Hello, Scottie families!
As we head into the final three weeks of the first grading period, we are looking forward to some fun events coming up. We have our first PTO assemblies of the year on Monday (Extreme Science!), our Book Fair kicks off on Wednesday, October 18, and the PTO Fall Festival is Friday, October 20! Lots of exciting opportunities in the coming days!
We also are looking forward to our October SCA Spirit Day, Costume Day, on Friday, October 27. See below for details on school-appropriate costume ideas. As always, we encourage all to participate in Spirit Day through the specific SCA selected themes, or by wearing Bonnie Brae colors of blue and white.
Enjoy the weekend, and the time spent with family and friends!
Morgan Birge, Principal
Natalie Vershaw, Assistant Principal
Melissa Johnson, Assistant Principal
Family. Relationships. Success.
Next Week's Events
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October 16 - Extreme Science Assembly
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October 16-20 - Digital Citizenship Week
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October 18-30 - Bonnie Brae Book Fair
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October 18 - PTO Meeting (virtual)
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October 20 - PTO Fall Festival, 6 pm-8 pm
Positivity Project
Upcoming Weekly Focus: Integrity
Character Strengths: You are honest and speak the truth. You
present yourself genuinely and sincerely.
Quote of the Week: “To believe in something and not live it, is dishonest.”
--MAHATMA GANDHI
A few amazing highlights that happened this week...
Fall Picture Make-Up Day
Picture make-up day is Thursday, November 9th. More information will be coming home over the next few weeks.
SCA Spirit Day - Costume Day
We are excited that once again this year our SCA spirit day on October 27 will be…Costume Day! As students begin to prepare for Costume Day, please keep the following guidelines in mind.
Costumes must:
- Be appropriate for school.
- Be respectful to all cultures.
- Refrain from themes of violence.
- Not have any weapons.
- Have faces visible (health related face coverings are acceptable).
- Allow for full participation in the day.
- Not be bulky so that it would interfere with learning (self or others).
Digital Citizenship Week-October 16-20
October 16-20 is Digital Citizenship Week. This year's Digital Citizenship Week focuses on supporting student's mental and physical health in relation to technology use.
AAP News
We enjoyed seeing many of you at our AAP Family Information Meeting last week. Presentation slides and a ZOOM recording of the meeting can be found on our Bonnie Brae AAP Website under ‘Family Newsletters and Presentations’. Please click here to access our website and learn more about the Advanced Academics Program at Bonnie Brae!
AAP Referrals
School Based (Level II/III) Referrals for students in Grades K-6 can be submitted at any time.
Full Time Service (Level IV) Referrals for students in Grades 2-6 are due by FCPS screening window deadlines.
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Fall Window: October 15-This window is only for students new to FCPS as of January 2023.
- Spring Window: December 15
Referral Forms are located here. Please submit all referrals and AAP related questions to our AART, Larissa Sheehan (ltsheehan@fcps.edu).
Ability Testing Windows
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CogAT, Grades 2-7: October 2023
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Fall Naglieri (NNAT3), Grades 2-7: November 2023 (Retest requests are due by October 15)
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Spring NNAT3, Grades 2-7: March 2024 Grade 1: April 2024
Please reach out to our testing coordinator, Mrs. Vershaw (nvershaw@fcps.edu), with any Naglieri retest requests and/or testing related questions.
Lexia Parent Night: Learn About Literacy Support
FCPS funds the use of Lexia for all elementary and middle schools to use as part of their literacy instruction. Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. At the same time, it provides teachers with the data to identify students who need further support, and understand which specific concepts and skills to focus on.
Parents and caregivers are invited to learn more about Lexia at information nights. Learn how FCPS is integrating Lexia into the classroom and supporting student growth in reading. Parents will also be offered tips for supporting their students at home.
Information nights will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on:
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Wednesday, October 18, at Thoreau Middle School Cafeteria.
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Thursday, October 19, at Edison High School Auditorium.
Register to attend or submit a question in advance.
Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of 3rd grade.
Dyslexia Open House
In celebration of October as Dyslexia Awareness Month, FCPS will host a Dyslexia Open House on October 26th from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Registration is open now and will be open through October 26th. Register for the training using this link.
