Beech Tree ES Family Message-January 24, 2025

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A Message From Principal Clarke


Mrs. Clarke

Dear Beech Tree Families,

I would like to remind you that our next three-hour early release is scheduled for Monday, February 10, 2025.  Please fill out the early release form for each of your children at Beech Tree by Monday, February 3rd to help us finalize our plans. A response is required for every student. The link to the form is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7jxs57h7U-70h_QNwl-jN2jv-vUdE4h4_DO6jsXXN11vYZw/viewform?usp=header


Justice Principals

This week the Justice Pyramid Principals met for our monthly meeting. We are nine schools united in our shared vision of creating environments centered on High Expectations, Belonging, Joy, and Success. We lead by guiding principles of:

  1. High Expectations:
  • Encourages all students to strive for academic and personal excellence.
  • Promotes professional development among educators to uphold the highest teaching standards.
  • Sets a clear framework for achieving equitable outcomes, ensuring that every student has access to challenging and engaging learning experiences.
  • Belonging:
    • Builds inclusive school cultures where students feel valued and supported.
    • Enhances connections between families, staff, and communities, fostering partnerships to improve student achievement.
    • Emphasizes social-emotional learning and practices that reinforce empathy, respect, and understanding among peers and staff.
  • Joy:
    • Prioritizes a vibrant and enriching educational experience that sparks a lifelong love for learning.
    • Encourages student-driven projects, celebrations, and activities that highlight individual and group achievements.
    • Embodies a holistic view of education by nurturing creativity, curiosity, and a sense of wonder in students and staff alike.
  • Success:
    • Recognizes that success is multidimensional, extending beyond academics to include character development and community contributions.
    • Uses data-driven strategies and evidence-based interventions to support personalized learning and skill mastery.
    • Celebrates milestones and achievements to motivate and inspire students, staff, and families to pursue continuous growth.

    The shared commitment of the Justice Pyramid schools to these values strengthens the bond among communities while ensuring a unified, student-centered approach to education. Together, we work to create pathways for every learner to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

    Thank you for your partnership in education


    With appreciation,
    Principal Clarke


    Attendance Challenge: Hungry Hungry Hippos!

    Hungry Hungry Hippo

    Attendance plays a crucial role in student success, and we know it can sometimes be challenging. To promote consistent attendance, we conducted a special challenge in December. Students who achieved perfect attendance from Thanksgiving to Winter Break were rewarded with a raffle entry for exciting prizes. Those who won the raffle had the opportunity to select college swag or participate in a human version of Hungry Hungry Hippos! At Beech Tree, we believe that regular attendance is essential for unlocking a student's full potential.


    Save the Date

    📈 Virginia’s Student Assessment Summary for Families

    This month, families of students who took any Standards of Learning (SOL) test between school years 2015-16 and 2023-24 will receive a Student Assessment Summary Report. The report shows a student’s state percentile ranking for each test. This allows families to see how their child ranked compared to all Virginia students who took the same test that year. 

    Reports are available now in SIS ParentVUE Documents. They will be distributed by schools this month to students whose families do not have ParentVUE access. Learn how to access ParentVUE

    The report is intended to help families reflect on how their child performed across all tested subjects over the years. Our schools and staff are committed to working with families to support every student to succeed at their highest potential. Learn more about student assessments in FCPS.


    🏗️ FCPS’ Proposed Construction Projects Offer Community-Wide Benefits

    Fairfax County Public Schools updated plans for new school construction, capacity enhancements, and renovations are outlined in the proposed FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Projects include constructing two new elementary schools; renovations at 18 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools; and relocation of modular buildings.

    The proposed CIP was presented to the School Board at the January 14 work session. A public hearing was also held January 14. The School Board will take action on the proposed CIP at its Thursday, February 6, meeting.


    What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse

    FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.

    What can families do?

    • Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. 
    • Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success. 
    • Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage
    • Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors. 
    • Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”

    Get more information on opioid awareness.


    📍 Virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings

    Boundary graphic for newsletters

    On Friday, we held our first virtual Community Boundary Review meeting. If you weren’t able to attend one of our recent in-person Community Boundary Review meetings, registration remains open for the following virtual meetings:

    Click one of the dates above to register and receive your unique Zoom link. All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings, and the same information will be shared. 

    Please note that each virtual meeting will be capped at 400 participants to help provide a meaningful experience for all. Language interpretation will be available. Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates


    Glasgow Rising 6th Grade Night

    Current 5th Grade Families:

    You are invited to attend our Rising 6th Grade Middle School Transition night on Thursday, January 30th from 6 – 8:00 pm (snow date February 6th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm).  This is an opportunity for families and students to learn more about Glasgow, the course selection process, and more specifics about programming in Middle School (Multilingual Learner and Special Education supports, Math options, AVID).  We will also be offering a family engagement session that will be focused on how families can support their child’s success at Glasgow.  Additionally, we will offer a student panel where current GMS students will be available to answer questions you or your child may have.  Our new principal, Lisa Barrow, will be in attendance and ready to welcome you into our Glasgow community.

    Rising 6th grade students are invited to attend.  All students/children in attendance must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

     

    Bus transportation is available for families who need it.  Busses will pick up and drop off at the following locations:

     

    • Baileys Elementary 6111 Knollwood Dr, Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041
    • Skyline 5599 Seminary Rd, Falls Church, VA 22041
    • Willston Community Center 6131 Willston Dr, Falls Church, VA 22044

     

    Busses will pick up for the event at 5:45 pm and will leave Glasgow at 8:00 pm.

     

    Glasgow is looking forward to seeing you there!

    Glasgow

    Spanish Flyer


    🥰 Recognize Staff For The Great Work They Are Doing!

    FCPS CARES

    The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Beech Tree Elementary School. We love our staff members; let's tell them how we feel!


    Parent LiaisonParent Liaison

    ⏰ Beech Tree Early Release Mondays 1:00pm

    • February 10
    • March 10
    • April 21
    • May 12

    Beech Days Calendar Lunch Visitation Schedule

    Beech Days Lunch

    PTA

    Dear Beech Tree Families,

    Mark your calendars for our upcoming events!

    🎤 Beech Tree Talent Show Join us on Thursday, February 27, at 6:30 PM in the gym for our next PTA event. Students can showcase their talents either in person or virtually. Stay tuned for more details!

    🎪 Fun Fair Save the date for Saturday, March 22, from 10 AM to 2 PM. We need your help to make this event a success! Please consider joining the Fun Fair Planning Committee. Volunteers will need to attend two virtual meetings. Sign up here: https://signup.com/go/dOhTofF

    🎉 A big thank you to everyone who joined us for Bingo Night despite the chilly weather! It was wonderful to see so many families having fun together.

    Thank you for your continued support, The PTA Team

    Join PTA

    Beech Tree School Information

    Hours:  9:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (doors open at 9:05 a.m. for arrival)

    Attendance Line 703-531-2626

    Attendance EmailBeechTreeElem.Attendance@fcps.edu

    School Registrar: Sandra Merino (703) 531-2620

    Parent Liaison: Mariangeles Quinto (703) 531-2692