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  Today, we celebrated our students with a surprise Attendance Day! Every student who came to school was greeted with a delicious popsicle as a special thank-you for being present and ready to learn.
We are so proud of our students for making school attendance a priority. Each day at school is an opportunity to learn, grow, build friendships, and be part of our wonderful school community. Thank you to our families for supporting regular attendance and helping our students make the most of every school day!
Have a great three-day weekend! We will see you on Tuesday.
Paula Johnson-Tyler, Principal
Kayleigh Merritt, Assistant Principal
 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 Tests (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
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Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Jen Buchko, School Testing Coordinator, at JMBuchko@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend an AAP information meeting, led by Christy Talley, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) on October 7th at 6-7 PM in the Little Theatre (at the bottom of the main stairs). Please enter the building through Door 1. The meeting will take place in 2 parts with an opportunity for questions in between:
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AAP Continuum of Services: Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information or to request an interpreter for the meeting, please contact Christy Talley, AART, at cmtalley@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
Advanced Academics Programs Part 2
Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15
The fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3-8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026.
Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Christy Talley, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at cmtalley@fcps.edu by October 15, 2026. Late referrals will not be accepted.
For students who are not new to FCPS and have been enrolled, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2-7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by December 15, 2026.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.
Other Advanced Academic Services
At the elementary level, all students are screened each spring for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services. Families may also refer their student for consideration for Subject-Specific or Part-Time AAP at any time during the school year. Eligibility decisions are made at the school level, and families are notified of the decision within 30 school days of the referral. The Full-Time AAP referral deadlines do not apply.
For more information, please contact Christy Talley, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at cmtalley@fcps.edu or visit the Advanced Academic Programs website Advanced Academic Programs website.
Twice Exceptional Students
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.
New information, including printable flyers, has been added under the heading Supporting 2e Learners in FCPS.
For more information, please contact 703-551-5700
Superintendent Community Conversations
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:
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Our Focus on Academic Growth and Excellence
The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
The third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful, including reading on level by third grade. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.
Not Feeling Well? When Your Child Can Come to School
School is better when your child is here! But we do understand that some days, they may feel unwell. Learn more about which symptoms are ok at school (like sneezing or sniffles), and when your child should stay home (if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, for example).
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify the school so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and, if possible, let them know how long you think they will be out.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available.
 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?
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