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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!
Dear Families:
The hustle and bustle this time of year can be so busy, and the Department of Special Services (DSS) wants to take a moment to thank you for the role you play in your child’s success. It’s been fantastic watching them thrive and make huge strides this second quarter!
In just two weeks, though, it will be time to hit the pause button with the Winter Break. Please encourage your children to take this time to rest and enjoy with family and loved ones. Taking a break from the daily school routine can be one of the best ways to start the new year feeling refreshed and ready to learn.
DSS stays committed to supporting the success of our students, families and staff in and outside of the classroom. Contact us or learn more about our services and resources by clicking on the boxes in the footer of this newsletter. We also welcome your feedback about this newsletter. Send us a message at DSSNewsletter@fcps.edu.
We track chronic absenteeism to meet Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) accreditation requirements and to ensure students are consistently engaged in learning. Regular attendance is strongly linked to academic success, and monitoring absenteeism allows schools to identify concerns early, provide targeted support, and improve student outcomes while maintaining full accreditation status. This year, Winter Break is December 22- January 2nd. We hope to see all our students in school through December 19th and returning to school on January 5th.
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December 15th - 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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94.4 %
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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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5.6 %
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Reporting Student Absences
By reporting absences, families are partnering with school staff so that everyone can make sure students are supported and have access to resources. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE. Parents can also report absences by calling the school attendance line @ 703-924-5656 or emailing BushHillElem.Attendance@fcps.edu. School personnel will call parents or guardians if students are absent and the school has not been notified in advance.
Parents can monitor their child’s attendance records in ParentVUE.
Note: Attendance codes in ParentVUE are assigned by school staff so that they can better identify the reasons behind student absences. This allows schools 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 recommendations on when to keep your child home.
For instance, as long as they are feeling like they can participate in school activities, a child should attend school if they have cold symptoms. However, if they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing; wheezing; or difficulty breathing, definitely keep them home and contact your health care provider.
Dear Bush Hill Families,
As winter break quickly approaches, I want to wish our amazing Panther families a safe, joyful, and restful time. I encourage all students to take a well-deserved break, but also to explore enriching and fun activities that will keep their minds sharp and spirits bright! Below are several community and academic resources to explore and connect to during the holidays.
Kindly,
Ms. Kate 💙💛
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 their registration website.
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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, Clothing, and Shelter 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.
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.
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United Community is a local food bank, offering emergency services. Please call (703) 768-7106 or visit, https://www.unitedcommunity.org/
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Neighborhood and Community Services offers a Human Services Resource Guide to explore and connect to food, clothing, housing, safety, health, transportation resources and more.
For more information and resources, please review Student and Family Resources for Winter Break.
FCPS Academic Resources
FCPS Family Café Series
The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together - Register here for all upcoming dates.
- 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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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.
Yearbook sales are officially open. Order today to reserve a copy for your student. Visit www.buytheyearbook.com
Yearbook Price $17.00
Order Deadline April 17, 2026
Yearbook School ID 733033
Name on Cover $4.00
Online ordering please ~ Victor O'Neill Studios
⛄ 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 webpage 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!
FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or in the event of weather-related school closures.
❄️ Winter Break
Winter break is Monday, December 22, 2025, to Friday, January 2, 2026.
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-range assignments in the weeks before the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately after the break.
Classes resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. See the complete school year calendar.
🗓️ Plan Ahead: Future School Year Calendars Are Available
Visit the calendar webpage for printable calendars of the current school year through 2027-28, lists of key dates, or to subscribe to calendars.
FCPS Policies, Regulations, and Notices Available Online
Virginia’s Standards of Quality require all school divisions to notify the public annually of the availability of the school system’s policies. A continuous review process ensures ongoing examination and revision of each policy, regulation, and notice as needed. View Fairfax County Public Schools policies.
Any citizen who requests a hard copy of a directive has a right to receive it and should be provided the most current version printed from the website. The School Board office, at Gatehouse Administration Center, maintains the historical records of all directives.
Please call 571-423-1075 for more information.
Quick Links
SIS ParentVUE
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