Halley ES Hornet Happenings

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Leadership Lens

🐝 Welcome Back, Halley Hornets!

Dear Halley Families,

The wait is almost over! Monday, August 24th is the first day of school, and we could not be more excited to welcome our Hornets back to Halley Elementary!

Our teachers and staff have been working hard to prepare classrooms, hallways, and learning spaces for an amazing year ahead. Most importantly, we are ready to welcome our students with big smiles, warm hugs, high-fives, and plenty of Hornet pride! 💛🖤

The first day of school is always filled with excitement—and maybe a few butterflies, too! As our students walk through the doors, our goal is for every child to know that they belong at Halley, they are cared for, and they are an important part of our school community.

This year, we look forward to:

  • 🐝 Building strong relationships with our students and families
  • 📚 Creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences
  • 💛 Helping every Hornet feel connected, confident, and successful
  • 🎉 Making Halley an awesome place to learn, grow, and have fun!

Families, thank you for trusting us with your amazing children. Your partnership makes our Hive stronger, and we look forward to working alongside you throughout the school year.

Get those backpacks ready, pick out those first-day outfits, and get ready to BUZZ into a fantastic new school year!

We’ll see our Hornets on Monday, August 24th!

Doors open to students at 9:10AM.  The school day officially begins at 9:20AM.

With excitement and Hornet pride,

Paula Johnson-Tyler , Principal

Kayleigh Merritt , Assistant Principal 

Halley Elementary School 🐝💛🖤


School News

🐝 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:

  • August 24: First Day of School
  • September 4–7: Labor Day Break
  • September 17: Back-to-School Night (6:00–8:00 p.m.)
  • 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.

Visitors

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.



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:

  • View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
  • Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
  • Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
  • Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
  • 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.


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.