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Dear Bailey’s Upper Families,
As we hit the middle of the school year, I’d really love to hear from you about how things are going—how I’m doing, what’s working well, and what might need some attention. Your feedback truly matters to me. I want to make sure every family feels heard and that Bailey’s Upper continues to be a supportive and welcoming place for all of our students.
If you have a few minutes, please fill out our Mid-Year Principal Survey. Your thoughts—big or small—help guide the work I do every day and support the decisions we make as a school.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your perspective!
📝 English Survey: https://forms.gle/UBFSkzgNR6Q8nnZH6
📝 Encuesta en español: https://forms.gle/XuFbwsNMKRkVKRWJ9
Thank you for your time, honesty, and continued support. We are grateful to partner with you in this work and remain committed to making Bailey’s Upper the very best it can be.
With appreciation,
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!
We are still looking for a coach to run our after school Science Olympiad club from January-April. If you are interested and would like more information please reach out to Ms. Wayland at pawayland@fcps.edu
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 Sue Lackey (AART Teacher) at salackey@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 Sue Lackey (AART Teacher) at salackey@fcps.edu
At the elementary level, referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by our 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.
Full-Time Referral Form (PDF)
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FCPS Transportation updated the Here Comes the Bus app to improve service. Some families may experience login or access issues while the update completes. If you’re having trouble, please follow these steps:
1️. Delete and reinstall the app
2️. Sign in using your ParentVue email and password
3️. If you do not remember your password, please reset your ParentVue password and then use that password in the app.
If you need further assistance, please call Transportation at 703-446-2050 or IT at 571-423-2400.
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iReady Reading and MAP Math Testing:
- All Grade completed MAP and iReady test this week
- Makeup testing will continue next week
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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Monday, December 15th - Deadline for Application for Full-Time Advanced Academics (AAP)
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Wednesday, December 17th- 3-Hour Early Release (Dismissal starts at 12:25 p.m.)
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December 22nd-January 2nd- Winter Break (No School)
- Bailey’s Upper Office will be on Winter Break Office Hours. Schedule to come soon
- NYC will resume on January 9th
Reporting Student Absences
We are committed to partnering with families to promote positive attendance habits. Whenever your child is unable to attend school, please let us know. Reporting absences helps our staff support students and connect them with resources they may need.
Full-day absences can be reported in SIS ParentVUE. Parents can also report absences by calling our attendance line at 703-503-2727.
Parents may monitor their child’s attendance records in SIS ParentVUE.
Attendance Codes in SIS ParentVUE Explained
Attendance codes in SIS ParentVUE are assigned by school staff to better identify the reasons behind student absences. This allows us to respond thoughtfully and provide appropriate support. Visit the FCPS Attendance Policy webpage to learn more about the codes.
When Your Child Is Sick
It is also important to keep your child home when they are sick. The Can My Child Go to School? webpage provides helpful recommendations on when to keep your child home.
For instance, a child should attend school if they have cold symptoms, as long as they are feeling like they can participate in school activities. However, if they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing; wheezing; or difficulty breathing, definitely keep them home and contact your health care provider.
Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during the upcoming winter break and on snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
Meet the Author: Live on Channel 21 and YouTube
Tune in to the Fairfax Network on Friday, December 12, at 1 p.m., for Meet the Author with Gabriella Aldeman, author of the bilingual children’s book “Squawk of Spanish.”
Follow Max as he learns to communicate with his Spanish-speaking grandmother and discovers how language can bring families closer together.
Visit the Meet the Author webpage to view previous episodes of the show.
Winter Break Literacy Adventures
Engaging in literacy activities over winter break helps students maintain the reading, writing, and speaking skills they built during the first half of the school year. Even a little daily practice, such as these 10 fun family activities, helps ensure they return to school confident and ready to continue growing in literacy. Enjoy these literacy adventures as a family!
Support Our Schools: 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge
Join Educate Fairfax’s 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge and help ensure every FCPS student has the tools, support, and inspiration to succeed. Every gift, whether you can give $25 or $2,500, helps students learn while supporting the teachers and staff who make a lasting difference.
Educate Fairfax is the nonprofit education foundation that supports FCPS by providing resources, recognizing outstanding educators, and strengthening connections between schools and the community. Educate Fairfax invests directly in classrooms and programs. Last year, they contributed $1.27 million back into our schools.
The foundation supplied more than 5,000 school supply kits to more than 61 schools, centers, shelters, and Welcome Centers. Its Food for All Campaign packed more than 1,000 snack packs and helped feed more than 350 families over Thanksgiving. Read the Educate Fairfax Annual Report to learn more about their impact.
Together, we can support and encourage all learners and educators and strengthen the future of our schools. Donate to Educate Fairfax today.
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.
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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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