School Board Sully District | Fairfax County Public Schools

❄️⛄️Happy Holidays, Student Opportunities, Winter Resources & more! ❄️⛄️

School Board Sully District3 days 17 hours ago

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Dear Sully District Families and Community Members,

With the holiday season here, I want to send my warmest wishes to each of you for a safe, joyful, and peaceful winter break. I am looking forward to the opportunity to relax, reconnect with friends and family, and recharge. I wish you all the same.

I have enjoyed meeting with you at school events, during open office hours and community meetings this past year. These moments have strengthened my commitment to ensuring every voice is heard, every school gets the support it needs, and every student receives the individualized care they deserve to thrive. As your School Board member, I am fully invested in managing resources wisely and creating policies that expand opportunities for all students. Together, we can continue building a stronger future for our schools and community.

Happy Holidays - Seema Dixit, Sully District School Board Member

Inside this newsletter:

Seeking Professionals for the 2025 Instruction 2 Industry: Future Ready Event for High School Students - February 18, 2025
Student Opportunities
Winter Resources
Make a Difference for FCPS Students and Families, Year-End Donations Appreciated!

THANK YOU for your ongoing support. I look forward to welcoming our students, staff and community back in the New Year. Until then, please stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy a well-deserved break!

In partnership,

Seema Dixit Seeking Professionals - Instruction 2 Industry "Future Ready" Conference for High School Students is February 18, 2025

In February 2025 during Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, school divisions across the region are teaming up with Virginia Ed Strategies to host the annual Instruction 2 Industry Future Ready Conference. This Northern Virginia event will offer participating high school students the chance to connect with over 100 local professionals from high-demand career fields.

This event will be held at the Inova Conference Center in Fairfax, Virginia on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, with an inclement weather date scheduled for the following week on Monday, February 25, 2025.

We are actively seeking employers and industry experts from all career clusters who would be interested in participating in the following ways:

Career Fair Experience: Engage students at your exhibitor table, sharing insights about skills, education, and experiences in your field.
Networking Nooks: Participate in themed breakout rooms, providing a relaxed space to inspire and guide students toward career success.

If you are interested in participating in this event, complete the interest form.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to engage with high school students and better prepare the future workforce of tomorrow!

Sponsorship Options

Instruction 2 Industry Future Ready Conference Sponsorship Opportunities, Feb 18, 2025

Student Opportunities Senator Pekarsky’s High School Youth Leadership Program

This program gives high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to visit Richmond during the VA General Assembly's legislative session and learn about political leadership on the state level. Students will be able to observe committee hearings and floor debate, take a tour of the state capitol, participate in panels with lobbyists, advocates, and political leaders, as well meet lawmakers and their staff. This is a great opportunity for students considering a future career in government, politics, or law - but all are encouraged to apply.

Please note that this is a free program and students will be provided with transportation, lodging, and meals at no cost to them or their families.

The application is open to junior and senior students until Tuesday, December 27th at 6:00pm. Spots are limited, so students should expect to be notified about their status following the closing of the application.

Here is the link to the application, which also includes more information about the program: https://forms.gle/LMoqa8q5iYAgHyXV6

For questions or concerns, please email Kat Thames, Chief of Staff for Senator Pekarsky: [email protected]

Shark Tank Technology Challenge for FCPS students!

Students from across the Fairfax County area are challenged to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, or caregivers. The event challenges students to develop innovative technological solutions that can help people live independently and make the world more user-friendly.

Proposals for the 2025 Shark Tank Technology Challenge are due December 20th. More information: https://bit.ly/3BivNIk .

#StudentInnovators #TechForGood

Winter Resources for Families

⛄A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

Even If School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue!

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.

Make a Difference for FCPS Students and Families, Year-End Donations Appreciated!

The end of a calendar year marks a time of global generosity when your tax-deductible donations can help organizations transform communities. It is also the kickoff to the Annual Giving Fund for Educate Fairfax, the only charitable foundation dedicated exclusively to the success of our Fairfax County public schools.

Your generosity can be felt in the classrooms, extracurricular activities, and programs that provide students with equitable access to innovative learning experiences, changing the lives of our students and families every day. For some families, securing essential needs such as clothing, medicine, emergency food, and hygiene supplies is a struggle. With your help, we can make their holidays a little brighter.

Educate Fairfax also plays a pivotal role in providing essential support and resources with initiatives focused on workforce development and addressing the critical issue of hunger. Please join in the spirit of the holidays so that local students have what they need to succeed in 2025 and beyond. Donate today.

Contacting Me

To contact me, it is most helpful if you can please use the official School Board contact form. This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.

Use this link to sign up for my Newsletter and follow me on Facebook.

Quick Links

The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.

Email: Seema Dixit | Phone: 571-423-1085

Staff Aide: Shaheen Khurana | Phone: 571-423-1072

December 2024 Newsletter - School Board Updates, #CSEDWeek Resources & more!

School Board Sully District2 weeks 1 day ago

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Dear Sully District Families and Community Members,

We have made it to December and there are lots of exciting things happening in our schools over the next two weeks, prior to the winter break. I hope you can attend some of the festive events and enjoy some holiday fun!

This past month has been a busy one on the School Board. At the November 14 regular meeting, the School Board unanimously voted to renew the contract of Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for an additional four years, effective November 14, 2024. The new contract will run through June 2028. Visit BoardDocs for more information. Watch the full meeting.

Also at the November 14 regular meeting, the Board voted to authorize $3 million in funding from the School Board Flexibility Reserve to be combined with the $2 million previously allocated in FY 2023. This funding will be used to complete the initial phases of a comprehensive Facility Condition Assessment of all FCPS-owned school buildings, facilities (including athletic facilities), and infrastructure (including tracked and untracked). View the follow-on motion on BoardDocs. We also approved changes to the list of middle and high school course offerings for the 2025-2026 school year, as recommended by the Course Review Committee. View BoardDocs for more information

Inside this newsletter:

"Take Your Legislator to School" Visits with Delegate Delaney and Delegate Shin
Sully District Happenings
Superintendent Reid's Academic Matters
Computer Science Education Week is Dec 9-15
Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times
Family Resource Center - December Events
Make a Difference for FCPS Students and Families - Donate Today!
Mental Health Resources for Families
Support the 2025 Science Fairs - Be a Judge!
Upcoming School Board Meetings

It was great to see such a robust turnout for the Region 5 Boundary Review Community meeting at Westfield High School earlier this week. I enjoyed listening and engaging with you...it is so important to make your voice heard on this important and much-needed work!

Community meetings regarding FCPS' Comprehensive School Boundary Review are taking place in each of the division's six regions. The upcoming meetings are listed below.

Region 5 Boundary Community Meeting at Westfield High School

Registration is not required but is helpful in planning for childcare and language interpretation. Please click on a date to register:

You can also sign up to receive the School Boundary Review newsletter by email. Thank you for continuing to share your concerns and experiences with me.

I am excited about National Computer Science Education Week next week! Computer science is very important to the success of our students in a digital, inter-connected world and I am excited about expanding access and participation in CS for all our students to support their career and creative aspirations. It is integral to Goal 5 of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan, Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. More #CSEDWeek resources are provided below in this newsletter.

As always, I am honored and privileged to serve this community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can be helpful to your family in any way.

In partnership,

Seema Dixit "Take Your Legislator to School" - November Visits with Delegate Shin and Delegate Delaney!

"Take Your Legislator to School" - November Visits with Delegate Shin and Delegate Delaney!

November marks the Virginia School Boards Association's (VSBA) "Take Your Legislator to School Month".

