FCPS This Week - October 18, 2023

Thirty-three girls from the Twain Middle School cross country team and their principal, Matthew Mough, attended a Girls Leading Change reception at the White House. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden invited the athletes in recognition of International Day of the Girl on October 11.

Federal Impact Aid Survey: Now Online

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. To make it easier, the form is now available online in SIS ParentVUE. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Once logged in to SIS ParentVUE, click “Online Packets” in the top right corner. Then, select “Federal Impact Aid Survey.” Get more information.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. Find out how to get technical support for ParentVUE.

📰 Newsletter for Military-Connected Families

Did you know that the Office of Family and School Partnerships publishes a monthly newsletter for military-connected families? Subscribe today.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to:

• Madison High School on Tuesday, October 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 
• Liberty Middle School on Wednesday, October 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help us plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. 

Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

💲 Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday

Virginia’s three-day sales tax holiday is Friday, October 20, through Sunday, October 22. During the sales tax holiday, you can buy qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products without paying sales tax. View the Sales Tax Holiday Guidelines for more information.

📝 Applications Open October 23 for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

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 2028 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting Monday, October 23, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 17, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information. 

 📖 Dyslexia Open House Next Week

A Dyslexia Open House will be held Thursday, October 26, 4-6 p.m., at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, Virginia. This event is open to staff members and families who would like to learn more about dyslexia and how FCPS supports students with dyslexia.

For the first hour, participants will have an opportunity to visit tables set up with information from a variety of departments in Fairfax including the Office of the Ombuds, Office of School Psychology, and the Office of Special Education Instruction. During the second hour, speakers will address the importance of dyslexia awareness and how you can support your student. Please register in advance.

🗳️ Calendar Update for March 5 Presidential Primary

The Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.

As a result, March 5 will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day. Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as it does on other professional work days.

🏆 17 FCPS Schools Named to Advanced Placement School Honor Roll

The College Board announced that 17 FCPS secondary and high schools have been named to the Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll. Schools can earn bronze, silver, gold, or platinum distinction. 

Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. See the list of schools. 

🍅 A Celebration of More Fresh, Global Food at FCPS

FCPS kicked off National School Lunch Week last week with a lunch demonstration by Food and Nutrition Services Executive Director Shaun Sawko. Sawko shared some of the new menu options that are rolling out at FCPS, which include meals made from scratch and more diverse offerings. Other food celebrations included:

• A visit from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to Annandale Terrace Elementary School where students shared what they’re excited about. 
• A ribbon cutting to celebrate the salad bar at Annandale High School. High schoolers shared their reactions to the menu changes. 
• A story about Farmers Markets at elementary schools and a video of students talking about their Garden Club. 

Hunger impacts a child’s ability to learn, as well as their classroom behavior and social-emotional learning. Access to services that support successful student engagement in school is part of FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. 

🔔 “My First Year” Teacher Series: Episode 2 - The First Bell 

Ms. Vivi is back for episode 2 of the “My First Year” teacher series. With her first school year well underway, watch how she fosters a sense of community in her classroom and juggles the tasks that come with being a teacher, all while developing personal connections with her students.

Watch the second episode and read more about Ms. Vivi and her journey as a first year teacher.

November Events Hosted by the Family Resource Center

The Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. The FRC is hosting the following events in November:

• Sibshops: An Exciting, In-Person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs, Monday, November 6, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at Providence Community Center.
• SibTeen: An Exciting, In-Person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs, Monday, November 6, 1-4 p.m., at Providence Community Center.
• Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair, Thursday, November 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Annandale High School (Cafeteria).
• Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: Part Two (Virtual), Friday, November 10, 10-11:30 a.m. 
• Funcionamiento Ejecutivo - Ayudando a tus hijos con la organización, la regulación emocional , y la flexibilidad (presentado en español), Friday, November 17, 10-11:30 a.m.

Click the links above to register for the events. For more information, visit the Family Resource Center webpage.

Coursera Career Academy Student Pilot Program

The FCPS Student Pilot Program with Coursera is open for registration. The programis sponsored by our Department of Information Technology. It allows up to 1,000 FCPS high school students to access the full contents of the Coursera Career Academy, which offers more than 29 professional certificates from the world’s leading companies.  

