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Bailey’s Upper Families,
As we wrap up the first quarter, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support. It’s hard to believe how quickly the year is moving, and we hope that you and your children have enjoyed these first few months as much as we have.
From the excitement of the first day of school to the learning, creativity, and laughter happening each day in classrooms, there has been so much to celebrate. We are putting together a highlight video to capture many of these wonderful moments, and we’d love to include your family’s memories too!
If you have any photos or short videos that capture special moments from this school year—whether from school events, projects, or at-home learning—please share them with us. Seeing our community through your eyes makes the story of Bailey’s Upper even more special.
You can email them directly to Ms. Dowling at hmdowling@fcps.edu or reply to the Talking Points.
Thank you for helping make this first quarter such a success. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!
With gratitude,
Bailey’s Upper Admin Team
💙Ms. Dowling
🧡Ms. Wayland
🐯Ms. Wiley
📂 This week’s Thursday Folder includes:
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!
📸 This is for students who were ABSENT or who would like to RE-TAKE pictures.
✨ Important Information:
- Parents must notify your child’s teacher in writing if your child needs to take re-takes.
- The original photo package must be returned on the day of re-takes.
- Students who were absent may order photos online or bring in hard copy forms.
- Deadline to order photos: Friday, December 5th.
- Payments can be made by check (payable to Victor O’Neill Studios) or exact cash only (no change available).
🗓️ Dates:
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Bailey’s Primary: Wednesday, December 3rd
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Bailey’s Upper: Thursday, December 4th
💻 Online Orders:
We’re excited to celebrate Spirit Week at Bailey’s Upper during the week of November 17-21! We hope your child will join in the fun and show their school spirit each day.
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Monday – Sports Day
- Wear your favorite team jersey or sports gear!
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Tuesday – Hat Day
- Top off your outfit with your favorite hat.
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Wednesday – Cozy PJ Day
- Come comfy in your pajamas! Feel free to bring a small stuffed animal, too.
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Thursday – Grade Level Color Day
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Show your grade pride by wearing your color:
- 3rd Grade – Blue
- 4th Grade – Green
- 5th Grade – Yellow
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Friday – Culture Clothes Day
- Celebrate our diverse community by wearing clothing that represents your culture or heritage.
We can’t wait to see everyone’s school spirit! 🎉
Join us Monday, Nov. 17th to learn how to understand your child’s Report Card, iReady & MAP Testing Results.
📅 Date: Monday, Nov. 17th
🕘 In-Person: 9:30–10:30 AM at Bailey’s Upper
💻 Online via Zoom: 7:00–8:00 PM
🔗 English: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/99092303522?pwd=YmhCtFzUvGGyIG0JszGYPcMaFwRGfQ.1&from=addon
🔗 Spanish: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/99806902672
✨ Learn how to support your child’s growth and celebrate their progress!
NGAT Abilities Test for Some Students
- Testing has concluded with the exemption of a few make up assessments
SEL Screener: Parent Reporting
The Fall SEL Screener window for students in grades 3-12 is now closed. Results will be released on the following schedule:
- Parent/guardian reports will be available to families in SIS ParentVUE the week of November 17, 2025.
- For families that do not have Parent Vue, Reports will be provided by December 5, 2025.
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
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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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Justice Girls Lacrosse is hosting a Fall Clinic on November 17, 18, 19 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Justice High School! This clinic is open to anyone, but we are targeting girls in grades 5th – 8th in the Justice Pyramid. No experience or equipment is required. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt! Lacrosse is a growing sport in the country and will be a part of the 2028 Summer Olympics! We are hoping to grow the sport in our community and give girls the opportunity to try a new sport and express themselves in a new way! In the past six years, our Varsity team has made history, and we are hoping to continue the success each year! We most recently finished our season as National District CHAMPIONS and Occoquan Region Semi-Finalists and with the National District and Occoquan Region Player of the Year.
If you are interested in registering, please complete the form HERE.
Know the signs to prevent the spread of this increasingly common ailment.
Over the last few years, an increasingly common disease associated with this time of year is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). While it’s considered a mild illness, it can be a nuisance that in some cases can keep a child out of school. It’s also an easily preventable illness. Here’s what you should know to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy.
What Is HFMD?
HFMD is a common, mild, but highly contagious illness caused by a virus that is contracted through contact with infected water droplets. It’s most often found in schools and day care centers, and for that reason, most patients-- but not all-- with HFMD are infants and children under five years old.
How Is HFMD Spread?
Like most common viruses, HFMD is contagious and can be transmitted by particles transmitted through a cough, sneeze, or even close conversation. It can also be contracted by touching objects and surfaces contaminated by those virus particles, fluid from blisters, or contact with fecal matter.
What Symptoms Should I Look For?
You should visit your health care provider if you or your child exhibits the following symptoms:
- Fever- This is often the first sign of HFM
- Sore Throat- This is another early indicator of infection
- Rash- A red rash may appear on the hands and/or feet within two days
- Sores- Painful, blister-like lesions may appear on the tongue, cheeks, or gums
- Reduced Appetite- This is due to the pain caused by swallowing
- General Malaise- Children may seem tired, irritable, or generally “under the weather”
How Do I Treat HFMD?
HFMD is not usually a serious health threat. Most cases are resolved in 7 to 10 days and can be treated with over-the-counter medications to manage fever and mouth sore pain. Do not give aspirin to children. Make sure patients with HFMD drink enough fluids to stay properly hydrated.
How Do I Prevent HFMD?
While it’s easy to contract, it’s just as easy to prevent yourself from catching HFMD. Here’s how:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Keep unwashed hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects, like doorknobs, toys, and touch screens
- Avoid close contact with an infected person
Patient First doctors are available to talk about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, and any other school-related ailments. Contact Victoria Soriano at (571)340-1594 or Victoria.Soriano@patientfirst.com to set up an in-person interview, or via Zoom.
November Is National Family Engagement Month
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and Learning
The FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
Volunteer Registration Update
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
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.
Find more community resources for families.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services, at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
Every Day Is a Stepping Stone to Success
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now that will help them graduate on time and help them with time management. Parents and families can play a big role in helping kick-start good attendance habits.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school. Visit our Attendance webpage for more information.
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The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees, specifically at Bailey’s Upper ES. |
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