Partnership Update - October 2021

They Signed on the Dotted Line

Food Necessary Food

Because food insecurity and hunger are deterrents to learning, our friends at Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) have thoughtfully established a Needs-Based Donations Ignite Partnership with Chantilly High School.

Thanks to WFCM, 100+ students will be provided free supplemental food each week. As a part of this partnership, WFCM funded an electrical outlet conversion at the school to suit a loaned industrial size refrigerator. As many as ten WFCM employees will share the weekly duties of stocking the fridge with perishable foods supplementing Chantilly High School’s existing food pantry.

According to WFCM Executive Director Harmonie Taddeo, “When they reached out to partner, the Chantilly High School team made clear their focus on mitigating food insecurity amongst their students. We look forward to reducing hunger at Chantilly HS and working with additional schools in western Fairfax County.” WFCM serves individuals and families of all ages, religions, and nationalities all over central and western Fairfax County. Thank you.

A Superior Partnership

Thanks to a new partnership with Superior Auto Care, students participating in several of our high school Automotive Technology and Automotive Collision courses will take part in career exploration programs.

Four of Superior Auto Care’s locations are in Fairfax County and in coordination with our Career and Technical Education team and the auto teachers at Annandale, Falls Church, and South Lakes High Schools; and Chantilly, and Edison Academies, we’ve established five new workforce development Ignite Partnerships.

The partnership extends beyond the auto shop’s nuts-n-bolts garages, and into the front and back offices of Superior Auto Care – management, bookkeeping, marketing, etc. At least 20 students, likely many more, will be served by this partnership. Thank you.

Partnerships in the Pipeline

Psi Alpha Alpha

We’re well on our way to establishing a Mentoring Ignite Partnership with Psi Alpha Alpha, a chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The chapter Basileus or President, Mr. W.J. Williams Jr. says the program serves African American boys, but is welcoming to all. Psi Alpha Alpha began their work  at Lewis High School, and last year, decided to expand to include West Potomac and Mount Vernon High Schools. They will provide at least 10 caring adult mentors at each school.

AALEAD

A group named Asian American Youth Leadership Empowerment and Development or AALEAD is reviewing our Workforce Development Ignite Partnership template agreement. AALEAD supports low-income and underserved Asian American Pacific Islander youth with educational empowerment, identity development, and leadership opportunities through after school, summer, and mentoring programs. Four schools in Region 2 are being discussed, but you’ll need to read next month’s Partnership Update to learn how this partnership comes together and at which schools.  

Advancing Science

Through the pandemic and continuing into this school year, members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) are innovatively connecting with and supporting students in Fairfax County Public Schools.

In partnership with FCPS, AAAS volunteers began deploying Project Based Learning (PBL) activities through dynamic online videos, and offering students interviews with scientists.  

AAAS is the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society and a leading publisher of cutting-edge research through its Science family of journals. Their mission is to "advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people." 

AAAS anticipates an average of 55 volunteers per year contributing 3-4 hours weekly to Fairfax County Public Schools.  Thank you.

We’re Hiring

Fairfax County Public Schools is seeking individuals to serve as substitute teachers. Existing partners and volunteers currently not engaged because of COVID-19 workplace restrictions are encouraged to consider becoming substitute teachers.

Substitute teachers are important to the success of the total school program and provide coverage in place of the regular scheduled employee. Substitutes can choose to work at various FCPS locations in either a virtual or in-person capacity. Candidates interested in becoming a substitute teacher are encouraged to visit the substitute information page and apply. 

Questions should be directed to FCPS Department of Human Resources through the online web portal.

Thank You Chambers of Commerce 

Since the early days of September, board members of several local Chambers of Commerce have welcomed FCPS Assistant Superintendent of Facilities and Transportation Services, Jeffrey Platenberg to share important facts about the upcoming bond referendum. 

You can read all about the 2021 School Construction Bond Referendum too.  Remember to vote on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

The Foundation for FCPS is now Educate Fairfax!

The new name, according to Executive Director Elizabeth Murphy, was chosen because it better reflects the mission to elevate the community by providing enhanced support and resources to students and teachers across Fairfax County.  

Through a refined focus on “Our Students, Our Strength,”  Educate Fairfax strives to ensure that every FCPS student has a path to success.

Visit their Impact page to learn how donors make a difference in the lives of our students.

We’re Open for Business and Community Partners

Fairfax County Public Schools remains hopeful that volunteers will be able to engage students in-person beginning in the fall of 2021 - with safety measures in place.  If not in-person, we remain open for business and community partners to engage virtually too. 

If you ever need information about what FCPS Business and Community Partnerships is about beyond Ignite Partnerships, we're always reachable online.