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6 -- PTA Restaurant Night - Taste of Asia
7 - Veteran's Day Breakfast -- 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
11 -- Veteran's Day Holiday -- NO SCHOOL
12 -- 3 Hour Early Release Day - Bush Hill ES 12:55 PM Dismissal
17 -- Picture Make-Up Day (Morning)
20 - Thanksgiving Luncheon & Turkey Trot
26, 27, 28 -- Thanksgiving Holiday - Schools closed
 November is Family Engagement Month!
November is a wonderful time to celebrate the power of collaboration and connection. Bush Hill staff thanks all our families for your continued partnership and support. Your involvement in your child's education makes a huge difference. When families and educators partner, our Panthers thrive!
Please see the FCPS Family Engagement Month Calendar for fun and creative ideas to share with your children, loved ones, and school-community.
Upcoming Bush Hill Events
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Veterans Day Spirit Day and Breakfast: Friday, November 7th8:30 AM - 9:00 AM in the school cafeteria. To learn more and RSVP, please click here. All students and families are welcome to wear red, white, and blue to show their support!
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Family Coffee - Understanding Your Child’s Math and Literacy Assessments: Tuesday, November 18th 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM in the school cafeteria. If you were unable to attend Back to School Night this year, please consider attending our next Family Coffee to learn more about your student’s assessments. Please RSVP here!
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Thanksgiving Luncheon & Turkey Trot: Thursday, November 20th. More details to come!
Academic Resources
FCPS Family Academy - A hub of information for families to explore and connect to!
FCPS Family Resource Center - Offers free family information phone lines in different languages, consultations with professionals, workshops, webinars, a library, and more!
Family Engagement eLibrary - Explore supportive resources in English and Spanish for parents and guardians to enhance their child’s learning and wellbeing.
FCPS Parent Technology Help Desk - Do you have a technology issue with your ParentVUE or Schoology account? You can submit a support request here or contact the Parent Technology Help Desk at (833) 921- 3277.
Varsity Tutors - Offers free tutoring services. To access Varsity Tutors, please login to the Clever dashboard and explore the different types of tutoring services offered. To view the student login guide please see here.
Family Resource Center Tutoring List - One-on-one tutoring services are available. To access this year’s Family Resource Center tutoring list, please submit this interest form.
Upcoming FCPS Webinars
To learn more and register, please visit the registration website.
- Listening Beyond Words: How to Hear What Your 2E Child is Really Saying: November 7, 10-11:30 a.m.
- Family Engagement in the Special Education Process: November 14, 10-11:30 a.m.
Bush Hill Tools and Resources
To learn more, please click on each resource below.
Have questions or need support on any of the information above? Please contact Bush Hill’s Family Liaison, Kate Formeller (Ms. Kate), for further assistance. Thank you!
Phone: (571) 595-5135
Email: Kformeller@fcps.edu
Talking Points: Kate Formeller
Fairfax County Public Schools Safe Routes to School, in partnership with VDOT, will be placing temporary pedestrian and bicycle counters around Bush Hill Elementary.
These devices will help count how many students and families are walking and biking in the area. The data will guide future efforts to improve walking and biking safety near the school.
The counters will be in place for a short time and will not record any personal information—they only count the number of people passing by. Thank you for supporting our efforts to make school travel safer and healthier!
 For a limited time only (10/25 – 11/16) the PTA is offering Bush Hill Spirit wear in new styles, designs, and colors (including tie dye). Purchases are made online and shipped directly to school - no shipping costs for you!
Check out the store now and stock up.
https://stores.inksoft.com/bush_hill_elementary/shop/home
Upcoming Events
Thursday November 6, Taste of Asia Restaurant Night
Friday November 7, Veterans Day Breakfast, 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Monday November 10, Garden Club Meeting, 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday November 19, PTA General Body Meeting, 7:00 p.m. (virtual)
For more information, please visit the BHES PTA Website
VETERANS DAY SPIRIT DAY November 7th
Show your support by wearing Red, White and Blue on Friday, November 7th in honor of our veterans and military-connected families.
 Bush Hill Elementary School will be hosting a special breakfast to honor the Veterans in our community. We would love to have as many Veterans as possible at our informal morning gathering, so that they may be honored and recognized for their valued service to our country.
