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Bailey’s Upper Families,
Thank you so much for all the kind words for National Principals’ Month. Your children wrote the most beautiful cards and drew the most amazing pictures. I love that they value kindness, joy, safety, and a fun school! They make this job feel like an amazing adventure every day!
There are so many exciting things happening here at Bailey’s Upper:
- 🎶 Our 5th graders have started musical and chorus practices
- 👟 Girls on the Run is gearing up for their 5K
- ➗ Math Olympiad students are diving into challenging problems
- 📚 Book Club readers are turning pages and sharing great discussions
- 💻 Coding Club is exploring why coding matters in our world
- 🌱 Get2Green Club held their first meeting and made salsa with tomatoes they grew themselves!
- 🎭 Our October Town Hall was a huge hit—ask your child about it!
- 🎉 Every class has earned at least 20 PAWS, and we’re getting ready for a school-wide dance party to celebrate!
Bailey’s Upper is truly buzzing with learning, creativity, and joy. Thank you for continuing to support our amazing students and staff!
Kiss and Ride Update
We’ve made a few adjustments to our Kiss and Ride procedures this year to help maximize students’ instructional time. Students are now called to the parking lot at 3:25 p.m., which means the cones will not open until around 3:30 p.m.
We understand this change was not clearly communicated earlier, and we apologize for any confusion. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to make dismissal as smooth and efficient as possible.
Kiss and Ride Hours
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Morning: 8:25–8:35 a.m.
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Afternoon: 3:30–3:40 p.m. (updated hours)
If you arrive after the morning Kiss and Ride window, please park and walk your child into the building to sign them in. If you arrive after the afternoon Kiss and Ride window, please park and come inside to sign your child out.
Bailey’s Upper Admin Team,
💙Ms. Dowling
🧡Ms. Wayland
🐯Ms. Wiley
📂 This week’s Thursday Folder includes:
- Summit K-12 Weekly Schedule (English and Spanish) (For Select Students)
- Summit K-12 Connect to Literacy Program (English and Spanish) (For Select Students)
- Workshop for Families with Students who are English Learners (English and Spanish)(For Select Students)
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!
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Bailey's Upper Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category).
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher: Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher: Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Principal: Eligibility: Has up to three full years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding School-Based Leader: Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
Common positions in this category: Assistant Principals, Academy Administrator, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee: Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, System of Support Advisor (SOSA), Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
Outstanding Operational Employee: Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 7 at 11:59 PM.
If you have any questions, please email Tricia Wayland at pawayland@fcps.edu
Abilities Test for Some Students
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) uses the online Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT) to learn more about students’ reasoning skills in different areas. The test is given on 3 separate dates for approximately 1 hour.
If your child does not currently have an abilities test file AND is scheduled to take the assessment, you would have received a notification of testing letter in yesterday’s Thursday folder (October 9th)
NGAT Assessment Dates:
- October 28th, 30th and November 6th.
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
Join us for a Bailey’s Primary & Upper Family Field Trip to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum – Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA on Saturday, November 15th from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM!
This trip is for parents and children to attend together. Two school buses will depart from Bailey’s Primary. Please complete either the online form or paper form and return it to your child’s teacher by Thursday, October 30th. (Only one form per family.)
Families will be selected through a lottery system, and notifications will be sent via TalkingPoints.
Online Form: https://forms.gle/Z6yqeUszxQvaure98
Don’t miss this fun family learning experience! 🚌✨
Each week we highlight anywhere from 1-4 staff members for our Staff Star of the Week Program. With this recognition, our staff is featured in our weekly staff newsletter and receives either a $5 Starbucks gift card, $5 Target gift card, or $5 Amazon gift card.
If you are interested in donating $5 Starbucks gift cards, $5 Target gift cards, or $5 Amazon gift cards to our school to help us continue our Staff Star of the Week Program, please drop them off in the main office.
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Monday, October 20th- No School (Diwali)
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Wednesday, October 22nd- PTA Meeting in Person 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bailey’s Primary Cafeteria
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Monday, October 27th- Spooktacular Story Time (Virtual)
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Thursday, October 30th- Trunk or Treat 5:00-6:30 at Bailey’s Primary
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Friday, October 31st- Book Character Day!
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Friday, October 31st- 2-Hour Early Release (Dismissal starts at 1:25 p.m.)
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Monday, November 3rd- No School- Student Holiday
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Tuesday, November 4th- No School- Student Holiday
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Wednesday, November 5th- Fourth Grade Field Trip to the Kennedy Center
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Tuesday, November 11th- No School (Veterans Day)
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Tuesday, November 18th- Bailey’s PTA Chipotle Night 4pm-9pm
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Wednesday, November 19th- 3-Hour Early Release (Dismissal starts at 12:25 p.m.)
