 Kudos to our Robotics Team who went to the county wide competition at Hayfield Secondary School last weekend to showcase their robots and their coding skills!
Bucknell Families!
We've enjoyed this short week of school with your children!
Last Saturday, our Robotics Teams had the opportunity to show off their skills at a county competition at Hayfield Secondary School. It was quite amazing to see their confidence and excitment as students entered the competition spaces with the robots their built and used coding that they learned to accomplish missions. Thank you to all of the families and staff members who came out to cheer the students on! If your child is intersted in being on the Robotics Team for the next season, please contact our STEAM Teacher Ms. Simonds at adsimonds@fcps.edu
Again, we want to remind you to please send a coat and hat with your students to school each day. This is especially needed as students participate in recess or any outside learning. If your child is in need of a coat, please contact our Parent Liaison Marilyn Wilson at miwilson@fcps.edu or our school counselor Pierce Prior at plprior@fcps.edu.
Thank you to all of the PreK and 3rd grade families who joined us this week for events in their classrooms. It was great to see the collaboration between home and school. Students were very excited to show off their classrooms and their learning. We continue to be greateful for these relationships and connections.
With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, we didn't want to miss the opportunity to share how grateful we are for our entire Bucknell family. We continue to be in awe of the support, commitment, and dedication of the staff, families, and community for our Bulldogs. We say this often, and we truly mean it... our students are lucky to have each of you. We appreciate each of you and look forward to our continued partnership this school year.
Wishing you an amazing Thanksgiving and long weekend. We look forward to welcoming our students back into the building on Monday, November 28th.
Sincerely,
Rashida Green, Principal
Gina Toler, Assistant Principal
Follow Bucknell ES on Twitter: @BucknellElem
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Calendar Survey
- How to be involved in the Strategic Plan
- Post-Thanksgiving COVID Testing
- Recommended Changes to Family Life Education Curriculum
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
Thanksgiving Holiday - No School Wednesday, Nov. 23 - Friday, Nov. 25
 As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed November 23-25. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, November 28. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
Post Thanksgiving - COVID Testing
COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS teachers, staff, and students at five locations across the county November 28-30 from 5 to 8 p.m. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID. Appointments are not required, but registration must be completed before testing. Visit the COVID Testing webpage for more information.
Family Engagement Month
 National Family Engagement Month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. More than 35 years of research shows that the most effective way to increase student achievement is for families to be actively involved in the education of their child. Strong parental and family support is vital to the well-being and success of students. FCPS has many resources for families designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.
The national standards for family-school partnerships include welcoming all families, communicating effectively, supporting student success, speaking up for every child, sharing power, and collaborating with the community.
The following resources are available to all FCPS families. Visit the links below to learn more about workshops and classes for families, digital and printable resources for early childhood, mental health, military families, special education, multilingual and wellness topics.
Family Liaisons
Did you know that every school has a family liaison? Family liaisons will welcome and orient families who are new to the school and community, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can also help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.
If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit the Family Liaison webpage for a list of region representatives.
 We are very thankful for all the staff and families who supported our Robotics Team at their competition last weekend! So many smiles on a Saturday!
Advanced Academics Full Time (Level 4) Information Meeting
A virtual family information meeting will be held on Thursday, December 1st from 6:00-7:00 PM. This meeting will provide information about full-time AAP services and the screening process for identifying students. A Zoom link will be sent in advance of the meeting via email and text. Students in grades 2-6 are eligible to be screened for full time services and parents can request this by completing a Level 4 Referral Form by the December 15th deadline. English Referral Form Spanish Referral Form Questions can be directed to Chris Roeseler at caroeseler@fcps.edu
Window for AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referrals Ends December 15th
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs (level IV AAP services) may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form to Chris Roeseler at caroeseler@fcps.edu no later than December 15.
The window to submit an AAP Level IV Referral Form is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Level IV services can be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for AAP Level IV will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of professionals from various schools review materials to determine eligibility for level IV placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Chris Roeseler at caroeseler@fcps.edu
Referrals for AAP Levels II-III (part-time services) are screened at the local school.
For more information, there are parent presentations available on the FCPS AAP website (under “Presentations”) that contain information similar to our fall parent information meetings at Bucknell Elementary.
 Pre-School families joined their children for Thanksgiving Family Fun! They were able to show their families their classroom, what they are thankful for and participate in activities together.
