Welcome Back!
 Luther Jackson MS Ambassadors preparing for Back to School Night
Welcome to a new school year! I hope you’re enjoying meeting your children’s teachers and school staff and are excited about their unique programs and learning opportunities.
When parents are active in their child’s education, they make a positive impact on their success. FCPS has multiple resources to help you stay involved with your child’s assignments, attendance, activities, and school events. A few of those are highlighted in this newsletter.
We want to work together to make this year the best school experience possible!
Safety and Security
This past summer, the Board directed the superintendent to review all FCPS current safety and security protocols and to make recommendations for enhancements. Dr. Brabrand’s proposals included enhanced training and drills, improved locks and surveillance cameras, and enhanced mental health supports.
At our July 26th Regular meeting, the Board voted to spend $2.2 million to enhance mental-health services by adding additional school psychologists and social workers; and $1.8 million to replace classroom locks and to augment safety training for the upcoming school year.
Student safety is our highest priority and we are continually evaluating and improving our protocols to protect our students and staff.
Recess Time - Increased
 During
the 2018 General Assembly Session, two bills were passed which grant school
divisions some flexibility in how the elementary school instructional day is
configured.
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HB 1419 and SB 273, which go into effect July 1, 2018, reduce the amount of time required to be dedicated to instruction in the four core academic disciplines as well as allow “unstructured recreational time” (aka recess) to count toward calculations of overall instructional time.
The superintendent used this flexibility to require at least 30 minutes a day for all elementary school students, starting this fall.
Advocating for Your Child
When a school problem or concern arises, parents ask how they should resolve the issue. The first step is a discussion with your child’s teacher, most problems can be solved at that level. If not, parents should talk with the school principal, and if a resolution is still not reached, parents should contact the Region Assistant Superintendent (RAS) for their child’s school.
The RAS oversee school staff and will work with both parents and staff to find a solution. The offices of Providence District regions are listed here:
REGION 1 - Oakton, Madison pyramids
REGION 2 - Falls Church, McLean, Marshall, Justice Pyramids and TJHSST
REGION 5 - Chantilly, Fairfax, and Woodson Pyramids
This year, FCPS has added another resource for parents and students--an Ombudsman.
The Family and Student Ombudsman is a new position and will provide an independent, confidential resource for students, families, and community members, offering formal and informal help to resolve concerns, problems, complaints, and other student-related issues. This role will also serve as Title IX Coordinator for FCPS, responsible for the development, implementation, and monitoring of meaningful efforts to comply with Title IX.
As a first point of contact, the Family and Student Ombudsman will listen, review, and provide resources for information and referral; serve as a neutral advocate for fairness, equity, inclusion, and consistency; and foster positive working relationships.
Armando Peri has been named the new Family and Student Ombudsman for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Peri, a Fairfax County native, earned his bachelor of arts in philosophy from Saint Charles Seminary in Philadelphia, and Psy.S.in school psychology, and a master of arts in developmental psychology from Gallaudet University. He began his career in FCPS as a school psychologist at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and an educational specialist in the former Office of Minority Student Achievement. His professional career began as a multi-lingual psychologist (Spanish and American Sign Language) in Illinois working with students within the city and suburbs of Chicago.
If you would like assistance from the Office of the Ombudsman please call or send us an email at ombudsman@fcps.edu to reach our office.
Stay Informed
The 2018-19 school year began on August 28th and will end on June 13, 2019. There is an additional day added to Thanksgiving break, and a two week winter break.
2018-19 Calendar (August – December)
August 28, 2018 School Begins
September 3 Labor Day - Student Holiday
September 19 Students released 3 hours early
October 8 Columbus Day - Student Holiday
November 2 First Grading Period Ends
November 5-6 Student Holidays
November 21-23 Thanksgiving Break
December 14 Students Released 3 hours early
December 24, 2018 - thru January 4, 2019 Winter break
In March 2018, the Board also adopted the 2019-20 calendar for the school year starting in fall of 2019 to give parents, teachers and others more than a year to plan. Like this year, we will start a week before Labor Day, will have two full weeks of Winter Break, and will end in mid-June. Full Details are available FY19-20 Standard School Year Calendar.
News YOU Choose -- School Updates & Events
You can receive news updates from any of our schools, the School Board, the Superintendent, and others. Access this link News You Choose to select your personal interests.
Stay in Touch
Throughout the year, I hold regular office hours on a walk-in basis, no appointment required. My next sessions are scheduled on:
Thursday, September 27th 11:30-1 p.m.
Saturday, October 27th 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Panera (Mosaic District)
8191 Strawberry Lane
Falls Church, VA
I appreciate your continued partnership and support of our community’s public schools. Meeting with community groups and with residents is a priority of mine, and I would love to hear from you or to speak at a community or HOA meeting. Email: Dalia.Palchik@fcps.edu
Phone: 571-423-1084 (office)
Community Events
Do you have events you would like me to share in my next newsletter? If so, please email my assistant Kathy Partlow kfpartlow@fcps.edu with the details. Stay safe and warm this winter, and thank you for your continued interest in Fairfax County Public Schools.
Sep 5th - Oct 26th
#TysonsCares #Shoes4Kids
Help Local Students Step Into Success
Did you know that nearly 30 percent of students in the Fairfax County Public School system are on financial assistance? Many of these 56,000 children come from families that struggle to provide basic necessities, including school supplies and clothing.
Help our local elementary students step into success this school year by donating to our #Shoes4Kids donation drive.
Last year we donated over 1,000 pairs of shoes, and we need your help for Year 3! Donate online here
Thursday, September 20, 2018 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
“Into the Light” Film Screening
Angelika Film Center Mosaic
2911 District Avenue
Fairfax, VA 22031
Healthy Minds Fairfax is hosting a complimentary, private screening of the documentary to Kick off New Mental Health Partnership.
A panel discussion, featuring Barbara Van Dahlen, Founder and President of the Give An Hour initiative, the film’s director Charles Stuart, and local mental health leaders will follow the screening. The Give an Hour initiative is a national nonprofit organization that develops networks of volunteer mental health professionals capable of delivering mental health care to individuals in need.
All community members are invited, welcomed and encouraged to attend the screening event. Join Healthy Minds Fairfax leadership, community partners, and neighbors for this moving film and crucial conversation as we celebrate the launch of the Give an Hour Healthy Minds Fairfax partnership.
Seating is limited; register here.
Saturday, September 29, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
FCPS Mental Health and Wellness Conference School
Fairfax High School
3501 Rebel Run
Fairfax, VA 22030
Dr. Amy Przeworski, associate professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Case Western University, will give the keynote presentation, Using Stress to Your Advantage in Achieving Academic Success and Emotional Well Being.
For the first time, the conference will also include an Our Minds Matter Teen Summit for middle and high school students, sponsored by the Josh Anderson Foundation.
Participants in this conference will be able to choose from a wide variety of breakout sessions, and there will be many resource tables available, representing public and private offices and agencies providing services within our schools and community. More information is available online.
Saturday, October 20, 2018, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Family and Community Engagement Conference: FACEing the Future Together
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Tech
6560 Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22312
FCCPTA, in partnership with FCPS Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement, seeks to foster increased interaction between parents, students, educators, school administrators, education advocates, business, and community leaders to address issues vital to the academic success and well-being of our children. Additional Information
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