A Note From Mrs. Duffy

Dear Bush Hill Families,

It is hard to believe that tomorrow marks the end of the 2023-24 school year! I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support throughout the year. Your partnership in your child's education has been invaluable, and it's been a pleasure to witness the growth and achievements of our students. 

We've had a wonderful year filled with learning, laughter, and exciting school events. Our community has come together throughout the year during many different opportunities. I always enjoy the ice cream social - and a highlight for me was being able to invite families to join us for Thanksgiving lunch once again! We've enjoyed hosting five Global Ambassador Teachers this year and have learned so much from them! We are proud that our students have continued to participate in the Peer Mentor. Special Olympics Unified programs, Girls on the Run, chorus, band, strings, and on! This year, we were thrilled to add the Let Me Run program for our boys, as well as a competitive chess team. Our students have also worked hard to understand the world around them - and have contributed to solutions to improve our environment. Their efforts were just recently recognized as Bush Hill was identified as a Green Flag school! Our students and staff are clearly working hard both inside and outside of the classroom - and this gives me such hope for our future!

Now, it's time for some well-deserved summer fun! I hope that this break allows your family to relax, explore, and spend quality time with loved ones. On behalf of the entire staff at Bush Hill, I wish you and your family a safe, healthy, and truly enjoyable summer. We look forward to welcoming you back for another successful school year in August!

Message from Bush Hill P.E. Department

Field Day 2024 is a wrap! Thank you to all our AWESOME volunteers for coming out to support our BIG day!

We Could not have done it without you! Thank you for your flexibility and showing up on our Rain date.

You all brought as much energy as our students did!

Hope to see you next year!!! Have a safe and fun summer!!!

Ms. Mulcahy & Ms. Nolan

Bush Hill Green Flag Award

EcoSchools U.S. is a program run by the National Wildlife Federation that uses school-based action teams of students, administrators, educators, and community volunteers to drive environmental stewardship and education in schools. Schools can earn points for specific actions taken by the school community focused on environmental needs such as Climate Change, Wildlife and Biodiversity, and Healthy and Resilient Communities. This school year was the first year that Bush Hill worked towards this award recognition and we are excited to announce that together we earned the EcoSchools’ highest award, the Green Flag!   Read more Bush Hill Earns Green Flag Award | Bush Hill Elementary School (fcps.edu)

Yearbook Sale

We have a very limited number of yearbooks that will be sold on Wednesday, June 12th @ 8:50 AM in the office.  $15 cash/check made payable to Bush Hill Elementary School.  No change will be given.

Last Day Of School - 1:55 PM Dismissal

Reminder! 

Bush Hill will dismiss at 1:55 tomorrow, June 12. Our main office will be closing at 2:15 for our end of year staff meeting. We will reopen at 8:00 on Thursday, June 13. 

Eid-al-Adha

Monday, June 17, is a holiday and all schools and offices will be closed. Eid Mubarak to all who observe! Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is the second of two main holidays celebrated in Islam. It focuses on sacrifice, the pilgrimage to Mecca, and giving to those less fortunate. Learn more in this video from PBS Kids.

Juneteenth

Wednesday, June 19, is a holiday and all schools and offices will be closed. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when word of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, effectively marking the end of slavery in the United States. Learn more about Juneteenth.

Summer Office Hours

Bush Hill's Main Office will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. daily this summer. The office will be closed on the following dates: 

• Monday, June 17 - Eid-al-Adha
• Wednesday, June 19 - Juneteenth
• Thursday, July 4 and 5 - Fourth of July

Panther PTA

Open PTA Positions for 2024-2025

Interested in serving on next year's PTA board and being more involved in the school? Open positions for 2024-2025 include: VP of Fundraising, VP of Membership, Secretary and Treasurer. Please email us at ptabushhillelementary@gmail.com

We want to extend my heartfelt thank you for making the 2023-2024 School Year a remarkable success. Your dedication and enthusiasm have enriched our community and positively impacted the lives of our students and their families. From organizing memorable events and fundraisers to supporting our teachers and staff, we have seen our school flourish thanks to your commitment.

As we celebrate the close of a successful year, I encourage more parents, guardians, and community members to join our PTA and help continue the positive momentum we've built. Our PTA thrives on the diverse talents and perspectives that each member brings, and we are always looking for fresh ideas and enthusiastic volunteers to help drive our mission forward.

Consider serving on the PTA board or participating in our various committees. Whether you can contribute a few hours a month or take on a leadership role, your involvement makes a significant difference. Together, we can continue to enhance our children's educational experience and strengthen our school community. Please reach out to us to learn more about how you can get involved.

