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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Dear Dranesville Families:

I hope the first month of school has gone well for your family. Principals, faculty, school staff, and families continue to report that they have had an amazing opening, and things are going well. Bus transportation this school year has gone more smoothly than in years past with buses running at 98% on-time so far. Thank you to the transportation office and all school bus drivers. 

Last week, I attended a safety meeting organized by Delegate Sullivan regarding pedestrian and bike safety on Kirby Road near Chesterbrook Elementary. Principal Kirkpatrick, parents, elected officials, VDOT, and FCDOT were present for this important conversation. It is my hope that VDOT and FCDOT will work together on viable solutions and get the funding to implement them. We all need to slow down and give ourselves or our students time to get to school on time without rushing. 

When discussing and approving the SR&R last spring, I was adamant that I wanted to limit access to the use of cell phones at the HS level. I was pleased when the Governor chose to tackle this issue. I am hearing positive feedback from school staff, teachers, and families on how the restricted cell phone use across our secondary schools is working. I look forward to connecting with our secondary school students on how the transition is going for them. Below is  the cell phone-free guidance for schools provided by the Virginia Department of Education. 

Let’s hear it for Boys Volleyball! I attended my first match on Tuesday night between Herndon and Langley. The guys were competing, uplifting each other, and most importantly having a lot of fun. It was wonderful to see everyone coming out for this new varsity sport. The play was great as was the fan support. I look forward to attending other Fall sports and seeing the marching band halftime shows this season, and hope to see you there. 

Enjoy the fall-like weather and see you around Dranesville,

Robyn

 

My visit to the Herndon HS Boys Volleball match against Langley HS

In this newsletter,

• Updates
• Student and School News
• September is...
• Opportunities
• Events

Updates Calendar Reminders

September 15- October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 23- 27: Blue Star Welcome Week 

Sept. 23- Dranesville Elementary Schools 3-hour Early Release Day

October 3: Holiday | Rosh Hashanah 

October 4: Student Holiday/Teacher Workday | Rosh Hashanah

School Year 2024- 25 Calendar

School Board Updates What Is a School Board?  

The Fairfax County School Board is responsible for running the public schools in Fairfax County. Twelve School Board members are elected by county voters every four years. A student representative serves on the board as a non-voting member and is chosen by their peers each year.

The School Board makes general rules and sets guidelines to ensure Fairfax County Public Schools runs properly. They follow the laws of Virginia and the rules set by the Virginia Board of Education.  Understanding their policies and initiatives can help you advocate for positive changes and ensure that the educational needs of all students are met. There are many ways to get involved.

Consulting Services for Boundary Review

The School Board voted to approve the Boundary Review Consultant contract and authorize the Division Superintendent, or the Director of the Office of Procurement Services to execute, deliver, and administer the contract on behalf of the School Board.

Watch the full September 12, 2024, meeting.

September 12th Dr. Reid Academic Matters

During last Thursday’s Academic Matters portion of the School Board meeting, Dr. Reid shared a presentation on school accreditation and accountability changes from the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE). The VBOE has adopted a new Virginia School Performance and Support Framework to report and monitor school performance. The framework involves revisions to the Standards of Accreditation (SOA) and Virginia’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan.

The new School Performance and Support Framework represents a significant and potentially concerning change in how the state will report school performance and hold schools accountable for student achievement and performance beginning in school year 2025-26, based on student outcomes during school year 2024-25. With shifts in how student academic, readiness, and graduation outcomes are intended to be measured, there is the potential for misrepresenting the overall success of FCPS schools and overidentifying schools as underperforming and needing external support. Please stay tuned for more information to come. 

Upcoming School Board Meetings

• Thursday, September 26, 2024, 7 p.m.- Regular Meeting
• Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 10:30 a.m.- Work Session
• Thursday, October 10, 2024, 7 p.m.- Regular Meeting 

All times and topics subject to change.

How to watch meetings and sign up to speak

• Regular Meetings and Work Sessions are live-streamed on the FCPS website and televised on FCPS Cable Channel 99.

• Work Sessions and Regular Meetings are recorded and available here after the meeting on the School Board YouTube channel. 

• Watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, at FCPS en Español YouTube channel.

• Information about signing up to speak at a regular meeting or at Public Hearings.

• Latest schedule of School Board Meetings

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.

FCPS Updates

My August Dranesville visits including Herndon MS, Clearview ES, Coates ES, Dranesville ES, and Herndon ES

Things to Remember When Visiting Schools

We take the safety and security of our students and staff very seriously. All school visitors, including staff members and volunteers with FCPS badges, must enter schools by way of “Door 1.” Upon ringing a school’s front doorbell, visitors will be asked to identify the reason for their visit before the door is opened. All school visitors will need to check ID through the school visitor system in the front office before entering the school. 

When outside, visitors are not permitted to visit school buses or playgrounds or to observe students from parking lots or other areas on school campuses.

See Something, Say Something

FCPS takes the safety of our students and staff very seriously. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners who work swiftly and thoroughly to investigate when there are safety concerns in our schools.

The first step that you should take if your child shares a safety concern with you is to contact authorities. If your safety concern is an emergency, please call 911. FCPS Office of Safety and Security also has a safety tipline that you can access anonymously online, by text, or by phone. 

If your student heard rumors and needs to talk to someone, please speak with your student's counselor. The National Association of School Psychologists has a resource to help you identify when your child might be struggling, and how you can have difficult conversations with them about school violence. 

If you have concerns about programs, regulations, policies or other topics that do not impact the safety of our schools, please contact the FCPS ombuds online, at 571-423-4014 or [email protected].

FCPS Tipline

If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is needed, please dial 911.

As part of Fairfax County Public Schools' continuing efforts to maintain safe schools, a confidential and anonymous Tipline is available to students, parents, staff, and other members of the FCPS community.

School administrators encourage students, staff, and community members to report school safety issues, such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft,  gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tipline users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.

Immunization Updates - September 30 Deadline

Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.

Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by Virginia. You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office.

Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Registration for the September 23rd event is open, and additional registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all, but please register for planning purposes.

Community Conversations will be held 6:30- 7:30 p.m.:

• Monday, September 23, Newington Forest Elementary School
• Monday, September 30, Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School
• Monday, October 14, Fairhill Elementary School
• Monday, October 21, Virginia Run Elementary School
• Wednesday, October 30, Herndon Middle School

Cell Phones Off, Learning On

Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact the school’s front office to reach your child during class time. 

The FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage has usage policies by grade level, and you can share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.

Cell Phone Storage Pilot

Starting school year 2024-25, select FCPS middle and high schools will be phone-free during the school day in order to limit classroom disruptions and improve student engagement and learning. Middle school students will receive locked storage pouches. High school students will place their cell phones in central storage units located in each classroom. You can share feedback on the pilot here.

Dranesville students' schools in pilot:

• McLean HS
• Westfield HS

Virginia Executive Order #33- Cell Phone-Free Education

Executive Order 33 directs the Virginia Department of Education to provide guidance to school boards on cell phone-free education policies and procedures. School boards will establish local cell phone-free education policies and procedures before the end of this year that will be implemented in 2025. 

After listening to and reviewing the thousands of comments and suggestions from Virginians on how to bring cell phone-free education to our children’s schools, VDOE has published final guidance for school divisions on policies and procedures to be implemented to establish cell phone-free education and remove cell phones from Virginia’s public school classrooms. 

Portrait of a Graduate 

A goal of FCPS is to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate learning in authentic ways and support students in the development of skills that employers are seeking for the workforce. Portrait of a Graduate attributes are:

• Communicator
• Collaborator
• Ethical and Global Citizen
• Creative and Critical Thinker
• Goal-Directed and Resilient Individual

Results from the 2023-24 Fairfax County Youth Survey

The Fairfax County Youth Survey was taken by nearly 40,000 FCPS students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. There were significant strides in several key areas including lowered levels of mental health challenges (rates of stress, sadness, and markers of mental health crises) and substance use — the lowest recorded rates in the last 10 years.

The 2023-30 Strategic Plan

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. 

Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K - 12

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 in high school, we want our students to be set up for success. See how Goal 1 is being put into practice.

Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, Empowered

As part of the second goal, we want each and every student to feel like they belong and have the support they need to thrive. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services' updates to lunch menus align with FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal #2 - Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. The new menu options reflect the many voices and cultures represented around every FCPS lunch table. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice.

Fueling Student Success: New FCPS Food Options 

Students will have more than a dozen new options for lunch and breakfast in school cafeterias. New menu items were either favorites at last year’s food show — including Korean BBQ wings, sweet Thai chili wings, chicken tikka masala, and barbacoa street tacos — or were tested with student focus groups and tastings. View our school menu to see all the new options and when they will become available.

Special Diets

Did you know that FCPS does not provide meals containing pork?  Also, did you know that we offer vegetarian and vegan options for lunch at every school, every day? If your student needs pork-free or vegetarian meals (which do not contain meat, poultry, or fish but may contain dairy and/or eggs), you do not need to fill out a Dietary Accommodation form, as we have those options available at all schools. Please note that while FCPS is not a peanut-free kitchen, our peanut butter products are individually wrapped to prevent cross-contamination.

Does your child require a dietary substitution or accommodation?  If so, please click on one of the options below:

• Medical Dietary Accommodation Form
• Medical Discontinuation Form
• Milk Substitution Form

Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

When a Student Should Stay Home From School

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss. Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Family Resource Center Events/Webinars

Click each date to register for the event or webinar.

Setting Limits and Dealing With Dramatic Resistance

• September 20, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.

Nurturing Adolescent Growth: A Comprehensive 4-Part Series on Teen Development and Well-Being

• 9/27/24 - Part 1: Understanding Adolescent Development: The Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Changes in Teens 

SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs

• October 4, 2024, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
• Jim Scott Community Center (3001 Vaden Dr., Fairfax)

SIBTEEN: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs

• October 4, 2024, 1-4 p.m.
• Jim Scott Community Center (3001 Vaden Dr., Fairfax)

Benchmark Advance: the New K-6 Language Arts Curriculum

• October 8, 2024, 6:30-8 p.m.
• October 9, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.

Family Literacy Program

The Family Literacy Program is part of the Office for ESOL Services in FCPS. It is designed to empower and connect Multilingual Learner (MLL) families to their community and with their children’s school. Adult learners acquire basic English language skills while learning how to understand, participate, and support in their children’s education in FCPS.

FCPS Family Academies- Welcome Families!

The FCPS Family Academy is where families like yours can learn and get support for their child's school journey. We know that as a parent or caregiver, you're important in your child's education. The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. The Family Academy also includes information about resources available to help you ensure your student has what they need to succeed. 

September Audit Buzz

In this issue of the Audit Buzz, we provide an update on current engagements; discuss Delayed Deposits in the Knowledge Hive; highlight recent events; and introduce a new hire. Prior editions of Audit Buzz are archived here on Office of Auditor General's (OAG) website.

Community Updates

Kirby Road Pedestraian Meeting organized by Delegate Sullivan

Supervisor Bierman's Newsletter

Please sign up for Supervisor Bierman's Thursday Dranesville Dispatch newsletter to keep up-to-date on Dranesville and Fairfax County news and events.

Type O blood Donors Needed 

Multiple traumatic incidents and other medical emergencies have left our region’s blood inventory for Type O blood critically low. Inova Blood Donor Services needs all blood types, but a boost to the supply of Type O will help patients in need significantly. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit inovablood.org to schedule an appointment.

Bike Helmets Required for Youth

In Fairfax County, Virginia,  Fairfax County Code Section 82-6-38 states that anyone under 15 years old must wear a protective helmet while riding or being carried on a bicycle. Wearing a helmet can protect against head injuries, facial breaks, abrasions, and some concussions.

Speed Camera Program Ready to Expand

Slowing down drivers and improving traffic safety are the objectives of the Speed Camera program, which includes the installation of photo monitoring devices (speed cameras) in school zones. There are currently nine cameras operational throughout the County including Chesterbrook ES. Following the pilot’s success, countywide photo speed enforcement will move forward in two phases. Phase 1, which will begin over the next few months, will include 50 additional photo speed enforcement cameras distributed between school and work zones. 

Phase 1: Dranesville students' schools:

• Marshall HS
• McLean HS

From the FC Police Department, 

Back to School Safety Tips

Pedestrian Safety:

• Use Crosswalks and Follow Signals: Always cross at designated crosswalks and obey traffic signals. Make sure to look both ways before crossing the street, even if the signal indicates it’s safe.
• Stay Alert: Avoid distractions such as using a phone or listening to loud music while crossing streets.
• Bike Safety: For those cycling to school, remember to wear helmets, use bike lanes when available, and signal your turns. Ensure your bike is equipped with lights and reflectors for visibility.

School Bus Safety:

• Wait for the Bus Safely: Stand back from the curb while waiting for the bus. When the bus is approaching, wait until it has come to a complete stop and the doors are open before boarding.
• Board and Exit Quickly: Get on and off the bus quickly and carefully. Once on the bus, stay seated and keep the aisles clear.

Stranger Danger Awareness:

• Know What to Do: Teach children to never accept rides, gifts, or invitations from strangers. If approached by a stranger, they should seek help from a trusted adult or go to a safe place.
• Report Suspicious Behavior: Encourage students to tell a teacher, school official, or parent if they see anything suspicious or feel uncomfortable.

What to do when reporting suspicious activity

• DO NOT confront the person and/or vehicle.
• Call the Police
• Give a detailed description of the person and/or vehicle.
• Take a picture or video recording if able to do so safely

Report any crime or suspicious activity when it is occurring. 

• 911 for Emergencies OR 703-691-2131 for Non-Emergency

  Stuff the Bus Virtual Drive- September

The virtual Stuff the Bus campaign runs through September 30. Learn more about ways to fight hunger and homelessness.

Order Free COVID-19 Tests- Coming Soon    

COVIDtests.gov will re-open at the end of September. Households across the country can order four additional over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for free. These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants and are intended for use through the end of 2024. You can also find instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates for any tests you may already have. 

Student and School News 191 FCPS Students Named 2025 National Merit Semifinalists

Congratulations to the McLean High School's Class of 2025 National Merit Semifinalists

One hundred ninety-one students from 19 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are among the semifinalists named by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2025. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), which also serves as the Governor’s Regional School for Northern Virginia, has 81 semifinalists.

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.

Congratulations to the Dranesville semifinalists:

Herndon HS: Harold Kim.

Langley HS: Katie Chen, Ariaana Downing, Emily Hur, Zelmay Jan, Danna Jia, Arnav Ketineni, Amy Key, Jayden Lee, Ethan Liu, Bryce Myers, Lindsey Newberg, Brendan Oakes, Vishwa Rakasi, Riley Seewer, John Wu, Raymond Zhang. 

McLean HS: Anaya Batish, Aria Colaco, Andrew Egorin, Lisa Hu, Phoebe Jang, Axel Lundback, Rachel Noh, Blake Powell, Peyton Rydzewski, David Sheng, Jakob Siyoni, Thanh-Hoa Tran-Luu, Lauren Wood, Aileen Wu, Eric Xue, Claire Yan.

Thomas Jefferson HSST: Claire Chen, Andrew Choi, Niels-Oliver DeChaine, Claire Guo, Deven Hagen, Mandy Huang, Sophia Huang, Chris Jia, Hudson Keeler, Abigail Lee, Justin Lee, Sophia Lin, Jasmine Ma, Phoebe Pan, Patrick Shi, Simon Thomas, Anna Wisniewski, Anthony Xu, Vivian Xue, Leah Zhang, Victoria Zhang, Alan Zhu.

