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Dear Bush Hill Families,
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support and partnership. Your commitment to your child's education is truly inspiring, and it makes a significant difference in our school community.
I am also incredibly grateful for our dedicated students and staff. Our students work hard every day, and their enthusiasm for learning is contagious. Our staff members are passionate about education and go above and beyond to support our students' success.
I hope this Thanksgiving break provides you and your family with a much-needed opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy quality time together. As we gather around the table, let's remember to give thanks for the many good things in our lives, including our Bush Hill community!
Wishing you and your family a warm and joyful Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Mary Duffy
All families should complete a Federal Impact Aid Survey as soon as possible. The form is available in ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in).
Please complete the form for each school-aged child in your household. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. The funds support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. Visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page to learn more.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving
Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 27, through Friday, November 29. Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. See the complete school year calendar and employee calendar.
Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to the Bush Hill ES Main Office no later than December 15, 2024.
The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection.
Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
The elementary FLE program is taught by the regular classroom teacher. The early elementary program emphasizes the importance of families, distinction between good and bad touch, sources of help, and the importance of friendships. Human sexuality is first introduced in grade four. In the Human Growth and Development unit, students learn about the male and female reproductive systems. Students view age-appropriate videos and learn the maturational process, changes which occur during puberty, and prenatal development. Students study the effects of peer pressure and begin to examine the influence of media on behavior and attitudes. Students begin an understanding of sexually transmitted infections in grade 5. The emotional and social health unit includes abuse prevention from good touch/bad touch in primary grades to types of abuse in upper elementary grades. Instruction for abuse prevention includes resources for help.
To learn more and/or to Opt Out of FLE - please visit
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary/family-life-education
 This year Bush Hill PTA is proud to partner with VA and National PTA to participate in the Reflections program. Reflections engages students and their families in arts education activities by encouraging students to explore the arts for fun and recognition. Reflections provides an opportunity for students to express their creativity in one of 6 artistic categories:
- Dance Choreography
- Film Production
- Literature
- Music Compositions
- Photography
- Visual Art
The Reflections theme for 2024-2025 is “Accepting Imperfections.”
Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6 students are encouraged to submit original works of art expressing this year’s theme; Reflections art works are being accepted now through Tuesday December 3. Please see the link to the student entry package below for detailed submission information. Contact PTA if there are additional questions/concerns, ptabushhillelementary@gmail.com; please put “Reflections” in the subject line.
Reflections Student Entry Packet
      
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices.
The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.
In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.
Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.
Save the date! Please consider volunteering at our Book Fair. Sign up by clicking here!
Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
Your Health Is In Your Hands with the Help from a Shark
As we transition into the fall and winter seasons, it's important to remind our students, staff, and families about the importance of practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. These simple practices can significantly reduce the spread of germs, particularly during the upcoming holiday season when gatherings and travel increase.
Key Reminders:
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Wash Hands Frequently: Encourage students to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing.
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Use Hand Sanitizer: When soap and water are not readily available, provide access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content.
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Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Remind students to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly in a wastebasket and wash their hands.
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Avoid Touching Face: Discourage students from touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Please check our overflowing Lost & Found. Remember to label children's items so if lost, they can be rerturned. Items not claimed by the Winter Break will be donated. Thank you.
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