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Dear Halley Families,
As we observe September 11, we pause to remember the lives lost and the many individuals who demonstrated courage, compassion, and selflessness during that difficult time. We also honor the first responders, service members, and families who continue to serve and protect our communities.
This day reminds us of the importance of kindness, unity, and caring for one another. As members of the Halley Hive, we can honor these values by showing respect, lending a helping hand, and ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and included.
Thank you for partnering with us in building a caring and compassionate school community.
With love and appreciation,
Paula Johnson-Tyler, Principal
Kayleigh Merritt, Assistant Principal
 HALLEY'S BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!
SEPTEMBER 17th 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
SESSION 1 (6:00–6:50 PM)
- Meet Your Teacher & Class Visit
- Title 1 Information Session
(This session will provide details on parent involvement and school programs.)
SESSION 2 (7:00–7:50 PM)
- Repeat of Session 1 Presentations
- Title 1 Information Session (Second opportunity to attend)
Families have two opportunities to attend the Title 1 information session.
Join Us for a Night of Connections and Community!
We Can't Wait to See You!
Halley ES Spirit Week
Attendance Matters!
Monday, September 14
Neon Day
Brighten up your school day!
Tuesday, September 15
Tie-Dye Day
Wear your brightest tie-dye!
Wednesday, September 16
Sneaker Day
Step into learning!
Thursday, September 17
Jersey Day
Rep your favorite team!
Friday, September 18
Halley Pride
Wear black and yellow!
Every day counts. Every student belongs.
Superintendent Community Converstations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Conversaciones Comunitarias Directamente con la Dra. ReidAcompáñenos en una serie de Conversaciones Comunitarias que se llevarán a cabo en diferentes lugares de la división escolar. Estas reuniones están abiertas a todos, incluyendo familias, estudiantes, y miembros de la comunidad. Puede asistir al evento que le resulte más conveniente, aunque no se lleve a cabo en su escuela o comunidad. Esta es una oportunidad para compartir sus opiniones, conversar directamente con la Dra. Reid y hacerle preguntas sobre temas importantes para nuestra comunidad de FCPS.
No es necesario inscribirse, pero hacerlo nos ayuda con la planificación.
- In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Review and Sign the SR&R
- Your Child Belongs at School
- What’s for Lunch? Check the FCPS App
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Reporting Discrimination or Harassment
FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.
Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
Cellphones and Personal Devices
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more about the student device requirement.
Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
- September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
- Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
- Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
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.
Stay in the Know With Here Comes the Bus
- Even though FCPS has launched a new bus navigation system, some aspects like the new FCPS My Ride mobile app are still in development. Families should still use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to track the location of their child’s bus. This app is still compatible with the new system.
FCPS will notify families and schools when the new app is ready to download and use. In the meantime, everyone should reinforce with students that they need to tap on and off the bus with their student ID cards.
Did you already download the new app? That’s okay! The new app is in the final stage of testing, so some features are not yet fully functional. At this time, you should refer to Here Comes the Bus for the most accurate information.
 What’s for Lunch? Check the FCPS App!
The FCPS mobile app makes it easy to view daily breakfast and lunch menus for any school in FCPS — no login required. Find out more about the app’s features. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
 The Importance of the Flu Vaccine
As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, the health and well-being of our students continues to be one of our priorities. Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:
- Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
- Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
- Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.
Upcoming Flu Shot Events
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will be taking 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.
Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students
Register now for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students. The free conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS in collaboration with community partners, the conference highlights the power of partnerships in supporting student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall with local resources, and lunch for all participants.
Register for the conference and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
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.
 Want to recognize a special teacher or staff member at Halley Elementary?
Families are invited to submit an FCPS CARES to celebrate a staff member who has made a difference. Students, families, and colleagues can all participate!
Your FCPS CARES submission is automatically shared with the recipient and their supervisor. It may also be featured on the FCPS website.
Each month, one school in our region is selected to receive a special staff celebration from Human Resources. Help us show our wonderful staff how much their dedication and hard work are appreciated!
 Visitor Check-In Reminders
WELCOME VISITORS!
Please remember to bring a valid ID.
ALL VISITORS MUST
Check in at the Front Office.
We require a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID, for entry.
Visitors without an ID will kindly be asked to remain in the Front Office.
Thank you for helping us keep our school safe! — The Front Office
Upcoming PTO Events-Save the Date
· September 17, 2026 – Back to School Night! Come visit the PTO’s booth to purchase spirit wear and learn how to join the PTO!
· October 12, 2026 – Chipotle Dine Out Fundraiser
· October 29, 2026 – Hallowingo! Bingo Night
💛 Thank You, Hornets!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Panera fundraiser! Your participation and support help make a difference for our Halley students. We appreciate our amazing school community! 🐝
🐝Fill the Hive!
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The Hive is growing! Every family that joins or renews their PTO membership will be represented by a piece of honeycomb in our school-wide hive. Let’s see how quickly we can fill it!
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Every family counts! Whether you give a little or a lot, your participation makes a difference. Together, we can reach our $10,000 Playground Refresh goal!
- Visit halleyes.ptboard.com to participate!
 Fill the Hive to Refresh the Playground
We need your help to meet our goal!
The Halley PTO needs our entire Halley Hive to help us reach the final $10,000 needed to refresh the Halley Playground! Our 2026–2027 PTO membership drive is dedicated to helping us close that gap.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Sign up for the PTO – Every Halley family is invited to visit our PTOBoard website to join or renew their PTO membership with a donation of your choice.
Minimum donation – Simply give what works best for your family. Every dollar brings us closer to our goal, and every donation counts.
Every donation made through this membership drive will go directly toward our Playground Refresh Fund. When we have reached our $10,000 goal, we’ll have the funding needed to create an updated space for Halley students to make memories for years to come.
FILL THE HIVE
Every family that joins the PTO will be represented by a piece of honeycomb to make up the school-wide honeycomb.
Watch the hive grow! As more families join and donate, the stronger our hive will become. Let’s work together to meet our goal!
Scan Me!
https://halleyes.ptboard.com
GRADE LEVEL CHALLENGE
Each family’s honeycomb will be color-coded by grade level so students can watch the participation grow!
Two ways to win:
HIGHEST PARTICIPATION Which grade level can get the greatest percentage of families involved?
HIGHEST AVERAGE DONATION Which grade can generate the strongest average contribution?
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