|
Bailey’s Upper Families,
We hope this message finds you well.
In recent weeks/months, our nation has seen difficult events that can feel overwhelming, especially for our children who may not fully understand them. We want to reassure you that the safety of your child—and every member of our school community—is our highest priority each and every day.
At Bailey’s Upper, we have strong systems in place to make sure our building is not only a welcoming place for learning, but also a safe one. For example, whenever an adult comes to visit the school, even if we know you, we will always ask your name and the purpose of your visit before opening the door. Visitors are required to show identification and sign in at the office before entering. While these steps may sometimes feel inconvenient, they are essential to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all.
We also know children may have questions when they hear about upsetting events in the news. Here are a few ways you can support them at home:
-
Keep it simple and age-appropriate. Offer short, honest answers without adding unnecessary detail.
-
Reassure them about safety. Remind your child that many adults—at school and in the community—are working every day to keep them safe.
-
Listen first. Ask what they’ve heard or what questions they have. Sometimes their worries are different from what we expect.
-
Limit exposure. Turning off the news or reducing social media time can help prevent children from feeling overwhelmed.
-
Maintain routines. Sticking to regular schedules at home and school helps children feel secure.
Thank you for your partnership and understanding as we work together to keep Bailey’s Upper a place where students feel safe, cared for, and ready to learn.
We would also like to welcome our newest Assistant Principal Ms. Wiley!!! She joined our team on Thursday, September 11th and she is excited to get to meet your children and our school community!
Bailey’s Upper Admin Team
💙Ms. Dowling
🧡Ms. Wayland
🐯Ms. Wiley
PS - Follow our NEW Instagram @BaileysUpperElementary - we hope to highlight daily behind the scenes amazingness of our school community!!
📂 This week’s Thursday Folder includes:
- Bailey’s Global Community Festival (English and Spanish)
- Bailey’s Primary and Upper Parents Invitation to Advanced Academics Information Meeting (English and Spanish)
- Volunteer Workshop for Parents & Community Members
Please take a few minutes to review these items with your student so you stay up-to-date with all the exciting things happening in our school community!
Please join us for an AAP Parent Information Session on Thursday, September 18th at either 9:30 am or 5:00pm in the Bailey’s Primary cafeteria. The morning and evening session will have the same information. There will be Spanish translation services at both meetings. This session is for parents with students at Bailey’s Primary and Bailey’s Upper.
Additionally, please see the Fall AAP Newsletter. English Version or Spanish Version. For further information on the Advanced Academic Program feel free to look at the Bailey’s AAP Website or the FCPS Elementary AAP Website.
The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 3-8. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments within the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development.
- Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math - required for all students who are scheduled to take the spring Standards of Learning (SOL)
- iReady Reading - required for all students who are scheduled to take the spring SOL
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) - required for certain students based on other reading performance data
If your student is identified to participate in VALLSS, you will receive additional communication from your student’s school with details about this assessment. Families may also choose to opt-in to VALLSS participation by contacting their student’s teacher.
Notification of testing letters were sent home in last week’s THrusday folder including the additional communication for VALLSS assessments at Bailey’s Upper. Following are the testing dates or testing windows for our school
- MAP Math Assessment for All Grades - Monday, September 15th
- VALLSS for identified students - Ongoing from September 2nd - Oct 3rd
If you have any questions regarding past, current, or upcoming assessments, please contact Nicole Cassidy or Hugo Duran, our School Testing Coordinators at 703-503-2700
📢 Attention Bailey’s Families & Community Partners!
Interested in volunteering at school? 🎒🚌🍎
Volunteers can help chaperone field trips, support our PTA, organize supply/work rooms, assist in classrooms, and more. To participate, you must be aware of the new FCPS volunteer policies so you don’t miss out on these opportunities.
Volunteer Workshop for Parents & Community Partners Date: Friday, September 19 • In-person: 9:15–10:30 AM at Bailey’s Primary Cafeteria • Online: 7:00 PM via Zoom
Zoom (English): https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/93716178523
Zoom (Español): https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/94366395453
Bailey's Upper and Bookworm Central are teaming up to offer a book fair for students and their families! Students will have the opportunity to view books via preview days during school, prior to sales opening.
