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October 15 Family Newsletter
Dear Families,
What an exciting week of learning and adventure at our school! Students explored thermal heat by making s’mores in ovens, dove into the world of sea turtles, and sharpened their math skills through games with their buddies. Second graders enjoyed a trip to the public library, and fourth graders explored National Harbor. There’s so much curiosity, teamwork, and discovery happening in our classrooms and beyond!
Our first 3-hour early release is Wednesday, October 21st at 12:30 pm. On Monday, families should have received a confirmation of what time their child is scheduled to be dismissed at 12:30 or 3:30 pm. If this differs than your families plan for the afternoon, please use the link in the message sent on Monday to update. If it is accurate, no action needed. This helps us ensure all students get home safely.
We will be sending an additional confirmation on Friday.
Upcoming Dates
Monday, October 19th - Federal Impact Aid Survey Available in ParentVue
Wednesday, October 21st - 3-Hour Early Dismissal at 12:30 pm
- PTA Meeting
Friday, October 23rd - Family Cookout RSVPs Due
Friday, October 30th - Union Mill Family Cookout click here to RSVP
- SCA Spirit Day
- 2-Hour Early Dismissal at 1:30 pm (End of 1st Quarter)
Monday, November 2nd - School Planning Day (No School for Students)
Tuesday, November 3rd - Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
FCPS 2026-2027 School Calendar
This Week in Zones of Regulation
This week students will finish exploring Concept 1 – What is Regulation? Below is a fun guessing game you can play with your child at home to reinforce the concept of regulation.
Bridge Activity: Regulation Charades
Take turns pretending to regulate different things around your space or within your body, then guess what action is being acted out. Make your guess using the sentence below:
I think you are regulating _________ by _____________.
(Example: I think you are regulating the lights by using the dimmer switch.)
Federal Impact Aid Survey
Beginning Monday, October 19th, the Federal Impact Aid Survey will be available in ParentVue and needs to be filled out by the student's enrolling parent. Please help Union Mill conserve copy paper by completing this form ONLINE following these simple steps:
- Log in to SIS ParentVue.
- Go to "Online Registration".
- Scroll down to "Impact Aid Online Survey".
We appreciate your cooperation and help in obtaining 100% participation!
School Pictures are Now Available!
The team at Victor O’Neill Studios would like to thank Union Mill for a great picture day! Student images are now available.
Visit: www.vosphoto.com/underclass
Online code: your student ID#
It’s not too late to order!
For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
Celebrating Our Armed Forces
UMES PE wants to celebrate our service people! Please share a photo, in uniform if possible, with a brief description of you or your loved ones who have or are currently serving in our armed forces. This will go on our “Union Mill is Thankful for our Service People” bulletin board (November). All pictures and submissions should be sent no later than Thursday, October 29 to Manda Tirado at mktirado@fcps.edu.
Need an example of what we would love to see?
Captain William Tirado (O-6), Intelligence Officer. Captain Tirado served in the US Navy from 1964-1993. He is Mrs.Tirado's father-in-law.
DID YOU KNOW…? While physical activity and education has its history in Ancient Greece, PE in US public schools was introduced as a necessary part of the school day after the American Civil War to maintain fitness and health standards of the youth.
Many thanks, PE Team
October 30 Family Cookout
We look forward to hosting families for an opportunity to connect on Friday, October 30th during their child's lunch. Families will have the opportunity to come and eat with their child in the cafeteria or outside on Union Mill school grounds.
If you choose to attend, please click here to RSVP by Friday, October 23rd. This will ensure we have enough food for all who attend. While we are excited to include families in this event, we ask no more than 2 people per child to attend.
The menu includes: Grilled 100% all beef hot dogs, chips, and Rice Krispy Treats. There is no cost for the event thanks to ML Real Estate. Families and students are encouraged to bring their own water / drink. Families and students are also welcome to purchase lunch from the cafeteria.
Please do not park in the bus loop which will be coned off. We appreciate your cooperation!
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Special Education Conference
Register now for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students.
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Hosted by Fairfax County Public Schools in collaboration with community partners, this year’s conference highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to this no-cost, in-person event to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.
What to Expect
- Inspiring opening session
- Engaging breakout sessions
- Exhibitor hall featuring local resources
- Lunch for all participants
How to Participate
Questions? Email specialedfamilyconf@fcps.edu Click to edit this placeholder text.
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 the next AAP information meeting led by Melissa Paris-Hutchens, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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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.
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 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:
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- 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.
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
Spirit Day to Celebrate Fun Run
We have received some final updates for our Fun Run. Rewards prizes have been delivered and we have some final stats to share! The final total our students raised was $38,662 with 78% of students signed up! We received donations from 42 states and 5 countries. Thanks to everyone who participated! To celebrate the hard work and dedication of our UMES students during our Fun Run Boosterthon lead up and event, our school will have a Spirit Day on Friday! Wear your PJs and get ready for an extra cozy Friday! Friendly reminder: No slippers. And if it’s your PE day - bring or wear those sneakers and be phys ed ready!
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Principal Appreciation Month and Custodian Appreciation Day
We kicked off October by celebrating our amazing principal, Mr. Hawk, as well as our fantastic custodial staff! These staff members keep Union Mill running each and every day. We are grateful for all they do for our school.
A special shout-out to Oh Gee! Bagels & Bowls for generously donating delicious bagels and schmear for custodians and Mr. Hawk! Thank you to Kay McConnell for the delicious cookies — such a sweet way to show our appreciation! And a special thank you to REI for the treats for Mr. Hawk! Finally, thank you to UMES parent Jennifer Castilleja for coordinating these celebrations!
We are so grateful for the generosity of our local community and the many ways they help us celebrate and support our incredible staff!
Grade Groups
The PTA maintains and moderates private, grade specific Facebook groups. These groups are a great way to keep in touch with other families, share information, and ask questions from your fellow parents who are going through the same things - be it homework assignments, an upcoming field trip, or anything else you can think of!
If you haven’t joined yet, here are the links to join. If you have, please share this information with your friends!
Kinder | 1st Grade | 2nd Grade | 3rd Grade | 4th Grade | 5th Grade | 6th Grade
Order UMES Spirit Wear Online
We now offer online orders for in-stock Union Mill spirit wear. Orders will be fulfilled on a weekly basis and sent home with your children. Stock is limited!
Union Mill Flannel PJ Pants: Youth size M and L
Union Mill Red Tie Dye T-shirt: Youth size XS, S, M, and L
Union Mill Bears Red T-Shirt: Youth size XS
Union Mill Bears Black T-Shirt: Youth size S and M
Spirit and PJ days will be here before you know it! Don’t forget to renew your PTA membership while you shop to receive priority notice when we open up our online spirit wear store later in the year…which will include adult sizes! Shop here.
Stay Connected with the PTA
We’ve got lots of ways for you to keep in touch with other families in our community and stay the most up to date on PTA sponsored events and programs!
- Sign up for your 2026-27 PTA membership! It’s $20/family and $10 for individuals and staff. Sign up here.
- Care to email? We’re always available at pta@unionmillpta.org
- Want to browse the calendar, budget, or past meeting minutes? Visit our website.
- Are you all about sliding into DMs? Follow us on
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