Bailey's ES News- March 14, 2025

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Dear Bailey’s ES Families,

We had the pleasure of welcoming the FCPS Region 2 leadership team to our school this week. They visited many classrooms and were impressed by how engaged and excited our students were about their learning. They also noted the strong routines, procedures, and the welcoming environment in each classroom—something we are incredibly proud of!

We were also thrilled to enjoy some beautiful weather this week—our students loved spending time outside with their friends during recess.

A huge thank you to all the families who came out to support the Bailey's Basketball Tournament last Friday! We had a fantastic turnout and so much fun watching our staff and family members go head-to-head on the court. Special thanks to our amazing PTA for organizing this annual event and bringing our community together.

At our March staff meeting, we reflected on how we can help our students grow as communicators. Developing strong communication skills is essential, and we are thinking of ways to encourage students to reflect on how they can be strong communicators. We look forward to seeing how they continue to grow in this area!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Satonya Dews, Principal

Tracey Brown Rice, Assistant Principal

Keith Downing, Assistant Principal


Join Our Team as a Cafeteria Hostess!

We're looking for a caring and dedicated cafeteria hostess to support our students during lunchtime—a key part of their school day! This is a wonderful opportunity to help maintain a calm, welcoming environment and assist students as they enjoy their meals. If you're interested in making a positive impact, please reach out to our principal, Ms. Dews, at sldews@fcps.edu.


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:

March Lunch Schedule

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


science night

Bring the whole family for an evening of fun, discovery and science learning! Try different hands-on activities related to science, technology, engineering, and math!  The event will take place on April 3, 2025 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm at Bailey's Primary!

Volunteer Opportunity for Science Night

Please review the available volunteer opportunities here and click on the button to sign up. Please remember that you must be a minimum of 16 years old and must stay for the entire duration of the event, including set-up and break-down, from 5:15 – 7:45 p.m. No splitting shifts! Thank you!


🧲 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.


Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs 

FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County. 

Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children 3 years old by September 30. Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and for children 6 weeks to 2 years old.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however, space is limited and provided based on need, not “first come, first serve.” Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail, or in person at our office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.  

If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).


🚀 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.


National Women’s History Month

Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Read more about Women’s History Month in National Geographic Kids.


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!


🛑 Cameras Installed on School Bus Stop Arms

Cameras have been installed on the stop arms of 50 FCPS school buses. These cameras will be used to identify drivers who pass stopped school buses while children are entering and exiting the bus (called a “stop arm violation”). 

Warnings for drivers will begin on Wednesday, April 9. After a 30-day warning period, citations will begin to be issued on Monday, May 12.

According to Virginia law, drivers must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights on and their stop signs extended. Motorists should stop when approaching from any direction (unless there is a barrier or median separating their lane from where the bus is stopped). They should remain stopped until everyone is clear and the bus is moving. 

We appreciate our law enforcement partners for working with us to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Read more information about the stop arm cameras and all of the ways that we work with our county partners to keep students safe on their way to and from school.


📍 The Comprehensive School Boundary Review Process Explained

Want to learn more about the ongoing Comprehensive School Boundary Review process? Watch this video for explanations of terms such as attendance zones, attendance islands, split feeders, and other factors that affect school boundaries. The video will also be available in other languages soon.

 Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information and sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.


FCPS Budget — Our Students Deserve the Best

More than $240 million of FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget is dedicated to increasing compensation for our teachers and staff to stay competitive and reduce turnover. Currently, FCPS ranks fifth out of eight neighboring districts in regards to starting salary for teachers with a master’s degree. 

Our families expect — and our students deserve — the best teachers.

Next Steps in the Budget Process

The next steps in the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process include the School Board presenting the budget to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 22, and then the Board of Supervisors will conduct public hearings Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Community members can submit testimony or sign up to speak

Visit the county government website to view the Fairfax County FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The community is also invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the county’s FY 2026 Advertised Budget. 

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process.


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Calendar

Save the Date

 

 

March 28th - End of 3rd Quarter (Dismissal at usual 3:45 pm)

March 31st - Eid-al-Fitr (No Classes)


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