 Our young musicians enjoyed practicing rhythms and playing instruments together during music class!
Dear Bailey’s Upper Families,
Thank you for another wonderful week at Bailey’s Upper! We are so grateful for your continued partnership and support as we work together to make our school a welcoming, joyful, and inclusive community.
We are currently celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and honoring the many cultures, traditions, languages, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Throughout the month, our students and staff will celebrate in several meaningful ways:
- Reciting the BNN pledge to the flag in Spanish
- Coloring flags from Spanish-speaking countries to decorate the cafeteria
- Presenting pre-shows during BNN on select Fridays
- Inviting students to wear traditional clothing or clothing that celebrates their culture or country on October 6
- Ending our celebration with a potluck during one of our after-school meetings
We are incredibly fortunate to have staff members and families who represent so many Spanish-speaking countries and cultures. We are also very proud of our immersion program and its commitment to developing bilingual students who grow into thoughtful, globally minded citizens.
Even if you are not from a Spanish-speaking country or do not speak Spanish, you are warmly invited to participate in our Heritage Celebration Day on October 6. We are a school community made up of people from all over the world, and that is something we are incredibly proud to celebrate!
Thank you for helping us create a school where every student and family feels seen, valued, and celebrated.
With love,
The Bailey’s Upper Team
💙Ms. Dowling
🧡Ms. Wayland
🐯Ms. Wiley
📂 This week’s Thursday Folder includes:
- Student Picture Order Form (English & Spanish)
- 3rd Grade Strings Rules & Expectations (English & Spanish)
- 5th Grade BUAE Interest Letter (English & Spanish)
- PTA Coat Drive Donation Flyer (English & Spanish)
Please take a few minutes to review these items with your student so you stay up-to-date with all the exciting things happening in our school community!
Staff Member: Jocelyn Sarwar, Family Liaison
Country of Origin: Bolivia & El Salvador
Favorite Dish: Silpancho & Pupusas
Fun Fact: Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the world's largest salt flat in the world. During the rainy season, a thin layer of water covers the white crust and turns the flats into a massive natural mirror that reflects the sky.
El Salvador has over 100 volcanoes, earning it the nickname the "Land of Volcanoes".
|
 Ms. Dove shared some one-on-one reading time with a student, building skills and confidence along the way.
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.
|
A friendly reminder that there will be no school on Monday, October 12, in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
🎒 Students will return to school on Tuesday, October 13.
We hope our Bailey’s families enjoy the long weekend, and we look forward to welcoming our Tigers back on Tuesday! 🧡
|
Get those smiles ready! Picture Day is Thursday, October 15! All students will have their school pictures taken during the school day. 😊🐯
📅 Picture Day Information
- 🗓️ Thursday, October 15
- 🏫 Bailey’s Upper
📝 Picture Orders
Picture Day order forms were sent home in your child’s Thursday Folder. Purchasing pictures is completely optional and is not required for your child to participate in Picture Day.
💻 Order Pictures Online
Families can also place their picture orders online:
🔗 Order Online: https://strawbridge.net/picture-day-lookup/
We can’t wait to see our Tigers’ Picture Day smiles! 💙🧡📸
|
 Partner reading gave our students a chance to practice fluency, listening, and comprehension together.
Our parent and family volunteers are an important part of the Bailey’s community! Whether you’d like to help with school events, activities, field trips, or other opportunities, families interested in volunteering should complete the FCPS volunteer application.
⚠️ Planning to Chaperone a Field Trip?
All parents and family members who would like to chaperone MUST complete the FCPS volunteer application process and receive approval. We strongly encourage families to complete the process early so you’re ready when chaperone opportunities become available.
📝 Get Started
🔗 Complete Your Bailey’s Volunteer Application:
https://volunteer.fcps.edu/custom/501/affiliation_details/618
🌐 Learn More About Volunteering with FCPS:
https://www.fcps.edu/get-involved/volunteer-fcps
💙 Need Help?
Our Family Liaisons are happy to help! If you need support completing the online volunteer application, please reach out to Marian or Jocelyn for assistance.
Thank you for giving your time and helping support our Bailey’s students and school community! 🐯💙🧡
|
Families are welcome to join their child for lunch throughout the school year! Please use the lunch schedule below and look for your child’s homeroom teacher’s name to find their assigned lunch time.
🍽️ School lunch is available for $4.75, and we kindly ask that families either purchase a school lunch or bring a lunch from home to enjoy with their child.
🍎 Bailey’s Upper Lunch Schedule
-
10:50–11:20 AM: May, Coles, Abu & Hammye
-
11:05–11:35 AM: Velazquez & Delgado
-
11:20–11:50 AM: Smith, Springer, Stewart & Longsworth
-
11:35 AM–12:05 PM: Pons Licha & Ortega
-
11:50 AM–12:20 PM: Agus, Pavoni, Bangser & Stukes
-
12:10–12:40 PM: Howard & McDade
-
12:20–12:50 PM: Aviles, Gerber & Wagner
-
12:50–1:20 PM: Orellana, Ramirez, Mahmood, Dove & Oliveras
-
1:05–1:35 PM: Lazar
|
Join us for our annual Trunk or Treat at Bailey’s Primary! Families are invited to dress up, bring a treat bag, and enjoy a fun evening together with our Bailey’s community. 👻🧡
📅 Event Information
- 🗓️ Thursday, October 29
- ⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
- 📍 Bailey’s Primary Parking Lot
- 👻 Costumes are welcome! Please no masks or toy weapons.
- 🍬 Don’t forget to bring a bag to collect your treats!
