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May 15, 2026

Dear Beech Tree Families,

Happy Friday! Our students continue to work through SOL testing, and we appreciate all the support families are providing during this time of year. Helping students maintain routines and arrive at school rested and ready each day makes a big difference. A huge "Thank You" to you!

In Language Arts, students are wrapping up Benchmark Unit 7, where they have been reading, writing, and learning about history and culture. Students have explored different stories, perspectives, and historical topics throughout the unit.

Here are a couple of ways to continue the learning at home:

• Ask your child about something they learned during the unit that they found interesting or surprising.
• Create a family crest or symbol together that represents your family’s traditions, interests, or values.

At the end of the unit, students will bring home their unit magazine, which includes activities and ideas for continued learning at home. Families can also visit the Benchmark Families website for additional reading resources and support.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

With appreciation,

Principal Clarke & Assistant Principal Barry

📝 Important SOL Testing Dates

Please mark your calendars! To help your student perform their best, please try to avoid scheduling appointments on these specific assessment days.

🌟 5 Tips for a Successful Test Day

We want our students to feel confident and ready to shine! Here is how you can help at home:

1. 💤 Catch Some Zzz’s: It is important that students get plenty of rest the night before the test.
2. 🍳 Fuel Up: A nutritious breakfast provides the energy needed for focus and concentration.
3. ⏰ Beat the Clock: Please ensure students arrive at school on time.
4. ⏳ No Need to Rush: Remind your child that these tests are not a race. They may take as much time as they need to finish.
5. ❤️ Positive Vibes: A little encouragement goes a long way! Remind them to simply breathe and do their very best.

📢Calendar Reminders:

📌May 20-Wednesday Early Dismissal 1:00pm-(Kindergarten-5th Gr. Only)

📌May 25-Holiday Memorial Day-No School

📌May 26-Teacher Workday-There is No School for students. 
📌May 27-Eid al-Adha (Holiday)-No School

📌May 28-PTA Spring Fling 6:30pm

**Please reference the 2025-2026 School Year FCPS Calendar when making appointments or scheduling family trips.  Attendance counts and everyday matters! **

*To ensure the safety and well-being of our students, we kindly request that parents or guardians accompany their children to school events*

Finish the School Year With Strong Attendance!

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, Fairfax County Public Schools appreciates your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success. Regular attendance plays an important role in helping students stay engaged in learning, maintain connections with their teachers and peers, and finish the school year strong. 

Attending school consistently also helps students build valuable habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and daily routines that support success both in and out of the classroom.

If your child needs to miss school, please remember to report the absence. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE. Families may also report absences by calling the school attendance line (703) 531-2626 or emailing BeechTreeElem.Attendance@fcps.edu

If your child is experiencing challenges that are affecting attendance, we are here to help. Please contact Beech Tree Elementary School at (703) 531-2600 so staff can partner with you to provide support and resources. Learn more about attendance resources.

Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update

On Friday, May 8, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget. FCPS receives the majority of its funding from the Fairfax County Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

The Fairfax County Government recently adopted its FY 2027 Budget, and at the funding levels provided, there is currently a $28 million budget gap. In addition, the state budget has not been finalized. At last Thursday's School Board meeting, the superintendent proposed adjustments that would balance the FCPS budget. 

Read Dr. Reid’s message to the community for more information on the budget process and budget priorities.

New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1

On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.

This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell. 

High school students will no longer be able to use cellphones and personal devices during lunchtime. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage. 

Other SR&R Changes for the 2026-27 School Year

Visit the FCPS website or the School Board agenda to learn about additional updates, including:

• Added guidance and procedures for in-school and out-of-school suspensions and discipline investigations, including supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners. 
• Expanded guidance and standardized disciplinary procedures (“Universal Grade Matrices”) related to harassment, hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and Title IX reporting requirements.
• Responses to incidents involving intimate images, fighting, physical aggression, object throwing, and drug policy violations.

Stuff the Cruiser Backpack Drive

The Fairfax County Police Department's Mason District Station is hosting a "Stuff the Cruiser" event to help local students start the school year ready to learn. Community members are invited to join officers in collecting donations to support students in our community.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026

• Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Location: Target, 5115 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041

Donation Guidelines

To ensure the drive meets the specific needs of local students, please note the following:

• Items Needed: The station is collecting new backpacks only.

• Goal: These donations will help students start the school year strong and prepared.

Sponsors

This event is hosted by the Mason District Station of the Fairfax County Police Department in partnership with Target. Your support makes a significant difference for students in our community!

Beech Tree Elementary's Spring Pictures are now online!