Winter Assessment Calendar
Many winter assessments are coming up for our Bulldogs. Please see the table below for grade level assessments.
iReady Assessments
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Grades
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Reading Dates
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Math Dates
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3-6
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Monday, December 12
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Tuesday, December 13
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1-2
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Tuesday, January 17
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Monday, January 23
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VGA Assessments
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Grades
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Reading Dates
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Math Dates
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3-4
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Monday, January 9
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Wednesday, January 11
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5-6
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Tuesday, January 10
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Thursday, January 12
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We ask that you please make any possible effort to avoid absences or appointments on these days, if possible. We know that with your support this will be a successful testing season for both our students and staff.
Special Education Support Group In-Person Meeting - December 7th
 We are restarting our Special Education Support Group for families (and staff) this year. Please join us on Wednesday, December 7th at 6PM in the Bucknell ES Library! We will provide translation in Spanish, and snacks courtesy of the Bucknell PTA. Share your experience and knowledge, as well as learn about the many resources FCPS and our community have to support you and your family. Our first meeting will be a time to connect with each other and discuss what we want our meetings to be like going forward. The feedback from this meeting will direct when and how we meet, as well as what topics or speakers we will have in the future. If you have any questions, reach out to our SEPTA (Special Education PTA) Liaison: Ashley Bryda, ashpearson@aol.com
 Clase de educacion financiera (en Espanol) - Jueves, 8 de Diciembre
Nuestros amigos de Truist Bank ofrecerán a nuestras familias una clase gratuita de educación financiera básica Jueves, 8 de Diciembre a las 6PM. Las familias de Bucknell (¡y el personal!) están invitadas a reunirse en la cafetería de Bucknell para cenar, cortesía de Truist. Proporcionaremos una actividad tranquila para los niños que asistan. Todos son bienvenidos, pero tenga en cuenta que esta clase es SOLO en español. Más información a seguir.
Our friends at Truist are offering our families a FREE Basic Financial Literacy Class. Interested families and staff are invited to join us for dinner in the Bucknell Cafeteria, courtesy of Truist. We will also provide a quiet activity for any children who attend. More information will follow. Classes in English will be offered at a later date. All families are welcome; but please be aware that this particular class will be offered in Spanish-only.
MSAOC Parent Advocacy Handbook
The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) has created a Parent Advocacy Handbook to provide information and support to families as they navigate the FCPS system for their children. It is designed to be particularly useful for families who may be less familiar with such a large school division and/or with schooling in the U.S.
Copies of the handbook will be distributed to all schools as well as the Ombuds Office, Parent Resource Center, and Central Registration. You can also access the Parent Advocacy Handbook by clicking this link.
Save the Date: Techstravaganza - Saturday May 13th
 TJ Techstravaganza is a free STEM activity fair that provides fun, hands-on labs and demonstrations for K-8 students across the DMV area. We will be holding the 19th annual Techstravaganza on May 13, 2023 from 10 AM to 4 PM at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA, and we would like to invite your school’s students to attend Techstravaganza.
Admission is free, food will be for sale, and we hope that you can spread the word at your school! Attached is a flyer (in English and Spanish) that can be used to advertise this event, and here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav2023tix.
This year, we are providing free transportation to elementary and middle schools in the area to make the event more accessible to students. If you are interested in attending the event, please reply to this email (twistcoordinators@gmail.com). More information about the event can be found on our website at tjtechstrav.org.
How Can You Help Your Child Have Good Attendance?
Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.
- Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day, make that the expectation.
- Help your child maintain routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
- Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe at school. Make sure he or she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school.
- Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
- Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
- Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.
Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, talk to your children’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work. But remember, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that goes on in the classroom.
Visit our website for more attendance resources.
 Morning Meeting continues to be one of the best times in our day. Students, all over the building, are able to connect with staff and peers to build relationships, practice mindfulness, and prepare for a successful day.
Academics Matters
During the Academic Matters portion of Monday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Reid discussed the innovative assessment practices happening in FCPS as part of our School Division of Innovation designation from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
This recognition means that VDOE has approved a plan to improve student learning, educational performance, and college, career, and citizenship readiness skills. It positions FCPS as a state leader in innovative practices with the opportunity to impact statewide policy decisions. Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation.
FREE! Tutor.com in FCPS
 Did you know? Students who’ve used Tutor.com have provided positive feedback. Unless they’ve been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology. Every session is personalized to meet the needs of the student from remedial to advanced levels. Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers. Learn more at FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.
Learn how students can log in and access a tutor by watching a video:
Tutor.com in FCPS: How it Works in English
Tutor.com in FCPS: How it Works in Spanish
FCPS Strategic Planning
Opportunities to Participate in the Strategic Planning Process
FCPS is offering a number of opportunities for parents/caregivers to be involved in the Strategic Planning process! Check out two immediate options below:
Nominate Yourself or Someone Else for the Family Team
We are currently seeking nominations for parents/caregivers who are interested in contributing to Strategic Plan development as part of the Family Team. This team will represent the rich diversity of families that make up FCPS’ community, and will focus on identifying engagement and outreach practices that will improve our partnerships with families.
