Fairfax County Public Schools

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Juneteenth  June 19, 2024

Juneteenth is June 19th. It is a national holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.

The first official Juneteenth celebration took place in Galveston, Texas in 1866.  On June 17, 2021, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed, establishing June 19th–Juneteenth, as a federal holiday.  In October 2020, legislation was passed unanimously to officially declare it a permanent statewide holiday in Virginia. 

For more information, please review the following resources:

• What is Juneteenth? (History.com)
• Slavery Didn’t End on Juneteenth. What You Should Know About this Important Day (NPR)
• Celebrating Juneteenth (Library of Congress)

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In the month of June, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. We stand with those facing an ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

For more information, please explore the following resources:

https://gaycenter.org/community/lgbtq

https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/resources/

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June is Caribbean American Heritage Month. Caribbean immigrants have been contributing to the well-being of American society since its founding. The month-long observance promotes the rich culture and heritage of the Caribbean American people.

The official campaign for a National Caribbean American Heritage Month began in 2004. A Proclamation making the resolution official was signed on June 5, 2006.

For more information, please visit the resources below:

• Caribbean American Heritage Month. 

• The Caribbean (Puerto Rican) roots of the Young Lords
• The Taino people of the Caribbean

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Memorial Day May 27, 2024

Throughout the year, FCPS has the opportunity to honor our military families through meaningful observances and holidays. 

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a solemn day with the distinct purpose to honor brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the nation’s military. This day brings us together as we honor those who gave their lives in defense of our nation’s freedom. It is a time to express gratitude for the bravery, dedication, and patriotism of our fallen heroes. As we honor the fallen, the day also serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to support all our military families. 

Let us pause to remember and honor these service members for their ultimate sacrifice, ensuring their legacy is never forgotten.  

To connect with FCPS resources, please email [email protected].

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May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievements of the Jewish community in the U.S. In 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month.

The following are a few resources for your family to learn more about Jewish American Heritage Month and celebrate the contributions made by the Jewish American community:

Anti-Defamation League Resources

Library of Congress: 350 Years of Jewish Life in America

National Archives Jewish American Heritage Month

View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Jewish American Heritage Month

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May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month; a perfect opportunity to learn how to celebrate the vibrant collection of AANHPI cultures in the United States!

There are 24 million people in the United States who identify as Asian, with 1.6 million identifying as Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or a combination. According to Pew Research Center (2021), Asian American people are the fastest growing racial or ethnic group in the U.S. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have made significant contributions to American culture and society.

The following are a few resources for your family to learn more about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander heritage and celebrate the contributions made by the AANHPI community.

• Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Reading List
• 10 Ways to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with Kids & Teens
• Asian American History Lessons for Educators and Parents

For more information, contact Family and School Partnerships at [email protected].

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  National Relay

As the month of May approaches, the Carry the Load organization is gearing up for their National Relay campaign to honor Memorial Day and those who gave their life while serving the nation.  Carry the Load is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing awareness to the sacrifices made by military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their families.  

The National Relay will be traveling through Northern Virginia on Sunday, May 5, 2024, and stopping at the Alexandria National Ceremony for a community event beginning at 2:15 p.m. To learn more about the route and schedule of events, please visit the East Coast Route Guide.   

In addition to the community event, Carry the Load invites individuals and teams to participate in tracking their miles walked throughout the month of May.  By participating, individuals can actively contribute to honoring the sacrifices of our military, veterans, and first responders.  

To learn more or to register for the Memorial May Relay, please visit Carry the Load.  

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. 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 enrichment opportunity before participating.

To connect with FCPS resources, please email [email protected].

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Our Community Salutes 2024 High School Senior Enlistees Recognition Ceremony

In tribute to the courage and commitment of high school students embarking on a path of military service, Our Community Salutes (OCS) is a national non-profit organization focused on supporting the young men and women who have chosen to serve the nation. OCS provides resources and information to both the enlistees and their families as they navigate the transition into military life.  In addition, OCS strives to create a sense of community for the enlistees and families and honors the new enlistees by hosting recognition ceremonies throughout the nation.  

On Friday, May 3, 2024, at 7p.m. OCS of Northern Virginia is hosting their 2024 High School Senior Enlistee Recognition Ceremony at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, VA.  This no-cost special occasion provides an opportunity for families and community leaders to celebrate those who made the brave decision to enlist in the armed forces.  

For more information and to register for the event, please visit Our Community Salutes of Northern Virginia.  The deadline to register is April 26, 2024. 

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. 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 enrichment opportunity before participating.

If your family plans to attend, we would be grateful for the opportunity to celebrate with you. Please email [email protected]. 

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Purple Up! Day - April 17, 2024

As April unfolds, the spotlight shines brightly on our military-connected youth as Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and communities come together to celebrate the Month of the Military Child (MOMC).  

Amidst the challenges and sacrifices inherent with the military lifestyle, children of service members show their unwavering support for their parents and guardians as they stand as pillars of resilience, adapting to change, and embracing diversity. Their commitment to supporting their service member(s) deserves not just recognition, but celebration.  

Throughout April, FCPS schools will celebrate MOMC through various special events and activities to recognize military-connected youth. One of the most visible displays of support for military-connected youth occurs on Purple Up! Day, a day dedicated to showing appreciation by wearing purple – to represent the combined colors of branches of the military.  Please join FCPS for Purple Up! Day on April 17, 2024, as we proudly wear purple as a sign of our appreciation.  

To learn more about MOMC and Purple up! Day activities, please contact your school.  

To connect with FCPS resources, please visit Family and School Partnerships.  

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FCPS Family Engagement Survey

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) strongly believes family engagement is a shared responsibility between home and school. Together, we are the co-creators in preparing students for success.  

The FCPS Family Engagement Survey is available until Friday, March 22. Families are encouraged to complete the survey as it provides the opportunity to share family perspectives and offer feedback on their family’s engagement experience within FCPS. The survey results will help the school division better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community.

Parents/caregivers should have received an email invitation with a unique survey link from K12 Insight on March 3. The subject line was: FCPS Family Engagement Survey.  Families may also access the survey through the FCPS website.  

 

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