|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
August 26th Family Newsletter
Dear Families,
It was exciting to see students so engaged in learning during just the third day of school! In first grade writing, students used a variety of strategies and supports to organize their thinking, build confidence, and share their ideas with classmates. In sixth grade math, students actively collected and organized data, created their own categories, and worked together to make sense of their learning. These early experiences are already helping students build the skills, routines, and confidence they will use throughout the year!
We are looking forward to connecting with families this Friday with the PTA Kona Ice on the Blacktop from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. 20% of the proceeds will go to the Union Mill PTA.
Upcoming Dates
Friday, August 28th - PTA Kona Ice on blacktop @ 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Friday, September 4th - No School for Students
Monday, September 7th - No School for Students (Labor Day)
Wednesday, September 9th - Back to School Night @ 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Thursday, September 17th - PTA Fun Run
Wednesday, September 23rd - First PTA Meeting
FCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar
Back to School Night
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 on Wednesday, September 9th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.
First Week Back at Union Mill
Welcome Jaya Chimnani, our Family Liaison
Please join us in welcoming Jaya Chimnani, the new Family Liaison at Union Mill Elementary School. Jaya has many years of experience working with diverse communities, building relationships, and connecting families with helpful information and resources. She is fluent in Spanish, Hindi, and Urdu. Jaya is here to support Union Mill families and community members by facilitating communication and connecting families with opportunities and resources that promote students’ academic and social success. Please contact her at JChimnani@fcps.edu to learn more about how she can support your family.
|
UMES Library- Book Donations
The UMES Library welcomes donations of popular children’s books and board books! We also accept children’s books in other languages, especially Spanish and Korean. If you are cleaning out bookshelves or closets, thank you in advance for thinking of the school library!
PickUp Patrol (Dismissal)
This school year we will continue using PickUp Patrol to help us track dismissals. PickUp Patrol (PUP) has saved us a great deal of time in the office, reduced classroom interruptions and provides you with a convenient way to make changes to your child’s dismissal plans.
Most importantly, continuing to use it will help us ensure that our students are safely dismissed to their correct after-school destinations.
Please check your email for a Welcome Email from PickUp Patrol that includes a link to update your child's dismissal plan.
Band & Strings Registration
Your child is invited to be part of the Band or Strings program in the 2026-27 school year! (If you already signed up in the spring, you don’t need to register again unless your choice of group or instrument has changed.)
5th and 6th graders are invited to join the Band or Strings program this year! 4th graders are invited to join the Strings program. Our Band and Strings teachers will connect with students this week to share about the programs and to demonstrate the instruments available to play. We hope that your child comes home excited to start or continue an instrument!
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.
-
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!
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.
-
October 21
-
December 2
-
February 10
-
May 5
UMES PTA
Open House Thank You!
Thank you to all of the families who came to visit the PTA table at Open House: to say hello, to buy Spirit Wear, to pick up a calendar, or to just ask a question! We know it is a busy and exciting morning. To help welcome you back into UMES and share our excitement about the programs we are planning throughout the school year made our day!
Special thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers who took time out of visiting their kids' classrooms and our middle school volunteers! We could not have done it without you!
The PTA sold just over $3000 in spirit wear, UMES magnets, and water bottle stickers at Open House. Thank you to all who purchased goods! Your support helps fund the PTA's annual budget which goes back into our school community!
Chill Out After the First Week with Kona Ice
Chill Out After the First Week with Kona Ice We like to celebrate the end of the first week of school with an icy cold treat and extra playground time for our kids. Meet up after school on the UMES blacktop and playground to connect with friends old and new. Kona Ice will have cold treats available for purchase from 4:30-6:30pm. Don’t forget a picnic blanket! We’re looking forward to seeing you then! Special thanks to Kona Ice of North Fairfax for donating 20% of sales during this time to the UMES PTA!
Back to School Night
Visit us at the PTA table on September 9th from 5-7PM during BTS Night to pick up an event calendar for the school year, purchase spirit wear for your Bears, sign up as a PTA member for 2026/27, and learn about ways to get involved this year and volunteer!
Spirit Wear* for 2026/27:
- Red tie-dye Union Mill t-shirts (sizes youth xsmall (limited) - large)
- Solid red "Bears" t-shirts (sizes youth xsmall - large: limited sizes)
- *NEW THIS YEAR* Solid black "Bears" t-shirts (sizes youth small - large)
- UMES water bottle sticker sheets
- UMES car magnets
*An online spirit wear store will open later in the year with additional options, including adult sizes. Be sure to be a PTA member so you receive our e-newsletter with updates and link to order.
Save These Dates
August 28th - Kona Ice 4:30-6:30PM on the UMES blacktop.
September 8th - Kick Off for the Fun Run!
September 9th - Visit the PTA Table for a calendar or spirit wear.
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
- Meeting Topics:
- Approving the PTA Budget for the school year
- Discussion of the recent technology policy changes made by FCPS School Board and the impact on students
- Speakers will be in attendance to answer your questions
Special thanks to Kona Ice of North Fairfax for donating 20% of sales during this time to the 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.
Stay Connected with the PTA
We’ve got lots of ways for you to keep in touch with other families in our community and stay the most up to date on PTA sponsored events and programs!
- Care to email? We’re always available at pta@unionmillpta.org
- Want to browse the calendar, budget, or past meeting minutes? Hit up our website.
- Are you all about sliding into DMs? Follow us on Instagram.
- Is Facebook more your comfort zone? We identify as millenials…so same here. Like our page on Facebook to browse updates, community resources, and join our grade specific Facebook groups.
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
|
