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Hello, Scottie families!  

Field Day was a blast today!  Thank you to the many volunteers who came out to support, and to Mr. Oviatt and Mr. Orahood for their organization of this fun event.   A reminder that Monday, April 28, is our next 3-hour early release day.  Students will follow their last early release plan.  Any changes related to your child’s early release plan were due by April 24.  Please email bbesearlyrelease@fcps.edu with any questions. 

Next week on Monday, April 28 is our next SCA Spirit Day - Out of this World!  The theme includes UFOs, aliens, planets, stars, etc.  As always, we encourage everyone to participate, or to wear Bonnie Brae colors of blue and white.  

On Friday, May 2, from 8:35-9:15 AM we will hold our next parent coffee, which will include renovation updates and SOL test taking tips and strategies (including the balance between emphasizing the importance of the assessments while also decreasing test taking anxiety) shared by our 3rd-6th grade teachers.  We hope you can make it!

Have a great weekend with your family and friends!

Morgan Birge, Principal

Natalie Vershaw, Assistant Principal

Melissa Johnson, Assistant Principal

Family.  Relationships.  Success.

• April 28 - SCA Spirit Day: Out of this World!
• April 28 - Three-Hour Early Release Monday, 12:15 PM
• May 2 - Parent Coffee: SOL Test Taking Tips for Parents & Caregivers, 8:35-9:15 AM (library)

Positivity Project

Upcoming Weekly Focus:  Purpose

Character Strengths: You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.

Quote of the Week:  “If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don’t do that, you are wasting your time on this earth."

-ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Positivity Project for Families

Families can find resources to help continue the discussion of character strengths at home by visiting the Positivity Project for Families webpage.

A few amazing highlights that happened this week...

Some first grade Scotties created nature bracelets while taking a nature walk.

Scotties had so much fun during Field Day!

SCA Spirit Day - Out of This World (Monday, April 28)

Come dressed as an alien, UFO, planets, stars, or a favorite science fiction character! Or wear your Scottie gear or blue and white.

Early Release Monday – April 28, 2025

Our next 3-hour early release day is Monday, April 28.  Students will follow their last early release plan. 

All preschool classes will follow their normal schedule.

Parent Input for Next Year's Class Placement

We are getting ready to discuss class placement for the 2025-2026 school year and would appreciate parent/guardian input for consideration during these discussions. If you would like to provide input, please complete this form by May 9, 2025. We look forward to continuing this collaboration with you and your children to best support their learning needs.

Mrs. McCormick and a Bonnie Brae Scottie met up while both families were visiting London!

Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast!

Have you volunteered to chaperone, work in the library, support a classroom, prepare materials, or help with classroom events? 

Come celebrate with us on Wednesday, May 21, from 8:30-9:15 AM in the cafeteria! We are partnering with the PTO to provide this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful volunteers.  For planning purposes, volunteers are asked to please RSVP at this link to share their intentions for the event.  

Congratulations to Melissa Johnson, one of our Assistant Principals, for being recognized with an Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ASCD) First Class Award. This award recognizes inclusion and positive impact. 

The organization’s First Class Award celebrates and recognizes individuals who support, implement, or design programs and activities that include students with disabilities and result in improving outcomes for all students.

Melissa Johnson, assistant principal at Bonnie Brae Elementary School, promotes positive interactions with students and families to foster trust and increased community participation. She demonstrates respect and compassion for all students, and upholds consistent academic standards, while acknowledging that each student is at a unique stage in their academic journey.

Winners of the First Class Award model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and are committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset. The winners are putting into action FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered, which fosters a student safety and well-being and an inclusive school climate and culture. 

Best Buddies Friendship Walk

Join us, the SUPER SCOTTIES, as we participate in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on the National Mall in Washington, DC on April 26.   The Best Buddies Friendship Walk raises funds and awareness for the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).  Our Scottie family is so excited to be participating in the walk this year and joining with others, in investing in a world where people with IDD are fully accepted and integrated into society.  Visit the Best Buddies Friendship Walk page to learn more about this event!

