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Early Release Tomorrow
Wednesday, December 10 is an Early Release Wednesday. Students will dismiss at 12:55 PM unless they have previously signed up for supervision.
12/9 - Tonight! PTA Restaurant Night @ Taco Bomba (Backlick Road)
12/9 - Tonight! Math Night @ 6 PM in the Cafe
12/10 - Wednesday - Early Release Day - BHES Dismissal @ 12:55 PM
12/15-19 Winter Book Fair in the Library
12/17 -- BHES Winter Concert @ Edison HS
12/22 - FCPS Winter Break begins. Bush Hill will re-open on Monday, January 5, 2026. Happy New Year!
Attendance Is Important Every Day!
Every year, absences increase in the weeks before and after winter break. Give your child the gift of education and help build a habit of attendance. Visit the FCPS website for more attendance resources.
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December 8th - Attendance Table: K-6
BHES's 2025-2026 Attendance Goal: 8% chronic absenteeism or less
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Percentage of students NOT currently chronically absent
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92.1 %
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Percentage of students currently chronically absent (missed 10% or more of the school days so far this year)
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7.9 %
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Make sure your child is in school every day, right up until vacation starts. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning.
Community Resources
Winter Break Childcare Resource Options
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Camp Fairfax Winter and Spring Break Camp’s registration has begun. Space is limited and spots are on a first come, first-serve basis. For questions or to register, please call (703) 449-8989 or visit the registration website here.
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Fairfax County Park Authority offers various camps and programming throughout Fairfax County to keep students active! To learn more and register, please view the Fall and Winter Camp catalog or explore their
Food and Clothing Resource Options
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Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) is a hotline service, connecting Fairfax County residents to food, shelter, rental, employment, and emergency resources and services. To get connected, please call (703) 222-0880 to speak to a Specialist or visit their website to learn more.
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services shares food resources in your area, using the emergency food access map found here.
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Koinonia Foundation provides food, clothing, emergency assistance, and holiday assistance programs in the Alexandria-Springfield area. To learn more, please visit their website or call (703) 971-1991.
FCPS Family Café Series
The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together - Register here for all upcoming dates.
- Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Chantilly High School
- January 12, 2026, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Lake Braddock High School
- January 22, 2026, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at West Potomac High School
Upcoming FCPS Webinars and Workshops
Please register here for all upcoming webinars and workshops
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Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for All Learners: December 12, 10-11:30 a.m.
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The Power of Restorative Justice Practices to Support Students and Families in Schools and at Home: Part 2: December 19, 10-11:30 a.m.
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Futures Planning in Unique Circumstances: What Resources are Available and What Plans Do I Need to Put in Place for my Special Needs Child? Session 1 (virtual) January 9, 10-11:30 a.m.
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How to Develop Motivation with Your Child January 16, 10-11:30 a.m.
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Futures Planning Workshop-Creating the Framework for Futures Planning Session 2 (In-person) January 23, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
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Tips to Reduce Parent Stress and Anxiety January 27, 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
Bush Hill Math Trajectory After School Special- Tuesday, December 9th
Want to learn about the different math courses offered at Twain and Edison? Join us at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, December 9th in the Bush Hill cafeteria!
Representatives from Twain and Edison will be available to answer questions and share information about math in middle and high school!
The Winter 2025 Book Fair is coming December 15th – 19th. Family nights will be Tuesday, December 16th, and Wednesday, December 17th, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm.
More Book Fair details: Set up eWallet and find more information
Would you like to help with the fair? We’d love your help! Book Fair Volunteer Sign-up
❄️ 5th & 6th Grade Winter Concert Announcement! 🎶
Please join us for an evening of beautiful music featuring our talented 5th and 6th Grade Chorus, Band, and Strings students!
To make planning easier for families and to ensure all students have a fantastic experience, we are staggering the performance times for each ensemble.
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Ensemble
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Performance Time
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Student Arrival Time
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5th/6th Grade Chorus
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6:15 PM
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5:45 PM
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6th Grade Band
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6:45 PM
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6:15 PM
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6th Grade Strings
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7:15 PM
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6:45 PM
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📅 Event Details
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Date: Wednesday, December 17th
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Location: Thomas Edison High School
We look forward to celebrating the hard work and musical accomplishments of our students with you!
Advanced Academics Programs
Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15
Parents and guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services must submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Ms. Jen Spollen jlspollen@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2025.
Each year, families can submit a referral for full-time AAP services any time from the first day of school through December 15. No late referrals for full-time AAP services will be accepted.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of six trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for full-time AAP services.
Next Steps for Parents
Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of their child’s materials after February 20, 2026, by emailing Ms. Jen Spollen jlspollen@fcps.edu
At the elementary level, referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by the school. If you miss the full-time referral deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific or part-time AAP services for the remainder of the year.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
From FCPS
✅ 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. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, 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.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or submitting the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type “Federal Impact Aid Survey” in the Issue Description section. You may also call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
Calendar Reminder: Bodhi Day, Early Release Wednesday, Winter Break
Bodhi Day
Monday, December 8, is a religious and cultural observance day recognizing the Buddhist holiday of Bodhi. There is school on this day; however, specific events that cannot be made up will not be held.
Guidelines on Religious Accommodations for Students
FCPS makes reasonable accommodations so individuals are able to meet their personal religious obligations. Parents, teachers, and administrators are encouraged to consult the Guidelines for Religious Activities for Students.
If you have questions, please call the Office of Equity and Employee Relations at 571-423-3070.
⏰ Early Release Wednesday
On Wednesday, December 10, elementary schools in the following pyramids will release three hours early:
- Annandale, Edison, Falls Church, Herndon, Lake Braddock, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, South Lakes, West Springfield, and Woodson.
Find out more about limited early release Wednesdays.
❄️ Winter Break (Student Holiday)
As a reminder, winter break will be held from Monday, December 22, to Friday, January 2.
To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-term assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break.
Classes resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. See the complete school year calendar.
Winter Reading Adventure
Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Saturday, January 31, 2026. Visit your local FCPL branch or their Winter Reading Adventure website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about gingerbread house making, crafting sessions, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. Learn how to help and discover the many resources available to support those who need food assistance or shelter. You may also view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities across the division. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using our visitor kiosk.
Individuals can complete a volunteer orientation on the Volunteer FCPS website. View Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the volunteer levels.
Recent Updates to Volunteer Opportunity Levels
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers. Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
As part of the application, all volunteers sign a statement confirming they have not been convicted of violent crimes, crimes against children, or other serious misconduct.
Field trip chaperone opportunities are now classified as Level 2 (not requiring a comprehensive background check).
FCPS’ Budget Supports the Success of the Local Economy
When our schools have the resources they need, all of Fairfax County succeeds!
FCPS is one of Fairfax County’s largest employers, and every paycheck we issue helps support local businesses, services, and housing markets. FCPS’ annual operating budget flows through our local economy — supporting jobs, purchasing goods and services, and contributing to regional stability.
Learn more about the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and how FCPS supports the Fairfax County economy.
Fairfax County Joint Budget Committee Meeting
The School Board met with the Board of Supervisors December 2 to discuss the budget forecast. View the meeting materials and learn more about FCPS' FY27 budget.
Quick Links
SIS ParentVUE
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