COVID-19 and Our Schools Update
Dear Dranesville Families:
Listening to your concerns is important and so Dr. Brabrand invites you to join him TODAY, March 20, for a Facebook Live Chat beginning at 3 p.m. to answer questions regarding FCPS operations during the COVID emergency. https://www.facebook.com/fcpsva
I understand that this is a time of uncertainty for all of us. Never before have we been asked to respond to a health crisis like the one we are seeing with COVID-19. I know many of you are trying to juggle teleworking with caring for school aged children, perhaps uncertainty about your job, care for older family members, our economy and other large issues. I know that FCPS has been working hard to put together resources for our students, and we have not always communicated what the future holds as fast as we all might like. Information has been slow-coming from state and federal sources, which has limited the ability of FCPS to finalize plans and to keep you informed. Even today, our district leaders are engaging in phone conferences with the US Department of Education and the VA Department of Education to advocate for rational and sound direction and messaging to allow school districts across the country to begin using the learning resources our students need.
Most of all, please stay healthy and implement social distancing for all ages. That is why we are doing this. Please be patient with your children; adults are confused and frustrated with this situation and children will have a hard time understanding what is happening. Fairfax County is a high achieving school district, and we put a lot of pressure on ourselves and our children. Take a moment to breathe and get out in the beautiful spring that is happening all around us. If you need some ideas, be sure to check out these resources to help your children cope with anxiety by providing them with accurate prevention information and facts without causing undue alarm. It is also essential to take care of yourself – learn more about managing your own stress and anxiety.
So—where are we??....
Please know that I have gotten your emails and calls over the past days, thank you, and I am working with staff and the school board to set a path forward. The guidance to date provided by the Virginia Department of Education is that since school divisions cannot ensure equity in access, student instructional assignments should not be required or graded during the closure, at least through March 27. FCPS instructional staff has been working tirelessly to prepare online and virtual education to reach our 200,000 students, aiming to accommodate the vast array of needs and abilities. Switching from classroom-taught materials to virtually-delivered materials (some of which may need to be paper-based and somehow distributed) is a daunting task. Our staff is preparing to ensure that every high school and middle school student has a computer to use (that is 38,000 MS student computers that need to be reconfigured)—our FCPSON program for middle school was slated to start next Fall.
Regarding access to laptops and wi-fi: before the closure, FCPS’ plan included a straightforward way to distribute laptops and Mi-Fi spots to those in need. However, the governor’s announcement suspended the division’s ability to enter schools and distribute equipment, because staff and students might be put in peril. Unlike distributing food, distributing equipment requires a set up inside (protected from weather), where students can login and start up the equipment. Staff also wants to sanitize any equipment before distributing. Finally, we are setting up procedures to keep our staff safe as they work on this distribution.
We are working to clarify the target date for distance learning to be available -- if schools cannot reopen as scheduled on April 14, the plan is to begin distance learning either online, or by packets (for those without computers and our elementary schools). Dr. Brabrand is planning to provide details early next week. Schools will be distributing laptops and mifi devices by appointment next week and provisions will be made for students to pickup essential items from their schools such as medication, and I am hoping musical instruments—details will be coming from Dr. Brabrand soon on this.
Discussions around third quarter grading and required tests such as SOLs are underway, and our staff is in almost daily contact with the College Board (AP) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs. Graduation for our current seniors and course continuity for our juniors, etc. is paramount. See what the College Board is working on here: https://pages.collegeboard.org/collegeboard-covid-19-updates IB information is here: https://www.ibo.org/news/news-about-the-ib/covid-19-coronavirus-updates/
Stay connected to the latest C-19 information through the FCPS website and the Fairfax County website
Please see additional information below and do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns. I will do what I can to help you get some answers. Your family’s health and security and the education of your children are important to me, and I will do my best to keep you up to speed on what FCPS is doing. I am trying to post resources on my twitter feed @elainetholen daily.
Soon I will begin holding virtual office hours using video conferencing technology. Subscribers to my email newsletter like you will be the first to learn about these opportunities. I hope you will encourage your friends and neighbors to subscribe so they too will receive notice of these events and other important information from my office as it becomes available.
Academic Resources
FCPS has developed a plan for continuity of learning while school is closed. Our goal is for students to read, write, communicate, and engage in continued learning experiences during this period. These materials are not designed to introduce new content. Students can partake in optional, self-directed learning activities posted on FCPS 24-7 Blackboard. This work will be neither required nor graded.
Additionally, our FCPS cable television channels are now broadcasting learning activities. New instructional videos are currently being recorded and will be added to the programming lineup shortly. Channel 21 includes elementary school programming, Channel 25 includes middle school programming, and Channel 99 includes high school programming.
The Cooper PTO website has a curated list of resources for your homeschooling plans: https://cooperpto.org/?p=7813.Thank you Cooper MS PTO! Stay connected through Facebook or other social media with your school and your parent organizations.
Childcare Resources
The Fairfax County Office for Children maintains an up-to-date online childcare search that lists all childcare centers and family childcare homes that are licensed or regulated in the county.
If you need support for finding childcare in your neighborhood, please visit Childcare Assistance and Referral for additional information. Childcare financial assistance may be available for families who meet eligibility criteria.
In addition to maintaining regular daily health practices and protocols, Fairfax County has encouraged childcare centers and family childcare homes to take additional precautions, which can be reviewed here.
Staying Healthy Resources
For the most up-to-date information from the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD), visit their website and be sure to sign-up for text message alerts by texting FFXCOVID to 888-777. FCHD has a wealth of information, including details on how to stay healthy, COVID-19 symptoms, and what to do if you are sick.
Proactive measures, including social distancing such as limiting large gatherings, teleworking, and reducing travel, can slow the spread of disease and reduce the burden on medical providers by "flattening the curve." Together we can lower and delay the peak of this public health crisis.
Food Resources
Beginning Friday, March 20, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) buses will deliver grab and go meals along several additional bus routes to now include Herndon. Beginning tomorrow, FCPS is also offering curbside pickup service at two schools. Please check the Bus Route Meal Service web page for location of intersections and times.
Two school sites will offer curbside pickup starting Friday, March 20. Breakfast and lunch will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Those interested in picking up the meals are asked to follow the kiss and ride signage for traffic flow at the school. FCPS staff will deliver meals to children and adults while they wait in their cars in the kiss and ride line. Curbside pickup will be available beginning tomorrow at:
- Westgate Elementary, 7500 Magarity Road, Falls Church
- Oak View Elementary, 5004 Sideburn Road, Fairfax
- For a complete list of distribution sites and times please click here.
Broader Resources
John Foust has a newsletter that comes out regularly with COVID-19 county and area resources for health, food access, working with neighbors, budget, child care, etc.
Click here to subscribe to the Dranesville Dispatch e-Newsletter, the e-Bulletin “Dranesville Happenings” and important community notices.
Something Other Than COVID-19
Meals from the Langley Pyramid Rise Against Hunger Event have shipped in a container totaling 285,120 meals from the National Capital warehouse.The meals are on the way to Somalia. Congratulations to all who participated. Thank you again to Colvin Run ES for hosting this event in February.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© 2020 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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