Karen Corbett Sanders' Newsletter
Dear Families,
Last Thursday, I handed the gavel to a new Chair of the School Board, Dr. Ricardy Anderson, the Mason District Member. Dr. Anderson brings a wealth of knowledge as a public educator, principal and parent of two school aged children in Fairfax County Public Schools. It has been a pleasure and an honor to have chaired the Board for the past two years. Although much has been accomplished, I know that the challenges before us are great, and I am committed to ensuring that we do what is best for all of our families in Fairfax County.
This month is the 151st anniversary of the Virginia Public School System. The first statewide system of free public schools in the Country was established in July 1870 after the ratification of a new constitution. I believe it was one of the most important and enduring accomplishments of Reconstruction. However more must be done to ensure that our school system meets the needs of all of our students. To read more about the history for Virginia and the Public School System, click HERE.
This July is particularly challenging for public schools in our county, state and across the country. We understand the need for our students to be back in school where they can engage with teachers and students in meaningful ways that allow for both academic attainment and the development of relationships with peers and teachers. The School Board, Dr. Brabrand and FCPS staff are committed to doing everything possible to restore that experience for our students. However, we must do so in a manner that takes into account the very real public health concerns of COVID19.
The Guidance provided by the Governor requires the School System to provide a plan to the state in August detailing how we will transition between phases of Covid 19. If the health conditions change for the better, we will pivot to more in person instruction. If the conditions deteriorate, we will pivot to more on-line instruction, either for a class, school, region or the district. Any changes will be communicated to the community. The Superintendent is working closely with the County Executive and the Department of Health on how these decisions will be made.
Parents and staff have a difficult task as they make decisions which are best for their families. We understand this and are committed to working with our community to provide the best educational experience that meets the needs of our families.
-Karen
FCPS Extends 2020-21 Enrollment Deadline to July 15
Fairfax County Public Schools’ deadline for parents to choose how they want their children to return to school this fall for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year Wednesday, July 15.
The plan offers families two choices:
- Full-time online instruction. Virtual, face to face instruction will be provided four days a week.
- At least two full days of instruction in school each week with students engaged in independent study and work on the days they are not in school.
- Middle and High School Students will have a block schedule where they will have 4 classes on each of the days that they attend school.
One day each week will be set aside for teacher planning and intervention support for some students in both scenarios.
Parents are asked to respond no later than Wednesday, July 15, so that school level planning can begin for virtual and in-person class schedules. Teachers have also been asked for their return-to-school preferences and their responses are also due by July 15.
Additional details about Reopening of School plans are available online.
Related Information:
The enrollment link is: https://www.fcps.edu/enroll2020.
Middle School and High School Block Schedules
As many of you may know, I have had concerns with the 8-period day plan. While I appreciate the reasoning behind the initial 8-period plan of giving the students the ability to see and interact with all their teachers, I was very concerned about the lost instructional time, increased risk of contagions due to transitions (which all of the data suggests should be reduced) and the impact on our students who are depending on CTE certifications. These signature programs are important opportunities for students that provide work force development in important sectors of our economy.
The health and safety continues to be a top criteria. Risks increase when we have more transitions and concentration of students in hallways. Eliminating 4 transitions increases the amount of instructional time by over an hour a week.
FCPS School Board Approves Starting 2020-21 School Year After Labor Day
At our July 9 business meeting, the Fairfax County School Board approved delaying the start of the 2020-21 school year to provide staff members additional time to plan instruction and schedules, provide professional staff development, and finalize transportation and other operational details.
The revised calendar delays the first instructional day for students by two weeks, from Tuesday, August 25, to Tuesday, September 8. Other employee work schedules will remain unchanged and the revised calendar provides adjustments for additional staff development and planning time between Tuesday, August 25, and Thursday, September 3.
The revised 2020-21 school year calendar is available online.
Telephone Parent Information Line Available in Eight Languages
Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.
School Counselors, Psychologists, and Social Workers Are Available During the Summer
Need to speak with a counselor? Any FCPS parent may schedule a 30-minute phone consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker, for either themselves or their middle or high school student. Consultations provide an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s emotional well-being during their time away from school. Student consultations will provide support and strategies to students who may be experiencing difficulties with anxiety, mood, behavior, or peer or family interactions during this unprecedented and challenging time.
Note: Parent consultations are available for all grade levels. Student consultations are only available for middle and high school students. Schedule a phone consultation online. You may also leave a message at 571-423-4276.
FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING ADVENTURE PROGRAM 2020
The program will run from June 12-August 14. The theme will be “Imagine Your Story”.
- All participants will need to sign up online using the Summer Reading App before they download their gameboard. Staff are available via phone or online chat to answer questions about signing up.
- This summer, readers of all ages will have the opportunity to play a gameboard where they can complete a series of challenges, read books of their choice, or a mix of both depending on their interests and preferences. Youth game boards will be available in English and Spanish. These will go live on June 12.
- Participants can click on gameboards, and every challenge piece will link back to a page on the website with additional details, resources, and related enrichment activities for participants who want to go the extra mile.
- As participants play the game and hit their milestones, they will be entered in prize drawings for one of two Amazon gift cards in each age category (preschool, school-age, teen, and adult). The 1st milestone prize is $50, the 2nd is $100, and the 3rd is $150. Participants will submit their information via a Survey Monkey form for each milestone. Links to the surveys are embedded into each milestone piece in the game and they are also available on FCPL website.
- Readers who sign up on the first day of the program (June 12) will be entered in a drawing for a $25 e-gift card from Scrawl Books.
- Participants who complete all three challenges by August 14 will be entered in a grandprize drawing for Washington Nationals ticket prize pack for them and their family to enjoy once games resume.
- Since the public librarians weren’t able to make it into your classrooms this year for book talks, they have a Summer Reading Adventure 2020 playlist on YouTube that features promo videos with basic information about the program (in English and Spanish) as well as short book talks for preschoolers, school-age kids, and teens. They will be adding additional book talks on Instagram throughout the summer.
- Social media is a great place to find FCPL these days: @FairfaxLibrary on Instagram and Twitter and Fairfax County Library on Facebook.
- The Teen Cover Art Contest, Teen Film Festival, and For Love of Country Essay and Poetry contest will accept only digital submissions this summer and will run concurrently with the Summer Reading Adventure. Any awards ceremonies associated with these contests are TBD.
- The library’s virtual programs will continue all summer long and information can be found on the FCPL events calendar.
• Additional information can be found here
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Special Electronic Regular Meeting - Thursday, July 23 at 3:30 p.m.
Special Electronic Work Session - Tuesday, July 21 at 2:00 p.m.
Public Hearing - Renaming Lee High School - Wednesday, July 15 at 4 p.m.
Public Hearing - Renaming Lee High School -Wednesday, July 22 at 4 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.
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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