It was my pleasure to take Delegate Irene Shin to Westfield High School along with my colleague Ilryong Moon, Fairfax County School Board, At-Large Member! Our goal is to provide opportunities for educational and political leaders to work together to ensure that we provide the best possible education for our students. Thank you Principal DiBari for sharing the successes and challenges of this school year especially around illicit substance use and school meal debt. It was fun interacting with the students and visiting classrooms! Go Bulldogs!

I also had the pleasure of accompanying Delegate Karrie Delaney and my colleague Kyle McDaniel, Member At-Large, to Deer Park Elementary School.

This visit was a fantastic opportunity to engage with the classroom representatives of the Student Council Association (SCA) from grades 4-6. Their thoughtful questions about leadership, community service, and education policy were truly inspiring. It’s so important for students to see local, tangible role models in their community—after all, "it's easier to be what you can see!"

A big thank you to Principal Damato, and music teacher/SCA lead Mr. Wallace for organizing such a meaningful event! Visits like these are so important to help bridge connections between students, educators, and local leaders. Go Bucks!!

Sully District Happenings Welcome School Board Leadership Development Program Students!!

Students selected for School Board Leadership Program along with School Board Student Representative Megan Sawant (also a Sully District student!). Megan Sawant with Ariya Lee, Sully District student selected for School Board leadership program.

Congratulations to all the students who were selected to be part of the School Board Leadership Development Program. We are so thankful to all the students who applied...I am so impressed by your desire to affect positive change in our communities. So proud of Ariya Lee from Chantilly High School who was selected from Sully District to be part of this program.

Student voices are vital to the future of education and I look forward to the valuable insights and ide as Ariya and all of these amazing students bring to the table. The School Board Student Leadership Development Program is for students interested in a future in law, government or public policy. Welcome!

Sully District Music Students Excel!!

Congrats to all the FCPS students, which includes many from the Sully District, who performed as part of the All-Virginia Jazz Band, VMEA Senior Honors Choir, and All-Virginia Elementary Orff Ensemble. VMEA is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of music education across the state of Virginia. It serves music educators who teach in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, colleges, and universities.

Sully Schools highlight fun "Advancing Literacy" learning activities with students!

Thank you to Principal Josh Douds at Centreville Elementary School for sharing a special school tradition for the Advancing Literacy initiative! Centreville Elementary School has been hosting virtual Bedtime Stories for families as a way to promote literacy at home. Last week they read “Eggasaurus” by Jennifer Waugh (pictured above) and “Hattie Harmony” by Elizabeth Olsen.

Principal Doud writes, “Prior to and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we engaged our community with virtual Bedtime Stories on Facebook Live. These readings took place from diverse locations, including my office, home, and even the city of Seattle. While the program temporarily subsided post-pandemic, recent requests from our PTA have inspired us to bring it back."

“We've transitioned to Zoom and are thrilled to welcome both of our assistant principals as storytellers, adding a new layer of excitement to the experience. Students and families alike enjoy participating, and the program provides administrators with a valuable platform to model and discuss the significance of literacy.” What a wonderful way to spread the joy and importance of reading. And thank you to everyone who’s helping our students become stronger readers and writers.

Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC) sponsored trip to Marshall Academy

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Tour of Marshall Academy

On November 14, the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC), of which I am the School Board Liaison, sponsored a fantastic tour of Marshall Academy, one of six high school academy locations in FCPS, for our elected officials and community. Thank you to the Career and Technical Education team for organizing and to all our elected officials including Chairman Jeff McKay for participating to see firsthand how these academy programs are actively preparing students for successful careers and post-secondary education. FCPS offers many opportunities through its academies, where students can explore diverse fields—ranging from trades and technology to the arts and other specialized interests. These academies function as dedicated centers within existing high schools, equipping students with essential skills while providing invaluable real-world experiences through job shadowing, mentoring, and internships with local businesses.

The programs are open to all FCPS students, with courses and transportation tailored to each student’s base school. To learn more about the available courses and transportation options, be sure to check out the High School Academy Course Finder at https://isweb.fcps.edu/CTE/. #careerandtechnicaleducation

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, the Holiday Lantern Tour at Colvin Run Mill, and many more fun events.

Superintendent Reid's Academic Matters

During the Academic Matters section of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid discussed student attendance and engagement, in particular reducing chronic absenteeism. As we all know, regular attendance is important because:

Missing just 10% of school (the definition of chronic absenteeism) negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That is just two days a month.
Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

After the pandemic, chronic absenteeism in FCPS rose to a high of 17.1% in the 2022-23 school year, but thanks to our multi-tiered systems of support, we reduced that to 12.8% in 2023-24. This is the result of a great deal of hard work and strong partnerships between our schools, staff, and families. We are making good progress, and I’m confident our efforts will continue to pay off in this area.

View data from the “What is chronic absenteeism” graphic in an accessible format.

Computer Science Education Week is Dec 9-15!

The week of December 9-15, 2024 is recognized as National Computer Science Education Week and it recognizes the transformative role of computing and the need to bolster computer science at all educational levels. Schools across the nation participate in numerous activities to promote computer science in the PreK-12 learning environment.

Latest numbers from US Bureau of Labor Statistics state that Computer and Information Technology Occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. About 356,700 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently. The median annual wage for this group was $104,420 in May 2023, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $48,060.

In Fairfax County Public Schools, students participate in computer science learning experiences like the Hour of Code to inspire interest and excitement for continued computer science learning. Explore free resources on the FCPS CS Week Educator Page, continue engaging students in CS learning throughout the school year, and visit the FCPS STEAM and Computer Science public page. More resources for CS Ed Week can be found below:

Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

Family Resource Center - December Events

The Family Resource Center offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.

December webinars and workshops include:

December 6, 10-11:30 a.m. - Stress Less, Enjoy More. Reducing Stress and Increasing Happiness: A Webinar for Families

December 13, 10-11:30 a.m. - Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation: Keeping Kids Safe Online
December 20, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in-person at the Family Resource Center - Youth Mental Health First Aid

For more information, visit the Family Resource Center webpage. You may also sign up to receive the FRC newsletter for updates on webinars, resources, and other information. If you have questions, please contact the FRC via email at [email protected] or call 703-204-3941.

Make a Difference for FCPS Students and Families

Mental Health Resources for Families This month's theme: Do Good December

This month, we're encouraging you to carry out small acts of kindness.

Go to Action for Happiness for ideas to help you take action for a happier and kinder world.

Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies

Feeling super stressed? Worried about a friend's mental health—or your own? Get tips to help manage your emotions and see what to do if you are in crisis.

Mental Health and Resiliency

Helping students to manage stress, make better choices, and develop healthy habits.

FCPS Family Resource Center

Staff is available by phone 703-204-3941 or email [email protected] to help! Offers free workshops, consultations, a lending library, and more to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs and disabilities.

No Cost Virtual Therapy for High Schoolers

Teletherapy services are available for all FCPS high school students at no cost. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Hazel Health’s highly qualified therapists specialize in working with teens. Learn more on FCPS’ teletherapy webpage.

Find out more about the Hazel Health mental health services available for all FCPS high school students: https://bit.ly/3UAQyVe.

George Mason’s Center for Community Health

George Mason University’s new Center for Community Mental Health (9900 Main Street, Fairfax) provides evidence-based, accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive therapy and testing services to those in need, regardless of income. The Center sees children as young as age 5, and works with community members of various ages, including addressing the mental health needs of veterans.

The center’s Emotional Help Line provides free, anonymous, confidential support in both English (703-215-1898) and Spanish (703-914-3878). The line is open daily from 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Learn more on the Center's website .

