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Dear Beech Tree Families,
Thank you to all the families who attended our recent PTA meeting at the James Lee Community Center! We appreciate your involvement, partnership, and continued support of our school community.
- Important Reminder: Early Release Wednesdays
Our first Early Release Wednesday is October 21st. Students will be dismissed according to the dismissal selection families made earlier this school year. Dismissal is at 1:00 p.m.
Next three-hour early release: Wednesday, December 2nd.
Preschool students will not be release early they follow their regular Wednesday schedule.
Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and smooth dismissal process for all students.
- Literacy Night – October 22nd at 6:00 p.m.
Join us for Literacy Night on Thursday, October 22nd, at 6:00 p.m. for an evening of learning, literacy, and family engagement!
Families will participate in activities associated with the grade levels their children attend. We look forward to welcoming our families for this special opportunity to celebrate learning together!
- Outstanding Beaver Employee Nominations
At Beech Tree, our teachers and staff work each day to support, encourage, and inspire our students. I invite you to nominate a teacher or staff member who has made a positive and meaningful impact on your child, whether this school year or in the past.
Your nominations are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the dedication, compassion, and commitment of the individuals who help make Beech Tree such a special place to learn and grow. Thank you for helping us recognize those who make a lasting difference in the lives of our students!
Together, we are building a school community where every child feels valued, inspired, and empowered to succeed.
Thank you for being an essential part of the Beech Tree family!
Enjoy your weekend!
With appreciation,
Principal Clarke & Assistant Principal Barry
 It’s time to recognize the incredible staff members who make Beech Tree ES such a special place! 🦫❤️
Nominations are now open for the 2026–2027 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards. Beaver staff and families are invited to nominate a deserving Beech Tree employee who goes above and beyond for our students, staff, and school community.
🏆 AWARD CATEGORIES
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding Principal
- Outstanding School Professional
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
🗓️ NOMINATION DEADLINE Friday, November 6th, 2026
📝 HOW TO NOMINATE Complete the nomination form linked here.
Questions? please contact Courtney Shanley
Thank you for helping us celebrate our amazing Beech Tree staff!
C.H.I.P.S. Champions
This month at Beech Tree we will be starting something called C.H.I.P.S. Champions. Teachers will be able to nominate students who show they are Caring, Helpful, Inclusive, Problem Solvers to be C.H.I.P.S. Champions! From these nominations, we will at random, choose 2-3 students per grade level each month to be our C.H.I.P.S. Champions! These students will have their names announced on the news show, will receive a certificate, small gift bag to bring home, and have their nomination form displayed so everyone in the school can see how they showed C.H.I.P.S.!
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Superintendent Community Conversations
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.
A series of Community Conversations 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):
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.
Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place on this day.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
Title I Parent Advisory Council (TPAC)
Parents and caregivers of students attending Title I schools are invited to the first General Meeting on Tuesday, October 20, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Join us in person at Lynbrook Elementary School 5801 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA 22150 or online via Zoom: TPAC Meeting 10/20
 Beech Tree Elementary School Picture Day is Coming! 📸
📅 Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416914
📧 Questions about Ordering? www.vosphoto.com/contact-us
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
FCPS Is Participating in Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5)
Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information.
Share Your Thoughts on Schools and Buildings in the Renovation Queue Survey
The Office of the Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs is seeking input from community members, families, and employees about school facility needs and how FCPS prioritizes facility improvements.
Whether you work in an FCPS school, have a child enrolled, or live near an FCPS school, please share your perspective. The survey asks about building conditions, how facilities affect teaching and learning, renovation priorities, and what information would help you better understand this process.
Look for the survey in your email on Friday, October 16. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey will remain open until Saturday, October 31.
Did You Know? Bond Referendums Fund Facility Renovations
FCPS does not pay for facility renovations out of its general operating budget. Instead, Fairfax County voters decide on how much money FCPS can spend on capital improvement projects through bond referendums. Bonds are issued by the county to the school division and allow FCPS to renovate buildings without increasing taxes.
Learn more about bond referendums and how they support our schools on the Bond Referendum webpage.
Help Your Child Become a Stronger Reader: Upcoming Family Learning Opportunities
Want to better understand how your child learns to read and how you can support them at home? FCPS is offering several free virtual sessions to help families learn about reading instruction, literacy resources, and strategies to build strong reading skills. Explore the opportunities below and register for the sessions that interest you. Lexia Family Information Sessions
Want to learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp? These virtual sessions share how FCPS is using both programs in classrooms across the division this school year to support students’ literacy growth and give families a chance to ask questions.
