Stella Pekarsky's Newsletter
Dear Sully District Families,
As the end of this unprecedented school year comes to an end, I hope you and your families are well. There is much turmoil and pain in our nation at this time, and undoubtably, our children observe and try to make sense of what is happening around them. It’s imperative that kids have an opportunity to talk about their feelings and discuss current events in a developmentally appropriate way. Here is a resource that was shared by our school psychologists that you may find useful during this time:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/in-the-news/talking-about-race/
I want to congratulate our seniors and their families. They have had to sacrifice so many of their expectations and highlights of senior year, but they persevere. I also did not expect my son’s senior year to end like this, but I have been so inspired by his optimism for the future and his classmates’. The Class of 2020 sacrificed for the greater good of their community and that will forever be their legacy. I hope you take the time to listen to this speech by Westfield HS senior Darius Holweg. It was featured by Senator Tim Kaine in his graduation contest:
https://youtu.be/T8T74jHUQm4
Thank you for your emails and calls. I always appreciate the opportunity to hear your thoughts and collaborate on ways to serve our children. Please join me tomorrow, June 2nd at 7:00 pm for a Town Hall discussion with At-Large representative Rachna Seizmore Heizer and a special federal update from Congressman Gerry Connolly.
Stella
Fairfax County School Board Approves Revised FY 2021 Budget
The Fairfax County School Board has approved the revised Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21) budget. The budget, revised due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced the previously recommended transfer increase from Fairfax County from $85.5 million to $7.3 million and includes a reduction of $4.8 million from the state. Along with other budget cuts, the total amount of the FY 21 budget was reduced by $67.0 million.
The Board voted to preserve $11.2 million for strategic investments in achievement, equity, and social emotional health. Also included in the revised budget is funding to address distance learning challenges and $9.3 million to fund a post COVID-19 recovery plan.
For more information about the Revised FY 2021 Budget, click HERE.
AAP Study
The school board was presented with the results of a study about access and equity to AAP services. There were many recommendations from the external panel of experts in gifted education and the School Board will be scheduling another work session to further discuss this topic. The report can be found HERE or on Boarddocs under the May 18th meeting.
FCPS Announces 2020 Summer Distance Learning Programs, Preliminary Information About 2020-21 School Year
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will continue distance learning for students during the summer along with targeted intervention services. Virtual learning for students this summer is based on current Fairfax County Health Department guidelines for social distancing and guidance from the state that school buildings remain closed in July.
FCPS will provide the following learning opportunities this summer:
Special Education Services - Extended School Year
FCPS will provide Extended School Year (ESY) to students, grades PreK-12, whose IEP (Individualized Education Program) team determines that the student qualifies for ESY due to significant regression and lack of recoupment of skills that were gained during the regular school year prior to the shutdown.
This summer, ESY services will be provided virtually to students from Monday, June 29, through Friday, July 24.
General Education
High School: Summer High School Credit Recovery classes will occur via distance learning at every high school from Monday, July 6, through Friday, July 24. This free virtual program is designed to allow students to recover credit for a failed course or receive targeted intervention to support future success. Schools will be able to invite students who did not fail a course but who may need extra support.
Online Campus will be open to all students to take courses for new credit. Students will complete a full course and participate in daily synchronous (live) communication with teachers. Students who enroll in the Online Campus pay tuition however, tuition has been reduced to $375 for this summer. Students who have already registered will receive additional information about a refund.
ESOL Online: Language and Literacy Connections for current English learners in grades 7-12 will be held Monday, June 22-Tuesday, July 14, in two sessions. The morning session will run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. daily and an evening session will run from 7 to 8 p.m. daily. Students may select one of the two sessions. For more information and to register, contact your ESOL teacher or visit ESOL Summer Learning.
Middle School and Elementary School
Middle and elementary school students can focus on math and literacy using self-directed print and digital materials—supported by teachers—from Monday, June 29, through Friday, July 31. These teachers will hold virtual office hours to provide support. A middle school ESOL online summer program will also be offered; dates will be communicated soon. These programs are free to students and more information about continuity of learning resources will be provided before the end of the school year.
For more information on all these programs, click HERE.
School Year 2020-21
Discussions began this week with the School Board about Return to School plans for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.
FCPS is awaiting guidance from the state about the possible required conditions that will need to be met for schools to reopen. FCPS also plans to seek the input of stakeholder groups—parents, students, teachers, staff, and administrators—in developing the return to school plan.
