Parent Advocacy Handbook

We are happy to introduce the new Parent Advocacy Handbook which has been created by Fairfax County Public Schools to provide information and support to families as they navigate our school system. It is designed to be particularly useful for families new a large school division such as FCPS and/or schooling in the U.S.  

Copies of the handbook will be available at all schools as well as the Ombuds Office, Parent Resource Center, and Central Registration.

The new Parent Advocacy Handbook is also available on the web in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Korean at:  https://www.fcps.edu/parentadvocacyhandbook

Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made. 

FCPS’ inclement weather procedures will remain the same as last year. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional “snow days” with no school activities. After those five days, we will use the flexibility provided by the Virginia General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain the continuity of learning. Virtual learning on these days will be synchronous/live instruction, following the inclement weather virtual learning day schedule (includes a two-hour delay).

FCPS’ website is generally the first mode of communication during emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan ahead for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in weCare@school, bookmark the FCPS website, plan for childcare, if appropriate, and know what items your child may need to take home before a weather event.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. The multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare.

BUpper Weekly Parent Conversations

Families: Please Join Us Virtually on December 5^th for Wellness Night

Join school counselors, Maya Lidell and Derek Ryan, to discuss supporting your child’s emotions. They will go over coping strategies we teach here at school, and how to talk to your child about handling emotions.

Weekly Parent Conversations will occur virtually on Mondays, 7:00pm – 8:00pm. The themes will cover wellness, math, and language arts. Specific topics will be announced the Friday before in News You Choose.

(Spanish interpreter will be available*)  

See below for upcoming dates and themes: 

December:

12/5 – Wellness – Supporting Child’s Emotions

12/12 – Academic - Math is All Around Us

January:

1/9 – Wellness - Conversations Around Peer Conflict

1/23 – Academic - Literacy: Retelling a Story

February:

2/6 - Wellness: Attendance in the Winter

2/13 – Academic - Math: Building Fluency with Multiplication & Division

March:

3/6 - Wellness -Cyber Safety

3/13 – Academic - Literacy: Reader’s Theater

April:

4/17 - Wellness: Teaching Your Child Empathy

4/24 – Academic - Math: Online Math Learning

May:

5/8 - Wellness: Transition to Summer

5/15 – Academic - Literacy: Summer Reading

Would you like more information or have any questions?  Please contact the Bailey’s Upper ESSER III Leads:

Maya Lidell - mlidell@fcps.edu

Nicole Scher - nrscher@fcps.edu

Current and Upcoming Assessments at Bailey’s Upper

Our teachers are working hard to get to know the needs of each of our students. It is always important that we know where there might be gaps in our students' knowledge, where they might need additional support and where they are excelling. To identify these, we use screeners and benchmark exams. 

Last week, students took the Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) in Reading.  Next week, students will take the VGA in math. This is a state required exam that is used to measure student growth and progress in reading and mathematics. These are no "passing" or "failing" marks and students are not expected to study. Results are used as a starting point to identify areas of strength and growth. Parents will be able to view score reports in the spring.  

 Math VGA Dates:

• December 6^th - 5^th Grade Math
• December 7^th -  3^rd Grade Math
• December 9^th -  4^th Grade Math

Upcoming Assessments:

Week of January 9^th: iReady Reading

Week of January 17^th: iReady Math

End of January-March: WIDA Access for ELs (specific dates will be shared closer to the assessment)

If you have any questions in regards to upcoming assessments, please contact our School Testing Coordinators Nicole Cassidy or Nicole Scher at 703-503-2700.

Tutor.com

We want to remind alll families about the Tutor.com resource that is to all BUpper students to support learning. All FCPS students have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost.

Students can connect online any time, and in most subjects for as long as they need. Tutoring is focused instruction provided to students in a one-on-one format through voice or text chat. Tutors will focus on developing students’ strengths and capabilities in reading, mathematics, or other specified subjects. Tutoring services may be accessed before, during, or after school hours and/or on weekends through a link in Schoology. 

All tutors must pass a rigorous application process including an extensive background check. No personal information is shared between a student and tutor. All sessions are recorded and transcripts are available for review by teachers and parents/guardians. 

Students automatically have access to the Tutor.com tutoring service unless a parent/guardian submited an opt-out request. 

For additional information, visit our online tutoring services website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byN81NObfzI 

Window for AAP Full-Time (level IV) Referrals Ends December 15, 2022

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  Stephanie Gardner (sngardner1@fcps.edu) or Denise Cash-Pinckney (dcashpinckne@fcps.edu) no later than December 15. 

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 Stephanie Gardner (sngardner1@fcps.edu) or Denise Cash-Pinckney (dcashpinckne@fcps.edu).

Referrals for AAP Levels II-III (part-time services) are screened at the local school. 

For more information, you can access the FCPS AAP website.

My School Bucks

All fees for upcoming field trips should be paid online through My School Bucks or parents should bring cash directly to the main office. Cash may not be sent to school with children. My School Bucks (MSB) is a FCPS system for payments of student fees and activities. It is easy, secure, and there are no fees for parents. 

Through My School Bucks Parents pay for Instrument Rentals, Field Trips, and other special items.

Follow these simple steps:

• Go to www.MySchoolBucks.com, or the My School Bucks link on the Baileys Upper webpage and register an account. 
• Add a child by school & student ID or birthdate. You will receive a confirmation email.
• You may now pay for any item of your choice in the school store using a credit or debit card, or e-check.
• A confirmation email will be sent to the school to let us know you’ve paid.

If you have any issues with the My School Bucks system you may call the main office at (703) 503-2700 for assistance.

Friendly Reminders

• December 5: PTA General Meeting (PRIMARY & UPPER) In-Person & Virtual, 6:30pm Primary's Cafeteria
• December 5: Parent Conversation - Wellness Night, 7pm
• December 6th & 7th: Fourth Grade Fields Trip to Kennedy Center
• December 12: Parent Conversations - Math Night, 7pm
• December 12-December 16: FLE Instruction
• December 19-January 2: Holiday - Winter Break, Classes Resume on January 3, 2023
• January 16: Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday 
• January 25: End of Second Quarter - 2-hour Early Release
• January 26: Student Holiday (Professional Workday)
• January 27: Student Holiday (Professional Workday)

Kiss and Ride Drop Off/Pick Up Schedule For Upper

8:25-8:35 a.m. and 3:25-3:35 p.m.

6245 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22044  | Main Office: 703-503-2700
Attendance: 703-503-2727 | Web | Twitter