year. Please be sure to double-check sizing requirements before completing your purchase, and order up a size if in doubt: there are regrettably NO REFUNDS AND NO EXCHANGES, even if your items do not fit. Sports Plus makes every item to order, especially for you. Our online store will remain open only for a limited time, until Sunday, September 11. All orders will be shipped directly to Bucknell ES and distributed to families and staff on arrival, approximately 2-3 weeks after the store closes.
https://bucknellesspiritwear22.itemorder.com/shop/home/
(Re)Join the PTA Today!
 Bucknell PTA (Parent Teacher Association) membership is officially OPEN for the new school year! Even if you joined last year, you will need to re-join as a new member for this year. Please consider joining us to make connections with other families, support our hard-working staff, and help every Bucknell student reach their potential. We are more than just Parents and Teachers - our membership is made up of custodial staff members, grandparents, caregivers, former staff members, fellow school PTA leaders, and more. Anyone can join for just $10 per person for the year. We need all voices to be heard at our PTA table. Our first general membership meeting will be held via Zoom in September (date TBA).
You can join by completing the online registration form here, or by completing the paper form sent home in your child's folder and returning it to school with a check or cash. Please note that there is a small processing fee for joining online. Extra paper forms can be found in the school office or from our Family Liaison officer, Marilyn Wilson.
Follow your PTA! Instagram: @ptabucknell // Twitter: @ptabucknell
Questions? Please e-mail: ptabucknell@gmail.com
 This week we welcomed our youngest learners, our Pre-Schoolers, back to school! They had an opportunity to explore their classrooms!
Free and Reduced-Price Meal applications are now available on the FCPS website. Interested families are encouraged to submit the application ASAP. A new application must be submitted every school year.
In addition to qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals, approved students may qualify for benefits such as waived or reduced fees for instruments, uniforms, field trips, FCPS class fees, and Parktakes classes. Schools also benefit from funding opportunities based on Free and Reduced-Price Meal application numbers.
Paper copies of the application are available in the main office. If you have questions or need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Price Meals application, please contact Marian Miller or Amanda Bowles at 703-660-2900.
COVID-19 Testing Available
COVID-19 diagnostic testing is available at no cost for all currently enrolled FCPS students on select dates throughout the year when transmission may be highest. Diagnostic testing is provided at designated times and locations for those who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Testing will be available September 6-8 and 12-14. Visit the testing website for information on locations and how to register for an appointment.
 This Wednesday we celebrated our librarian, Ms. Dougherty! Congrats Ms. Dougherty on your retirement!
September 11th Commemoration
Remembering 9/11 Through FCPS Service Learning and Volunteer Fairfax
Volunteer Fairfax will be facilitating VolunteerFest 2022, a countywide day of service, on September 17. This is a great opportunity for students and families who want to engage with local nonprofits and volunteer. The event will officially kick-off on September 11, Patriot’s Day, with Volunteer Fairfax sharing donation needs and upcoming volunteer opportunities. More information about VolunteerFest 2022 can be found at Volunteer Fairfax’s website. Additional 9/11 Day of Service information can be found at 911Day.org.
Gun Safety & Safe Gun Storage
Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our top priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.
As you may be aware, lessons on gun safety are already built into our curriculum; however, it is critical that all parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in your homes, and any homes that your children may visit.
Our website has resources for parents about gun safety as well as detailed information about FCPS safety and security practices in our buildings.
 All students, first - sixth grade, received their laptops this week! Students are ready to practice digital citizenship!
Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First
If you or your child have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security has a safety tip line that you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; Keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone (571-423-2020).
If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.
Students, staff, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.Concerns that do not impact the safety of our schools—concerns or information about programs, regulations, or policies—can be sent to the FCPS ombudsman online, at 571-423-4014, or ombudsman@fcps.edu.
Understanding the Dangers of Opioid Use
As we begin the 2022-23 school year, public schools nationwide face a growing student wellness crisis. Our students' wellness challenges impact their ability to perform at their best in the classroom and may lead to other destructive behaviors.
In Northern Virginia, the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities including young adults, and sometimes school-age children. Tragically, this can lead to devastating outcomes. There are three things you can do now, to support student wellness and increase understanding of the dangers of opioids and fentanyl:
- Talk with children and loved ones in your life about the dangers of drug use, especially opioids. For more information, tips on how to recognize and prevent substance abuse, and available support services, watch this webinar.
- Safely store and dispose of medications to prevent drug misuse.
- Sign up for a Virtual REVIVE! training class to learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and administer naloxone nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose.
Learn more about the dangers of opioids and available resources on our website. Visit the Student Safety and Wellness webpage for more information about a variety of topics related to student wellbeing.
Resources:
How to Receive FCPS Messages in Other Languages
You may wish to read FCPS messages in a language other than English. There are several ways you can receive or view our communications in a different language.
FCPS This Week is distributed in other languages to parents/guardians who have filled out the Home Language Survey form and selected a language supported by FCPS as their preferred language for communication. Home Language Survey forms are available in the following languages: Amharic | Arabic (العربية) | Chinese (中文) | Farsi (فارسی) | Korean (한국어) | Spanish (español) | Urdu (اردو) | Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).
Learn more about other communications that are translated.
FCPS Cares - Recognize Bucknell Employees!
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Bucknell Elementary School employees.
Friday, Sept, 2, and Monday, Sept. 5, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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Friday, September 2: No School - Labor Day
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Monday, September 5: No School - Labor Day
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Monday, September 19: PTA Meeting (Virtual)
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Wednesday, September 21: School Pictures
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
Sign up for a MySchoolBucks account to add money to your student's account to pay for school meals, pay for field trips and to pay for yearbooks.
Go to www.myschoolbucks.com to sign up and add funds to your student's account today.
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