Thank you for your unwavering support and for making our PTA an impactful force within our school. Your hard work and spirit of collaboration have made this year truly special, and we look forward to seeing you next year.

Have a safe Summer!

Respectfully,

BHES PTA

Summer camps:

Interested in summer camps, several of our enrichment programs also offer camps, see their sites for more info along with the below. 

STEM exCEL - BSTEM 2024 Summer Camp

The STEM exCEL team supported BHES enrichment program this spring. Now the STEM exCEL team would love to serve your family this Summer!  We'd like to offer your family a $100 RETURNING student discount for our 2024 Summer Camps at our STEM exCEL BSTEM Enrichment Center in Fairfax. We currently have a discount for our school's families please use Coupon Code RETURNING at checkout for an additional $100 discount. These discounts are ONLY valid for our 2024 Summer Camps at our Fairfax City BSTEM Enrichment Center at 9914 Main Street. Learn more about our wide variety of summer camps including 3D Printing, Game Design, Style Tech, Cyber Media, Programming and Cypher Coding activities with deep dives into subjects like Electronics, Minecraft and Roblox.  See you this summer!

Your Best Chess summer camp

SUMMER CAMP at LCC in Alexandria, VA!  Register now!  Share the news with friends and check our website for all  info!  Registration Link:  Click HERE (Summer Camp @ LCC 2024)!

Kidcreate Alexandria has summer camps! https://kidcreate.com/alexandria/calenda

We are already planning Enrichment for 2024-2025. What do you want to see next year/in the fall?  Any enrichment feedback please email the PTA!

Band & Strings Recruitment

Registration for the 2024 – 2025 Band and Strings classes are currently going on for all rising 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students! Last week we met with the students and spoke about signing up for classes and what instruments they can play for the upcoming school year. To help us set classes for next year, please return your form or submit online by Friday, June 7^th. Thank you and we look forward to work with your students for the next year!

Medication Pick-Up

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school. Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. 

It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. However, with parent or guardian permission, a high school student may transport over-the-counter medications to and from the school health room. 

If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site  on  the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).

June is Fatherhood Awareness Month 

Fathers matter in their children’s development and well-being from birth through adulthood. Having an involved father increases the likelihood that children will experience positive education, health, self-esteem, and social outcomes. Check out our Fatherhood Awareness Month resources for more information. All dads, their families and professionals are invited to join us for the free Annual NOVA Fathers Matter Cookout, Saturday, June 22, 11:30 a.m.– 2 p.m. at Burke Lake Park. Register online by June 16, 2024.

Carribean American Heritage Month

During June, FCPS celebrates the rich diversity of immigrants of Caribbean heritage and honors the many contributions they have made to our nation. There are more than 8.5 million individuals in the United States who were born in the Caribbean or are of Caribbean ancestry. Learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Dima Calvo - Family Liaison

Hello Bush Hill Families, Ms. Dima will not be available during the summer but below you can find resources to help support you should you need it this summer!

Local & Learning Resources

Community Liaisons: Community Liaisons welcome families to FCPS and provide information and resources about Fairfax County. They are available all year long, including summer. Make parents aware of this resource. To learn more, Community Liaisons | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu)

Parent Information Phone Lines: FCPS language lines are available in eight different languages to assist parents who do not speak English as their first language. Make parents aware of this resource. To learn more, https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/family-engagement/parent-information-phone-lines

Family Information Phone Lines

Amharic (አማርኛ): 571-423-4957 Arabic ( 571-423-4952 :(العربیة

Chinese (中国人): 571-423-4953 Farsi ( ): 571-423-4954

Korean (한국어): 571-423-4951 Spanish (español): 571-423-4950

Urdu ( 571-423-4955 :(اردو Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt): 571-423-4956

Community Liaisons

English - Spanish: 571-499-9969  703-204-4316  703-742-4902

English – Korean: 703-204-4317

English - Arabic: 703-204-4315

Family Resource Center

General Information: 703-204-3941

Amal Elsayed: 703-204-3956

Family Resource Center (FRC): The Family Resource Center is open all summer and will be available to help families with resources and consultations. Direct families to their website