Support the 2025 Science Fairs

Are you a scientist looking to give back and inspire future scientists? Science Fairs across Fairfax County are looking for judges from the community! Judges are needed at high school Fairs and the Region Science and Engineering Fair. Find more information.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Tuesday, December 17 at 5:30 p.m. - Work Session: Meeting with the City of Fairfax School Board
Thursday, December 19 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Fiscal Year Midyear Budget Review, Strategic Plan Goal 2 Report, etc.

Please note, times and topics are subject to change.

Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

The work sessions and regular meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and the FCPS website. Both will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.

Contacting Me

Use this link to sign up for my Newsletter and follow me on Facebook.

Quick Links

Email: Seema Dixit | Phone: 571-423-1085

Staff Aide: Shaheen Khurana | Phone: 571-423-1072

🦃🍂Thanksgiving Holiday & Boundary Review Community Meeting, Dec 2nd @ Westfield High School

School Board Sully District4 weeks ago

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Dear Sully District Families and Community Members,

Thanksgiving break begins Wednesday, November 27th, and I hope you have the chance to spend time with loved ones, create special memories, and celebrate all the things we have to be thankful for! 🦃🍂

I’m especially thankful for our incredible Sully District community. Your strong support for our staff, programs, and, most importantly, our students, makes all the difference. Thank you for everything you do to make our schools thrive!

It’s truly an honor to serve and represent our students, families, teachers, administrators, and staff. Wishing you all a joyful and relaxing Thanksgiving break! 🧡

I also want to make sure that parents/caregivers and community members are aware of the Region 5 Boundary Review Community meeting on Dec 2nd at the Westfield High School cafeteria.

Below is the full schedule of meetings. I encourage you to join us and share your voice on how FCPS should approach this essential and long-overdue work.

We welcome input from current, future, and former FCPS families, students, and community members. Feel free to attend any meeting that fits your schedule.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can be helpful to your family in any way.

Happy Thanksgiving!! 🦃🍂

In partnership,

Seema Dixit Upcoming Boundary Review Community Meeting Schedule

Community meetings regarding FCPS' Comprehensive School Boundary Review will take place in each of the division's six regions. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting in their region, but may attend another if it is more convenient.

Registration is not required but is helpful in planning for childcare and language interpretation. Please click on a date to register:

Language interpretation will be available. Visit the Comprehensive School Boundary Review web page for more information.

Contacting Me

Use this link to sign up for my Newsletter and follow me on Facebook.

Quick Links

Email: Seema Dixit | Phone: 571-423-1085

Staff Aide: Shaheen Khurana | Phone: 571-423-1072

November 2024 Newsletter - 🪔Happy Diwali 🪔, School Board Highlights, Family Resources and more!

School Board Sully District1 month 2 weeks ago

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Dear Sully District Families and Community Members,

It’s hard to believe that we have completed the first quarter. Time has flown by! I am so proud of our students, teachers and staff and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish as we start our second quarter.

In Sully District, our students have been busy excelling academically, on our stages and on our athletic fields. Please take a moment to celebrate everything your student has accomplished this first quarter.

It has been a very busy month of School Board meetings. At the October 8th work session, staff from FCPS partner Thru Consulting provided an overview of the division-wide boundary project management plan. Their presentation included a review of priorities, timeline, project governance and management, community engagement opportunities, communications, the role of data, and sample maps and analytics. You can watch the work session online.

Thank you to everyone who has applied to be part of the new Boundary Policy Review Committee! This committee will include a diverse group of parents/caregivers, school-based administrators, teachers, operational staff, and community members. The committee’s goal is to provide unique perspectives and insights to ensure that the boundary review process is transparent, includes significant community participation and feedback, and always keeps students at the center of every decision. Stay tuned for more upcoming engagement opportunities, which may include community meetings, focus groups, and surveys. For more information about the boundary review process or to provide feedback, visit our 2024-26 Boundary Review webpage.

At the October 10th Regular Meeting of the Fairfax County School Board (agenda | video), we discussed and considered several important items, most notably, the Superintendent provided an update to the board about school accreditation and SAT score performance (we lead state averages in both).

At the October 24th meeting (agenda | video), the Superintendent provided her annual report on Strategic Plan Goal 1, “Strong Start,” with an emphasis on the school division’s efforts to ensure we meet multilingual students’ needs and expand access to high-quality and inclusive preschool services. Read about the improvements in the Goal 1 report (pdf).

I was also honored to introduce a proclamation declaring October 2024 as Hindu American Heritage Month. It encourages all Fairfax County residents to participate in the programs and events hosted by our schools and community, as we recognize, celebrate, and honor the rich heritage and enduring contributions of Hindu Americans.

A big thank you to students from TJHSST's Namaste Club who performed a fantastic dance sequence to help celebrate! I am very grateful to our staff and community members for attending to support the proclamation.

Hindu American Heritage Month Proclamation and TJHSST Namaste Club Student Performance!

Inside this newsletter:

School Visit to Waples Mill Elementary School
Sully District Happenings
Superintendent Reid's Academic Matters
Community Gathers for State of Our Schools Event
Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
Fairfax County Special Education PTA IEP Palooza
Family Resource Center - November Events
Mental Health Resources for Families
Upcoming School Board Meetings

November is also #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth. Check out these great resources and events put together by The Library of Congress, Smithsonian and other institutions to help you honor the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.

I look forward to seeing you and your students as I am out in the community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can be helpful to your family in any way. My November Office hours are in the newsletter below if you would like to schedule time to meet with me.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a Happy Diwali! 🪔 May your year be filled with light, love, and laughter.

In partnership,

Seema Dixit

View my School Year 2024-25 Welcome message!

School Visit to Waples Mill Elementary!

Waples Mill Elementary School Visit on Oct 29th, 2024

I had a wonderful visit to Waples Mill Elementary School on October 29th, along with my colleague Sandy Anderson, School Board representative from the Springfield district! It was such a joy to interact with the students and observe some of the amazing student engagement experiences their teachers have created in art, language, advanced math and science that reinforce the skills of persistence, curiosity and joy of learning. Thank you Principal Thirius for being so welcoming and for sharing your "grows and glows"....all of your insights help inform my ongoing policy and budget work on the School Board. Go Eagles!

Sully District Happenings Chantilly High School Students Win Journalism Awards!!

Congratulations to Chantilly High School’s Odyssey yearbook for receiving the Charles E. Sadvedge Award for Continued Excellence in Journalism!

Congratulations to Chantilly High School’s The Purple Tide newsmagazine for receiving the All-American Award with marks of distinction in coverage, content, text, and presentation, from the National Scholastic Press Association.

Stone Middle School's Nick Anderson named "Citizen of the Year" at Centreville Day!

Nick Anderson, an after-school program specialist at Stone Middle School, was named the Citizen of the Year by the Centreville Day Planning Committee!

According to the announcement of his award, “Mr. Nicholas Anderson has served the youth and families of our community for many years. Fifteen years ago, Mr. Anderson applied for a grant position as the After-School Specialist at Stone Middle School. In his role at Stone, Mr. Anderson (or Mr. A as he is known to the students) organizes after-school programs to engage and further develop the students' intellectual, physical, and social-emotional well-being. Stone was a pilot school for the after-school program and Mr. Anderson continuously shared his learning and provided leadership to other middle schools and to new specialists.

Mr. A's office, Room 141, is the heart of the Prowlin' Panthers Afterschool Program. Students and parents appreciate the extra efforts that Mr. Anderson puts forth to keep everyone informed and to provide a variety of opportunities. There were five school clubs when Mr. Anderson began and now there are more than 30, including the first competitive hip hop and jazz dance teams. Mr. A also encourages leadership and mentors students into their high school years and generally helps students find reasons to be at school for learning and growing. The middle school years can be challenging for many students and Mr. A is an encouraging and friendly role-model who helps guide their development. As one student said, he's a cool staff member and helped me develop my athletic interests." Congratulations, Nick! And thank you for all you do to support our students.