Our Scottie community can join us either by donating, or by joining our team and walking with us.  Visit our Super Scotties Fundraiser page to donate or join our team! 

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) Testing in May

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science take place in May. 

• May 6 - Reading SOL (grades 5 and 6)
• May 7 - Reading SOL (grades 3 and 4)
• May 14 - Math SOL (grades 5 and 6)
• May 15 - Math SOL (grades 3 and 4)
• May 20 - Science SOL (grade 5)

The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s teacher or Natalie Vershaw, nvershaw@fcps.edu, school test coordinator.

The Field Day water stations were a favorite!

Social and Emotional Learning Screener: Parent Reports

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of March, providing information on their SEL skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

Individual student SEL Screener results are available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the SEL Screener Results Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.

Protect Your Child from Measles: What You Need to Know

Measles cases continue to rise in the U.S. About 1 in 5 people who get measles end up in the hospital. Measles can cause severe complications like a lung infection (pneumonia), brain inflammation (encephalitis), and possibly death, even with medical care. Symptoms of measles typically include:

• High fever (may spike up to 104°F)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• A rash that appears around 3-5 days after other symptoms begin. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads down the body.

The best way to protect a child from measles is by getting two doses of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

If you are unsure of your child's vaccination status or your personal vaccination status, talk to your health care provider. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your health care provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources.

Mrs. Shirey's class was energized for Field Day!

Share Feedback With County Health Department on School Health Services

The Fairfax County Health Department and Fairfax County Public Schools School Health Services invite parents/caregivers of FCPS students to participate in a survey on satisfaction with school health room services. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and will be open until Monday, May 5.

School health rooms (clinics) are managed by public health nurses and school health aides. Those staff provide care for students who become sick or injured during the school day, who require medications during the school day, and/or who have a chronic health condition that requires management during the school day.

Additionally, the school health room staff:

• Provide health education, communicable disease prevention, and health screenings.
• Work with schools to help address the root causes of population health disparities so that all students have equitable access to educational and health opportunities.
• Ensure that students have care for minor injuries and illnesses, and chronic health conditions, thus helping to minimize health barriers to learning. 

Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of school health room services as well as inform future planning for schools. 

Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning and fun! At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth. 

An FCPS Student Program Marketplace will feature student-made goods for sale. Proceeds will support the students’ programs. 

Learn about summer programs and resources available from community and business partners. Enjoy face painting, touring a fire truck, student performances, and much more! For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.  

This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.

Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 19. Visit the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage to access the nomination information form. 

Ready to play!

Increasing Access to Middle School Algebra 1 

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence places a focus on successful completion of Algebra 1 by eighth grade. To increase access to Algebra 1 for middle school students, the school division has decided to streamline the criteria for taking Algebra 1 Honors in seventh grade. 

With the simplified criteria, Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT) scores are no longer a prerequisite when selecting either Mathematics 7 Honors or Algebra 1 Honors. Although it is not a requirement for advanced math, families may still use the test scores to help decide which level of mathematics their child signs up for. 

Families of students who took the IAAT this winter will receive their score report by the end of this month. Students who were scheduled for the IAAT but did not get to complete the test will have the chance to opt-in for a makeup test at the end of the year. Parents/caregivers will receive information about this makeup testing opportunity. 

Additional information and copies of upcoming family communication can be found on the IAAT webpage. 

Pre-K Program Accepting Applications for Fall

The FCPS PreK Program serves 3 and 4 year old students with a high quality, full-day preschool program with no cost to families at 78 Fairfax County elementary schools. 

Students may qualify with a variety of economic or educational risk factors. Learn more about the Pre-K and Early Head Start Program by watching this video (English) or video (Spanish).

Spaces fill quickly, so complete an application online now or call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish) for more information.

It’s Time to Talk About Fentanyl: Become Unskippable 

National Fentanyl Awareness Day is Tuesday, April 29. Learn fentanyl facts and how to have short, impactful conversations in a way that teens are more likely to listen. Get everything you need to prepare by visiting the