FCPS This Week - April 14, 2021

Meal Kit Sites Moving to Monday Distribution Starting April 19

Many FCPS Grab and Go food distribution sites have switched this month from daily food pickup to weekly Fairfax Meal Kit distribution. Fairfax Meal Kits contain seven days of breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and supper items packed in bulk.

On Monday, April 19, all meal kit sites are permanently moving to a Monday distribution day. Hours remain 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or until supplies are exhausted. Grab and Go locations and bus routes remain the same. 

Go to the food distribution webpage for more information.

Religious and Cultural Observances for 2021-22 Standard School Year Calendar

The 2021-22 standard school year calendar was developed to respect, accept, and honor the plurality of religious and cultural observances in Fairfax County. It includes 15 Religious and Cultural Observance Days based on major religions where staff and/or student absences were above average at least once over the past five years.

Religious and Cultural Observance Days for 2021-22 are:

• Eid al-Adha – July 20, 2021 (Before School Year).
• Rosh Hashanah – September 7, 2021 (Begins at sundown on September 6).
• Yom Kippur – September 16, 2021. (Begins at sundown on September 15).
• All Saints Day/Día de los Muertos – November 1 and 2, 2021.
• Diwali – November 4, 2021.
• Bodhi Day – December 8, 2021.
• Three Kings Day/Epiphany – January 6, 2022.
• Orthodox Christmas – January 7, 2022.
• Orthodox Epiphany – January 19, 2022.
• Lunar New Year – February 1, 2022.
• First day of Ramadan – April 3, 2022 (Sunday).
• Good Friday – April 15, 2022.
• Theravada – April 16, 2022.
• Orthodox Good Friday – April 22, 2022.
• Last day of Passover – April 22, 2022.
• Eid al-Fitr – May 3, 2022.

Standards of Learning Test Schedules for Students Observing Ramadan

This year, the main Standards of Learning (SOL) testing window has significant overlaps with Ramadan, the Muslim holy month marked by daily fasting. The SOL testing window begins Monday, April 12, for high schools and Monday, April 26, for elementary and middle schools. All schools must complete SOL make-up tests and retakes by Friday, June 4. Ramadan begins the evening of Monday, April 12, and ends with Eid-al-Fitr on Thursday, May 13.

FCPS welcomes and encourages engagement with parents and guardians of students affected by this overlap. School staff will work with parents and guardians to make schedule adjustments or determine how best to address students’ needs. For example, it may be possible to schedule testing early in the day when energy levels are likely to be highest.

If you have a child in an SOL grade-level who will be fasting to observe Ramadan this year, notify the principal or school counselor to take advantage of possible scheduling options.

View more ideas and tips to prepare for upcoming testing during Ramadan.

Clint Mitchell Is Virginia's Recipient of 2021 NAESP National Distinguished Principal Award 

Congratulations to Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School principal Clint Mitchell, named the Virginia recipient of the NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals) National Distinguished Principal Award for 2021. The announcement was made on April 8 by the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals.

FCPS Special Education Conference to Be Held April 17, Registration Now Open

FCPS will hold its 16th annual Special Education Conference virtually on Saturday, April 17. Registration is now available online. The conference will include a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions supporting the conference's theme: The time for inclusion is now. A student strand will be held for youth ages 14-22. FCPS educators, administrators, and pre-service teachers will earn five recertification points for attending the entire conference.

For more information or to register, visit the Special Education Conference webpage.

FCPS Kindergarten Registration and Early Childhood Programs

Listen to the latest Spanish, Arabic, and Korean podcasts on FCPS Kindergarten Registration and Early Childhood Programs. FCPS Family Services staff share information on Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) and Early Head Start (EHS) Programs. The FCPS Pre-K and EHS Programs provide an early education program for families who meet income requirements and live in Fairfax County. For information on how to apply, visit the Pre-K and EHS Programs' website or call 703-208-7901.

It's time for FCPS Kindergarten registration for children who will be 5 years old on or by September 30. The goal of every podcast is to help families access key resources and understand how to best support their children’s education.

Listen and Subscribe: Spanish Podcast; Arabic Podcast; Korean Podcast.

For more information, contact Linda Ferguson at [email protected].

NOVA JumpStart Summer Program Offers Free Classes for Graduating Seniors

This summer, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) will offer a selection of online, tuition-free classes to Northern Virginia high school graduating seniors. Students must meet placement requirements and understand there may be textbooks or other material fees associated with courses. Since these classes are all online, students will need access to a computer and the internet. Students may take a maximum of two JumpStart courses.