Congratulations to the Langley HS Class of 2025 National Merit Semifinalists

NWF EcoSchools Updates

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 National Wildlife EcoSchool recognitions! The 22 Green Flag recipients earned at least 100 points during the school year addressing sustainability action. The new platform for EcoSchools ensures that all students are able to engage in environmental stewardship throughout their preK-12 FCPS experience. Green Flags are awarded yearly with new action plans developed at the beginning of each school year.

Congratulations to these Dranesville 23-24 Green Flag recipients:

• Green Flag recipients:
• Aldrin ES
• Haycock ES
• Lemon Road ES
• Silver Award Recipient
• Clearview ES

Attendance All-Stars: Dranesville Elementary Sees 14-Point Drop in Absenteeism Amid Flurry of Efforts

Dranesville Elementary School Principal Jamie Gadley knows it’s tough for students to learn if they’re not present in their classrooms when the instruction occurs. Reeling from the pandemic, Dranesville saw its share of chronically absent students — those missing 10% or more of school days — skyrocket, like many schools nationwide. 

Principal Gadley took action immediately, enlisting an attendance team consisting of school counselors, front office staff, and a family liaison to systematize the school’s approach to encouraging daily attendance. Students deemed chronically absent, missing 18 or more days in the 180-day school year, went from 20.6% of Dranesville students in 2022-2023 to just 6.9% in 2023-24. 

“We looked by name and story — we had almost 140 students who were chronically absent in 2023. We learned 36 of them were due to family vacations,” Gadley said. “Some families just needed us to ask that they not schedule that amazing vacation during school time. Others needed to hear that we welcome and want students to be present for as much of the school day as possible. Students can go to their dentist appointment and return to class.”

Attendance Champions Challenge…Because Every Day Counts!

Through the Attendance Champions Challenge, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) invites schools and 501(c)(3) community organizations to engage young people between the ages of 13 and 19 to identify new ways of understanding barriers to school attendance and engagement, as well as propose creative solutions that build on evidence-based strategies. Young people are also invited to directly submit their ideas to the DOE. The submission deadline for the Attendance Champions Challenge is November 29, 2024, at 9 p.m. (ET). 

Building Resilience Through Basketball: Trick Shots with Mr. Noel

“Are you ready to fail?” asks Patrick Noel, a physical education teacher at Colvin Run Elementary School, as he prepares to teach young students a basketball trick shot. Because, he tells them, “You are going to fail a lot more than you are going to succeed.” It may seem like a curious approach to teaching but for Noel, building resilience and determination is critical for successful young lives.

  Churchill Road ES

Eleanor H., a 6th-grader at Churchill Road Elementary School, won the City of Fairfax 2024 election sticker contest for her “Future Voter” sticker design, which celebrates diversity in the community and the city’s future electorate.

FCPS Partners and Their Work in Dranesville Schools

FCPS has been and continues to work hard to develop and renew some high-value business and community partnerships.  

The Capital One Coders is back this year at Herndon Middle School to teach students the language of coding. Now in our 11th year, we’re 100% in-person again at all four schools. 

EduTutorVA will be providing high impact tutoring at Hutchison Elementary School. Along with tutoring, this not-for-profit leads a Tutors to Teachers element where their undergraduate and graduate tutor students are encouraged to apply for teaching jobs in FCPS.

September is... Suicide Prevention

The Importance of Suicide Prevention

Schools play a key role in suicide prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people aged 10-24. When school personnel, families, and communities take an active role in suicide prevention, lives can be saved.

Fairfax County continues to respond to community needs and expand crisis services. At the Merrifield Crisis Response Center (open 24/7) at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health, operated by the Community Services Board (CSB), walk-in emergency behavioral health assistance is available day and night, 365 days a year.

Call/Text/Chat 988 or Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

• Free 24/7 support for anyone experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis

• When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

  • The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis

No-Cost Mental Online Therapy for All High School Students

Is your high schooler experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? Do they seem withdrawn or uninterested in their usual hobbies? Parents/caregivers can refer their children for free weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.

Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month reminds us to prepare for unexpected events that could change our lives in an instant. Be safer and more prepared with emergency preparedness steps such as make a plan, build an emergency kit, stay informed and get involved. Have kids? Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Kids shares information on disaster preparedness.

Individual and Family Preparedness

National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. 

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Fun Facts

Remembering 9/11 and Patriot Day

With the 23rd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, was a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.

All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day- September 17

On September 17 each year, schools honor Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and recognizes “all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.” Constitution Day Fun Facts

National Voter Registration Day is also on Tuesday, September 17. Learn more about registering to vote. In-person early voting is available in Fairfax County from Friday, September 20- Saturday, November 2. Email [email protected] with questions.

Blue Star Welcome Week!- September 23 - 27

Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and FCPS is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community. 

Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices.  Please help us welcome our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week, September 23 - September 27, 2024, and throughout the year! 

Opportunities

Disclaimer: Opportunities and events 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.

Great Leadership Opportunity for 9th-11th Graders

The Fairfax County School Board is now accepting applications from 9th-11th graders in good academic standing for the Student Leadership Development Program. The program is for students interested in pursuing futures in law, government, or public policy. Interested students must submit applications to their principal before September 30, 2024.

Selected students will work directly with School Board Members and the School Board Clerk’s office to learn the ins and outs of how FCPS is governed. They will also develop and debate their own policy proposals and acquire details about the process for running to be Student Representative on the School Board.

2025-2026 Basal Resources Adoption: Social Studies

Dranesville Opening

Are you interested in participating in the review of potential K-12 social studies resources? FCPS is engaging the basal resource (e.g. textbooks, online materials) adoption process for Social Studies, and I am seeking a Dranesville community member to participate on the review committee. The process may lead to identified social studies resources (e.g. textbooks, digital materials) for some or all grade levels and courses in school year 2025-2026. 

Committee members must be able to meet on the following dates and times for a total commitment of 20 hours. All the meetings will be held at the Pimmit Hills Adult Education Center(7510 Lisle Ave, Falls Church). 

• October 29, 2024, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
• November 6, 2024, 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• November 13,2024, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Please fill out this form by September 30 to share why you would like to be a representative and why you would be a great fit for this committee. Please email my Staff Aide at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Traveling Players Ensemble

• See a Play!- Learned Ladies
  • Weekends Sept. 21-29
  • At Tysons Corner Center
• Fall Acting Classes (grades 2-12)
• Auditions & Tech Interviews – Be in our next play - on stage or backstage!  
  • Commedia Christmas Carol  (for students in grades 8-12)

Auditions for (the) Unruly Improv Troop

(the) Unruly Improv is The Alden’s professional teen improv company dedicated to bringing comedic performances to the community. Members audition to be in the company and are paid for each performance or workshop they do for the community. UTP won 1st place at Improvicon of Northern Virginia in both 2022 and 2023—and were the only teen group competing!

Auditions are for 9th- 12th graders. Prepared monologues are not needed. Headshots and resumes are not necessary but welcome. Preregistration is recommended.

• Open Auditions: Sept. 24 and 25, 7-9 p.m.
• Call Backs/Interviews: Sept. 26, 7 p.m.

NVSWCD Conservation Poster Contest

Calling all student artists! The 2024 Conservation Poster Contest theme is "May the Forest Be With You, Always." This contest is open to all K-12 students in Fairfax County, and scouts are eligible to earn a poster contest patch. Additionally, this year features a digital poster contest open to students in grade 7-12. The application deadline is Friday, September 27, 2024. 

World Language Credit by Exam

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. 

Registration is now open and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted. Please contact your student’s school counselor to register for the exam. 

Virginia State House and Senate Page Program

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 Friday, October 18, 2024 at 5 p.m.

Senate Page Program

The Senate Page Program is a dynamic, engaging and educational experience that honors and preserves the tradition of service to the legislature. The mission of the Senate Page Program is to facilitate a structured environment in which young Virginians accept responsibility and accountability, develop professional characteristics through strict standards of conduct and engage in the legislative process through work, observation and discussion. Applicants seeking admission must be 13 or 14 years of age on the first day of session (second Wednesday in January) and a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The application is due Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 5 p.m.

Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS)

This program 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 for VESSS are open until October 24, 2024.

The Congressional App Challenge 

The Congressional App Challenge is an opportunity for high school students to  engage in coding. Every year, Members of Congress challenge students in their districts to create and submit their original apps for a chance to win the Congressional App Challenge (CAC). Each challenge is district specific. The deadline for submission is October 24, 2024, by 12 p.m.

NASA TechRise Student Challenge

NASA invites students in grades 6–12 to submit science and technology experiment ideas to fly on a high-altitude balloon. The 2024–2025 TechRise Challenge provides participants with hands-on insight into the payload design and suborbital flight test process, with the goal of inspiring a deeper understanding of space exploration, Earth observation, coding, electronics, and the value of test data. Sixty winning teams will be selected to build their proposed experiment. The submission deadline is November 1, 2024.

Students in grades 7 through 12 are eligible to participate at NCS Teen Centers and Drop-in Sites. Most programs and activities are free, although some activities and field trips may require a fee to participate

Student Program with Coursera Career Academy 

Students may explore exciting career paths and gain access to over 30 professional certifications from industry leaders, all at no cost. Browse the FCPS Student Academy Catalog and join the program. First, obtain permission from parent/guardian to access Coursera and complete the Student Interest Form (FCPS student email/log-in required for this form). Questions? Email Scott Simmons at [email protected]

Note: These courses are not VDOE-recognized industry credentials and do not contribute to high school graduation requirements. This limited program operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Explore, Learn and Discover MakerLab @ Herndon (2 - 5 p.m.)

Learn, discover and explore at the Maker Lab at the Herndon Fortnightly Library. Make something new with a variety of tools and equipment including a 3D printer, sewing and embroidery machines, Cricut and Cameo cutting machines, robotics, and more. The Maker Lab hours are subject to adjustments or closures for special events and programs.

Library of Congress Monthly Family Days

The Library of Congress will host monthly Family Days throughout the fall and winter season, including programming focused around Hispanic Heritage Month, Halloween, Veterans Day and winter holidays. Each program includes a creative activity, connections to Library of Congress collections, a chance to talk to staff experts and a guide to using Library resources at home.

Alden Theatre 24-25 Season

The Alden's 2024-2025 season brings some truly memorable, beautiful, hilarious, awe-inspiring, joyous events. The season comprises an eclectic and exciting mix of world-class performers in music, dance, musical theater and family entertainment. Tickets are on sale now! 

Events

Disclaimer: Opportunities and events 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.

Salsa In the Park- September 20, 4:30 p.m.

Join us in celebrating Latino Conservation Week at Alabama Drive Park (1100 Alabama Drive, Herndon)! Groove to the rhythm with Fairfax County Park Authority, Defensores de la Cuenca, and Opportunity Neighborhoods with salsa dancing and salsa making. Dive into fun with green actions and learn how to live a healthy, eco-friendly life. Enjoy a family-filled afternoon with great company and exciting educational opportunities.

Movie under the Stars- Sept. 20

Despicable Me 3

MRC Movie Under the Stars on September 20th: 6 p.m. is brought by the McLean Revitalization Corporation for at Franklin Sherman ES (6633 Brawner St, McLean).

Old Firehouse Block Party

Saturday, September 21, 1- 4 p.m.

1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean

Come celebrate the Old Firehouse’s 34th Anniversary!

Fall McLean Children's Business Fair- September 21

Fall McLean Children’s Business Fair at the Old Firehouse(1440 Chain Bridge Road, McLean) September 21, 1 – 4pm. This event will be held in conjunction with the Old Firehouse Fall Block Party.

George Mason Space Day- September 28

George Mason Space Day (9/28: 3- 9 p.m.) is a collaborative, engaging event aimed at educating the public about the latest technologies and science in aerospace. The day will feature hands-on activities, and engaging lectures from industry leaders. The event is free, and open to individuals of all ages. 

National Public Lands Day Volunteering- September 28

Looking to give back and earn some service hours? The event is the largest single-day national volunteer effort to preserve, restore, improve and enjoy America’s public lands. Join us for a Park Clean Up volunteer event near you on Sept. 28.

Dranesville Opportunity September 28: 9- 11 a.m.

Chandon Park (900 Palmer Dr., Herndon)

Bug Fest- September 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Celebrate all things bugs with the whole family at our creepy-crawly adventure at Lake Accotink Park. Games and activities include insect safaris, live insects, insect collections, log rolling and more.

Herndon NatureFest- September 29

Join us for NatureFest 2024 on Sunday, Sept. 29: 1 - 5 p.m. at Runnymede Park (195 Herndon Parkway, Herndon) Free admission and parking! NatureFest 2024 is a family-friendly, hands-on nature event, which spotlights the animals, plants, and insects that live in Runnymede Park. 

Walk and Roll Day- October 9

Walk & Roll to School Day events connect with many issues that communities care about, like creating safer and more walkable routes to school; building a sense of community or school spirit; and inspiring families to use their feet for the school commute more often. Please consider joining your school as we all work towards living a healthier and safer lifestyle!

College Fair and Look to the Future Events- Oct. 20- 22

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

Following the fair, on October 21st and 22nd: 5- 8 p.m., the Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held. Both events will help students be better prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey. 

Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.

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.

© 2024 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Robyn Lady  |  Phone: 571-423-1087

Staff Aide: Wendy Biliter | Phone: 571-423-1068

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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Help Shape the Future of Social Studies in Our Schools – Apply Today!

Dear Providence District Families,

Are you passionate about ensuring our students have access to high-quality educational resources? Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will soon adopt new K-12 Social Studies instructional materials, and I am looking for a Providence District resident to serve on the Instructional Resource Review Committee (IRRC) for this important initiative.

This is a unique opportunity to play a hands-on role in selecting textbooks, online tools, and other resources that will shape Social Studies instruction beginning in the 2025-26 school year. If you are interested in applying but are unsure if you live in Providence District, you can use this district look-up tool. Because of time limitations, not all applicants will be contacted.

The Social Studies instructional resource selection process will be guided by Regulation 3004, which includes a 30-day public review period and a comprehensive evaluation by the IRRC, which brings together teachers, administrators, and community members to ensure we select the best instructional resources for our students.

Why Participate?

By joining the IRRC, you will:

• Ensure that resources align with Virginia’s Standards of Learning and FCPS’s Learning Model.
• Help meet the educational needs of diverse learners.
• Advocate for an academically rigorous, historically accurate, culturally responsive, and inclusive curriculum.
• Support equitable access to high-quality and engaging resources.
• Provide valuable community input in collaboration with other community members and stakeholders.

Time Commitment

As an IRRC member, you must attend the following meetings at the Pimmit Hills Adult Education Center (7510 Lisle Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22043) for a total of 20 hours:

• Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 3:30 PM – 8:30 PM
• Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Responsibilities

IRRC members will be expected to:

• Attend all meetings.
• Review submitted resource materials thoroughly.
• Communicate via email in a timely fashion.
• Maintain confidentiality of all materials and discussions.

How to Apply

If you are interested in representing Providence District on the Social Studies Instructional Resource Review Committee, please complete this Google Survey application form by 5:00 pm on September 30, 2024.

This is a great chance to make a lasting impact on our students’ education, and I hope you will consider applying!

In service,

Karl Frisch
Chair and Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Karl Frisch  |  Phone: 571-423-1084 

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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Special Newsletter 2025-2026 Basal Resources Adoption: Social Studies Nominating Community Members

Are you interested in participating in the review of potential K-12 social studies resources? FCPS is engaging the basal resource (e.g. textbooks, online materials) adoption process for Social Studies, and I am seeking a community member to participate on the review committee. The process, governed by Regulation 3004.5, includes a 30 day public review period and a deep review by an Instructional Resource Review Committee (IRRC), made up of representatives from a variety of stakeholder groups - teachers, administrators, and community members. The process may lead to identified social studies resources (e.g. textbooks, digital materials) for some or all grade levels and courses in school year 2025-2026. 

