Bonnie Brae ES: Family Newsletter

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Principal's Message

Hello, Scottie families!  

It’s almost here!  We are looking forward to This is Us!, a celebration of our Bonnie Brae Community next week on Thursday, April 23, from 5:30-7 PM.  We encourage all Bonnie Brae families to attend this amazing event, which celebrates all our Scotties (parents, caregivers, students, staff, friends, and other family!).  Next week we also celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22 (wear green!).  See below for details on This is Us! and Earth Day celebrations.  

A reminder that Tuesday, April 21 there is no school due to the election. Have a wonderful weekend with your family and friends. 

Morgan Birge, Principal

Rose Stephens, Assistant Principal

Natalie Vershaw, Assistant Principal


Family.  Relationships.  Success.


Week at a Glance

  • April 20-April 24 - Earth Week Spirit Week (see below for details)
  • April 23 - This Is Us! Community Celebration Event, 5:30-7 PM
  • April 24 - SCA Spirit Day, Under the Sea

Scottie Feature

A few amazing highlights that happened this week...


Three students on the playground

The weather this week was perfect for time on our playground!


Student smiling

We love seeing our Scotties smile from ear to ear!


Updates

Yearbook Ordering

Yearbook Orders due by Midnight Tonight

All orders (online only) are due by midnight, Friday, April 17The prices detailed below are for all yearbooks purchased by April 17.

  • Soft cover yearbooks are $18
  • Hard cover yearbooks are $24
  • Option to add a foil name stamp for an additional $4  

To order a Bonnie Brae ES Yearbook via credit card online, visit the Yearbook Order site and use School ID Number 732269

We will have a limited number of yearbooks for sale on-site in June at a cost of $20 per soft cover yearbook (no hard cover yearbooks or foil name stamps will be sold on-site).

Yearbooks are expected to arrive late-May/early June. 

Visit the Bonnie Brae Yearbook webpage for details.


calendar reminder graphic

April Statewide Election: No School for Students

There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled. 

FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on April 21 at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage

Adjusted Elementary Early Release WednesdaysStudents will now have a traditional full day of instruction and be released at the regular dismissal time on April 22 and April 29, which were previously early release Wednesdays for elementary schools.

This adjustment allows our staff to still have dedicated time for planning, collaboration, and professional learning without reducing instructional time on other school days.


Spring Photos Are Ready to View Online

Spring Portraits are available to view and order online! All orders placed online will include free shipping until Friday, April 24.

To view spring portraits:

Parent questions/concerns regarding portraits can be directed to underclass@vosphoto.com.


SOL Calendar

Standards of Learning Tests (Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6)

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests occur in reading, mathematics, and science. See below for the schedule of the grade level SOLs.

  • April 30: 5th Grade Reading SOL
  • May 6: 3rd and 4th Grade Reading SOL
  • May 8: 5th Grade Math SOL and 6th Grade Reading SOL
  • May 13: 6th Grade Math SOL
  • May 14: 3rd and 4th Grade Math SOL
  • May 19: 5th Grade Science SOL

The Grade Level Tests webpage 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, school test coordinator.

Support Your Children During Important Spring Assessments 

Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes summative assessments like Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which measure what a student knows, and progress assessments like Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which measure where they are in their learning. 

FCPS encourages all families to support their students in taking these tests. Virginia requires schools to test at least 95% of students on SOLs, so when families choose not to participate in testing, it can impact a school’s accreditation, accountability ratings, and ability to measure student progress accurately.

Parents and caregivers can help their children perform their best on these tests by reminding them to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and the cell phone policy still applies during testing season. 

It is important that students attend school on scheduled testing dates. If you are aware of a conflict that may cause your student to miss a test, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible. 

Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters


This is us

This Is Us! - A Celebration of our Bonnie Brae Community is Next Week!

You are invited to join us for our "This Is Us! - A Celebration of Our Bonnie Brae Community" on Thursday, April 23, from 5:30-7 PM.  We will learn about the cultures and traditions that make up our Bonnie Brae community as we experience performances, demonstrations, food, and a share fair. We are looking for families to share about their culture and traditions with our Bonnie Brae community. 

Families can still sign up to share!  Please view our This Is Us! webpage to learn more about this event and to register to share about your family's culture, heritage, and traditions.

To sign up for an event(s), please complete the below Google Form or complete and return the bottom portion of our This is Us! flyer to your child’s teacher at your earliest convenience by Monday, April 20.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to celebrating Bonnie Brae families! 

Please reach out to Larissa Sheehan and Catherine Weiss with any questions.


Earth Week Spirit Week

Earth Week - Spirit Week!

