Hello, Scottie families!
We are looking forward to a great week next week. On Thursday, November 9, from 6-7:30 PM we will hold our BBES Math and Literacy Night! Wear your favorite team jersey, BBES shirt, or blue shirt to the event. See below for more details!
As you might have seen in Superintendent Reid's Weekly Reflections email this past Sunday, Bonnie Brae is proud to share that we have obtained our first Purple Star School designation! Purple Star Schools allow families to rely on an awareness and appreciation of military culture, and to be dedicated to supporting the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected students face as they serve with their families.
Our Purple Star School designation is timely, as on Friday, November 10 from 8:40-9:40 AM we will host a Veteran's Day breakfast and classroom Read Aloud opportunity for Bonnie Brae families who have served or currently serve in the military. Please complete this form if you are able to attend the breakfast or participate in our Read Aloud. We are also looking for breakfast donations from the Bonnie Brae community. Please consider signing up if you are able to support our breakfast celebration for Scottie veteran families!
Finally, a reminder that there is no school on Monday, November 6 (School Planning Day) and Tuesday, November 7 (Teacher Workday). Have a great weekend!
Morgan Birge, Principal
Natalie Vershaw, Assistant Principal
Melissa Johnson, Assistant Principal
Family. Relationships. Success.
Next Week's Events
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November 5 - Daylight Savings Time (Fall Back)
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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 9 - Math and Literacy Night, 6 pm-7:30 pm
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November 10 - Veteran's Day Breakfast, 8:40 am-9:40 am
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November 10- Chuck E. Cheese Spirit Night, 3 pm-9 pm
Positivity Project
Upcoming Weekly Focus: Self-Control
Character Strengths:You have the ability to control your emotions
and behaviors. You think before you act.
Quote of the Week: “You have power over your mind – not outside events.
Realize this, and you will find strength.”
-MARCUS AURELIUS
A few amazing highlights that happened this week...
Daylight Savings Time (Fall Back)
This Sunday, November 5, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!
Election Day Is Next Week. Vote!
The 2023 School Bond Referendum will be on the ballot Tuesday, November 7. Remember to vote!
November 7 will also be a teacher workday and a holiday for students. For more information on voting, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.
Fall Pictures and Picture Make-Up Day
Fall picture orders and proofs were delivered this week. If a family did not order a package ahead of time, the proof sheet includes directions for ordering.
Our picture make-up day is Thursday, November 9th. For more details, please visit our Make-Up Picture Day webpage.
Students wanting a retake should bring their original order or proof to the photographer on November 9th.
If a student is new to Bonnie Brae or was absent on our September picture day, they should also plan on having their picture taken on November 9th.
We will send order forms home to families of students who were absent or new to Bonnie Brae. The order forms should be brought to the photographer on Picture Day.
Math and Literacy Night - November 9
On November 9, BBES will be hosting a Math and Literacy Night for families and students. Please come and participate in fun math and literacy games and activities that students can also do at home!
¡Hola comunidad de Bonnie Brae! El 9 de noviembre, BBES organizará una Noche de Matemáticas y Alfabetización para familias y estudiantes. Venga y participé en divertidos juegos y actividades de matemáticas y alfabetización que los estudiantes también pueden hacer en casa!
Veterans Day Breakfast & Classroom Visits
Bonnie Brae is excited to be able to host the Veteran's Day Breakfast and Read Aloud event on Friday, November 10th beginning at 8:30 am in the cafeteria for Bonnie Brae families and staff who currently serve or have served in the armed forces. We extend a warm invitation to our honored veterans to start their day with a delicious meal, followed by a special opportunity to read a book and share their stories with our students. It's a chance for our students to learn, connect, and express their gratitude. If you can submit a photo, join us for breakfast, or visit a classroom, please complete this google form. We will use photos submitted from the community to create a slideshow both for the event and for our Bonnie Brae Bark News Show to share with students.
Donations/Volunteers Needed for Veterans Day Breakfast
To make this event truly special, we kindly request breakfast donations from our generous community. Let's come together to celebrate our heroes and the values they embody. Please consider signing up by Tuesday, November 7th to help make this event a success. Thank you!
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
Please be sure to log into ParentVue to complete the Impact Aid form by November 17, 2023. Once logged in, please select the “Online Packets” tab at the top, then select “Federal Impact Aid Survey” from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, parents may complete and return the paper copy of the form that was sent home in Tuesday Folders this week.
For questions regarding the Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid, please call 703-329-7750 or email ImpactAid@fcps.edu or visit https://www.fcps.edu/impact. Additional information about Impact Aid programs and grants is available on the U.S. Department of Education's website at DoED Impact Aid Programs. Have questions or need a ParentVue account? Contact Jenny Martinez, Student Information Assistant/Registrar by email: jrmartinez@fcps.edu.
Have a ParentVue account, but need assistance? Complete this Help Request Form: https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/parent/.