The review process is constructed to ensure:

•       Resources align with Virginia Standards of Learning and FCPS Learning Model 
•       Resources meet the educational needs of a variety of learners
•       Resources reflect culturally responsive curriculum and pedagogy
•       Students gain equitable access to high-quality, dynamic resources
•       Input from multiple stakeholder groups is collected and valued 

IRRC members must be able to meet on the following dates and times for a total commitment of 20 hours. All the meetings will be held at the Pimmit Hills Adult Education Center located in Falls Church.

•       October 29, 2024, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
•       November 6, 2024, 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm
•       November 13, 2024, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Participation on the committee requires the following:

•       Attendance at all meetings.
•       Review of submitted resource materials.
•       Email communication. 
•       Confidentiality of information reviewed and recommendations made.

If you are interested in serving on the Social Studies Instructional Resource Review Committee, please send an email to [email protected] no later than September 30th.

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

Contact: Ilryong Moon | 571-423-1089

Staff Aide: Sarah Park | 571-502-5386

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Fairfax Pyramid elementary school principals KJ An (Eagle View), Susan Mullen (Daniels Run), and Dylan Taylor (Willow Springs) toss candy to spectators during Fairfax High School’s homecoming parade.

Connect With Others Through FCPS Affinity Groups

The Office of Professional Learning and the Equity and Cultural Responsiveness Team are excited to announce affinity groups to provide educators in FCPS with a safe place to build community, share stories, and find support from educators with similar identities and backgrounds. 

There are affinity groups for Asian educators, Black educators, Latino/Hispanic educators, Middle Eastern educators, neurodivergent educators, LGBTQIA+ educators, Aspiring Leaders of Color, Jewish educators, Muslim educators, and Christian educators.

Interested participants should sign up by Friday, September 20. Visit the Affinity Groups Google site for more information. If you have ideas about forming an affinity group, please contact Julia Braxton or Manuel Gomez Portillo.

Educate Fairfax Grants Available for Educators and Staff

FCPS employees with innovative and creative ideas that will positively impact students are invited to apply for Educate Fairfax Grants which provide up to $2,000. 

Educate Fairfax is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that builds partnerships and raises funds to support students, families, educators, and schools within FCPS. Educate Fairfax Grants are designed to empower educators to bring innovative ideas, creative projects, and learning experiences to life, and provide access and opportunities for FCPS students. 

Find the grant application on Educate Fairfax’s website. The application window is Wednesday, September 18, through Friday, October 18. For more information, please contact Meredith Ayala, manager of Grants and Program Development at Educate Fairfax.

How One School Dropped Absenteeism by 14%

Dranesville Elementary School’s systematized approach to promoting attendance saw chronic absenteeism drop from 20.6% to 6.9% in one year. Read about the strategies they used to help make students — including the kindergartener above — excited to come to school. 

Your Voice Matters! 🎤 Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid

Your voice matters and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Employee Conversations are planned for the following days: 

• Tuesday, October 1, 5:45-6:45 p.m., at Saratoga Elementary School.
• Thursday, November 7, 4:30-5:30 p.m., at Dogwood Elementary School.
• Tuesday, November 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m., at Laurel Ridge Elementary School.

Click on the date to register. 

These events are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. You may reach out to Dr. Reid anytime by submitting a question via the superintendent’s webpage or emailing [email protected].

🧘 Provide Feedback on Wellness Programs and Services

FCPS’ Employee Wellness Program Evaluation Survey is now available. All staff are invited to provide feedback on last year’s (FY 2023-24) wellness programs and services. Employee feedback will be instrumental in helping identify areas of improvement with the Employee Wellness Program. 

The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Staff participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. Email [email protected] with any questions.

💬 Your Feedback Matters: Schoology Focus Groups

The Instructional Services Department will conduct voluntary, confidential focus groups for instructional staff about their experience using Schoology. There will be nine opportunities to participate in October and November. 

If you are interested in participating, please complete this application by Monday, September 30. For more information, contact Michael Cieslak.

Students Taking SEL Screener in October

Students in grades 3-12 will participate in the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) screener in October. School teams and families will use this information to develop positive school cultures and support students academically and personally. Parents/caregivers may opt their child out of taking the SEL screener. Learn more about SEL and signature practices.

Building a Barrier-Free Learning Environment

Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) is a new webpage that includes guidance on how (and why!) to create accessible documents, presentations, and resources. Visit the page to learn about the basic elements of accessible resources.

Join the Conversations on Accessible Learning Materials Zoom chat to learn more and share ideas on accessible practices.

✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence

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. 

Our third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful. For example, making sure they are readers by third grade and taking courses that challenge them throughout their education will help prepare them for lifelong success. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.

🏫 Renovations for the Future Uncover FCPS’ Past

In her latest issue of Weekly Reflections Dr. Reid, shared some of the things she discovered this week. One item is the original exterior wall from Louise Archer Elementary School. It first existed as a three-room, wood-framed schoolhouse that was built for African American children in 1939. 

The structure, which is located in a restored main lobby, will be preserved as part of the school’s legacy. Learn more about this amazing discovery and Dr. Reid’s activities in Weekly Reflections.

State Accreditation and Accountability Updates

At last week’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid presented on school accreditation and accountability changes that have been put in place by Virginia in her Academic Matters segment (video). 

The Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) has adopted a new Virginia School Performance and Support Framework to report and monitor school performance. The framework involves revisions to the Standards of Accreditation (SOA) and Virginia’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Consolidated State Plan. It will go into effect in fall 2025. 

View the slides for updates to the state accountability framework and school accreditation system.

🎥 Reminder: What to Do if You’re Contacted by Reporters

The Office of Communications has a media relations team dedicated to helping connect news organizations to FCPS. If a member of the media contacts you, notify your principal or program manager before providing information, conducting an interview, answering a reporter’s questions, or agreeing to a visit. Your principal or program manager must notify the Office of Communications as soon as possible. 

Please do not initiate contact with the media. If you have a great story to share, reach out to the media relations team. They may be able to help publicize it. Read FCPS Regulation 7004 (PDF) for additional guidance.

FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture

FCPS is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Government’s Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. Our Trust Policy ensures that our students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn about the policy and regulation.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff

Note: Some links in this email require a connection to the FCPS network.  If you have any questions, please visit the FCPS Tech Support Portal to search for self help articles or submit a ticket.

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Dear Franconia Residents/Estimados Residentes de Franconia,

Fall is in the air, and we can feel the crispness and excitement as the school year unfolds. I want to thank teachers, administrators, and staff for creating a warm and welcoming environment for students. The year is off to a great start!

I have enjoyed greeting students and families during back-to-school nights, and I’ve been delighted to see students proudly escort their parents to their new classrooms.

 

Cell Phone Storage Pilot

Three Franconia schools, Edison High School, Lewis High School, and Twain Middle, are participating in the cell phone pilot program the Board passed on May 9, 2024. I am already receiving helpful feedback from teachers, students, and parents. I will continue to engage the community as the program moves forward so we can develop best practices before the program is rolled out to the entire division. I welcome your continued feedback and comments.

 

Security and Safety

It pains me to have to address the senseless loss of life at Apalachee High School in Georgia, but I know it is on your minds. I want to assure you that my School Board colleagues and I take the safety and security of everyone in our schools very seriously. The FCPS security team works preemptively to address safety and security issues. If you see something, say something by reaching out directly to me or the anonymous FCPS security tip line.  The National Association for School Psychologists offers support to discuss this and other sensitive topics with your children. We are all working to provide a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff.

 

Hispanic Heritage Month 

As a Latina woman whose mother is an immigrant from Mexico and whose father’s Hispanic roots go back 17 generations in the American Southwest, I want to take a moment to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Our schools benefit from a diverse staff and a 30% student population with a rich Hispanic/Latino cultural background. In my 26 years in FCPS schools as a Family Liaison, Spanish Language Interpreter, and Community School Coordinator, I’ve had the privilege to serve many of our Latino families and students and to see them thrive in our community.  

Please join me in honoring the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the Hispanic and Latinx communities. This guide contains student engagement lessons, activities, and videos to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Please visit the Smithsonian Latino Center for additional materials, virtual exhibits, and cultural programs!

I’d like to acknowledge the work of the Hispanic Educators Association / Hispanic Leadership Alliance, which has been working for 27 years to support our Latino population through advocacy and programming. Last year, HEA/HLS proudly awarded 33 scholarships to FCPS graduating seniors.

School Board News

Our first Work Session of the year focused on discussing the draft of the 2025 legislative positions. Of particular concern are the accountability changes the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) Accreditation and Accountability has made and the profound impact it will have on FCPS and all the schools in Virginia.

“I have seen many of our multilingual learners go on to become doctors, become teachers, become business owners in our community,” board member Marcia St. John-Cunning said. “But if we are going to measure them by the standard that this state is putting forward right now, they’re going to be perceived as failures, and the message that we’re sending to our students and to our families is that they are failures.” Full WTOP article. 

I look forward to continued engagement with you and a successful school year. 

Kind Regards/Bondadosamente,

Marcia St. John-Cunning

Franconia District School Board Member

Focus on Franconia Mount Eagle Elementary School’s 75th Anniversary

On Saturday, I joined the incredible Mount Eagle Elementary School family to celebrate the school’s rich history.  I was also thrilled to present a proclamation at the September 12, 2024, regular School Board Meeting honoring the milestone.

 

The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice Stopped at Lewis High School

The Lewis Leadership Program hosted a magnificent event designed to build community and take action for disability and justice by raising student voices. Participants included people with disabilities, disability rights allies, youth, adults, Spanish speakers, and English speakers.

The event attracted students, community members, local nonprofits, and a special guest, Seydy Ibrahima, from the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Senegal. Congratulations to all!

 

Hayfield Football Investigation Update

I joined the Hayfield community meeting, where Dr. Reid discussed the findings of the internal investigation and external evidence review. The investigation, which began in May, found no concrete evidence of student-athlete recruitment violations and confirmed that investigated student transfers meet residency requirements at this time. The students on the Master Eligibility List (MEL) roster have been deemed eligible. Here is a summary of the investigation and findings.

 

Key Center School’s Garden

Thanks to a grant from the FCPS Get2Green program, Key Center School students transformed a patch of unused land into a thriving garden! It has flourished, producing a bountiful harvest of fresh herbs like basil, parsley, thyme, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and peas. As autumn approaches, the students eagerly anticipate the harvesting of pumpkins.

FCPS News You Need 🏛️ Middle School Students – Apply to Become Page for the 2025 Virginia General Assembly🏛️ Senate Page Program

The Senate Page Program is a dynamic, engaging, and educational experience that honors and preserves the tradition of service to the legislature. Senate Pages have served the upper chamber of the legislature since at least 1850. The experience today is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge for the next generation of administrators, managers, elected officials, and civic leaders.

Application Deadline 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 18th (EST)

 

House of Delegates Page Program

This popular program is 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.  Since 1847, this educational program has been helping youth become more engaged citizens and effective leaders.

Application Deadline 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 18th (EST)

  📣 Upcoming Stakeholder Engagement Opportunity: Student Rights & Responsibilities Focus Groups 2024 📣

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R. 

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30. Participate in Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Focus Groups Each year, FCPS reviews and updates the SR&R to ensure it reflects our commitment to equity and the goals outlined in our 2023-30 Strategic Plan. This year, we are partnering with K12 Insight to host focus groups.

Staff who work directly with students and parents/caregivers should have received an email from K12 Insight with information on how to participate in a focus group. Your voice is essential to delivering an SR&R that supports a caring and inclusive climate and culture in every school community. You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R or contact Kathleen Walts, executive director of Equity and Student Relations. 

 

📆 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid 📆

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:

• Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
• Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary 
• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary 
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary 
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle 

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. 

 

📕 📘 Secondary Grading Practices 📘 📕

Grading is an important aspect of the student experience. Effective assessment evaluates content knowledge and provides constructive feedback for continuous improvement. The impact of grading travels beyond FCPS classrooms to influence college admission and scholarship opportunities etc. It is with this gravity that I approach the School Board's work on the grading policy.  

The School Board’s Governance Committee will be working on revisions to Policy 2418. It is my hope that the final version will reflect research-based practices, increase clarity for staff to facilitate implementation and provide consistency for our students. Grading and assessment practices should be transparent, predictable and consistently applied across our schools. 

Please review the grading policy and share your feedback. You are also invited to observe the Governance Committee’s work on this topic during these times: 

• September 24 at 3 p.m.

• October 1 at 3 p.m.

• October 15 at 3 p.m.

• October 29 at 3 p.m.

The meetings will be held at the Gatehouse Administration Center and broadcast live on the FCPS School Board YouTube channel. The meetings are recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

School Board Meetings

Public participation is the foundation of a healthy democracy. I invite you to tune in or attend FCPS School Board meetings. Visit BoardDocs for meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Upcoming Meetings

• Thursday, September 26, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - Regular School Board Meeting
• Tuesday, October 8, 2024 10:30 a.m. - Work Session
• Thursday, October 10, 2024 7:00 p.m. - Regular School Board Meeting
• Tuesday, October 22, 2024 5:00 p.m. - Work Session

How to Watch Live

• FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11),

• FCPS YouTube Channel, and

• FCPS website 

How to Watch Recordings

• FCPS YouTube channel (English), and 

• FCPS en Español YouTube channel (dubbed in Spanish)

How to Attend In-Person

• Regular School Board Meetings take place at Luther Jackson Middle School.
• Work Sessions and Forums are held at Gatehouse Administration Center. 
• Public Hearings take place at Luther Jackson Middle School.

How to Speak at a Regular Board Meeting

Visit the community participation webpage and fill out the form.

 

Helpful Links

• FCPS SY24-25 Calendar

• Newsletter Subscription Preferences

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

• Safety Tip Line

• Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

• FCPS Jobs

• Multilingual Telephone Help Line

Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Marcia St. John-Cunning |  Phone: 571-423-1081

Staff Aide: Mara Kaiser Braunger | Phone: 571-279-1691

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October Webinars at the
Family Resource Center

Interpretation available

SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with
Special Needs!

The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs. They will:

• Meet other siblings in a relaxed setting.
• Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
• Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
• Play games and have fun!

October 4, 2024, 9 a.m.- noon 

Jim Scott Community Center
3001 Vaden Dr.
Fairfax, VA 22031

Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services

Register Online

SIBTEEN: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with
Special Needs!

Attention FCPS parents!!! From the same people who brought you Sibshops, we are excited to introduce SibTeen!

SibTeen is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with disabilities. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences. SibTeen is a place where participants will feel validated and understood and can build upon their community of support. And…. there will be food! 

October 4, 2024, 1-4 p.m.

Jim Scott Community Center 
3001 Vaden Dr. 
Fairfax, VA 22031

Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services

Register Online

Benchmark Advance: the New K-6 Language Arts Curriculum

Join us for an overview of the new K-6 language arts curriculum. This will include background information regarding the Benchmark Advance and how this program is organized to ensure evidence-based literacy instruction for all K-6 students.

Webinar Highlights:

• What is evidence-based literacy instruction?
• What is The Benchmark Advance and its cross-curricular units?
• Provided scaffolds and supports for students with disabilities

Join the FCPS Instructional Services Department and FCPS Office of Special Education Instruction for this important webinar.

October 8, 2024, 6:30-8 p.m.

October 9, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.

Register Online

Math is Everywhere! Talking to Your Children about Mathematics

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

During our time together we will highlight books, games, and other materials that assist you in talking about mathematics with your child throughout the
day.

Teaching math to your children doesn’t have to be intimidating. This webinar will provide concrete examples for caregivers with ideas to spark math joy.