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Friday, November 21st- Thanksgiving Luncheon (during your child's lunch block)
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Wednesday, November 26th- No School (Thanksgiving Break)
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Thursday, November 27th- No School (Thanksgiving Break)
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Friday, November 28th- No School (Thanksgiving Break)
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Wednesday, December 3rd- PTA General Meeting (Online via Zoom) 6:30pm
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Thursday, December 4th- Make-up Picture day for Individual Photos
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Halloween is a time of fun and harmless frights, but parents shouldn’t have to worry about their children’s safety while trick-or-treating. To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, Patient First is offering some important reminders, in addition to a special service this Halloween season.
Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating:
- Know the route that your children will take if you do not go with them.
- Younger children should go with adults. There should be at least one adult for every four children.
- If possible, give your children a cell phone and check in with them during the evening.
- Set a time for everyone to be home.
- Make sure no one eats any treats until they have been inspected by an adult.
- Wear bright clothing or reflective gear.
To keep your kids safe after dark, Patient First is offering free safety blinkers at each of our medical centers during the month of October (one per person, while supplies last). These blinking lights can be attached to Halloween costumes to improve visibility. Blinkers are available at the front desk of any Patient First location—no registration or medical care is required.
As an added precaution, Patient First will offer free digital X-ray imaging of Halloween candy. Every one of our Patient First centers has on-site digital X-ray technology, so stop in at any location. This fun service allows trick-or-treaters, to see what is inside their treats, like peanuts or other surprises. It also makes visiting the doctor’s office a positive experience, which can help reduce anxiety for future visits when they are sick or hurt.
X-ray imaging can also provide parents additional peace of mind about the treats their children receive by possibly detecting objects like metal, or other solid substances. * Parents still need to provide supervision since some foreign materials may not appear in X-rays.
Bring your bag of candy into any Patient First Neighborhood Medical Center from October 27th through November 1st between 6pm and 8pm for a free X-ray screening.
Patient First doctors are available to discuss Halloween safety. Contact Victoria Soriano at (571) 340-1594 or Victoria.Soriano@patientfirst.com to set up an in-person interview, or via Zoom.
Did you know that every FCPS student PK-12 has a Fairfax County Public Library card? The LEAP program, now in its 6th year, allows all FCPS students to check out up to 3 library books for up to 6 weeks at a time (print books only). In lieu of presenting a physical library card, students give their names to the public librarian (no student ID needed) to check out their books. A new LEAP button has been added on our Library Resources page on the FCPS website.
🩹 Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
- Thursday, November 6
- Tuesday, November 18
- Wednesday, November 19
- Thursday, November 20
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Participation is voluntary. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student. Learn more about immunization resources.
National School Lunch Week
This week is National School Lunch Week, which promotes the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom. View menus for your child’s school to help you plan for the week ahead.
Did you know that families can apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits anytime during the school year?
If a family’s income changes at any point, they may become newly eligible according to federal income guidelines and can apply immediately. This includes income interruptions caused by furloughs, layoffs, or job losses. Once approved, benefits remain valid for the rest of the school year and for up to 30 school days into the following school year, even if the family’s income changes again. Read Superintendent Reid's October 1 letter regarding other resources available to families impacted by the government shutdown.
When Should Your Child Stay Home?
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your student succeed by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. So when should your child stay home? Visit the FCPS website for helpful ideas regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify our school and your child’s teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with our public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and tell school staff why and for how long.
How AI Is Shaping Teaching and Learning
Meeting the Moment: FCPS Forward — AI, a conversation with division leadership, which will take place Monday, November 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at West Springfield High School. Attend to:
- Learn about the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.
- Explore how AI can support FCPS student achievement and workforce readiness.
- Engage in a thought-provoking panel and keynotes.
- Help shape the future of innovation at Fairfax County Public Schools.
Agenda details will be shared with registered participants in the coming weeks. Contact DITEvents@fcps.edu with any questions.
FCPS Ombuds Office: Your Go-To Guide for the School System
Do you have a question or concern about Fairfax County Public Schools, but you don’t know where to find the answer? Dawn Clements wants you to know you can ask her! Dawn’s mission as the FCPS Ombuds is to make it easier to understand the school system and help build trust within the community. In honor of Ombuds Day, learn more about Dawn Clements and the Ombuds Office.
Elementary Language Arts Grades
You might notice that your student's progress report grades in English language arts (ELA) look a little different. This is happening because we've brought in a new curriculum and new ways to check on learning (assessments), and there are new state guidelines called the VDOE Standards of Learning.
FCPS is raising the bar and setting high goals! We are teaching and grading students on the big skills they need by the very end of the school year. Think of it like going on a journey. It’s challenging at first, but on your journey, you learn your way — and maybe even a few shortcuts!
First quarter grades may seem lower than usual as students work hard to reach grade-level mastery.
Please know that this is a positive, expected part of the learning journey. We are here to support every student as they grow and achieve. We are celebrating the effort and growth toward these new, higher standards!
Learn more about this change in ELA grading and reporting.
Bond Referendums Support Communities
The building and renovation of Fairfax County public schools is not funded through the division’s annual operating budget. Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. A $460 million bond referendum is on the November ballot. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a plan to vote by Tuesday, November 4.
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