A friendly reminder that school will be closed on Monday, September 21, in observance of Yom Kippur. 

🐯 Students return to school on Tuesday, September 22nd. 

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Staff Member: Lucinda del Carpio, Office Assistant

Country of Origin: Colombia

Favorite Dish: Ajiaco Soup

Fun Fact: Colombia is the only country in South America that grows coffee on steep mountain slopes and features two separate harvest seasons each year instead of just one. 

Ms. Lucinda has been with FCPS for 27 years. She was a school bus driver for 6 years before her 21 years as an office assistant with the Bailey's schools.

She is the mother of 2 grown daughters and grandmother to 2 granddaughters.

We invite Bailey’s Primary and Upper families to join us for our Advanced Academics Information Meeting on Thursday, October 1st! Come learn more about the Advanced Academic services available to our students, how we support and challenge learners, and the referral process. We’ll also have time to answer your questions.

📅 Thursday, October 1st
⏰ Choose the time that works best for you: 9:00 AM or 5:00 PM (In-Person)
📍 Bailey’s Primary Cafeteria
🗣️ Spanish interpretation will be available

Can’t make either in-person session? No worries! We’ll send families a recording of the presentation afterward so everyone has an opportunity to receive the information.

We hope you can join us! 💙🧡🐯

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:

• Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
• 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 Hugo Duran, School Testing Coordinator, at haduran1@fcps.edu by September 30.

Families are invited to attend our AAP information meeting, led by Sue Lackey & Reilly McDonald, our Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AART):

• October 1, 2026 @ Bailey’s Primary at 9am and 5pm. Both sessions cover the same content. Spanish interpretation will be available.
• AAP Continuum of Services: Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
• Full-Time AAP Identification: Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.

For more information, please contact Sue Lackey, AART, at salackey@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.

Bailey's Primary is excited to offer FREE Early Literacy programs for families with children ages 2–5! Children and their families will enjoy books, learning through play, positive ways to communicate, understanding behavior, and activities that help prepare children for kindergarten. 📖✨

🇪🇸 Spanish Early Literacy Program
📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays
⏰ 9:40–11:40 a.m.
🗓️ October 6–December 15, 2026
📍 Bailey’s Elementary School, Parent Center Trailer
📞 Contact: Andrea Antezana at 703-204-4345 or Mayra Barraza at 703-204-4326

🇸🇦 Arabic Early Literacy Program
📅 Wednesdays & Fridays
⏰ 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
🗓️ Begins October 7, 2026
📍 Bailey’s Elementary School
📞 Contact: Gigi Hammoud at 703-204-4347
📧 ekhammoud@fcps.edu

Come read, play, learn, and have fun with your child while helping them build important skills for kindergarten! 💙📚

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 third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful, including reading on level by third grade. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.

School is better when your child is here! But we do understand that some days, they may feel unwell. Learn more about which symptoms are ok at school (like sneezing or sniffles), and when your child should stay home (if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, for example). 

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify the school so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and, if possible, let them know how long you think they will be out.

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.

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:

• Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
• Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
• Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
• Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
• Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning. 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.