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.

Supports available:

• Job Exploration
• Work-based Learning
• Education and Training Options
• Workplace Readiness
• Self-Advocacy

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

Register Online

 

Register for September Workshops

Interpretation available

FCPS Family Resource Center
Web | Email: [email protected] | Phone: 703-204-3941

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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Board Meeting Recap: September 12, 2024

Dear Providence District Families,

Last Thursday, the School Board held its second Regular Meeting of the new school year (agenda | video). We 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, including at Marshall, McLean, and Woodson.

We also received an academic update from Superintendent Reid about the Virginia Board of Education’s new misguided and extreme updates to accreditation and so-called “accountability” standards. I strongly encourage you to watch the presentation and board discussion in its entirety:

 

As I said in my response, for a state like Virginia, which was recently ranked the best state in America to do business precisely because of our amazing public schools, these changes are an insult designed to undermine public education. Here is video of my remarks from the discussion:

 

As always, you are welcome to attend School Board meetings (schedule) and register to share your thoughts with us during community participation at Regular Meetings and Public Hearings (sign-up).

Karl Frisch
Chair and Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board

P.S. Connect with me and follow my work on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

IN THIS EDITION

• Local Investments: High School Stadium Bathrooms
• Academic Matters: State Accreditation and Accountability Standards
• Strategic Plan Update: Diverse, Adaptive, and Supportive Workforce
• Contract for Boundary Review Consultant
• Superintendent Performance Review
• Student Performance of the National Anthem
• Board Matters: Providence District Update
• Upcoming School Board Meetings

LOCAL INVESTMENTS: HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM BATHROOMS

High School Stadium Bathrooms (Marshall, McLean, and Woodson): The board approved a $7,755,000 contract for the Stadium Bathrooms Installation Project to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The project includes new stadium bathrooms for many schools, including three attended by Providence District students, including Marshall, McLean, and Woodson high schools. Funding for the project will be provided through a cost-share agreement between Fairfax County and FCPS. (More Information)

ACADEMIC MATTERS: ACCREDITATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS

Video | Meeting Materials

For the Academic Matters presentation, Superintendent Reid offered an update about the Virginia Board of Education’s new accreditation and accountability standards. As I noted above, for a state like Virginia, which was recently ranked the best state in America to do business specifically because of our amazing public schools, these changes are an insult designed to undermine public education. I strongly encourage you to watch the entire portion of the meeting to learn more about this important matter. 

STRATEGIC PLAN: DIVERSE, ADAPTIVE, AND SUPPORTIVE WORKFORCE

Video | Meeting Materials

For the Strategic Plan Update, Superintendent Reid offered an update about efforts to achieve a diverse, adaptive, and supportive workforce. She detailed the school division's efforts to get new teachers off on the right foot with the Great Beginnings Summer Institute, where I had the pleasure of welcoming more than 1,100 new Fairfax County educators earlier this summer.

She also discussed the Global Ambassador program, which has secured more than 130 educators from 16 countries across the world to teach on J-1 Visas for up to 5 years. These teachers participate in a rigorous selection process and have been chosen from amongst thousands of other applicants. They have, on average, 11.5 years of experience, and several hold advanced degrees.

CONTRACT FOR BOUNDARY REVIEW CONSULTANT

Video | Meeting Materials

On July 18, 2024, the School Board voted to amend Policy 8130, Local School Boundaries, Program Assignments, and School Closings. The school division will now engage with a consultant to provide the comprehensive school boundary review over an 18-month period. The consultant's scope of work has several key tasks, including project management plan development, website development, pre-analysis stakeholder engagement, data collection, data analysis and draft scenarios, post-analysis stakeholder engagement, and final potential scenario development.

Motion: Sizemore Heizer, Second: St. John Cunning / Vote: Yes 10, No 1

SUPERINTENDENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW

The board judges the overall success of the Superintendent on the basis of the school division’s reasonable progress toward achieving the 2023-30 Strategic Plan’s goals and adherence to a set of thirteen Executive Limitations found on pages 14-31 of the board’s Strategic Governance Manual.

The Superintendent provides annual monitoring reports to the board for each Executive Limitation. The board then votes on whether the provided reports are in compliance with the given Executive Limitation. If the report is found not to be in compliance, the Superintendent provides a corrective action memo addressing the board’s concerns.

Executive Limitation 8: Superintendent’s Relationship with the Board

Video | Meeting Materials

The Superintendent provided her annual monitoring report for Executive Limitation 8: Superintendent’s Relationship with the Board. As outlined on pages 24-25 of the board’s Strategic Governance Manual, Executive Limitation 8 stipulates that the Superintendent shall not fail to ensure regular and positive interactions and foster effective partnerships with the board to facilitate the achievement of the school division’s Strategic Plan goals and overall success. It further states that the Superintendent shall not fail to ensure the board is fully informed in a timely manner about matters relating to board work and significant school division concerns. Following the Superintendent’s presentation and a thorough board discussion, the monitoring report was found to be in compliance.

Motion: Dixit, Second: Moon / Vote: Yes 10, No 1

STUDENT PERFORMANCE OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

The board meeting began with a beautiful performance of the National Anthem, performed by the Annandale Singers under the direction of Pat Vaughn:

BOARD MATTERS: PROVIDENCE DISTRICT UPDATE

At the end of each meeting, School Board Members provide updates from their communities about school visits, activities, upcoming events, and more. Here is video of my update from the meeting:

UPCOMING SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Upcoming School Board Meetings  (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming School Board Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.  

All meetings are broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. Meetings are also recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS YouTube channel. Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at regular meetings or public hearings.

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. 

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Karl Frisch  |  Phone: 571-423-1084 

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September 21-29, 2024

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is proud to participate in Blue Star Welcome Week from September 21-29, 2024, a special time to welcome military-connected families to our community. This annual celebration, hosted by the non-profit organization Blue Star Families, offers newcomers the chance to connect with local resources, meet fellow military families, and participate in various fun activities across FCPS schools and the region.

During this week, events will be held to show our support and appreciation for military-connected families. You can learn more about the events organized by Blue Star Families and their partners by visiting the National Capital Region Chapter.

FCPS is honored to welcome military-connected families into our community, and we thank you for your service. If you need more information or wish to connect with FCPS resources, please email [email protected].

 

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.

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The Dunne Dispatch (Local Events Edition) - 09/12/2024

• Raptor Rapture at Fort Hunt Park, Free, September 14, 1 p.m. Don’t miss this FREE opportunity to see live raptors, owls, and hawks up close on September 14, 1 p.m. at Fort Hunt Park, Pavilion A.  This event is sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh, the National Park Service and Secret Garden Birds and Bees.

• Trail Cleanup at Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve and Belle Haven Park, September 21, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Calling all stewards of the environment! Join the National Park Service and the Friends of Dyke Marsh for a shoreline and trail cleanup at the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve and Belle Haven Park in honor of International Coastal Cleanup Day! Register in advance. The registration link also includes a map showing parking, check-in, and bathroom locations. Let's work together to keep our ecosystem beautiful!

• Steamology STEM Fest, October 12, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Steamology will host its annual STEM FEST at Mount Vernon HS on October 12, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to come enjoy FREE activities related to STEM, including Robotics, Coding, Experiments, and more! This event provides students with a chance to engage in hands-on activities related to science, technology, and mathematics. HS students are invited to serve as volunteers. This is a valuable opportunity for high school students to develop leadership skills, gain community service hours, and potentially inspire younger students to pursue their STEM interests. STEM FEST will also feature high school clubs and vendors, who will set up informational booths or displays related to STEM. The participation rate for the event is around 500 or more students. Visit Steamology online to register, volunteer, or host a booth or display. 

• Register Now for the 9th Annual Tour de Mount Vernon, October 19. Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck invites you to participate in this community bike ride on Saturday October 19 2024, starting and ending at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. Riders will enjoy a fun ride through the many Potomac Banks historic, ecological and cultural sites in the southern and central parts of the Mount Vernon District. The route consists of paved roads, paved trails and has some challenging sections. The event is rain or shine. Learn more and register online today! 

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Mateo Dunne  |  Phone: 571-423-1086

Staff Aide: Nelda Brown, 571-423-1049

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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ።

이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.

.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Dear Community Members,

In the nearly 20 schools I’ve visited this school year, what I’ve heard from students, families, and staff is that the start of this year is going very smoothly. I see it with my own students, too. 

(top left photo): Me with Lake Anne Elementary School's principal, Jill Stewart at Back to School Night from Thursday, September 5th!

(top right photo): Principal and librarian of Louise Archer Elementary School in the renovated library (formerly the cafeteria!) 

(bottom left photo): Me in the outdoor classroom at Louise Archer Elementary School (furniture forthcoming!)

(bottom right photo): Me at Back-to-School Night at Thoreau Middle School!

And yet, some tragic and unignorable events happening in our own Hunter Mill and Fairfax community, and those involving school children in Georgia, dampen the strong start. The Superintendent and school principals have delivered messages about these security-related incidents. However, as a representative for our community, I’ve sought to engage with the Superintendent, principals, PTA leaders, and parents to address questions as I can. The concerns and needs continue informing my work and advocacy for investments in school safety, including for facilities and for staffing, for security and mental health and social emotional support of our developing children.  

On another note, please know that the following are top areas of focus in my work at the moment:

• Legislative advocacy to get the money from the state, to fully fund our schools – including attending a statewide School Boards meeting this month to further rally on action plans in advance of the January General Assembly session; I also continue raising awareness about drastic changes forthcoming to state accountability measures of students’ success, as addressed in this WTOP article and to detrimental trends like those happening in Houston’s schools, as I discuss in my article here
• Secondary coursework grading policy updates, for Board approval in November, so the Superintendent can work in more detail on future implementation; among other things, I want to be sure that grading processes do not adversely impact students during their high school years as we seek to make the approaches better
• Facilities, particularly to get clarity on the status of our facilities – instructional and athletic – and how upgrades are being scheduled and funded 

Also, work on middle school start times and school boundaries continues by the Superintendent, and the Board will receive public updates when information is available.

I look forward to attending fall sporting events, and other happenings. Please feel free to inform me and invite me!

Also, I want to thank Langston Hughes Middle School Student, Amma, for delivering a gorgeous rendition of the National Anthem at the recent School Board meeting. Pictured here with us is Langston Chorus educator, Mr. McBride, who has lit a fire for singing among many students.

 

Melanie Meren's Back-to-School Video   Back-to-School Greetings from Megan Sawant, Student Representative on the School Board 🚧School Board Updates and Recent Work Social Studies Materials Review:

Invitation: Community member sought to serve on the Instructional Resource Review Committee

Help me identify future social studies instructional materials! Exact application process is forthcoming, but in the meantime here’s the opportunity:

FCPS is engaging the basal resource (e.g. textbooks, online materials) adoption process for Social Studies. The process, governed by Regulation 2004.5, includes a deep review by an Instructional Resource Review Committee, comprised of representatives from a variety of stakeholder groups - teachers, administrators, and community members. The process may lead to identified social studies resources for some or all grade levels and courses in school year 2025-2026. These resources will then be available for a 30-day public review period, before being approved, or not, by the School Board.

We're seeking someone in the Hunter Mill District who can occasionally meet by phone. Appointed community representatives must be able to meet on the following dates and times for a total commitment of 20 hours:

October 29, 2024, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
November 6, 2024, 3:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
November 13, 2024, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Participation on the committee requires the following:

• Attendance at all meetings
• Review of submitted resource materials
• Engaging in discussions about the materials
• Responding to email communication
• Keeping confidential the information reviewed and recommendations made

Please stay tuned for more information on when and how to apply. The School Board will approve committee members at a public Regular Meeting.

Student Leadership Opportunity with the School Board!  Invitation: all 9th, 10th, and 11th graders!

Twelve students will be selected to work with the School Board on how FCPS is governed, and participate on advisory committees to the School Board - including seeking election as the student representative on the School Board. 

Please apply to be the Hunter Mill participant!

What: FCPS School Board’s Student Leadership Development Program

Who can apply: Any FCPS high school student in grades 9, 10, or 11 during the current school year (2024-2025), in good academic standing, and who is interested in law, government or public policy. 

Who is selected: I’m able to select one participant  from Hunter Mill!

If selected, student leaders will participate in the program on these dates:

• Group orientation (December 2024) 

• School Board Forum or Committee Meeting (January – March 2025) 

• School Board Work Session (January – March 2025) 

• Mock Forum (Spring 2025) 

• Mock Work Session (Spring 2025) 

• Program Completion Ceremony (June 2025) 

Important Dates:

September 30: Students submit an application to the school’s Principal. 

Students shall submit 1) the brief application, 2) program requirements form, and 3) one-page statement of interest to their principals by September 30, 2024. The materials can be downloaded here; electronically-fillable documents are forthcoming soon.

October 15: Principals submit applications to the School Board.

November 15: Selected student leaders and remaining applicants are notified by email from the School Board Clerk. 

💰Local Investments – from 8/29/24 Meeting

Madison High School Tennis Courts: The Board approved a $97,625 contract to complete the refurbishment of five tennis courts at Madison High School – a project already underway – after it was found that the ground beneath the courts was very soft and would sink due to the pressure of the paving equipment on its surface (details – here.).

💰Financial Year 2024 Year-End Investments

Following its annual audit, FCPS had $92.3 million un funding from fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024). The money is the result of funds that had been budgeted to be used but weren’t actually used. Reasons for this can vary, ranging from positions that weren’t filled or money that didn’t have to be spent because the division received a grant. It is also best practices to have some money remaining to carry over as a starting-balance into the new fiscal year. The School Board voted publicly on August 29 to invest this money strategically, including 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.

📅Upcoming School Board Meetings

• Thursday, September 12, 7p.m.: Regular Meeting
• Tuesday, September 24, 3p.m.: Governance Committee Meeting
• Thursday, September 26, 7p.m.: Regular Meeting
• Tuesday, October 1, 3p.m.: Governance Committee Meeting

Accessing Board Meetings

The work sessions and regular meetings are 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.

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.

For Spanish speakers, watch recorded School Board meetings or to watch live during the Regular Meetings on YouTube, you may visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the QR code.

 

Hunter Mill Happenings 🪈Herndon Showcase of Bands

When? Saturday, September 28

Ticket & logistics information: https://www.vmbc-online.org/herndon-showcase

Herndon High School Step Team

Check out this news clip highlighting Herndon High School's step team this week!

New Westbriar Principal Remains Focused on Students and Achievement

Sallie Burch, the new principal of Westbriar Elementary, was featured in the gazetteleader!

Read the full story here.

Other Info of Interest Superintendent Community Conversations

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid hosts a series of Community Conversations throughout the school year. The events are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions, and each meeting is open to all. 

As a listening leader, connecting and engaging with community members across our division is critical to Dr. Reid.  

Superintendent Community Conversations will be held in each FCPS Region. A full schedule is found here; including the one hosted nearby to Hunter Mill residents, at Herndon Middle School, on Wednesday, October 30, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Pre-registration is not required. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Election Day Participation Program For
High School Students

Would you like to learn more about the electoral process and earn service-learning hours that can also be applied towards the Seal of Excellence in Civics Education?
The Fairfax Office of Elections is offering you the opportunity to serve inside a Fairfax County polling place or in an early voting satellite office as an election page. We also encourage students fluent in a second language to apply.

The 2024 High School Page Application is here.

Application deadline: Monday, September 30.

More information about the High School Page Program is here.

Contacting Me

I prioritize responses to Hunter Mill constituents, so please be sure to identify yourself as such if you contact me. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.

To contact me, it is most helpful to please use the official School Board contact form via my website (click "Submit a Question"). This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. Thank you for your cooperation.