From Friday, September 26 through Friday, October 3, the book fair will be open during the school day for classes or groups of students to purchase books. The book fair will also be open for students with a parent/guardian after school from 3:40-5:00pm on four dates, as well as during Back to School Night on September 30th:
- Friday, September 26, 3:40-5:00pm
- Monday, September 29, 3:40-5:00pm
- Tuesday, September 30 (Back to School Night), 5:00-7:30pm
- Wednesday, October 1, 3:40-5:00pm
- Friday, October 3, 3:40-5:00pm
We're also looking for volunteers to help sell books at Bailey's Upper, on each of the five days/times. Join us!
Volunteer Sign Up: https://signup.com/go/hwwVKrb
If you have questions, please contact Upper Librarian, Ms. Burgos, at dsburgos1@fcps.edu
-
Wednesday, September 17th- 3-Hour Early Release (Dismissal starts at 12:25 p.m.)
-
Thursday, September 18th- AAP Information Session (9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at Bailey’s Primary Cafeteria)
-
Friday, September 19th- Volunteer Workshop (In-person: 9:15–10:30 AM at Bailey’s Primary Cafeteria • Online: 7:00 PM via Zoom)
-
Tuesday, September 23rd- School Closed (Holiday)
-
Tuesday, September 30th- Back to School Night
-
Thursday, October 2nd- No School - Holiday
-
Wednesday, October 8th- Picture day
-
Monday, October 13th- No School - Student Holiday
-
Wednesday, October 15th- 3-Hour Early Release (Dismissal starts at 12:25 p.m.)
-
Monday, October 20th- No School - Holiday
-
Friday, October 31st - 2 Hour Early Release (Dismissal starts at 1:25 p.m.
Attendance Line: Phone: 703-503-2727
or email: baileysupperelem@fcps.edu
Kiss and Ride Drop Off/Pick Up Schedule For Upper
8:25-8:35 a.m. and 3:25-3:35 p.m.
✔️ Checklist of Important Forms
The multiple school forms parents and caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year.
If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact our front office for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
🩹 Immunization Requirements
Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure that your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Tuesday, November 18, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to our front office. Find more information on immunizations.
📋 Permission Forms
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch a video to see how to use the tool.
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned to our front office by Tuesday, September 30.
🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are also a chance for you to share your thoughts and ask questions about FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates from 6 to 8 p.m.:
Locations and registration links will be shared in future issues of FCPS This Week. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunities
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
One of the measures of the fourth goal is to provide all students with consistent availability of and accessibility to electives, extracurricular, co-curricular, and enrichment activities. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.
Back-to-School Edition of Special Education and 504 Newsletter
The Back-to-School issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. The newsletter is sent by FCPS’ Department of Special Services, which provides a network of support to staff, students, and families to break down barriers to learning and help students succeed as individuals.
Topics in this issue include:
- Building a Culture of Belonging - Inclusive Education at FCPS
- Supporting Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners
- Behavior Intervention Services: Welcome Back!
- SEL Team
Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.
🌞 Celebrate Sun Day on September 21
Celebrate the launch of FCPS’ solar initiative and the arrival of 17 new electric school buses at Louise Archer Elementary School on Sunday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to noon. Come learn more about the great work FCPS is doing to reduce its carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals.
Bring the family for live music, solar story time, student-led sustainability demos, and other activities. Register for Sun Day today.
🏗️ School Bond Referendum on Ballot Tuesday, November 4
The $460 million School Bond Referendum — supporting the division and county’s commitment to providing safe and welcoming learning environments for all students — will be on the Tuesday, November 4, general election ballot.
The funding provided by voter-approved bonds is expected to fund projects identified in the FY 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program, which was approved by the School Board in February.
The building and renovation of our schools is not funded through the division’s operating budget. Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Watch this video that explains, “What Is a bond?”
Make sure you have a voting plan! Learn more about registering to vote.
|
