Karen Corbett Sanders' Newsletter

Dear Families,

I hope everyone is staying safe during these unprecedented times.  I also hope that you are able to take time to enjoy the Summer season and spend time with your families before the start of the 2020-21 School Year on September 8th. 

I understand the frustration of many of our community members regarding the changing plans for the coming school year.  I know many of you spent countless hours deliberating about whether to send your student to school with the hybrid option or choosing the virtual option.  The Superintendent made his recommendation to open schools virtually for the first quarter because of the availability of staff whom expressed health concerns about returning to in person teaching due to their own or a loved one’s underlying health conditions and concerns regarding the health conditions throughout the region. 

Dr. Brabrand will be submitting his plan to the state departments of Health and Education providing more details on our approach to returning to school on August 18th.  This plan will include plans for how the school system will pivot to more in person instruction based on changes in conditions, as well as how FCPS will address any incidences of COVID19 in our schools.  The School Board has directed the Superintendent to provide metrics to the community on how these decisions will be made this month.

FCPS leadership is working around the clock to make sure that the school year is off to a smooth start in which all of our students can actively engage in learning in a virtual environment.  Since closing in the spring, substantial investments have been made in new curriculum, technology and professional development.   This week, the schedule for classes was released and it will mirror the schedule that students had for the 2019-2020 school year.  Individual school principal’s will be reaching out to schedule time for students to pick up laptops prior to school beginning. 

For distance learning, our first priority is to provide access and equity in the learning experience for each of our students.  We understand that there are significant academic and social/emotional challenges to our students learning remotely.  We have strengthened our digital learning model so that we can provide a more rigorous and engaging virtual-learning program with greater connections for all students at all grade levels.   

Students will receive virtual instruction 5 days per week. The week will include 4 days of live, face-to-face online instruction with teachers Tuesday through Friday. Mondays will be used for independent learning with some students identified for teacher-directed specialized instruction/intervention.

During August, special education case managers will work with parents and IEP teams to amend the student IEPs, if necessary, to reflect services the student will receive in the all virtual setting.  Teachers will be conducting real-time face-to-face instruction four days a week. Special education teachers and related service providers will be providing instruction in groups and one-on-one as appropriate for students’ goals and scheduling.

Direct instruction may be supplemented with activities which can be completed by the student in addition to the synchronous instruction.  More Special Education updates are available online. 

FCPS is also developing technology supports for families and students to include:

• Launching a help desk for parents.
• Developing a portal to allow students to request technology help directly.
• Developing methods for students to manage their Blackboard Collaborate/Google Meet class links in their Google Calendar.

An FAQ  page on our website provides answers to additional questions that you may have.  It is updated frequently as more information becomes available.

I want to thank all of your for your patience and your continued support for FCPS during this challenging time.

-Karen

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.

SAT and ACT Testing

FCPS is aware that families of high school students, especially our rising seniors, are concerned about access to ACT and SAT testing in FCPS and surrounding areas. We will proceed with the scheduled August 29 SAT testing at several FCPS high schools. In addition, we will work with the College Board to offer FCPS seniors an opportunity to take the SAT at their schools on September 23, through the SAT School Day testing program. We will share registration information for the September 23 test date in mid-August.

Any additional changes for weekend testing sites for the ACT or SAT in FCPS throughout the 2020-21 school year will depend on health conditions along with health and safety guidelines. Changes will be communicated directly to registered students by ACT or by the College Board for the SAT.

Free online test preparation is available at the following links: Khan Academy Official SAT Practice and ACT Academy. We encourage our rising seniors to carefully review the admissions criterion for the colleges on their lists, as many colleges are adjusting requirements for ACT or SAT. School counselors and career center specialists will be available in mid-August to discuss postsecondary planning with students and their families.

Fairfax County School Board Approves Changes to SR&R

My colleagues on the School Board approved a number of my amendments to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) regulation, effective with the 2020-21 school year, including language pertaining digital citizenship, increased transparency in discipline reporting and supports for students with 504 plans that parallel those of students with IEPs.  Additional amendments were made to the student dress code provisions as well.