Sully Schools highlight fun "Advancing Literacy" learning activities with students!

Navy ES students engaged in fun literacy learning activities!

Thank you to Becky Schnabel, a Literacy Leader at Navy Elementary School, for creating a video for an Advancing Literacy segment: “I collaborated with my SBTS to create a simple video that highlights what Benchmark Advance looks like in our building. I hope you can get an idea of all the great things happening in the world of literacy at Navy ES. Our teachers are making Benchmark Advance fun and engaging for ALL students!” Becky says she’s planning on sharing the video at upcoming school events! Go Dolphins!!

Bull Run ES students celebrate after literacy learning segment!

Principal James Marotta of Bull Run Elementary School shared photos above, which were captioned “Ms. Rasdolsky’s 6th grade class engaged in a camp day themed party to celebrate finishing the first unit of Benchmark Advance. After learning about nature for the past month, they created a fun camping atmosphere right in the classroom, complete with stories, activities, and a delicious treat: s'mores!” These learners look like they’re having a great time! Go Bulls!

FCPS has adopted Benchmark Advance for the Language Arts basal resource. Benchmark Advance provides 9 common knowledge-building units across K-6. The units integrate social studies, science, and literary topics. There are multiple text sets per topic, including fiction and nonfiction.

I am so grateful to our teachers and staff all around our division for creating these wonderful student engagement experiences to help our students become strong readers and writers.

First FCPS Middle School Cross Country Championship at Liberty Middle School!

First FCPS Middle School Cross Country Championship - Liberty Middle School

Liberty Middle School hosted the First FCPS Middle School Cross Country Championships, featuring 439 athletes from all 26 middle schools—219 boys and 220 girls. Frost Middle School won both championships, claiming the Girls Championship with Robinson as the runner-up and the Boys Championship with Twain as the runner-up. Congratulations to all the amazing student athletes!!

Constituent Hours for November

I have office hours set up to meet with Sully District constituents to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Please use this Constituent sign-up sheet to register for slots and meeting info will be sent to you. I look forward to talking with you!

Superintendent Reid's Academic Matters 2024 Accreditation and SAT Scores

In the Academic Matters portion of the October 10th School Board meeting, Superintendent Reid discussed the 2024 Virginia Accreditation and SAT Outcomes. All 199 FCPS schools have been accredited by the Virginia Department of Education, and the Fairfax County class of 2024 performed well above state and global averages on the SAT.

As you can see from the graphic above, the Fairfax County average score for the class of 2024 (1178) was higher than the state average (1101) and the global average (1024). These results show that the hard work of our students, staff members, and parents is paying off. Together all things are possible!! View the graphic in an accessible format.

2023-24 Fairfax County Youth Survey Results

In the Academic Matters section of the School Board meeting, Dr. Reid shared the results of the 2023-24 Fairfax County Youth Survey, which covers topics such as substance abuse, mental health, physical health, nutrition, bullying, and aggressive behavior. There is some good news from the survey that most students reported no use of any substances. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use continued to decrease in 2023. This year’s rates were the lowest since 2010 and are lower than those reported nationally for most substances. Students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade also reported lowered levels of mental health challenges (rates of stress, sadness, and markers of mental health crises). We measure the health of our community by the health of our children. When our children are well, our community is well! More information about the Youth Survey can be found at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/data/youth-survey/.

View data from the “Substance Use: Overall Trends” graphic in an accessible format.

Community Gathers for State of Our Schools Event

Community leaders heard from Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and other FCPS Leadership Team members at the inaugural State of Our Schools. The event, which was hosted by Educate Fairfax, also featured talks by students and performances showcasing their talents. Visit the State of Our Schools webpage to view video highlights.

💪 Sharing Our Success

We invite you to look back at the 2023-24 school year and relive some of our greatest moments. See how our outstanding students and staff excelled last year, and together, contributed to making FCPS a premier school division.

Family Resource Center - November Events

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

Fairfax County Special Education PTA IEP Palooza

Join the Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) for their second annual IEP Palooza on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon at Luther Jackson Middle School. The event will include a simulated IEP meeting (with narration to draw attention to specific points), breakout sessions explaining the various parts of the IEP, and a resource fair to learn about community supports. Each breakout room will be hosted by a SEPTA board member and Fairfax County Public Schools staff member presenting as a team. We are thrilled that the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) will also join us to host two sessions in Spanish! This event is geared toward families, school staff, and students ages 14+.

Mental Health Resources for Families This month's theme: New Ways November

This month, we're encouraging you to try something new!

Go to Action for Happiness for ideas to help you take action for a happier and kinder world.

Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies

Feeling super stressed? Worried about a friend's mental health—or your own? Get tips to help manage your emotions and see what to do if you are in crisis.

Mental Health and Resiliency

Helping students to manage stress, make better choices, and develop healthy habits.

FCPS Family Resource Center

No Cost Therapy for High Schoolers

You can refer your high school child to therapy, at no cost to you. Get the process started by filling out an e-consent and then clicking 'Request Teletherapy' at hazel.co/get-hazel, by calling 571-749-2940, or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, or psychologist.

Find out more about the Hazel Health mental health services available for all FCPS high school students: https://bit.ly/3UAQyVe.

George Mason’s Center for Community Health

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Tuesday, November 12 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session: Budget Strategic Planning and Fiscal Forecast and Grading
Thursday, November 14 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting

Please note, times and topics are subject to change.

Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.

Contacting Me

Use this link to sign up for my Newsletter and follow me on Facebook.

Quick Links

Email: Seema Dixit | Phone: 571-423-1085

Staff Aide: Shaheen Khurana | Phone: 571-423-1072

October 2024 Newsletter - Indigenous Peoples' Day is Oct 14, LGBTQIA+ History Month, Fall Highlights, Student Opportunities and more!

School Board Sully District2 months 1 week ago

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Dear Sully District Families and Community Members,

Fall is in the air! The nights are getting longer, the days are getting shorter, and it's getting much cooler. I hope you have each found time to get outdoors to enjoy this beautiful time of the year. With fall sports and homecomings plus musicals, plays and concerts coming up, enjoy the season while supporting your favorite students and schools.

We are well into our first quarter and our teachers and staff have done a stellar job settling our students into their schedules. It has been a busy but fun time on the School Board with many meetings and back-to-school nights, homecoming parades and school events!

Much was accomplished this past month. At the September 12th meeting, (agenda | video), the School Board discussed and considered several important items, including our efforts to achieve a diverse, adaptive, and supportive workforce and the approval of a contract for new high school stadium bathrooms.

At the September 26th Regular Meeting (agenda | video), the School Board voted to adopt the 2025 Fairfax County School Board State and Federal Legislative Program as amended. This year’s program emphasizes the importance of fully funding public education at the state level by adopting JLARC’s recommendations, which would mean an additional $568 million in annual funding for FCPS. It also prioritizes accountability standards that fairly assess school performance based on balanced measures of student achievement, student academic progress, engagement, and outcomes toward college and workforce readiness goals and that adequately account for the diverse learning needs of all Virginia students.

The board also approved nearly $1.4 million in new investments to retrofit schools with outdoor classrooms. Among schools attended by Sully District District students, Westfield, Oakton, and Madison high schools are included in this project package.

