 Kindergarten students enjoyed partner reading during their time in the library this week. Students loved exploring books together.
Bucknell Families!
We hope that you have had another great week of school! Please make sure to check your child's Thursday folder, if you have not yet done so. This week interims came home. This is an opportunity for teachers to connect with families around your child's academic progress as well as their transition to a new school year. Teachers will be in touch soon regarding conferences with families, which will happen at the end of October - beginning of November.
Lastly, our school will be closed next Wednesday, October 5th because of the holiday Yom Kippur. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
We hope that you enjoy your weekend! Please stay safe as we're expecting a lot of rain this weekend!
Sincerely,
Rashida Green, Principal
Gina Toler, Acting Assistant Principal
Follow Bucknell ES on Twitter: @BucknellElem
Yom Kippur: October 4-5
Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. To mark this day, which begins at sundown on Tuesday, October 4, Tuesday is noted as a ½ religious/cultural observance date on the FCPS calendar. Wednesday, October 5, is a holiday for teachers and students (only 12 month employees report).
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
News from the Bucknell Garden!
 A big Bucknell "thank you" to everyone who came out on our first Garden Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 17. It was a beautiful day and our volunteers from Volunteer Fairfax, West Potomac High School, Hayfield Secondary School, GrandInvolve and the Bucknell ES community did such an awesome job helping us get the Bucknell Garden ready for the Fall. Our Garden looks beautiful and we invite you to come out and enjoy it. Right now, there are baby pumpkins growing - planted from seed by last year's Kindergarten classes. Please enjoy looking at them and watch them grow for just a little longer! We also recently acquired a number of picnic tables for our students and community to enjoy, courtesy of two other FCPS schools. Slowly but surely, we are beautifying these for all to enjoy.
Just a few of our accomplishments on the day:
- 19 volunteers logged over 50 hours of service
- 100 ft. of planting areas around the fences were weeded and mulched
- 8 yards of soil and mulch were spread
- 4 planting beds were weeded and Fall cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale and chrysanthemums were planted
- 1 large, dead pine tree was removed and cut up
- 2 bird feeders and 8 bird houses were painted by Bucknell students
- A dozen rocks to be used as a border were painted
- ...and new friends were made!
Jane Cerza, Garden Committee Chair
For questions or volunteer opportunities: jcerza@msn.com
Follow the Bucknell Garden on Twitter: @BucknellGarden.
SEL Screener and Opt Out Form
Students in grades K-2 will no longer participate in the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) screener. Instead, the Child Behavior Rating Scale administered in kindergarten, existing attendance, and behavior data will be used to determine necessary social emotional instruction and supports. School teams will use these measures alongside family input, as they develop their understanding of students’ needs and strategies to support them.
Students in grades 3-6 will be able to participate in the SEL screener. School teams and families use this information to develop positive school cultures and support students academically and personally. This year, students will participate in the screener in the fall (October/November) and spring (March). Parents are able to opt their child out of taking the SEL screener. Read more about SEL and signature practices online..
Parent Feedback: Bucknell Family Engagement Compact and School Improvement Plan
Thanks to all the parents who were able to join our Annual Title I meeting at our First PTA meeting on September 19th. As a follow up to the meeting, we are looking to gather family feedback on our Family Engagement Compact and our School Improvement plan. You can find both documents linked below along with a form to add your feedback.
Bucknell ES School Improvement Plan
Bucknell ES Family Engagement Compact/Policy
Parent Feedback Form - We appreciate your input!
For those parents/families who missed the meeting, please view the Title I Annual Meeting recording and a link to the (English) attendance and (Spanish) attendance to complete if they watch the recording.
 Our Young Scholars used algebraic thinking to solve shape number math problems in Mr. Roeseler's class. Such deep thinking!
Advanced Academics Overview Family Information Meeting
Save the date! An informational meeting will be held on Thursday, October 20th from 6:00-7:00 PM to give families an overview of the advanced academic services available in FCPS. This meeting will be held virtually on Zoom. A link will be sent prior to the event.
Advanced Academics September Newsletter
Read the AAP newsletter. This newsletter includes detailed information about programs and services available as well as screening and ability testing information.
After-School Clubs
Sign up forms were sent with students on Thursday for after-school clubs, which will begin the week of October 24th. Forms are due back to the school by Thursday, October 13th. Please get your forms in ASAP!
Save the Date: Fall Funtacular
 Save the date for the biggest Fall party Bucknell has ever seen!
On Friday, October 28 from 5:00PM, Bucknell PTA will be hosting our first-ever Fall Funtacular, including an outdoor Fall-themed movie, which students will get to choose very soon! We will also be providing free gifts for students, free popcorn and we will be offering drinks, treats and more for sale at minimal cost. Our Bucknell Community Garden will be open for visitors. Students (and adults!) are welcome to wear costumes - and we will also be hosting a small Trunk or Treat area for those who wish to take part. We are also accepting donations of wrapped candy, which can be dropped off to the Front Office starting next week.
