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Dear Bush Hill Elementary Community,
As we approach winter break, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared as a school community this school year. From the vibrant classrooms filled with eager learners to the dedicated staff who support them every step of the way, I am filled with immense pride in all we have accomplished together.
This year has brought its share of challenges and triumphs. We faced them head-on, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to learning and growth. Whether it was mastering new concepts, participating in enriching activities, or forging strong bonds of friendship, our students have consistently impressed me with their enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our teachers, staff, and parents for playing such vital roles in shaping this positive learning environment. Your unwavering support, dedication, and collaborative spirit are the driving forces behind our success.
As we prepare for a well-deserved break, I encourage everyone to embrace the spirit of the season. Spend time with loved ones, recharge your batteries, and come back refreshed and ready to tackle the second half of the year with renewed energy and enthusiasm. We will be encouraging our staff to do the same and are asking them to not check emails over the break. Our Main Office will also be closed during the break. Should you need assistance with something that requires FCPS' immediate attention while school is closed, please contact FCPS Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
- Important dates:
- Winter break begins at 4:30 PM on Friday, December 15 and ends on January 1, 2024.
- School resumes on January 2, 2024.
On behalf of the entire school community, I wish you a joyous and restful winter break. May the season be filled with laughter, love, and memories that will last a lifetime.
With warm regards,
Mary E. Duffy, Principal
This Wednesday, December 13th - Rock your work out wear or support your favorite sports team!
Strings concert this evening, Tuesday, December 12th at 6:30 PM
Band and Chorus concert Thursday, December 14th at 6:30 PM
As the year comes to a close, we want to extend warm wishes for a safe, joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year to each and every member of our wonderful school community. Reflecting on the successes we've achieved together in 2023 fills us with pride and gratitude. Together, we have coordinated multiple fundraisers, planned and supported events that helped bring our community together, and supported the enrichment of our students through various programs. Let's carry the spirit of collaboration and determination into the coming year, continuing to inspire and support one another on this journey. Here's to a bright and successful 2024 for the Bush Hill Elementary School community!
SPIRIT WEAR & MORE!
PTA will be selling some new cozy BHES Spirit Wear and refreshments at the Winter Concerts on December 12th and 14th. Come stock up on some new gear and enjoy the wonderful programs!
RESTAURANT NIGHT
Restaurant Night is this Wednesday, December 13th at Hangry Burger! Come eat and support our school!
WINTER ENRICHMENT
We are excited to announce some Winter Enrichment opportunities for our students coming soon! Your Best Chess, will provide 8-weeks of intensive Chess training for our students, beginning January 9th. Kidcreate will be providing after school arts and crafts beginning on January 11th. Full details will be included in this week’s Tuesday Folder. The time to sign up is now!
BINGO NIGHT & SILENT AUCTION
Bingo Night/Silent Auction will be held on Friday March 1, 2024. This event is a huge fundraiser that increases our ability to support our school community. Those interested in assisting or providing auction donations, please email ptabushhillelementary@gmail.com ASAP!
COMMUNITY NIGHT
The PTA will be supporting the BHES Equity Committee planning of Community Night held on March 21, 2024. The PTA members interested in assisting, please email ptabushhillelementary@gmail.com.
CARDS FOR CAUSE FUNDRAISER UPDATE
Congratulations to Ms. Hamilton’s 4th grade class and Mrs. Steventon’s Kindergarten class; these classes tied for the most sales during the Cards for Cause Fundraiser and will be awarded a pizza party sponsored by the PTA!! 🍕
DONATE TODAY!
Check out the GiveBacks store for an easy way to donate to various school projects and events. We appreciate your help and support! https://bushhill.memberhub.com/users/sign_in?&to=%2Fevents%2F6f2e17c8-d8ea-4e57-ac44-8e7315154558%2Fview
Our normal PTA Body meeting for December will be held electronically. We will distribute updates from the PTA board and our subcommittee via GiveBacks on December 21, 2023.
Question, comments, or great ideas? Please don’t hesitate to contact us at ptabushhillelementary@gmail.com | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BushHillES/
    
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their 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.
The week of December 11th, individual student SEL Screener results will be available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.
For more information about the screener please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s school.
There will be no school from Monday, December 18, to Monday, January 1, 2024, for winter break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 2. The Bush Hill Main Office will be CLOSED during the Winter Break.
Does your child need help getting up to speed in high school math, science, or English? Tutor.com offers diagnostic quizzes to help students test their knowledge and find areas where they may need help. Quizzes can be taken anytime, and students can connect immediately to a tutor.
Test prep is also available for students preparing for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
FCPS students have unlimited access, 24/7, to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Students can connect online any time, any place, and in most K-12 subjects for however long they need.
“Girls on the Run is SO MUCH FUN!”
Coach registration is OPEN. Whether you’re returning or new, please visit this link (https://www.gotrnova.org/coach#signup_anchor) to register.
Spring Season starts the week of March 5, 2024. Bush Hill’s team meets twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, for a 1-hour practice after school. There are 20 practices a season. The Celebration 5k weekend is May 18-19, 2024.
Bush Hill’s GOTR needs coaches and volunteers:
- Coach registration opens December 1, 2023.
- Coaches must complete background checks and GOTR training.
