FCPS This Week - August 28, 2024

A first grade student uses a magnifying glass in the outdoor classroom at Clearview Elementary School.

Understanding the 2024-25 Student Rights and Responsibilities

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R. 

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 30.

Participate in Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Focus Groups 

Each year, FCPS reviews and updates the SR&R to ensure it reflects our commitment to equity and the goals outlined in our 2023-30 Strategic Plan. This year, we are partnering with K12 Insight to host focus groups.

Parents/caregivers should have received an email from K12 Insight with information on how to participate in a focus group. School-based and central office staff who work directly with students, and middle and high school students have also been invited to participate.  

Your voice is essential to delivering an SR&R that supports a caring and inclusive climate and culture in every school community. If you have questions, you can submit them on our website or contact Kathleen Walts, executive director of Equity and Student Relations. 

🚨 Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is our priority. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools must also notify parents and caregivers at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools do not have to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance. 

By law, the first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students do not participate in the first lockdown drill. 

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with them about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your student before and after school lockdown drills.

⚠️ Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. 

☎️ Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First

If you or your child have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security has a safety tip line that you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; Keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone (571-423-2020).

If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.

Students, staff, parents/caregivers, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.

If you have concerns about programs, regulations, policies or other topics that do not impact the safety of our schools, please contact the FCPS ombuds online, at 571-423-4014 or [email protected]. 

🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! This fall, a series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. These events are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: 

• Monday, September 9, at Holmes Middle School. 
• Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary School.
• Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
• Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required, but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. 

🌍 Students Can Receive Credit for Proficiency in Languages

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. 

Registration opens on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m., and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted. Please contact your student’s school counselor to register for the exam. 

Find more information, including the list of eligible languages. 

📵 Cell Phones Off, Learning On

Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact the school’s front office to reach your child during class time. 

Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy. 

Cell Phone Storage Pilot Begins September 3

Select middle and high schools will be participating in a cell phone storage pilot, which begins Tuesday, September 3. See the list of schools and how cell phones will be stored during the school day. 

🤟 Learn ASL With the FCPS Family Academy 

Over four Saturdays this fall, the Family Academy will host an American Sign Language (ASL) course for caregivers to support everyday conversation with their children. Class content is most appropriate for caregivers of preschool through elementary-aged children. Seats are limited. Register for the ASL course. 

Caregivers should plan to attend all four classes, which will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on September 7, 14, and 21, and October 5, at the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons Service Source Building, 10467 White Granite Drive, Oakton. 

The FCPS Family Academy promotes connections and collaborations between families, educators, and the community. Its goal is to strengthen partnerships in support of each and every student’s success. Learn more about the FCPS Family Academy.

🖥️ Free Webinars for Families

Parents and caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Learn more about the Family Resource Center (FRC).

In September, the FRC will host webinars for families on:

• Supporting siblings of children with disabilities.
• Helping students organize their school work.
• The new Virginia Alternate Assessment Program Participation Decision-Making Tool.
• Setting limits for children who like to push boundaries. 
• Teen development and well-being.

Sign up for the FRC newsletter for their latest offerings or visit their webinar webpage.

🔎 Where in the District Is Superintendent Reid? 

In this week’s Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shares her travels across the district to celebrate the opening of schools for the 2024-25 school year. She dropped by a sixth grade math class at Forestville Elementary School (pictured above). Read Weekly Reflections to see where else she visited and subscribe now. 

🙋 Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow! 

The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage to help prepare your child for future success.

✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan: Foundation of Four Pillars

While the five goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan focus on student success, the four pillars describe what FCPS must do well to reach our goals for all students:

• The first focus of the pillars is on teaching and learning. We want to make sure each and every student has access to excellent and inclusive learning environments, and that instruction meets students’ individual needs. 
• The second pillar focuses on our connection with families and our communities. We cannot do this work alone. Strong partnerships are key to our students’ success.
• The third pillar is centered on our hiring and maintaining a world class, diverse workforce. We want to make sure our incredible employees have what they need to help our students thrive. 
• The fourth and final pillar centers on how we bring this all together. We remain focused on creating a culture of equity, excellence, and accountability where data guides our decisions. 

Visit our Strategic Plan webpage for more information. 

🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Labor Day

Friday, August 30, and Monday, September 2, are holidays for all FCPS employees and students in honor of Labor Day. 

Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. 

See the complete school year calendar.

Overdose Awareness Day

August 31 is Overdose Awareness Day. There are three things you can do now to support student wellness and increase understanding of the dangers of opioids and fentanyl:

• Talk with children and loved ones in your life about the dangers of drug use, especially opioids. For more information about substance use among youth, tips on how to recognize and prevent substance abuse, and available support services, please watch this webinar.
• Safely store and dispose of medications, including prescription pain medications, to prevent drug misuse.
• Sign up for a Virtual REVIVE! training class to learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and administer naloxone nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose.

Learn more about the dangers of opioids and available resources on our website. Visit the Student Safety and Wellness webpage for more information on topics related to student well-being. 

Next Regular School Board Meeting: Thursday, August 29 at 7 p.m.

The School Board will hold its next regular business meeting on Thursday, August 29, at 7 p.m. 

Topics on the agenda include:

• FY 2024 Year End Review
• Awarding of Contracts

View the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.