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January 21 Family Newsletter
Dear Families,
We hope you can join us tonight at Union Mill at 6:00 PM for our 5th and 6th grade Strings Concert! Our students have been working hard and are excited to share their music with our school community. We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of wonderful performances.
If your child has not shared yet, our new playground has opened this week. Thank you to some of members of the SCA who helped to "cut the caution tape." Our staff have been providing additional supervision and reviewing the rules of the new equipment as well to ensure students have fun and are safe.
There is some possible winter weather coming this weekend. Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, January 21st - 5th and 6th Grade Strings Concert
Wednesday, January 28th - SCA Spirit Day - Bring a Stuffed Animal to School Day
- End of the Second Quarter
- Two-Hour Early Release (All students go home at 1:30pm)
Thursday, January 29th - Staff Development Day - No School for Students
Friday, January 30th - Teacher Workday - No School for Students
Friday, February 6th - National Wear Red Day
- PTA Bingo Night
Monday, February 16th - Presidents' Day - No School for Students
Tuesday, February 17th - Teacher Workday - No School for Students
Wednesday, February 25th - 3-Hour Early Release
Thursday, February 26th - Kids' Heart Challenge
See the complete school year calendar
Playground is Open!
Student Experience Survey - Grades 3-6
Our 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 23. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 23, and Friday, March 6. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.
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 equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
Snowman Book Character Contest
Students, design a snowman to look like a book character! You may use any drawing materials you like. Be sure student name, book character name and the student’s teacher are on the back of the paper. All entries will be entered into a drawing for a prize! Entries will be displayed around the school and in the library! Some might even show up in the yearbook! All entries due on January 28th. For questions, email Mrs. Schroder, the librarian at amschroder@fcps.edu
Click here for a .pdf of the Snowman Character
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
Community Flier Distribution
This semester’s nonprofit Community Flier Distribution will take place on Friday, March 6th. To submit a flier for approval, it must be received in the main office by no later than Friday, February 20th 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 33 sets of 30 copies each (plus a few extras for the front office) no later than 12:00pm on Wednesday, March 4th.
Fliers will go home with students on Friday, March 6th .
SCA Spirit Day
SCA Spirit Day is Friday, January 28th. Bring a stuffed animal to school day! Stuffy must be able to fit inside your backpack and not take up too much room at your desk/table.
Early Release Wednesdays
The Centreville Pyramid, which includes Union Mill Elementary, will have the following three-hour early release Wednesdays. On these days, students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. This time allows for our staff to plan, collaborate and grow professionally.
Thank you for your help in making these days smooth and enjoyable for everyone!
Additional information can be found on the FCPS Early Release Wednesdays webpage.
It's Time to Order a Yearbook!
It's time to order your 2025-2026 yearbook! Families may place orders at www.buytheyearbook.com with school ID# 732149. Yearbooks are $16.49 each.
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 15, 2026.
UMES PTA
Digital Safety Conversation with FCPD hosted by the UMES PTA
An officer from the Fairfax County Police Department Community Outreach Office will join us to answer questions and concerns that UMES families have, and provide information and resources. Topics of conversation will be based on ranked areas of interest and concern about digital safety topics as well as provide questions to ask the officer. Click this link to give your input. You can also add additional areas of interest to discuss!
This conversation will take place at the February PTA meeting. It will be a hybrid meeting at UMES with a Zoom option for remote attendance. This conversation is important, and to allow caregivers to be able to attend and be fully engaged in the discussion childcare will be provided by volunteers from CVHS SGA in the gym.
Join in on Thursday, February 19, at 7pm.
Bingo Night – February 6th (Snow Date Feb. 13th)
Union Mill's Family Bingo Night is a beloved tradition and giveback event free of charge to our school community. This event will reach capacity so register early! Registration is currently open to PTA Members and will open to the larger school community on Friday! Look for information in your Friday Folders. PTA Members – Check your e-news from yesterday for the sign-up link!
Prizes for all kids attending are guaranteed and adult prizes will be available too! Pizza will be for sale for $2/slice. Snacks will also be available and bottled water is being donated by ML Real Estate Group - thank you!
If you have not gotten your PTA membership for the school year yet, this is the perfect time! It’s $20 for a family (2 adults) and $10 for a staff or individual (1 adult) membership.
Visit givebacks.com/causes/umespta/shop to sign up.
Spring Flower Sale
Though we have snow in the forecast, spring is not far around the corner! Why not get your garden summer ready while supporting student programming and initiatives? The PTA has partnered with Flower Power Fundraising. Simply by ordering your spring flower bulbs through this link the PTA will earn 50% of each sale. Your flower bulbs will be delivered to your door! Orders are open now through May 15th. Have questions? Please e-mail waysandmeans@unionmillpta.org.
Box Tops for Education
We are a Box Tops for Education school! All you have to do is download the app and scan your printed receipts or upload your digital receipts. Shopping at Walmart? Just connect your account, no scanning required! Check out the special offers for the month of November!
Click the following link to get started and use code P7R07LNQ!: boxtops4education.com/s/get-the-app
Union Mill Hours
Bell Schedule
Doors open at 8:35 am. Students should be in class by 8:45 am.
Students are dismissed at 3:30 pm.
Office Hours
Monday - Friday - 8:15 am - 4:15 pm
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