FCPS This Week - April 11, 2024
Remember to Purple Up! on Wednesday, April 17. Wear purple to support military-connected youth. Purple is a combination of the colors of all branches of the military.
✅ School Health Services Satisfaction Survey
The Fairfax County Health Department and FCPS School Health Services invite parents/caregivers to participate in a survey on the level of satisfaction with support provided to your school community by School Health Services. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and is open until Friday, April 26. Your feedback can help to improve school health services.
🎖️ Honoring Military Kids
In this video, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Colonel Joseph Messina recognize and celebrate the resilience and sacrifices of military-connected children during the Month of the Military Child. FCPS shows our appreciation and gratitude to these remarkable young individuals who contribute so much to our community.
Military-Connected Family Support
FCPS welcomes all of our new and returning military-connected families throughout the year! Whether your family is moving permanently to the school district or living here for a short time, our schools and support staff welcome you and will be able to assist with your transition into and/or out of our district.
Visit our Military Families webpage and sign up to receive the Military Families newsletter. If you have any questions, please email our Family and School Partnerships team.
🦎 Library Pet Helps Everyone Feel Welcome at Johnson Middle School
Lady Bart, pictured above with eighth grader Abner, is a bearded dragon who lives in the Katherine Johnson Middle School library. Before acquiring her, Librarian Jenny Betten offered students a learning seminar, How to Train Your Dragon, to take during their advisory period. In the seminar, they researched bearded dragons, the benefits of a class pet, why bearded dragons are good pets, and how to care for them.
The librarians are enjoying that people are lingering more in the library and asking questions about Lady Bart. Learn more about how the library got a pet and about Lady Bart.
This week is National Library Week. In FCPS libraries, students develop knowledge and skills, experience a sense of belonging, find inspiration and support, and have the ability to freely pursue their personal interests and academic growth.
Family Summit Designed to Enhance Safety, Security, Inclusion
The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources. Session topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; helping children manage emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. Online sessions will provide support for students with disabilities and their families.
Visit the Family Summit webpage to learn more about the guest speakers and register to attend. The theme — Safe, Supported, and Included — aligns with Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
💻 April Webinars and Events for Families
The Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars for adults to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Upcoming events include:
- Tuesday, April 16, 7-8 p.m. – Meet the Author Series: Gifted and Distractible with Julie Skolnick
- Wednesday, April 17, 4-6 p.m. – NOVA 2024 Vision - Students with disabilities can learn more about attending Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).
- Friday, April 19, 10-11:30 a.m. – Behavior Solution Series: Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication with Teens
- Tuesday, April 30, 10-11:30 a.m. – Counseling Services in Virginia for Mental Health and Substance Abuse: How to Get the Help You Desire
Click the linked titles above to register. Learn more about FRC webinars and events.
🎨 Students “Find Their Language” in Inclusive Fine Arts Class
In its first year, the Inclusive Fine Arts class at South Lakes High School is a creative space for all students to express themselves, including those with intellectual disabilities. Read about the class.
🎵 FCPS Is One of the Best Communities for Music Education
Fairfax County Public Schools has been honored by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education. Read about this honor.
🏆 Two School Counseling Programs Receive Special Designation
Two FCPS school counseling programs have been recognized by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as model programs and were awarded the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation for 2024. Read about this designation.
💚 No-Cost Talk Therapy for High Schoolers
Is your high schooler experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, parents/caregivers can refer their children for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Virtual mental health services are available at no cost through an FCPS partnership with therapists who are licensed and trained in teen-specific challenges. Forty percent of Hazel providers are bilingual, speaking more than 15 languages.
Students may be referred by a guardian or designated staff member and participate in weekly video therapy sessions. Therapists will work with students until they achieve their therapy goals, or they can help connect them with longer-term mental health services in the community. Learn how to opt your student(s) in to this service.
🎓 Postsecondary Education and Employment Options for Students with Disabilities
Career and Transition Services will host Flash Forward, an event to provide students with disabilities seeking a standard or advanced diploma and their families an introduction to options available after high school.
Flash Forward will be held Thursday, April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Annandale High School in the cafeteria. Register online. Representatives from adult education, employment, and community programs (college, military, apprenticeship, trade school, gap year, and employment) will be available.
🎸 “Look at My Capabilities and Talents” — Instructional Assistant Dedicated to Lifelong Learning
Sam Kang, instructional assistant (IA) at Stone Middle School, is constantly thinking about “how [he] can develop [himself] and help other people.” Kang is self-taught in playing guitar, singing, and sketching, and loves to write. He believes in lifelong learning and sharing that gift with others. On top of his IA duties, Kang runs an afterschool guitar club and dreams of doing even more for his community.
Read about Kang and the impact he is making at Stone.
Give Your Feedback on the Budget
We are now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback:
- Tuesday, April 16, through Thursday, April 18: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors conducts public hearings on the county budget. Sign up to speak.
- Tuesday, May 7: The County Board of Supervisors adopts its budget, tax rates, and transfer amount to FCPS.
- Tuesday, May 14: The School Board holds a public hearing on the FCPS budget.
- Thursday, May 23: The School Board adopts FCPS’ approved budget.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget and see the full Budget Development Calendar.
🏫 Apply for Early Learning for Children Six Weeks to Four Years Old
FCPS pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying income-eligible children ages six weeks to four years living in Fairfax County. Watch this video to learn more (also available in Spanish).
- Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for 3-year-olds through September 30.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Space is limited and based on need, not first come, first served.
Applications are accepted online, by email, by mail, or in person at FCPS’ Leis Center location in Falls Church.
For questions about your application or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
👨👩👧👦 Immigrant Family Reunification Class
A class will be held online in Spanish for immigrant families looking to reunite during challenging transitions. Saturday classes will be available April 13, 20, or 27, from 9-11:30 a.m. Register online. For more information, please contact your school’s family liaison or Sussy Tomer at [email protected].
🌏 Earth Day Festival
Fairfax County Park Authority's Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Sully Historic Site. The festival will include earth and nature-focused programs, scavenger hunts, and other activities.