Through the program, students can explore popular digital jobs and career paths from marketing to data science, and learn from experts at leading companies, including Google. 

Interested students should complete the Coursera Student Interest Form. Once it is submitted, their parent/guardian will be contacted for consent.  

Please Note: Coursera courses are not recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as industry credentials and do not count toward high school graduation requirements. The pilot program has a limited number of licenses which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you have any questions, please contact Program Manager Scott Simmons at [email protected]. 

💻 Talking to Your Children About Digital Well-Being

It’s Digital Citizenship Week, an opportunity for students to reflect on how their digital habits can impact their social and emotional well-being. Many schools have activities throughout the week. Check your school’s website or newsletter to see what your children are participating in at school. Or visit Common Sense Media for ideas on how to talk to your children about digital well-being.

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Saves Lives: Call or Text 988

Information was recently posted to the Healthy Minds Blog on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and other resources for suicide prevention. 

The Healthy Minds Blog shares information related to youth mental health and wellness. Articles include tips and strategies for increasing wellness and resiliency, as well as fostering success at home, at school, and in the community.

The Healthy Minds Blog is a collaborative project between Fairfax County Public Schools and the Prevention Unit of the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Subscribe to Healthy Minds and receive a quarterly digest of articles.

📊 Academic Matters: SAT Outcomes

During the Academic Matters segment of the Thursday, October 12, School Board meeting, Dr. Reid shared SAT outcomes and opportunities for FCPS students. View her slide presentation.

As in years past, the FCPS class of 2023 average score of 1181 was higher than the state average (1113) and the global average (1028). The percentage of FCPS seniors taking the SAT has also remained consistent, despite the sharp decrease in participation statewide. 

🚌 National School Bus Safety Week

Thank you to our more than 1,800 bus drivers and Transportation Services staff who work every day to ensure our students get to and from school safely.

The FCPS bus fleet is one of the largest in the U.S., transporting approximately 131,000 students on 1,625 buses each day. Read about how some of our drivers tested their safety skills last year at FCPS’ Road-eo competition. 

🏅 Submit a Nomination for FCPS Hall of Fame

Do you know an FCPS alum who has made significant contributions to their chosen field and/or our local, national, or global community? If so, we would love to celebrate them! Educate Fairfax believes that FCPS alumni are something special, and they are excited to share alumni stories. 

Over the past two years, Educate Fairfax has recognized leaders from the realms of business, education, community service, entertainment, military, sports, and government.  

Nominations for Spring 2024 FCPS Hall of Fame inductees are being accepted through January 12, 2024. Learn more about the FCPS Hall of Fame.  

🏗️ Updates to School Facilities

Trends of development and housing turnover are inconsistent across the county and continue to present a facilities capacity challenge. Spaces in schools may be outdated from when buildings were originally built. 

Projects funded by the 2023 Bond Referendum may be updated to meet the current needs of students or may increase space to help relieve overcrowding and provide spaces for small-group and specialized instruction. 

Additionally, all updates to school facilities are made with energy efficiency in mind. FCPS has 220 buildings and 26.5 million square feet of building space. These buildings cost tens of millions of dollars to power each year. As the footprint of FCPS continues to grow, conserving energy for cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions is of the utmost importance.

The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. Learn more about registering to vote.

America’s Safe Schools Week

The National School Safety Center, state governors, and state school superintendents sponsor America's Safe Schools Week, which is celebrated this week. 

School safety includes keeping campuses free of crime and violence, improving discipline, and increasing student attendance. Schools that are safe and free of violence, weapons, and drugs are necessary to ensure the well-being of all children and the quality of their education. Thank you to all our school and central office staff who work together to keep our students safe! 

Learn about student safety and wellness and school safety and security. 

Calendar Reminder: Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day

Día de los Muertos is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Wednesday, November 1, and Thursday, November 2, are observance days this year. Watch this video to learn more about Día de los Muertos.

While Día de los Muertos is largely celebrated in Mexico and Latin America, it also coincides with All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). These days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants worldwide to honor those who have died and are believed to have gone to heaven (All Saints Day) and those who may still be in purgatory (All Souls Day).

The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.