Important Updates for Next Week

Dear Braddock District Community,

While I try to minimize the volume of emails coming to you from FCPS, I want to provide you with some time-sensitive information (and related links) regarding next week:

Monday, April 13: Braddock District Supervisor’s 7:30 p.m. Budget Town Hall (I will be participating)

Tuesday, April 14: School resumes for students (via the Distance Learning program)

Thursday, April 16: School Board’s 10:00 a.m. (Virtual) Budget Work Session

Without question, it has been a daunting task to quickly develop and train FCPS teachers and school-based staff on how to deliver student instruction and support services via a distance learning environment. However, FCPS and the School Board remain deeply committed to meeting the needs of students and staff during this unprecedented school closure. It’s also important to note that the Board has asked for a staff report on how FCPS’ distance learning plan compares with the other DC Metro Area school system plans.

Monday’s 7:30 p.m. Braddock District (Virtual) Budget Town Hall will be televised, so please see details below on how you can submit questions and/or watch the event. Regrettably, the COVID-19 crisis is expected to have a profound effect on state and local revenue, and therefore our County and FCPS’ fiscal 2021 budgets. 

As always, please contact me if I can be assistance to you, especially as our community navigates the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones,

Megan


Braddock District (Virtual) Budget Town Hall - Monday

I will be joining Braddock District Supervisor Walkinshaw and Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro for a Braddock District Virtual Budget Town Hall on Monday evening.

Monday, April 13, 2020

7:30 p.m.

Find live streaming:

Verizon/Comcast: Channel 16

COX: Channel 1016

Channel 16’s website

Supervisor Walkinshaw's Facebook page

We encourage you to submit questions via the following:

Phone - 703-324-1114

Email - Braddock@Fairfaxcounty.Gov

In the comments section of Supervisor Walkinshaw's Facebook page


Distance Learning Plan

The FCPS Leadership Team and the School Board continue to review questions and feedback from families, students, and the community. This allows us to respond quickly to any developing concerns. Please be sure to contact your teacher and/or principal directly about your child’s individual needs.

The complete Distance Learning Plan can be accessed HERE or you can locate specific sections of the plan through the Distance Learning Plan webpage.

A new website has been developed to provide resources and strategies to support students and families as they prepare for distance learning: Learning at Home.


Distance Learning Packets

FCPS’ distance learning packets started arriving in mailboxes last week. Due to a slight delay in the mail process, some families may not have received their first packet until this week. Other families may have received duplicate copies of the first learning packet (a distribution error that has been corrected). Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions about the learning packet.

For the first two weeks, learning packets provide review for essential standards for each grade level (K-8). The subsequent packets will provide both new content and review of previously taught concepts.

Go Paperless!

Packets are available electronically in FCPS 24/7 Learning (Blackboard) and can be printed at home. If you plan to access the learning packets online, you can choose to go paperless and opt out of receiving the mailed copies. By opting out of the mailed learning packets, it will help FCPS save money on printing and mailing costs.

Families who opt out will be notified by email and will have the opportunity to opt back into receiving printed packets by following the instructions on the email.

To stop receiving the printed packets, you will need your student's FCPS student ID and the enrolling parent’s email address.

Please expect to receive at least one additional printed learning packet after your request to go paperless is entered.


Internet Assistance Program

During this time of required distance learning due to COVID-19, COX is helping students in need (grades K-12) get connected to the internet through Connect2Compete program.

  • New customers receive their first two months free of Connect2Compete service, $9.95/month thereafter
  • Phone and remote desktop support through Cox Complete Care at no charge to provide peace of mind and ease for technology needs
  • Resources for discounted, refurbished equipment through our association with PCs for People
  • A learn from Home toolkit for schools, including instructions on how to fast-track eligible students without internet access

For more information visit www.cox.com/c2c

A list of additional companies offering assistance can be found HERE.


Budget Update

Yesterday, the School Board held a virtual work session to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on our existing budget.

Click this link to the YouTube video of the work session.

Here is a link to the presentation: FY21 Revised Budget

Here are a few highlights:

  • FCPS funding may be reduced by more than $100M
  • Estimated new County funding for FCPS is expected to change from $89M to $7.3M
  • Estimated new state funds may be reduced by approximately $25M.
  • Other reductions in funding sources are anticipated.
  • One-time federal stimulus funding from the CARES act is approximately $21M.
  • Superintendent Brabrand’s revised budget recommendations focus on maintaining current FCPS employees, classroom and student supports, while deferring new programs, compensation increases, and new strategic investments.

Updated Budget Timeframe:

  • April 7 – County Proposed a revised FY 21 budget link here to the County's revised budget proposal
  • April 11 – Governor amends the FY 21-22 biennium budget
  • April 16 – Superintendent presents the FY21 revised budget recommendation to the School Board
  • April 20 – School Board budget work session
  • April 22 – General Assembly reconvenes to consider the Governor’s Amendments
  • April 23 – School Board considers the FY 21 Revised Budget
  • April 28 – School Board presents the preliminary FY 21 Revised Budget to the County Board of Supervisors
  • May 5 – Board of Supervisor marks up the FY 21 Budget
  • May 12 – County Board of Supervisors approves the FY 21 County Budget, tax rate, and transfer to the schools (this date has changed, which now impacts the remaining budget dates shown below)
  • TBD – School Board Approved budget presented for new business
  • TBD – School Board holds public hearings on the budget
  • TBD – School Board conducts final budget work session
  • TBD – School Board adopts FCPS FY 21 Approved Budget

Reminder - FCPS School Grounds are Closed

All FCPS athletic fields, playgrounds and other outdoor facilities are closed until further notice. Signs have been posted at each school site. Please abide by these site restrictions - everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting themselves, their family, and their community.

All Fairfax County Park Authority parks and amenities are also closed to the public until further notice. (Park trails remain open; click on this link for more information).


How You Can Help Our Community

In these uncertain times, families in our community are in urgent need of food and supplies. If you are able to, I encourage you all to consider donating to our food pantries and community based resources listed below:

Alive   Echo   Christ House   Food For Others   Grace Episcopal Church  Groveton Baptist Church   ICNA Relief   Koinonia  Rising Hope   Share Food Network   United Community   Wesley United Methodist Church 

In addition, FCPS has a Foundation that provides support to our schools and has continued to be a resource for community members who want to help. Please consider making a donation to our Foundation to help our children and families in need.


Stay Informed

Fairfax County residents now have additional ways to get information about COVID-19. Residents can send specific questions or concerns related to the coronavirus to: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov

Text: Ffxcovid to 888777

For regular updates, residents can also continue to follow the following trusted sources:

FCPS Coronavirus Update webpage

Fairfax County Health Department’s coronavirus webpage

Virginia Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


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