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Hornet Happenings
Week of September 16th
Our Halley staff was so pleased to see all of our parents at last week’s Back to School Night! Four weeks have passed since the first day of school…and you can tell. Your kiddos are transitioning from one location to the other with ease, classroom procedures and routines have clearly been established, and teachers are getting to the heart of instruction! This is what Hornet Nation should sound like and feel like parents. Great engagement, great instruction, and great relationships!
This week starts with a 3-hour early dismissal which begins at 1:05 PM. Thank you to our families who completed the childcare hardship survey. If you requested childcare for your child from Halley staff, then arrangements have been made. If you did not request childcare assistance, your child will be sent home their normal route beginning at 1:05 PM. If there will be a change to your child’s mode of transportation for Monday, please call the school office as soon as possible at 703-551-5700.
Please read this edition of Hornet Happenings in its entirety for important information regarding lockdown drills.
Let’s make this a great week Hornet Nation!!
Paula Johnson-Tyler: Principal
 Dee Hubbard: Assistant Principal
✔️ Parent/Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
We understand that the multiple school forms caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year! If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact the front office for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
🩹 Immunization Requirements
Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to Halley Elementary’s front office.
Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:
- A healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with religious tenets or practices.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions.
The next event is scheduled for Monday, September 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Newington Forest Elementary School. Click on the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home from School
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.
Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana
Del 15 de Septiembre al 15 de Octubre, FCPS reconoce y celebra las historias y culturas de los miembros de nuestra comunidad que tienen herencia de México, el Caribe, Centro y Sur América. Aprenda más sobre los meses de herencia, celebraciones y tradiciones que se celebran en FCPS. Aprenda más sobre el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana.
🍽️Fueling Student Success: New Food Options Cooked up at FCPS
Students will have more than a dozen new options for lunch and breakfast in school cafeterias starting this week. New menu items were either favorites at last year’s food show — including Korean BBQ wings, sweet Thai chili wings, chicken tikka masala, and barbacoa street tacos — or were tested with student focus groups and tastings.
View our school menu to see all the new options and when they will become available.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, Empowered
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services' updates to lunch menus align with FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal #2 - Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. The new menu options reflect the many voices and cultures represented around every FCPS lunch table!
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
As part of the second goal, we want each and every student to feel like they belong and have the support they need to thrive. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice.
Lockdown Drills
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. We have a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan for our school that is reviewed and updated regularly. Our plan includes procedures on how to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Students and staff regularly practice these drills every school year. We also practice lockdown drills.
A new Virginia Law (22.1-137.2) requires schools to notify parents at least 24 hours before a school practices a lockdown drill. However, we are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. We are required to practice lockdown drills two times a year. FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of active shooter scenario training, they are instruction and classroom based.
We will conduct a lockdown drill at our school soon. Our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are exempt from mandatory participation in lockdown drills during the first 60 days of the school year. They will participate in our second and final drill later this school year.
Additional information on our lockdown drill program to include parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this content, you should discuss the value of these safety drills with your child.
Keeping our school safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe.
PTO Membership Drive
The PTO is also excited to kick off our annual PTO membership drive, and we need your support to make a difference in your child's education!
Special Offer:
For every parent membership that includes a $20 membership donation, your child's teacher will receive a $10 gift card for school supplies! This is a fantastic way to directly support your child’s classroom.
Grade-Level Challenge:
The classroom with the most parent memberships will receive an extra gift card for school supplies, funded by the membership drive. The more parents that join, the bigger the reward for your child's class!
Why Join the PTO?
*Support classroom activities and supplies.
* Help fund school events and enrichment programs.
*Build a strong school community.
How to Join:
Click here!
*Simply donate $20 per membership to the PTO.
*Your donation will not only help our school but also provide direct support to your child's teacher and classroom.
Visit our website or social media pages to follow us to stay up to date on PTO activities this school year.
Let's work together to make this school year the best yet!
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