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September 2 Family Newsletter
Dear Families,
At Union Mill Elementary, we are focusing on small, intentional instructional strategies that can make a big difference in student learning, engagement, and success. These are some of the practices our teachers are striving to use consistently across classrooms:
- Shortening instructional segments and providing frequent opportunities for students to respond (10/2 or 5/1)
- Repeating and reinforcing important learning (repitition)
- Pairing students with assigned partners to encourage collaboration (assigned roles)
- Using visuals and color coding to make information clear and accessible
- Incorporating movement and gestures to support understanding and memory (total physical response)
- Using co-teaching to provide additional support and learning opportunities
Families can support these efforts at home by encouraging meaningful conversation and asking children to elaborate on their ideas. Try questions such as, “Why do you think that?” or “Tell me more.” These simple prompts help children explain their thinking, build vocabulary, and strengthen communication skills.
We hope your family enjoys a safe, relaxing, and conversation-filled Labor Day weekend!
 Calling All Book Investigators!
This week in the library, students in Ms. Vickers’ class stepped into the shoes of book detectives! After reading Penelope Popper, Book Doctor, students became investigators on a very important mission: examining damaged library books and figuring out what happened!
Students carefully investigated the evidence, discussed how the books may have been damaged, and then shared their ideas for keeping our library books safe, clean, and ready for the next reader. From turning pages gently to keeping books away from food and water, our young investigators discovered that everyone plays an important role in being a good book caretaker!
We are so proud of our students for thinking like detectives and showing just how much they care about our library and the stories inside it!
Upcoming Dates
Friday, September 4th - No School for Students
Monday, September 7th - No School for Students (Labor Day)
Wednesday, September 9th - Back to School Night @ 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Thursday, September 17th - PTA Fun Run
Friday, September 18th - Community Flier Deadline for Approval
Wednesday, September 23rd - First PTA Meeting
Thursday, September 24th - AAP Continuum of Services Overview @ 5:45pm
FCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar
Back to School Night
Parents, don't miss the opportunity to come learn about your child's or children's teachers, grade level curriculum, classroom procedures, school wide expectations and more on Wednesday, September 9th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.
Parent To-Do List: Parent Action Required
PickUp Patrol (Dismissal)
This school year we will continue using PickUp Patrol to help us track dismissals. PickUp Patrol (PUP) has saved us a great deal of time in the office, reduced classroom interruptions and provides you with a convenient way to make changes to your child’s dismissal plans.
Most importantly, continuing to use it will help us ensure that our students are safely dismissed to their correct after-school destinations.
Please check your email for a Welcome Email from PickUp Patrol that includes a link to update your child's dismissal plan.
Band & Strings Registration
Your child is invited to be part of the Band or Strings program in the 2026-27 school year! (If you already signed up in the spring, you don’t need to register again unless your choice of group or instrument has changed.)
5th and 6th graders are invited to join the Band or Strings program this year! 4th graders are invited to join the Strings program. Our Band and Strings teachers will connect with students this week to share about the programs and to demonstrate the instruments available to play. We hope that your child comes home excited to start or continue an instrument!
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 Test (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 Jaime Graham, School Testing Coordinator, at jagraham@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Melissa Paris-Hutchens, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: Thursday September 24th at 5:45 p.m. in room 115. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: Thursday November 5th at 5 p.m. in room 115. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Melissa Paris-Hutchens, AART, at maparis@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
Community Flier Distribution
This semester’s nonprofit Community Flier Distribution will take place on Friday, September 25th. To submit a flier for approval, it must be received in the main office by no later than Friday, September 18th and include the following disclaimer:
"This event [or activity] is sponsored by [name of the organization] and is operated independently of the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, and Union Mill Elementary School.”
Once the flier is approved, please deliver 31 sets of 30 copies each (plus a few extras for the front office) no later than 12:00pm on Wednesday, September 23rd.
Fliers will go home with students on Friday, September 25th .
Volunteering at Union Mill
If you are looking to volunteer for the 26-27 school year and have not already done so, complete your Volunteer FCPS registration this summer! This is required for all FCPS and Union Mill Volunteers.
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Register With Volunteer FCPS Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment here at Union Mill. All volunteers must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk.
At the Volunteer FCPS site, you can complete a volunteer orientation. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Union Mill thanks you for your support!
Early Release Wednesdays for 2026-27
FCPS will continue with limited early release Wednesdays for elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year, however the number has been reduced from eight to four days.
Early release Wednesdays provide elementary teachers with a dedicated block of time to prepare lessons, participate in professional development and training, and collaborate with peers. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff leads to better educational outcomes for students.
Find more information about early release Wednesdays, including the list of early release dates.
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October 21
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December 2
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February 10
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May 5
UMES PTA
Back to School Night with the PTA
Preorder Spirit Wear
We are now offering preorders for spirit wear to be picked up during Back to School Night on September 9th. Orders must be placed by 10PM on 9/7 so we have enough time to get everything together for you. Skip the lines and try out ordering early! Spirit and PJ days will be here before you know it! Don’t forget to renew your PTA membership while you shop so you can receive priority notice when we open up our online spirit wear store! Shop here.
Volunteer
We are looking for a few extra hands at the PTA table on BTS night! Sign up for a 30-minute shift to help sell UMES spirit wear, magnets, and stickers. You’ll have experienced PTA volunteers with you, so it’s an easy way to jump in and make a difference. Sign up here.
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Stop By
Visit us at the PTA table on September 9th from 5-7PM during BTS Night to pick up an event calendar for the school year, purchase spirit wear for your Bears, sign up as a PTA member for 2026/27, and learn about ways to get involved this year and volunteer!
Spirit Wear* for 2026-27:
- Red tie-dye Union Mill t-shirts: youth sizes XS (limited), S – L
- *NEW THIS YEAR* Solid black “Bears” t-shirt: youth sizes S-L
- UMES water bottle sticker sheets
- UMES car magnets
*An online spirit wear store will open later in the year with additional options, including adult sizes. Be sure to sign up for your PTA membership so you receive our e-newsletter with updates and a link to order!
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Fun Run – Signups Are OPEN!
Signups are now OPEN for our Union Mill Fun Run! Our goal is to raise $50,000 for reducing field trip costs, funding school-wide improvements, and school-wide events for students. When you sign up at MyBooster.com, your pack will have the chance to head to Great Wolf Lodge! We have some fun in store for our families while we fundraise to reach our goal, but you must be registered on MyBooster.com to qualify. Students earn their wolf ears just for receiving their first donation. Here’s the lead up to our Fun Run: | | 