- Coaches lead at least one practice lesson a season.
- During practice, volunteers help manage the girls, as well as warm-up, run, and cool down with them.
PLEASE NOTE: You do not have to run to coach or volunteer. Your presence is most important!!
To learn more, please visit the Girls on the Run Northern Virginia website: www.gotrnova.org or email me at jesteiner78@gmail.com.
Thank you so much for your consideration!
Jen Steiner
Once you have committed to our Kiss N Ride line - please DO NOT let your children jump out of the car early. Please continue to the appointment drop off zone for the safety of all. Thank you.
For the current school year, FCPS will be returning to its previous procedure for snow days — there will be no virtual learning days when school is closed due to bad weather.
During snow days, students may still access Tutor.com, complete any supplemental learning opportunities recommended by their teachers, and view educational programming (available virtually and on public access television channels):
Eleven snow days are built into the existing FCPS calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will allow us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.
Food insecurity impacts more than 60,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Find out how to receive or offer support on the Fairfax County website, or view their Human Services Resource Guide for assistance with food, clothing, housing, and other services.
Northern Virginia Family Service 10455 White Granite Drive, Suite 100, Oakton, Virginia 22124. Telephone number is (571)748-2500 Both Thanksgiving and Christmas programs are administered by the charity / non-profit organization. They are involved in collecting food, toys, clothing, vouchers and more from the region. Those items are then passed out to qualified low-income families, with a focus on children and the elderly. The toys are free to those that qualify.
Britepaths (formerly Our Daily Bread) Location is 3959 Pender Dr #200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Main phone number is (703)537-0643 A referral is needed in order to get assistance to their holiday programs. The Fairfax County Public School or the government can provide this if needed. The Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas programs they administer are a last resort. Applicants can’t be participating in any other services from another local church or charity. More information on Britepaths programs.
Annandale Christian Community For Action, or ACCA Inc. Main address is 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003. Call the non-profit at (703)222-0880 for information Free gift baskets, food, Turkeys, and meals are offered at both Thanksgiving and Christmas time. There may be free books, clothes, Christmas stocking stuffers, matchbox or hot wheels cars, sporting goods and other presents for kids at Christmas.
Angel Tree and Adopt a Family from Salvation Army Fairfax Corps Businesses and others from the community donate toys, clothing, games, shoes and other items. There are multiple Salvation Army centers in northern VA, as noted below. The goods are then provided for free to those that are less fortunate. The national non-profit matches low-income children, infants, and families with donors to assist them in receiving free holiday assistance, such as toys clothing, gift certificates, and food vouchers. They operate Angel Tree and give out free Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas food baskets from a pantry.
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Another Salvation Army center is in Alexandria. The corps office is at 1804 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA 22301. For applications, dial (703)836-2427
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The main holiday services are at the center address is 4915 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. Main phone number is (703)385-8700
- There are other resources too. More on assistance from Fairfax County VA Salvation Army.
Ecumenical Community Helping Others-ECHO Main location is 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22150. Call the agency at (703)569-9160 This organization, supported by local faith congregations, distributes new games, clothing, toys and other goods at Christmas for client families with young children. ECHO, on its own or through local individuals or congregations, provides the groceries for families to make a festive holiday meal at Thanksgiving or Christmas. ECHO serves a specific geographic area but does not discriminate on any basis except for residency within the service area.
Toys for Tots Fairfax County There are several places to donate, or to apply to pick up, free Christmas toys. They will be unwrapped. Games, books, electronics, Legos, sporting goods, clothes, tablets, and other presents are offered. This is a US Marine Corp assistance programs that helps the low income, immigrants, and military families/veterans among others. To learn more, or apply, try this. https://quantico-va.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx?nPageID=100&nPreviewInd=200&nRedirectInd=3.
Toys for Tots Locations:
The Koinonia Foundation 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22310. Telephone: (703)971-1991 The non-profit organization may have free Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas gifts, meals, small gifts and food.
United Community Ministries
7511 Fordson Rd.
Alexandra, Virginia, 22306
Call (703) 768-7106
The Living Word, Inc.
7406 Alban Station Ct.
Springfield, Virginia, 22153
Call 703-866-4140
Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Dia - Alexandria Spanish Seventh Day Adventist
2812 Franklin Street
Alexandria, Virginia, 22306
Dial 703-314-9188 or (571) 305-2085
Casa de Alabanza
7406 Alban Station Ct.
Springfield, Virginia, 22153
Main number is 571-502-0006 or (703) 866-4140
DONOR OPPORTUNITIES
Salvation Army
1804 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA 22301. For applications, dial (703)836-2427
Fairfax County Adopt a Family
dfsadoptafamily@fairfaxcounty.gov
Send an email and include your name, organization/company name, email, phone number and mailing address. Indicate the number of children you would like to support in your adopt-a-family (plan to purchase about four to five gifts per child in addition to winter clothing). You can also buy something for parent(s)/caregiver(s) (a gift card to a big box store is recommended).
Ecumenical Community Helping Others-ECHO Main location is 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22150. Call the agency at (703)569-9160.
The Koinonia Foundation 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22310. Telephone: (703)971-1991
***You can contact individual resources listed above and inquire to their ability to accept donations.
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