We have several needs listed below for families (or staff!) to volunteer and get involved:
- Would you like to help with Trunk or Treat?
- Would you like to contribute something for our Bake Sale?
You can sign-up to help now!
The entire community is invited to come together in-person to celebrate Fall and build community connections. We will also be inviting other local school representatives and community members.
Cognitive Abilities Test
In an effort to obtain additional information about your child, the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered to your child between October 3rd and October 21st. It is important that your child attend school on these days, if possible. If your child must miss school during this time period and your child does not have another ability test result in their student record, they will have an opportunity to take another ability test later this fall.
The purpose of the CogAT is to provide information about students’ developed abilities in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. The types of tasks included in the test are based on content that children are likely to have experienced in school. However, the way questions are asked and specific test content are not necessarily what children have previously experienced. Children are not expected to know the answers to all questions and will be given opportunities to practice sample items before taking the test. The CogAT is an abilities test, so children are not expected to study or prepare for the test the way they would for an achievement test.
Score reports will be provided to parents once results become available. Typically, these reports are available before winter break. If you have any questions about this test, please contact the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), Chris Roeseler, or school test coordinator, Gina Toler.
For more information on Cognitive Abilities Test please visit https://www.fcps.edu/node/44231
FCPS Strategic Plan
 Fairfax County Public Schools is launching the engagement phase that will help us develop our brand new Strategic Plan.
During her Community Conversations listening tour in each high school pyramid, Superintendent Michelle Reid has heard from many of you about your hopes and aspirations for our students. That feedback will become part of our proactive strategic plan that will serve as our North Star—or guide—for the future.
Starting in October, we will be inviting the entire FCPS community to engage in building our shared future. This includes hearing from our parents and caregivers, students, and broader community, as well as surveying students in grades three and above. You will have an opportunity to have your voice heard in one of many sessions (both in-person and virtual) during November and December. We encourage you to join us in this journey by actively participating in the conversation.
For a more detailed overview, visit FCPS’ Strategic Planning webpage.
Parent Resource Center Webinars
The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. It provides access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
Throughout the year it offers family and educator webinars. Upcoming sessions include:
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Dads: Stop The Power Struggles & Get The Respect You Want, October 6, at 6:30 p.m.
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The Social Emotional Learning Screener - What Every Family Needs to Know, October 7, at 10 a.m.
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Promoting Digital Wellness, October 14, at 10 a.m.
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Meet the Author Series - Paige Saves the Day, October 27, at 7 p.m.
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Manejando el estrés serie de 3 partes, primera parte en October 22, at 10 a.m.
To join the PRC email list and receive notices of upcoming webinars, sign up for their News You Choose newsletter.
Model Policy Comment Period
A new proposed model policy (pdf) was recently proposed by the Virginia Department of Education regarding the “privacy, dignity, and respect for all students and parents in Virginia’s Public Schools.” A 30-day public comment period on the model policy began September 26 and closes October 26. You may provide feedback to the Virginia Department of Education on the new drafted policy. If you missed Superintendent Reid’s message regarding the new proposed model policy, please view it on our website.
 Bucknell teachers continued to support students this week through small group instruction, which allows them to meet students' individual needs.
Supporting Your Child's Mental Health
Identifying whether your child’s behaviors are normal or a warning sign of a mental health concern can be difficult. Talk to your child and pay attention to their actions. Also, consider these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
- Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
- Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
- Lack of sleep, or too much sleep.
- A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others.
If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker. Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call your school or visit their website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to support your child’s wellness on FCPS’ website.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harm to self or others, please take action:
- Text NEEDHELP to 85511 for the CrisisLink hotline or call them at 703-527-4077.
- Go to the nearest emergency room or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
- Call 911.
Low-Cost Internet for Free & Reduced-Price Eligible Students
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new FCC program to lower internet costs for families with children who have been eligible for free or reduced-price meals within the last 12 months. A qualifying household will receive $30 per month toward internet services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Families can check their eligibility and register at AffordableConnectivity.gov or by calling 877-384-2575.Visit our Free and Reduced-Price Meals website for more information on the criteria to be eligible and how to apply.
Esser III Public Input
Share Feedback on In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding helps FCPS maintain safe school environments and address the impact of COVID-19 on students. We want to hear from you about our work to provide in-person instruction and continuity of services to all FCPS students and families. Visit our website to learn more about FCPS’ plan to use ESSER III funding to support students and share feedback via an online form. The online form will be available through October 10.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of the members of our community whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
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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Wednesday, October 5: Holiday - Yom Kippur
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Monday, October 10: Student Holiday Indigenous Peoples' Day
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Monday, October 24: Holiday - Diwali
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Friday, October 28: End of First Quarter - 2 hour Release
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Monday, October 31: Student Holiday - Professional Workday
- See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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