FCPS This Week - May 22, 2024

Lake Braddock Secondary School senior Daniel Belloni recreates a photo he posed for while in the fourth grade at Kings Glen Elementary School. Daniel will graduate with his Lake Braddock classmates on Tuesday, June 4, at Eagle Bank Arena.  

School Board to Vote on Fiscal Year 2025 Budget

The Fairfax County School Board will vote to approve the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget at their meeting on Thursday, May 23. Meetings can be watched live on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11) or the FCPS YouTube Channel. View the complete agenda for this meeting. 

🥗 Remember to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance!

It’s a busy time of year, and we know there are many priorities on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance. 

Free and Reduced-Price Meals

Families who earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2024-25 school year will be available this summer. 

If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2023-24 school year. 

🏆 Student Follows Sisters’ Footsteps to Scripps National Spelling Bee

Ankita Balaji, a seventh grader at Carson Middle School, will be the only student representing FCPS on stage when the Scripps National Spelling Bee kicks off on Tuesday, May 28. Read her story. Ankita was inspired by her big sister, who competed in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2019 and 2021. Best of L-U-C-K, Ankita!

📝 Student Testing Results Coming Soon

This month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. To see which assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level. 

Depending on the test, scores may be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret results. Caregivers should contact their children’s schools with any testing questions.

📈 New SOL Growth Reports for Grade 3-8 Tests

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) test results — along with other student data — help pinpoint where students may need additional academic support.

The Virginia Department of Education has released new SOL Parent Reports to help  families of students who took grade 3-8 SOL math and reading tests this spring interpret the test results they’re receiving. 

The Growth Parent Report uses scores from the fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessment and  spring SOL to show a student’s academic progress this year. 

Learn how to understand your student’s grade 3-8 SOL results and find resources to support their ongoing learning.

Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE 

Caregivers can view important information in ParentVUE such as attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for your FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. An app is also available for Apple and Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video explains the steps. Find out more.

If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up-to-date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View more information on ParentVUE. 

Holistic Review of FCPS Boundary Policy

For the first time in decades, the Fairfax County School Board is conducting a comprehensive review of the Fairfax County Public Schools Boundary Policy (Policy 8130) to consider possible updates that will provide a clear roadmap for any potential future boundary changes. There are no specific boundary changes under consideration as part of this policy work. 

This holistic policy review is designed to address the community’s concerns about a host of issues, including temporary classrooms (trailers), instructional program locations, overcrowding, facility renovations, and transportation. Comprehensive community engagement will take place before any potential future changes. For additional information, please visit the Boundary Policy Review webpage.

🎌 Virtual Victory at the Junior Japan Bowl

The annual National Junior Japan Bowl — a quiz-bowl-style Japanese language and culture competition — is organized by FCPS teachers and a parent who are members of J-LEARN (Japanese Language Education Advocacy and Resource Network). At the Eighth National Junior Japan Bowl, FCPS had a strong showing with 225 students. The virtual event drew 517 elementary and middle school students from 26 schools in 10 states! Read more and see a list of the winners. Pictured above are winning students from Fox Mill Elementary School. 

🎓 Share Graduation or Promotion Ceremony Photos!

Graduation season is almost here! FCPS families, students, and staff members are invited to share their favorite pictures from this year’s graduation or promotion ceremonies on Facebook, Instagram, or X (Twitter) by tagging FCPS and their school, and using the hashtag #FCPSgrad24.

View the FCPS high school graduation schedule, including dates, times, and locations.

Follow FCPS and Your School on Social Media

Visit the Social Media in FCPS webpage to see where to find FCPS online. Check out our school social media directory to find your school’s official social media accounts. 

Register to Take Two Tuition-free College Courses With NOVA

NOVA Early Online College (EOC) allows rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition-free college courses. EOC courses for the fall semester take place Monday, September 23, through Tuesday, December 17. Students should register by Friday, July 26, at 5 p.m.

Courses are asynchronous, online, and for college credit only. Thirteen courses are offered along with courses that fulfill the IT Technical Support Career Studies Certificate. EOC courses meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s associate degrees as well as being highly transferable as general education requirements for most colleges and universities. 

Students must meet eligibility requirements to take EOC courses. Check out the EOC flyer (PDF) for more information on what classes are offered, required qualifications, and how to register.

💚 State Counselor of the Year Offers Mental Health Tips

Valerie Peters, middle school counselor at Robinson Secondary School, was chosen by the Virginia School Counselor Association as the 2024 Secondary School Counselor of the Year. 

May is Mental Health Month, so Valerie offered some tips for families on improving or maintaining good mental health. 

• Establish a family activity night once a week: Game night, movie night, family walks, or pizza night, for example.
• Celebrate each other’s success: Doing well on a test, a job promotion, playing well in a game, etc.
• Hold family meetings: Use them as an opportunity to check in and make sure everyone is doing okay. 

More mental health resources for students are available in this month’s Healthy Minds blog. 

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as anxiety, worry, fears, social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships, or academic stress.

To participate, caregivers must give permission for FCPS to share basic demographic information with Hazel Health in ParentVUE, and they must provide consent for their student to access therapy services. Students can then be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. 

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

☀️ Enjoy Fun and Resources at the Summer Extravaganza

Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moonbounce, a petting zoo, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost!

Families are invited to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and growth. Community organizations will be providing tips, resources, and helpful information. Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it’s helpful for planning purposes.

🗺️ Open Your Home to an International Student and Enjoy a Free Week of IFTA

FCPS is partnering with Near West to pilot a summer program inviting international students to experience IFTA (Institute for the Arts), enjoy Northern Virginia, and share their culture with our community. 

Warm and welcoming FCPS families with students 13-15 years old are needed to help make the pilot a success! Enjoy one free week of IFTA at Lake Braddock Secondary School for hosting an international student from Saturday, July 20, to Tuesday, July 30. 

Please contact Kara Drinkwater if you are interested in being a host family. 

🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Memorial Day   

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day holiday. See the school year calendar. 

🎉 Early Dismissal on the Last Day of School

The last day of school is Wednesday, June 12. All secondary and high schools will have a two-hour day with dismissal at 10 or 10:10 a.m. Elementary and middle schools will be dismissed two hours early. Look for communications from your school about their bell times/schedules for the last day of school. 

🧩 Get Clued in to the FCPS and Park Authority Puzzle Hunt! 

FCPS’ Safe Routes to School has worked with the Fairfax County Park Authority to create an engaging activity to help get families outside this summer. The Fairfax County Puzzle Hunt, which begins Saturday, June 15, will offer online puzzles that lead to a park in Fairfax County and additional clues toward the final puzzle. 

Participants who submit the final answer will be entered into a chance to win a prize. Puzzles are filled with creative thinking, logic, and wordplay. They are designed to be challenging and accessible for all skill levels.