FCPS This Week e-newsletter - January 26, 2022

Stay the Course Together

On Monday, we held a virtual town hall to discuss our mask requirement and how we are keeping schools safe for in-person learning. Watch a recording of the town hall. 

Visit our website for more about how face masks are essential for safe in-person learning.

VaxUP FCPS!

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness. School-age children can receive their primary series of the Pfizer vaccine. Children 12 and over are eligible for booster doses.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccination and where to find a vaccination clinic on the Fairfax County Health Department’s website.

Superintendent Search — School Board Work Session on January 31

The next step in FCPS’ nationwide search for a new superintendent will take place January 31. The School Board will be holding a work session to discuss the superintendent search on Monday, January 31, at 6 p.m. The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, and on the FCPS website.

Superintendent Search Town Hall meetings were held earlier this month. If you want to watch one of the Superintendent Search Town Hall meetings held for the community, they are available online.

FCPS is conducting a nationwide search for a new superintendent to lead the school district when Superintendent Brabrand's contract expires at the end of the 2021-22 school year.  Learn more about the superintendent search on our website.

Celebrate National Mentoring Month by Becoming a Mentor

January is National Mentoring Month, and we are seeking 2,000 adult mentors at all school levels. Mentors volunteer to serve as role models and guides. They typically meet with their mentee once a week for 30 minutes during the school day (this is flexible).

FCPS provides training and guidance, a background check, and once you choose a location, the school-based coordinator will match you with a student who shares your interests. You can be placed at a school that works with your schedule. 

Mentoring can have a tremendous impact on a young person’s life. Mentoring.org found that young people who were at risk for falling off track but had a mentor were:

• 55 percent more likely to enroll in college.
• 78 percent more likely to volunteer regularly.
• 81 percent more likely to participate in sports or extracurricular activities.
• 130 percent more likely to hold leadership positions. 

If you have any questions, contact Martha Macdonald at [email protected].  

Get more information about mentoring in FCPS.

February Parent Webinars: Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students with Disabilities

It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for your child’s future. Please join Career and Transition Services (CTS) and other support service personnel for a month of weekly webinars for parents starting on February 2.

Each week, webinar sessions will cover a range of topics: CTS programming and services for students with disabilities, short and long-term postsecondary supports, employment and postsecondary education considerations, Supported Decision Making, and student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post-school success.

This event also includes two evenings of student/parent panels where members describe their firsthand experiences as they navigated Fairfax County Public Schools and adult services.

More information is available online.

Preparing Students for the Future Workforce

High school students can learn about a wide variety of potential career paths and post-secondary options to prepare them for the next chapter of their educational journey at the virtual Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo every night from Monday, February 14, through Thursday, February 17. This event will include synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions.

High school students will be able to:

• Connect to more than 100 local industry professionals from in-demand career fields across the region. 
• Learn about work-based learning (WBL) opportunities.
• Attend industry panel discussions.
• Attend information sessions and career planning support sessions.
• Learn about postsecondary education, training, and apprenticeship opportunities.

This event was developed in conjunction with six neighboring school divisions in the Northern Virginia region. 

Details and registration information are available online. Students can email [email protected] with questions.

Save the Date: FCPS Special Education Conference on March 26

FCPS’s 17th Annual Special Education Conference will be held virtually on Saturday, March 26, with a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions. Registration for this free conference will begin in March. 

More information on the Special Education Conference is available online.

School Board to Vote Thursday on 2022-23 School Year Calendar

The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, January 27, at 7 p.m. Agenda items include:

• Approval of the 2022-23 school year calendar.
• Approval of purchase of age-appropriate electronic devices for PreK-2 students.  

See the complete regular meeting agenda. The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, and on the FCPS website.

If you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk.

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