Best,

Was this email not addressed to you? Sign up for my newsletters here!

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Melanie K. Meren |  Phone: 571-423-1082 | Facebook | Twitter

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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Correction

It has come to our attention that an incorrect email address was included in the e-newsletter distributed on Tuesday. Please use [email protected] to reach out to our office anytime we can be of assistance. Thank you.

Bill Farrar
Staff Aide to Rachna Sizemore Heizer

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.

© 2024 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Rachna Sizemore Heizer  |  Phone: 571-423-1088

Staff Aide: Bill Farrar, 571-423-1076

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Principal Kelly Durso high-fives students on the learning path at Oak Hill Elementary School.

ERFC News: Unused Sick Leave Eligibility and DROP Option

Effective July 1, 2024, the Fairfax County School Board approved two exciting changes to ERFC.

Unused Sick Leave Conversion to Service Credit

Unused sick leave for Tier 1 members (hired July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2017) and Tier 2 members (hired July 1, 2017, to present) will now count as service years toward your ERFC retirement. When you retire, your unused sick leave will automatically convert according to this formula:

• Unused sick leave hours ÷ contract days ÷ work hours per day = credited service

Please note: Your sick leave is part of the ERFCDirect estimate and any sick leave used or transferred to another county prior to retirement will negatively impact your ERFC benefit amount.

Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)

Still trying to decide whether to leave your career behind? DROP allows Legacy members (hired before July 1, 2001) who are eligible for an unreduced retirement to retire for purposes of the ERFC pension plan while continuing to work for FCPS. 

Under DROP, approved members can continue working full time as active employees and receive a salary and benefits for up to five years. During this time, their monthly pension benefit is held in account by ERFC, with interest, until formal exit from the program. For more details, including how to apply for DROP and important deadlines, visit the DROP webpage.

Questions? Call ERFC at 703-426-3900, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email [email protected].

Results of 2022-23 Family Engagement Survey

The results of FCPS’ second Family Engagement Survey are now available. A key finding from the more than 26,000 parents and guardians who responded to the survey is that 92% say they “feel welcome at my child’s school,” an increase from 89% in the 2021-22 survey.

The most recent survey was conducted during the 2023-24 school year to measure the division’s success with family engagement. Its results will also guide our work in order to help deepen that engagement while continuing to build trust and empower families to support their children’s success. 

Read more about the survey results. Division and school survey results are available on the Hub.

Survey Outcome: FCPS Family Academy

One outcome of the Family Engagement Survey is the creation of the FCPS Family Academy. 

The Family Academy’s goal is to ensure the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy will create a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.

These goals align with FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home School & Community Partnerships. Pillar B reminds FCPS to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.

Student Rights and Responsibilities: “Shall vs. May” Focus Groups

FCPS’ 2024-25 Student Rights and Responsibilities: A Guide for Families (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and how adults will respond to promote school safety while ensuring a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.  

The School Board has recognized the importance of reviewing the “shall vs. may” language within the SR&R document. Clarifying mandatory actions (“shall”) and discretionary actions (“may”) will support consistent and equitable disciplinary practices across all schools.

School-based staff and administrators will receive an email invitation regarding “shall vs. may” focus groups, where participants can share their thoughts on this language. K12 Insight is partnering with FCPS’ Chief Equity Office to host the focus groups and will send the invitations.

If you have questions, please contact Kathleen Walts, executive director, Equity and Student Relations at [email protected].

MyPath Icon Released

FCPS is introducing the MyPath icon for the new Human Capital Management system. MyPath will replace UConnect, MyPDE, MyTime, our hiring platform, and other legacy systems to improve employee engagement and experience at FCPS from job application through retirement. MyPath will increase the visibility, efficiency, and productivity of many systems we use daily. 

The first phase of MyPath (which began in March) focuses on pay-related items and is scheduled to be completed at the beginning of 2026. As part of the first phase, employees will be able to log in to MyPath to enter leave or time worked and view leave balances and pay statements.

Additional self-service “paths” will become available in phases two and three, including job postings, onboarding, evaluations, and professional development.

Updates will be provided as we move closer to the rollout of phase one in January 2026. Learn more about the MyPath Project on the Employee Hub.

✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, Empowered

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.

In the second goal, we commit to our students feeling safe, supported, included, and empowered in their school community. We want each and every student to feel like they belong and have the support they need to thrive.

See how Goal 2 is being put into practice. Watch the video above about tackling absenteeism.

🖥️ Website Feedback Needed by September 16

Now that our redesigned central website is live, we are checking to see if it meets your needs. Please take five minutes to tell us what you think in this optional survey, which closes on Monday, September 16. Responses are anonymous. Thank you for your time.

📰 Superintendent’s Weekly Reflections

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shares her travels throughout the division in her Weekly Reflections. Last week, in addition to school visits and back-to-school nights, Dr. Reid hosted her first Employee Conversation of the year. Read all about it in the superintendent's latest issue of Weekly Reflections.

🗓️ Calendar Reminders
September 11: National Day of Service

Each year, the United States commemorates the tragic loss of life on September 11, 2001, and the acts of courage, compassion, and sacrifice that followed. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

On September 17 each year, schools honor Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and recognizes “all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.” 

Resources are listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s Commemorating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day website. Information about citizenship and civics is also available at other websites such as the National Constitution Center.  

FCPS Social Studies has developed a Constitution and Citizenship Day resource to support teachers with specific ideas for social studies instruction.

🗳️ National Voter Registration Day Is September 17

Tuesday, September 17, is National Voter Registration Day. Learn more about registering to vote. In-person early voting is available in Fairfax County from Friday, September 20, through Saturday, November 2.

School Board Meeting Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m.

The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, September 12, at 7 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:

• Strategic Plan Update
• Awarding of Contracts

View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.

Staff Staples

• Calendars
• Classifieds
• Employee Wellness Program
• FCPS CARES
• Human Resources
• Job Openings
• People on the Move
• Savings for Staff

Note: Some links in this email require a connection to the FCPS network.  If you have any questions, please visit the FCPS Tech Support Portal to search for self help articles or submit a ticket.

Submit an Employee News request. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you! 

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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Hello Braddock neighbors!

Here we are just a few weeks into the new school year and already there is so much to talk about! I hope you and your families are adjusting well to any changes and thriving in your school communities.

First, I want to take a moment to address the most recent incident of violence in America’s public schools. Like you, I am horrified at the continued exposure of our schools - what should be a safe place to learn - to senseless tragedy. I promise to advocate for the safety of your children. These events can be traumatizing for all of us, so please take a moment to think and learn about how best to discuss sensitive topics with the young people in your home.

Next, I want to call your attention to the important topic of grading, which is a major issue now before the School Board. By all accounts, there are wide variances across the county - from teacher to teacher, department to department, and school to school - in how students are assessed for the skills and knowledge they acquire in each class. FCPS recently enacted some changes in grading practices, as discussed during an Aug. 27 work session (materials | video).

The Board recognizes that students deserve to be assessed fairly and consistently with their peers. The Board directed the Governance Committee - of which I am a member - to revise our grading policy. Our first meeting on this topic was Tuesday, Sept. 3, and I encourage you to follow this process by watching meetings live or streaming them later. Please share your thoughts on grading with me!

In other news, the Virginia Board of Education has adopted new, troubling rules for how public schools will be evaluated. Starting in the 2024-25 school year, there will be both an accountability system to determine school performance and a separate accreditation system to determine if schools are in compliance with state laws.

In a recent newsletter, FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid warned that schools with more economically disadvantaged kids likely will be scored more harshly and possibly lose accreditation. “With shifts in how student academic, readiness, and graduation outcomes are measured, there is the potential for misrepresenting the overall health of FCPS schools and overidentifying schools as underperforming and needing external support,” she wrote.

FCPS shares the VDOE’s goal of creating a clear system for measuring student success that aligns our state and federal accountability systems. It is important for the framework to appropriately account for the needs of students with disabilities and multilingual learners across its measures. FCPS has taken an active voice in the state board’s deliberations thus far and will continue to do so until the revised system is finalized. 

I hope you will join me in letting Governor Youngkin and our General Assembly delegation know these changes will hurt public education in Virginia. We welcome scrutiny of our schools and system, but insist that the methods for doing so are fair and accurate.

Also, at its Aug. 29 meeting, the School Board approved the fiscal year-end financial transfer, to include 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.

Take care and please let me know how my office can help you.

IN THIS ISSUE … 

• Focus on Braddock
• Music & Arts
• Neurodiversity News
• More from the School Board
• FCPS News
• Out & About
• Coming Up
• More Stuff Parents Should Know

Focus on Braddock TIME Magazine Kid of the Year

Wow! I knew Fairfax County students are brilliant - and Braddock ones in particular - but this is wild! Woodson High School student and Braddock District resident Heman Bekele has been named TIME Magazine's Kid of the Year! I had the pleasure of speaking with his parent recently and can't wait for the world to learn more about Heman and his incredible desire to benefit humanity. Grab a copy of the magazine if you can; it’s about to become a collector’s item around here!

Solving Problems with the PTA/PTO/PTSA/PTSO Roundtable

Support your school’s parent-teacher organization!

Your school’s volunteer leaders are hard at work planning events and programs, some of which - such as after-care - provide critical support for families. Your membership contribution is important, but so is showing up when more hands are needed. The number one challenge I hear about from school leaders is recruiting and retaining volunteers. So be on the lookout for opportunities and pitch in when you can.

This is just one of the things I learned from PTA/PTO/PTSA/PTSO presidents who took time out to participate in a recent virtual roundtable with me. In addition, we were able to identify a common challenge in understanding and planning around Early Release Mondays in the elementary schools, and I was pleased to be able to get some quick information that helped get things unstuck.

I can’t wait for our next roundtable in October!

New Executive Principals for Region 4 and 5

Please join me in welcoming Kim Greer as the new Executive Principal for Region 4 and Chad Lehman as the new Executive Principal for Region 5 schools.

With more than 25 years of leadership experience in FCPS, Dr. Greer brings an extensive background in education and a proven track record of success to her new role.

Dr. Greer began her career as a middle school English and Social Studies teacher before advancing to leadership roles within FCPS. She has served as assistant principal at Marshall, South Lakes, and Westfield High Schools. In her current role as principal of Langley High School, she has led a diverse community of students and staff, emphasizing academic excellence and student well-being.

Region 4 schools located in the Braddock District are: Bonnie Brae Elementary, Cardinal Forest Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Kings Glen Elementary, Kings Park Elementary, Lake Braddock Secondary, Laurel Ridge Elementary, Oak View Elementary, Ravensworth Elementary, Robinson Secondary, and Terra Centre Elementary.

With more than a decade of leadership experience as a school-based principal in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Mr. Lehman brings an extensive background and a strong record of success to his new role.

Mr. Lehman began his career as a health and physical education teacher in Harrisonburg, Virginia, before joining FCPS in 2001 as a teacher at Chantilly High School. Over the years, he has served students and families in various capacities, including assistant director of student activities, athletic trainer, and instructional specialist. Most recently, Mr. Lehman served as the principal of Centreville High School, where he led a diverse community of 2,500 students and 300 staff members.

Region 5 schools located in the Braddock District are: Canterbury Woods Elementary, Eagle View Elementary, Fairfax Villa Elementary, Little Run Elementary, Olde Creek Elementary, Wakefield Forest Elementary, and Woodson High.

Arts & Music Robinson SS Symphonic Band Hitting the Right Notes

I am so excited to share that the Robinson Secondary School Symphonic Band has been chosen to perform in December 2024 at The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference held annually in Chicago!

This is the second time Robinson has achieved this high honor as they were chosen 30 years ago in 1994. This remarkable accomplishment promotes Fairfax County Schools and their high excellence in the fine arts. Last year, this well-tuned, hard-working band was invited to perform at the prestigious Music For All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis. Parents paid the majority of the expenses in the past.

This year, the band is trying to raise funds for the $70,000 travel and housing costs for the trip. Go here if you're interested in supporting this great cause.

Neurodiversity News Focus on Strengths, Not Deficits

Here’s an eye-opener from Neuroscience News:

“A new study highlights the need to recognize and celebrate the diverse skills of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. The research advocates for a shift in perspective, focusing on strengths such as creativity, resilience, and problem-solving, rather than deficits.

“The study emphasizes that acknowledging these enhanced skills can lead to reduced stigma and better outcomes in education and employment for those with neurodevelopmental conditions. The team’s findings encourage a systematic review to further explore and validate the unique abilities associated with neurodiversity.”

Read More

More from the School Board Upcoming Board & Committee Meetings

• Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
• Monday, Sept. 16, 4:30-6:30 p.m. - Audit Committee
• Thursday, Sept. 19, 7-9 p.m. - Comprehensive Planning Development Committee
• Tuesday, Sept. 24, 3-5 p.m. - Governance Committee
• Thursday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
• Tuesday, Oct. 1, 9-11 p.m. - Public Engagement Committee
• Tuesday, Oct. 1, 3-5 p.m. - Governance Committee

Agendas & Materials | Watch Meetings Live | Meeting Video Archive

Student Leadership Development Program

The School Board is accepting applications for the Student Leadership Development Program, open to any high school freshman, sophomore or junior in good academic standing. The program is for students interested in a future in law, government or public policy. 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.

Program information and application.

FCPS News Cell Phones Off, Learning On

Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact the school’s front office to reach your child during class time. 

Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.

2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, Sept. 30.

Participate in Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Focus Groups Each year, FCPS reviews and updates the SR&R to ensure it reflects our commitment to equity and the goals outlined in our 2023-30 Strategic Plan. This year, we are partnering with K12 Insight to host focus groups.

Staff who work directly with students and parents/caregivers should have received an email from K-12 Insight with information on how to participate in a focus group. Your voice is essential to delivering an SR&R that supports a caring and inclusive climate and culture in every school community. You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R or contact Kathleen Walts, executive director of Equity and Student Relations.

How is FCPS’ New Website Design Working for You?

FCPS recently launched our new website design! Thanks to all who provided feedback on ways to improve the central and school sites when the process started a year ago. We plan to start rolling out redesigned school sites next year. 

Now that our new central website is live, we want to know if it meets your needs. Please take five minutes to tell us what you think in this voluntary, anonymous survey, which closes on Monday, Sept. 16.

Out & About

Fall is almost here and that means there are lots of reasons to be out in the community!

I have a calendar full of Back-to-School nights, plays and musical performances, athletic events, and community festivals to attend. Please say hello if you see me and reach out if there’s something you’d like me to come to or help promote.

Coming Up The Taste of Annandale

One of my favorite NOVA events is on the horizon: The 2024 Taste of Annandale on Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.!

This free, family-friendly festival will be at a new location this year – the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike, and the Annandale Fire Department’s social hall next door. The Taste of Annandale features live music and dance, food trucks, other food vendors, beer and wine, children’s performances and activities, a 5-K race, a chili cook-off, a pet contest, local businesses and organizations, and more.

The Taste of Annandale 5K will start at 9:30 a.m. at the K Market parking lot at 4239 John Marr Drive, Annandale. Register for the 5K here.

More Stuff Parents Should Know Tips from an Expert

I really love this advice that Kings Glen Elementary School Principal Christine Ritter recently shared in the school newsletter. No matter how old the students in your household are, this is a great list!

“Some students may come home and share every detail of their school day. Others may offer more limited responses. Here are some questions that you might ask to learn a little more about their day:

• What made you smile today?

• What’s something new that you got to learn today?

• Who did you talk with today?

• Who’s someone that you helped today?

• What are you most proud of today?

• What’s something that felt difficult today?

• What’s something that you’re looking forward to getting to do again?

• When were you feeling happiest today?
• What’s a "glow" and a "grow" from you day?

