FCPS This Week - November 6, 2024

Students pose in front of an autumn-themed backdrop at Fort Belvoir Elementary School.

📈 Fall Student Testing Results 

Screening Assessment Reports Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed. 

• iReady reports in grades 1-8 and Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) reports in grades 1-3 are available in ParentVUE now. 
• VALLSS and Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) reports for kindergarteners will be available by Friday, November 15, and for pre-K students by Friday, December 6. 
• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

Register for SIS ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account to easily access these reports and other helpful information about your child. 

School Day SAT and Digital PSAT Scores Are Available

Students who participated in the School Day SAT and Digital PSAT on October 9 are now able to access scores on the College Board BigFuture School App or their College Board accounts. Students who participated in a make-up SAT will have access to scores on Thursday, November 7. 

Video tutorials for accessing and understanding SAT scores and Digital PSAT scores may be helpful to you. 

National Merit Scholarship Information

Eleventh grade students who participate in the PSAT may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Learn more on the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website. Families should contact their student’s school regarding score reporting or the National Merit Scholarship Program.  

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This long overdue project will assess boundaries across our district to better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. 

Community input is vital to this process! Our first set of boundary review meetings will begin in a few weeks, with a community meeting scheduled in each of our six regions. We encourage participants to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for our School Boundary Review newsletter.

Multilingual Learners Day of Service

Our Voices, Our Future: A Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service is being offered to FCPS secondary students as an opportunity to explore multilingualism as a strength in developing leadership and advocacy skills. The event will be held Saturday, November 16, 9-11:30 a.m., at Edison High School. José Luis Zelaya, who spoke at last year's Multilingual Learner Summit, will be a special guest.

High school students are invited to network with their peers and staff, and learn how their interests and strengths can lead to future success. College and career readiness resources will be available. Students should register in advance and bring their FCPS laptops to the workshop.   

Learn more about the event and see footage from previous multilingual learner events. 
 

🍂 November Is National Family Engagement Month

Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that families are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. 

The FCPS Family Academy was created to support the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning. 

Family Orientation Seminar

This interactive orientation seminar provides information about FCPS, the links between family engagement and student achievement, school staff you should know, and programs and technology considerations for families. The orientation includes a helpful discussion for families who are new to the United States.

Sessions in English are held online on Tuesday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, December 10, at 6 p.m.; and Thursday, December 19, at 6 p.m. Register in advance. 

Visit the Family Academy catalog page for dates this orientation will be offered in Korean and Spanish. 

Tutoring Resources for Families

Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as a tutor. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource to families.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services, at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

Families Reunite Workshops

Family and School Partnerships offers a course for Spanish-speaking immigrant families who are going through the reunification process. It is designed for parents/caregivers and children who have lived apart for at least one year and were recently reunited. 

The six-hour Zoom course takes place over three consecutive weeks. Upcoming sessions include:

• Tuesdays, November 12, 19, and 26; 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Mondays, December 2, 9, and 16; 6:30-8:30 p.m.

We encourage families to attend every session to fully benefit from the program. Register for Families Unite and learn more about FCPS’ Immigrant Family Reunification Program.  

🌱 22 Schools Earn Green Flags for Sustainability at FCPS

Twenty-two Fairfax County public schools were honored with a Green Flag award from the National Wildlife Federation through the EcoSchools U.S. program. Only 56 of these Green Flags were awarded nationwide to schools committed to environmental sustainability! See the list of Green Flag schools. 

🎵 Students Selected for 2024 All-Virginia Jazz Band, VMEA Senior Honors Choir, and All-Virginia Elementary Orff Ensemble

Forty-eight students representing 17 Fairfax County high schools and one elementary school have been selected for the 2024 All-Virginia Orff Ensemble, the 2024 All-Virginia Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble, and the 2024 Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Senior Honors Choir. See the full list of musicians and learn about their public performances. 

🗳️ Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to complete a Federal Impact Aid Survey as soon as possible. The form is available in ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Hear from FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. David Stewart about why this federal program is so important for our local schools.

 Please complete this form for each school-aged child in your household. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. The funds support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.

📝 Applications for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Due Friday, November 15

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Applications must be started by 4 p.m., Wednesday, November 13, and submited by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m.

🎖️ Military Veterans Continue Life of Service by Inspiring Students in JROTC Units

At Herndon High School, two veterans remain committed to service, years after retiring from the military. Retired Coast Guard Captain Jim O’Keefe (above, right), is now the senior Naval science instructor for the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) unit at Herndon High. He has 34 years of military experience and oversees a unit of roughly 200 students. His fellow instructor Aaron Smith (above, left) was a U.S. Navy chef for 22 years. 

Learn how they are using their military background to prepare FCPS graduates. 

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation, reminds us of the importance of supporting successful transitions to postsecondary opportunities. 

👻 BOO! Electrical Academy Students Build Annual Haunted House and Defend State Championship Title 

Sparked by the leadership of Edison Academy students in electrical construction and engineering, students across Edison Academy — studying auto technology, cybersecurity, construction, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, HVAC, veterinary science, and teachers for tomorrow — fused their talents to create a spooky, interactive haunted house. 

Earlier in October, Edison Academy students won multiple top spots including the championship title at the SkillsUSA State Fair in Richmond. Read more about Edison Academy’s “electrifying” successes. 

✨ The availability of and access to career and technical training is part of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation.

🏫 Celebrating the Past and Future of FCPS

In her latest Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid celebrated the 125th anniversary of Fairview Elementary School, which opened in 1899 as a one-room schoolhouse. Read more of Dr. Reid’s shoutouts and celebrations in Weekly Reflections. Subscribe today. 

🗓️ Calendar Reminder: Veterans Day

Monday, November 11, is a holiday and schools will be closed. See the complete school year calendar.