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Hornet Happenings
Week of December 9th
It was nice to see some of you in the building last week!
Last week was full of a lot of action at Halley ES! We had two big school-wide events that simply made my heart happy. We started the week with our Halley book fair…and wow it was such a great event that truly benefited our students and school. It was awesome how many parents came and volunteered their time to support our book fair. We even had former Halley Hornets volunteering at the check-out counter! The fun did not stop there as we hosted our second school-wide morning meeting called, Hive Time. Again, we had the opportunity to host parents for this special event where we celebrated each other at Halley as outstanding individuals. I love when the school-body comes together. It builds comradery, develops a sense of family, and allows your kiddos to have a good time with one another. Let’s keep the momentum going as we head into the new year!
Please be sure to read through our entire newsletter as there is some new information regarding AAP screening due dates, Halley’s Spelling Bee, PTO announcements, and winter resources for families.
Paula Johnson-Tyler, Principal
Dee Hubbard- Assistant Principal
Kayleigh Merritt- Assistant Principal
Reviewing Family Life Education Materials
We hosted our Family Life Education parent preview night last Friday via Zoom. The session was recorded. If you would like access to the recording, please call the school office and they will direct you to the proper source. If you want to simply browse the FLE curriculum you may do so using the various platforms listed below:
- Schoology – Halley’s All Parents/Guardians Course
- Lessons and media with streaming rights
- Lessons used for students who are opted out of FLE instruction.
- Parents/guardians will need their parent SIS account to access Schoology (not their child’s)
- School libraries
- Lessons and media during regular school hours (please schedule with librarian)
- Fairfax County Regional Library in the City of Fairfax
- Lessons only; media is not available.
Parents can choose to opt their child out of FLE lessons by utilizing the following options:
- Accessing Parent Digital Consent:
- Printed opt-out forms available upon request.
Reminder: 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 Christy Talley cmtalley@fcps.edu 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 by emailing Christy Talley at cmtalley@fcps.edu.
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.
Parents/guardians who would like their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic services may submit the Full-Time Referral Form (translations linked below) no later than December 15, 2024. No late forms will be accepted.
Full-Time Referral Form (PDF)
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 us.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.
H-O-R-N-E-T-S!
It’s time for Halley’s Spelling Bee!!!
We are so excited for this fantastic opportunity to participate in the 2024- 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
- Grade level spelling bee: Thursday, January 23rd during school hours.
- Top 4 finishers in each grade level (1st-6th) will advance to the Halley Elementary School-wide Spelling Bee: Thursday, February 20th from 6:00-8:00 pm.
- The school champion will advance to the Fairfax County Spelling Bee: Sunday, March 23rd at 2:00 PM at Lake Braddock Secondary School.
- The county champion will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee held in late May, 2025.
- Students have a new way to study by downloading Word Club for free in the App Store or Google Play Store.
See the rules here: Spelling Rules
Return the permission slip that came home in Friday folders to your child’s homeroom teacher by Monday, January 13th
Questions? Contact Tammy Anderson at TLAnderson1@fcps.edu or Christy Talley at cmtalley@fcps.edu
All grade levels lists will be posted in Schoology for students to study if they choose to do so.
Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.
Did you know…
Every year, absences increase in the weeks before and after winter break. Give your child the gift of education and help build a habit of regular attendance.
Halley ES has a chronic absenteeism rate of 18.2%. Let's decrease that number as we head into the winter months. We love our Hornets…and we want to see them at school everyday!
When planning for pre-arranged absences, please reference the FCPS school year calendar. Please plan your trips when there is a long break in the school year calendar (i.e. winter break, spring break, and summer break). There is a “pre-arranged” absence form that must be completed prior to pre-planned absences. Simply call the front office, and they will get the necessary form to you for completion.
When your child is sick, please call our attendance line or school office at 703-551-5700 to report an illness.
Food Assistance & Resource Guide & Warm Coats for Cold Weather
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
As the weather is starting to get colder, we want to remind all parents to ensure that their child brings a warm coat for recess. Staying warm during outdoor activities is important for your child's comfort and health.
If your child needs a warm coat, please know that assistance is available. Families can reach out to our school social worker, Mrs. Liz DeVoll at EJDeVoll@fcps.edu or contact the front office for support in obtaining a coat for their child.
Bundle Up with Books Over Break
Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
Looking for ways to help support your child’s reading and writing at home? Visit the FCPS Literacy Resource page for tips and information about the Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System
Family Academy Orientation
This interactive orientation provides information about FCPS, the connections between family engagement and student achievement, school staff you should know, and programs and technology considerations for families. The orientation also includes a helpful discussion for families who are new to the United States.
Sessions in English will be held online on Tuesday, December 10, at 6 p.m. and Thursday, December 19, at 6 p.m. Register in advance. Visit the Family Academy catalog page to see when orientation will be offered in Korean and Spanish.
Book Drive:
Halley Elementary PTO Presents: The Great Book Rescue!
Join Halley Elementary Book Rescue Mission! Help gently used and new books find a thrilling new adventure—in our classrooms! Together, we can spark excitement for reading and open new worlds for every Halley student.
When: December 9th - 13th
Where: Book Rescue Bins by the Halley ES front office
What to Donate: K-6 books in good condition (no missing pages, please!)
Why Donate?
Your contributions help students explore new stories, meet unforgettable characters, and build their reading skills. Every book is a ticket to adventure!
Bonus Perks: For every book you donate, you'll earn a title as a Book Hero Extraordinaire—plus the heartfelt thanks of our students and staff. Let’s stack the odds in favor of our young readers.
PTO Volunteers:
The Halley Elementary PTO is a great way to give back and support our school community. The PTO has a number of events and fundraisers planned for the New Year , including bingo night, movie night and Boosterthon, and we need parent volunteers to help make them memorable experiences for our community.
Visit the PTO social media sites and websites often for information about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Click here for more information."
Thank you!
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