Inside this newsletter:

Back-to-School Nights at Bull Run Elementary and Cub Run Elementary Schools
Sully District Happenings
Superintendent Reid's Academic Matters
More Outdoor Classrooms in FCPS schools
All Fairfax County Public Schools Accredited
New FCPS Scholarship Website
School Board Student Leadership Program: Applications Open!
Prepare for Your Student’s Future at College Fair and Postsecondary Nights
Superintendent’s Community Conversations
Family Resource Center - October Events
Student Opportunities
Mental Health Resources for Families
Upcoming School Board Meetings

On October 14th, Indigenous Peoples' Day we recognize and honor Native American cultures and histories, while acknowledging their resilience in the face of a long history of marginalization. Learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day from the National Museum of the American Indian. See also the Indigenous Peoples' Habitat Restoration event below that students can participate in.

LGBTQIA+ History Month is in October as well, and we will be celebrating the history and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community. Please join me in building a culture of inclusivity and equity, not only during LGBTQIA+ History Month but throughout the entire year.

Finally, please continue to share your concerns and experiences with me. My October Office hours are in the newsletter below if you would like to schedule time to meet with me.

As always, I remain so grateful to serve our amazing community.

In partnership,

Seema Dixit

View my School Year 2024-25 Welcome message!

Back-to-School Nights at Bull Run and Cub Run Elementary Schools

Back-to-school Nights at Sully District Schools!

It was wonderful to see so many parents and caregivers at Bull Run Elementary and Cub Run Elementary, supporting their student's learning and growth. It brought back so many fond memories of my own children's Back-to-school nights at Bull Run!!

I was also excited to meet Principal James Marotta who has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering academic excellence and supporting the social-emotional growth of students over the course of his outstanding career at FCPS. We are so incredibly lucky to have him! I look forward to supporting him in continuing to build a positive and enriching learning environment at Bull Run Elementary School. #chargerSTRONG #BRESFAMILY

Thank you to Principal Miller for being so welcoming and for everything you and your staff do to support our students' learning and to help foster strong school-family partnerships! I look forward to working together with you in the new year to help shape an environment for Cub Run Elementary educators and students to thrive. Go Cubbies!! #togetherwebelong

Sully District Happenings Indigenous Peoples’ Day Habitat Restoration - October 14

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on October 14, 2024. The Fairfax County Park Authority welcomes students to join them on Indigenous Peoples' Day for a habitat restoration event. To learn more and register visit their website.

5K Run/Walk with Chantilly based nonprofit Asha-Jyothi!

It was so fun to be part of Asha- Jyothi's 16th Annual 5K Run/Walk benefiting our community and FCPS schools on Sept 15th, 2024. I was joined by Superintendent Reid, Sully District Principals Bob Damato (Deer Park Elementary School), VaRonica Sloan (Lees Corner Elementary School), Melissa Miller (Cub Run Elementary School), KJ An (Eagle View Elementary School), and many Fairfax County Public Schools staff and community to support our students! Sully District VA Senator Stella Pekarsky was also present to honor Asha Jyothi with a VA state resolution for their strong support of FCPS schools and the community. Congratulations to all the runners! I am thankful to Asha Jyothi for their Educate-Innovate USA Campaign that has funded Innovation Labs, Maker Space facilities and Technology Enhancements in partnership with our FCPS schools. #technologyeducation #CommunityParnerships #ajforacause #aj5k

Chantilly High School Homecoming Parade 2024!

Chantilly High School Homecoming Parade

Friday, September 13, 2024 was a beautiful day to celebrate the Chantilly High School homecoming parade with so many students, families, staff and community members! I was joined by my colleagues Sandy Anderson from Springfield District, Ryan McElveen Member At-Large and Ilryong Moon, At-Large Member. What a blast!! #GoChargers #ChantillyPride

191 FCPS Students Recognized as National Merit Semifinalists

Congratulations to the many Sully District students who are among the one hundred ninety-one students from 19 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) that have been named Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2025. See the full list of student awardees.

All semifinalists are eligible to compete for 6,870 National Merit Scholarship awards worth nearly $26 million, to be awarded in spring 2025. Semifinalists advance to finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and other requirements including a recommendation from a high school official.

Sully District Students Earn 2023-24 AP Capstone Diploma and AP Seminar and Research Certificates

There were many Sully District students amongst the sixty-nine FCPS students earned the Advanced Placement (AP) ® Capstone Diploma and nineteen students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ during the 2023-24 school year.

AP Capstone™ is a diploma program from the College Board based on two year-long AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. Both courses prepare students for college and career success through the development of critical thinking, academic research, collaboration, presentation, and time management skills. Throughout the AP Capstone program, students study a variety of topics across multiple disciplines and have the flexibility to choose topics of personal interest to show mastery of critical thinking, research, and presentation skills. Official AP Seminar and AP Research assessments include academic papers, multimedia presentations, and defense of findings. Full list of students available here. Congratulations to all our students on this well-earned achievement!

Amazing Sully District constituent and TJHSST grad is one of Glamour Magazine's "College Women of the Year"

Big congrats to TJHSST graduate Pratika Katiyar (Class of 2021) and Sully District constituent for being named one of Glamour Magazine's College Women of the Year! She is currently a senior at Northeastern in Boston and the magazine called her "the future of STEM with a side of soul!" She wants to make STEM more accessible for the next generation.

At 21, Pratika is already making waves in the tech world, blending her passions for AI, policy, and human rights to ensure technology is both innovative and ethical—while inspiring more women to step into STEM.

"Technologies like AI and changes in social media algorithms and content moderation are becoming incredibly advanced, which is both exciting and terrifying. The future of the internet and AI worries me, and I want to help ethically govern and regulate it to ensure it’s used responsibly and that marginalized voices, particularly women, and women of color, are considered." she said.

So proud of our incredible FCPS students! #TechforGood #STEMEducation #CSForAll. Photo credit: Devansh Kukreja.

Constituent Hours for October

Superintendent Reid's Academic Matters How FCPS teaches Reading and Writing

During Academic Matters at the September 26th School Board Meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on elementary literacy. Find out how FCPS is teaching reading and writing.

Dr. Reid’s presentation included updates on Benchmark Advance Training, the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) Implementation Playbook, topics of Benchmark units, home-school connections of the program, and supports for students — including multilingual learners, special education students, and advanced learners. Watch the presentation.

✨ Strategic Plan Connection

FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence focuses on helping students meet or exceed academic standards and reach their highest academic potential. This includes helping students show growth on reading assessments and read on level by the end of third grade.

2024-25 Opening of Schools Report

Superintendent Reid also shared the annual Superintendent’s Opening of Schools report – we are now the ninth-largest school system in the U.S. and one of Virginia’s largest employers. It was a wonderful look back at our very successful first day of school and everyone who helped make it possible. We also looked ahead at what the 2024-25 school year will hold for our students, families, and staff.

More Outdoor Classrooms in FCPS schools!

Outdoor classrooms are coming to more FCPS schools! Following a School Board vote on September 26, 10 middle schools and 12 high schools (22 total) will soon have new outdoor learning spaces, thanks to one-time state funding!! (The approval happened in three Board agenda items: 5.05, 9.05, and 9.06.)

This includes the following middle schools: Herndon, Kilmer, Thoreau and these high schools: Madison, Marshall, Oakton, South Lakes, Westfield. The Board’s recent vote awarded construction contracts for installing 22 outdoor classrooms; 15 remain to be contracted and installed.

Learning outdoors is research-proven to positively affect an array of student learning experiences and outcomes, as well as health! The intention with these additions is to bring consistent, equitable access to outdoor learning in our schools. Educators are already learning how to maximize these outdoor opportunities, and implementing these as possible. Outdoor classrooms will be accessible for students with disabilities and physical challenges, and include seating, rain barrels, accessible garden beds, and other features. Expansion to elementary schools will depend on future funding.

