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October 7 Family Newsletter
Dear Families,
We were rolling into school in style today! It was fantastic to see so many of our students and families Walk, Bike, or Roll to school! Events like this are more than just a fun way to start the day, they promote physical fitness, support healthy habits, reduce neighborhood air pollution, and help ease traffic congestion around our school. Most importantly, they strengthen our commitment to Safe Routes to School and creating safe, active, and accessible ways for our students and families to travel to and from school throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who joined us, cheered one another on, and helped make today such a great success!
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, October 7th - Walk, Bike, or Roll to School Day
Friday, October 9th - Spirit Day - Pajama Day
- CVHS Homecoming Parade @ 5:00pm
Monday, October 12th - School Planning Day (No School for Students)
Wednesday, October 21st - 3-Hour Early Dismissal
- PTA Meeting
Friday, October 30th - Union Mill Family Cookout click here to RSVP
- SCA Spirit Day
- 2-Hour Early Dismissal (End of 1st Quarter)
FCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar
Fourth Graders Explore the Potomac River
Fourth graders took their first field trip of the school year with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Student Field Program. Aboard CBF’s research workboat, students explored the Potomac River near the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, in the heart of the nation’s capital.
The field trip connected to several Virginia Science Standards of Learning (SOL):
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Ecosystems (SOL 4.3): Students observed living and nonliving components of the river, learned how organisms depend on one another, and built food webs to show how energy flows.
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Oceans and watersheds (SOL 4.8): Students identified watersheds, observed how runoff affects rivers, and learned why protecting waterways matters.
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Living systems (SOL 4.2): Students viewed plankton and trawled for fish to learn about plant and animal life in the Potomac.
The program also helped students practice Portrait of a Graduate competencies in an authentic setting. As collaborators, they worked in small groups to test the water’s quality. They used critical thinking and scientific tools to draw conclusions about the river’s health. As ethical and global citizens, they connected local actions, such as runoff, to the health of the broader Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Thank you to our PTA for their support with support to decrease the overall cost of the trip which resulted in hands on learning.
Centreville High School Homecoming Parade
We are looking forward to the Centreville High School Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 9th. The parade runs from 5:00 - 5:30 pm and runs through the Little Rocky Run neighborhood.
This Week in Zones of Regulation
This week students continued exploring Concept 1 – What is Regulation?
Why is Regulation Important?
Regulation is an important skill that helps us manage life’s ups and downs. It supports our ability to work, to interact with others, and to feel more comfortable throughout our day. To put it another way, regulation supports our well-being.
Ask and Share
To help with learning, discuss these questions together.
- What are some things we can regulate, adjust, or manage?
- What is a way you can regulate your body? How does that affect how you feel?
Click to edit this placeholder text.
Celebrating Our Armed Forces
UMES PE wants to celebrate our service people! Please share a photo, in uniform if possible, with a brief description of you or your loved ones who have or are currently serving in our armed forces. This will go on our “Union Mill is Thankful for our Service People” bulletin board (November). All pictures and submissions should be sent no later than Thursday, October 29 to Manda Tirado at mktirado@fcps.edu.
Need an example of what we would love to see?
Captain William Tirado (O-6), Intelligence Officer. Captain Tirado served in the US Navy from 1964-1993. He is Mrs.Tirado's father-in-law.
DID YOU KNOW…? While physical activity and education has its history in Ancient Greece, PE in US public schools was introduced as a necessary part of the school day after the American Civil War to maintain fitness and health standards of the youth.
Many thanks, PE Team
October 30 Family Cookout
We look forward to hosting families for an opportunity to connect on Friday October 30th during their child's lunch. Families will have the opportunity to come and eat with their child in the cafeteria or outside on Union Mill school grounds.
If you choose to attend, please click here to RSVP by Friday, October 23rd. This will ensure we have enough food for all who attend. While we are excited to include families in this event, we ask no more than 2 people per child to attend.
The menu includes: Grilled 100% all beef hot dogs, chips, and Rice Crispy Treats. There is no cost for the event thanks to ML Real Estate. Families and students are encouraged to bring their own water / drink. Families and students are also welcome to purchase lunch from the cafeteria.
Please do not park in the bus loop which will be coned off. We appreciate your cooperation!
Lunch with your Child
As a reminder, parents are welcome to come in for lunch with their child in the cafeteria. Below are some reminders for families who choose to come in.
- Prior to going to the cafeteria, parents will need to check in the office with a valid drivers license.
- At this time, we cannot accommodate more than two family members per child.
