Hornet Happenings

Blast off! Our students had an exciting time at Rocket Day on Thursday! Students in grades K–6 designed their own rockets using 2-liter bottles, corks, baking soda, and vinegar. They loved watching their classmates’ rockets launch into the sky. The day was filled with creativity, curiosity, and plenty of excitement!

A special thank-you to Mrs. Christy Talley, our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, for organizing Rocket Day and creating such a memorable experience for our students!

Calendar Reminder: There is no school for students this coming Monday, October 12^th. It is a School-Planning Day for school staff. We look forward to welcoming our Hornets back to school on Tuesday, October 13^th.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Paula Johnson-Tyler, Principal

Kayleigh Merritt, Assistant Principal

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

South County Homecoming Parade

South County HS will have their Homecoming Parade on Thurs Oct 15 at 4:30pm. They will march down Laurel Crest Drive in front of Laurel Hill Elementary. Come cheer on the Stallions!

We are so excited to share that Halley has been awarded the Virginia Purple Star Award for the first time!

This honor reflects the welcoming and supportive community our staff and families help create for students who serve our country alongside their military-connected loved ones. Thank you to everyone who helps make Halley a place where every student feels supported and at home.

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!

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

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 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 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:

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 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.

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.

Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School

The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.

The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.

Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.

Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.

Celebrating the Power of School Lunches

Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers.

This National School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) reminds families that they are dedicated to providing delicious, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.

Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? View the Nutrition Services menus.

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 available.

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

- Safe Routes to School Survey
- Immunization Events
- Celebrating Our Principals

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.