Who: Veterans and their families
When: Friday, November 7th 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Reception: hosted by Bush Hill ES staff in the school cafeteria
If you or someone you know is a Veteran and would like to attend, please RSVP here by Wednesday, November 5th. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kate Formeller at kformeller@fcps.edu.
If you would like to show your appreciation to our veterans by donating items for the breakfast, please see sign up below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA4AD2DA0FCC07-60067308-veteran
Please Nominate an Outstanding Bush Hill Employee
We are seeking your help to recognize teachers/staff members who go above and beyond for our students and school community. If you know a Bush Hill employee who consistently makes a difference, please take a moment to submit a nomination and share why they deserve to be celebrated! All nominations must be submitted by November 7th. You may submit more than one nomination if you would like. To submit a nomination for a Bush Hill Elementary School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the Google link found below. You may nominate one or more employees at Bush Hill.
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 Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a principal (in any school/school district).
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: Has at least one year of experience in their current position as a School-Based Administrator (that is not a principal.)
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, and Director of Student Services.
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: Has at least one year of experience 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, 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: Has at least one of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support.
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Custodial Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons.
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrated exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
To nominate an Outstanding Bush Hill Employee,
please click this link: Nomination Form for Outstanding Employee
or scan the QR code below
*EXTENDED: Deadline to submit a nomination is now November 7th,2025*
If you have questions, please contact Lisa Dial at
ldial@fcps.edu
Edison Pyramid Family Preview Night
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Bush Hill ES Cafeteria
www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary/family-life-education
The elementary FLE program is taught by the regular classroom teacher. The early elementary program emphasizes the importance of families, distinction between good and bad touch, sources of help, and the importance of friendships. Human sexuality is first introduced in grade four. In the Human Growth and Development unit, students learn about the male and female reproductive systems. Students view age-appropriate videos and learn the maturational process, changes which occur during puberty, and prenatal development. Students study the effects of peer pressure and begin to examine the influence of media on behavior and attitudes. Students begin an understanding of sexually transmitted infections in grade 5. The emotional and social health unit includes abuse prevention from good touch/bad touch in primary grades to types of abuse in upper elementary grades. Instruction for abuse prevention includes resources for help.
Parents and guardians have the right to review the family life education program offered by FCPS, including written and audio-visual educational materials used in the program. Parents and guardians also have the right to excuse their child from all or part of family life education instruction.
SNAP Benefits/Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA)
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency, allowing the use of state funds to issue Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) benefits to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers in November, if the federal government shutdown is not resolved by November 1. Under VENA, 25% of a customer's monthly benefit will be issued on a weekly basis, so that in the event the shutdown ends sometime during November, normal distributions from the federal government will resume.
Resources for Furloughed Families
Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local Community
Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. Its Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.Community Resources for Families in NeedThrough partnerships with community-based organizations and other Fairfax County agencies, Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) provides information, referrals, and advocacy to help individuals connect with services, including: basic needs (food, shelter, clothing), financial assistance, health care services, and referrals to services and resources.
Visit the CSP website or call 703-222-0880 for assistance.
How to Access or Donate Food to Those in Need
View the Emergency Food Access Providers webpage to see where to access food or donate to your local food bank.
FCPS Food and Nutrition Services/Free and Reduced Price Lunch
Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced Price Lunch
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.
Resources
Coordinated Services Planning (Fairfax County)
Emergency Food Access Providers (Fairfax County)
Federal Workforce Resource Hub (Fairfax County)
Free and Reduced Price Meal Application (FCPS)
Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) (State)
Join us in making a positive impact in our community by volunteering with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Whether you have a few hours or more, your time and talents can support our students' educational experiences. Opportunities range from tutoring and mentoring to assisting with school events and activities. Become a part of our vibrant community and help shape the future by volunteering today!
How to Sign Up to Volunteer
- Determine where you would like to volunteer.
- Want to volunteer at a specific FCPS school? Click “Schools” and select your desired school. Once you select a school, you can browse opportunities offered at that location.
