|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Dear Bailey’s ES Families,
We had a wonderful week at Bailey's! Our students and teachers continue to work hard, fostering a community of active learners and caring individuals. This week, we enjoyed five full days of school, giving students and teachers valuable time to connect, collaborate, and build on their learning.
Today was especially exciting as we celebrated our CETA (Changing Education Through the Arts) Arts in Action Day! We were thrilled to welcome families into classrooms to see arts integration in action. At Bailey’s, we believe students thrive when they have a strong team supporting them, and it was wonderful to share the creative strategies our teachers use to enhance learning through the arts. Thank you to all who joined us—we appreciate your partnership in your child’s education.
We are also excited to share that Jillian Bell, Assistant Principal, will be serving as an assistant principal substitute at Mason Crest Elementary while their assistant principal is on leave. This is a great opportunity for Ms. Bell to bring her leadership skills and talents to another school community in our region. In her absence, please reach out to Ms. Dews, Principal, or Assistant Principals Mr. Downing and Ms. Brown Rice with any questions or needs.
Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend!
Satonya Dews, Principal
Jillian Bell, Assistant Principal
Tracey Brown Rice, Assistant Principal
Keith Downing, Assistant Principal
3-hour Early Release on Monday, March 10th
Bailey’s Elementary will have a 3-hour early release on Monday, March 10th to allow for important teacher training. We understand that this schedule change may impact childcare arrangements for some families.
A paper survey was sent home in Thursday folders on February 27th to help us plan. Please complete and return the survey as soon as possible to let us know:
|
|
✅ If your child will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m. or needs to stay with a staff member until 3:45 p.m.
✅ How your child will get home—bus, kiss and ride, or walk.
Your prompt response will help us ensure a smooth and safe dismissal for all students. Thank you for your cooperation!
|
|
 |
March Lunch Visitation Schedule
Parents/Caregivers are invited to join their student(s) for lunch at school on an assigned day. This is a great opportunity for parents/caregivers to come in for lunch with their child.
We encourage parents/caregivers to eat the same lunch as their child either packed or school lunch. We kindly ask that you do not bring fast food/outside lunch or candy. Also, parents please be advised that the bathrooms directly outside of the cafeteria are for student use only.
On the day of your child’s lunch, please arrive 5 minutes early so you can sign-in at the office and they will direct you to the cafeteria. Additionally, when you leave the school, please remember to check out in the office. If you choose to buy lunch from the cafeteria, adult pricing is $4.75 and may be paid in cash or by check. Click here for more information on purchasing lunch.
We ask that you please limit visitors to 1 caregiver, and no strollers please. We also ask that family members do not follow their child's class back to the classroom or outside for recess.
Please see below for the scheduled lunches by teacher:
🤧 Protect Yourself and Your Community From the Flu
Fairfax County is experiencing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. The Fairfax County Health Department reports that visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings. Read a letter from the health department.
The health department suggests taking the following steps to reduce the spread of flu and other germs:
-
Cover coughs and sneezes. If you must be around others while ill, wearing a mask can help reduce spread.
-
Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available (with supervision for younger children).
-
Clean frequently touched surfaces.
According to the health department, to help prevent or reduce the spread of illness it is important for individuals who are sick to stay home and away from others until symptoms improve and until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours. Visit this Attendance webpage for guidance on when your child should go to school.
Attendance Reporting
If your student will be absent from school due of an illness, please inform the school of what type of illness AND all the symptoms your student is experiencing (fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.). We are closely monitoring illness outbreaks in the classrooms and want to gather the most accurate information possible when it comes to what illnesses are going around. Thank you for your partnership!
Attendance – Before 9:15am, notify the school of absences and late arrivals using one of these methods:
For early dismissal call the main office at 706-575-6800
🧲 Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts.
Registration for the 2025-26 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 4, through Friday, April 4. Learn more about the programs on the Elementary Magnet Schools page and information on the magnet lottery on our Registration page.
🐻 It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events, including orientation, between January and April. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us prepare and ensure we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school.
Families should prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms on the FCPS kindergarten registration webpage. FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, visit the kindergarten registration webpage.
✨ A strong start is Goal 1 of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
🚀 Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun
Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore activities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
For more information, see the Summer Learning page.
📖 Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Third Grade
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Across FCPS, teachers, staff, parents, and even older students are invested in helping our youngest learners grow their love of reading from a strong foundation.
The goal is for students to move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by the end of the third grade. Reading on grade level is connected to other Strategic Plan goals, including completing advanced coursework and graduating on time.
Last fall, FCPS introduced a new reading curriculum that emphasized the science of reading. Between fall and winter, reading screener results show more than a 4% increase in the number of students in kindergarten to third grade approaching or meeting expectations. Similarly, 3.4% more third graders demonstrate strong foundations of reading and 8.4% more third graders are mastering grade-level standards.
Discover how an elementary school employs a science-based approach, including phonics, to supercharge students' reading.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date.
🗣️ Connect With Your Kids: Simple Steps to Stronger Communication
Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. How do you connect with your children and really know what's going on in their lives? How can you become “unskippable”?
Effective communication can build trust and understanding, but it takes thought, planning, and effort.
The latest Healthy Minds Blog offers practical strategies to improve communication and build strong, lasting relationships:
-
Ditch distractions and create a safe space where your child feels comfortable opening up.
-
Listen actively and validate their feelings, even if you don't agree.
-
Ask "how" questions instead of "what" questions to get them talking about their experiences.
For more tips and techniques, read the full article on the Healthy Minds Blog, which shares information related to youth mental health and wellness.
For support on talking with your teen about difficult subjects like fentanyl, discover how to Become Unskippable.
2025 Family Summit - Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging! (an Extension of the Special Education Conference)
Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners. The summit will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.
This event will feature:
- Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
- Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.
- Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
- Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.
Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process.
Learn more about this event and register today! Contact FamilySummit@fcps.edu for more information.
National School Social Work Week
March 2-8 is National School Social Work Week. Social workers in FCPS help to prevent social, emotional, and behavioral factors from affecting a student's ability to perform at their best. Their primary goal is to remove barriers that prevent a student from fulfilling their academic potential. Social workers are assigned to every school and center in the school system. Most social workers serve one to two sites. Learn more about the role of social workers in FCPS
Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations
Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!
Starting Monday, May 19, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE.
Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!
Save the Date
March 7th - PTA Basketball Game at Justice HS 6:30 pm.
March 10th- 3-Hour Early Release, dismissal begins at 12:45pm
March 28th - End of 3rd Quarter (Dismissal at usual 3:45 pm)
March 31st - Eid-al-Fitr (No Classes)
|
Quick Links
|
