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The Bush Hill PTA would like to invite you to join us for our annual ice cream social Friday, 9/8 from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Bush Hill cafeteria. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
We are very excited to kick off the 23-24 school year with this fun event! Funds raised will help provide new books in classrooms, offset costs of field trips and help with school-wide improvements.
Ice cream is $3.00 per bowl and Italian Ice is $2.00 per cup.
Cash, credit card, and pre-payment via Givebacks (formerly MemberHub) are all accepted. https://app.memberhub.gives/8fe346/Campaign/Details
Please note this is not a drop-off event and that direct parental supervision is required throughout the evening. For the safety of all, students without direct parental supervision will not be permitted to participate. Former Bush Hill students are only welcome to attend if they are siblings of a current Bush Hill student and they are directly supervised by a parent.
We need lots of volunteers to help make this event a success! Please consider signing up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA4AD2DA0FCC07-icecream1#/
We hope to see you all on Friday!
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) commits to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning (SEL). The School Board has approved a screener to review students’ skills and experiences in these areas. FCPS staff will use the screener to identify strengths and needs for students in grades 3-12. The screener provides information regarding students’ experiences and how staff can support their needs.
SEL skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The screener will review these skills, as well as students’ relationships, feelings of belonging, feelings about their school environment, and mood. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success. All students in grades 3-12 will participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring. Students reflect and report on their own skills and experiences. Screener data will only be accessible to teachers, administrators, and staff with legitimate educational interests. Results will be maintained in secure files and databases accessible only to these individuals. Screener results will be used with other data to inform practices for SEL skill development and mental wellness. Screener data will also help staff plan interventions for students with identified needs. Parents and guardians will receive an individualized report regarding their student’s screener results following each assessment window in SIS ParentVUE. School staff will be available to discuss results with families on planned support.
Schools will set specific dates for testing in each class. If you do not want your student to take part in the SEL screener, please complete the opt-out via your SIS ParentVUE account.
More information, including a short video about the SEL screener in FCPS and the screener questions, can be found on the SEL Screener webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43892). Please contact your student's school counselor or the school's test coordinator with questions.
September 11 National Day of Service
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With the upcoming 22nd anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.
Get started this fall with two great opportunities: Public Lands Day (September 23) and Volunteer Fairfax’s VolunteerFest (October 21). Information on service projects can be found on the Volunteer Fairfax website.
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Attending school on-time and regularly helps students feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important.
Chronic Absentees in Kindergarten had the lowest academic performance in first grade
Chronic absenteeism in kindergarten is associated with lower achievement in reading, math and general knowledge at the end of first grade. On average, test scores for children missing 18 or more days during the school year were 5% lower than the test scores of children who missed 6 or fewer days during the school year.
How to Encourage School Attendance in Elementary School
Parents have a huge influence on students when it comes to attendance. Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help students do well in high school, college, and at work.
During the school year:
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Maintain regular bed time and morning routines to help your child develop a habit of on-time attendance.
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Talk to your child about why going to school everyday is important unless they are sick.
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Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick.
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If your child seems reluctant to go to school, find out why and talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him feel comfortable and excited about learning. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
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When possible, avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
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Reach out to your child’s teacher or school counselor if you are experiencing tough times such as unstable housing, transportation or health problems.
Registration opens one month before each webinar. Sign up for our New You Choose newsletter to get an email when registration opens. Registrants will be provided a link by email on the morning of the webinar. Please register below to request an interpreter in a preferred language.
September
New School Year, New Strategies: How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year
Students' grades are typically lowest in the first quarter of the year because many find it hard to start the new year with confidence. It's crucial to help your child start back strong because it could set the tone for their best year yet! Join Author and Educator Ann Dolin, M.Ed,. to uncover strategies to instill greater confidence in your child at the start of the school year.
Webinar Highlights:
- How to increase your child's likelihood of earning good grades in the first quarter and beyond
- Strategies to establish a motivated, positive outlook towards school (for the whole family!)
- Proven techniques to effectively set up (and keep up with!) your family's weekday routines and busy schedules
Friday, September 8, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m. Share this event with others
Register online for New School Year, New Strategies: How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year
Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud
Are you working harder than your children to solve their problems? Do you need strategies to help children make their own decisions? Join Dr. William Stixrud while he discusses his book, The Self-Driven Child.
Webinar highlights include:
- Learning how to support the development of resilience in your child
- Understanding the elements of a healthy mental life
- Supporting your child's decision-making skills
- Learn how to help your child deal with stressful situations
- Learning how to make your child feel loved, trusted, supported, and capable
Friday, September 15, 2023, 10 - 11:15 a.m. Share this event with others
Register for Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud
Characteristics and Needs of Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners
Twice-exceptional (2e) learners are students who have the ability to think, reason, and problem-solve at very high levels, and they also have special education needs. 2e Students’ learning and behavior profiles are often complex, with strengths and needs occurring on a continuum.
Join Nonye Oladimeji, FCPS AAP Twice Exceptional Specialist, to learn more about the characteristics of twice-exceptional learners.
Webinar Highlights:
- What does it mean to be twice-exceptional (2e)
- What are the characteristics of twice-exceptional learners
- How to identify and support twice-exceptional students
Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m. Share this event with others.
Register for Characteristics and Needs of Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners
Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions
- Do you have a child who is bossy, and melts down over changes in plans or transitions?
- Acts like a sore loser when playing games?
- Wears the same clothes and eats the same foods?
- Likes to say, "That's not fair!" and won't stop following you until they prove a point?
Calm Parenting podcast founder Kirk Martin explains why all of these behaviors have the same root...and similar solutions.
Friday September 29, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m. Share this event with others.
Register for Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions
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