All Fairfax County Public Schools Accredited!

We are proud to have all Fairfax County public schools accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.

We have seen marked improvement with 191 of our schools improving chronic absenteeism rates. FCPS has a high number of students taking rigorous courses — far higher than the national average. The division also continues to see other state indicators improving, including SOL pass rates and graduation rates. Read more about all our schools receiving accreditation.

🏆 FCPS Continues to Surpass State and Global SAT Average

Fairfax County seniors in the class of 2024 continued to perform well above state and global averages on the SAT, according to results released by the College Board.

The Fairfax County average score for the class of 2024 (1178) was higher than the state average (1101) and the global average (1024). Read more about the latest SAT results.

New FCPS Scholarship Website

FCPS is excited to announce the launch of a brand new website dedicated to scholarships for FCPS students! This website will be a one-stop shop for all things scholarships, making it easier than ever for you to find and apply for opportunities that fit your academic goals.

While Naviance remains the primary database for scholarship applications, this new public webpage provides a clear overview of scholarships available to all FCPS students.

Prepare for Your Student’s Future at College Fair and Postsecondary Nights

The annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Approximately 220 colleges and universities will be represented, including two- and four-year schools and U.S. Service Academies.

Following the fair, a two-night postsecondary virtual event will be held on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. Both events will help students prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey. Learn more about the College Fair and postsecondary virtual event.

Superintendent’s Community Conversations

Superintendent Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns with her. Community Conversations will be held from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. on the following days:

Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary - Register
Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary - Register
Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle - Register

Registration is not required but helps with planning. Childcare and interpretation services are provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid

School Board Student Leadership Program: Applications Open!

Are you a high school freshman, sophomore, or junior interested in a future in law, government, or public policy? The Fairfax County School Board is now accepting applications for its Student Development Program.

Twelve students will be chosen to work closely with the School Board to how FCPS is governed and will give the students opportunities to participate on various advisory committees to the School Board, and even to seek election as the student representative on the School Board.

Applications are available on the FCPS website under the School Board. Submit the application, program requirements form, and a one-page statement of interest to your principal. Principals will submit applications to the School Board Office by October 15, 2024.

Each district school board member will select one student from his/her magisterial district. At-large members will select one student each from all applications received. Selected student leaders and remaining applicants will be notified by email by November 15, 2024.

For questions, please contact Kevin Jackson in the School Board Office at 571-423-1075. Don't miss this opportunity to develop your leadership skills and make a positive impact on your community!

Family Resource Center - October Events

Math is Everywhere! Talking to Your Children about Mathematics

Join the FCPS Elementary Math Team to discuss ways to engage your children in mathematics.

October 18, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m. Register Online

Transitioning with confidence - Collaborating with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

DARS’ Division of Rehabilitative Services(DRS) works together with students, youth, families, schools and community agencies and organizations to provide services that promote successful transitions from school to work and adult life.

DRS offers two sets of services to help students with disabilities move from school to post-school life: pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) and vocational rehabilitation (VR) transition services.

October 25, 2024 10-11:30 a.m. Register Online

Student Opportunities

Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.

2024 Congressional App Challenge

The Congressional App Challenge offers middle and high school students who are interested in coding a chance to develop and demonstrate their skills and interests in computer science and STEM. Students may register as individuals or in teams of up to four.

The deadline to enter the Congressional App Competition is October 24, 2024.

Virginia Space Grant Consortium Opportunity

Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) focuses on the challenges of the next generation of scientists and engineers to become part of the solution to the societal issues faced by the impacts of climate change. This program engages 11th and 12th grade students in real-world investigations of the Earth and its systems using the latest research and data from NASA. Applications are open until October 24.

LearnServe Fall Fellows Program for High School Students!

Overview: This is our first-year, introductory in-person entrepreneurship program that takes young changemakers through the entire process of researching, brainstorming, creating, and pitching their own social action project to solve an issue in their community!

Time Commitment: The program runs from October-April, where students will meet in-person or virtually every Thursday at School Without Walls.

Program Cost: Sliding scale tuition of $50-$1250/student, depending on the student's financial ability to pay. Families will complete the Sliding Scale survey during the application process to determine their individual tuition.

Application: Rolling admission - Click here to apply!

LearnServe is a Washington DC based nonprofit that offers leadership and social entrepreneurship training for high school students from across the Washington, DC region. Programmatically we bring students together from diverse backgrounds, and guide them through the process of designing and launching social ventures -- action projects to serve their schools and communities. In the process they learn the skill-set and mindset of being a changemaker, a blend of social and emotional skills, global competencies, and business and professional skills that will set them up for success in their college and careers.

Virginia State House Page Program

The Virginia House of Delegates Page Program invites you to explore and learn more about this popular program for youth focusing on civics education, the lawmaking process, and leadership development. As a non-partisan staff member of the House Clerk’s Office, Pages are an integral part of an institution with a long-standing tradition of providing outstanding support and customer service to state legislators and those they represent. Each year, the Speaker of the House of Delegates appoints 13- and 14-year-olds from across the Commonwealth. The application is due by 5 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2024.

TJ Science Fair Interest Meeting

We are TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson HSST. We will be hosting our 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5, 2025.

Registered participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5, 2025. TJ students help ES and MS students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM.

Join us for our first interest/brainstorming session on October 18, 2024, at 6 p.m. We will be holding this session virtually. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas.

NWF Garden For Wildlife Photo Contest

Wherever you’ve found inspiration, NWF wants to see the birds, butterflies, bees, native plants, and people (yes, that includes YOU!) that bring your garden to life.

Submit images in any of these five categories:

People in the Wildlife Garden
Certified Wildlife Habitat® Landscapes
Wildlife Observations Where People Live, Work, Play, Learn, and Worship
Close-up Native Plants and their Wildlife Visitors
Young Habitat Photographers: For photographers age 13-17

One Grand Prize winner will receive $1,000 and a Runner-Up will receive $500. In each of the five categories, category winners will receive gift certificates to Wild Birds Unlimited®. Winners will be announced in a press release, highlighted through our social media channels, and published in print and/or online. There is an entry waiver fee for EcoSchools students. Use the code: ECOSCHOOLSUSA to submit your entries without payment.

Entrants have the option to donate images if they wish, which help support our mission to protect wildlife and habitats. No matter what, you still retain ownership of all your photos. Thanks for entering and good luck!

Mental Health Resources for Families This month's theme: Optimistic October

Actions to help you focus on what really matters.

Go to Action for Happiness for ideas to help you take action for a happier and kinder world.

Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies

Feeling super stressed? Worried about a friend's mental health—or your own? Get tips to help manage your emotions and see what to do if you are in crisis.

Mental Health and Resiliency

Helping students to manage stress, make better choices, and develop healthy habits.

FCPS Family Resource Center

No Cost Therapy for High Schoolers

Find out more about the Hazel Health mental health services available for all FCPS high school students: https://bit.ly/3UAQyVe.

George Mason’s Center for Community Health

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Thursday, October 10, 2024 7:00 p.m. - Regular School Board Meeting
Thursday, October 24, 2024 7:00 p.m. - Regular School Board Meeting

Please note, times and topics are subject to change.

Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.

Contacting Me

Use this link to sign up for my Newsletter and follow me on Facebook.

Quick Links

Email: Seema Dixit | Phone: 571-423-1085

Staff Aide: Shaheen Khurana | Phone: 571-423-1072

September 2024 Newsletter - National Hispanic Heritage Month, School Board Updates, Student Opportunities and more!