- If choosing to eat outside, we ask families only eat with their child outside (not bringing multiple kids out).
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- Pease refrain from phone use unless absolutely necessary. Currently are students are not allowed to bring devices and we are working to model this as a school.
- Please refrain from taking photos as we have kids who are opted out of photos
- We ask that if you are joining your child for lunch, outside fast food is not brought in as it can be a distraction for other students.
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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 Test (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 Jaime Graham, School Testing Coordinator, at jagraham@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend the next AAP information meeting led by Melissa Paris-Hutchens, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Thursday November 5th at 5 p.m. in room 115. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Melissa Paris-Hutchens, AART, at maparis@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
Volunteering at Union Mill
If you are looking to volunteer for the 26-27 school year and have not already done so, complete your Volunteer FCPS registration! This is required for all FCPS and Union Mill Volunteers.
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Register With Volunteer FCPS Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment here at Union Mill. All volunteers must:
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- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk.
At the Volunteer FCPS site, you can complete a volunteer orientation. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Union Mill thanks you for your support!
Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-27
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Find more information about early release Wednesdays, including the list of early release dates.
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October 21
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December 2
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February 10
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May 5
UMES PTA
Spirit Day to Celebrate Fun Run
We have received some final updates for our Fun Run. Rewards prizes have been delivered and we have some final stats to share! The final total our students raised was $38,662 with 78% of students signed up! We received donations from 42 states and 5 countries. Thanks to everyone who participated! To celebrate the hard work and dedication of our UMES students during our Fun Run Boosterthon lead up and event, our school will have a Spirit Day on Friday! Wear your PJs and get ready for an extra cozy Friday! Friendly reminder: No slippers. And if it’s your PE day - bring or wear those sneakers and be phys ed ready!
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Principal Appreciation Month and Custodian Appreciation Day
We kicked off October by celebrating our amazing principal, Mr. Hawk as well as our fantastic custodial staff! These staff members keep Union Mill running each and every day. We are grateful for all they do for our school.
A special shout-out to Oh Gee! Bagels & Bowls for generously donating delicious bagels and schmear for custodians and Mr. Hawk! Thank you to Kay McConnell for the delicious cookies — such a sweet way to show our appreciation! And a special thank you to REI for the treats for Mr. Hawk! Finally, thank you to UMES parent Jennifer Castilleja for coordinating these celebrations!
We are so grateful for the generosity of our local community and the many ways they help us celebrate and support our incredible staff!
Grade Groups
The PTA maintains and moderates private, grade specific Facebook groups. These groups are a great way to keep in touch with other families, share information, and ask questions from your fellow parents who are going through the same things - be it homework assignments, an upcoming field trip, or anything else you can think of!
If you haven’t joined yet, here are the links to join. If you have, please share this information with your friends!
Kinder | 1st Grade | 2nd Grade | 3rd Grade | 4th Grade | 5th Grade | 6th Grade
Order UMES Spirit Wear Online
We now offer online orders for in-stock Union Mill spirit wear. Orders will be fulfilled on a weekly basis and sent home with your children. Stock is limited!
Union Mill Flannel PJ Pants: Youth size M and L
Union Mill Red Tie Dye T-shirt: Youth size XS, S, M, and L
Union Mill Bears Red T-Shirt: Youth size XS
Union Mill Bears Black T-Shirt: Youth size S and M
Spirit and PJ days will be here before you know it! Don’t forget to renew your PTA membership while you shop to receive priority notice when we open up our online spirit wear store later in the year…which will include adult sizes! Shop here.
Stay Connected with the PTA
We’ve got lots of ways for you to keep in touch with other families in our community and stay the most up to date on PTA sponsored events and programs!
- Sign up for your 2026-27 PTA membership! It’s $20/family and $10 for individuals and staff. Sign up here.
- Care to email? We’re always available at pta@unionmillpta.org
- Want to browse the calendar, budget, or past meeting minutes? Visit our website.
- Are you all about sliding into DMs? Follow us on Instagram.
- Is Facebook more your comfort zone? We identify as millennials…so same here. Like our page on Facebook to browse updates, community resources, and join our grade specific Facebook groups.
Membership Update
To our 2025/26 members who have not renewed their PTA memberships: memberships expire on 10/31. To stay informed and get priority registration to events like Family Movie Night, get your 2026/27 PTA membership today. Get your membership here.
Union Mill Hours
Bell Schedule
Doors open at 8:35 am. Students should be in class by 8:45 am.
Students are dismissed at 3:30 pm.
Office Hours
Monday - Friday - 8:00 - 4:00 pm
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