FCPS This Week - January 3, 2024

A student uses a microscope in biology class at McLean High School.

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Program Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. 

Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for updated information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16. 

One virtual meeting hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.

Get more information on the immersion program webpage and registration page. 

🔢 Help FCPS Reach 1 Million Minutes of Math

FCPS Family Math Week starts on Monday, January 8! Join us online for games and stories. FCPS is working toward a total of 1 million minutes logged by families. Participation is free, with activities from ST Math geared toward students in grades K-6 and their families. 

Math Week offers families an opportunity to experience math, literacy, history, and geography in a fun and positive way. All content will be available for families in English and Spanish beginning Monday, January 8. Visit the Math Week website for games, stories, and other activities. 

Conversation to Raise Awareness of Fentanyl and Other Drugs

In this video, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid interviews the Fosters, a family who tragically lost their son Cayden to a half pill of fentanyl mistaken for Percocet. This heart-wrenching yet eye-opening video of their experience is essential to raising awareness among parents/caregivers and students about the dangers of fake painkillers.

Please join Dr. Reid on Wednesday, January 10, at 6:30 p.m., at Edison High School for a community conversation about opioid awareness. You may register to attend. However, registration is not required; it is simply for space considerations. 

The community conversation is appropriate for parents/caregivers and students in grades 6-12. All attendees will receive REVIVE! Narcan training at no cost during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.   

Our website also has resources to help you start the conversation and additional support for families struggling with substance misuse. 

NOVA Early Online College Course Registration

NOVA Early Online College (EOC) allows current high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition-free college courses. EOC courses for the spring semester begin on Tuesday, January 30, and end on Monday, April 22. 

Students should register by Monday, January 8, at 5 p.m. 

Courses are asynchronous, online, and for college credit only. Thirteen courses are offered along with courses that fulfill an IT Technical Support Career Studies Certificate. Qualification information is located on NOVA's website. EOC courses meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s associate degree programs as well as being transferable as general education requirements for most colleges and universities. 

💲 Soft Launch of a New Financial Aid Form

Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form to determine how much financial aid each student is eligible to receive. This aid could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.

Any college-bound student — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form. 

The form is currently available for short periods of time while it is being updated to provide a better experience. Learn more about the 2024–25 FAFSA form.

Safe Students, Safe Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools believes that academic success is built on the foundation of a safe learning environment. This includes physical safety and mental health and wellness. 

FCPS has a comprehensive approach to safety that involves physical security measures, online monitoring by security staff, and crisis intervention support. We created the Safe Students, Safe Schools Brochure (PDF) to enhance your awareness of potential hazards and to equip you with practical tips for how you can help. Visit FCPS’ website for more information. 

🎭 Much Ado About Nothing Gets Groovy at South County

The Cappies is a program through which high school theater and journalism students are trained as theater critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers. 

This review of South County High School’s production of Much Ado About Nothing is written by Josephin Friedrich of Langley High School.

Never Miss a Show! Subscribe to the Fine and Performing Arts Calendar

Take a look at the Fine and Performing Arts calendar on FCPS’ website for individual listings of many middle and high school theater events. You may also subscribe to the calendar for notifications of upcoming performances. 

🚌 School Bus Driver Job Fair

A job fair for transportation workers will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Lorton Center. Visit our Bus Driver Employment webpage for more information and a complete list of hiring events. 

👩‍🏫 Special Education Teacher Info Session

Have you considered becoming a special education teacher? Learn more about how to become an FCPS special education teacher by attending a virtual hiring event on Wednesday, January 10, 6-7 p.m. Register to attend. 

💻 Upcoming Webinars and Events for Families 

The Family Resource Center offers free webinars for adults to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. The following events are currently scheduled for January:

• Meet the Author Series: Raising a Kid Who Can. Join authors Dr. Catherine McCarthy; Heather Tedesco, Ph.D.; and Jennifer Weaver, LCSW, as they discuss their book and take questions on Friday, January 5, 10-11:30 a.m.
• The Transition from Elementary to Middle School and from Middle School to High School for Twice Exceptional (2e) Students. Join Dr. Nonye Oladimeji, FCPS educational specialist for Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) twice exceptional (2e) children, as she shares ideas for families and schools on how to ease the transition for students on Friday, January 12, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Sibshops: An Exciting, In-Person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs. This event is for FCPS students in grades 2-6 who have siblings with special needs. It will be held on Saturday, January 20, 9 a.m.-noon at Providence Community Center.

For more information and to register for the webinars, click on the linked titles above.

Academy Open Houses Begin This Month

Is your child interested in architecture and construction, information technology, or health science? FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January.

An Academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that can prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses. More than a dozen career fields can be explored through FCPS academies.

Learn more and find the calendar of Academy open houses.

New School Board Members Sworn In

Recently elected members of the Fairfax County School Board took the oath of office on December 13 at Jackson Middle School. The 12 members of the board were elected for a four-year term on November 7, 2023. They began their terms on January 1.

Karl Frisch is chair of the School Board. A vice chair will be chosen at the board meeting on Thursday, January 11. Learn more about the School Board. 

🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday

FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. 

Volunteer with Give Together

FCPS students continue to find incredible ways to serve their community while building Portrait of a Graduate skills such as becoming an ethical and global citizen. The school division is excited to collaborate with Volunteer Fairfax for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

Students and families can volunteer on Monday, January 15, at Volunteer Fairfax’s Give Together event. It is designed to engage families with children (ages 5-12) in service learning.  

Projects will include a food drive, assembling caring kits for community members who need support, making no-tie fleece blankets for veterans, environmental stewardship, and support for animal welfare. 

Students ages 13 to 18 are welcome to serve as teen event volunteers. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.