The considerations for return to school include the need to:
• Ensure safe learning and working environments for students and staff.
• Provide options for students and staff that are unable to return to school or work.
• Comply with any social distancing requirements.
• Provide universal access to technology devices and internet services at home.
• Provide staff with adequate time and training to prepare for the new school year.
• Make decisions as soon as possible for scheduling and communication with families.
FCPS is preparing for a variety of possible scenarios including:
- Students will have a virtual start to the school year.
- Students will return to school with social distancing in place.
- School will open on time, but some students and staff may be unable to return and will participate through virtual learning.
The preliminary report presented to the School board is available here.
Summer Learning: Other Summer Opportunities
Joint Town Hall Meeting: Stella Pekarsky and Rachna Sizemore Heizer
Please join me for a joint Town Hall meeting with Member-at-Large Rachna Sizemore Heizer and special guest Congressman Gerry Connolly on Tuesday, June 2 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Click HERE to join the Zoom meeting. Alternatively, please paste the link below into your browser.
Zoom Meeting: https://bit.ly/3cuhgH7
Meeting ID: 821 0523 2137 Password: 623214 One tap mobile +16468769923,,82105232137#,,1#,623214# US (New York) +13017158592,,82105232137#,,1#,623214# US (Germantown)
Fairfax County Launching Parent Support Line and Online Parent Café
Fairfax County Government is launching a parent support line and will begin hosting an online Parent Café on Monday evenings, where parents can connect with each other to process through and share different strategies. Some thoughts that might be exchanged:
- What are you doing during this time?
- How are you dealing with this?
- How are you dealing with distance learning while still doing your job?
- How are you dealing with not losing it when your kid asks for snacks for the 600th time?
The Parent Café will be held on the conferencing app Zoom on Monday evenings from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
To participate, you’ll need to register at least 24 hours ahead of time by calling 703-324-7720, or you can send an email to buildingstrongerfamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov.
How to Register a Child for School
Are you the parent of a rising kindergartner or a student new to FCPS? Or maybe you know someone who is? Written instructions for the five-step student registration process are available for kindergarten registration and grade 1 thru 12 registration on the FCPS website.
Resources
Many companies are offering discounted internet service and devices during this crisis. Please visit the links below to learn more.
Cox - https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete.html
Xfinity - https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/comcast-broadband-opportunity-program
Verizon- https://nationalverifier.servicenowservices.com/lifeline
https://www.verizon.com/support/consumer/account/manage-account/lifeline-discount
FCPS Reopens Tracks and Tennis Courts for Public Use
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is following the Fairfax County Park Authority’s phased reopening process and is allowing individuals to exercise on high school tracks and tennis courts.
All visitors are urged to practice health department safety guidelines, including social distancing, and to keep groups to ten people or less. Some high school facilities have construction underway. Please obey onsite signage. Note that all facilities close at sundown in accordance with Park Authority rules.
No scheduled or organized team activities are permitted at this time. Playgrounds, basketball courts, and athletic fields are to remain closed in alignment with the Park Authority until further notice.
More information on re-openings in Fairfax County is available online.
Please note: track and stadium areas at Centreville HS and Westfield HS will remain closed due to scheduled maintenance.
Three Students Named 2020 Coca-Cola Scholars
Three Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students have been named 2020 Coca-Cola Scholars by the Coca-Cola Company and the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Divjot Bedi of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Justin Hu of Madison High School, and Madeleine LeBeau of Chantilly High School are among 150 students nationwide selected for the honor.
Each Coca-Cola Scholar will receive a $20,000 college scholarship. Students were selected based on their ability to exemplify superior leadership, service, and academics, and to serve as change agents, positively affecting others in their communities.
A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and the Coca Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. The new class of Coca-Cola Scholars are now part of a group of alumni that have become a force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Special Electronic Regular Meeting - Thursday, June 18 at 3:30 p.m.
Special Electronic Work Session - Monday, June 15 at 1:30 p.m.
For agenda, handouts and virtual meeting access, click here.
Members of the public are welcome to attend virtually via at https://www.fcps.edu/tv/ch99.
For latest updates from FCPS regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, please click HERE.
As always, the safety of our students, teachers, and staff is our top priority. If I can be of assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to call me at 571-253-4522.
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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