If you are interested in being part of the Family Team or would like to nominate someone else, please fill out this form by Tuesday, November 22.
Be a Key Communicator!
If you are a member of a community organization or group, consider signing up to be a key communicator during the strategic planning process. FCPS key communicators are active members of the community who people turn to for information, and have an interest in sharing information about the school division and encouraging involvement. If this describes you or someone you know, please get the details and complete this form by Monday, November 28.
FCPS Calendar Survey: Make Your Voice Heard!
 FCPS parents/caregivers, employees, and students in grades 7-12 were emailed an invitation to take the 2023-24 School Year Calendar Survey. This survey is part of an annual process to gather input from the community to help develop the school year calendar for the following year. Please complete the survey by Thursday, December 1, and make your voice heard! For more information or help filling out the survey, please visit our website.
Alcohol & The Holidays
The holidays usually involve family time, games, movies, food, and possibly drinks. Alcohol consumption has increased during the pandemic and when ABC stores were deemed essential it didn’t help lower those rates (ABC News, September 29, 2020). Many people are still trying to figure out how to navigate our “new normal” and are still reeling from the consequences of so much isolation and loss. Increased alcohol consumption is one of those consequences to our communities. If you choose to drink, I invite you to drink responsibly this holiday season and talk with your child about the dangers of underage alcohol and substance use.
Questions to consider when drinking with your family:
- What message am I sending if I drink in excess around my underage child?
- Have I had conversations about responsible drinking with them?
- Are the conversations I have about alcohol realistic?
- Do my conversations with others reinforce alcohol use as a coping skill during stressful times?
- What messages am I sending my underage child if I allow them to drink with me or another adult in the house?
Information to consider:
“One-third of Fairfax County students (33.7%) reported drinking alcohol at least once in their lifetime, ranging from 18.8% of eighth-grade students to half of twelfth-grade students (49.4%). One in seven students (15.2%) reported drinking alcohol in the past month, ranging from 4.5% of eighth-grade students to 27.7% of twelfth-grade students.” (FCPS Youth Survey 2020)
“Female students reported higher rates of alcohol use in their lifetime (36.1% compared to 31.2% of male students), in the past month (17.1% and 13.1%, respectively), and binge drinking in the past two weeks (7.3% and 6.5%, respectively)” (FCPS Youth Survey 2020).
Resources:
Holiday Stress
Helpful Info to Quit Vaping
FCPS video on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Substance Abuse Prevention (Spanish)
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270 and be sure to follow us on Twitter at @FCPSSAPS.
For further Information & support:
Elizabeth Knudson, MA, NCC, LPC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
eaknudson@fcps.edu
 3rd Grade families joined their children in their classrooms this week to show off their math fraction skills modeled with pie and collaborate with their students to identify reasons why they are grateful.
Want to Work for FCPS? Subs, Monitors, and Others Needed!
FCPS will hold a virtual job fair on November 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. FCPS is seeking those interested in positions as substitute teachers, substitute instructional assistants, student monitors, instructional assistants, public health attendants (PHAs), and public health training assistants (PHTAs) positions. Learn more and register to attend or view current job openings.
$3,000 Signing Bonus for Bus Drivers
Job fairs will be held for those interested in becoming bus drivers for FCPS on Friday, November 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stonecroft Transportation Center and Wednesday, November 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lorton Center. Click on the links to learn more, call 571-423-3000, or email driveforfcps@fcps.edu.
Sub and Save the Day! Bonus Opportunities!
FCPS is always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistants to ensure our students continue to thrive when teachers and instructional assistants need to be out of the classroom. Substitute teaching is a great opportunity for future teachers, stay-at-home parents, retirees, college students, part-time employees, and anyone who wants to make a difference.
FCPS has started offering bonuses for substitutes who are available to teach on high volume days. Additionally, substitutes who work more, will earn extra bonuses when they read 50, 100, or 150 days worked in a school year.
Substitute Teacher and Substitute Instructional Assistant information sessions are held virtually on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. Candidates will receive an email link to the virtual information session the Monday before the session. Sign up for an information session.
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.
November is Native American Heritage Month
 Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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November 23-25: No School - Thanksgiving Break
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December 1: Advanced Academics Full Time Information Meeting
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December 7: Special Education Support Group Meeting
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December 8: FREE Basic Financial Literacy Class (In Spanish Only)
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December 14: FREE Family Food Market
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December 19 - January 2: No School - Winter Break
- See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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