FCCPTA Ambassadors Needed

The *NEW* Fairfax County Council PTA Ambassador Program was started in 2020 to foster closer connections with local units. Each of the 23 FCPS pyramids (a high school and all its feeder schools) has an FCCPTA Ambassador who works with the Ambassador Chair to interact with local units by:

• Providing any needed support and guidance,
• Facilitating the exchange of information,
• Keeping local unit PTAs up-to-date on issues affecting FCPS, and
• Passing on VAPTA and National PTA opportunities and news.

For more information or to volunteer, go here.

🙋 Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

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 FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.

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.

© 2023 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Rachna Sizemore Heizer  |  Phone: 571-423-1088

Staff Aide: Bill Farrar, 571-423-1076

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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

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 Get2Green 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

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!

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! 

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 by September 3. 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!

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

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.

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! 

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 (exact dates TBA), where students will meet in-person or virtually every Thursday at a location in central DC (location TBA).

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.

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

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 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

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.

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.

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

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

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• School Year Calendars: 2024-2025 | 2025-2026

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

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

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

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English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Cell Phones Off, Learning On

 

Dear Providence District Families,

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, which essentially states middle school students shall not access their phones during the school day and that high school students may not access their phones during class.

The pilot program is the result of a School Board vote last May that directed the Superintendent to “develop a plan” for a 2024-25 school year “pilot program within each region for secure cell phone storage to include the potential use of classroom cell phone lockers, magnetic pouches, or other similar devices.”

In an effort to better enforce cell phone restrictions and increase student engagement, middle school students in the pilot program will be provided with a pouch to place their phones away for the entire school day, and high school students will be required to put their phones away during class using a storage box or hanging pouch in the classroom.

Whether or not your child’s school is part of the pilot program, you can help ensure they follow the cell phone policy by waiting to call or text them about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact the school’s front office.

Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the parental control settings on your child’s cell phone:

• iPhone Users: Set up Screen Time and Downtime. Screen Time provides a report of how a device is used, while Downtime allows you to block apps and notifications on your child’s iPhone for a specific period of time – like the entire school day.

• Android Users: Set up Screen Time Limits and Downtime. Android phones have similar features, allowing you to limit your child’s use of their Android phone for specific periods of time – again, like the entire school day.

Research continues to show that limiting cell phone use during the school day is crucial for fostering a positive learning environment. Excessive cell phone use not only distracts students from their academic work but also contributes to stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.

By reducing distractions and encouraging greater face-to-face interactions, we can help students stay focused, build stronger social connections, and improve their overall well-being. Together, we can create an atmosphere where every student has the opportunity to thrive—both academically and emotionally.

Thank you for your continued partnership in support of student success.

In service,

Karl Frisch
Chair and Providence Representative
Fairfax County School Board

Providence District Families Newsletter 
Monday, September 9, 2024

This installment of the Providence District Newsletter includes important updates on the following topics:

• Chronic Absenteeism Down 25% – Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
• Don’t Miss Out: Providence Day and Back to School Celebration
• Nominations: Athletic Council Award
• Secondary Grading Policy Under Review
• School Board’s Student Leadership Development Program
• United States Service Academies Application
• Monitor Your Child’s Use of FCPS Devices
• 2024-25 Student Rights and Responsibilities
• Superintendent’s Community Conversations
• Historical Marker Ceremony: Gunnell’s Chapel
• LGBTQ+ Student Advocacy Toolkit
• Food for Others 11th Annual Tysons 5K & Fun Run
• Upcoming School Board Meetings

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

 

Through our collective efforts – personalized outreach, targeted interventions, and a strong commitment to fostering connections with families, FCPS has reduced chronic absenteeism by 25% over the past year — that’s news I was excited to share with WJLA recently. Let’s keep the momentum going!

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.

Don’t Miss Out: Providence Day and Back to School Celebration

Saturday, October 5 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Marshall HS

 

Mark your calendar for the Providence Day and Back to School Celebration! Enjoy food trucks, giveaways and prizes, activities and entertainment for all ages – including an up-close look at Fairfax County fire, rescue, and police vehicles and a visit from an FCPS electric school bus! Join us in celebrating our vibrant, diverse, and welcoming community on Saturday, October 5, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Marshall High School, which is easily accessible by car, bus, or bike. Shuttle services will also run from the Jim Scott Community Center (3001 Vaden Drive) and the James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road).

Nominations: Athletic Council Award 

The Fairfax County Athletic Council is now accepting nominations for the Champions of Character Award. The award will be presented to a female athlete, male athlete, coach, and parent from each magisterial district in Fairfax County.

This award is a high honor and is recognized by top county and school officials, who will be in attendance at the ceremony. Providence district is home to many talented athletes, committed coaches, and devoted parents, so I want to ensure we are represented accordingly!

Nominees can be of any age, from any sport, and at any level. They simply need to have demonstrated respect, responsibility, caring, trustworthiness, citizenship, and fairness. Please submit your nominations as soon as possible – the deadline is September 15!

Secondary Grading Policy Under Review

In July, the School Board directed its Governance Committee to review Policy 2148 concerning secondary grading practices. This followed board members receiving questions from parents and caregivers, students and educators about topics like rigor, consistency, and transparency, as well as expressing a desire to ensure we are following best practices.

Grading is an important aspect of the student experience. Effective assessment evaluates content knowledge and provides constructive feedback for continuous improvement. The impact of grading travels far beyond the confines of the classroom to influence college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and more.

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.

School Board’s Student Leadership Development Program

The School Board is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 Student Leadership Development Program! This is a great opportunity for high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in good academic standing who are interested in pursuing futures in law, government, or public policy.

Selected students will partner with their School Board Member to observe how the school division is governed. They will also learn about the board’s various committees and functions, develop and debate their own policy proposals, and acquire details about the process for running to be Student Representatives on the School Board.

The nine magisterial district School Board Members will each select one student from their respective districts, and the three At-Large Members will select one student each from among all applicants. Interested students must submit applications to their principal before September 30, 2024. Click here for more information about the program or to submit your application.

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.

Monitor Your Child’s Use of FCPS Devices

FCPS provides tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on FCPS devices. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service. Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which provides a list of the top sites their child visited and offers the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

2024-25 Student Rights and Responsibilities 

The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document details expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.

Parents and caregivers should talk to their children about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30.

Participate in SR&R Focus Groups

Each year, FCPS reviews the SR&R to ensure it reflects our commitment to equity and the goals outlined in our 2023-30 Strategic Plan. To that end, FCPS is providing parents and caregivers, students, and staff opportunities to lend their voices to the annual review.

The Office of the Chief Equity Officer is partnering with K12 Insight to host SR&R focus groups. All middle and high school students, current FCPS parents and caregivers, school-based staff, and central office staff who work with students will receive an invitation to attend a focus group.

If you have a question about the SR&R Focus Groups, please contact Kathleen Walts, Executive Director of Equity and Student Relations: [email protected]

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, September 9, at Holmes Middle School – Register to Attend
• Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
• Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle

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.

Historical Marker Ceremony: Gunnell’s Chapel

 

In 2021, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board initiated a joint Historical Marker Project to help ensure students have access to a more comprehensive and inclusive telling of Fairfax County’s diverse history. During its initial year, students focused on elevating the histories of Black/African American residents in Fairfax County. I was honored to introduce the initiative with Providence Supervisor Dalia Palchik.

Earlier this summer, the first historical marker installation stemming from the project was dedicated to local civil rights activist Lillian Blackwell at Oakton High School. Mrs. Blackwell and her son were plaintiffs in a 1959 lawsuit that led to the integration of Fairfax County’s public schools.

The second of six historical markers will be installed at Clemyjontri Park on Saturday, September 21, at 11:00 a.m., celebrating the legacy of Gunnell’s Chapel, which provided a place for Black people to congregate and Black children to learn. Gunnell’s Chapel was an act of resistance and self-determination as Black communities sought to empower themselves in the face of systemic racism, exclusion, and discrimination.

LGBTQ+ Student Advocacy Toolkit

The ACLU of Virginia has launched an interactive toolkit “for LGBTQ+ students, parents, educators, and allies dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights in Virginia’s K-12 public schools” and to help ensure “all youth, including LGBTQ+ youth” have access “to safe, affirming and inclusive school environments.” For more information, visit the toolkit online.

Food for Others 11th Annual Tysons 5K & Fun Run

The 2024 Food for Others Tysons 5k & Fun Run is on Saturday, September 28, at 8:00 a.m. at Tysons Corner Center Mall Plaza. REGISTER TODAY and help support Food for Others, which distributes food to our neighbors in need by mobilizing our giving community and volunteers. 

Food for Others is an important part of Northern Virginia’s food insecurity safety net, serving over 3,000 families and 3,900 children a week through the Power Pack Program, which provides weekend meals to roughly 3,800 students at 44 Fairfax County schools during the school year. The weekend meal pack helps alleviate a child’s hunger and allows them to come to school on Monday morning fed, focused, and ready to learn.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Upcoming School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming School Board Work Session (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.

All meetings are broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. Meetings are also recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS YouTube channel. Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at regular meetings or public hearings.

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.

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Karl Frisch  |  Phone: 571-423-1084 

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Welcome Back To School! Message from Ilryong Moon

Welcome back to school for the 2024-2025 academic year! I hope you all had a wonderful summer break! As we start this new chapter together, I wish you the best of luck in starting it off on the right foot. Speaking of new beginnings, I recently had the chance to visit Korea for two weeks.

Whenever I travel abroad. I try to meet with other educators there and learn from and share with them. While in Korea this time, I learned that one of the biggest worries they shared was the declining enrollment across the country due to a low birth rate.

Sadly, this was also affecting the number and caliber of students choosing teaching as a career. Korea has for many years prided itself for having the very top college graduates going into teaching; but, that is now at risk.

Recruiting and retaining high-quality educators is a challenge they're facing, just like many other countries, including our own, are addressing.

Despite advancements in technology, including AI, I firmly believe that teachers play an irreplaceable role in the classroom. They are the ones who truly inspire and guide students. Their dedication, guidance, and inspiration are invaluable.

I would like to extend my gratitude to our teachers and staff for opening another year of school in a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for our students. 

As we enter autumn, the season of harvest, I'm looking forward to watching our students and teachers grow and succeed together. Let's make this year one to remember!

Best,

Ilryong Moon

Click to watch Ilryong Moon's Back To School Video Message

Find your Back To School Info Here

All Back to School dates are listed on the individual school websites and each Region website. 

Region 1 Back to School Night

Region 2 Back to School Night

Region 3 Back to School Night

Region 4 Back to School Events

Region 5 Back to School Events

Region 6 Back to School Events

TJHSST Back to School

School Year Calendars

2024-2025 | 2025-2026

Cell Phone Storage Pilot

In today's world, information is readily available at our fingertips, and smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. I understand that some students and families may initially feel reluctant to give up their mobile phones during class. However, I am confident that this pilot program will enhance students' focus and engagement during class. I am hopeful that it will bring positive results for our students in the years to come.

The policy for middle schools is as follows: Cell phones are prohibited from being used at any time between the first and last bells. This is referred to as a bell-to-bell ban. An exception to this rule is made for students with approved accommodations (i.e., medical, IEPs, and 504s).

In high schools, the policy is as follows: Cell phones are permitted during lunch, in the halls between periods, and in class with the express written authorization of the principal or a designee, provided that such use is necessary for academic purposes. Please note that students with approved accommodations (i.e., medical, IEPs, and 504s) are exempt from this rule.

Participating Schools

Middle Schools                                                 High Schools

Frost Middle School                                           Edison High School

Irving Middle School                                          Falls Church High School

Jackson Middle School                                      Justice High School

Poe Middle School                                             Lewis High School

Robinson Middle School                                    Madison High School

Thoreau Middle School                                      McLean High School

Twain Middle School                                          Robinson High School

                                                                           Westfield High School

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.

For more information on the pilot program, click here.

Student Leadership Program: Applications Now 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 the Student Leadership Development Program. This unique program offers students the opportunity to work closely with School Board members and learn firsthand about how FCPS is governed.

Program Highlights:

• Hands-on Experience: Participate in various School Board advisory committees and even seek election as the student representative on the Board.
• Leadership Development: Attend and participate in group orientation, School Board meetings, mock forums, and work sessions.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with School Board members and other community leaders.

Application Process:

1. Obtain Application: Applications are available on the FCPS website under the School Board.
2. Submit Application: Submit the application, program requirements form, and a one-page statement of interest to your principal by September 30, 2024.
3. Principal Submission: Principals will submit applications to the School Board Office by October 15, 2024.

Selection Process:

• School Board Selection: 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.
• Notifications: 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!

Photo with Ryan, his father Alan and I

Aspiring young geographer Ryan Minton

In August, Ryan Minton from Langley High School achieved an admirable top-12 finish at the prestigious 2024 International Geography Championships in Vienna, Austria. The competition included students from 21 states, 16 countries, and Hong Kong. We met and talked. Ryan expressed a deep interest in geography.  We even talked about the size of Korea as compared to Virginia, and to my amazement, he knew about the Sejong Special Self-Governing City launched in 2012. Ryan and his father Alan kindly brought a U.S.-ROK flag pin to share with me. 

Ryan mentioned a possibility of inviting me to speak at the Langley World Affairs Club. I will be delighted to share my insights with the club if invited.

Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) (Seeking Appointee)

There are 13 members on FPAC, one representing each of the nine magisterial district School Board Members, three representing at-large School Board Members, and one representing the City of Fairfax School Board. FPAC members serve three-year terms and meet twice monthly in the evening during the school year. The appointment for my At-Large vacant FPAC seat will end on June 30, 2026, with the opportunity to be re-appointed for a full three-year term. For more information about the FPAC, click here.

Upcoming School Board Business & Meetings

Broadcast & open to the public:

• September 10, 10:30am - School Board All-day Work Session
• September 12, 7:00pm - School Board Regular Meeting

School Board Regular Meetings and Work Sessions are broadcast live and available to the public on several platforms:

• FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11),
• FCPS YouTube Channel, and
• FCPS website

If you miss the live broadcast of any School Board Meeting or Work Session, you can also watch archived broadcasts:

• FCPS YouTube channel (English), and 
• FCPS en Español YouTube channel (dubbed in Spanish)

** Dates & times are subject to change. Please check the 2024 School Board Annual Work Calendar for the latest information **

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

Contact: Ilryong Moon | 571-423-1089

Staff Aide: Sarah Park | 571-502-5386

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September 5, 2024

The latest issue of the Special Education and 504 Newsletter is now available.

Topics in this issue include:

• IEP Information to Start the Year
• Section 504 - Start the Year Strong
• Extended School Year (ESY) Assessment
• Cardinal Care: Free Health Coverage for Kids
• Accessibility in FCPS
• Credit Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
• FCPS Therapy Services
• Special Education Teacher Support Program
• Adapted Physical Education
• Assistive Technology Services
• Adapted Curriculum Program
• Career and Transitions Services
• Early Childhood Special Education Identification and Services - Child Find
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Behavior Intervention Services
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education Services: Service Delivery Options
• Neurodiversity Equity in FCPS

Office of Special Education Instruction

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English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Mason District Community,

School is back in session and I hope your students have had a fantastic first two weeks. Open houses were busy and well-attended in the Mason District as families and students met their teachers and toured their schools and classrooms. Back to school nights have begun which provides another opportunity for parents to gather in-depth information about the curriculum, grading and school practices. Many schools also have the Family Life Curriculum on display, so be sure to review those materials to determine your child's participation by completing the opt out form.

