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Dear Beech Tree Families,
It is hard to believe we are entering our third week of school? 💚 It has been a pleasure to see our students settling into their routines, reconnecting with friends, and getting excited about all the learning and fun ahead!
As we continue getting the school year off to a great start, we kindly ask families to take a few moments to complete these important start-of-year items:
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Complete your child’s digital consent forms.
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Join the PTA and stay connected to school activities and events.
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Register as an approved volunteer so you are eligible to participate in field trips, classroom activities, and special events.
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Review and update your child’s emergency contact and dismissal information in SIS ParentVUE.
🌟 Labor Day Holiday Reminder
A friendly reminder that Beech Tree Elementary and all FCPS schools and buildings will be closed on Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
We hope you enjoy this long weekend with your families and have an opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy some extra time together. ☀️
School will resume on Tuesday, September 8.
Thank you for taking care of these important items and, most importantly, for being such an important part of our Beech Tree family. Your partnership, support, and involvement make such a difference in creating a positive school experience for our students.
Wishing you and your families a happy Labor Day weekend!
With appreciation,
Principal Clarke & Assistant Principal Barry
Beech Tree Staff 2026-2027
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Sept. 4-7 | No School - Labor Day Break
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Sept. 10 | PTA meeting- Beech Tree Cafeteria 6:30pm
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Sept. 15 | Back to School Night 6:00-7:30 p.m. Details to come
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Sept. 21| No School-Yom Kippur Holiday
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Sept. 22 | Bat Day- Wear your Batman Gear
Your Child’s Presence at School Matters
 The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success by helping them build good habits.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Get to Know Our School Health Staff
 Our school Public Health Nurse (PHN) is Mariae Beck, BSN, RN, NCSN and our School Health Aide (SHA) is Tamie Thadi. Contact them at (703) 531-2610 for health plans, medication drop-offs, or questions about chronic conditions. Visit our school health webpage for forms, illness policies, and tips to keep your student healthy!
Advanced Academic Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Cathleen Barry, School Testing Coordinator, at cmbarry@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Nadya Abu-Rish, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: Tuesday, September 29th at 6pm in the Beech Tree library. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Tuesday, October 27th at 6pm in the Beech Tree library. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Nadya Abu-Rish, AART, at nkaburish@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.
⚠️ Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Weather Happens, FCPS Is Ready
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff.
Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage
Help Keep Our School Distraction-Free
Please remind your student that personal electronic communication or computing devices should be off and personally stored (i.e. backpacks) for the duration of the school day — bell to bell. This includes:
- Personal laptops and tablets.
- Smartphones and smartwatches.
- Other personal electronic communication or computing devices.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at (703) 531-2600. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
The first goal of the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start.
Save the Date: Community Conversations With Superintendent Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
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Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
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Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at Powell Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Dates for Early Release Wednesdays
Early Release Wednesdays Beech Tree will have a total of four early release days throughout the school year. Students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m.
Early release Wednesdays for Beech Tree ES are:
- October 21
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5
👉 Afterschool Form for the 2026–2027 School Year
Save the Date for the Annual Special Education Family Conference
 The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.
Call for Presenters: Share Your Expertise!
Do you have strategies, resources, or expertise that our FCPS families could benefit from? FCPS staff members are invited to lead breakout sessions on topics that inform, support, and empower families. MyPDE credit will be awarded to presenters.
Submit a session proposal by Friday, September 18.
Call for Exhibitors: Showcase Your Program or Resources!
FCPS programs and community partners are invited to host a table in the exhibitor hall and connect our families with valuable services, programs, and resources.
Register to be an exhibitor by Friday, October 30.
Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-week-september-2-2026, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
- Weather Safety
- Attendance Resources for Families
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: Milkis Flores (703) 531-2601
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