Hello, Scottie families!
We have had a great week, including a fun Wild & Wacky SCA Spirit Day today! A reminder that next week schools are closed Wednesday-Friday for Thanksgiving Break. We hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy the time off with your 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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November 18 - Game Night at iCode, 6 pm-9 pm
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November 22-24 - Thanksgiving Holiday (no school)
Positivity Project
Upcoming Weekly Focus: Gratitude (week 2)
Character Strengths: You are aware of and thankful for good things
that happen.
Quote of the Week: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget
that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
-JOHN F. KENNEDY
A few amazing highlights that happened this week...
Kindergarten students using their creative and critical thinking skills while building..
First and second grade students using their creative and critical thinking skills while creating non-fiction text.
Thanksgiving
Schools and offices will be closed November 22-24. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, November 27. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. See the complete school year calendar.
AAP Updates and Reminders
Full time (level IV) referrals are due to Larissa Sheehan (ltsheehan@fcps.edu) no later than December 15. Additionally, you may submit a Parent/Guardian Questionnaire with your referral, both AAP forms can be found here.
Please visit our Bonnie Brae AAP website to learn more about AAP services provided at Bonnie Brae. A new, pre-recorded AAP Secondary Overview Recording has been added to the AAP Family Newsletters and Presentations section. This presentation provides families with information about gifted services, known in FCPS as “Advanced Academic Programs, or “AAP” in secondary schools. Additional information will be shared at Robinson’s Curriculum Night being held on January 16th at Robinson Secondary School.
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.
Clothing Donations Needed
Bonnie Brae is in need of clothing donations for students in grades K-3. These donations are kept in our health room and are used to support students who might need an emergency change of clothes during the school day. Please consider donating any new underwear, gently worn or new sweats (or leggings), and socks for our primary grade students to the main office! Thank you for your support!
Accessing FCPS Digital Resources At Home
FCPS students can log onto many of our digital resources for learning from their FCPS device, or a personal device. Please visit the FCPS Digital Resources to Support Student Learning at Home webpage for information about available digital resources and links to access them.
Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season
Cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses often rise this time of year. It is important for students to wash their hands regularly and cover their coughs and sneezes. Please monitor your child’s health daily and keep them at home if they are sick. Visit FCPS' Health and Safety Guidance webpage for more tips.
Student Attendance and Engagement
During the Academic Matters segment of the November 9 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed student attendance and engagement. Attendance and absenteeism rates are one measure for Goal 2 of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Chronic absenteeism — which is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school for any reason — is a concern across Virginia school districts. Although FCPS continues to outperform the state average in attendance rates, we are tracking chronic absenteeism closely.
Data shows that:
- Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
- Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
- Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
- By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
Attendance is critical for academic success!
Missing School Over the Holidays
Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, please speak with your child’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work. However, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom.
Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
Special Education Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to assist families of students with special needs.
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.
Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
FCPS will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for the 2024-25 school year. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources.
You may access the resources in person and online from Wednesday, November 15, until Friday, December 15, at noon. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review webpage. Those reviewing instructional materials may complete an electronic comment sheet that will be available on the webpage during the review period.
Visit FCPS' website for instructions on how to view hard copies of the instructional materials at Pimmit Hills Center. The Elementary Language Arts team will be there to answer questions Friday, December 1, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and School Board.
Cultural Committee Launch
The PTO is proud to announce the launch of a new Cultural Committee and we need volunteers to help make this a success! Want to be part of helping shape the mission and activities for this committee? Fill out our Cultural Committee Google Form by Nov. 26th and we can get started building this great new addition to our community!
After School Clubs - Winter Session - COMING SOON!
Bonnie Brae and the PTO are happy to bring back After School Clubs for a second winter session! Fliers will be sent out after Thanksgiving break with more information and the PTO website will be updated as more information becomes available.
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!
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
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.
Charleston Wrap Final Orders
Missed ordering during the Charleston Wrap fundraiser? You're in luck! There's still time to order through early December and have orders shipped directly to the customer's house! The prize window is closed, but the PTO will still receive 40% of proceeds for non-personalized items and 30% on personalized items. Visit https://www.registercw.com and use our school’s code: 16200.
View the 2023-2024 FCPS School Calendar
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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 (Cafeteria), 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
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December 13 - Band Concert (Gym), 6 pm
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December 13 - Chorus Concert (Cafeteria), 7 pm
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December 15 - BBES Spirit Day
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December 18-January 1 - Winter Break (no school)
Stay up to date on all things BBES! Subscribe to our School Calendar.
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