Bailey's ES News-February 16th, 2024

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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى


BlHM

 

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about Black History month.Click to edit this placeholder text.


Dear Bailey’s ES Families,

This past week, we celebrated Valentine's Day and observed Kindness Week, fostering an atmosphere of love, compassion, and inclusivity among our students. It was heartwarming to see the acts of kindness and friendship displayed throughout our school. Throughout the week, our students have learned about fractions and addition and subtraction while in language arts they have continued to work on writing realistic fiction.

As always, thank you for your continued support of our school. Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of our students. Please remember that school is closed on Monday for President’s Day.  We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday, February 20th.  We hope you enjoy the long weekend!

Satonya Dews, Principal

Jillian Bell, Assistant Principal

Tracey Brown Rice, Assistant Principal

Kyle Jimenez, Assistant Principal


Sharing the Love! 

Valentines

February Lunch Visitation Calendar!

Parents/Caregivers are invited to join their student(s) for lunch at school on an assigned day. This is a great opportunity for parents/caregivers to come in for lunch with their child. 

We encourage parents/caregivers to eat the same lunch as their child either packed or school lunch. We kindly ask that you do not bring fast food/outside lunch or candy. Also, parents please be advised that the bathrooms directly outside of the cafeteria are for student use only. 

On the day of your child’s lunch, please arrive 5 minutes early so you can sign-in at the office and they will direct you to the cafeteria. Additionally, when you leave the school, please remember to check out in the office.  If you choose to buy lunch from the cafeteria, adult pricing is $4.50 and may be paid in cash.  Click here for more information on purchasing lunch.

We ask that you please limit visitors to 1 caregiver, and no strollers please. We also ask that family members do not follow their child's class back to the classroom or outside for recess. 

Please see below for the scheduled lunches by teacher:

February Lunch

🧸 Kindergarten Registration:

It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…

There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

  1. Determine eligibility. 
  2. Identify your local school. 
  3. Gather documents. 
  4. Fill out forms. 
  5. Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.

💻 Try Online Registration

Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process

When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account. Please note that passwords should be more than 12 characters long. If you have an existing account and your password is shorter, please update it when you log in. 


Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget Focused on Educational Excellence and Competitive Compensation 

At the last School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 that focuses on excellence and providing students an equitable education in an inclusive and respectful environment, where access, opportunity, and achievement are available to all. 

The budget also prioritizes competitive compensation to attract and retain a world-class workforce. 

The FY 2025 Proposed Budget totals $3.8 billion, an increase of $301.8 million, or 8.6%, over the FY 2024 Approved Budget. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction. Key highlights include:

  • Supporting students academically by maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students. 
  • Retaining and attracting world-class educators with a 6% market scale adjustment.
  • Strengthening student well-being outside of the classroom with expanded athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
  • Continuing initiatives including expansion of inclusive preschool, adoption of green initiatives, and funding assistant director of student activities positions previously funded with ESSER III.

Special education daily contract extensions, funding for the safety and security screening program, and late buses to support academics and activities at middle schools are several of the priorities to be addressed at the end of FY 2024. 

The School Board is scheduled to adopt the Advertised Budget on Thursday, February 22. Read more about the proposed budget. Keep up with FCPS’ budget development process.


🎤 Our Schools, Our Future:

Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.


Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge 

The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 10:45 a.m., at Hayfield Secondary School. The event features a public tasting of student dishes and demonstrations from two local celebrated chefs. 

The student challenge at the heart of this event is to create healthy, delicious, and culturally diverse school menu items that meet USDA guidelines. Entries will be judged by a panel including celebrity chefs, school food professionals, and local food producers. The public is invited to vote for their favorite dish. 

Chefs Najmieh Batmanglij and Chris Morgan of Joon will offer a demonstration at 11:15 a.m. Public tasting of student dishes will get underway at noon. 

Student-created dishes from this annual event have been featured on school menus throughout the Greater Washington Region. It is free to attend, but registration is required.


SIBSHOPS:

An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! 

The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to:

  • Meet other siblings in a relaxed setting.
  • Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
  • Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
  • Play games and have fun!

March 2, 2024, 9 a.m.- noon at Providence Community Center

Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services

Register for: SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! 


🥁 Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps 

Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. 

Tech Adventure Camp is available for current grade K-5 students to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.


calendar

Save the Date

February 19th President’s Day (school closed)

March 5th - Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday

March 25th- 29th - Spring Break

April1st & 2nd - Teacher Work Day/Student Holiday