 Hello Beech Tree Elementary Families!

Victor O'Neill Studios recently held Spring portrait day at our school and pictures are now online. All orders will include free shipping until May 12th. Please use the link below to view your student's Spring photos.

https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001356031

Please remember, the online code is the Student ID Number. 

For questions about orders, please email underclass@vosphoto.com

Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School. 

Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family. 

For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students

Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. 

Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps

Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.

Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.

Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes. 

New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.

Nominate Our Outstanding Beech Tree Staff

Take a moment to acknowledge and affirm a Beech Tree staff member when they go above and beyond in demonstrating care and dedication that ensures every one of our students is seen, heard, and valued. FCPS Cares. All FCPS Cares nominees are considered for an additional monthly award.

Parent Workshop: Understanding & Handling Anger & Stress Beech Tree Elementary is collaborating with the Fairfax County Family Services Department to host an upcoming workshop for parents. This session is designed to help families develop healthier ways to cope with stress, communicate more effectively, and manage anger for the benefit of both parents and children. Workshop Details Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026 Time: Starts at 6:00 PM Location: Beech Tree Cafeteria Attendee Support To make it easier for families to attend, the following services will be provided: Child Care: On-site childcare will be available. Refreshments: Light snacks/refreshments will be served. Language Support: Spanish interpretation and translation systems will be available for attendees.   How to Register Registration is required for this event. Families can register now. Link to Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Y5Z_kTEiZ9LJ_5sigfdNLDn325N22R4UtGgKi2Dauv0/edit

Taller para Padres: Entendiendo y Manejando la Ira y el Estrés

Beech Tree Elementary, en colaboración con el Departamento de Servicios Familiares del Condado de Fairfax, invita a todos los padres a un taller especial diseñado para ayudar a las familias a prosperar. El taller se centra en el desarrollo de formas más saludables de afrontar el estrés, mejorar la comunicación, crecer y controlar la ira para ayudarle a usted y a sus hijos.

Detalles del Evento

• Fecha: Jueves, 21 de mayo de 2026.
• Hora: 6:00 PM.
• Lugar: Cafetería de Beech Tree.

Apoyo para las Familias

Para facilitar su asistencia, ofreceremos los siguientes servicios gratuitos:

• Cuidado de Niños: Habrá cuidado de niños disponible durante el evento.
• Refrigerios: Se servirán alimentos ligeros para los asistentes.
• Traducción: Contaremos con un sistema de traducción al español disponible.

¡Regístrese Ahora!

La inscripción ya está abierta. Puede registrarse enlace para registrarse https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Y5Z_kTEiZ9LJ_5sigfdNLDn325N22R4UtGgKi2Dauv0/viewform?edit_requested=true

☎️ Family Information Phone Lines

FCPS family information phone lines are available in nine different languages. An FCPS employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. 

Call the phone line with questions about your child’s education or FCPS, and someone will help connect you to resources or arrange for you to speak to the appropriate school employee. Learn more about family information phone lines.

Beech Day=Lunch Visits

Beech Days (Open Days in YELLOW):

These are the days you can come to school and have lunch with your student:

Lunch Schedule

Unavailable Days Due to Wednesday Early Release (in RED):

These are the dates where Beech Days are unavailable because of early release closures:

• There will be no Beaver Beech lunch days during the month of May due to SOL testing which may alter the daily lunch schedules. 
• Beech Days will return during the month of June.

We encourage family members to enjoy the same lunch as their child, whether it's a packed lunch or from the school cafeteria. To maintain the integrity of our meal program, we kindly request refraining from bringing fast food options.

On the day of your child's scheduled lunch, please arrive 5 minutes early to sign in at the office. Our staff will direct you to the cafeteria. As you depart, please remember to check out at the office. For those opting to purchase lunch from the cafeteria, adult pricing is $5.00 and non-FCPS students under the age of 18 price is $3.25, payable in cash. For more details on lunch options, please click here.

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• 2027 Budget Updates
• New Cell Phone Policy
• Stay Up-to-Date with the Mobile App

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  

Beech Tree School Information

Hours:  9:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (doors open at 9:05 a.m. for arrival)

Attendance Line:  703-531-2626

Attendance Email: BeechTreeElem.Attendance@fcps.edu

School Registrar: Sandra Merino (703) 531-2620

Family Liaison: Ivett Rivas Urbano (703) 531-2601

Stay updated, sign up for 

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3401 Beechtree Lane, Falls Church, VA 22042  | Main Phone: 703.531.2600
Attendance: 703.531.2626 | Web | Twitter