FCPS This Week e-newsletter - August 31, 2022

Community Conversations Continue

Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting Community Conversations across the division to get to know our communities. Events will be held at the high school in each pyramid through November. Each Community Conversation will be held in person, allowing Dr. Reid an opportunity to better connect with participants. View the schedule for the remaining conversations and register to attend. 

Labor Day Holiday: FCPS Closed Friday and Monday

Friday, September 2, and Monday, September 5, are part of the Labor Day holiday for all FCPS employees and students. 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. View the 2022-23 school year calendar. 

COVID Diagnostic Testing Dates

COVID-19 diagnostic testing is available at no cost for all currently enrolled FCPS students on select dates throughout the year when transmission may be highest. Diagnostic testing is provided at designated times and locations for those who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.

Testing will be available September 6-8 and 12-14. Visit the testing website for information on locations and how to register for an appointment. 

How to Receive FCPS Messages in Other Languages 

You may wish to read FCPS messages in a language other than English. There are several ways you can receive or view our communications in a different language.

FCPS This Week is distributed in other languages to parents/guardians who have filled out the Home Language Survey form and selected a language supported by FCPS as their preferred language for communication. Home Language Survey forms are available in the following languages: Amharic | Arabic (العربية) | Chinese (中文) | Farsi (فارسی) | Korean (한국어) | Spanish (español) | Urdu (اردو) | Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).

Learn more about other communications that are translated.  

Vietnamese and Korean Speakers Needed as Election Officers

The Fairfax County Office of Elections needs additional bilingual election officers to assist voters in the General Election on Tuesday, November 8, and in future elections. 

Specifically, individuals who speak Vietnamese and English fluently or Korean and English fluently are needed to serve in Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, and Falls Church. 

You will perform all regular election officer duties, including assisting most voters in English, but will be assigned to precincts with a significant number of voters who may primarily speak Vietnamese or Korean. To serve as a designated bilingual election officer, you must also complete a short oral language skills assessment. 

Fairfax County is the largest voting jurisdiction in Virginia with 264 precincts countywide. It takes thousands of enthusiastic and trained election officers to ensure that we have efficient and well-run elections. Compensation begins at $175 and training is provided online for new officers.

Learn more about becoming a Language Officer and what’s involved in working the polls. Apply online (be sure to indicate if you speak Vietnamese or Korean).

Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage

Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our top priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.

As you may be aware, lessons on gun safety are already built into our curriculum; however, it is critical that all parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in your homes, and any homes that your children may visit.

Our website has resources for parents about gun safety as well as detailed information about FCPS safety and security practices in our buildings.

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, 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.

Concerns that do not impact the safety of our schools—concerns or information about programs, regulations, or policies—can be sent to the FCPS ombudsman online, at 571-423-4014, or [email protected]. 

Understanding the Dangers of Opioid Use

In Northern Virginia, consistent with national and state trends, the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities, including young adults and school-age children. Opioids are a class of drugs used to treat pain, and can include both prescription medications as well as illegal drugs. Tragically, their misuse can lead to devastating outcomes. Fentanyl is an especially powerful opioid that is extremely fatal, even in small doses. Most fatal overdoses in Fairfax County in recent years have involved fentanyl.

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 about a variety of topics related to student well-being. 

“I Can’t Focus!” A Webinar on ADHD

Join the Parent Resource Center for a webinar on how to help children with ADHD learn skills and strategies to help them succeed at math and writing on September 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and September 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The 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. 

Visit the PRC website for more information on new resources, free consultations, a free lending library, and an archive of previous workshops.

FCPS High Schools Are Safe Sport Schools

Every high school in the division has once again been designated a Safe Sport School by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). NATA created the Safe Sports School Award to recognize athletic training programs that create steps and processes to keep their student athletes safe. Congratulations to our athletic trainers for earning this designation! 

FCPS Statement on Nondiscrimination-Americans With Disabilities Policy Notice

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, Title IX, and pregnancy), marital status, religion, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information in its programs and activities. These protections apply to students, employees, and other members of the public.

FCPS also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. FCPS is committed to equal access and equal opportunity in all services and employment; to include its policies, complaint process, program accessibility, religious accommodations and other Equal Employment Opportunity matters. FCPS prohibits retaliation against individuals who report allegations of discrimination, file a formal complaint, or participate in the investigative process.

Compliance is coordinated by the directors of the following:

• Office of Equity and Employee Relations, Department of Human Resources, 571-423-3070, TTY 711, [email protected] regarding equal employment opportunity, discrimination, and sexual harassment issues.
• Office of Special Education Procedural Support, Department of Special Services, 571-423-4290, regarding programs and activities for students with disabilities.

For more information, visit the non-discrimination policy webpage or the non-discrimination/ADA webpage (contact information).

School Board Meeting on September 1 at 7 p.m.

The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, September 1, at 7 p.m. See the complete regular meeting agenda (English only). The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, and on the FCPS website. Agenda highlights include:

• FY 2022 Year End Review.
• School Board Liaison and Committee Assignments.
• Awarding of Contracts.

If you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk.

Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on any School Board action items the morning after the School Board meeting.

Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.