School Board Sully District3 months 1 week ago

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Dear Sully District Families and Community Members,

What a wonderful start to the school year! I'm so inspired by the connections we've already made with our students and families, and I'm excited to keep building on them as the year goes on. A HUGE thank you to our amazing teachers and staff for making our students feel so welcome! Seeing the kids’ excitement to meet their teachers was truly heartwarming ❤️ and has me looking forward to a successful year ahead.

My colleagues and I had a productive start to School Year 2024-25 tackling a number of important topics. During the August 27th work session, the FCPS Office of Government Relations (OGR) presented the draft of the 2025 state and federal legislative positions. The Board is expected to vote on this at the September 26th regular business meeting.

The Board reviewed and discussed the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) Accreditation and Accountability changes (presentation) under consideration and the potential impacts to FCPS schools. At the work session, my colleagues and I also reviewed the secondary grading policy (presentation) and practices, priorities and recent changes made to it in anticipation of the School Board’s Governance Committee considering revisions to this policy. Details below.

On August 29th, the School Board approved the FY 2024 Final Budget Review Summary of the year-end funds which included critical resources for extended special education teacher contracts, achievement gap-closing strategies, the DROP program to retain experienced educators, and our new boys volleyball and girls wrestling programs. We also approved contracts for facilities projects at Madison and Fairfax high schools. We also discussed and considered several important items, including new annual pass rate data for VAAP and SOL tests. See below.

Inside this newsletter:

Centreville ES 30th Anniversary Celebration!
Sully District Happenings - Sign up for the Asha-Jyothi 5K Run/Walk benefiting FCPS schools, Volunteers needed and Office hours!
Superintendent Reid's Academic Matters
Cell Phone Storage Pilot
Chronic Absenteeism Down 25% – Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
Secondary Grading Policy Under Review
School Board Student Leadership Program: Applications Now Open!
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
Student Opportunities
Mental Health Resources for Families
Upcoming School Board Meetings

September 15th-October 15th is #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth.Please join me in honoring the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the Hispanic and Latinx communities. In this guide, you will find student engagement lessons, activities, videos to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month. Please visit the Smithsonian Latino Center for additional materials, virtual exhibits, and cultural programs!

I always appreciate hearing from you so please do not hesitate to reach out to me for any help you may need. Please see my September Office hours in the newsletter below if you would like to schedule time to meet with me. I'm excited to work together to create policies that ensure safe learning spaces for our students, reflecting the values of our diverse Fairfax County community.

In partnership,

Seema Dixit

View my School Year 2024-25 Welcome message!

Centreville ES 30th Anniversary Celebration!

Centreville Elementary School 30th Anniversary Celebration.

What a wonderful 30th Anniversary celebration at Centreville Elementary School on Saturday August 24th! Thank you to Principal Douds and the incredible staff and volunteers who put together this joyful community event with lots of activities and inspiring speakers. It was a pleasure to share in this wonderful celebration with Superintendent Reid, my colleagues Sandy Anderson from the Springfield district and Ryan McElveen, School Board Member At-Large, the amazing staff (former and current), community members and students. Go Eagles!

Sully District Happenings 5K Run/Walk with Chantilly based nonprofit Asha-Jyothi is next Sunday, September 15th!

As in previous years, FCPS schools are invited to participate in the nonprofit Asha-Jyothi 5k at Fairfax Corner on September 15. To sign up, participating staff, students and/or their families visit the webpage to register: (https://asha-jyothi.redpodium.com/2024fairfax5k).. Simply enter the code “AJ4schools” and select your school from the drop down menu. A discounted price of $10 for the 5K will be given to all participants. Schools get 100% of the money if you use the school coupon code AND:

An additional $500 for 25+ registrations
An additional $1000 for 50+ registrations
An additional $2000 for 100+ registrations

Asha-Jyothi, a volunteer-based global nonprofit organization based in Chantilly is dedicated to supporting the community through health care and education initiatives and has given over $350,000 to FCPS through their Educate and Innovate Program Grants.

Asha-Jyothi team celebrates grant to Deer Park Elementary with Superintendent Reid!

On Aug 26th, Superintendent Reid and I met with the wonderful staff and volunteers of Asha-Jyothi to celebrate their recent grant award of $102,376.21 to Deer Park Elementary School to support their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) Lab. Rocky Run Middle School and Chantilly High School have also received grants for innovation labs and technology education in the past.

Superintendent Reid with the Asha-Jyothi team on August 26, 2024!

In a newsletter from Deer Park Elementary School announcing the grant, the school says “It is with great excitement that we announce our partnership with the Asha-Jyothi foundation for the upcoming school year. Through their Educate-Innovate USA Campaign, Deer Park will be receiving over $100,000 to re-create our STEAM Lab into the Bucky’s Learning Lab and to upgrade and enhance our Bucky’s Rest Stop.

The Learning Lab space will be meant to inspire the future inventors, engineers, and makers at Deer Park and hopefully to reach beyond our community to serve our entire Western Fairfax family. Our Rest Stop is an area where students can come to re-energize and refocus so they can access learning throughout the day. With the installment of state of the art sensory items ALL students will have the opportunity to visit this space. The AJ campaign builds on the core belief that every student can and should have access to these types of spaces and we are thrilled to be able to bring this to Deer Park. We look forward to unveiling our new spaces to you in the fall.”

Thank you to Asha-Jyothi and go Bucks!!

Celebrating the Learning Garden at Centre Ridge Elementary School!

Installation of a Captian Planet Foundation Learning garden at Centre Ridge Elementary School.

It was an absolute pleasure to celebrate the installation of a Captain Planet Foundation Learning Garden at Centre Ridge Elementary School on September 5th, 2024.🌍🌱🌿 It was amazing to watch our students build and prepare the beds and plant the vegetables. Hands-on, outdoor education programs like these are a wonderful opportunity to get our kids connected to nature and #learningbydoing! I’m so thankful to our community partner Cox Enterprises who donated the Learning Garden and their strong support for FCPS students. It was a pleasure to be joined by Sully District elected officials State Senator Stella Pekarsky, Delegate Dan Helmer, Superintendent Reid, my colleague Kyle McDaniel, Member At-Large, staff and community members. Thank you Principal Hertzberg for inviting us to share in this special occasion! This learning garden will be supported through our FCPS Get2Gr een program to help develop a culture of sustainability and student-led environmental action for all students! #sustainabilityeducation #environmentalstewardship #thefutureisbright #handsonlearning

Connecting with PTA/PTO/PTSA's

I will be participating in PTA meetings to provide updates to parents and caregivers on our ongoing policy and budget work. These meetings will also offer an opportunity for questions and feedback. Additionally, I will be facilitating discussions among Pyramid PTA/PTO/PTSA executive board members and booster club representatives to exchange challenges, share successes, and offer helpful resources. If you would like to participate please email my staff at [email protected].

Constituent Hours for September

Sully District Citizen Advisory Committee Volunteers Needed!

We still have openings on the two committees below for the 2024-25 school year. If you are interested in serving for Sully District on this committee or other future committees, please forward a paragraph outlining your interest in the position and your qualifications to my staff at [email protected] as soon as possible. Please consider being my Sully District representative!

Human Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC):The purpose of the HRAC is to advise the Fairfax County School Board (FCSB) on achieving and maintaining a premier workforce within a caring culture. HRAC will make recommendations to improve practices used by FCPS leadership personnel at school and district levels to promote a rewarding workplace environment. Meets monthly, 1-Year Term. To learn more about HRAC, please view their website.

Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee (ACEAC): Brings to the School Board’s attention resource and programmatic issues associated with adult education. You will collaborate with staff to maximize FCPS, Fairfax County, and external resources and support structures to ensure ACE, Adult ESOL, and Fairfax County Adult High School (FCAHS) programs increase accessibility and best meet the needs of county residents. Meets monthly, 1-Year Term. To learn more about ACEAC, please view their website.

