Hello, Scottie families!
What a great week it has been! We enjoyed the amazing talents of our students on display during our band and chorus concerts Monday and Wednesday! The cafeteria and gym were packed, and we are grateful to all who were able to attend these wonderful concerts! Special thanks to our band directors, Mr. Gurian and Ms. Andray, and our choral directors, Ms. Oedemann and Ms. Warr for their dedication to the musical talents of our students!
SCA Spirit Day - Pajama Day, was also a huge hit today! It was awesome seeing so many of our staff and students in their PJ's or Bonnie Brae colors of blue and white.
Thank you to all who helped make our December Days of Cheer so special for our staff. It has been a fun month at Bonnie Brae, and your donations have been greatly appreciated! As a part of our Days of Cheer, we are grateful for the PTO's support, as we partnered in the purchasing of some awesome spirit wear for the staff!
Don't forget to click on the link here (and in the PTO section below) to consider donating to the PTO's direct donation drive. We greatly appreciate your support!
As we head into break, we hope you all have an opportunity to relax and spend some quality time with family and friends these next two weeks. A reminder that the office will be closed over break, and will re-open when school resumes on January 2, 2024.
Happy winter break, Scotties!
Morgan Birge, Principal
Natalie Vershaw, Assistant Principal
Melissa Johnson, Assistant Principal
Family. Relationships. Success.
Next Week's Events
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December 18-January 1 - Winter Break (no school)
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January 2 - Students Return to School
Positivity Project
Upcoming Weekly Focus: Optimism
Character Strengths: You expect the best from the future and work
to achieve it.
Quote of the Week: “Hope is important because it can make the present
moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear any hardship today.”
-THICH NHAT HANH
A few amazing highlights that happened this week...
Beautiful sounds were enjoyed at the Band and Chorus Winter Concert.
Ms. Warr sang and played guitar as students entered the building.
Students were busy creating in Ms. Connelly's class!
Bonnie Brae Outstanding Employees
We are excited to announce the 2023-2024 Bonnie Brae Outstanding Employees!
Brenna McGuire, 1st Grade Teacher - Outstanding New Teacher
Lindsay Sloane, 2nd Grade Teacher - Outstanding Teacher
Nadya Osterling, Special Education Dept. Chair - Outstanding Professional Employee
Kay Shallal, Instructional Assistant - Outstanding Operational Employee
Congratulations to everyone and thank you to all who participated in the nomination process.
Winter Break (Student Holiday)
As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 18, to Monday, January 1. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. See the complete school year calendar.
Bonnie Brae Office Closed Over Winter Break
The Bonnie Brae office will be closed over winter break, December 18-January 1. The office will reopen when students return on Tuesday, January 2.
School Construction Community Meeting - Update
The Bonnie Brae Elementary School Construction Community Meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the school’s cafeteria (enter door #1). Language interpretation will be provided.
The meeting is being rescheduled because of an administrative delay. The contract is on the Fairfax County School Board agenda December 14. This should not have a significant impact on the construction timeline. Project completion is still projected to be Winter 2025.
The January 16 community meeting is an opportunity to learn what to expect as construction begins on the school renovation. Questions and comments can be shared at the meeting and in an online feedback form that will be open January 16-January 30.
Click here to learn more about the January 16th Bonnie Brae Community Meeting. Updates and information about the renovation will be posted to the Bonnie Brae Elementary School project webpage.
Librarian Inspires Happiness Across the School
Our very own librarian, Lora Lewis, is celebrated for inspiring happiness across Bonnie Brae through her incredible art work. Check out her story and art work on our website!
Student and Family Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit our winter resources webpage for links to academic support; mental health support; and food, clothing, housing, and other county resources.
School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue!
FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.
Promoting Mental Wellness During Winter Break
Although mental health indicators have improved over the past year, Fairfax County Youth Survey (FCYS) data suggest that more than 25% of students in 8th to 12th grade feel sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or more in a row. The holidays can be a time to reduce stress, but they can also contribute to it. Here are some tips for making winter break a positive time for the young people in your life.
SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE Down Time
ParentVUE and StudentVUE will experience downtime from Friday, December 15, at 5 p.m. through Wednesday, December 20, at 6 a.m.
Grade Book progress reports will not be emailed to parents/guardians during winter break. Emails will resume on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Free COVID-19 Rapid Tests
Residential households are eligible to receive free at-home COVID-19 test kits. If an order has not been placed for your address since the program reopened on September 25, you may place two orders now.
Virtual Math Week: Save the Date
Get ready for Virtual Math Week from Monday, January 8, through Friday, January 12. Save the date for a week filled with stories, games, and math activities, in English and Spanish, for families with students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
This is a free experience designed to make math fun for the whole family. Learn more about FCPS Math Week.
Snow Days This Winter
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.
Support Our Scotties! Direct Donation Drive
Looking for a way to contribute during this season of giving? The Bonnie Brae PTO’s Direct Donation Drive is underway now through mid-December. Consider making a tax deductible donation where 100% of the proceeds will stay with our school community!
Your generous contributions will support new initiatives in Scottland Yard during our school renovations, classroom stools, air purifiers, and more as well as ongoing support for our Scotties and staff.
Donate today at www.bonniebraepto.org/direct-donation-drive. Thank you for your continued support of our Scotties!
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
Stay up to date on all things BBES! Subscribe to our School Calendar.
View the 2023-2024 FCPS School Calendar
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January 9 - Winter PTO After School Programs Begin
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January 10 - Candid and Group Photos
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January 12 - PTO Bingo Night
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January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (no school)
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January 16 - Bonnie Brae Construction Meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm
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January 17 - PTO Meeting (virtual), 6-7 pm
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January 23 - Winter Strings Concert, Oak View ES, 6:30-7:30 pm
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January 25 - BBES Spirit Day, Anything But a Backpack Day!
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January 25 - End of 2nd Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release
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January 26 - Teacher Workday (no school for students)
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