 Staff and students celebrate another Friday as we head into the weekend!
Bucknell Families!
We had another amazing week of school! Every morning all staff participate in Morning Meeting with students. This is an opportunity to build relationships and connect with each student. Students and staff take a moment to greet one another, make connections, and engage in an activity. Before students arrived today, staff participated in a Morning Meeting because we also value the power of positive relationships with one another. We know that relationships are "the main thing" and we're dedicated to building positive relationships with each family member and all students.
This week our students explored what it means to be a scientist and an engineer. See the pictures throughout the newsletter, which show students engaging in science experiments in class and coding during STEAM. Our students have great opportunities to show their skills and learn content knowledge, while also having fun!
We are expecting great weather this weekend! Take a moment to enjoy the sun as Fall will be here soon!
Sincerely,
Rashida Green, Principal
Gina Toler, Acting Assistant Principal
Follow Bucknell ES on Twitter: @BucknellElem
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.
 Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
Visit our website for more attendance resources. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Forms for the 2022-23 School Year
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Emergency Care Form (required)
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Emergency Care information can be updated as needed through SIS ParentVue. Instructions to update this information can be found on the FCPS website. In the application, review the details under ‘Student Info’
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Digital Resource Parent Consent (required)
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We use a variety of digital tools to support meaningful student learning. This digital form is required for students to access the digital resources utilized by teachers at DWES.
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Health Form (required
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Health information can be updated as needed through SIS ParentVue. Review the details under ‘Health’
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FLE Opt-Out Form (only if opting out)
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This form is not required-please complete the form only if you do not want your student to participate and return it to the school.
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SEL Screener Parent/Guardian Opt-Out Forms
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Grades K-6 will participate in the social and emotional learning (SEL) screener. If you wish to opt your child out of participating in the SEL Screener, please complete this form and return it to your child’s teacher by
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Students Rights and Responsibility (SR&R)
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FCPS’ updated Student Rights & Responsibility booklet is now available online and in the ParentVue section of the Student Information System (SIS).Each parents are asked to review, sign, and return the booklet to your child’s school. In ParentVue, you may now download and/or digitally sign the SR&R. Every parent/guardian with a ParentVUE account will see the SR&R upon login to ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgement has been completed. If a parent/guardian needs assistance accessing the signature sheet, they may contact their child’s school and ask that the school provide the form. The SR&R Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet is due September 30, 2022.
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 Our 5th grade Scientist engaged in an experiment as they reviewed the Scientific Method. Question: Which liquid will make the candy corn dissolve the fastest? Independent Variables: water, Sprite, and sparkling water!
Student Rights and Responsibility (SR&R)- ACTION REQUIRED
FCPS’ updated Student Rights & Responsibility booklet is now available online and in the ParentVue section of the Student Information System (SIS). The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior, and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Each year, we ask parents to review, sign, and return the SR&R to their child’s school. In ParentVue, you may now download and digitally sign the SR&R. Every parent/guardian with a ParentVUE account will see the SR&R upon login to ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgement has been completed.
Once you log on, you will see the following message:
 Your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/guardian’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted.
Please take a moment to log into ParentVue in your child’s SIS account to access the SR&R. Signatures are due by September 30, 2022.
Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) for Grades 3-6
State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards.
The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:
- Fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) standardized tests in reading and mathematics. More information is available on the VGA webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43932);
- Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021);
- Ongoing local alternative assessments (LAAs) including performance-based assessments (PBAs) completed as part of classroom instruction in science, writing, and social studies; More information is available on the LAA and PBA webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/45043).
Your student is scheduled to take the standardized Fall Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) standardized tests during the week of September 19th-23rd. A notification letter will be sent home next week in your child’s Wednesday folder.
The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
If you have questions about state assessments, contact Gina Toler rjtoler@fcps.edu.
 in STEAM this week, 1st and 2nd graders used the Blue Bots and learned code to play a math game and a beginning sounds game!
Title I Town Hall Meeting- Annual Title I Meeting
The Title I central office will facilitate a virtual What is Title I session? All parents and guardians are welcome to learn more about Title I.The Town Hall will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 20th from 7:00-8:15 p.m.The Town Hall wil he zoom link: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/92984867641?pwd=Yi9PRFVQeU5aZC9CbjIyUEFHY3NQdz09&from=addon
Lock Down Drill Notification
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. We have a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan for our school that is reviewed and updated regularly. Our plan includes procedures on how to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Students and staff regularly practice these drills every school year. We also practice lockdown drills.
A new Virginia Law (22.1-137.2) requires schools to notify parents at least 24 hours before a school practices a lockdown drill. However, we are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. We are required to practice lockdown drills two times a year. FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of active shooter scenario training, they are instruction and classroom based.
We will conduct a lockdown drill at our school soon. Our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are exempt from mandatory participation in lockdown drills during the first 60 days of the school year. They will participate in our second and final drill later this school year.
Additional information on our lockdown drill program to include parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this content, you should discuss the value of these safety drills with your child.
Keeping our school safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe.
For additional information on Lockdown and other drills, please visit the FCPS Emergency Planning and Crisis Response website.
 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/
 Students engaged in reading with buddies and using area models to identify all the factors of a given number!
(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
 Calling all Gardening Bulldogs: We need your help in the Bucknell Garden! Join us on Saturday, September 17, at 9:00am till noon for the garden “spruce up” as part of the county wide service workday (Volunteerfest). There is a lot to do in the garden to get ready for Fall, so every volunteer counts! Children are welcome (and encouraged!) to attend.
We will supply the tools, but please bring a pair of gloves for yourself. We will meet outside in the Community Garden space by Door 11. In the event of heavy rain, we will postpone this event.
If you are planning on helping, please email our Garden Committee Chair, Jane Cerza, at: jcerza@msn.com so we can divide up the chores. Thank you!
 Bucknell PTA Meeting Dates for 2022-23
All Bucknell families and staff are invited to join us, virtually, for this year's Bucknell Parent-Teacher Association Zoom meetings. Everyone is welcome, not just parents, not just teachers! The PTA is for all families, all staff and all community members that have an interest in our school. We will provide you with updates on events and projects funded by our PTA, and attendees will also hear updates from Principal Green. This is also your chance to talk to us about what YOU want to see from the PTA at Bucknell. It is YOUR organization, YOUR community, and YOUR PTA! Our first meeting of the year will be Monday, September 19 at 6PM and we will be joined by Acting Assistant Principal, Gina Toler, to hear information about Title I. status. We will vote on our Budget for this year and hear updates from our blossoming Community Garden space! Please join us: all are invited, regardless of PTA membership. Questions? Email us: ptabucknell@gmail.com
 
Free and Reduced-Price Meal applications are now available on the FCPS website. Interested families are encouraged to submit the application online. 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 upon request. If you have questions or need assistance with the Free and Reduced-Price Meals application, please contact Marilyn Wilson, Family Liaison at Bucknell ES via miwilson@fcps.edu.
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.
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Monday, September 19: PTA Meeting (Virtual)
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Wednesday, September 21: School Pictures
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Monday, September 26: Student Holiday-Rosh Hashanah
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Wednesday, September 28: El Paso Bucknell PTA Fundraiser
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Thursday, October 5: Holiday - Yom Kippur
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Monday, October 10: Student Holiday Indigenous Peoples' Day
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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