Important dates:

• JumpStart applications are open and will close April 30.
• Classes will run from June 1 until August 9.

Details about the JumpStart Summer Program, including placement requirements and material fees, are available online.

COVID-19 Vaccines and the Vaccination Process in Fairfax County: A Webinar for Families

The FCPS Parent Resource Center is offering a webinar for families with important updates about COVID-19 and the vaccines that have been developed to help prevent the disease on Tuesdays in April and May from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Topics will include:

• COVID-19 impacts (health, economic, education).
• The vaccine.
• Community immunity: What is it and How do we get there?
• Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines—how they work and their effectiveness.
• Safety of vaccines.
• Vaccination process: Eligibility and how to register.
   
  • Tuesday April 20: Session in English–Register here.
  • Tuesday May 4: Session in Vietnamese–Register here.
  • Tuesday May 11:Session in Korean–Register here.
  • Tuesday May 18: Session in Arabic–Register here.

Note: Sessions are subject to change or cancellation based on the number of registrations. Registration is available online. This session is also available in other languages.

English Learner Supports for Summer 2021

FCPS staff members will be providing additional academic content and English language development support for our 36,000 English learners (ELs) this summer. 

Elementary and middle school ELs will participate in the division’s inclusive summer program to strengthen core mathematics and language arts skills.  All ELs ELP level 1 and 2 will be invited to participate. Additional ELs ELP level 3 and 4 will be invited based on identified needs.
High school ELs who failed a core academic course will participate in Credit Recovery.  ESOL resource teachers will collaborate with content teachers to support ELs.

High school ELs who are ELP level 1 or SLIFE will be invited to participate in numeracy and literacy essentials based on need, for multiple weeks of math and literacy intervention.

All high school ELs ELP level 1-4 will be invited to participate in online language and literacy connections (middle and high school). This is one hour of synchronous online learning with one hour of asynchronous reading, writing, and online assignments per week.

In addition, extended English Language Development (ELD) will be offered to all ELs ELP level 1-4 in elementary, middle, and high school who are not participating in a structured summer program. 

For any questions about the FCPS summer programs, email [email protected]. 

FCPS Achieves WELL Health-Safety Rating™

FCPS recently earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating for all schools and offices, joining a community of organizations pushing the boundaries of what health and safety look like in a post-coronavirus environment.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for facilities focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement, and emergency plans. It was created by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), an organization that oversees the world’s premier framework for advancing health in buildings and spaces of all kinds and includes 21 features across the following core areas:

• Cleaning and Sanitization Procedures.
• Emergency Preparedness Programs.
• Health Service Resources.
• Air and Water Quality Management.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication.

April 7 Town Hall Recap

Did you miss the superintendent’s Town Hall last week? Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand, along with Dr. Michael Martin, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Michelle Boyd, assistant superintendent for Special Services, answered questions from the community regarding the CDC’s guidance allowing schools to transition from 6 feet to 3 feet social distancing in some circumstances, and within certain community transmission rates.

They also discussed the social-emotional impact the pandemic has had on children and the importance of returning all students to in-person learning. Watch the video.

Cappies Review of Long Division by Langley High School

Fairfax County Public Schools students are talented actors, musicians, and visual artists. 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. There are fifteen Cappies chapters across the United States and Canada.

The Cappies continues this year with virtual performances. Students learning through the theater arts is as important as ever. Most performances this year are written by students and are available to watch on the Cappies website. Some performances do require a fee to view online.

This review of Langley High School's virtual production of Long Division is written by Lauren Katz of Lake Braddock Secondary School. 

High School Students Invited to Virtual Career Exploration Fair

Fairfax County Public Schools high school students are invited to participate in the 2021 Virtual Career Exploration Fair, scheduled to take place from Monday, April 19, through Friday, April 30. This completely virtual event will include synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions and workshops.

Developed in conjunction with Arlington Public Schools, the event will offer a connection to more than 100 local industry professionals from in-demand career fields. Students will also be able to attend college- and career-ready workshops and information sessions.

Photos of the Week

In this week’s photo gallery, see students back at school and enjoying recess and teachers teaching concurrently and being appreciated for their hard work. 

Special Education Parent Newsletter

The Department of Special Services (DSS) publishes a regular electronic newsletter for parents of special education students to provide updated DSS information, tips, and ideas to support you and your family during distance learning. The latest issue is available online.