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August 14th Family Newsletter
Dear Families,
It was great to connect with many of our new families at our Scavenger Hunts over the last few weeks. Our building is looking clean and our staff members have returned to set up their rooms, plan and prepare to welcome children back.
All Union Mill families should have received a welcome back message earlier this week as well with timely information as we prepare for the year. We look forward to welcoming students and families back at Open House on Friday, August 21st.
As we look toward the start of the new school year, please take a moment to review the important dates and information below.
Upcoming Dates
Friday, August 21 - Open House and medication dropoff @ 10:00 - 11:30 am
Monday, August 24 - First Day of School
Wednesday, September 9 - Back to School Night @ 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Thursday, September 17th - PTA Fun Run
FCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar
Calendar Reminder: 2026 First Day of School
Monday, August 24, is the first day of school for the 2026-27 school year.
View the 2026-27 school year calendar and employee calendar for other important dates.
Upcoming Events at Union Mill
 🎒OPEN HOUSE - Come meet your teacher and drop off school supplies and any medications to the health room. There will also be Kona Ice available during and after Open House courtesy of ML Real Estate. We hope families take this opportunity to reconnect with one another before the year begins.
- August 21st from 10:00 - 11:30 am
🏫 BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT - Parents, don't miss the opportunity to come learn about your child's or children's teachers, grade level curriculum, classroom procedures, school wide expectations and more!
- September 9th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
We look forward to connecting with students and families at these upcoming events.
Open House
Open House will be held on Friday, August 21st from 10:00 - 11:30 am. This will be an opportunity for students and families to come and meet their teacher, see their classroom and drop off any school supplies.
In order to alleviate some of the crowding for our 800+ students and families, we are encouraging families to use the following entrances for Open House. If you have a child in a lower and upper grade, we encourage you to use the entrance for the lower grade.
Families may come anytime during the 10:00 -11:30 time frame. In addition, our business partner, ML Real Estate, will be providing Kona Ice outside the main entrance for anyone who is interested in a cold treat.
 *With our beginning of the year events we anticipate a large volume of traffic and cars. Parking is limited at Union Mill Elementary. When parking in the neighborhood, please do not park in front of fire hydrants or block driveways.
Class Assignments
We will be sharing class assignments for the 26-27 school year on August 18th. Families will receive a welcome email from their child's teacher and then have an opportunity to meet the teacher at Open House on Friday, August 21st.
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Supply List
The official supply lists for the 2026-2027 school year have been posted on the Union Mill Elementary School website soon. You can find K-6 here.
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Walking Students to Class
We are eager to welcome students into the building on the first day of school and ask you say your goodbyes at the entrance of Union Mill, bus stop, or from the car at Kiss & Ride. Many staff members, including our counselors and mental health team, will be on hand to make sure students get to their classroom safely on the first day. We ask parents refrain from walking their children down to their classrooms. This will help build student independence and reinforce routines during arrival. Families will have had the opportunity to see the classroom and connect with the classroom teacher at Open House.
Medication Dropoff
Families may drop off medication on Friday, August 21st during Open House from 10:00 - 11:30 am or during the week of August 17th by appointment. To schedule an appointment, please call the Union Mill Health Room at 703-322-8510 to schedule an appointment.
New Student ID Cards and Bus Navigation System
As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS is launching a new bus navigation system. Part of this new system includes student ID cards which will be issued to every FCPS student who rides the school bus. Students will then use these cards to tap on and off the bus, helping FCPS and families know exactly which students are riding which buses.
In the next few weeks, schools will receive the new student ID cards and printers. The FCPS Office of Transportation will provide training to designated school administrators who will help manage the ID cards.
Learn more about the new system and how it will improve route efficiency, safety, and transparency with families.
Updated Cellphone Policy
Senate Bill 108 is a new Virginia law that went into effect on July 1. It requires that all schools in the state follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy and prohibit cellphone possession and use for the entire school day. The updated FCPS Cellphone Policy aligns with this law.
Across all grade levels, cellphones, cellphone accessories, and all smart devices must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day. Watches that serve a dual purpose (like a smartwatch) must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day, too. Personal devices that connect to a cellphone or cellphone accessory or operate as a smart device must also follow the FCPS Cellphone Policy.
This policy does not apply to school-issued devices. However, school-issued devices must be used in accordance with FCPS Regulation 6410, Acceptable Use Policy, which allows the use of school-issued devices for educational purposes. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.
Volunteering at Union Mill
If you are looking to volunteer for the 26-27 school year and have not already done so, complete your Volunteer FCPS registration this summer! This is required for all FCPS and Union Mill Volunteers.
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Register 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 Union Mill. 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.
Union Mill thanks you for your support!
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.
Early registration puts you on the list for school communications, so don’t wait!
Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-27
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year, however the number has been reduced from eight to four days.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Find more information about early release Wednesdays, including the list of early release dates.
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October 21
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December 2
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February 10
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May 5
UMES PTA
Sign Up for Your 2026-2027 PTA Membership
Welcome to a new school year and as the calendar turns, so does your PTA membership. The prices have not increased and remain $10 for individuals/staff/grandparents and $20 for families. Sign up today by clicking here.
Keep In Touch on Social Media
You can find the UMES PTA on Facebook and Instagram! Besides our Facebook page, the PTA maintains grade-specific Facebook groups to help parents connect with other families in their year. It’s a great way to find out who is in your child’s class, keep in touch, and ask a fellow parent what the homework assignment is if your child forgets (ask us how we know!). Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Save These Dates
August 28th - Kona Ice 4:30-6:30PM on the UMES blacktop.
An icy treat after the 1st week of school & a playground hang?! Yes.
September 14th - Learning Garden Club Meeting 3:30PM
Stay tuned for registration details!
September 17th - Fun Run - Kick Off is September 8th at school!
September 23rd - First PTA General Membership Meeting of the year!
Time: 7PM, attend in person, childcare provided by CVHS SGA
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 - 8:00 - 4:00 pm
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