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Offered in October
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.
The screener is offered to all students in grades 3-12 in October and again in February or March. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions.
The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful. Key updates to the screener this year include:
- Different versions for students in grades 3-5 and 6-12.
- Fewer topics with more questions to provide schools and families with more data to support planning.
- Additional questions aligned with FCPS’ commitment to educational equity.
SEL Screener results are sent to families via postal mail. Families who wish to opt their child out should complete the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or in SIS ParentVUE.
For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact your child’s school.
Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey.
National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition.
Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”
For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student.
Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to specify the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn more about the definitions of the security terms: lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
New School Lunch Options
FCPS' Food and Nutrition Services team will be rolling out improvements to the menu that better reflect the diversity of our student body and focus on fresh, healthy food. Learn about FCPS’ new menu options.
Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Kick Off
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future: A Community Conversation. Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to:
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help us plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability.
Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. Your voice matters!
Upcoming Solar Eclipses and How to View Them Safely
There will be an annular eclipse on Saturday, October 14. Virginia is not in the direct path of the moon’s shadow, so we will only be able to see a partial eclipse in this region. FCPS has gathered resources for students and families to learn more about the eclipse, and how to view it safely.
Save the date for a more dramatic event! On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total eclipse will be viewable from North America.
How School Building Projects are Selected
Each year, the Fairfax County School Board and FCPS staff members work with the community to develop an updated five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for school building and renovation projects. To develop the CIP, the school system assesses changes in expected enrollments, academic programs, and facility conditions to determine priorities for new construction, renovations, and other capital facility projects. The School Board then evaluates the affordability of these school needs against other countywide requirements to determine the bond proposal.
The School Board is committed to protecting the community’s investment in schools and other buildings, which have a combined present value approaching $6.5 billion. Not only do these facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated, both technologically and instructionally. FCPS renovates its schools to ensure that students countywide have effective and efficient learning environments.
The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. Learn more about registering to vote.
Fall Festival is Coming!
Join your fellow Scotties in your favorite costume! All are welcome to celebrate fall and peruse the Book Fair together!
When: Friday, October 20th from 6-8PM
Where: BBES
What: Fall themed activities and Book Fair!
Help us make this a magical event and click here to volunteer! Former Scotties are welcome to help and gain Service Hours too!
Bonnie Brae Game Night at iCode PTO Fundraiser
Send the kiddos to a fun game night while parents take the night off!
Who: K-6 grade students
Where: iCode in Burke
When: Saturday, October 21st from 6-9PM
Cost: $30 per participant, pizza and drinks included!
Includes 3 hours of supervised gaming by background-checked staff at iCode with other Scotties!
Registration: Click here and scroll ALL THE WAY TO BOTTOM for the Bonnie Brae Game Night option.
SPACE IS LIMITED! Register early and secure your spot!
Calling all Event Planners!!!
Are you great at event planning, a leader, AND looking for a way to support our students? The PTO is looking for an Events Lead and needs YOU!!! Make new friends, get involved, and make the magic happen for our kiddos! Events include: BINGO Night, Spring Carnival, VIP Dance, and many more!
Contact president@bonniebraepto.org for more details.
PTO Volunteer Opportunities are OPEN!
Join in the fun, make an impact, and get involved! Volunteering is one of the best ways to get connected with other amazing Scottie families. Your help makes a huge difference in the lives of our students, so sign up today to help make the magic happen! Bonnie Brae PTO LOVES our amazing volunteers!
https://forms.gle/GzbP6WzrWu5hsYtV6
View the 2023-2024 FCPS School Calendar
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October 26 - Parent Coffee, 8:40 am-9:15 am
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October 27 - SCA Spirit Day: Costume Day
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November 3 - End of First Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release
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November 6 - Student Holiday
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November 7 - Student Holiday and Election Day
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November 9 - Fall Picture Make-Up Day
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November 10 - Chuck E. Cheese Spirit Night, 3 pm-9 pm
Stay up to date on all things BBES! Subscribe to our School Calendar.
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