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Dear Bailey’s ES Families,
As we approach the final week before winter break, we want to thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm this season. Our students have had so much fun participating in Spirit Week, and it’s been wonderful to see their excitement and creativity shine through.
We’re also thrilled to invite you to our Snowy Songs and Sing-Along event on December 18th and 19th. These special performances are a cherished tradition that bring our school community together to celebrate the season. We hope you’ll join us to enjoy the joyful music and warm camaraderie.
Let’s make this last week before break a positive and memorable one for our students. Thank you for being such an integral part of the Bailey’s ES family!
Have a great weekend!
Satonya Dews, Principal
Jillian Bell, Assistant Principal
Tracey Brown Rice, Assistant Principal
Keith Downing, Assistant Principal
10 Days of Tiger Cheer!
Join us for some holiday fun as we count down the days to Winter Break!
Week 2
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Monday, 12/16: Subtle Snow Day - Wear white to welcome winter weather.
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Tuesday, 12/17: Plaid Day - Channel your inner holiday lumberjack and wear plaid.
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Wednesday, 12/18: Festive Traditions Day - Wear something from your family’s holiday traditions.
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Thursday, 12/19: Mistle Toes - Wear your festive socks and show them off.
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Friday, 12/20: Pajama Day - Wrap up the 10 days of cheer in your favorite pajamas.
Also pictured below:
December Lunch Visitation Schedule
Parents/Caregivers are invited to join their student(s) for lunch at school on an assigned day. This is a great opportunity for parents/caregivers to come in for lunch with their child.
We encourage parents/caregivers to eat the same lunch as their child either packed or school lunch. We kindly ask that you do not bring fast food/outside lunch or candy. Also, parents please be advised that the bathrooms directly outside of the cafeteria are for student use only.
On the day of your child’s lunch, please arrive 5 minutes early so you can sign-in at the office and they will direct you to the cafeteria. Additionally, when you leave the school, please remember to check out in the office. If you choose to buy lunch from the cafeteria, adult pricing is $4.75 and may be paid in cash or by check. Click here for more information on purchasing lunch.
We ask that you please limit visitors to 1 caregiver, and no strollers please. We also ask that family members do not follow their child's class back to the classroom or outside for recess.
Please see below for the scheduled lunches by teacher:
Advanced Academics Program Information
Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Reilly McDonald, AART ([email protected]) no later than December 15, 2024.
Step by step instructions are on the Bailey’s AAP Website.
The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Reilly McDonald, AART ([email protected]).
Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
❄️Snowy Songs and Sing Along❄️
We want to wish you a Happy Holiday and invite you to ring in this season with us. All students are learning many Holiday songs from around the world (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Con Mi Burrito Sabanero, Asalam Aleykum, Dreidel, etc.) Please sing with your children at home, and come join us for “Snowy Songs and Sing Along” on your child's classroom day and time listed below:
Wednesday, December 18th, 2024
9:30 - 10:15: Bittenbender Homeroom, Kerns, Morgan, M. Rodriguez, Snyder, Sansing, Salazar, Hale
2:30 - 3:15: Jemison, Desrosiers, Ishfaq, Holmes, Glovier, Cabrera, Flintoft, Alayza, Tracey
Thursday, December 20th, 2024
9:30 - 10:15: Hoffmann, Carroll, Giacomo, Paredes, Viera, Getachew, Huddleston, Salleh
2:30 - 3:15: E. Molina Homeroom, Simons, Mukumbuta, Rabinovitz, Brown, Meeker, Speicher, Lopez, Grant
Queremos desearles felices fiestas y invitarlos a que suenen junto a nosotros esta temporada. Todos los estudiantes están aprendiendo muchos cantos navideños de todo el mundo. (We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Feliz Navidad, Con Mi Burrito Sabanero, etcétera.) Por favor cante con su hijo en la casa, y acompáñenos para “Snowy Songs and Sing Along” en el día y horario de clase de su hijo que se detallan a continuación:
Miércoles 18 de diciembre de 2024
9:30 - 10:15: Bittenbender Homeroom, Kerns, Morgan, M. Rodriguez, Snyder, Sansing, Salazar, Hale
2:30 - 3:15: Jemison, Desrosiers, Ishfaq, Holmes, Glovier, Cabrera, Flintoft, Alayza, Tracey
Jueves 20 de diciembre de 2024
9:30 - 10:15: Hoffmann, Carroll, Giacomo, Paredes, Viera, Getachew, Huddleston, Salleh
2:30 - 3:15: E. Molina Homeroom, Simons, Mukumbuta, Rabinovitz, Brown, Meeker, Speicher, Lopez, Grant
Counselor's Corner
Formed Families Forward is pleased to offer a new training for parents and caregivers to boost family safety and wellness as you prepare for all of the excitement and disruptions of your children’s break from school and their expectations for winter holiday celebrations. Join us for an interactive workshop and get new strategies for managing the winter break and for starting the new year strong!
December 16, 2024
11:45 am-1:00 pm (with a light lunch provided) OR
6:45 - 8:00 pm (with a light dinner provided)
Location: Charles Houston Recreation Center
Address: 901 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Simultaneous SPANISH interpretation is available upon request. Register Here.
⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times
At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.
The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.
Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.
⛄Student and Family Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue!
FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.
❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather ❄️
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!
The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.
Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.
📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break
Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home From School
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit our website for information on when to keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.
Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
🙋♂️ Attendance Is Important Every Day!
The weeks surrounding winter break often include more empty seats in classrooms. Every hour of every school day is a unique opportunity for students to learn, connect, and grow. Let’s nurture a rock-solid attendance habit.
A big thank you to:
- 🌟 Students who show up daily and the parents/caregivers supporting them.
- 👩🏫 Teachers who create a welcoming environment for learning.
- 👨💼 Administrators who provide a safe and engaging place to grow.
- 👏 Bus drivers, support staff, and volunteers who help our learners.
If you or your child need support, please contact a school counselor, social worker, or family liaison.
If your child is not feeling well, please refer to our guidance on when to keep your child home.
Find more attendance resources.
Webinar on Overcoming School Resistance
Does your child resist going to school or refuse to go? If so, join the Family Resource Center’s School Resistance webinar on Friday, January 10, 10-11:30 p.m. The webinar will explore how to take care of yourself in the heat of the moment and set supportive boundaries at home. Register in advance.
✨ Student attendance is one measure of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
Save the Date
December 23rd - January 5th- Winter Break
January 20th- No School (Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday/Inauguration Day)
January 29th- No School/ Teacher Work Day
Quick Links
6111 Knollwood Drive Falls Church, VA 22041 | Main Office: 703-575-6800
Attendance: 703-575-6845 | Web | Twitter | Facebook
