Partnership Update - February 2023
Our Newest Ignite Partner
Last month we reported that St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Annandale established an Ignite Partnership with Weyanoke Elementary School. This month we’re happy to announce that they are also partnering with Wakefield Forest Elementary.
Parishioners from the church have committed 10 volunteer mentors to support at least 10 students; and at least five weekly volunteers to support a needs-based donations effort helping to provide students with food, clothing, personal hygiene items, and school supplies; and general volunteering at the school.
St. Matthews United Methodist Church is adjacent to the school and one of their goals is to enrich the lives of students and teachers and parishioners.
Thank you for partnering.
Call for Judges - Regional Science and Engineering Fair
Each year 250 judges are required to evaluate science fair projects in a variety of categories, ranging from plant sciences to robotics.
It is preferred that volunteers serving as category judges hold an advanced degree or have extensive academic and/or professional experience in their selected science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) category.
The Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair is a competition for high school students. The fair will be March 17-19. Students earn entry to the regional competition through a science fair at their individual school.
Learn more about the science fair and how to become a judge.
Thank you to the fair sponsors Northrop Grumman, Regeneron ISEF, and Leidos.
A Federal Aviation Administration Field Trip
Marshall Academy Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity students participated in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) STEM Outreach Field Trip. Students learned about the FAA’s work to ensure that the nation’s air space is shared and functions, observed the Command Center Operations, and toured the network server room. The trip concluded with a panel discussion with FAA interns and staff to discuss career opportunities and the pathways needed to land a job on the FAA’s career runway.
What’s an Academy?
A high school academy is a center within an existing high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that integrate career and academic preparation. FCPS has 6 High School Academies and each welcomes business and community partners.
To learn more about high school academy course offerings, visit any of the six High School Academy websites.
- Chantilly Academy.
- Edison Academy.
- Fairfax Academy.
- Falls Church Academy.
- Marshall Academy
- West Potomac Academy.
Upcoming Academy Open Houses
Fairfax County Firefighters Program
6:30 to 8 p.m. - Feb. 17, 2023
Through a partnership with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Firefighting I and Firefighting II are offered to students at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Training Academy.
Patient Care and Nursing Programs
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Feb. 22, 2032
Visit the classrooms of Practical Nursing, Patient Care Technician and Intro to Nursing. Faculty will be available to answer questions. Families and friends will have the opportunity to get a glimpse into FCPS's nursing career pathway. Before attending the open house, learn more about these courses:
Spring Village Construction Program
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Mar. 4, 2023
Through a partnership with the Foundation for Applied Technical Education, Inc. (FATE), students have an opportunity to build a single-family home in Springfield, Virginia.
MIT Alumni Looking to Partner
Members of the MIT Club of Washington DC have been exploring ways to more deeply engage with young people in college and career mentoring and readiness. Club members are in the early stages – gathering information.
The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) partnerships team has been sharing ways to engage and is excited about the prospects. Each of the external groups that the club is learning from works with students in our schools.
More on this developing partnership as it unfolds.
Pandemic Pivot is a Plus for She Believes in Me
Home grown not-for-profit She Believes in Me shifted from being a social and emotional mentoring partner to one that provided food and other needs to students and families. With the support of several area businesses the new model flourished.
She Believes in Me has expanded and is now doing both - mentoring and providing needs-based donations.
We recently formalized an expanded Ignite Partnership that involves Clearview, Herndon, Hutchison, and Clearview Elementary Schools; Herndon Middle School; and Herndon High School. Aldrin and Waples Mill Elementary Schools are on deck when She Believes in Me has the capacity to grow.
Thank you for your flexibility, expanded support, and forward thinking approach to partnering.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Proposed Budget Highlights
At the January 19, 2023 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for FY 2024.
The Proposed Budget focuses on several key area, 86% of which is targeted at instruction:
- Innovative investments that close the achievement gap for all students:
- Equitable access to literacy.
- Increased access to PreK programming.
- Supports for students with special education needs.
- Funding for students in Advanced Academic Programs.
- Changing student enrollment needs.
- Increase in student and family supports, including access to middle school athletic opportunities that support student well-being.
- Continuation of green investments.
- Increased security measures.
- Proposed increases in employee compensation to attract and retain teachers and staff members.
The FY 2024 Proposed Budget totals $3.5 billion—a net increase of $249.6 million or 7.6% over the FY 2023 Approved Budget. The superintendent is requesting an additional $159.6 million, or a 7.0% increase, from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
The budget website offers additional information including the FY 2024 budget calendar.
FCPS Hall of Fame
Educate Fairfax is delighted to present the second annual FCPS Hall of Fame to honor distinguished alumni of Fairfax County Public Schools.
Educate Fairfax, its staff and board, believes that our vibrant and successful school system contributes to a great quality of life here in Fairfax County. By highlighting amazing graduates, we are drawing the connection that tomorrow’s stellar community leaders, business owners, and servant leaders are currently students in our schools right now.
Educate Fairfax is here to make sure all of them have a path to success.
This year’s class of Hall of Fame inductees will be announced later this month. The celebration will be April 19, 2023, and tickets are available through this link. To learn more, please visit the Educate Fairfax website.
Teens, Employment and School
Business people play an important role in modeling the importance of school attendance.
If you’re a local business person employing an FCPS student - thank you. Thank you too for understanding the importance of school, and that the Commonwealth of Virginia has work hour parameters for teens and employment.
For example, a 14 or 15 year old in Virginia cannot work during school hours but is permitted to work:
- 3 hours per day on a school day
- 18 hours a week for a school week
- 8 hours per day on a non-school day
- 40 hours a week in a non-school week
Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time.
Help position students for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance web page for tips and strategies.
We’re Open for Business and Community Partners
Businesses and community groups are encouraged to learn more about Business and Community Partnerships including our Ignite Partnerships program which offers eight ways for businesses and community partners to engage with FCPS.
One way is through Educate Fairfax, the 501(c)3 arm of the school system. Educate Fairfax strives to ensure that every FCPS student has a path to success. Visit their Impact page to learn how our donors make a difference in the lives of our students.
