Karen Corbett Sanders's Newsletter
Dear Families,
What a whirlwind it has been over the past couple of weeks. I had the opportunity to cheer our Class of 2019 graduates on at 13 graduation and program completion ceremonies. I am so proud of our students. They will be attending 2 and 4 year colleges, joining the service, and beginning jobs using career certifications earned in FCPS. Next year, students attending high schools in Fairfax County will be able to explore more careers with expanded opportunities in our academy programs. These include expanded opportunities in the health care sector, increased cyber opportunities and with a recent grant from the Ford Motor Company, certifications that will allow graduates to work in Ford Dealerships upon graduation. I encourage parents to speak to their students about the opportunities available through our career and technical education programs.
Additionally, I have been working with Supervisors Storck and Gros and fellow school board member Pat Hynes on the establishment of the Joint Environmental Task Force. We are soliciting community candidates for membership on the task force. The first meeting of the new group will be in September.
The School Board has also been focused on revisions to our Student Rights and Responsibilities Regulation and Handbook. The revisions reflect a prioritization on multi-tiers of support and intervention for behavior management. The School Board will be adopting the School Year 2020-2021 calendar in the next few weeks. The calendar presents particular challenges because of the late Labor Day, the Presidential election, and inauguration day.
As we enter the summer season, I wanted to share a few summer opportunities you may be interested in exploring in the Mount Vernon District.
As always, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Karen
ELECTION DAY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Would you like to learn more about the electoral process and earn service learning hours?
The Office of Elections encourages you to become an election page for the upcoming November election if you are either:
1) Enrolled in a high school government class or
2) At least sixteen (16) years of age, and fluent in English (mandatory) and also fluent in one of the following languages, Spanish, Vietnamese, or Korean
For more information, please click HERE, or visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/high-school-student-program
Tue, Jun 25, 2019 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT
All about the IEP! When a child receives special education service under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), he/she must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) which is a written education plan. The IEP is an important document in the educational lives of students with disabilities receiving special education under IDEA. If your child doesn’t qualify for an IEP, he/she may still be able to get help through a 504 plan to ensure the school provides the proper support. Learn your rights as a parent of a child with a disability.
To learn more and to register for the webinar, click HERE.
Many studies have found that reading for pleasure is beneficial for kids in many ways, including keeping up their reading skills over the summer and helping them succeed in school.
Fairfax County Public Library helps make reading fun by providing tools, access, and incentives during its Summer Reading Adventure. Held in cooperation with Fairfax County Public Schools, the Summer Reading Adventure runs June 13 through August 31 and invites all children and teens—birth through high school—to read for fun over the summer. This year’s theme is “It’s Showtime at Your Library!” To participate, register online or visit a branch beginning June 13.
New! Adult Summer Reading Program
Children shouldn't have all the fun! Adults like reading and receiving incentives, too. New this year, Fairfax County Public Library is launching its first system-wide Adult Summer Reading Program for age 18 and up. Readers can bring up to two completed logs to any branch for incentives, and all finishers will be eligible for a grand prize drawing at the conclusion of the summer reading program on Aug. 31.
Learn how to participate in the Adult Summer Reading Program.
Fairfax County Public Schools will host a Career Fair at Lake Braddock Secondary School on Tuesday, June 25. The event will begin with an opportunity to network with schools and operational teams to discuss future vacancies, application processes, and networking opportunities.
During this event, participants will also have an opportunity to choose from break-out sessions about benefits, the application process, and resume writing and interviewing.
Registration for the Career Fair is available online.
Fairfax County Public Schools is searching for full-time bus drivers to join its force of 1,200 drivers who drive more than 16,000,000 miles each year. Effective July 1, the salary for bus drivers increases to $19.20 per hour.
Four bus driver job fairs will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, at Lorton Transportation Facility; on Wednesday, July 31, at Cedar Lane School; and on Thursday, August 8, at Edison High School. Transportation staff members will be on site to answer questions and provide information to prospective drivers.
Learn how you can become an FCPS bus driver.
In the 2019-20 school year, FCPS is projected to have over 56,000 students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Collect for Kids is a network of non-profit and faith-based organizations, businesses, and community groups that work together to provide school supplies and backpacks for these students each year.
Your $25 gift to the 2019 Collect for Kids campaign can provide a filled backpack to a student. Learn more or donate to Collect for Kids.
Join A Place to Be for the culmination of their summer Musical Theatre Camp as they present Holy Cow! An Udderly Amazing New Musical.
This lively original musical set on the fictitious Acorn Acres Farm brings together some endearing farm animals and dedicated farm hands as they try to help farmer Sally save her beautiful farm from Barbecue entrepreneur T-Bone Smokes. More than 40 campers from A Place To Be’s inclusive Musical Theatre Camp will come together to showcase their work with music, dance and beautiful costumes and sets.
Don’t miss this chance to experience the magic of A Place To Be, support your community and learn more about music therapy all while enjoying a fun day at the theater for the whole family! Tickets are $10 at the door.
Performances
Friday June 28, 2019 7:00 p.m.
Saturday June 29, 2019 7:00 p.m.
Sunday June 30, 2019 2:00 p.m.
The Hill School -130 S Madison Street Middleburg, VA
For more information, please click HERE.
Explore our history, listen to diverse stories, and discover the natural beauty of The Home of American Rights. Now is the perfect time to visit George Mason’s Gunston Hall.
Gunston Hall is an 18th-century Georgian mansion near the Potomac River in Mason Neck, Virginia. The house was the home of the United States Founding Father George Mason. It was located at the center of a 5,500 acre plantation. The home is also located not far from George Washington's home.
To plan your visit to George Mason's Gunston Hall, please visit: https://gunstonhall.org/.
The Mount Vernon Estate
Once a vibrant plantation in the 18th century, George Washington's Mount Vernon estate is now one of the nation’s most visited historic sites.
Combining an authentically interpreted 18th century home, lush gardens and grounds, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and first-rate dining and shopping, Mount Vernon is an incomparable national treasure.
To plan your visit to George Washington's Mount Vernon, please visit: https://www.mountvernon.org/.
Workhouse Arts Center is a former prison facility that has been transformed into a cultural arts center, and provides visual and performing arts studio and exhibition space as well as arts education programs. The Workhouse is located in Lorton, Virginia, situated on 55 acres of land in the Occoquan Workhouse portion of the historic D.C. Department of Corrections Lorton Reformatory. The Workhouse houses over 100 professional and emerging artists as well as cooperative studios, performance and theatre venues, a main gallery building, as well as gallery space in each studio and event facilities.
To plan your visit to the Workhouse Arts Center, please visit: http://www.workhousearts.org/.
Saturday evenings • 7 p.m. • June 8 through August 31 • Workhouse Arts Center
Friday evenings • 7:30 p.m. • June 7 through August 30 • Grist Mill Park
This series of free, public concerts features a variety of musical performances reflecting Fairfax County’s diversity, culture and community spirit. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket and enjoy one of Fairfax County’s special summer traditions. Come early to the Workhouse Arts Center to explore its vibrant arts scene.
For more information, please visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances/mt-vernon-nights
August 26 - School Begins
August 30 - September 2 - Labor Day Break - Student Holiday
October 14 - Columbus Day - Student Holiday
November 1 - First Grading Period Ends
November 4-5 - Student Holidays
November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break - Student Holiday
December 23-January 3, 2020 - Winter Break - Student Holiday
The next School Board Meeting will be held on July 11, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at Jackson Middle School. Information about upcoming meetings and agendas can be found here.
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