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April 8 Family Newsletter
Dear Families,
This week students have been engaged in Disability Awareness stations during their physical education classes. Our PE teachers, Mrs. Murry and Mrs. Tirado designed experiences to promote inclusion both in and outside of PE. Check out some of the photos and more information below.
April is also School Library Month. At Union Mill, Ami Schroder has creates opportunities for students to develop knowledge and skills, experience a sense of belonging, and freely pursue their personal interests. Mrs. Schroder also runs our Get2Green Program, SCA and morning news show. We are grateful for all of the author visits she coordinates and the two amazing book fairs!
As a calendar reminder, this Friday, April 10th is a School Planning Day and there will be no school for students. This Friday is also our Unified Sports event at Centreville High School from 9:45 - 11:30 am.
This week also marks assistant principals week. We are grateful to have Mrs. Jaime Graham and Mr. Dominic Williams serve Union Mill each day. Our students, staff and families are grateful for your support. |
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Upcoming Dates
Thursday, April 9th - Centreville Pyramid Art Show
Friday, April 10th - School Planning Day (No School for Students)
- Unified Sports @ CVHS
Saturday, April 11th - CVHS Thrift Sale
Wednesday, April 15th - Purple Up! for the Military Child
- Yearbook Order Deadline
Saturday, April 18th - Military Family Field Day @ Annandale High School
Monday, April 20th - Friday, April 24th - Book Fair
Tuesday, April 21st - Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
Wednesday, April 22nd - 6th Grade Panoramic Photo (new date)
- Evening Book Fair & Ice Cream Social
See the complete school year calendar
April Statewide Election: No School for Students
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. Principals and directors of student activities may adjust event start times and entry points to ensure clear separation between student activity areas and polling spaces.
Employees should check their email for a message from the school division (sent Wednesday, March 11) with additional details.
Disability Awareness Stations in Physical Education
From April 7, 8 and 9th students have engaged in an interactive journey of perspective and play. Over the last few days, students have been diving deep into the world of diverse abilities. We have been exploring how people navigate the world with visual impairments, fine motor difficulties, autism, dyslexia and physical disabilities. But wait, there is more! Students have been discussing inclusion and taking a pledge to be more inclusive by signing their names and sharing ways to “invite others in!” Look for our colorful pledge the next time you visit the main lobby!
A massive thank you to Coach Debbie LoCastro from Northern Virginia Power Soccer for providing equipment and expertise to introduce our students to the fast-paced, exciting world of Power Soccer. Check out the incredible work they do: nova-powersoccer.org
Let’s keep playing, keep learning and keep including!
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Dan Santat Author Visit
Third and Fourth Grade Parents, Caldecott Medalist, author & illustrator, Dan Santat is coming to UMES on April 15th! He has written and illustrated picture books like Beekle, chapter books like The Misfits and graphic novels like Sidekicks. Now he has a brand new, funny graphic novel series, Sashimi coming out mid April! Paperback copies are just $8.99! If you would like to purchase a signed copy for your child, go to MySchoolBucks and click on the click. Book purchases are optional, all third and fourth graders will get to see Mr. Santat’s presentation!
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Students’ Personal Devices Covered Under FCPS’ Cell Phone Policy
The FCPS cell phone policy applies to all personal devices that can access the internet, record, or communicate. This includes:
- Cell phones
- Smart watches
- Smart glasses
- Airpods, earbuds, and headsets
Personal Devices are not permitted to be used as an instructional tool, and all students need to keep cell phones, smart watches and all other personal devices off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
Centreville Pyramid Art Show
Join us on Thursday, April 9th from 4:30 - 6:30pm at Centreville High School to see the amazing 2D and 3D artwork created by our wonderful artists from Union Mill Elementary and other nearby schools. There will be family activities and food as well.
CVHS Thrift Sale Fundraiser
Join us for the CVHS Thrift Sale on Saturday, April 11th from 8:00am-1:00pm. This is a great opportunity to shop great deals while supporting a meaningful cause. Donated items will be accepted at CVHS on Friday, April 10th from 3:00–7:00pm. All proceeds will benefit the CVHS Class of 2026 All-Night Grad Party. We hope to see you there!
MOMC Spirit Week
We are excited to celebrate Military Spirit Week next week! Please join us as we honor and recognize our incredible military-connected students and families who make up such an important part of our school community. Throughout the week, students will have fun opportunities to show their support, appreciation, and school spirit. We look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate and uplift our military families!
UMES Yearbook
Have you been waiting to purchase a yearbook for your student? Well, wait no longer! The deadline to buy a yearbook is in 7 days (April 15th) so don’t delay, order today!
You can click on this link to place orders at www.buytheyearbook.com with school ID# 732149. Yearbooks are $16.49 each. Don't miss your chance to order a yearbook as there will not be extras available at the end of the year.
The Book Fair is Coming!
Spring Book Fair - April 20, 22, 23 and 24th. The evening event is Wednesday April 22nd (Earth Day!) from 4-7pm. A flier will be coming home next Friday with more details.