Students are now engaged in a full slate of activity from settling into this year’s curriculum to participating in senior sunrise breakfasts and fall sports. Please be sure to register your middle school student for cross country and for after-school programming. Elementary schools have been provided funding to establish Math and Science Olympiad enrichment opportunities in which our families are looking forward to having their students participate. 

I value the input I receive from the Mason Community and am happy to address questions or concerns via email or phone. You can reach me by email at [email protected]. If you are interested in scheduling a phone call, please reach out to my assistant, Cristy Coffey, at [email protected] to arrange a time.

First Day of School 2024 in the Mason District

Included in this issue:

School Board Work Updates   •Legislative Program •Routines and Homework Help •VDOE Accreditation/Accountability •Fentanyl Awareness •Secondary Grading Practices   •FY 2024 Year-end Review Opportunities   •SR&R Stakeholder Engagement FCPS News •TJHSST Information Session •Lightspeed Parent Report •Student Leadership Development  •Consent to Share Information •Community Conversations w/ Dr. Reid •Cell Phone Storage Pilot •Basketball Clinic •Bus and Traffic Safety •2024 Congressional App Challenge •Bus Delay Information •Bailey's Center Renaming/Dedication •Safety Drills and Safety Training •LWV Youth Council •Pacing Guides •Upcoming School Board Meetings School Board Work Updates Legislative Program

Each year, the School Board updates its legislative program to inform state and federal public officials and the community of its positions regarding various legislative policies and budgetary issues.

These statements speak to a number of regulations that impact the work of the school division, its students and staff. For example, a long-standing federal position (page 14) requests that the federal government address the chronic underfunding of special education by fulfilling its stated commitment to fund 40% of the costs of special education programs. Since the adoption of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975, the federal government has only funded approximately 9 - 12% of special education costs.   

In the FY 2025 Budget, FCPS expects to receive just over $41M in IDEA funding. That allocation covers only 9.5% of special education costs in FCPS.  At the 40% funding level, FCPS would have received an additional $127.9M in FY25.

During this period in which the state will be revising the accreditation and accountability program, in section T, the School Board outlines its support for an accountability program based on a system of balanced measures of student achievement, student academic progress, engagement, and outcomes toward college and workforce readiness goals.

During the August 27th work session, the FCPS Office of Government Relations (OGR) presented the draft of the 2025 state and federal legislative positions that covers topics such as:

• Educational Technology: support for artificial intelligence (AI) regulations and ethical use standards that provide appropriate safeguards against misuse but that do not overly restrict local school division flexibility to leverage the educational and instructional promise of this emerging technology. 
• English Learners: support for additional funding resources for the provision of appropriate academic and English language instructional programs and supports, including reduced classroom staffing ratios, and for appropriate content area and language proficiency assessments for English learners.
• Student Safety: supports for additional local authority and flexibility to address traffic and pedestrian safety issues in and around school zones, including flexibility in setting speed limits, the use of speed cameras, or other traffic calming measures.
• Teachers and Instructional Personnel: support for dedicating state resources to assist local participation in Virginia’s planned implementation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Next Generation Identification (NGI) Noncriminal Justice Rap Back Service.

Final action by the Board is expected at the September 26th regular business meeting. Please review the full agenda and share your comments with me.

VDOE Accreditation and Accountability

The Governor’s appointed State Board of Education voted Wednesday, August 28, 2024 to change the established standards that measure school and student performance. The new plan which is still under development is referred to as the Virginia School Performance and Support Framework.

The proposed revisions include:

• New summative performance category indicators: Distinguished, On-track, Off-track and Needs Intensive Support;
• New Performance Components: Mastery, Growth and Readiness with varying weighting for elementary, middle and high schools;

A significant concern of this plan is the timeline that will require students for whom English is a second language (English Language Learners/Multilingual) to demonstrate proficiency in various areas within three semesters of instruction instead of the previous allocation of 11 semesters. This means that students learning English will have 270 days to perform proficiently in a new language. This approach is inconsistent with research which purports that more time is needed to master a new language.

Please review a summary of the revisions as presented to the School Board on August 27th.

At this time, the State Board is expected to adopt a final revised performance and support framework later this month, pending U.S. Education Department approval of the proposed Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan. 

It is important to note that the current 2017 Standards of Accreditation will be used when reporting school outcomes in fall 2024, based on data from school year 2023-24. The new system will not be fully in effect until its initial outcomes are reported out in fall 2025, based on data from the current 2024-25 school year.

Like all school divisions in Virginia, FCPS continues to evaluate the new state directives in anticipation for implementation in the next school year. Options are limited to counteract this change at this time; however, you can support our public schools in these ways:

1. Provide feedback to the VDOE during the final comment period which ends on September 25, 2024.
2. Contact your state elected officials to share your concerns and request their help. You can locate your state elected officials by entering your address into My Neighborhood and viewing the results on the left side of the page.
3. Share information about what is happening with your community members and networks. 
4. Review forthcoming information from FCPS.

Secondary Grading Practices

Grading is an important aspect of the student experience. Effective assessment evaluates content knowledge and provides constructive feedback for continuous improvement. The impact of grading travels beyond FCPS classrooms to influence college admission and scholarship opportunities etc. It is with this gravity that I approach the School Board's work on the grading policy.  

The School Board’s Governance Committee will be working on revisions to Policy 2418. It is my hope that the final version will reflect research-based practices, increase clarity for staff to facilitate implementation and provide consistency for our students. Grading and assessment practices should be transparent, predictable and consistently applied across our schools. 

Please review the grading policy and share your feedback. You are also invited to observe the Governance Committee’s work on this topic during these times: 

• September 24 at 3 p.m.
• October 1 at 3 p.m.
• October 15 at 3 p.m.
• October 29 at 3 p.m.

The meetings will be held at the Gatehouse Administration Center and broadcast live on the FCPS School Board YouTube channel. The meetings are recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

FY 2024 Year-end Review

On August 29th, the School Board approved the FY 2024 Final Budget Review Summary of the year-end funds. At the conclusion of the fiscal year, unspent funds available totaled $92.3M. These funds are primarily from increased revenue (such as $8.0 in tuition and fees - see page 2) and carryover (such as fuel reserve $2.0M).

In addition to a set aside for the Fiscal Year 2026 beginning balance in the amount of $28.1M, the School Board approved the allocation of the funds to the following as one-time expenditures:

• Special Education Extended Day contracts ($24.2M). These funds will be used to extend the contracts of special education teachers by an additional 30 minutes each day for one year (see page 3).
• $16.0M will be used for staffing reserve of 140 positions to account for the fluctuations between the projected and actual student enrollment. This reserve ensures the division has the funding to hire additional staff as needed to address student enrollment increases.
• Other planned expenditures include $7.1M for major maintenance to address the backlog of maintenance projects, $4.5M for incentive and bonuses for substitutes, $3.5M to upgrade the current mobile data terminals for the FCPS buses, $3.0M for strategies to close the achievement gap, $2.0M for security vestibules, $1.3M for the ERFC DROP program, $0.8M for athletic expansion, $0.7M for elementary school early release Mondays; $0.5M for softball field upgrades; $0.5M for middle school late buses, and $0.2M for the Woodson High School renaming. 

FCPS News Lightspeed Parent Report

FCPS has provided tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites their child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

Free and Reduced Lunch and Consent to Share Information

Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications are available online! Click the language link in the top right for seven additional language options for this form.

If your children are eligible for the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) program, they may also qualify for FCPS fee waivers or additional benefits. Be sure to also complete the Consent to Share Information for Benefits for Other Programs form. This form is available in seven languages from the FRM webpage.

Families at schools participating in the CEP program (free meals for all students) will need to complete an income eligibility form to determine eligibility for fee waivers and other benefits.

Cell Phone Storage Pilot

On July 9, 2024, Governor Youngkin issued Executive Order #33 requiring public school districts to adopt policies banning cell phones in class by January 2025. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has posted the proposed policy around cell phone use in schools and provided opportunity for public comment.  The final guidance is expected by September 16. 

The VDOE proposal recommends the following:

• High School: students “should not have an easily available cell phone or personal electronic communication device during the bell-to-bell school day. Outside of the bell-to-bell instructional time, cell phones and personal electronic communication devices may be used on a high school campus before or after school.” 
• Middle School: students “should not have an easily available cell phone or personal electronic communication device during the bell-to-bell school day. School divisions should establish local policies that determine cell phone and personal electronic communication device use within the school building or on school grounds outside of bell-to-bell, including before and after school.”
• Elementary School: “the phone must be stored, off, and away from the student during the school day.  It should not be used in the school building or on the school grounds before or after school.”

However, during the School Board meeting on May 9th, the School Board directed the Superintendent to "develop a plan for consideration by the Board, for a 2024-25 school year pilot program within each region for secure cell phone storage to include the potential use of classroom cell phone lockers, magnetic pouches, or other similar devices," which resulted in the current cell phone storage pilot at middle and high schools.

In an effort to increase student engagement during instruction, middle school students will be provided with a pouch to place their phones away for the entire school day and high school students will be required to put their phones away during the class period using a storage box or hanging pouch in the classroom.

Cell Phone Storage Box and Hanging Pouch System - High School Pilot

Please review additional information and provide feedback to the Cell Phone Policy and the Cell Phone Storage Pilot program.

What can parents/caregivers do to help?

If your child has an iPhone, follow these steps to set up Screen Time and Downtime. Screen Time provides a report of how a device is used, while Downtime blocks apps and notifications for a specific period of time.

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Screen Time
3. Tap Turn On Screen Time
4. If the device is for a child, tap This is My Child's iPhone
5. Select the child's name
6. Tap Turn On Screen Time again
7. Tap Turn on Restrictions (customizable)

 

After this initial setup or if you have used Screen Time previously, follow these steps to schedule time away from the screen:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Screen Time
3. Tap App & Website Activity
4. Tap Turn on App & Website Activity
5. Tap Downtime
6. Move the Scheduled toggle switch to the right to turn it on
7. Tap Every Day or Customize Days and set Time
8. Select the apps you want available during Downtime

There are several tools that allow some apps to be available at all times such as calls and messages. You may also elect to limit the time spent on specific apps. Be sure to set the passcode that is not shared to protect your selections.

You can also use Family Sharing to set up Screen Time for a child's device from your own device. Family Sharing allows you to view reports and adjust settings remotely.

Bus and Traffic Safety

Fairfax County has over 1,600 school buses operating daily. Drivers must stop in both directions when encountering a stopped school bus, unless a median separates the lanes. Failing to stop is a criminal offense. There will soon be 50 bus camera systems installed to issue citations to offenders. This initiative aims to protect students by changing driver behavior.

Additionally, school zones have reduced speed limits, and speeding will result in penalties. The Fairfax County Speed Camera Pilot Program resulted in a countywide expansion, with 50 additional cameras to be distributed between school and work zones in FY 2024 and 30 more planned for FY 2025.

Please also be sure to follow the directions of school crossing guards. Review the road rules for school buses, school zones, and crossing guards.

Bus Delay Information

If a bus is delayed, parents/caregivers may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus Mobile App to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce bus delays of 30 minutes or more. Visit the Transportation Services contact webpage for a list of contacts regarding transportation questions.

Please update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to ensure receipt of email messages about bus delays. 

Safety Drills and Safety Training Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is our priority. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools must also notify parents and caregivers at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools do not have to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance. 

By law, the first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students do not participate in the first lockdown drill. 

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with them about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your student before and after school lockdown drills.

Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First

If you or your child have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security has a safety tip line that you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; Keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone (571-423-2020).

If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.

Students, staff, parents/caregivers, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.

If you have concerns about programs, regulations, policies or other topics that do not impact the safety of our schools, please contact the FCPS Ombuds at 571-423-4014 or [email protected].

Pacing Guides

FCPS provides online access to the curriculum for each core subject area to provide families with an overview of what students are learning and when they are learning it.

With just a few clicks, parents and caregivers will be able to access each grade level or course page which will include the objectives and outcomes for each unit, and the pacing by quarter and by week.

Routines for Success and Homework Help

The new school year usually requires a routine adjustment for the family. Fairfax County offers some helpful tips and tricks for back-to-school routine success. 

The Fairfax County Library has resources to help students with their homework, projects, studying, and more. Check out the library’s Homework Resources homepage to view the full list. 

Fentanyl Awareness

All Virginia public schools are required to distribute this Fentanyl Education and Awareness Informational One-Pager to all students in grades 9-12 within the first two weeks of the 2024-2025 school year.

Opportunities Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) - Stakeholder Engagement

During the month of September, the Chief Equity Office will be hosting two focus groups; each group will have a separate topic: 

Focus Group #1 - SR&R Practices. During this session, staff will gather feedback from school staff and administrators on September 10 and from middle and high school students and FCPS parents and caregivers on September 11.  

Focus Group #2 - Clarity of Enforcement - During this session, staff will gather feedback from school staff and administrators and from middle and high school students on September 25 and from FCPS parents and caregivers on September 26.

Parents/caregivers should have received an email from K12 Insight with information on how to participate in a focus group. School-based and central office staff who work directly with students, and middle and high school students have also been invited to participate.  

Your voice is essential to delivering an SR&R that supports a caring and inclusive climate and culture in every school community. If you have questions, you can submit them on our website or contact Kathleen Walts, executive director of Equity and Student Relations.

The data gathered during these sessions will be synthesized and included into the report due to the Board on November 1, 2024.

TJHSST Information Session

Do you have a student who is interested in applying for enrollment at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) next year? Would you and/or your student like to learn more about TJHSST? Representatives from TJHSST will be at Glasgow Middle School on September 11th from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to present on the programming/curriculum and application process in our lecture hall. All are welcome. 

Student Leadership Development Program

The School Board is accepting applications for the Student Leadership Development Program, open to any high school freshman, sophomore, or junior in good academic standing. The program is for students interested in a future in law, government or public policy. Twelve students will be chosen to work closely with the School Board to observe how FCPS is governed. 

The Student Leaders attend and participate in:

• Group Orientation (December 2024)
• School Board Forum or Committee Meeting (January – March 2025) 
• School Board Work Session (January – March 2025) 
• Mock Forum (Spring 2025)
• Mock Work Session (Spring 2025) 
• Program Completion Ceremony (June 2025)

Applications for this year’s program are available on the FCPS website. Students should submit the brief application, program requirements form, and one-page statement of interest to their principals by September 30, 2024. Principals will submit applications to the School Board Office by October 15, 2024. Each School Board member will select one student from their magisterial district, and the at-large members will select one student from all the applications received. The selected student leaders and remaining applicants will be notified by email by November 15, 2024. 

Community Conversations with Dr. Reid

Take advantage of the opportunity to share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS with Superintendent Reid. The first conversation is scheduled at Holmes Middle School on September 9th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Registration is not required. But helps with planning for language interpretation and child care.

September 9th at 6:30 p.m. at Holmes Middle School 

Additional locations and dates are posted on the Community Conversations webpage and included below. 

• Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary School
• Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School
• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary School
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School

Basketball Clinic

The Justice HS boys basketball coaching staff and varsity players are hosting a fall basketball clinic for boys and girls in grades 5-8.

Registration is open for the September 14th clinic. 

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.

Bailey's Community Center Renaming & Dedication

Attend the renaming and dedication ceremony for the Minnie H. Peyton Community Center at Bailey’s (formerly Bailey’s Community Center) on September 14 at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be followed by a reception and tours of the facility.

League of Women Voters (LWV) Youth Council

The LWV Youth Council is open to ages 16-21. Their goal is to introduce young people to the programs and projects of the League that will benefit our youth and local communities.

