FCPS this Week e-newsletter - November 17, 2021
Pop-up Pediatric Vaccine Clinic Opportunities
The Fairfax Health District and Fairfax County Public Schools are hosting free COVID-19 vaccine clinics at 10 schools for students 5-11 years of age. Children do not need to be an FCPS student to attend these clinics. Vaccines will not be available for those 12 years and older. Children must be accompanied by a parent or another responsible adult at all community vaccination sites.
The Fairfax County Health Department’s webpage has information about the clinics and resources for finding and scheduling a vaccine appointment. Up-to-date information about vaccination opportunities is available on our website.
Find out if you can schedule your child’s COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time.
Local pediatricians share their advice for children with underlying health concerns, and if your child can get the flu shot at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine in this short video.
Register for Optional COVID-19 Student Screening Testing
Parents and guardians can use the secure online portal to register their child(ren) for optional COVID-19 screening. If you do not want your child to participate, no action is required. You will have the option to update your child’s vaccination status and/or withdraw consent for testing anytime.
Student-athletes do not need to pre-register with the LTS online portal for screening testing, they will use a separate portal provided by their school’s student activities director.
There will be no student COVID-19 screening testing the week of November 22 due to the Thanksgiving break.
For more information on student COVID-19 testing, visit the FCPS website.
Reduction in Student Quarantine Period
With the start of the national rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5-11 and a drop in the Fairfax County transmission rate from “substantial” to “moderate,” we are adjusting some of the layered prevention strategies that have helped keep the rate of in-school transmission of COVID-19 at just 0.02%.
- Unvaccinated students who are exposed to COVID-19 in a school setting may quarantine for 10 days, instead of 14 days.
- Students will be notified of the day they may return to the classroom via the pause letter.
- If you do not have a pause letter from your school, you will need to quarantine for 14 days, per the requirement of the Fairfax County Health Department.
More information is available online.
How FCPS Develops Its School Year Calendar
The school year calendar is created with community feedback while also ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and policies. To understand the process and the framework FCPS is using, watch this video or visit the FCPS website. The School Board has final approval on the calendar and is scheduled to vote on January 27.
Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving Break
As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed November 24-26. Classes will resume on Monday, November 29. See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar.
Learn More About School Library Collections
School libraries provide access to a large number of print and digital products for all our students and their families. Browse the entire collection within all FCPS libraries on our website.
Parent Resource Center Materials for Families: PRC Packs
The staff from the Parent Resource Center (PRC) has curated top resources from its library, webinars, and digital resources on some of its most requested topics into PRC Packs ready for checkout by families.
What’s in a PRC Pack?
- Two to three books for families.
- One to two books for a child (perfect for a read-aloud or independent reading for an older child).
- Resource guide with a list of eBooks, free webinars on YouTube, and other resources.
- Tote bag for easy return at any FCPS school or office.
Contact the PRC by email at [email protected] or by phone at 703-204-3941 to check out these materials.
Say YES to FCPS—Join Our Team
Make a difference in a child’s life—find your next job with FCPS. We have openings for bus drivers, substitute teachers, COVID case managers, and school health aides (who are employed by Fairfax County Government but work in schools).
More information and applications are available online:
Multilingual Parent Podcast: FCPS Advanced Academic Program Continuum of Services
In the latest multilingual podcast produced in conjunction with the Office for ESOL Services and the Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement, you can learn about the FCPS Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Continuum of Services and the different levels of services for elementary and secondary students. All K-12 students receive instruction to develop critical and creative thinking skills as part of AAP instruction. The goal is to build upon students’ individual talents and skills to maximize their academic potential as learners. Equity of access to the services is a priority within FCPS. For more information, visit the AAP website.
Listen and subscribe:
Facilities Renamed to Honor Former School Board Members Janie Strauss and Ilryong Moon
The contributions of two former Fairfax County School Board members were recognized at the School Board meeting on November 11 when two school facilities were renamed in their honor.
The theater dressing rooms at McLean High School were renamed for Janie Strauss, a School Board member for the Dranesville District from 1993 to 2019, and the gym at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) was renamed for Ilryong Moon, an At-Large School Board member from 1995 to 2019.
Cappies Review of The Heidi Chronicles at Lake Braddock Secondary School
Many FCPS high schools participate in the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre, otherwise known as the Cappies. The Cappies is a program through which high school theater and journalism students are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers.
This review of Lake Braddock Secondary School’s production of The Heidi Chronicles is written by Lillian Ali of Langley High School.
Subscribe to the 2021-22 Fine and Performing Arts Calendar
If you enjoy high school theater, check out the Fine and Performing Arts calendar on our website. Individual listings for many middle and high school theater events are featured. Users can subscribe to the calendar to be notified of upcoming performances, and each event can be added to a calendar or shared on social media. See the Fine and Performing Arts calendar.
Deadline to Apply for TJHSST Class of 2026 Is November 19
Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2026 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
Applications must be started by today, Wednesday, November 17, at 4 p.m., with a deadline of Friday, November 19, at 4 p.m. to complete the final application, which is available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage.
Reminder: School Board Meeting on November 22
The next regular business meeting of the FCPS School Board will be held on Monday, November 22, at 7 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School. The meeting will be broadcast on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), and will be live streamed on the FCPS website. Current agenda items include:
- Legislative program.
- Recommended changes to the Governance Manual regarding community participation.
- FCPS Special Education comprehensive review.
