FCPS This Week e-newsletter - December 2, 2021

NEW: COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing Available for All Students

All students now have access to COVID-19 drive-through diagnostic testing at locations across the county, including one in each of the FCPS school regions. Students who have COVID-19 symptoms or have been identified as a close contact to someone with COVID-19 are encouraged to test quickly to help reduce the spread of the virus. Testing is also a step in the return to school process following illness or exposure.

A full list of locations and schedules is available on our website.

Appointments are not required but families must register through FCPS’ secure online portal before testing.

More information about FCPS’ COVID-19 testing program, including diagnostic testing, is available online.

Registration Still Available for Optional COVID-19 Student Screening Testing

COVID-19 screening testing is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to keep schools open safely. Do your part to help keep schools safe by registering your child for optional screening testing.

Parents and guardians can use the secure online portal to register their unvaccinated child(ren) for optional COVID-19 screening. If you do not want your child to participate, no action is required. You will have the option to update your child’s vaccination status and/or withdraw consent for testing anytime.

Student-athletes do not need to pre-register with the online portal for screening testing, they will use a separate portal provided by their school’s student activities director.

For more information on student COVID-19 testing, visit the FCPS website.

Free COVID-19 Testing Kits Available at Fairfax County Libraries Starting December 3

Fairfax County Public Library branches will become distribution sites for free COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home test kits as part of a pilot program beginning December 3. BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Card Home Test kits will be available at each of Fairfax County Public Library’s 13 open community branches and 8 regional branches.

Quantities are limited. Neither proof of residency nor a library card is required, and the kits are free of charge.

More information on the free COVID-19 testing kits is available online.

VaxUP at a School-located Clinic

More than 33% of children ages 5-11 in Fairfax County have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. There are many opportunities for children to VaxUP, including pop-up clinics just for children. Find out where the next pop-up clinic will be or look for other local vaccination opportunities on the health department’s website.

Children do not need to be an FCPS student to attend the school-located clinics. Vaccines will not be available for those 12 years and older. Children must be accompanied by a parent or another responsible adult at all community vaccination sites.

UPDATE: Meal Kit Distribution Change for Winter Break

In preparation for winter break (December 20-31) when schools are closed, the following plan is in place for the distribution of meal kits:

• Wednesday, December 8–Additional meals (eight days of breakfast and lunch, along with 14 days of afternoon snack and supper meals) will be served in one meal kit.
• Wednesday, December 15–Additional meals (two days of breakfast and lunch, along with 14 days of afternoon snack and supper meals) will be served in one meal kit.
• Wednesday, December 22–Meal kit distribution is canceled.
• Wednesday, December 29–Meal kit distribution is canceled.
• Wednesday, January 5–Regular meal kit distribution resumes.

More information on meal kit distribution is available online.
 

The First Snowflakes Mean It’s Time to Prepare

Tuesday morning, we saw the first snowflakes of the season. While that event was quick and light, it’s a reminder to prepare for inclement weather. 

Earlier this year, we announced that snow days will stay in 2021-22. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional inclement weather days. After those five days, we will use the flexibility provided by the General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain the continuity of learning.

There are several ways you can find out if inclement weather will affect the school day. The FCPS website is generally the first and fastest mode of communication during emergency weather closings. Any message is immediately available here in almost any language. Other communication channels will be updated as quickly as possible including email, text, website, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Plan ahead for the winter season. Bookmark the FCPS website, plan for childcare if needed, and make sure your children know where they will go if school is closed, dismissed early, or open late.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

Your school’s principal will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. However, make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold weather clothing so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. 

The National Weather Service offers some tips on staying safe during cold weather.

Superintendent Search Starts December 13

Mark your calendars for the start of the superintendent search process on December 13. The School Board will be holding a work session at 1 p.m. on Monday, December 13, to discuss the process, the timeline, and engagement opportunities. 

The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel and on the FCPS website.

Focus on Student Success Remains Strong During Leadership Change

Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand has announced that Fairfax County Public Schools’ continued commitment to equity will be led by Nardos King as interim chief equity officer, effective December 6. 

The appointment reasserts FCPS’ commitment to ensuring the work of centering equity remains at the forefront of all decisions the school division makes. 

More information is available online.

Eleven FCPS Schools Named 2021 Purple Star Schools

Eleven Fairfax County public schools have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as 2021 Purple Star schools. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. 

See the list of schools recognized as 2021 Purple Star schools. 

Calendar Reminder and Cultural Observance Day: Bodhi Day, December 8 

Wednesday, December 8 (Bodhi Day), is a religious and cultural observance day. Religious and cultural observances are designed to allow students the opportunity to miss school for observances not already designated as school holidays.

Military Mom Saves the Day as a Substitute Teacher

Ashley Salas has a job already. The mother of two Fairfax County Public School students works as a photographer, doing shoots primarily on evenings and weekends. And still, she was drawn to becoming a regular substitute in her children’s school district. Find out what motivated Ashley to sub and save the day.

If Ashely’s story inspires you, sign up to be a sub today. More information about the application process and requirements is available online.

Register for Upcoming Free Webinars from the FCPS Parent Resource Center

The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) is offering free parent webinars in December:

• Preparing for the Unexpected: Challenges of the Military Family, Friday, December 3, 10 to 11:30 a.m. 
• Buying A New Electronic Device for your Child? What Every Parent Needs to Know, Friday, December 10, 10 to 11:30 a.m. 

More information on each session and how to register is available online.

Catch up on previous webinars on the PRC YouTube channel.

October FCPS CARES of the Month Winners Go Above and Beyond for Students

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. All FCPS Cares submissions were reviewed, and six winners were selected for the month of October—one for each region and the central office—to receive extra recognition for their work. They are:

• Central Office: Michael Vu, Stonecroft Transportation Center.
• Region 1: Barbara Posey, South Lakes High School.
• Region 2: Samya Salih, Davis Career Center.
• Region 3: Iris Stubblefield, Tracy Hamilton, and Alaise Rudder, Mount Vernon High School and Bryant High School. 
• Region 4: Fabienne Gustave, Centreville High School.
• Region 5: Wendy Beaumont, Little Run Elementary School.

Get more information about the winners and how you can acknowledge an FCPS employee who has gone above and beyond.

Reminder: School Board Meeting on Thursday, December 2 

The School Board will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, December 2, at 7 p.m. Agenda items include: 

• New Business: Award of Contracts; FY 2022 Midyear Budget Review.

See the complete regular meeting agenda. The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel and on the FCPS website.

Last week, the School Board voted unanimously to adopt the 2022 Fairfax County School Board State and Federal Legislative Program and Priorities. Details are available on Board Docs or you may watch the meeting on our YouTube Channel.