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Hello, Scottie families!
It was wonderful to see many of our PAC & grades K-3 parents at Back to School Night on Wednesday. We look forward to Back to School Night for grades 4-6 next week on September 4, from 6-7:30 PM.
We hope that you enjoy your long weekend in celebration of Labor Day. A reminder there is no school on Friday, August 30, and Monday, September 2. We look forward to welcoming students back into the building on Tuesday, September 3.
Morgan Birge, Principal
Natalie Vershaw, Assistant Principal
Melissa Johnson, Assistant Principal
Family. Relationships. Success.
Upcoming Weekly Focus: Teamwork
Character Strengths: You work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals.
Quote of the Week: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What
are you doing for others?’”
-MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Positivity Project for Families
Families can find resources to help continue the discussion of character strengths at home by visiting the Positivity Project for Families webpage.
A few amazing highlights that happened this week...
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Labor Day
Friday, August 30, and Monday, September 2, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
Back to School Night for Grades 4-6 & All EAC Classrooms (6 -7:30 PM)
Parents/Guardians of students in our EAC classrooms, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to join their child's teacher at Bonnie Brae on Wednesday, September 4 to learn about their child's classroom experience, grade level curriculum, and other important school year details. There are two slots offered so families can attend multiple teacher sessions if necessary.
Session 1: 6:00 - 6:40 PM (classrooms)
Transition: 6:40-6:50 PM (parents switch classes and/or visit with specialists in the library)
Session 2: 6:50 - 7:20 PM (classrooms)
Wrap-up: 7:20-7:30 PM (parents have the opportunity to visit with specialists in the library)
*Optional childcare (not affiliated with Bonnie Brae or FCPS) will be available on both dates.
Back to School Night Childcare for September 4
8th grade Bonnie Brae graduates and their Girl Scoot troop leaders will provide childcare for potty trained children in the cafeteria. There is no fee, but a donation jar will be available. Help the troop earn money for troop travel. For more details, view the Childcare flyer.
***This is not an FCPS or BBES sponsored activity.***
Fall Picture Day-Ordering Information
Fall Picture Day is on Thursday, September 26. Families can pre-order pictures online. Online ordering should be completed by Thursday, September 26.
All students who pre-purchase pictures will receive their picture packages at school approximately two weeks after our Fall Picture date.
For more details, please visit our Fall Picture Day webpage.
Challenge Materials Review Committee
Good afternoon, Bonnie Brae families! As detailed in Regulation 3009, principals are required to submit a list of individuals who are available to serve on a Challenged Materials Review Committee if a departmental committee is needed. Names of two parents/guardians are required. Parents/guardians must not be employed by FCPS and contact information should be provided.
The list of potential committee members will be maintained at central office. Names are randomly chosen to serve if a central departmental committee is required to review a challenged material.
If you would like to submit your name as a parent volunteer for Bonnie Brae, please fill out this form. Thank you!
Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
Cell Phones Off, Learning On
Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact the school’s front office to reach your child during class time.
Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.
2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30.
You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.
2023-30 Strategic Plan: Foundation of Four Pillars
While the five goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan focus on student success, the four pillars describe what FCPS must do well to reach our goals for all students:
- The first focus of the pillars is on teaching and learning. We want to make sure each and every student has access to excellent and inclusive learning environments, and that instruction meets students’ individual needs.
- The second pillar focuses on our connection with families and our communities. We cannot do this work alone. Strong partnerships are key to our students’ success.
- The third pillar is centered on our hiring and maintaining a world class, diverse workforce. We want to make sure our incredible employees have what they need to help our students thrive.
- The fourth and final pillar centers on how we bring this all together. We remain focused on creating a culture of equity, excellence, and accountability where data guides our decisions.
Visit our Strategic Plan webpage for more information.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:
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Monday, September 9, at Holmes Middle School
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Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
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Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
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Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary
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Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary
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Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle
Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
2024 Back to School Virginia Medicaid Flyer: Communication Resource for Schools
The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) launches its 23rd annual Back to School campaign. We want all students and parents to know about Virginia’s free health coverage through Cardinal Care (Virginia’s Medicaid and FAMIS programs). View more information on the Back to School webpage.
Solve the Puzzle Before It’s Gone!
Fairfax County's Puzzle Hunt will end on Sunday, September 15. Families have been solving puzzles and finding clues all summer in this unique community event that takes solvers on a journey to the wonderful parks in Fairfax County. There is still time to join before it ends!
Puzzles are filled with creative thinking, logic, and wordplay. They are designed to be completed with friends and family and are challenging and accessible for all skill levels. Solve the puzzles, then find clues at the parks for a final meta-puzzle. Visit our wonderful local parks with friends and family.
PTO President Needed for 2024-2025!!!
Our PTO President positions are designed to have overlap, so the new President can be trained and has a direct line to get help from the Outgoing President. Our current PTO President is in her "outgoing" year, which is the training year for the new President. We are looking to fill the new President position ASAP!!!
Help ensure continuity with this role so we can keep doing all the wonderful things for our amazing Scotties! Things like Movie Nights, Festivals, Carnivals, Room Parent Coordination, Staff Basketball Game, School Assemblies... all the incredible activities that enhance our Scottie experience!
Please contact president@bonniebraepto.org if you are interested, have any questions about the role, or know someone we should start asking! Just kidding on the last one, but seriously, we need to fill this position ASAP!
Amazing Volunteers Needed!
Are you looking for a way to feel connected with your school community and want to help make so many wonderful memories for your Scottie? We make it SO easy to help! Pick and choose volunteer opportunities from a menu of options! Fill out the google form today and we will contact you as we get close to the event to help: https://forms.gle/F7SHrig2fqSJ1kmr6
Join the PTO
Get involved, stay connected, and learn what's happening with our Scottie community! We're an organization of parents, school staff, and community members supporting our Scotties and school community. Join the PTO today: https://www.bonniebraepto.org/ptomembership
Mark your calendar for the FIRST in-person PTO meeting of the year: September 18th from 6-7PM
Also be sure to check out the "Bonnie Brae Parent Connection" group on Facebook for updates, reminders, and opportunities to get involved!
Spiritwear Portal COMING SOON!
New this year will be an online purchasing option to get your spiritwear a few times throughout the year so you can show your Scottie pride. Our Spiritwear Committee is hard at work on designs and our first online ordering portal will go LIVE on September 3rd! The portal will be open for 2 weeks, then orders will be delivered to your home (for a fee) or available for free pickup directly at ABBA in Burke. Stay tuned for updates and the portal link.
Charleston Wrap COMING SOON!
The Charleston Wrap fundraiser will go LIVE on September 17th! Check off your holiday supply and shopping list with this great fundraiser while supporting your school's PTO! More information will come home shortly in your Tuesday Folders.
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September 18 - PTO Meeting (in-person), 6-7:30 PM
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September 20 - Parent Coffee (ESOL Information), 8:35-9:15 AM
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September 20 - PTO Movie Night, 6:30-9 PM
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September 21 - Black Belt Academy Fundraiser (Drop-off event)
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September 23 - Three Hour Early Release Monday
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September 26 - Fall Picture Day
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October 3 - Rosh Hashanah Holiday (no school for students & staff)
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October 4 - Teacher Workday (no school for students)
Stay up to date on all things BBES! Subscribe to our School Calendar.
FCPS Standard School Year Calendar
Printable FCPS 2024-25 School Calendar (PDF)
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