FCPS This Week - October 2, 2024
🎉 All Fairfax County Public Schools Accredited
We are proud to have all Fairfax County public schools accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.
We have seen marked improvement with 191 of our schools improving chronic absenteeism rates. FCPS has many students taking rigorous courses — far higher than the national average. The division also continues to see other state indicators improving, including Standards of Learning (SOL) pass rates and graduation rates. Read more about all our schools receiving accreditation.
🏆 FCPS Continues to Surpass State and Global SAT Averages
Fairfax County seniors in the class of 2024 continued to perform well above state and global averages on the SAT, according to results released by the College Board.
The Fairfax County average score for the class of 2024 (1178) was higher than the state average (1101) and the global average (1024). Read more about the latest SAT results.
✨ Strategic Plan Connection
These divisionwide successes demonstrate how FCPS is achieving our Strategic Plan:
- Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered is measured by student attendance and absenteeism rates.
- Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence is measured by growth and performance on state, national, and international assessments.
- Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunity is measured by the availability of and enrollment in advanced, rigorous coursework and programs.
📚 How FCPS Teaches Reading and Writing
During Academic Matters at last Thursday’s School Board Meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on elementary literacy. Find out how FCPS is teaching reading and writing.
Dr. Reid’s presentation included updates on Benchmark Advance Training, the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) Implementation Playbook, topics of Benchmark units, home-school connections of the program, and supports for students — including multilingual learners, special education students, and advanced learners. Watch the presentation.
✨Strategic Plan Connection
FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence focuses on helping students meet or exceed academic standards and reach their highest academic potential. This includes helping students show growth on reading assessments and read on level by the end of third grade.
Upcoming Immunization Clinics
Does your child need school-required immunizations? If so, please check out the options below.
Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:
- Tuesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Elementary School Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.
Middle and High School Clinics
FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.
Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.
💚 Custodian Goes Above and Beyond for School and Community
Today is National Custodian Appreciation Day. Thanks to our colleagues on the custodial team, we all have a clean, safe place to learn, teach, and work. Fairfax County Public Schools employs more than 1,300 custodians, field custodians, and building supervisors to maintain our more than 28 million square feet of infrastructure.
One of our amazing custodial employees is Jaime Medina Yrhuay, who works at Falls Church High School. Jaime won Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee for the Falls Church Pyramid last year. Read about what makes Jaime outstanding.
Get to Know FCPS: Family Orientation
This interactive orientation provides information about the school system, the links between family engagement and student achievement, school staff you should get to know, and programs and technology considerations for families. The orientation also includes a discussion that is helpful for families who are new to the United States.
Sessions in English are held online on:
- Tuesday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 22, at 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 10, at 6 p.m.
- Thursday, December 19, at 6 p.m.
Register in advance. Visit the Family Academy catalog page to see the dates this orientation will be offered in Arabic, Korean, and Spanish.
Upcoming Family Academy Events
You are an important part of your child's education! The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.
✏️ Make an Impact: Become a Special Education Teacher
Virtual information sessions for those considering becoming a special education teacher are held on the second Thursday of every month. The next session will be Thursday, October 10, at 6 p.m. Click the date to register. Learn more about career possibilities in special education.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
🌱 Reflecting on a Week of Celebrations
In the latest issue of Weekly Reflections, Dr. Reid highlighted her visits to schools during the week, including celebrating a grant from the Captain Planet Foundation at Crossfield Elementary School (pictured above). Read more in Weekly Reflections. Subscribe now.
Free COVID-19 Tests Available
Households can once again order four free COVID-19 tests to be delivered to you.
🗓️ Calendar Reminders
See the complete school year calendar.
Rosh Hashanah/Teacher Workday
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown today, Wednesday, October 2. This is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.
Thursday, October 3, is a holiday. Schools and offices will be closed for Rosh Hashanah.
Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday, and there will be no school for students.
Walk and Roll to School Day
FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 9, to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.
Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where safe to do so. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to accompany their children to school and to work with their school and PTA or PTO to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event.
Schools are encouraged to register online with Walk and Bike to School. Get more information about Walk to School Day.
Yom Kippur/Evening-Only Observance Day
Friday, October 11, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. Classes will be held that day, but important events will not occur after school.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Staff Development Day
Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Upcoming School Board Work Session
School Board work sessions are held to examine important subjects in depth, which is not usually possible during regular business meetings.
The School Board will hold a work session on Tuesday, October 8, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Topics include the Strategic Plan Goal 1 Report and Boundary Review.
Watch live on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11) or the FCPS YouTube Channel.
Sexual Harassment Prohibited in FCPS
Regulation 4950 – Sexual Harassment by Employees states that no person in Fairfax County Public Schools shall be subjected to sexual harassment. It is the intent of the School Board to maintain an environment free from sexual harassment of any kind.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature amounting to or constituting harassment are prohibited. Employees should report complaints of sexual harassment to their supervisors or program managers. Students and parents of students should bring concerns to their school principals.
If, for any reason, an individual prefers not to address their concerns directly with a principal, supervisor, or program manager, they may consult or file a complaint online (select Discrimination/Bullying/Harassment Complaint).