Every one-hour session covers the same content. Choose the option that works best for your family:
- Wednesday, October 21, at 5 and 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Join a Lexia Family Information Night Session.Literacy Webinar SeriesJoin us for a series of family-friendly webinars designed to help you understand reading assessments, reading plans, and ways to support your child at home. Learn what assessment results mean, how reading plans guide instruction, and practical strategies to strengthen decoding, language, comprehension, and literacy skills, including support for multilingual learners.
- October 20, 2026: Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
- December 15, 2026: What Is a Reading Plan?
- February 19, 2027: How Do I Support My Child With a Reading Plan at Home?
- May 14, 2027: Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer
Register for the Literacy Webinar Series.
Introduction to Dyslexia Webinar – What Is It and What Does It Mean for My Student?Participants will look at the definition of dyslexia and its impact on students including the different types of dyslexia and what support students with dyslexia require. Participants will also leave with activities and tips to support their students at home.Join us on Friday, October 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Register for the Introduction to Dyslexia webinar.
Annual Special Education Family Conference: We Need You!
Register now to attend FCPS’ annual Special Education Family Conference, Connected Communities, Thriving Students, on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Educators, families, and community members are invited to this in-person event at no cost. Participants can connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Register to attend the conference.
Volunteers Are Needed to Make This Event a Success!
Find out how to volunteer:
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS.
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Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive service hours for their time.
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Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Service hours will be awarded to students serving in these roles.
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
 Save The Date: October 30th
Our Annual Storybook Character Day & Parade
Once upon a time, Beech Tree Elementary brought storybook characters to life!
We are thrilled to celebrate Storybook Character Day on October 30th! We invite all students to dress up and join in on the FUN! Students are encouraged to use their creativity to dress in a school appropriate, storybook character costume. Student costumes can be bought or homemade. Costumes may be elaborate or simple. Make sure to bring a book with you! Please no masks.
Families are welcome to join us on the front sidewalk at 9:30 AM to watch our Beavers parade around the bus loop and celebrate our superstar Beaver readers! (weather permitting)
Justice High School Youth Night!
 Join us Friday, October 23rd as Justice Football takes on the Edison Eagles! Bring the family and help us celebrate our Justice Pyramid and future Wolves! Students 13 and under are FREE with a paying adult! All middle-school students and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult who remains with them throughout the event.
6:45 PM – Kids Fun Run Through The Wolves Tunnel
6:50 PM – Justice HS Combined Choirs to sing the National Anthem
7:00 PM – Kickoff!
Skip the line and purchase tickets ahead of time: BUY HERE!
Know Before You Go: All spectators will pass through weapons screening upon entry. FCPS also has a clear bag policy for all Varsity Football Games. Clear bags (up to 12" x 6" x 12") and small clutch bags (up to 4.5" x 6.5") are permitted; backpacks, purses, fanny packs, tote bags, outside food/beverages, and sporting equipment are not permitted. Medical and diaper bags are allowed but are subject to inspection.
We hope to see our Justice Pyramid families there!
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.
Preschool Students will follow their regular Wednesday schedule.
Early release Wednesdays for Beech Tree ES are:
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5
👉 Afterschool Form for the 2026–2027 School Year
Beech Day=Lunch Visits
Beech Days (Open Days in YELLOW):
These are the days you can come to school and have lunch with your student:
- October: 19, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28 29
- November: 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 30
- December: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 17, 18
- January: 4, 5, 6. 7. 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27
- February: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
- March: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 29, 30, 31
- April: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Lunch Schedule
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11:30-12:00
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Kindergarten
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11:40-12:10
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Second Grade
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12:00-12:30
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Multi-Age
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12:15-12:45
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First Grade
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12:30-1:00
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Fifth Grade
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12:45-1:15
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Fourth Grade
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1:05-1:35
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Third Grade
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Unavailable Days Due to Wednesday Early Release (in RED):
These are the dates where Beech Days are unavailable because of early release closures:
- October 21
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5
There will be no Beaver Beech lunch days in May due to SOL testing, which may alter daily lunch schedules.
- Beech Days will return during the month of June.
We encourage family members to enjoy the same lunch as their child, whether it's a packed lunch or from the school cafeteria. To maintain the integrity of our meal program, we kindly request refraining from bringing fast food options.
On the day of your child's scheduled lunch, please arrive 5 minutes early to sign in at the office. Our staff will direct you to the cafeteria. As you depart, please remember to check out at the office. For those opting to purchase lunch from the cafeteria, adult pricing is $5.50 and the price for non-FCPS students under the age of 18 is $3.75, payable in cash. For more details on lunch options, please click here.
FCPS News/In Case You Missed It
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Facilities Survey
- Transportation Survey
- Health Department Letter on Preventing the Spread of Illness
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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
Stay updated, sign up for
Beech Tree Elementary Family Newsletters with News You Choose
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