FCPS this Week - June 9, 2021

2021 FCPS Graduation Highlights

Congratulations to the Class of 2021! 

• As of today (June 9), there have been 29 different graduation ceremonies.
• There are still nine more graduations to go before June 11.
• Thirteen graduations were held at Jiffy Lube Live to allow for extra outdoor space
• All graduations have been live streamed for those who wanted to watch at home.

We want to wish all our graduates the best of luck as they move on. Enjoy a selection of images from some of our graduations.

Share Your Graduation or Promotion Ceremony Photos on FCPS Social Accounts

We are inviting you to share your favorite pictures from this year's graduation or promotion ceremonies on Twitter and Facebook or Instagram by using the hashtag #fcpsgrad21

Enjoy the Inspirational Journey of Annandale High School's Commencement Speaker

As students wrap up an unprecedented school year, Annandale High School had a commencement speaker unlike any other, a man whose inspirational journey truly resonated with students—especially those who don’t speak English. His story was featured on NBC4. View his story.

Video: Lewis High School Senior Day Activities

John Lewis High School held a day full of fun, food, and activities so they could get together in person to celebrate its seniors.

School Board Work Session on June 15 to Include FCPS’ Five in Fall Plans

Tune in to a School Board work session on Tuesday, June 15, beginning at 10 a.m. Hear how:

• FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department have been providing vaccinations for students at school sites.

• Outreach efforts are paying off to bring students back to five days of in-person learning this fall

Watch the meeting on FCPS Cable TV channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11); it will also be live streamed on the FCPS website. 

End-of-Year Assessment Reports for Families

Students participate in a number of assessments at the end of the school year, and results are shared with families in different ways. 

This year, parents will be able to access Standards of Learning (SOL) test scores directly in SIS ParentVUE. Individual test scores will be visible in the student test history by the end of June, and a formal SOL report letter will be posted in ParentVUE by August. 

Some test results will be mailed to the parent’s home by the start of next school year. These include report letters for families of:

• Virtual students who took the Virginia Remote Student Progress Test (VRSPT).
• Students with disabilities who participated in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP).
• Middle school students who took the Math Inventory (MI) or Reading Inventory (RI).
• English learners who took a WIDA assessment (available in September).

Other scores are shared by the school or testing organization, such as Advanced Placement (AP) scores from the College Board. 

For questions about assessment score reports, contact your student’s school.

Free Meals Available Throughout the Summer, June 28-August 5

FCPS is committed to providing all students access to no-cost meals over the summer months at meal kit sites and on bus routes. Each site and bus route will offer meal kits containing seven days of breakfast and lunch. Please note that locations of the meal distribution sites and all bus routes have changed from the school year plan. 

Summer Meal Kits will be offered on Mondays at 10 sites throughout the county beginning June 28 and ending August 2. Please note that meal kits will be distributed on Tuesday, July 6, due to the Monday, July 5 holiday. Meal kits contain 7 days of breakfast and lunch items packed in bulk.The meal kits will be available for pick up from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. or until supplies are exhausted. All meals are available at no-cost to FCPS students and children eighteen (18) years of age and under. Parents and caregivers may pick up food for children and adults may purchase kits for $28. 

Meal Kit bus routes will run June 28 through August 5. Buses will run weekly routes throughout the community distributing meal kits, containing seven days of breakfast and lunch items packed in bulk. The buses will not distribute meals on a daily basis. The bus stops are weekly and run Monday-Thursday only. Please note that on Friday, July 2, Monday bus routes will operate to cover the Monday, July 5, holiday. Meal kits are available at no-cost to FCPS students and children eighteen (18) years of age and under. Parents and caregivers may pick up food for children. Adult meals will not be available for purchase on the bus routes.  

FCPS Transitions to Schoology Learning Management System on July 1

Fairfax County Public Schools’ contract with Blackboard ends on June 30. The new learning management system is Schoology (pronounced /SKOO-luh-jee/). Schoology is a learning space that enhances communication, collaboration, and personalized learning for students, teachers, and families. Schoology will be used division-wide starting in July.

Schoology was chosen to: 

• Support and implement instructional practices aligned to our learning model.  
• Help students reach the Portrait of a Graduate goals.
• Provide all students with equitable access to meaningful learning experiences.
• Offer anytime access to their virtual learning space.

Students will have a Schoology account by June 18.

• Students use their FCPS student ID and password to login to Schoology.
• Students will not see any classes until the grading period starts.