Get ready to celebrate Earth Day with our school community! This year, we’re showing our commitment to protecting the planet in a fun and visible way, by wearing themed colors throughout the week. Each day highlights an important environmental focus, giving everyone a chance to participate and raise awareness.

Spirit Week for the Earth:

  • Monday, April 20 – Wildlife Day: Wear nature prints
  • Tuesday, April 21 – School is closed.
  • Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day: Wear green
  • Thursday, April 23 – Climate Change Day: Wear red
  • Friday, April 24 – Watershed Day: Wear blue

Join us as we celebrate, learn, and take small steps that make a big difference for our planet. Together, we can show that every action counts!


Working with simple machines while backstage at Wolf Trap

Resources to Help Infants and Toddlers Meet Milestones

Are you concerned about your infant, toddler, or preschool-aged child’s development? Resources are available if your child exhibits difficulties in one or more of the following areas: communication, fine and/or gross motor skills, self-help skills, problem-solving, and attention skills. Learn more about typical developmental milestones.

The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (ITC) provides evaluations and services for children (0-36 months) who have developmental delays or medical conditions that may affect development. Parents are encouraged to contact ITC at 703-246-7121 to share their concerns.

Early Childhood Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs between the ages of 20 months and 5 years (children must be two by September 30). 

FCPS Early Childhood Identification and Services (ECID&S) offers a free referral process to identify potential developmental delays or disabilities. Special education services are provided for all children who are found eligible through the referral process. Parents are encouraged to call 571-423-4121 with questions.


Updates to 2026-27 School Year Calendar

The School Board voted to direct the superintendent to designate Veterans Day as a standard instructional day for the 2026-27 school year. Because this day was added, the 2026-27 school year will now end for students on Wednesday, June 16, 2027. Find additional information on BoardDocs. View the updated complete school year calendar on FCPS’ website.

The last day of school for the current school year — Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — has not changed. 


Bonnie Brae ES PTO

Bunco

Calling All Grown-Ups: Bunco Night is Coming!

Take a break, meet new friends, and enjoy a fun evening with fellow Bonnie Brae parents and guardians!

Join us for Bunco Night—a fast-paced, easy-to-learn dice game that’s perfect for everyone, whether you’ve played before or not. It’s a great opportunity to relax, laugh, and connect with other members of our school community while learning more about how the PTO supports our students and staff.

When: Friday, May 1, 6 PM

Where: Bonnie Brae Cafeteria

How: Learn more and RSVP

Bring a friend or come solo—you’ll quickly feel part of the fun!

We hope to see you there for a night of games, laughter, and community spirit!


Chuck E Cheese

End April with Fun at Chuck E. Cheese!

Wrap up the month with a night of food, games, and FUN—while supporting Bonnie Brae!

Join us for our Chuck E. Cheese Fundraiser Night and help turn fun into funds for our school community.

When: Thursday, April 30, 3 PM – 9 PM

Where: 9404 Main Street, Fairfax, VA

How it works: Just mention Bonnie Brae Elementary when ordering, and 20% of all food and gameplay purchases will be donated back to our school—including dine-in AND carryout orders!

Special Perks & Promotions:

  • Pizza and game deals available during the event
  • Fun gameplay promotions for families
  • Carryout orders count toward our fundraiser
  • Teachers receive a free personal meal as a thank-you for all they do!

Bring the whole family, invite friends, and enjoy a great night out while giving back to Bonnie Brae. Every game played and slice enjoyed helps support our students and staff!

See below for special coupons that can only be used during the Bonnie Brae event at Chuck E. Cheese on Thursday, April.

  • Buy 1, Get 1 Free - Adventure Zone Admission
  • 120 Play Points for $30
  • 1 Large, 1-Topping Pizza and 4 Regular Fountain Drinks for $29.99
Chuck E Cheese coupons

Upcoming Events

  • April 28 - Autism Acceptance Recognition Day - Wear Blue
  • April 30 - 5th Grade Reading SOL
  • May 6 - 3rd & 4th Grade Reading SOL
  • May 8 - 5th Grade Math & 6th Grade Reading SOL
  • May 12 - Interims Go Home
  • May 13 - 6th Grade Math SOL
  • May 13 - Virtual PTO Meeting, 6-7:30 PM
  • May 14 - 3rd & 4th Grade Math SOL
  • May 15 - PTO Spring Carnival, 6-8 PM
  • May 19 - 5th Grade Science SOL
  • May 20 - 3-Hour Early Release Closing, 12:15 PM
  • May 25 - Memorial Day Holiday
  • May 26 - Teacher Wor