Partnership Update - December 2021

They Signed on the Dotted Line

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries Expands Support

Our friends at Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) are a generous bunch -- already expanding their partnership footprint in FCPS. You may recall that in September, WFCM finalized a Needs-Based Donations Ignite Partnership with Chantilly High School. Come November and they’re adding London Towne Elementary School and Westfield High School. 

As a part of this partnership, WFCM is loaning all three schools industrial size refrigerators so, along with non-perishable, fresh foods can now be stored for distribution to students.

In this partnership, WFCM employees will stock the fridge weekly, and 100+ students at each school will be provided free supplemental food - as needed.

Expecting more growth out of WFCM, we developed our latest partnership agreement with growth in mind covering all of FCPS Regions 4 and 5.

Thank you Western Fairfax Christian Ministries.

EduTutorVA's Powerful Connections with GMU and NVCC

EduTutorVA is starting their second year supporting students in FCPS with a unique tutoring and teacher development partnership involving George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College students.

The model EduTutorVA involves undergraduate and graduate level college students from George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College, who serve as trained language arts and math tutors for elementary and middle school students. 

This year, a handful of tutors will work with 12 to 18 students at Westlawn Elementary School, where the principal is hopeful that their passion for teaching becomes an obsession and that they apply and become teachers in Fairfax County Public Schools.
 

Partnerships in the Pipeline

We’ve started discussions to expand our partnership base with Cease Hunger, Liberty’s Promise, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, We Are CASA, and a potential third expansion with Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. 

Undaunted Futures Considers a Mentoring Ignite Partnership

Our college connected mentoring Ignite Partnership with Undaunted Futures is far enough along that we can offer a sneak peek. In this partnership, Lynette Henry (left) and Lakeyta Smith (right) who lead the FCPS College Success Program will collaborate with the not-for-profit on meaningful ways to engage students. Their collective mission is to foster racial and economic equality through mentoring, peer networking and cultural immersion.  

The goals are to move students toward a bolder and more hopeful future whether it is through community service, higher education or employment.

Don't Stop Reading.  There's More.

Thank You Inova Pediatricians

Fairfax County Public Schools and Inova teamed to create informational videos targeting parents and guardians of children ages 5 to 11 about vaccinations. In the videos, shared through multiple FCPS communication platforms, pediatricians answer questions about the vaccines, the value of immunizations, risks versus rewards and more.
 

We want to thank our partners and the pediatricians at Inova for jumping in to help. See how the videos are used in our VaxUp FCPS campaign.

Protecting Student Data   

We understand that measuring the effectiveness of a partnership means that organizations often want to collect and understand data for their programs effectiveness. We also agree that good data is important if we are to implement positive programmatic changes and further benefit student learning.

Having said that, we hope that you understand the value of protecting student data.  

To work together, FCPS requires that surveying, research, data collection and reporting be approved by the Office of Research and Strategic Improvement. We encourage potential partners to learn more about our research approval processes. 

Superintendent Search Update

As the search for FCPS’ next superintendent gets underway, we are committed to keeping our staff, families, and community members informed about the process and aware of opportunities to provide feedback. Below is a snapshot of upcoming community engagement opportunities:

• December 13, 1 p.m.: School Board work session to discuss the process, timeline, and engagement opportunities. Watch video recording and view the consultant's presentation.  
• December 14-16, 2021: GR Consulting, the search firm handling the superintendent search, will lead Staff Stakeholder Meetings with previously identified staff members representing all employee groups. 
• January 4, 2022: GR Consulting will be administering a survey to parents/guardians, students, staff, and community members. The survey will be available in multiple languages and will be a great opportunity for the FCPS community to weigh in on the most important qualities our next superintendent should possess. 
• January 10-12, 2022: The search firm will hold Community Stakeholder Meetings with previously identified parents, students, and community members.

Please visit our Superintendent Search webpage for additional information.

Genesys Works Works!

Our five year Ignite Partner Genesys Works is doing fantastic work with high school seniors providing them paid tech internships. Watch a video featuring Erwin, one of Mount Vernon High School’s star students, who is interning at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis. Learn more about the value of being an FCPS Ignite Partner.

We’re Open for Business and Community Partners

Visitors, mentors or volunteers may enter FCPS buildings provided they adhere to the following conditions:

• All visitors to buildings must follow sign in and sign out procedures, as directed by the school, at the main office.
• All visitors/volunteers must follow all FCPS mitigation strategies at all times.
• Any student participating in distance learning that must visit the building for any reason will be required to complete the daily health screening questionnaire (on an honor basis) and wear a face covering/mask (cloth or disposable) while in the building.
• Delivery personnel are NOT required to complete a daily health screening questionnaire or sign-in if only dropping off or picking up items. If delivery personnel have to spend an extended period of time on site, they must complete the visitor procedures.  

COVID-19 Vaccinations are not required for visitors/volunteers.

Businesses and community groups are encouraged to learn more about Business and Community Partnerships including our Ignite Partnerships program.