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Dear Bush Hill Families,
Welcome back from Thanksgiving break! I hope you all had a wonderful time with family and friends.
As you know, FCPS has begun using the new Benchmark Advance program in grades K-6 to support literacy instruction this year. This program provides students with a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. We have completed the first two units and are on to our third! At Bush Hill, we know that families are important partners in this work, so I wanted to share two different resources that may be helpful to you and your child at home:
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Family-Facing Curriculum
K-12 health, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies units. What will my child learn ? What connections can I make at home? What information can I share with a tutor? What testing should we expect this year?
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I hope you have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Mary Duffy
REMINDER !
Makeup and Retake Picture Day is
Wednesday, December 4th
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Any student who would like a retake, missed the original picture day or is new to Bush Hill can have their photo taken.
Students who have not previously ordered can still place a preorder for retake day using the link below:
https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001153724#login
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Upcoming Events
- December 13 - Ledo Restaurant Night
- January 2025 - Poverty Awareness Month
PTA Reflections Program
One more day for submissions!
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
Reflection Submissions Portal
- Donate to the Staff Holiday Breakfast
Help say an end of year thank you to our amazing staff with a breakfast in December. Use the link below to donate.
Holiday Breakfast Donation
Did you know we have car magnets back in stock? Use the link here to order Magnets.
Need other Bush Hill spiritwear? Check out our online store and the holiday sale going on here BHES spiritwear, see flyer below.
Visit the book fair homepage here to set up learn more and set up eWallet!
Would you like to help with the book fair? Sign up by clicking here!
   
GIRLS ON THE RUN NEEDS A SPRING 2025 HEAD COACH!!!
Dear BHES Community:
Girls on the Run needs you! We need a Head Coach or Head Coaches for the Spring 2025 season, or we will not have a team.
About GOTR
Girls on the Run has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others.
Girls on the Run inspires individuals of all abilities to discover, build, and grow their self-confidence. Together, they experience a sense of belonging and connection as a team. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. At the end of the season, the team completes a Community Impact Project and a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion.
www.gotrnova.org/programs
Become a Coach
Girls on the Run coaches are trained volunteers who lead a team of participants through a season of powerful and fun lessons. You do not need to be a runner; you simply need to have a desire to support and encourage the next generation. Coaches receive all the tools and support they need and find that they get as much out of coaching as they give.
www.gotrnova.org/coach
If you're interested in learning more, please email PTABushHillElementary@gmail.com and kmphillips@fcps.edu
he 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.
Opt-out forms for students in general education classes are available in the Parent Digital Consent (PDC). A paper opt-out form is being used for students in special education and using the modified FLE lessons for the 2024-25 school year)
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/curriculum/subject-area/family-life-education-fle/fle-opt-out-request-forms
https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent/directions
Log on to Schoology
https://www.fcps.edu/schoology/parents
Lessons are under the “All Parents/Guardians” Course in Schoology”
The folder is labeled “Family Life Education Lessons”
Please check our overflowing Lost & Found for your coats, sweaters, water bottles, hats, gloves, books, lunch boxes, etc. All items will be donated over the winter break.
⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
Your school’s principal will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and other weather advisories that 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 getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
📖 Lexia Parent Night: Helping Children Learn to Read
Attend a virtual information night on Thursday, December 5, to learn about Lexia and discover strategies to support your child’s literacy.
✨ Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on grade level by the end of third grade.
Visit the Family Academy Catalog for more classes, workshops, and webinars.
Quick Links
SIS ParentVUE
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