The Board approved my amendment to replace the “Social Media” section with a new “Digital Citizenship” section that includes the following language: Students have the right to safe, trusting, and positive physical and virtual learning environments. In accordance with Appendix A of the SR&R, these rights include: 

• The right to be treated with respect in online learning environments. 
• The right to express beliefs and opinions respectfully in online environments without being interrupted or punished. 
• The right to access, support, and opportunities to use the provided technology tools and resources that support learning. 
• The right to use technology to interact with other students, teachers, and class content to support their learning in both the physical and virtual environments. 

Students may exercise these rights and privileges as long as they do so in a manner that does not interfere with the rights of others or the schools’ ability to provide a safe learning environment.

FCPS expects students to be responsible members of society and to display good digital citizenship at all times. Students are to respect the rights of others and to refrain from the use of profanity hurtful or hateful messaging and cyber bullying in accordance with FCPS non-discrimination policy and the code of Virginia 18.2=152.7:1. Students may not post information if it violates the privacy of others, jeopardizes the health or safety of students, is obscene or libelous, causes disruption of school activities, plagiarizes the work of others, is a commercial advertisement, or is not approved by the principal.

The new behavioral codes and leveled responses to student behavior provide an opportunity to reflect and provide intervention based upon the impact of student behavior on the school environment and student learning. The categories and definitions are more school based and provide a common language for school staff, and more understanding of concerns for parents and students. This also aligns with language and practices within the framework of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), another goal noted through our discipline studies.

The MTSS language states: Fairfax County Public Schools uses a multi-tiered system of support to support the individual needs of each student using a whole-child approach. MTSS is a framework through which teams make decisions based on data to provide differentiated classroom instruction and the necessary academic, behavior, and social- emotional wellness supports for all students across all schools.

The Board clarified language in the Dress Code about prohibited clothing to include head coverings (i.e., hats) unless worn for a bona fide purpose (religious, cultural, medical), and added prohibited clothing that is racist or culturally divisive. The Board also added the following language: School staff will resolve dress code infractions in a discreet and respectful manner and without any of the following: using any direct physical contact with the student or the student’s attire or requiring any student to undress in front of another person. Dress code standards apply to all students. Students who are not compliant with the foregoing may be subject to counseling, loss of privileges, removal from class or activities, or disciplinary action.

Parents Reminded that Required Immunizations Remain Mandatory for School

Vaccines are still required to enroll in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) even though all students will start the year with virtual learning.  Childhood vaccines protect children against potentially life-threatening illnesses such as polio, measles, whooping cough, and chicken pox. Students entering seventh grade and transfer students need a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine. 

To help parents whose children need immunizations required for enrollment in school for the 2020-21 school year, the Fairfax County Health Department is offering community childhood vaccination clinics plus expanded hours to provide the Tdap vaccine at three clinics.

Vaccination clinics will be held:

• Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5800 Backlick Rd., Springfield.
• Saturday, August 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church, 3305 Glen Carlyn Rd., Bailey’s Crossroads.
• Monday, August 17, 2 to 6 p.m., London Towne Elementary, 6100 Stone Rd. Centreville
• Thursday, August 20, 2 to 6 p.m., Annandale District Office, 7611 Little River Tnpk, #400E, Annandale.
• Saturday, August 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mount Vernon District Office, 8350 Richmond Hwy, #233, Alexandria.
• Thursday, September 3, 2 to 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary St., Springfield.
• Saturday, September 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., location to be announced.

Tdap vaccines will be administered at clinics through August 28 at one of three locations. More information is available online.

The Health Department follows strict safety protocols in its community vaccination clinics to limit exposure to patients.  Only a select number of appointments per site will be available to protect families. Visitors age 2 and older are required to wear face coverings that cover the nose and mouth; temperature checks will be conducted at entrances; visitors will be required to stay 6 feet apart, and partitions will separate vaccination stations.

Parents can schedule an appointment by calling 703-246-6010, TTY 711. Complete information is available on the Health Department website.

Virginia High School League Announces 2020-21 Sports and Activities Plan

The Virginia High School League (VHSL) Executive Committee, meeting in special session today, voted to move forward with Model 3 in its re-opening of sports and activities for the 2020-21 school year. Model 3 delays all VHSL sports and activities until December 14 and adopts the Condensed Interscholastic Plan. This model leaves all sports in the season where they are currently aligned.

