|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Dear Halley Families,
As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, we’re looking forward to all the learning, connection, and celebration this season brings to Halley Elementary. Thank you for being such an important part of our school community.
Please take a few moments to read this week’s Hornet Happenings in its entirety. It’s filled with helpful updates, upcoming events, and information to keep your family connected and prepared for the weeks ahead. In your classroom teacher’s newsletter, you’ll find information about scheduling a parent-teacher conference with your child’s teacher. These conferences are a valuable opportunity to talk about your child’s growth, celebrate successes, and ask questions.
Wishing you a wonderful autumn week and restful weekend!
Warmly,
Paula Johnson-Tyler, Principal
Kayleigh Merritt, Assistant Principal
 Federal Impact Aid Program
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) receives federal Impact Aid grant money due to the significant federal employment and military presence within our community. Because federal property is not taxable, school divisions with military installations, federal lands, or federally supported housing lose local tax revenue. Federal Impact Aid helps local school districts offset the cost of educating students in areas affected by federal activity. These funds are added to the school division’s general operating budget and are essential to maintaining the high-quality education FCPS provides to all students by providing additional financial support for essential services such as:
- Staffing and classroom instruction
- School facilities and maintenance
- Student transportation
This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding.
Identifying Federally Connected Students
To qualify for these funds, FCPS must collect information on federally connected students through the Federal Impact Aid Survey.
- In October 19,2026 the survey will be available electronically through SIS Parent VUE for all eligible families. Please log in and fill it out.
- Families without Parent VUE access, or those who prefer a paper form, will receive a paper survey from their child’s school in November.
All information collected is kept strictly confidential.
These funds are critical to ensuring every FCPS student has access to an excellent education.
 Parent Information Session Interest Survey
Please let us know which topics you would like covered in our upcoming Parent Information Sessions.
Parent Information Session Survey
Join Steamology on Saturday, October 17 AM - 2 PM at South County HS for STEM FEST 2026!
STEM FEST is a fun-filled, educational event that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for elementary and middle school students. This event provides students with a chance to engage in hands-on activities that are related to STEM fields, featuring high school clubs and vendors, who will set up informational booths or displays related to STEM.
High school students are invited to serve as STEM FEST Volunteers. This is a valuable opportunity for high school students to develop leadership skills, gain community service hours, and potentially inspire younger students to pursue their STEM interests.
Participants can register here.
Need a ride? Free bus service runs from 11 AM to 2 PM, with pick-up and drop-off at Lorton Community Center, Lorton Station Elementary School, and South County High School.
 Calling all Halley Elementary student artists!
It is time to unleash your creativity for the 2026-2027 Yearbook Cover Design Challenge. This year's theme is "What’s the Buzz?", and we are looking for hand-drawn illustrations that capture the heart of our amazing school. Students should use an 8.5" x 11" vertical sheet of white paper and fill the entire page using markers or colored pencils (no crayons, please). The design must prominently feature both "Halley Elementary" and "2026-2027". Please do not write your student's name on the front of the artwork; instead, attach a sticky note with their name on the back. Please submit all entries to your child's teacher or the main office by October 23rd. The winning masterpiece will be featured on the yearbook's front cover and announced on the Morning News Show, while all other entries that follow the guidelines will be proudly showcased on the back cover!
Title I Parent Advisory Committee General Meeting 10/20
The first General Meeting for parents and caregivers of students attending Title I schools is Tuesday, Oct. 20th from 7-8:30pm at Lynbrook ES. The meeting will also be accessible online using the Zoom link below.
TPAC Meeting 10/20
Halley ES 3-Hour Early Release Wednesdays Survey
Thank you to everyone who has filled out the google form!
We still need a few more responses, so if you haven't already please make sure you fill the form out. We need to know how your student is going home. Thank you.
School will end 3 hours early, at 1:05 PM, on the following Wednesdays throughout the 2026-2027 school year. Please complete this attendance form to let Halley ES staff know if your student(s) will be leaving at 1:05 PM or 4:05 PM and how they will be getting home on these dates.
Dates:
- October 21, 2026
- December 2, 2026
- February 10, 2027
- May 5, 2027
Reminders of dismissal selections will be emailed to families prior to each early release Wednesday. Please contact Halley Elementary School if there are any changes: 703-551-5700.attendance form
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
-
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
-
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
-
Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (note date change)
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
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.
Annual Special Education Family Conference: We Need You!
Register now to attend the 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:
-
Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS.
-
Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive service hours for their time.
-
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.
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.
FCPS News
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
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
 10/29 - Hallowingo is just a couple weeks away! Don’t forget to preorder bingo cards & food for the event!
📅 Thursday, October 29⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
Pre-order your bingo cards, food, and concession tickets on the Halley PTBoard website. We hope to see you there!
Would you like to volunteer to help with the event or donate prizes? Sign up here!
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?
|