1. Family Resource Center | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu) - or call (703) 204-3941 for more information.
2. SUMMER LEARNING. Continue collecting and distributing to family’s information, Summer Learning at FCPS | Fairfax County Public Schools
3. Summer Online Learning Groups Beginning English Class Online | Clases de Ingles nivel principiente virtuales: www.EnglishEmpowermentCenter.org
4. Fairfax County Public Libraries host One-on-one and group English Conversations: Richard Byrd Library hosts these on Tuesdays from 7PM-8:30PM and Saturdays from 11:00AM-12:00PM. There are also many other locations, you can see the schedule here:  https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/calendar?cid=6524&t=d&d=0000-00-00&cal=6524&ct=31099&inc=0
5. Fairfax County Neighborhood Initiative Programs and Family Resource Centers offer free technology programming for youth and adults, out-of-school-time activities and English as a Second Language Classes. You may call 703-379-5217  for your nearest location or you can look here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/resource-centers
6. Setting the Stage for Summer Success webinar (English):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=D7IrwOcjDCXi3QUI&v=JmmaVxdmpJQ&feature=youtu.be

 Preparando el escenario para el éxito del Verano (Espanol): Preparando el escenario para el éxito del verano (youtube.com)

Drive-thru donation distribution event: Families will receive household goods, school supplies, hygiene items, toys and more.  Presented by Lazera Ministries and The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints. When:  June 22 at 10:00a.m. at Gerry Hyland Government Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309.

Fairfax County Puzzle Hunt: The Puzzle Hunt launches June 15th. It’s free and filled with puzzles for you and your family and friends to solve together. Solve one region’s puzzles or do them all. Each puzzle will lead to a different park in Fairfax County. Solve the puzzles to find which park and go there to find clues for final answers. Walk, bike, and roll safely at our local parks with friends and family! Happy solving! For more information, https://www.solvingfun.com/

The Diabetes Wellness Fair: Your path to health and happiness will take place at the Hybla Valley Community Center, 7950 Audubon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22306.

Summer Camps Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/155NY3NSLxWFCS84PZ1nlDvMrJX8ajXAh/view

Food Resources

SNAP Bonus Bucks at Farmers Markets: The farmers markets have raised the matching dollars for fruits and vegetables to$40 this season. Please let families know they can double these funds up to $40 per week when they shop with their EBT card at selected markets. Customers must have their physical SNAP/EBT card to access the bonus dollars. They swipe their card at the SNAP tent at the market and will receive tokens for the amount they want to take out from their SNAP benefits. The market will match up to $40 with additional free tokens for fruits and vegetables.

Bonos SNAP en los mercados agrícolas: Los mercados de agricultores han aumentado los dólares de contrapartida para frutas y verduras a $40 esta temporada. Por favor, informe a las familias que pueden duplicar estos fondos hasta $ 40 por semana cuando compran con su tarjeta EBT en los mercados seleccionados. Los clientes deben tener su tarjeta física SNAP/EBT para acceder a los dólares de bonificación. Pasan su tarjeta por la carpa SNAP del mercado y reciben fichas por el importe que desean retirar de sus beneficios SNAP. El mercado igualará hasta $40 con fichas gratuitas adicionales para frutas y verduras.

The Food Corner by Sydenstricker United Methodist Church

8508 Hooes RoadSpringfield, VA 22153 | Phone: 703-451-8223

Beginning Tuesday, January 9, 2024, we will be open the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

A partir del Martes 9 de enero de 2024, abriremos el segundo y cuarto martes de cada mes, de 3:30pm a 6:30pm.

Neighborhood Food Distribution by Food for Others, Inc.

7224 Commerce Street, Springfield, VA 22150 | Phone: 703-207-9173

Anyone in need of food may come to one of the neighborhood sites at the times specified - Fridays from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Please bring your own grocery bags.

Cualquier persona que necesite alimentos puede acudir a uno de los centros del barrio en el horario especificado – Viernes de 6:00PM-7:00PM. Por favor traiga sus propias bolsas de comida.

ECHO – Ecumenical Community Helping Others

7205 Old Keene Mill Road Springfield, VA 22150 | Phone: 703-569-9160

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30am to 12:30pm & Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:00pm to 9:00pm

ECHO can help you with emergency food, clothing, housewares, school supplies, and limited financial assistance with rent, utilities, and car repairs.

Lunes, Martes, Miércoles, Jueves, Viernes 9:30am-12:30pm Y Martes, Miércoles, Jueves 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

ECHO puede ayudarle con alimentos de emergencia, ropa, artículos para el hogar, material escolar y asistencia financiera limitada para el alquiler, los servicios públicos y la reparación del automóvil

Family Resource Centers by Second Story

7224 Commerce Street, Springfield, VA 22150 | Phone: 703-644-0000

Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

This program provides: Legal aid, Medical clinic, ESL courses, Parenting classes, Assistance filling out documents, Community connections, Food, Clothing. The Family Resource Centers serve drop ins and anyone is welcome to receive services. All of this support is completely free.