- https://volunteer.fcps.edu/custom/501/volunteer_home
- Have a particular volunteer opportunity in mind? Click “Help Wanted" for a list of current opportunities. Please note if you received an invitation to an opportunity via email but do not see your opportunity listed, you may need to sign up via the link in your email.
- Not sure where you want to volunteer? Click “Programs” to browse a list of available programs. You may then select a school or sign up at the FCPS Division Office, which will place you with a school in need of volunteers.
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Create a profile.
- Once you have found a school or volunteer opportunity you are interested in, click "Learn More" and then "Sign Up" to register in the volunteer management system.
- Follow application instructions.
- Watch the Volunteer FCPS Orientation video.
- Determine your anticipated volunteer frequency and apply.
- Background checks vary by application and may require fingerprinting.
- Some volunteer opportunities required an interview.
FCPS Background Checks
Fairfax County Public Schools is fortunate to have individuals, groups, and organizations that contribute time and energy to students as volunteers. Because student safety is of utmost importance, FCPS requires ongoing and frequent volunteers and those who meet one-on-one with students to undergo a background check.
- FCPS covers the fees for background checks for volunteers and mentors.
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FCPS is launching a new volunteer management system. Volunteer FCPS will provide a centralized platform for students, parents, caregivers, and community members to register and search volunteer opportunities in the division.
Definitions
- A visitor is any person on FCPS property who is neither employed by FCPS nor attends a Fairfax County public school. This includes, but is not limited to: parents; guest speakers; salespersons; representatives of the news media; students who are not enrolled in FCPS; an FCPS student who is not enrolled at the school or office they are visiting; FCPS volunteers; business partners; and representatives from a college or university. Volunteers are distinguished by their purpose of visiting FCPS. Visitors attend events (athletics, concerts, assemblies, school meetings, PTA events, etc).
- A volunteer is a visitor who provides their time, skills, or services to support FCPS without compensation.
Volunteer Levels
Volunteers fall into three levels, with requirements that match the level of involvement and supervision:
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Level 1: Infrequent volunteers (monthly or less frequent) who are always supervised do not need a criminal background check. However, they do need a sex offender registry check, which is performed by signing in at the school's visitor kiosk, usually in the front office.
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Level 2: Frequent, ongoing, or regular volunteers (daily, weekly, bi-weekly) who are also always supervised are subject to the same requirements as Level 1—no criminal background check, but a sex offender registry check via the school’s visitor kiosk is mandatory.
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Level 3: Volunteers with direct, unsupervised interaction with students and field trip chaperones must complete a criminal background check, including fingerprinting. Volunteers with direct, underpervised interaction includes roles like mentors or tutors who are alone with students (not accompanied by an FCPS staff member) at any time during the activity.
Join Volunteer FCPS and make a positive impact in our community by volunteering with FCPS! Learn about volunteer opportunities and register today. Contact volunteer@fcps.edu with any questions.
Reasons for Revising Volunteer Process
Our volunteers are a vital part of our school communities, and we deeply value the time and care they give to our students. Recent updates to our volunteer process focus on one primary goal: keeping students and staff safe.
These updates — such as checks against the sex offender registry and, in some cases, criminal background checks — are safety measures that will help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.
We understand these changes may seem disruptive, especially for long-time volunteers. Our intention is to ensure that everyone who interacts with our students meets clear safety standards.
The FCPS Mobile App
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In her Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared an update on the FCPS mobile app. It provides a custom district-branded platform for iOS and Android that helps keep families connected and informed from their smartphones.
Families can access essential information, including news, live updates, calendars, district and school-specific notices, cafeteria menus, and more, all in one place. Users can access updates and content without having to sign in, making it easy for everyone to stay informed.
Learn more about the new mobile app, and hear from parents TeAndra Nelson and Roy Dykes.
Download the Fairfax County Public Schools mobile app by going to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and searching for “FCPS.” Read more in Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections.
Please Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible.
Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12. For more information, please visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
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Calendar Reminders
School Planning and Teacher Workdays
Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 3, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 4, for a teacher workday.
Veterans Day
Tuesday, November 11, is a holiday for Veterans Day. All schools and offices are closed.
See the complete school year calendar.
Quick Links
SIS ParentVUE
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