Model 3 – Condensed Interscholastic Plan:

• Season 1 (Winter) December 14 to February 20 (First Contest Date–December 28): Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Swim/Dive, Wrestling.
• Season 2 (Fall) February 15 to May 1 (First Contest Date–March 1): Cheer, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Volleyball.
• Season 3 (Spring) April 12 to June 26 (First Contest Date–April 26): Baseball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field.

More information is available on the VHSL website at www.vhsl.org or by contacting the FCPS Office of Communication and Community Relations at 571-423-1200.

The marching band season has also been postponed.

FCPS Names New Assistant Superintendent for Special Services

A warm welcome to our new Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, Dr. Michelle Boyd.  She currently serves as the executive director of the Piedmont Regional Education Program (PREP) in Charlottesville and will replace Teresa Johnson, who is retiring.

At PREP, Dr. Boyd is responsible for all aspects of the regional special education program, which provides support services to students with disabilities in nine public school divisions in western Virginia and a school for K-12 students with emotional disabilities. Among her accomplishments are expanding virtual learning opportunities for high school students and enhancing human resource practices to ensure equity in employee acquisition and retention. Previously, Dr. Boyd was the assistant superintendent for Richmond City Schools, responsible for supervising alternative education, exceptional education, Section 504, health services, social work services, psychological services, homebased and homebound instruction, student discipline, multi-tiered systems of support, homeless education, family and community engagement, and alternative education.

Dr. Boyd earned a bachelor’s degree in special education and elementary education at Clarion University (Penn.); a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy at the University of Maryland; and a doctor of education degree in educational policy, planning, and leadership from the College of William and Mary.

John R. Lewis High School Chosen to Replace Robert E. Lee High School

After a month long public comment process, the Fairfax County School Board voted to rename Robert E. Lee High School after the late U.S. Congressman John R. Lewis at its business meeting on July 23. The new name will be effective for the 2020-21 school year.

The Georgian Congressman served in the U.S. House of Representative for 33 years and both visited and received student visitors from FCPS on numerous occasions. The civil rights leader inspired generations of students about the importance of civil rights, public engagement and voting.  Congressman Lewis was the recipient of many awards throughout his lifetime, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Congressman Lewis died on July 17, 2020.  His legacy in Congress and as an organizer of the March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery March  across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965 should inspire future generations attending the school.

Annual Virginia Tax Holiday Applies to School Supplies, Clothing Purchases

Families in Virginia will get a sales tax break on clothes and supplies for school when the state holds its annual Virginia tax holiday, August 7-9.

To be eligible for the tax break, school supply items must be priced at $20 or less, and clothing and footwear must be priced at $100 or less. 

Among the eligible school supplies are art and music supplies, calculators, composition books and notebooks, paper, dictionaries, crayons, lunch boxes, pens, pencils, and reference books. 

More information about the Virginia tax holiday, including complete lists of eligible school supplies and clothing items, is available online. 

2020 Collect for Kids School Supply Drive to Be Online Only

As we look forward to a virtual or in person new school year, students need school supplies to be prepared to learn. Once again, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and the Foundation for FCPS are leading the Collect for Kids effort, a consortium of not-for-profit, for-profit, and government entities promoting, coordinating, and providing school supply drives to benefit FCPS students that otherwise might go without them.   

This year, to help keep staff, students, and volunteers safe, the Collect for Kids effort is moving exclusively to a virtual, online-only campaign. All donated funds will be used to purchase assembled grade-level appropriate kits for students in need.

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, nearly 60,000—or a full one-third—of FCPS students lived at or below the poverty level and struggled to afford basic necessities.   

Contributions can be made online through the Foundation for FCPS. Donations will be used to purchase bulk school supply kits at discounted pricing.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Special Electronic Regular  Meeting - Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 1:30 pm

Special Electronic Regular  Meeting - Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 3:30 pm

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

E-mail: Karen Corbett Sanders  |  Phone: 571-423-1086

Lisa Madeja, Executive Admin Assistant, 571-423-1055, emadeja@fcps.edu