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Dear Families,
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?
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10% (or about 2 days per month) can make it harder to learn to read.
- Attending school even if your student arrives late is valuable for their academic success.
I understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!
Please encourage your student to arrive on time every day and maintain regular attendance until the last day of school. Together, we can work toward increasing school attendance rates and improving academic outcomes for all our students.
How You Can Help:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind that complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning. Our school counselors, Hana El Baba (Grades 2, 4, and 6) and Sarah Darlington (Grades K, 1, 3, and 5) can be reached by calling 703-924-5600.
- Develop backup plans for getting your student to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
Let's start the school year strong!
Sincerely,
Mary E. Duffy
Principal
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has set Tuesday, September 9, 2025, as the date for a special election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. Because more than half of our schools serve as polling locations, the Fairfax County Office of Elections asked us to consider closing for the day. After careful review, we have decided that it is best to close all schools to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Therefore, all FCPS schools will be closed on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
Dear Bush Hill Families,
Early release Wednesdays start next week. On these days, most students will be dismissed at 12:55 via their normal dismissal route. Information about early release Wednesdays is located on the FCPS website.
Bush Hill's Early Release Wednesdays for the 2025-26 School Year are:
- September 10
- October 29
- November 12
- December 10
- February 18
- March 18
- April 22
- May 13
Required Digital Consent Form:
The Early Release Wednesday Childcare Form is located in your Beginning-of-Year (BOY) Digital Consent App. All families are required to log in and indicate whether their child will need childcare on upcoming Wednesday Early Release Days. The consent form serves as a year-long commitment to either opt in or opt out of childcare.
Directions to Complete the Form:
Log in to the Parent Digital Consent to review and provide consent to a variety or resources/services to include Early Release Wednesdays Afterschool Form
⇒ OPT IN if you have a childcare hardship and require childcare until 3:55 p.m. on our limited Early Release Wednesdays.
⇒ OPT OUT, if your child will go home at the early release time, 12:55 p.m.
⇒ PM SACC Student, OPT OUT, they will go to SACC
Deadline:
The deadline to submit your consent is TODAY. After today, any changes must be communicated directly to the Bush Hill Main Office at 703-924-5600. If your needs change during the school year, please contact the office at least two weeks in advance.
Upcoming Events
- Friday September 12, Ice Cream Social, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday September 24, PTA General Body Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- Monday September 22, Chick-Fil-A Restaurant Night, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
🍦 Ice Cream Social 🍦
Our annual ice cream social is Friday, 9/12 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Bush Hill cafeteria. Buy your tickets in advance via givebacks. We need volunteers to help set up/clean up and serve during the event. Sign up here by 9/8. Ice Cream Social Volunteer sign up
🎨Fall Enrichment Programs are here! 🏃 The PTA is excited to offer a variety of enrichment programs for Bush Hill students and families this fall. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in the afternoons!
Check out the overview with Registration links
We need parent/teacher volunteers to be coaches for Let Me Run and for the Odyssey of the Mind teams. If interested, email the PTA at ptabushhillelementary@gmail.com.
Improv Registration (grades 2-6) Kidcreate Alexandria - Clay Art Registration (grades K-2).
Draw & Paint Registration (grades 3-5)
STEM ExCel Registration - coding (grades 1-6)
Lego Challenge League Registration (grades 4-6)
Let Me Run Registration - Boys running (grades 3-6) Your Best Chess Registration - (grades K-6) Learn Music Now Registration - music (grades K-6)
Tennis Registration (grades K-6)
iCook Baking Registration - (grades K-5)
Sports Spectacular & Cheer Registration (grades K-6)
Spirit Wear
Start the school year off with new custom Bush Hill Elementary School designs & gear.
25% off all merchandise till September 9. Plus free shipping on orders over $75. https://1stplace.sale/97139
📣 Follow us on Facebook
Want to stay in the loop on all PTA events, updates, and volunteer opportunities?
Be sure to follow us here: https://www.facebook.com/BushHillES/
🎉 Become a PTA Member Today!
It's easy! Click here: Join_PTA
Support our school community, have your voice heard, and help make a difference.
Membership is open to all parents, guardians, and staff—join us and be part of something great!
Ideas, thoughts, questions; want to volunteer or assist? We take donations via Givebacks and always need help from volunteers!
At our school, we promote healthy eating and a safe environment for all students. This year, we will be celebrating birthdays without bringing any food items from home. This helps us ensure that all classroom celebrations are safe for students with food allergies and consistent with our wellness policy.
Please check with your child’s teacher in advance regarding how their class recognizes birthdays.
Teachers are unable to distribute invitations to birthday parties.
Have you checked out our Panther Family Handbook SY 25-26? It's full of valuable information. https://www.canva.com/design/DAGvJ090V1w/EvhrXIfYzRqpZ3nGR9m1Hw/edit?utm_content=DAGvJ090V1w&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
New Math Screening and Growth Assessment for Elementary Students
Starting in September, FCPS elementary schools will use the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math assessment to assess grade level mathematics skills in grades 1 through 6. The MAP Math test, along with the iReady Reading test, fulfill a state requirement to measure academic growth in grades 3 through 6 over the course of the school year.
MAP Math tests are administered in the fall, winter, and spring. They help teachers identify students’ strengths and areas where they may need more support.
Families can learn more about MAP Growth assessments on the MAP Test Information webpage.
SEL Screener Parent Notification and Updates
The fall Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3 through 12 in October.
Students complete the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives them a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families
We know that as a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in your child’s education. The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home.
The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help you ensure your child has what they need to succeed. Check out some of the upcoming Family Academy sessions:
- Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (available in English and Spanish)
- Loving Solutions
- Military-Connected Youth Family Advisory Council
- Parent Project
- Family Resource Center webinars on topics including: How to Prepare for School; Building Collaborative Relationships Between Caregivers and Educators; Worried Parents, Anxious Kids; and What Families Need to Know About Drugs for Their Students with Disabilities.
Visit the Family Academy catalog for information on these sessions and to register to attend.
Quick Links
SIS ParentVUE
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