Bonnie Brae ES: Family Newsletter (Sept. 18)

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Hello, Scottie families!

It has been a great first four weeks of school! Our students are building classroom communities, developing skills in reading and writing, having rich conversations about math, learning about FCPS' Portrait of a Graduate attributes, and building foundational skills through Wayfinder. We are excited for all that is to come!

We had an amazing Back-to-School Night on Wednesday. Thank you, parents and caregivers, for attending and partnering with us in your child's education!

Be sure to check out the PTO section below for information on our first PTO meeting of the year (next week on Wednesday, September 23, at 6 PM in the library), and movie night, which is coming up next Friday, September 25. Please contact the PTO with any questions.

A reminder that this Monday, September 21, there is no school, in observance of Yom Kippur.

Have a wonderful 3-day weekend with your family and friends!

Morgan Birge, Principal

Raegan Hanson, Assistant Principal

Rose Stephens, Assistant Principal

Family. Relationships. Success.

September 21 - Yom Kippur (no school)
September 23 - PTO Meeting, 6-7 PM (Bonnie Brae Library)
September 24 - Fall Picture Day (individual photos only)
September 25 - PTO Movie Night, 6:30-9 PM (front of school lawn)

A few amazing highlights that happened this week...

Two students sitting on a rug having a conversation.

Second grade Scotties discussed the importance of device free moments.

Teachers dressed as ladybugs for their ladybug science unit

The third grade team dressed as ladybugs to get everyone excited about their next science unit!

Yom Kippur

Monday September 21, is a holiday and schools and offices will be closed. See the complete school year calendar.

School Picture Day is Next Week!

Fall Picture Day is Thursday, September 24. All students will have their individual picture taken (class pictures occur in the spring).

Families can pre-order pictures online. Online ordering should be completed by Thursday, September 24.

Families who pre-purchase pictures will receive their picture packages at school (or online if a digital package was purchased) approximately two-three weeks after our Fall Picture date.

For more details, please visit our Fall Picture Day webpage.

Questions about ordering? Email underclass@vosphoto.com.

Early Release Wednesdays - Complete the Form

Our first Early Release Wednesday is October 21. Students will be released three hours early at 12:15 PM. Parents and caregivers, please be sure to complete the Early Release Wednesday form that your child's teacher shared with you (and also located here) so we are aware how your child/children will go home on Early Release Wednesdays.

Please complete the form for each child who attends Bonnie Brae by Friday, October 16.

As a reminder, if you complete the form and share that your student will need to stay at Bonnie Brae due to childcare needs on our Early Release Wednesday, they will be dismissed at the regular time of 3:15 PM.

For a list of all Early Release Wednesday dates and more information, be sure to check out the FCPS website here.

All preschool classes will follow their normal schedule.

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:

Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January 2026 may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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.
Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Raegan Hanson, School Testing Coordinator, at rnhanson@fcps.edu by September 30.

Families are invited to attend our AAP Family Information Parent Coffee Meeting led by Larissa Sheehan, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) and other Bonnie Brae teachers supporting Advanced Academics on October 2, 2026, from 8:30-9:30 AM in the Bonnie Brae Library . Below are the topics to be discussed:

AAP Continuum of Services: Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
Full-Time AAP Identification: Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.

For more information, please contact Larissa Sheehan, AART, at ltsheehan@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.

Twice-Exceptional (2e) 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 Larissa Sheehan at ltsheehan@fcps.edu.

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.

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:

Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School

Fall Club Registration Opens Next Tuesday

This fall, the PTO is excited to offer a variety of after-school clubs, including soccer, kickball, edible art, jewelry-making, balloon animals, adventures in STEM, creative writing, karaoke and more! Information was sent home in this week's Tuesday folders, and more details are available on the PTO website.

Registration for our teacher-led clubs will open Tuesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. and close Friday, September 25 at 10 p.m. Registration for our company-led clubs – Silver Knights Chess, KidCreate and Acting For Young People – is available now!

Clubs will begin the week of October 5. Questions? See the FAQ section on the PTO website or contact us at afterschool@bonniebraepto.org. We look forward to a wonderful session of clubs!

Join Us for the Bonnie Brae Elementary PTO Meeting - with Limited Free Childcare!

Mark your calendars! The first Bonnie Brae PTO meeting of the 2026-2027 school year is coming up on Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00 PM in the school library. Stay after the meeting for a social hour with light snacks—a great chance to connect with other parents and staff!

Meeting Highlights:

Raising Lifelong Readers (and Upcoming Library Fun) – Special feature with Ms. Lewis
What to Expect from the PTO This Year – Overview of goals and upcoming events
PTO Budget Vote – Official vote on this year's budget
Principal's Update – News and insights with Mr. Birge
Fall Festival Planning – Getting ready for one of our favorite traditions

Childcare Information: A limited number of free childcare slots are available during the meeting, generously provided by local Girl Scouts. Advance registration is required.

RSVP & Register for Childcare: Please let us know you are coming or reserve a childcare spot via the Bonnie Brae PTO Registration Link.

Movie Night is Coming!

Join us for Movie Night on Friday, September 25, hosted by the Bonnie Brae PTO.

Movie: Toy Story 5 starts at 7 PM
Concessions: Open at 6:30 PM
- pizza, candy, popcorn, and chocolate
Where: Outside on the Lawn

Bring a chair, and enjoy a movie under the stars with your best Bonnie Brae friends! Volunteer here. See you under the stars!

***This is not a drop off event. Guardians must be present with children.***

Every Tuesday is Pizza Tuesday!

Pizza Boli's is donating to support our school activities EVERY TUESDAY all school year! Show this flyer in store for pickup between 4 and 8pm so 20% of sales can support the Bonnie Brae PTO.

October 2 - AAP Family Information Parent Coffee Meeting, 8:30-9:30 AM (Bonnie Brae Library)
October 6 - Quarter 1 Interims Sent Home
October 12 - School Planning Day (no school for students)
October 13-October 22 - Book Fair
October 16 - PTO Fall Festival, 6-8 PM
October 21 - Three-Hour Early Release Wednesday, 12:15 PM
October 21 - PTO Meeting, 6-7 PM (Bonnie Brae Library)
October 29 - Fall Picture Make-Up Day
October 30 - End of 1st Quarter: 2-Hour Early Release, 1:15 PM
November 2 - School Planning Day (no school for students)
November 3 - Teacher Workday (no school for students)

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FCPS Standard School Year Calendar

Bonnie Brae Hours - Office 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Instructional 8:20 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.