FCPS is administering our Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Monday, March 9th to Monday, March 23rd. Your feedback is critical in helping us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.

Survey topics include:

• 🤝Welcoming environment.
• 💬Communication.
• 🎓Student success.
• 📣Advocacy.
• Family and school partnerships.
• 🌎Community partnerships.

Take the survey, available in various languages:

• English: https://bit.ly/FESURVEY2026
• • Spanish: https://bit.ly/3Nn8fIb
• • Arabic: https://bit.ly/40bclWK

In addition, the survey is also available in Amharic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Urdu, and Vietnamese. You can also request a hard copy version of the survey from your Family Liaisons: Maria Demarest, Laura Doughty & Jocelyn Sarwar.

We are excited to share that Bailey’s is hosting a book fair this year from March 23–27!

We will have special Book Fair Nights on Monday, March 23, and Tuesday, March 24, from 6–7:30 pm.

Ms. Culver, our librarian, is seeking volunteer to help students make wish lists and to assist during the fair. 

Our next 3-hour early release is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th. Students will be dismissed at 12:45 PM.

Please note: Pre-School and Head Start students do not participate in the early release and will dismiss at their regular time.

All students will follow the same transportation plan used during the previous 3-hour early release, unless a different arrangement has been confirmed with the main office or Assistant Principal Mr. Downing. If you need to change your child’s dismissal plans, please contact the front office at (703) 575-6800 as soon as possible.

Justice Pyramid Art Show - Bailey's Tigers Featured!

The annual Justice Pyramid Art Show is approaching fast! Our Bailey’s Upper Tigers who have gone above and beyond in art this year will have their artwork displayed in our section of the show at Justice High School.

Reception Details:

📅 When: Thursday, March 26, 2026

⏰ Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM

📍 Where: Justice High School, 3301 Peace Valley Lane, Falls Church, VA 22044

🎭 Location: Little Box Theater

If your family is unable to attend the reception, you can view your child’s artwork during the day: 📅 Monday, March 23 – Thursday, March 26, 2026 ⏰ Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM 🚪 Entrance: Please use Door 1 for security

Note: The reception on March 26 is the only evening opportunity to see the show.

We can’t wait to celebrate the creativity and hard work of our talented Tigers! 

Spring Break will take place from March 30th – April 3rd. During this time, there will be no school and school offices will be closed.

We hope our students and families enjoy a safe, relaxing, and wonderful Spring Break filled with rest and fun.☀️😎

Monday, April 6 is a Teacher Work Day, so students will not report to school that day.

We look forward to welcoming our students back when classes resume on Tuesday, April 7!

Volunteers Needed for Family Science Night! 🔬

Join us in making this year’s Bailey’s Primary & Upper Family Science Night a fun and memorable evening for our students and families! The event will take place on Thursday, April 16th  from 5:15pm–7:45 p.m.

Volunteers will help with set-up, support hands-on science activity stations alongside a partner, and assist with clean-up at the end of the night. Your time and energy will help create an exciting night of discovery and learning for our school community.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and able to stay for the entire event.

Thank you for helping make Family Science Night special for our students and families—we hope you can join us! 🌟🔬

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP!

March is Music in our Schools Month!

March is National ‘Music in our Schools Month.’ Many of you probably have fond memories of your elementary music class, and now it is an important part of your child’s education. But why music? Let’s explore!

Why Music?

Music Is Natural!

The singing voice is natures built-in instrument– we all have one! When children move to and create music it gives them a sense of rhythm and improves coordination and spatial-temporal reasoning.

Music Is Joyful!

Singing is a joyful and sociable activity, feeding the spirit as well as the mind and bringing us closer together. When a child’s experience is joyful their learning flourishes. Music is an innate and natural love for children, and should be celebrated and explored at home as well as in their learning environment.

All first and second grade students will have the opportunity to take their school-issued laptops home each afternoon and return them to school each morning. Taking laptops home is optional, but we encourage families to consider this opportunity to support continued learning and help students build responsibility in caring for their devices.

All families are asked to complete the Google form to indicate whether they would like their child to take a laptop home or to opt out at this time. A member of our Technology Team will follow up with you via Talking Points to confirm your selection and share any next steps.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our School-Based Technology Specialist, Nicole Sandrowicz.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership!

Educate Fairfax, the 501(c)3 education foundation that partners with the community to support Fairfax County Public Schools students and educators, is launching a divisionwide Student Bookmark Art Contest during March. FCPS students in grades K–12 are invited to design a 2” x 7” bookmark celebrating the power of learning and creativity under the theme “Today’s Reader, Tomorrow’s Leader.”

Artwork must be original, flat (no glitter or pop-ups), and include the student’s name, grade, and school on the back. Entries will be judged on creativity, connection to the theme, and overall effort. Four winners (K–2, 3–6, middle, and high) will each receive a $25 gift card, and winning designs will be printed and shared in schools and the community. This initiative supports FCPS Goal 3 by promoting literacy and student engagement.

Submissions may be mailed to Educate Fairfax (8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031), emailed to info@educatefairfax.org, or sent via pony mail by the April 17th deadline. By submitting, students confirm FCPS enrollment and grant permission for printing and promotion (first name and grade only; parent/guardian signature required for winners).

For more information visit EducateFairfax.org

The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School. 

Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.

Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.

Nominations are open for the 2026 Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Awards, which recognize educators, staff, volunteers, and community members who go above and beyond to support students receiving special education services. The annual program celebrates individuals across Fairfax County Public Schools who demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusion, support, and student success.

Honorees may include teachers, instructional assistants, administrators, therapists, volunteers, and other community members who have made a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families. Nominations are open through Friday, March 27, and can be submitted online.

Award recipients will be recognized at the SEPTA Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 2, where families, educators, and community members will gather to celebrate those helping build more inclusive and supportive school communities. Registration details for the ceremony will be announced at a later date.

Is your child heading to kindergarten this fall? Join FCPS staff for Countdown to Kindergarten, a virtual event designed to help families prepare for this exciting transition! The webinar will take place on Friday, March 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

During this webinar, families will learn practical tips and essential information to support their child's smooth and successful start to kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools. Register to receive the event link. 

Kindergarten Registration

There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

1. Determine eligibility. 
2. Identify your local school. 
3. Gather documents. 
4. Fill out forms. 
5. Schedule an appointment (the student and one caregiver must be present).

Read more about the registration process. 

There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled. 

Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.

As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on: 

• Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
• Thursday, April 16, at Ravensworth Elementary School (note date change).
• Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.

Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.