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Ms. Wayland & Ms. West with some of our amazing students wrapping up the school day in front of a beautiful sunset.
Dear Bailey's Upper Families,
It is hard to believe that February is already coming to a close and we are heading into the long stretch of March. This time of year can feel busy and full, and we are excited to bring back our Kindness Challenge again just like we did last year. More details will be coming soon, but we are looking forward to another month filled with intentional acts of care and connection across our school community.
I also want to take a moment to celebrate two very special members of our team — our incredible family liaisons, Marian Perez and Jocelyn Sarwar. They are truly an amazing team. Every single day they work closely with individual families, offering support, guidance, and a listening ear. At the same time, they plan and coordinate meaningful events that strengthen our entire school community.
In just the past few weeks, they have helped host a Community Partner Celebration, coordinated and supported our Family Luncheon, led a Family Engagement Coffee focused on literacy and math data, and just this Friday, facilitated a Rising 6th Grade Family Meeting to help families better understand the transition to middle school. That is an incredible amount of care and coordination in such a short time.
We are so very grateful for Marian and Jocelyn, and for the heart they bring to our school each and every day.
With appreciation,
Bailey’s Upper Admin Team
💙Ms. Dowling
🧡Ms. Wayland
🐯Ms. Wiley
 Justice Pyramid principals enjoying a visit at Bailey's Upper! Excellent leadership for excellent schools!
Working as a collaborative community, we cultivate a strong sense of belonging and joy, fostering high expectations while providing access to opportunities that fuel the growth and success of every student, empowering families to thrive. The Justice Pyramid is proud to celebrate one of the many ways we live this commitment and come together to ensure our students feel that strong sense of belonging.
In January, the counselors from Glasgow Middle School traveled to Bailey’s Upper, Belvidere, Beech Tree, Sleepy Hollow, Parklawn, and Glen Forest to meet our 5th graders where they are. During these visits, counselors shared information about middle school, answered thoughtful questions, and helped launch the exciting transition process.
Next, students will select their courses and take a tour of Glasgow as they take the next steps toward becoming Justice Wolves. We love our Justice Pyramid Community and are grateful for the intentional ways we work together to support, welcome, and uplift our students every step of the way.
 5th graders learning about how to selected courses for 6th grade! Our tigers are growing up fast!
✨ Thursday Folders ✨
📂 This week’s Thursday Folder includes:
- Bailey’s PTA Read-A-Thon Story Extravaganza (English & Spanish)
- Bailey’s PTA 13th Annual Tiger Tales Read-A-Thon (English & Spanish)
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!
 Ms. Dove playing her ukulele while teaching and filling the room with joy!
📢 WEATHER UPDATE! 📢 The Read-A-Thon: Story Extravaganza planned for this Monday, Feb. 23rd has been POSTPONED due to expected weather. ❄️🌧️
📚 Parents are invited to READ-A-THON INFORMATIONAL MEETING!
🗓 Friday, Feb. 27 -⏰ 7:00 PM via Zoom
The Read-A-Thon is fun, two-week celebration of reading! Students challenge themselves to read (or be read to) daily while enjoying a friendly competition to see who can read the most minutes.
Learn about the:
- NEW & Easy Online Registration
- Exciting Events throughout the two weeks
- PRIZES for reading & fundraising
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You are invited to join the Title I Parent Advisory Committee (TPAC) for an important family engagement session about literacy. Learn how schools engage families in understanding literacy and supporting student success.
🗓 Tuesday, February 24
⏰ 7:00 p.m.
📍 Centre Ridge Elementary School
💻 Or join online: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/99642589438
Snacks, free childcare, and live Spanish interpretation will be provided.
We hope to see you there!
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Our next 3-hour early release is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25th. Students will be dismissed at 12:25 PM, unless you have requested that your child remain at school until 3:25 PM.
All students will follow the same mode of transportation used during the last 3-hour early release. If you need to make any changes to your child’s dismissal plans, please contact the front office at (703)503-2700 as soon as possible.
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We are excited to share an opportunity to celebrate the incredible educators in our school community!
Rack Room Shoes is now accepting nominations for the 2026 “Gives Teacher of the Year” Contest. This contest highlights outstanding teachers by inviting families to share how a teacher has inspired their child to succeed and why their influence is so meaningful.
To nominate a teacher, simply upload a photo along with a short story (500 characters or less) about that teacher. Nominations can be submitted here: https://2026rrsteacherofyear.cmpgn.page/c01sVl
Prizes for the Top 5 Teachers:
- $10,000 Innovation Grant for their school
- $500 Rack Room Shoes gift card for each winning teacher
Important Dates:
- Nominations: February 11 – February 26
- Voting: March 9 – March 27
- Winners Notified: Week of April 5
For additional details, please visit rackroomshoes.com
We encourage you to consider nominating a teacher who has made a meaningful impact on your child’s education. Let’s help recognize the amazing work happening in our classrooms every day!
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 Caught our tiger student spreading sunshine during recess.
Justice High School's PTSA marquee fundraiser, Wolves at the Lodge will be on Sat. February 28th from 7:00-11:00 PM. Tickets for teachers and administrators are only $10!!!
Enjoy a night out with neighbors. Reunite with old friends. Meet some new ones. The casino games will be rolling. There will be fabulous prizes, raffles, and silent auction items… including themed baskets this year! Great food, dancing, music, cocktails— everything you want AND it’s a great cause— our kids and teachers. Let’s make this year’s event the biggest and best yet.
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We warmly invite all Bailey’s Primary & Upper families who observe Ramadan to join us for an evening of celebration on Monday, March 2nd at Bailey's Primary Cafeteria.