Projects of Youth Council members may include:

• Assisting with local leagues voter registration.
• Social media videos, graphics
• GOTV on their campus at their schools
• Pre-registration of 16-year-olds and registration of young people
• Conduct youth candidate forums in conjunction with their local or State League.
• Website update – they will have a page on the website to share information
• Visits to legislators during Session – learning the legislative process – and helping with advocacy.
• Partner with youth groups that are working with our partner organizations
• Outreach to other youth groups regarding the League
• Assist with ongoing programs for which we may need assistance on state level.

Find more information and the application on the LWV webpage.

Contact Erni Bridges at [email protected] with any questions.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• September 12, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
• September 26, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• September 10, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.
• September 24, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (tentative)

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

Would you like to share your ideas and concerns with the School Board and staff?  Register HERE to speak at a regular meeting or public hearing.

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.

We are cognizant of the significant language needs of the Mason District and I will continue to advocate for their availability and inclusion.

@masonfcps

@MasonDistrictSB

@masondistrictsb

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Ricardy Anderson |  Phone: 571-423-1083 | Twitter

Cristy Coffey, Executive Admin Assistant, 571-423-1064, [email protected]

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Mathematics Teacher Rylee Bly uses a whiteboard to teach a lesson at Justice High School.

🍼 How to Apply for Paid Parental Leave

Benefit-eligible employees who have worked with FCPS for at least 12 months can apply to receive eight weeks of paid leave for childbirth, adoption, or foster placement.

To apply, you must submit a Request for Paid Parental Leave form through StaffConnect and provide the appropriate required documentation (e.g. birth certificate, letter of live birth, adoption decree, custody paperwork, etc.). Requests submitted more than 30 calendar days after the birth, adoption, or placement will not be approved.

For questions or assistance, contact the Disability and Leaves team in the Office of Benefit Services via StaffConnect. Choose “Leaves and disability benefits question” from the dropdown list in StaffConnect or call 571-423-3200, option 2.

Congratulations on Expanding Your Family!

The Office of Benefit Services offers workshops to help employees plan and prepare for childbirth and childcare-related leaves (maternity, paternity, adoption, etc.). Participants will learn about FCPS leave benefits, such as Paid Parental Leave (PPL) and leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. 

Additionally, they will learn about their disability benefits, receive a Preparing for Your Absence packet, and be able to ask questions at the end of the presentation. Expectant Parent Workshops are open to all employees and are planned for the following dates and times: 

• Wednesday, September 25, 4-5 p.m.

• Monday, October 14, 10-11 a.m.

• Thursday, November 14, 4-5 p.m.

• Tuesday, December 10, 4-5 p.m.

To register for a session, log in to MyPDE, and search Expectant Parent Workshop.

🎤 Employee Conversations With Dr. Reid

Your voice matters and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! The first Employee Conversation with Dr. Reid is planned for Thursday, September 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m., at Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. Register for this event. 

Registration links for other events planned for this fall will be shared in a future issue of Employee News. Registration is not required but helps with planning. 

These events are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. You may reach out to Dr. Reid anytime by submitting a question via the superintendent’s webpage or emailing [email protected].

☎️ Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First

If you have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, FCPS’ Office of Safety and Security has a safety tip line that you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone at 571-423-2020.

If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.

Students, staff, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.

If you have concerns about programs, regulations, policies, or other topics that do not impact the safety of our schools, please contact the FCPS ombuds online, at 571-423-4014, or [email protected].

🖥️ How Is FCPS’ New Website Design Working for You?

FCPS recently launched our new website design! Thanks to all of you who provided feedback on ways to improve the central and school sites when we started this process last fall. We plan to start rolling out redesigned school sites next year. 

Now that our new central website is live, we are checking to see if it meets your needs. Please take five minutes to tell us what you think in this optional survey, which closes on Monday, September 16.

Responses will be anonymous. Thank you for your time. 

🙋 Understanding the Reasons for Student Absences

Understanding why a student is chronically absent can help form a better partnership between a school and its teachers, and the student and their family. 

Attendance Works offers a worksheet to help guide your thinking as you try to pinpoint what is leading to a specific student’s absenteeism. The worksheet can help teachers and school staff better understand what support systems might be needed for that student. Understanding the root cause of absenteeism helps find the best chance for improving school attendance and performance.

Virginia Ed Strategies CHOICE Program Grants for Teachers

The Virginia Ed Strategies CHOICE Program is open to pre-K-12 teachers across Virginia who teach math, science, computer science, or Career and Technical Education courses. Each participant will have access to up to $2,000 for professional learning opportunities of their choice. The CHOICE Cohort 2 Flyer has more information. Teachers can apply by filling out the CHOICE Cohort 2 Interest Form. Visit the Virginia Ed Strategies website to see how others have used their grant funds.

Go Team FCPS!

In her latest Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid reviews a week of meetings with school, community, and business leaders, who all work hard to help our students succeed. 

Dr. Reid also shared edits and updates that the Virginia Board of Education has adopted to Virginia’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). 

Read Weekly Reflections to learn more.

📝 Keep C.A.L.M. and Choose Accessible Learning Materials

FCPS Keep C.A.L.M. and Choose Accessible Learning Materials is a digital accessibility campaign spearheaded by the Office of Special Education Instruction that can help you:

• Learn how to use, choose, and create accessible resources. 
• Implement inclusive technology. 
• Use accessibility features in core tools and basal resources to support all learners.

This campaign supports our implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by ensuring multiple means of representation, engagement, action, and expression. 

FCPS staff are invited to learn about accessibility through weekly tips via:

• Schoology Groups: secondary curriculum (DTZN-7MWD-NR6BK), elementary curriculum (5DKP-BPGK-6FMRP), special education (2X9V-8QMW-C7MW8), and/or adapted curriculum (C6FC-J75W-RG788)
• Conversations on Accessible Learning Materials Zoom chat
• Newsletters: School-Based Technology Specialists, Library Services, Assistive Technology Services, and Department of Special Services
• X (formerly Twitter): @accessible_fcps

Join the campaign and earn stickers and prizes! Let us know what you think in Zoom or this Google form. 

If you would like to receive direct emails with C.A.L.M. Updates or have an idea for other places to share, please fill out the Google Form or email your request to [email protected]. We're excited to help you Keep C.A.L.M. and Choose Accessible Learning Materials!

🎨 FCPS CARES Recipients Touches the Hearts of Students

FCPS CARES is an opportunity for parents/caregivers, staff, and community members to recognize employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. One of the CARES of the Month recipients for May is Matthew Ravenstahl, an art teacher at South Lakes, pictured above with a student in his inclusive art class. 

“Matt’s ability to share his love of art has extended beyond the typical and touched the hearts of our special needs children,” a parent said in nominating him. “Before starting in Matt’s art class, our [son] had sensory problems and did not like the feel of sticky or gooey materials. Now, he does not mind working with different textured materials and he is producing artwork displayed at local community centers. Our son’s future has more options because of Dr. Ravenstahl.”

Congratulations to Matt, and the other FCPS CARES of the Month recipients:

• Jaime Villamarin Perdomo, Stonecroft Transportation Center.
• Rachel Baxter and Krissy Ronan, Marshall High School.
• Ana Mack, Sandburg Middle School.
• Ryan Nigro, Kings Park Elementary School.
• Mike Gerber, Westbriar Elementary School.
• Jackie Lake, Braddock Elementary School.

Read about all the recipients.

✨ 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 in 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.

Fairfax County Pass Rates for State Tests

At last week’s School Board meeting Dr. Reid presented information on FCPS’ annual pass rates for the Standards of Learning (SOL) and Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) tests in the Academic Matters segment (video). FCPS continues to outperform the state average in all subjects.

View data from the “Annual Pass Rates on SOL and VAAP Tests” graphic (above) in an accessible format. View the presentation slides.

Employee Use of Social Media Regulation

Regulation 7004 includes definitions and rules for official, professional, and personal social media accounts of FCPS employees. 

Official social media accounts represent an FCPS school, department, office, building, program, athletic team, leadership position/title (such as principal or superintendent), or other entity.

Professional social media accounts are employee accounts used for official FCPS business, such as sharing photos of students in class, posting school news and stories, or publishing athletic team information.

FCPS official and professional social media accounts: 

• ✅ Are only for FCPS business, such as sharing photos/videos of classes/students.
• ❌ Never post photos featuring students with opt-outs on file. Blurring or covering a child’s face is NOT acceptable.
• ❌ Never post, share, or like inappropriate content.
• ❌ Never block/ban users or hide/delete comments unless they violate the FCPS Social Media Disclaimer.
• ❌ Never post student schoolwork without parent/caregiver permission.

Personal social media accounts should not be used to conduct or communicate about FCPS business. These accounts:

• ✅ Must always be kept separate from Official and Professional accounts.
• ❌ Never post photos/videos of students or their work without opt-in parent permission.

For additional guidance and examples, see the Social Media Guidelines for FCPS Employees.

📰 FCPS Online Classifieds Free for Employees

Looking to sell your old guitar or share a ride to work? The FCPS Online Classifieds system — available to employees only and found on the Hub — is a free way to post ads for personally owned items to buy, sell, or give away. It's also a great tool to find a roommate or rent real estate. 

FCPS' Online Classifieds system is completely self-service and allows employees to post new ads, or update or renew existing ads at any time. View rules and frequently asked questions. For more information, contact Andy Grunig.

FCPS Statement on Nondiscrimination: Americans With Disabilities Policy Notice

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, Title IX, and pregnancy), marital status, religion, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information in its programs and activities. These protections apply to students, employees, and other members of the public.

FCPS also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. FCPS is committed to equal access and equal opportunity in all services and employment; to include its policies, complaint process, program accessibility, religious accommodations, and other Equal Employment Opportunity matters. FCPS prohibits retaliation against individuals who report allegations of discrimination, file a formal complaint, or participate in the investigative process.

Compliance is coordinated by the directors of the following:

• Office of Employee Relations, Department of Human Resources, regarding equal employment opportunity, discrimination, and sexual harassment issues. Find contact information on their website.
• Office of Special Education Procedural Support, Department of Special Services, 571-423-4290, regarding programs and activities for students with disabilities.

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August 29th Board Meeting Recap

Dear Providence District Families,

First, I hope you and your families are enjoying a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend. This year’s celebration holds particular significance as Fairfax County Public Schools has taken a historic step forward by approving collective bargaining for our employees for the first time in nearly half a century. This milestone reflects our commitment to supporting our dedicated educators and staff, ensuring their voices are heard, and strengthening our school community as a whole. As we celebrate this Labor Day, let us recognize the labor movement and the hard work and dedication of all those who contribute to making our schools a place of excellence for every student.

Last Thursday, the School Board held its first Regular Meeting of the new school year (agenda | video). We discussed and considered several important items, including new annual pass rate data for VAAP and SOL tests. As I noted in my remarks on the subject, I was dismayed during the first week of school when the Governor held a press conference about the data before providing it to local school systems. It was especially troubling that he misrepresented Fairfax County’s writing and social studies scores and ignored the fact that we continue to lead the Commonwealth in math, science, and reading.

In addition to discussing new VAAP and SOL data, the School Board also approved important financial year 2024 year-end investments, 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.

Earlier in the week, the School Board met for an all-day Work Session (agenda | video), to discuss several topics, including:

• State and Federal Legislative Program (presentation): Each year, the School Board adopts a set of legislative priorities to inform local, state, and federal public officials and others of its positions on legislative policy and budget issues of potential importance to the Fairfax County Public Schools community.

• VBOE Accreditation and Accountability Changes (presentation): The Virginia Board of Education has revised its regulations for establishing standards for accrediting public schools. The School Board discussed the various changes under consideration and potential impacts on Fairfax County Public Schools.

• Grading Policy and Practices for Secondary Students (presentation): In anticipation of the School Board’s Governance Committee considering revisions to the secondary grading policy, the School Board discussed priorities, current practices, and recent changes.

As always, you are welcome to attend School Board meetings (schedule) and register to share your thoughts with us during community participation at Regular Meetings and Public Hearings (sign-up).

Karl Frisch
Chair and Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Local Investments
• Financial Year 2024 Year-End Investments
• Academic Matters: New SOL Data
• Superintendent Performance Review
• National Anthem
• Board Matters: Providence District Update
• Upcoming Meetings

LOCAL INVESTMENTS

• Madison High School Tennis Courts: The board approved a $97,625 contract to complete the refurbishment of five tennis courts at Madison High School – a project already underway – after it was found the ground beneath the courts was very soft and would sink due to the pressure of the paving equipment on its surface (details).
• Fairfax High School Press Box: The board awarded a $490,000 contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the construction and installation of a new press box at the school’s stadium. Funding for the project will be provided by the City of Fairfax (details).

FINANCIAL YEAR 2024 YEAR-END INVESTMENTS

Video | Meeting Materials

Following its annual audit, Fairfax County Public Schools had $92.3 million in the financial year 2024 funds available for allocation to important year-end funding priorities. Investments 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.

Motion: McDaniel / Second: Sizemore Heizer, Vote: Yes 12 / No 0 / Abstain 0

ACADEMIC MATTERS: NEW SOL and VAAP DATA

Video | Meeting Materials

For last Thursday’s Academic Matters report, Superintendent Reid offered an update about new annual pass rate data for VAAP and SOL tests in Fairfax County Public Schools. Fairfax improved in math and science and held steady in reading, outperforming Virginia as a whole in all subjects. Our math pass rates increased even while more students took accelerated math courses (6.8% increase in 5th graders taking Advanced Math and 9.5% increase in 8th graders taking Algebra I or higher).

SUPERINTENDENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW

The board judges the overall success of the Superintendent on the basis of the school division’s reasonable progress toward achieving the 2023-30 Strategic Plan’s goals and adherence to a set of thirteen Executive Limitations found on pages 14-31 of the board’s Strategic Governance Manual.

Throughout the school year, the Superintendent provides annual monitoring reports to the board for each Executive Limitation. The board then votes on whether the provided monitoring report is in compliance with the Executive Limitation. If the report is found not in compliance, the Superintendent will provide a corrective action memo addressing the board’s concerns.

Executive Limitation 7 - Asset Protection (Corrective Action Memo)

Video | Meeting Materials

During the Regular Meeting on June 13, 2024, the Superintendent delivered her annual monitoring report on Executive Limitation 7 - Asset Protection, which is outlined on page 23 of the board’s Strategic Governance Manual. The board voted to find the report non-compliant at the time of the presentation and requested a corrective action memo. At last Thursday’s meeting, the Superintendent delivered her corrective action memo to the board, which subsequently found the monitoring report now in compliance.

Motion: Sizemore Heizer / Second: Dixit, Vote: Yes 8 / No 2 / Abstain 0

Global Executive Limitations (EL-1) Monitoring Report

Video | Meeting Materials

The Superintendent also provided her annual monitoring report on Executive Limitation 1 - Global Operational Expectations. As outlined on page 15 of the board's Strategic Governance Manual, Executive Limitation 1 stipulates, in short, that the Superintendent shall not fail to maintain a data-informed school division focused on continuous improvement and shall not fail to take reasonable measures to prevent any practice that is unethical, a violation of board policy, or that endangers the division’s public image or credibility. Following the Superintendent’s presentation, the board found her monitoring report in compliance.

Motion: St. John-Cunning / Second: Lady, Vote: Yes 10 / No 0 / Abstain 1

 NATIONAL ANTHEM

The board meeting began with a beautiful performance of the National Anthem by a Hughes Middle School student under the direction of Steven McBride.

BOARD MATTERS: PROVIDENCE DISTRICT UPDATE

At the end of each meeting, School Board Members provide updates from their communities about school visits, activities, upcoming events, and more. Here is my update from last Thursday:

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Upcoming School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming School Board Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.

All meetings are broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. Meetings are also recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS YouTube channel. Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at regular meetings or public hearings.

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. 

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.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Karl Frisch  |  Phone: 571-423-1084