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The Anticipation is Growing for Buzz Before the Bell & the 1st Day of School
Dear Halley Families,
We are so excited about our Buzz Before the Bell Events planned for this week!
The BuzzMobile is Coming to a Neighborhood Near You!!
Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 17th we will have our BuzzMobile visit several Halley neighborhoods to greet students and distribute popsicles! A bus full of Halley staff will ride to four different neighborhoods tomorrow.
Please see the schedule below for the BuzzMobile:
- Hagel Circle-2:30
- Sanger Apartments (near the pool)-3:00
- Lorton Valley (near the clubhouse)-3:30
- Laurel Hills Crossing (across from the Workhouse)-4:00
As you prepare for the new school year, please keep these important dates and reminders in mind:
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School Supply Lists: Available on the Halley Elementary School website
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Open House: Friday, August 21 at 3:00 PM — We look forward to welcoming families into the building, meeting our teachers, and getting ready for a great year!
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First Day of School: Monday, August 24 — We can’t wait to see our students back in the halls and classrooms!
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Please register for Kiss & Ride for the 2026-2027 school year. Parents who utilized Kiss & Ride last year cannot use the same pick-up number. You must register for a new kiss and ride pick-up number. You can find information about kiss and ride further down in this week's newsletter.
Please scroll down to read the remaining portions of the newsletter to learn other important information related to the opening of the school year.
Stay connected with everything happening in the hive by following the Halley Elementary Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/HalleyHornets) and our brand-new Instagram account, @halleyelem! We’ll be sharing important school updates, exciting event information, and fun reels to keep our parents and community in the loop all year long. Be sure to like and follow both pages so you never miss a beat—we can't wait to connect with you online!
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Sincerely,
Mrs. Paula Johnson-Tyler, Principal
Mrs. Kayleigh Merritt, Assistant Principal
Dr. Hanna Langstein, Assistant Principal
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Back to School Information
August 2026
Register for Kiss & Ride 2026-2027
Halley ES has established an arrival and dismissal area called Kiss & Ride, which is designed as a safe place for adults in personal vehicles to load and unload children. Please complete this form if you plan on using Kiss & Ride for afternoon dismissal at 4:05 on a consistent basis.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR KISS & RIDE
Note: Parents who will walk home with their child should also register for a kiss and ride number. If your child will walk home alone without adult supervision (not recommended for students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade), you do NOT have to register for afternoon kiss and ride as your child will simply be dismissed to exit the building at 4:05 PM. Please notify your child's teacher if they will walk home alone each day.
Buzz Before the Bell:
Open House at Halley Elementary
The excitement is building at Halley Elementary, and we can't wait to welcome our Hornets back for the 2026–2027 school year! Join us for our Buzz Before the Bell Open House on Friday, August 21st to meet your child's teacher, locate classrooms, and kick off an amazing school year.
Open House Schedule
- Pre-K Open House: 2:00–2:30 p.m.
- Kindergarten Popsicle Party: 2:00-2:30
- Military-Connected Family Meet & Greet: 2:30–3:00 p.m.
- Kindergarten–6th Grade Open House: 3:00–4:00 p.m.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to become familiar with the school, ask questions, and begin the year feeling confident and connected. We look forward to welcoming our Halley families and kicking off another incredible school year together.
We can't wait to see you back in the Hive!
School Supplies
Before you head out to shop, be sure to visit the Halley Elementary School website to find your child's grade-level school supply list.
Our website has the most up-to-date supply lists to help ensure your child has everything they need for a successful start to the school year.
Parents: We highly encourage each family to bring their child's school supplies to our Open House event on August 21st at 3:00 PM for grades K-6. Preschool open house begins at 2:00 PM.
Thank you for helping our Hornets arrive on the first day of school prepared and ready to learn.
Important Family Information
 🐝 A Guide for Families in the Hive
As we prepare for another exciting year at Halley Elementary, we'd like to share a few important reminders to help your family get ready for a successful start to the school year. Please keep the information below handy throughout the year!
📞 Essential Information
If you have questions or need assistance, we're here to help!
🎯 Our School Priority
At Halley Elementary, our focus is on building strong relationships and ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction for every student. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment where every Hornet can learn, grow, and thrive.
📅 Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Mark your calendars for these important events:
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August 21: Buzz Before the Bell Open House
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August 24: First Day of School
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September 4–7: Labor Day Break
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September 17: Back-to-School Night (6:00–8:00 p.m.)
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September 21: Student Holiday – No School
Early Release Wednesdays (1:00 p.m. Dismissal)
Please note the following early release dates:
- October 21
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5
📌 Important Reminders
Parent Digital Consent
Students must have a completed SIS ParentVUE Digital Consent form on file in order to access FCPS digital tools and resources. If you have not completed this form, please do so as soon as possible.
Plan Ahead to Ensure Excellent Attendance
When planning family vacations or appointments, we encourage families to use the scheduled FCPS breaks and holidays whenever possible to minimize missed instructional time. Please reference the FCPS school year calendar.
Stay Connected
Don't miss important school updates!
- Download the TalkingPoints app to receive school and teacher communications.
- Subscribe to our Hornet Happenings newsletter for the latest news, upcoming events, and important reminders.
Division-Wide News & Information
Free & Reduced/Summer Meals
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
Meals for Students Available Through August 21
No-cost meals will be provided to students on a first-come, first-served basis through Friday, August 21, at the sites and times listed on the FCPS Summer Food Service Program webpage. Students must remain on site while eating their meals.
Student IDs/Bus Tracking
New Student ID Cards Coming for Bus Riders This Fall
As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses.
The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 FCPS students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.
The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.
It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
FCPS App
Download the FCPS App Today!
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
With the app, you can:
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View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
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Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
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Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app.
New ParentVUE App
New ParentVUE Mobile App Launching July 28
On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app will become available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
New Menu Platform
Explore School Meals in the New Menu Platform
Experience an easier way to view your child’s school menus using MealViewer:
- View what is being served each day.
- View the nutritional information for each meal.
- See if any specific allergens are being served.
- Get notified when your student’s favorite meal is being served.
Printable menus are always available on the Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
SR&R Updates
Understanding Student Rights and Responsibilities Updates: New Universal Grade Matrices for Families
Families are encouraged to review the updated FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document, which explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses in order to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Updates for the 2026-27 school year include new Universal Grade Matrices (UGMs). UGMs are charts that show behavior expectations and school responses by grade level (K-3, 4-8, and 9-12). These at-a-glance resources (in Appendix D of the SR&R) are designed to make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand how schools respond to different types of behavior concerns.
Visit the SR&R webpage for more information and to review additional updates to the SR&R for the 2026-27 school year.
Immunizations
Back-to-School Immunization Requirements
Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:
- Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
- If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
- Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.
Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date.
Where to Receive Immunizations
If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s healthcare provider or one of the following immunization events.
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit a Health Department clinic. Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) clinics offer immunizations to all Fairfax County students, as well as those who are behind on their scheduled immunizations or need a booster.
Summer back-to-school immunization clinics are also available. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come, first-served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.
Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.
Pre-K Registration
Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County with economic and educational risk factors.
- The pre-K program prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and parents/guardians of children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. However, space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail (printable application), or in person at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
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