 Students engage in differentiated instruction, both in their homeroom classrooms and specials, as they continue to master new skills!
Bucknell Families!
We enjoyed another amazing week of learning filled with engaging structures and innovative practices all across our building. Our 6th grade students had an opportunity to visit Sandburg Middle School! Our goal is to ensure that they have a smooth transition, which starts off with a visit in January so that they can tour the school and begin to feel connected to the programs that are offered. We wil continue this transition with 1:1 conversations with our counselor, Mr. Prior, as students begin to choose their classes for next year! Such an exciting time!
In our upcoming week, we have several highlights that we don't want you to miss. The first is that Bucknell will be one of the first two schools to bring back the Salad Bar during lunch! Our students are extremely excited! Our salad bar will return on Wednesday, January 18th. If you're interested in volunteering, please read the notice below.
In addition, we will have our second "Coffee and Conversation" which is an oportunity for all families to join the administration team to talk about whatever is on your mind. There will be light breakfast sponsored by the PTA. We hope to see you on Wednesday, January 18th at 9am in the library!
Lastly, there will be no school on Monday in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday. We hope that you enjoy your long weekend and we look forward to welcoming your child(ren) back into the building on Tuesday, January 17th at 8:45am!
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:
- Salad Bars Returning to Elementary Schools
- COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan Meetings for Families of Students with Disabilities
- Tutor.com for Free College Prep
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
MLK Day - Monday, January 16th - Student Holiday, No School
 As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 16, for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
FCPS students continue to find incredible ways to serve their community while building Portrait of a Graduate skills such as becoming an ethical and global citizen. FCPS is excited to collaborate again with Volunteer Fairfax for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service, Saturday, January 14, to Monday, January 16. This service opportunity helps empower individuals and strengthens communities while honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Volunteer Fairfax will host several ways for the community to get involved including volunteer activities for students and adults of all ages. To learn more about the MLK Jr. Weekend of Service and the specific service activities, visit Volunteer Fairfax’s website.
Orthodox Epiphany (O-Day) - January 19th
 In the Orthodox church, Epiphany is celebrated on January 19 and celebrates the baptism of Jesus rather than the arrival of the Magi. This observance commemorates Christ's baptism by John the Forerunner (John the Baptist) in the River Jordan, beginning of Christ's ministry on earth and revealing the Holy Trinity of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to mankind. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
Student Photographs & Video Images - Parent Opt Out
Parent Opt-Out forms for student photographs and video images were sent home in Thursday Folders. If you wish to opt out of the school by posting photos or video images of your child online, please complete and return the following form listed below to your child’s school.
FCPS Website: Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms
- Page 13 (Option C) is where families select to opt-out of photos, etc.
- Page 5 explains the details of the form a little more
SEL Screener Results Mailed
Students in grades 3-6 took the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in October. The SEL Screener reports will be mailed directly to families in the next week. This website includes both the Parent Report as well as a Family Guide to support you in understanding results and ideas for talking with your student about their results. Both are available in multiple languages. To learn more about SEL and how we support students at school and at home please see the FCPS SEL website.
Please reach out to our school counselors, school psychologist or school social worker with any questions.
PTA/Principal's Breakfast - Wednesday, January 18th at 9am
 Please join us on Wednesday, January 18th at 9am in the Bucknell ES Library for our winter "Coffee & Conversation". All families are welcome to meet, greet, and have open conversations about Bucknell with Principal Green and PTA leaders. A light breakfast and drinks will be provided, courtesy of Bucknell PTA. We hope to see you there!
Bucknell Lunch Salad Bar Returns Wednesday, January 18th!
 We are extemely excited to announce that Bucknell Elementary School will be the first school to bring back the Salad Bar! All students will have access to the salad bar as apart of lunch. Please watch the video with your children so that can see the various options!
If you're interested in volunteering the week of Jan. 18th to introduce the salad bar to students, please send an email to our Parent Liasion Marilyn Wilson at miwilson@fcps.edu or our PTA President Neil Sullivan at neil.james.sullivan@gmail.com
FREE Family Food Market - Wednesday, January 25th at 11:00am- 12:30pm
Special Education Support Group - Friday, February 1st at 6pm
Join us on Wednesday, February 1, 6-7 PM in the Bucknell Library (or join us virtually) to hear speaker Ericka Deem share about the FCPS Parent Resource Center. This is also a great time to get to know other special education families. Light refreshments will be served. Spanish Translation will be provided.
COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan Meetings for Families of Students with Disabilities
- Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to implementing a plan for COVID-19 compensatory education as part of its obligation to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. Please join us at an informational meeting for parents/guardians and other stakeholders:
Visit our website to see what language interpretation services will be available at each meeting and to learn more about the COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan.
Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Registration
Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 23. Current pre-k students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2023-24 school year.
Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Visit the DLI registration page for more information on where the programs are offered.
Parents who are interested in the DLI programs in FCPS are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at their school site. Meetings will begin on January 11. Details regarding access to virtual meetings will be available on the Dual Language Immersion registration page by the meeting date.
Get more information on DLI programs and registration.
Tutor.com for Test Prep
 Did you know Tutor.com can help with more than just homework? This free, on-demand tutoring service also offers a comprehensive range of resources that include exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests.
Students can take practice quizzes at any time, and if they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor through voice or chat options for help. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com website.
Resources for Families of Students with Disablities
SEPTA, the Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association, was created to empower and connect families, students, and educators to ensure students with disabilities develop their full potential as individuals and community members. Learn more or become a member on the SEPTA website.
The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is a state mandated Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Parents/guardians, students, teachers, administrators, staff, and others interested in special education at FCPS are welcome and encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, and/or public comment related to the unmet needs of students with disabilities.
FCPS’ Office of Special Education Procedural Support provides guidance to staff, families, and students in areas related to the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
Families of students in special education programs can find more resources in the Special Education Handbook for Parents. (Translations are available from the Parent Resource Center (PRC).)
The PRC offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Their YouTube channel includes videos of workshops and webinars for families and educators to support student success. Sign up for their newsletter to receive information on upcoming webinars and other resources. Please contact the PRC with any questions at prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-2941.
Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to parents/caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Staff in the Office of the Ombuds believe that by being transparent and connecting families with available supports and services, children with special needs can equitably access public education.
Contact the ombuds by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Why Do We Need a Strategic Plan?
 The Strategic Planning process is well underway, with the Community Forums beginning in less than three weeks. But why do we need a new strategic plan?
Similar to a roadmap, a strategic plan clearly defines the best route for us to take in the years ahead to reach our goals. Our students are preparing for careers that don’t exist today. In order to keep pace with these needs, we need to rethink our plans for the future—and how we will best serve our students for this new era.
National Mentoring Month
 Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are.Learn more about Mentoring Month.
Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.
All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.
FCPS’ MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Please contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at mmacdonald@fcps.edu.
FCPS Cares - Recognize Bucknell Employees!
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Bucknell Elementary School. We love our staff members; let's tell them how we feel!
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January 16: MLK Day - Student Holiday, No School
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January 18: PTA/Principal's Breakfast at 9am in the Library
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January 25: FREE Family Market 11:00am - 12:30pm
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January 25: Two Hour Early Release
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January 26: Staff Development Day - Student Holiday, No School
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January 27: Teacher Work Day - Student Holiday, No School
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February 1: Special Education Support Group Meeting
- See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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