Book Fair Volunteers: Our spring book fair is almost here! This fundraiser supports the UMES library by providing funds which are used to purchase new books for your students. We are looking for some volunteers to help set up the fair, help students make wish lists, and run the cash registers. If you have a bit of time to give, even 30 minutes, please click on this link to sign up https://tinyurl.com/nhdnk4sd or email librarian, Ami Schroder at amschroder@fcps.edu to let her know when you can help. Thank you!
Kindergarten Registration
Online Registration is now open for the 2026-27 school year!
Kindergarten helps children learn and practice the social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives.
New-to-FCPS families create a ParentVUE account for online access. Details are available here: Welcome to Fairfax County Public Schools' (FCPS) Online Registration | Fairfax County Public Schools
Current families can register their new student through their existing ParentVUE account. (No need to register students returning to UMES.)
Our Registrar, Catherine Dubas, is happy to process registrations directly, as well. Please contact her at cmdubas@fcps.edu and be ready to provide your family’s address and rising kindergartener’s date of birth. Catherine will respond with registration details and documents necessary to start the process.
Spring registration puts you on the list for school communications, so don’t wait!
Kindergarten Orientation - New Date
Due to recent changes in the FCPS calendar, the early release day originally scheduled for Orientation on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 has been cancelled. As a result, we have updated the date and time for this event.
🗓️ New Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
🕓 Time: 2:45 – 3:45 PM
📍 Location: Union Mill Elementary School
We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we make this adjustment. We look forward to meeting you and beginning this exciting partnership together!
Early Release Wednesdays
The Centreville Pyramid, which includes Union Mill Elementary, will have the following three-hour early release Wednesdays. On these days, students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. This time allows for our staff to plan, collaborate and grow professionally.
Thank you for your help in making these days smooth and enjoyable for everyone!
Additional information can be found on the FCPS Early Release Wednesdays webpage.
Lake Braddock and Robinson Community Resource Fair
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Robinson Secondary - Gold Cafeteria
5035 Sideburn Rd, Fairfax
Connect with resources available in Fairfax County
- Health & Wellness
- Recreation & Activities
- Education & Career
- School & Family Partnership
Questions? Contact The School Family Liaisons :
Lake Braddock: Alejandra Pena-Ulloa APenaUlloa@fcps.edu
Robinson: Carla Quiroga-Anello CQuirogaAnel@fcps.edu
Feria de recursos comunitarios Lake Braddock y Robinson
Miércoles 15 de abril de 2026 18:00 a 20:00 Robinson Secondary
Cafetería Gold 5035 Sideburn Rd, Fairfax
Conéctese con los recursos accesibles en el condado de Fairfax.
- Salud y bienestar
- Recreación y actividades recreativas
- Formación y profesión
- Vínculo entre la escuela y la familia
¿Preguntas? Comuníquese con las enlace de familia de las escuelas:
Lake Braddock: Alejandra Peña-Ulloa APenaUlloa@fcps.edu
Robinson: Carla Quiroga-Anello CQuirogaAnello@fcps.edu
UMES PTA
PTA Funds at Work
Thank you to the PTA for your support with new tiles in two of our kindergarten classrooms. Union Mill and the PTA were able to partner up to combine funds to replace aging carpets. We are grateful to improve the learning environment and space as a result. Thank you to all of the staff for quickly turning around the classrooms and for our custodial team who was able to wax and clean the rooms as well!
April PTA Meeting: Virtually Yours on 4/15
The next PTA meeting will be coming to you virtually on Zoom on Wednesday April 15th at 7pm. We will be taking nominations for Board positions and looking for volunteers for the 2026/2027 school year. There are so many ways your voice can matter at UMES. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of the conversation to decide next year’s budget, programs, and events. A Zoom link will be provided through PTA e-news the week of the meeting, so be sure to sign-up as a PTA member to receive e-news and the meeting link. Memberships are inexpensive.
You can sign up by clicking here.
If you have questions about the meeting, memberships, PTA Board roles, what time commitments are like for volunteers, or any other topic current Board Members can answer your questions.
Flower Power Grade Challenge!
Win a Spirit Day for Your Entire Grade!
The Spring Flower Power Fundraiser is going on until May 15th. Order seeds and bulbs online and they will be delivered directly to your home. The PTA earns 50% of each sale to support school programs. Grades will receive credit for every 5 sales - the grade with the most sales by May 15th will win a special Spirit Day for their grade level! Check out the school lobby to see your grade (butterfly) jump along the flowers and see who is in the lead!
You can order here.
Box Tops for Education
We are a Box Tops for Education school! All you have to do is download the app and scan your printed receipts or upload your digital receipts. Shopping at Walmart? Just connect your account, no scanning required!
Click this link to get started and use code P7R07LNQ!
Updated UMES PTA Calendar of Events
View our updated calendar of events here.
Visit us at unionmillpta.org, follow the PTA on Facebook @UMESPTA and email us anytime at pta@unionmillpta.org.
Union Mill Hours
Bell Schedule
Doors open at 8:35 am. Students should be in class by 8:45 am.
Students are dismissed at 3:30 pm.
Office Hours
Monday - Friday - 8:15 am - 4:15 pm
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