Lunes: 9:00am - 5:00pm | Martes: 9:00 - 5:00pm | Miércoles: 9:00 - 5:00pm | Jueves: 9:00 - 5:00pm | Viernes: 9:00 - 5:00pm

Este programa proporciona: Ayuda legal, médica, cursos de ESL, asistencia para llenar documentos, conexiones comunitarias, comida, ropa. Los Centros de Recursos Familiares atienden sin cita previa y cualquier persona es bienvenida a recibir los servicios. Todo este apoyo es completamente gratuito.

Do You need Health Coverage?

Inova Cares for Families: Inova Cares Clinic for Families (ICCF) provides comprehensive primary care services to patients who reflect the culturally diverse community we serve. Our clinics serve as medical homes for patients of all ages, regardless of immigration status, who qualify for Medicaid, FAMIS, Inova’s Financial Assistance Program, or are uninsured. https://www.inova.org/about-inova/inova-your-community/community-access-care/inova-cares-clinic-families

Inova Cares for Families: Brinda servicios integrales de atención primaria a pacientes que reflejan la comunidad culturalmente diversa a la que servimos. Nuestras clínicas sirven como hogares médicos para pacientes de todas las edades, independientemente de su estatus migratorio, que califican para Medicaid, FAMIS, el Programa de asistencia financiera de Inova o que no tienen seguro. https://www.inova.org/about-inova/inova-your-community/community-access-care/inova-cares-clinic-families

PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES can help adults and children find free or low-cost health insurance and medical care, call Inova Health Care for families at 703-698-2550

PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES: Puede ayudar a adultos y niños a encontrar seguro médico y atención médica gratuitos o de bajo costo; llame a Inova Health Care para familias al 703-698-2550.

Fairfax County Back-to-School Immunization Clinics

Get your child ready for the 2024-25 school year. Open by appointment to all Fairfax County students who need immunizations, regardless of if they have had vaccines in the past, are new to the country, or need a follow-up to be up to date.

Call today! Appointments are limited. Schedule your appointment by calling 703-246-7100.

From FCPS

SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE

Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the following:

• For all students, the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests.
• For students in grades 3-8, the SOL Growth Parent Report shows performance over time for state reading and math tests completed this school year. 

Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines.

Create a SIS ParentVUE Account

If you do not already have a SIS ParentVUE account, sign up now to monitor and support your child’s academic success! Through ParentVUE, you can view your student’s attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment score reports. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

Last Chance to Review Family Life Education Materials

The recommended Family Life Education instructional materials are available for community review through Monday, June 10, at 4:30 p.m. View details and a feedback form.

🩹 Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders

Immunizations are required for all students entering 7th and 12th grades this fall. Visit FCPS’ Immunization webpage to learn about the required vaccines.  

Parents/caregivers should ask their private healthcare provider or the health department to review their student's immunization record to ensure their student has received these required immunizations. 

It is important to schedule immunizations early in the summer, as seventh grade students must submit documentation of the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines before they begin school in August. Students in the 12th grade must submit documentation of the Meningococcal vaccine.

Get more information on all student immunization requirements.

Inova Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs

Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children 5 years old and older with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children who are on Medicaid or are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:

• Saturday, June 29, at ICC-Children - Manassas
• Saturday, July 20, at ICC-Children - Herndon
• Saturday, August 17, at ICC-Children - Falls Church

Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be allowed. Please call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.

Summer Fun for All: Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation

The Family Resource Center (FRC) has a list of dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel. 

They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities. 

Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing FRC@fcps.edu, or visiting the FRC's webpage.

📖 Adventure Begins at the Library This Summer!

Order School Supplies For SY 24-25

Building A Legacy -- One Brick At A Time

Consider making your student or loved one’s legacy permanent at Bush Hill Elementary School by purchasing a brick to be placed on our brick path between Door 3 and Door 5. The bricks will be placed there among the other legacy bricks. We have two brick options to choose from. Bricks purchased now until May 24, 2024, will be laid in late summer 2024. Bricks purchased after May 24th, 2024, will be laid by Spring of 2025. All profits raised will be used to support student events, materials and supplies for Bush Hill ES.

Link:

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/stores/checkout/getproduct?clientKey=ZZI5ZQWBKS04NJ8&buttonID=c23ad13d-4c15-4405-b98c-8ad89e89817c

5927 Westchester St, Alexandria, VA 22310  | Main Office: 703-924-5600
Attendance: 703-924-5656 | Web | Twitter