FCPS This Week - September 28, 2022

Thank You, Custodians! 

October 2 is Custodian Appreciation Day. Thanks to our custodians, we all have a clean, safe place to learn, teach, and work. Across the division, Fairfax County Public Schools employs more than 1,300 custodians, field custodians, and building supervisors. 

One of our amazing custodial employees is last year’s Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee, Frank Sarfo, custodian at Little Run Elementary School. Learn more about why he’s one of our FCPS Heroes in this video. 

Your Voice is Needed: Strategic Planning

Today, Fairfax County Public Schools is launching the engagement phase that will help us develop our brand new Strategic Plan. 

 During her Community Conversations listening tour in each high school pyramid, Superintendent Michelle Reid has heard from many of you about your hopes and aspirations for our students. That feedback will become part of our proactive strategic plan that will serve as our North Star—or guide—for the future.

Starting in October, we will be inviting the entire FCPS community to engage in building our shared future. This includes hearing from our parents and caregivers, students, and broader community, as well as surveying students in grades three and above. You will have an opportunity to have your voice heard in one of many sessions (both in-person and virtual) during November and December. We encourage you to join us in this journey by actively participating in the conversation.

The goal is to have the final strategic plan by June 2023. For a more detailed overview, visit FCPS’ Strategic Planning webpage. 

Special Education Review: Final Report

Prior to the pandemic, FCPS contracted with the American Institutes of Research (AIR) to complete a comprehensive review of our special education programs. AIR has released their final report with recommendations for changes that are actionable, evidence-based, and will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services for FCPS students with disabilities and their families. 

The School Board has a work session scheduled to review AIR’s report on Tuesday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Watch the work session live on FCPS’ YouTube Channel or Channel 99. For more information on the Special Education Review, visit FCPS’ Office of Auditor General webpage.

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now to help them graduate from college on time and routinely report to work on time once they have a career. 

Take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to ensure that any trips or family events are on weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to the school. Most schools have links to their attendance email or notification systems on their homepages. If you are unsure of how to notify your school of your child’s absence, please call the front office. 

Visit our Attendance webpage for more resources. 

Model Policy Comment Period

A new proposed model policy (pdf) was recently proposed by the Virginia Department of Education regarding the “privacy, dignity, and respect for all students and parents in Virginia’s Public Schools.” A 30-day public comment period on the model policy began September 26 and closes October 26. You may provide feedback to the Virginia Department of Education on the new drafted policy. If you missed Superintendent Reid’s message regarding the new proposed model policy, please view it on our website.  

Social and Emotional Learning Screener 

Students in grades K-2 will no longer participate in the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) screener. Instead, the Child Behavior Rating Scale administered in kindergarten, existing attendance, and behavior data will be used to determine necessary social emotional instruction and supports. School teams will use these measures alongside family input, as they develop their understanding of students’ needs and strategies to support them.

Students in grades 3-12 will be able to participate in the SEL screener. School teams and families use this information to develop positive school cultures and support students academically and personally. This year, students will participate in the screener in the fall (October/November) and spring (March). 

Parents are able to opt their child out of taking the SEL screener. Read more about SEL and signature practices online.

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health 

Identifying whether your child’s behaviors are normal or a warning sign of a mental health concern can be difficult. Talk to your child and pay attention to their actions. Also, consider these warning signs:

• Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
• Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
• Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
• Lack of sleep, or too much sleep.
• A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
• Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker. Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call your school or visit their website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to support your child’s wellness on FCPS’ website. 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harm to self or others, please take action:

• Text NEEDHELP to 85511 for the CrisisLink hotline or call them at 703-527-4077.
• Chat online with a specialist.
• Go to the nearest emergency room or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
• Call 911.

Calendar Reminder: Yom Kippur, October 4 and 5

Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, begins at sundown on Tuesday, October 4. Tuesday is noted as a ½ religious/cultural observance date on the FCPS calendar. (On a ½ O day, certain activities may not occur after school.)

Wednesday, October 5, is a holiday for teachers and students (only 12-month employees report). 

Looking Ahead: Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 10 

Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. This year, Monday, October 10, is a student holiday and staff development day. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

Student Bus Passes

Did you know: All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE bus for free. Fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year, with the pass. Learn more about Student Pass online. Complete the application and return it to your school office. 

Additionally, Connector and Metrobus are issuing SmarTrip cards to students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church, and Marshall High Schools, and the Davis Center for use on specific routes in Northern Virginia. Visit the website to learn more and view the routes. Complete the application and return it to your school office. 

Upcoming Parent Resource Center Webinars

The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. It provides access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.

The PRC offers family and educator webinars including:

• Dads: Stop The Power Struggles & Get The Respect You Want, October 6, at 6:30 p.m.
• The Social Emotional Learning Screener—What Every Family Needs to Know, October 7, at 10 a.m.
• Manejando el estrés serie de 3 partes, primera parte en October 22, a 10 a.m.

Sign up for the PRC's newsletter to receive notices of upcoming webinars.

Congratulations to Our Summer FCPS CARES Winners

FCPS CARES 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. Six winners were selected for July and August.

One of the winners is Maggie Endler, a physical education teacher from Hughes Middle School. A parent shared that her daughter had an injury the first week of school. The parent notified Ms. Endler, who took her daughter aside to discuss ways she could modify the class with her in mind. “She made sure to not embarrass her in front of the other students,” the parent said. “My daughter felt cared for and that individuals matter to teachers in her school!"

Other winners for July and August include:

• Sara Shaw, Graham Road Community Center.
• Mary Bermingham, Falls Church High School.
• Dana Hannum-Rivera, Whitman Middle School.
• Lindsay Fedok, Fairview Elementary School.
• Hailey Colman, Lees Corner Elementary School.

Get more information about all the winners and learn how you can acknowledge an FCPS employee.

HVAC Systems and Updates

In 2020, FCPS conducted a survey of all HVAC systems to ensure they provide sufficient outside air ventilation in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the manufacturer’s recommendations. The CDC recommends schools set HVAC systems to bring in as much outdoor air as each system will safely allow. FCPS uses mechanical ventilation instead of opening windows to provide outside air as the air coming through mechanical systems is filtered. Air filters are changed every 90 days. 

School HVAC systems average between six and 10 air exchanges per hour, providing more than 100% fresh outside air to the space every hour. Schools do not need to leave classroom doors and windows open to help ventilate the space, but are permitted to open windows for increased ventilation when outside conditions allow.    

New safety measures include conducting carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring in schools to identify lack of sufficient ventilation and spending $28.9 million in ESSER funds for HVAC upgrades during the last school year.

Low-Cost Internet for Free and Reduced-Price Eligible Students 

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new FCC program to lower internet costs for families with children who have been eligible for free or reduced-price meals within the last 12 months. A qualifying household will receive $30 per month toward internet services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Families can check their eligibility and register at AffordableConnectivity.gov or by calling 877-384-2575.

Visit our Free and Reduced-Price Meals website for more information on the criteria to be eligible and how to apply. 

Share Feedback on In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding helps FCPS maintain safe school environments and address the impact of COVID-19 on students. We want to hear from you about our work to provide in-person instruction and continuity of services to all FCPS students and families. 

Visit our website to learn more about FCPS’ plan to use ESSER III funding to support students and share feedback via an online form. The online form will be available through October 10.