February 13 Family Newsletter
GovDelivery4 days 12 hours agoHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
February 13 Family NewsletterDear Families,
What a difference a day makes with weather. Thank you to our custodial team who was able to clear the blacktop to provide students an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the milder temperatures today.
Check out some of the photos below with third graders learning more from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District earlier this week.
As a reminder, Monday, February 17th is a holiday for students and staff. FCPS schools and offices will be closed for Presidents' Day.
Our next 3-hour early release Monday is on February 24th. Families will be receiving a confirmation email tomorrow regarding their choice for childcare.
Dominic, Jaime and Scott
The UMES Admin Team
#UMESBetterTogether
🗓️ Upcoming DatesMonday, February 17th - Presidents' Day - Student Holiday
Wednesday, February 19th - Virtual PTA Meeting
Thursday, February 20th - Kids' Heart Challenge
Friday, February 21st - Community Fliers due to the Office for Approval
Monday, February 24th - 3 Hour Early Release
Friday, February 28th – SCA sponsored Stuffed Animal Day (Must be able to fit in your backpack).
Monday, March 3rd - Friday, March 7th - Read Across America Week
Thursday, March 13th - PTA's Family Paint Night
See the complete school year calendar.
Black History Month Black History Month Kickoff CelebrationFCPS’ Chief Equity Office invites the community to an Inaugural Black History Month Kickoff Celebration on Wednesday, February 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event begins with a light reception followed by a formal program, From the Threads of Our Past to the Fabric of Our Future. The program will honor the enduring contributions of Black history and culture while envisioning a future rooted in equity and excellence. It will include inspiring performances, personal stories, reflections, and opportunities to connect and celebrate. The event is open to the entire community.
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about Black History month.
Third Grade Soil PresentationEarlier this week third graders had the opportunity to engage in a presentation from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. Students learned about soil formation, soil texture and layers and soil’s role in the water cycle, all tied into the third grade SOLs. Additional information regarding the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District can be found here.
SCA Stuffed Animal DaySCA will be sponsoring Stuffed Animal Day on Friday, February 28th. Stuffed animals must fit in your child's backpack.
Kids Heart ChallengePlease mark your calendars to join us for the Kids Heart Challenge event on Thursday, February 20, from 5-6:30 pm. The event will run as an open house so you can come at any point during that hour and a half. We will have two food trucks on site for your family to purchase dinner or snacks before, during, or after the activities. To check out the food truck menus, please click on these links: Frothy Mug and Two Smooth Dudes
As students register, they will receive their heart wristband. To register, please click on this link: KHC UMES or this QR code above. If they complete Finn’s Mission they will be given their lifesavers cape. All other prizes will be handed out after the event. For clarification, students can register, raise donations (or not), and do Finn’s Mission without attending the evening event. The big event can be attended without registering online or getting donations for the American Heart Association.
If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Murray at [email protected].
Wear Red for American Heart MonthLast Friday Union Mill Staff wore red as part of American Heart Month. As a reminder, our Kids Heart Challenge event is on Thursday, February 20th
Parent & Family Focus Groups on Hate SpeechLiberty Middle School is hosting a community event on Thursday, February 20th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm to discuss hate speech and to ensure students have access to a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment.
As part of this commitment, we are seeking input from families like yours to help us better understand the challenges and develop effective strategies to combat hate speech. Your experiences, perspectives, and ideas are invaluable in this process.
These focus groups will provide a safe and confidential space for you to share your thoughts and concerns. The focus groups will be facilitated by members of our staff and FCPS community. We want to hear from you about:
- Your experiences with hate speech, whether you have witnessed it, been the target of it, or have concerns about its impact on our community.
- Your understanding of the different forms hate speech can take.
- Your ideas for how we can work together to prevent and address hate speech.
- Resources and support you believe would be helpful for families and individuals.
We understand that discussing these issues can be difficult, and we want to assure you that all contributions will be treated with respect and confidentiality. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you are welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. Your feedback will be instrumental in helping us develop comprehensive and effective strategies to address hate speech and promote a more inclusive community. We believe that by working together, we can create a positive and supportive environment for all.
To register for a focus group please register here.
Additional information can be found on the following flyer.
FCPS Student Experience SurveyOur school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
All students in grades 3-6, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 24. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 24, and Friday, March 7. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. If you would like your child to opt-out of the survey, please complete this form. If you would prefer a paper copy of the opt-out form, please email Jaime Graham at [email protected] or call 703-322-8500.
We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
Community Flier DistributionThis semester’s nonprofit Community Flier Distribution will take place on Friday, March 7th. To submit a flier for approval, it must be received in the main office by no later than Friday, February 21st 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 35 sets of 30 copies each (plus a few extras for the front office) no later than 12:00pm on Wednesday, March 5th.
Fliers will go home with students on Friday, March 7th .
Order Your Yearbook Now!It's time to order your 2024-2025 yearbook! Families may place orders at www.buytheyearbook.com (with school ID# 725178). Yearbooks are $15.70 each.
So far, only 362 yearbooks have been purchased. Don't miss your chance to order a yearbook as there will not be extras available at the end of the year.
The deadline to order is April 22, 2025.
Early Release MondaysAs a reminder, the Centreville Pyramid, which includes Union Mill Elementary, will have the following three-hour early release days. On these days, students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
- February 24
- March 17
- April 28
- May 19
Additional information can be found on the FCPS Early Release Mondays webpage.
Union Mill PTA MembershipPTA Memberships are only good for one year. Members get PTA information first, discounts and benefits at PTA-sponsored events, and are the first to know about volunteer opportunities at the school!
Why Join?
Membership is only $15/year for a family and $7.50/year for an individual or staff member and shows you value our school community - students, staff and your fellow parents and caregivers. It’s a small investment - you spend more than that on Starbucks or gas every week! Show your love and support of Union Mill and click here to join today.
Office HoursMonday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
13611 Springstone Drive, Clifton, VA 20124 | Main Phone: 703.322.8500 Attendance: 703.322.8585 or [email protected]
Web | Facebook | Twitter