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Purple Star Designation Award for Bonnie Brae
We are excited to announce that the Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children voted on October 26, 2023, to approve Bonnie Brae Elementary as a recipient of the SY 2023-2024 Purple Star Award. Visit our Purple Star page to learn more about Purple Star Schools and how we support our military-connected families.
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Book Fair Update
Huge thank you to everyone who helped make our annual Book Fair a success!
Outstanding Employee Awards
Each fall, Fairfax County Public Schools acknowledge Outstanding Employees. The recognition of outstanding employees begins at individual schools and then employees may be further recognized in their region and in the entire county. Nominations are now open for the Bonnie Brae community to recognize outstanding Scottie Staff.
We are accepting nominations for Bonnie Brae Elementary Staff Members for the 2023 – 2024 school year. Please review the attached flyer for categories and next steps. Included on the flyer is a link to a form for families to complete.
This form will help us to collect nominations for:
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding New Principal
- Outstanding Leader
- Outstanding Professional Employee
- Outstanding Operational Employee
Please consider nominating an outstanding staff member, so that they may be recognized for their day-to-day efforts in supporting our students, staff, and FCPS initiatives.
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 10, 2023.
Save the Date! Bonnie Brae Construction Community Meeting- December 6
Bonnie Brae Elementary School will soon be under construction as work begins on a renovation that will provide modern amenities and add approximately 40,000 square feet to the building. A community meeting will be held with FCPS Design and Construction on December 6, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria to learn more about what to expect as we enter this new phase of the project.
Learn more about the Bonnie Brae Elementary School renovation.
Successfully Completing Algebra 1 by Eighth Grade
Helping students to complete Algebra 1 by eighth grade is part of our Strategic Plan (Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence). Algebra Access Network Improvement Community (AANIC) is working to increase the diverse representation of students who take advanced math classes and succeed in them. This video shares more about the AANIC cohorts at Kilmer and Key middle schools and lets students explain why Algebra matters to them.
Passing Algebra 1 earlier allows for students to take more advanced classes like Dual Enrollment courses, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. These advanced courses help students succeed in college. A recent study from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) found that completing Algebra 1 by grade eight led to 30% more ninth graders and 16% more 11th graders taking advanced courses.
Provide Input on FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
Please join FCPS’ Chief Equity Office for a virtual meeting regarding the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation. The event will be held on Thursday, November 9, from 6-7:30 p.m. You may register at this link.
Your feedback will help ensure that FCPS policies align with the school division’s mission and values. It will also help identify any specific considerations that need to be addressed for the 2024-25 school year.
Language interpretation will be available in Spanish, Korean, and Arabic. A Certified Deaf Interpreter will be available as well. Get information on the SR&R.
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.
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.
Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for the 2024-2025 school year. A review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers met in August to review the state-approved Cycle I materials. The committee will re-convene in January to review the state-approved Cycle II instructional materials under consideration. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources. Please share the information included in this communication with school staff and community by November 13, 2023.
Elementary English Language Arts basal instructional resources may be accessed in person and online from November 15, 2023, until noon on December 15, 2023. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review website. Those reviewing instructional materials may complete an electronic comment sheet that will be available on the website during the review period.
Hard copies of instructional materials will be available for review at:
Pimmit Hills Center, Room 207 7510 Lisle Avenue Falls Church, VA 22043
Materials may be reviewed at Pimmit Hills Center Monday - Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visitors should enter through door #4 and check in at the main office or with the building coordinator on duty.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and with School Board members before the vote at the School Board regular meeting.
Community Table
All are welcome at the free Community Table Dinner on November 14 at Burke Presbyterian Church. Please see the Community Table flyer for more information.
Chuck E. Cheese FUNdraiser COMING SOON!
Mark your calendar for our next FUNdraiser at Chuck E. Cheese! All Scotties are welcome to come and play, and 20% of sales will come back to the BBES PTO!
When: Friday, Nov. 10th from 3-9 pm
Where: Chuck E. Cheese, Fairfax location
Present the Chuck E. Cheese coupon sheet and mention Bonnie Brae for food or game pass purchases. Hard copies of coupon sheets went home in Tuesday folders on 10/31.
Game Night at iCode - PTO FUNdraiser
Sign up today!!! Send the kiddos for a fun night of gaming while parents take the night off!
Who: K-6 grade students
Where: iCode in Burke - 6045 Burke Centre Pkwy, Suite 202
When: Saturday, Nov 18th 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 on link and scroll ALL THE WAY TO BOTTOM for the Bonnie Brae Game Night option.
http://www.icodeschool.com/burke/events/
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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November 15 - PTO Meeting (In-Person), 6 pm-7 pm
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November 18 - Game Night at iCode, 6 pm-9 pm
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November 22-24 - Thanksgiving Holiday (no school)
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December 1 - Parent Coffee, 8:40 am-9:15 am
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December 4-8 - PTO Chick Fil A Spirit Days
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December 6 - Bonnie Brae Construction Meeting, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Stay up to date on all things BBES! Subscribe to our School Calendar.
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