Superintendent Reid's Academic Matters

During the School Board meeting Academic Matters segment on August 29th, Dr. Reid presented information on FCPS’ annual pass rates for the Standards of Learning (SOL) and Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) tests. As you can see in the graph below, FCPS continues to outperform the state average in all subjects. View data from the “Annual Pass Rates on SOL and VAAP Tests” graphic (below) in an accessible format.

Our students and staff have been hard at work, and we’re continuing to refine our strategies to support mastery from all our student groups through initiatives such as Universal Design for Learning, Special Education Enhancement Plan, and our new K-6 Language Arts curriculum. You can view the presentation in full here.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) allows students to use a variety of ways to show mastery of SOL standards in writing and history/social sciences. In FCPS, we utilize this flexibility to ensure that our students engage in rigorous assessments. These alternative assessments include Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, which have higher performance standards than SOLs.

FCPS has also elected to embrace VDOE flexibility in history/social sciences to offer more authentic assessment experiences for our students, aligned with their classroom learning. As a result, Fairfax participation numbers for SOL writing and history/social sciences tests are quite small. You can read more about this approach and our expectations for a more thoughtful approach to addressing the achievement data and the data release process in this communication.

Cell Phone Storage Pilot

Last week, select middle and high schools began a cell phone storage pilot program designed to more effectively enforce the school division’s cell phone policy. This pilot program will give us invaluable data to inform future rules around cell phone usage in our schools. Clear communication, and expectation management are key to ensuring that students, parents, administrators, and teachers all understand and abide by the rules around cell phone usage in our schools. We need to do a better job communicating the existing rules. I am also a strong advocate of student voices in our school system and am hopeful that this pilot program will give us the opportunity to work with more of our students and teachers to ultimately come up with strategies that minimize distractions in the classroom and engage students more effectively.

Other school districts that have gone phone-free say that their students are getting better grades and test scores, participating more in class, and personally connecting with each other more during lunch and break times. One school reported a 50% increase in attendance at sporting events and other activities, which we know is so important for the sense of belonging that keeps students engaged and regularly attending school!

It’s important to note that in case of a family emergency, parents/caregivers can contact the school’s front office. In addition, students who currently require access to a cell phone or another personally owned device for medical reasons, or an accommodation to access the curriculum and make progress to their individualized goals, will continue to have such access. Thank you to our participating schools for helping pilot this program. And thank you to all our other schools for helping our students follow our existing cell phone policy! You can visit our cell phone storage webpage to learn more or to share your thoughts and feedback.

Once the pilot program results are presented in spring 2025, the School Board will decide whether to make any changes to the SR&R document and whether to implement secure storage across the board.

Secondary Grading Policy Under Review

In July, the School Board directed its Governance Committee, of which I am a member, to review Policy 2148 concerning secondary grading practices. I am aware of the concerns and questions that have been raised regarding FCPS grading practices, including concerns regarding consistency of implementation of grading practices across classrooms and schools and regarding some changes that have been implemented in the last few years.

Grading practices and policies are crucial as they ensure fairness, consistency, and transparency in assessing student performance. It also affects their future opportunities, including college admissions and scholarships, by reflecting their academic performance.

You are also invited to observe the Governance Committee’s work on this topic during its following upcoming meetings: September 24 at 3 p.m., October 1 at 3 p.m., October 15 at 3 p.m., and October 29 at 3 p.m.

These meetings are held at Gatehouse and will be streamed live and posted for future viewing on the FCPS YouTube channel.

Chronic Absenteeism Down 25% – Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

FCPS has reduced chronic absenteeism by 25% over the past year through personalized outreach, targeted interventions, and strong connections with families. This encouraging news was shared by Fairfax County School Board Chair Karl Frisch with WJLA recently.

The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit the FCPS Attendance Reporting webpage for tips on supporting positive attendance habits and resources for encouraging attendance in elementary school and middle/high school.

School Board Student Leadership Program: Applications Now Open!

Applications are available on the FCPS website under the School Board. Submit the application, program requirements form, and a one-page statement of interest to your principal by September 3. Principals will submit applications to the School Board Office by October 15, 2024.

For questions, please contact Kevin Jackson in the School Board Office at 571-423-1075. Don't miss this opportunity to develop your leadership skills and make a positive impact on your community!

The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.

Each goal has an equity commitment — the promise we make to every student to support them in attaining these goals. Each goal also has several measures that allow us to track our progress.

The first goal in the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they're joining us in preschool or high school, we want our students to be set up for success.

See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Watch the video above about pre-K.

Student Opportunities

2024 Congressional App Challenge

The deadline to enter the Congressional App Competition is October 24, 2024.

AI Bootcamp for High School Students

The Mark Cuban AI Foundation and Booz Allen are offering the AI Bootcamp again. The boot camp will be hosted at the Booz Allen McLean office this year at 8283 Greensboro Dr., McLean Virginia.

Application deadline is September 30, 2024. High School students apply here.

Climate Crisis Forum: Green Schools for Sustainable Communities

Our schools are stepping up to fight climate change. On Monday, October 7, 2024, join Faith for Climate’s 8th Annual Climate Crisis Forum: Green Schools for Sustainable Communities at Meridian High School in Falls Church. Hear from Northern Virginia superintendents and passionate student climate activists about how our

schools are tackling the Climate Crisis and making a real difference. Don’t miss this chance to learn how you can get engaged, connect with other advocates, and be inspired! Doors open at 6 PM for tables and exhibits from local organizations taking action in our communities. Learn more and register here: https://faithforclimate.org/news-events/climate-crisis-forum/.

Virginia Space Grant Consortium Opportunity

Student: Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) focuses on the challenges of the next generation of scientists and engineers to become part of the solution to the societal issues faced by the impacts of climate change. This program engages 11th and 12th grade students in real-world investigations of the Earth and its systems using the latest research and data from NASA. Applications are OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 24.

United States Service Academies Application

Congressman Gerry Connolly is now accepting applications for nominations for the Class of 2029. Considered to be among the top academic institutions in the country, our U.S. Service Academies produce some of the nation’s best and brightest.

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements established by law and be nominated by an authorized nominating source, including Congressman Connolly, who can nominate qualified applicants residing in Virginia’s 11th congressional district.

Your complete application packet and all required documents must be submitted on or before October 4, 2024.

LearnServe Fall Fellows Program for High School Students!

Time Commitment: The program runs from October-April (exact dates TBA), where students will meet in-person or virtually every Thursday at a location in central DC (location TBA).

Application: Rolling admission - Click here to apply!

Mental Health Resources for Families This month's theme: Self-Care September

Self-care isn't selfish. It's essential.

Go to Action for Happiness for ideas to help you take action for a happier and kinder world.

Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies

Feeling super stressed? Worried about a friend's mental health—or your own? Get tips to help manage your emotions and see what to do if you are in crisis.

Mental Health and Resiliency

Helping students to manage stress, make better choices, and develop healthy habits.

FCPS Family Resource Center

No Cost Therapy for High Schoolers

Find out more about the Hazel Health mental health services available for all FCPS high school students: https://bit.ly/3UAQyVe.

George Mason’s Center for Community Health

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Thursday, September 12, 7pm: Regular Meeting
Thursday, September 26, 7 pm: Regular Meeting

Please note, times and topics are subject to change.

Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.

Contacting Me

Use this link to sign up for my Newsletter and follow me on Facebook.

Quick Links

Email: Seema Dixit | Phone: 571-423-1085

Staff Aide: Shaheen Khurana | Phone: 571-423-1072

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Sully District Member - Seema Dixit - Recent Updates

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