🍭 Candy Donations Needed!
We need your help stocking up on treats! Families are invited to donate bags of individually wrapped candy to help make the evening fun for all our Tigers.
🛒 Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2ZPM59DT244E7?ref=cm_sw_em_r_un_un_65Cbn8HOYjFIq
Families may also purchase candy from any store. Donations can be sent to your child’s teacher—just let them know it’s for Trunk or Treat—or dropped off at the Main Office at either Bailey’s school.
Bring the family and join us for a fun evening of treats, costumes, and time together with our Bailey’s community! 🎃🍬
|
 Sra. Velazquez and her students enjoying another day of learning together!
-
Thursday, October 1st- AAP Information Meeting
- Morning Session: 9am @ Bailey's Primary Cafeteria
- Evening Session: 6pm @ Bailey's Primary Cafeteria
-
Monday, October 5th- Book Fair Opens
-
Thursday, October 8th- iReady & MAP Results Parent Informational via Zoom @ 7pm
-
Friday, October 9th- Hispanic Heritage Month Spirit Day
-
Monday, October 12th- No School in Observance of Indigenous People's Day
-
Wednesday, October 14th- Bailey's Upper Literacy Night
-
Thursday, October 15th- Individual Student Picture Day
-
Friday, October 16th- Book Fair Cloeses
Bailey's Upper October Calendar 2026 Calendar
 Our Tiger was hard at work during science class, using curiosity and critical thinking to complete their assignment.
All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.
Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join the session. Upcoming topics include:
- Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. (It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.)
- Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
- Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
- Communication: a Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10.
Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.
FCPS’ new September and October menu items are packed with classic favorites and fresh global inspiration. Check our new online menu system to see when you can try new recipes based on student feedback, and developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts.
Menu items include:
- Breakfast items such as honey chicken biscuits, guava pastelitos (whole-grain pastries filled with tropical guava fruit), and roasted apple parfaits, made with vanilla yogurt and homemade granola.
- Lunch items such as crunchy beef or fiesta tacos, ramen bowl with diced chicken or hard-boiled egg, beef or vegan banh mi burger, and southwest fiesta soup with corn chips.
Stay up to date on FCPS menus and nutrition news by subscribing to the Food and Nutrition Services newsletter.
|
Join us for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
Families, educators, and community members are invited to this no-cost, in-person event to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants.
How to Get Involved
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
|
 Our Tiger was hard at work during science class, using curiosity and critical thinking to complete their assignment.
The free Lightspeed Parent Portal makes it easy for you to see and manage how your child uses their FCPS-issued device outside of school hours. New Lightspeed Parent Portal features for this school year include:
-
Schedules: Pause or restrict internet access during specific times, such as during homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
-
Web Rules: Block specific websites you don’t want your child accessing at home.
Be sure to check your email (subject line: “Filter Portal Weekly Report”) each Sunday for the Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report, a weekly summary of the websites your child has visited. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
|
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. We encourage families to discuss these expectations with their child(ren).
Cellphones and Personal Devices
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the student’s 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 on the FCPS website.
Understanding the Acceptable Use Policy
FCPS provides students with digital tools and devices to support their learning, encourage easy collaboration, and help students learn how to interact with technology safely. The FCPS Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) guides how these technologies are used both inside the classroom and at home. By following the AUP, students learn how to become not just users of technology, but responsible and ethical digital citizens with critical real-world skills such as:
-
Responsible Communication and Conduct: Communicating respectfully and using technology appropriately.
-
Digital Footprint Awareness: Understanding online actions can have lasting effects on a student’s reputation, future opportunities and relationships, career prospects, and safety.
-
Data Privacy and Security: Learning how online safety can protect their digital work and personal information, and guard against cybersecurity risks.
-
Self-Regulation: Learning to manage digital distractions to stay focused when needed.
-
Accountability: Understanding that they are responsible for how they use FCPS technology and digital resources.
Learn more about digital citizenship at FCPS.
The new ParentVUE mobile app is available in the Apple and Google App stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their ParentVUE account. The previous app will be deactivated at the end of 2026.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature. Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
|
 Chorus class was filled with beautiful voices as our students practiced their songs together!
As part of FCPS’ continued support for digital literacy, families can access lesson materials that introduce the concepts students will explore throughout the school year. These resources include student lessons and supporting materials organized by grade level. Resources will be shared on a quarterly basis through Schoology.
The All Parent/Guardian Course is available in Schoology through a parent or guardian account. Schoology and ParentVUE use the same login credentials. Families who need assistance can review How Do I Log in to and Access Schoology? or watch the brief walkthrough on the Schoology Snippets page.
Families can also learn more about FCPS guidance and practices on the Educational Technology in FCPS webpage.
|
We understand that families may need to drive their children to school from time to time. If you need to, please familiarize yourself with our school’s kiss-and-ride procedures for the safety of all children and staff.
Please drop off or pick up your students in the designated areas. Students should not be dropped off or picked up in other areas around the school or in nearby neighborhoods. Please also avoid parking in neighborhoods or double parking in front of our school if you intend to walk your child to school. This can increase the number of students walking through busy intersections and create traffic hazards for other drivers and families trying to get to school.
Please follow all signs and directions posted at our school, on public roads, or provided by school staff or crossing guards, and avoid making U-turns. Most of all, always — ALWAYS — drive slowly near our school. The safety of all our students is one of our top priorities!!
The Fairfax County Police Department has additional safety tips for families, including ways to keep walkers safe and what to do about scooters, bicycles, and e-scooters.
|
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.
|
|