As a parent or guardian, you will be able to use Schoology to view:

• Your child’s class. 
• Your child’s assignments and participation.
• Your child’s calendar.
• Teacher comments, scores, and feedback.

Parent accounts will be available in mid-August. To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. 

More information about Schoology is available online. 

Video: Eagles Can Soar at Katherine Johnson Middle School

On Friday, June 4, Lanier Middle School was officially renamed Katherine Johnson Middle School. Check out this video to see some of the highlights of the day's events. 

From the Healthy Minds Blog: Newington Forest Student Offers Help to Peers Experiencing Anxiety

Our students never cease to amaze us. After experiencing significant anxiety and getting needed support, one Newington Forest Elementary School student decided that she did not want anyone else to go through the same struggles and decided to find a way to help her peers. This student raised money and created 20 wellness baskets to foster positive mental and physical health. 

Calendar Reminder: Last Day of 2020-21 School Year Is June 11

As a reminder, the last day of the 2020-21 school year is Friday, June 11, and students will be dismissed early. Check with your child's school for its individual dismissal time.

As we look back at a very challenging school year for many, we would like to thank parents, guardians, students, and staff members for their flexibility, patience, and support as we faced  COVID-19 together. Like many of you, we are excited for summer and are looking forward to the 2021-22 school year when we will have in-person student instruction five days a week. #FCPSReturningStrong. 

2021-22 School Year to Start on August 23

With the school year winding down and many families making plans for summer camps, vacations, and other activities, be sure to note that the first day of school for the 2021-22 school year will be Monday, August 23. The last day of school is June 10, 2022. See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar.

Video: 2021 6th-Grade Choral Festival

The 2021 6th-Grade Choral Festival, featuring 172 sixth graders from 72 elementary schools across FCPS, was held virtually this year. Students practiced before and after school for eight weeks to prepare for this annual event. Music truly connects us all, this year and every year.

Looking for Some Summertime Fun? Register Now for Camp Fairfax

Camp Fairfax (formerly summer SACC) is a full-day program for rising 1st through 7th graders that features exciting opportunities in outdoor adventures, performing arts, sports and recreation, visual arts, science, technology, engineering, and math exploration, and much more! 

Current health and safety guidelines will be implemented. Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks are provided. More information is available online.

Student Nomination of Inspirational Black Virginian Leads to New Historical Marker

Just as the success story of Kings Glen Elementary School’s History Hunters and History Makers Club unfolds, another roadside marker for Ona Judge, nominated last year by a Laurel Ridge Elementary School student, was erected earlier this week in Mount Vernon. The marker is a result of the Black History Historical Market contest which Governor Ralph Northam created to encourage students and teachers to help tell a more accurate, comprehensive, and inclusive Virginia story that recognizes Black Virginians and the important ways they have shaped our shared history.

The official unveiling of the marker will be held on Saturday, June 19 at 10 a.m. The unveiling is hosted by Supervisor Dan Storck and special guests include Secretary of Education Atif Qarni and author and historian Erica Armstrong Dunbar, the author of Never Caught: The Washington’s Relentless Pursuit of their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge.

Read our story in the Washington Post KidsPost.

FCPS Students’ Achievements Recognized 

TJHSST Student Honored with U.S. Presidential Scholar Award

Jason Wang, a graduating senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science Technology (TJHSST), is one of two students from Virginia to receive the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholar Award. Wang was recently featured on WJLA-TV talking about his award.

Edison Academy Student Receives State's Top Gold Medal Award for SkillsUSA Contest

Meeka Williams, a second-year Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) student who travels from McLean High School to pursue her technical studies at Edison Academy, received the Virginia State SkillsUSA Competition Gold Medal for winning the state championship in the HVACR contest with Virginia SkillsUSA.  

Six FCPS Students Honored in National Cyber Scholar Competition

Five Fairfax County Public Schools students have earned the title of National Cyber Scholar after winning a rigorous 48-hour competition designed to evaluate aptitude in combating cyber threats and showcase the best of what Commonwealth of Virginia schools have to offer. An additional student was named as a finalist. See who was named as a National Cyber Scholar.

Multilingual Podcasts: Parents Play an Important Role in Prevention of Substance Abuse Among Children

Meet members of the Office of Student Safety and Wellness. Beth Mohaupt and Bryan Villalobos are on the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Team. The pair explains their roles as counselors and gives parents information on how to be proactive in preventing substance abuse among children. Click to view the video: Parent Presentation: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs. For additional information, call 571-423-4270.