|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
December 3 Family Newsletter
We hope everyone enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving holiday to connect with family, friends and hopefully relax. December is another exciting month at Union Mill with our Extreme Science Assembly tomorrow sponsored by our PTA, Principal's Coffee on Friday and Band Concert next week.
Most importantly we are excited to continue to provide engaging and meaningful learning experiences for your children. Some highlights below include Balloons Over Broadway and Wonderful Paint Art.
With the arrival of winter weather, FCPS' website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels include email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app and news stations.
Upcoming Dates
Friday, December 5th - Principal's Coffee
Wednesday, December 10th - FLE Parent Preview
Thursday, December 11th - Band Concert @ Liberty Middle School (5:30pm)
Monday, December 15th - FCPS Full-time Screening Referral Deadline
Wednesday, December 17th - 3 Hour Early Release
- PTA Holiday Market Fundraiser Pickup, PTA . Meeting, and Hot Cocoa Bar
Thursday, December 18th - Family Fitness
Friday, December 19th - SCA Spirit Day - PJ Day
FCPS 25-26 Calendar
Balloons Over Broadway
Students in first and second grade have been developing their Portrait of a Graduate skills by working in collaborative groups to design and program “Balloons Over Broadway”, bringing creativity, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork to life in a hands-on experience. This project not only challenged students to problem-solve and innovate, but it also made learning exciting and meaningful.
Social and Emotional Connections to Digital Wellness
We will be hosting a Principal’s Coffee with a focus on supporting students socially and emotionally through digital wellness on Friday, December 5th at 9:20am. Prior to the coffee, families are invited to come into their child’s room for a classroom morning meeting.
*If there is a delay or cancellation, the morning meeting and coffee will be rescheduled to Friday, December 12th.
Wonderful Painting in Art
Mrs. Hollis’ art students have been diving into the wonderful world of painting! Over the past few weeks, they’ve been mastering painting techniques like sponging and stippling to add texture and detail to their work. However, the technique that truly captured their imagination was sgraffito, where they scratch through a layer of paint to reveal the color beneath. The dedicated practice with these skills has visibly increased the level of refinement and complexity in every student’s finished work. It’s truly inspiring to see their technical confidence grow!
Preparing for the Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! 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, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Verify and update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
FLE Parent Preview
You are invited to attend an evening session to preview the Family Life Education (FLE) media and lessons, and to engage in conversation with school staff about the program. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 10 at 5:00 pm in Room 109. During this time, all program materials and media for every grade level will be available for your review.
Parents/guardians who do not wish for their child to participate in FLE instruction can opt them out of any or all lessons. For students in general education classes, opt-out forms are available through the Parent Digital Consent (PDC). For students in special education or those using the modified FLE lessons for the 2025-2026 school year, a paper opt-out form is required. These forms can be accessed at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/curriculum/subject-area/family-life-education-fle/fle-opt-out-request-forms.
If you decide to opt your child out but later wish for them to participate, please notify the school principal or assistant principal in writing before instruction begins in December.
Recent Updates to Volunteer Opportunity Levels
Due to the overwhelming response, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers. Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a comprehensive background check that includes fingerprinting).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal confirmation that you have no history of violent felonies, or crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude (dishonesty, fraud, things that are immoral by society’s standards).
Visit the Volunteer FCPS website to complete a volunteer orientation. View Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the volunteer levels.
Full Time AAP Services Screening
Information about the Full Time Screening process for advanced academics was shared with families during our November 12, 2025, information session. A link to this presentation is available here and on our school webpage along with other advanced academic program resources. The deadline for Full Time Screening referrals is December 15, 2025. This is a firm County-set deadline.
Full-Time AAP Referral Window Reminder
Parents/guardians who would like their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic services may submit the Full-Time Referral Form (translations linked below) to the local school Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) Melissa Paris-Hutchens (maparis@fcps.edu) or principal no later than December 15, 2025. No late forms will be accepted.
Full-Time Referral Form (PDF)
Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15
Each year, families can submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services any time from the first day of school through December 15. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of six trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for full-time AAP services.
Next Steps for Parents
Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of their child’s materials after February 20, 2026, by emailing our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) Melissa Paris-Hutchens (maparis@fcps.edu).
At the elementary level, referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by the school. If you miss the full-time referral deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific or part-time AAP services for the remainder of the year.
At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
Wildcat Winter Baseball Camp
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
December Days of Cheer
The UMES PTA will be celebrating our teachers and staff during the week of December 8th-12th with December Days of Cheer. We have approximately 120 teachers, staff, admin, and custodians who provide a safe and caring environment for our students to learn each day. Let’s come together to show our UMES teachers and staff just how much we support and appreciate their hard work.
Here’s how you can help spread a little extra winter cheer during this week!
- Help the PTA stock the lounge with snacks & drinks to brighten the week. Use the following link to sign up to donate items by Monday, December 8th: Stock the Lounge
- Consider donating a gift card(s) for our raffle games by Wednesday, December 10th. We have created an Amazon Wishlist with some options or you are welcome to purchase gift card(s) elsewhere and drop them off in the UMES office. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.
- On Friday, December 12th we are in need of volunteers throughout the day to cover for our teachers and staff during recess so they can enjoy an extra “happy half hour” of time. Check back soon for Recess Duty Sign Up!
**All volunteers must be registered and approved as Level 1 Volunteers with FCPS.**
Thank you for your support and collaboration during this special week in December. We are so grateful for the amazing teachers and staff at UMES!
Parents Night Out with Victory Martial Arts – This Saturday!
Victory Martial Arts Centreville and the UMES PTA invite your children to attend a PTA sponsored parents’ night out this Saturday, December 6th, from 6-9pm. It is $10 per student, which is donated back to the PTA to fund programming and initiatives. Let your kids enjoy pizza, martial arts, and a movie while you enjoy dinner out or holiday shopping.
Click here to find out more information and sign up.
Holiday Market Fundraiser Pickup, PTA Meeting, and Hot Cocoa Bar
Join us the evening of December 17th to pick up items purchased during our Holiday Market Fundraiser, a brief PTA meeting, and a hot cocoa bar free for all Union Mill families!
Union Mill Messenger Newsletter
The PTA released the first quarterly newsletter! Please click the link to read more!
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 December!
Click the following link to get started and use code P7R07LNQ!:
Union Mill Hours
Bell Schedule
Doors open at 8:35 am. Students should be | 