A prayer space will be available before the meal, and families are encouraged to bring a halal dish to share. Let’s enjoy a delicious and diverse feast together!
No registration is required, but letting us know you’ll attend is greatly appreciated to help us plan a wonderful evening for everyone.
https://forms.gle/mVi7R9cP9VPo2USq9
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Meal Kits Information for Fasting Students
Please use the links below to complete the meal request forms. A separate form must be completed for each student. https://www.fcps.edu/meal-kits-fasting-students
Submit the fasting student meal kit request form by the dates listed below.
Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), is a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). Each year, they promote STEM through their annual flagship outreach event, Techstravaganza, and they are inviting our school’s students to attend!
Techstravaganza is a free, public, hands-on STEM activity fair for elementary and middle school students in Northern Virginia. In previous years, they’ve hosted more than 4,500 students and 70 labs presenting STEM activities. Their exhibitors range from TJHSST clubs and their own TWIST volunteers to organizations like NASA SCaN, Art of Problem Solving, George Mason University, American Society of Naval Engineers, and the National Air and Space Museum. This year, they will be holding the 22nd annual Techstravaganza on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10 AM to 4 PM at TJHSST.
Admission is free. More information about the event can be found on our website at https://techstrav.org or tjpartnershipfund.org/techstravaganza/.
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 Our lovely 4th graders working hard on there literacy.
WIDA Testing
All students identified as multilingual learners (MLs) are assessed annually to monitor their progress and proficiency in English as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). In Virginia, all divisions use the WIDA ACCESS for this purpose. The WIDA ACCESS is aligned with the WIDA English Language Development standards and assesses English in the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
The new testing dates for the remaining Domains are below:
WIDA Writing
- 5th grade -Monday, February 23rd
- 4th grade - Tuesday, February 24th
- 3rd grade - Thursday, February 26th
WIDA Speaking - will begin after the other 3 testing domains are complete and will be in small groups settings by our ESOL teachers beginning February 27th and continuing over the next several weeks.
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
Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Bailey’s Upper ES
Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
All students in grades 3-5, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 23, and Friday, March 6. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. On January 15th in our Thursday Folder, you received a letter with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.
We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic
📚 Exploring Technology and Society in Language Arts 📚
Benchmark Unit 5 in Language Arts is about technology and how it can help us solve problems at home, school, and work. Students in K-5 will be learning about technology and society. Grade six students will learn about technology in the 21st century.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: If you could invent anything, what would it be?
- Activity: Talk to your child about what daily life was like before today’s advances in technology. Where would you go to find information? How did you stay in touch with friends and family? Ask your child if they think they would like living without modern technology.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
 Ms. Mahmood and two third graders share a joyful recess selfie.
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Wednesday, February 25th- 3 Hour Early Release (Dismissal at 12:25pm)
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Friday, February 27th- PTA Reflections Arts Program Award Ceremony 6:00pm at Primary's Cafeteria
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Friday, February 27th- PTA Read-A-Thon Informational Meeting via Zoom 7:00pm
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**NEW EVENT** Friday, February 27th**- PTA Readathon Information Night 7:00pm via Zoom
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Monday, March 2nd- Iftar: Taste of Ramadan for families observing Ramadan at Primary
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Tuesday, March 3rd- PTA Read-A-Thon Virtual Story Time 7:00pm via Zoom
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Thursday, March 5th- PTA Read-A-Thon Virtual Story Time 7:00pm via Zoom
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Friday, March 6th- PTA Basketball Tournament at Justice High School
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Monday, March 9th- PTA Read-A-Thon Virtual Story Time 7:00pm via Zoom
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Wednesday, March 11th- PTA Read-A-Thon Virtual Story Time 7:00pm via Zoom
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Friday, March 13th- PTA Read-A-Thon Virtual Story Time 7:00pm via Zoom
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** NEW DATE** Monday, March 16th**- PTA Read-A-Thon: Story Extravaganza at Primary Doors Open 6:00pm & Program Begins 6:30pm
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Thursday, March 19th- Justice Pyramid Art Show (3:00-7:00pm at Justice High School)
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Tuesday, March 24th- Bailey’s Upper Career Day
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Wednesday, March 25th- 3 Hour Early Release (Dismissal at 12:25pm)
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Friday, March 27th- Club Photo Day
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Friday, March 27th- 2 Hour Early Release (Dismissal at 1:25pm)
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Monday, March 30th-Friday April 3rd- Spring Break - No School
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Monday, April 6th- No School - Teacher Work Day
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Friday, April 10th- No School - School Planning Day
 Bailey's Upper February 2026 Calendar
 One of our students adding rhythm on the tambourine.
Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6:00pm, at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
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Register Today With Volunteer FCPS Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment here at Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. All volunteers must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk.
At the Volunteer FCPS site, you can complete a volunteer orientation. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
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We are excited to announce that our school is now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This upgrade is part of our school’s and FCPS’ ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our school. The VMS ensures that no visitor is on the sex offender registry.
For most visitors, the user experience will be the same when you check in at the front office.
But now there is also an app, which can make check-ins even faster at school. Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use when you check in at school.
If you have questions or need assistance with the new system, please contact our front office. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!
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Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is gearing up to honor and celebrate its military-connected youth in April, the Month of the Military Child, and on Purple Up! Day!
This year, Virginia will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Purple Up! Day is a special day for communities to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and their families. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military.
FCPS Purple Up! T-shirts and other items are available for purchase now through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in our Custom Ink online store. These items highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our 14,500 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS!
For more information and/or to connect with FCPS resources, email us at militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
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 3rd graders focused on creating new music with their recorders.
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