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Dear Lee District Families,
As the third week of distance learning comes to an end, I have had the pleasure to drop into several virtual classrooms at all grade levels. I have found our teachers energized and our students engaged. I enjoyed watching the interactions within the classrooms—students helping each other, posting supportive comments—teachers asking students for feedback and ensuring that all voices within their classrooms were heard.
Over the last two weeks, our School Board has held many meetings on important topics, including a review of Superintendent Brabrand’s plan to return to in person learning and a proposal to change TJ admissions.
I thank all FCPS families and constituents who have shared your opinions on these two important topics. We have received hundreds of emails with passionate positions on both sides of each issue.
I will continue to listen to families, teachers and staff, analyze both national and local COVID metrics, and continue to work with our FCPS leadership to ensure that I have the data necessary to make the best informed decision on our return to school plan. At this time, I am concerned about the current plan’s lack of metrics for scaling up our in-person learning or scaling back; the length of time it is still taking to get test results within Fairfax County and how this will impact contact tracing; and no current plans to do pre or random testing to curb potential asymptomatic spread (as other large public school systems around the country are proposing).
I will also continue to listen to the community and work with my colleagues, the Superintendent and his team, as we move forward with changes to the TJ admissions policy— admissions standards have been changed 5 times in the last 9 years— but have simply not yielded the hoped for results. I support some, but not all of the current revisions. In order to meet the diversity goals we all desire at TJ, we must address the roots of the problem. There’s not just one, but many pipeline issues that include:
- lack of universal Pre-K;
- the need to front load all curriculum with advanced learning opportunities for all children to help identify student potential—ensuring fidelity in math and science curriculum;
- the need for Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AART’s) in all elementary schools;
- work to ensure that our young scholars program is in each school- and that it is administered uniformly and with fidelity;
- consider the addition of other county magnet schools - to ensure more opportunities;
Below, you will find more details with links to the meetings where these issues were discussed.
My colleagues and I, our staff and our families may have different thoughts as to how to best resolve these complex issues before us. While I welcome public debate, I also encourage respect for differing perspectives. Listening to each other and working together collectively and collaboratively always yield the best results.
Stay well!
- Tammy
FCPS Superintendent Presents Phased Return to School Plan
Superintendent Brabrand presented a plan to the Fairfax County School Board to begin in-person instruction in a phased plan for small groups—or cohorts—of students who are likely to experience the greatest challenges with distance learning. These cohorts include select special education programs, English Language Learners (ELLs) and newcomers, and select career and technical education courses. The Board approved a motion in support of the Superintendent’s Operational Level 2 plan to bring in small cohorts of students in October for in-person instruction.
“All phase-in decisions will be made with student and staff safety as the highest priority,” said Brabrand. “We have had a very successful virtual start to our school year but all of us recognize that the ideal setting for education is delivered in the classroom through in-person instruction. The return to in-person instruction of any kind is dependent on the operational and health metrics being met.”
The Superintendent shared that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will publish health data for all school divisions in the near future.
“FCPS is committed to using quantifiable metrics in making our decisions on the safe return to school for our students and staff. This data will guide our plan to bring back students for in-person learning in our school buildings. It is a goal we have for all students this year,” said Brabrand. “The School Board shares our commitment and is actively engaged and providing oversight of this process.”
Four types of metrics shared with the community in August will be used:
- VDH community transmission and disease trends will be used to determine if the level of community transmission will allow for face-to-face instruction. This includes new cases, positive tests, outbreaks, cases of COVID-19 among healthcare workers, and emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Data is shared with FCPS weekly.
- FCPS operational metrics includes the capacity of the district to support face-to-face instruction. Included will be the ability to staff a public health nurse or student health aide; classroom and substitute teachers; administrators; and transportation, food and nutrition services, and custodial employees. Also included is the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff and students, and adequate cleaning and sanitizing supplies.
- School-based health metrics determine when individual classrooms or schools switch to distance learning in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19.
- School and staff readiness will include instructional and operational components such as preparation of classrooms, technology readiness, students access to meals while at school, opportunity for teachers to shift to in-person instruction, creating and communicating schedules, and monitoring and care for the stress and workload of staff.
Current community-wide health conditions support in-person cohort instruction for FCPS Operational Level 2. Based on VDH data, Northern Virginia is currently experiencing low disease burden and a fluctuating trend. The overall calculated COVID-19 community transmission extent is low. System operational metrics are also being met to support in-person cohort instruction including available staff; procedures in place for safe bus travel and entrance into school; procedures for social distancing and hygiene practices including a face covering requirement; and available PPE for staff and students.
The successful launch of virtual learning included distributing more than 162,000 laptops and 5,900 WiFi devices to students, providing streamlined curriculum and enhanced resources for teachers, and continuing to provide breakfast and lunch for all FCPS students throughout the county at school sites and along bus routes.
“FCPS has started to bring students in for individual assessments, senior photos, athletic conditioning and laptop distribution,” added Brabrand. “The SAT test was administered to thousands of seniors at our high schools this week. We are ready to take the next step in this process to begin in-person instruction in a very gradual manner that minimizes the risks for students and staff.”
Under the Return to School plan, the first group of students would return in early October with other small groups phased in during the month of October. As presented to the Board, the initial cohorts would include 3.5 percent of the total FCPS student population.
The Operational Level 2 plan would return targeted groups of students having the greatest difficulty with distance learning in four groups:
Included in Group 1 would be students enrolled in select high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses. Group 2 would bring back preschool autism and preschool class-based students, Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) students, and students enrolled in select high school CTE courses. Group 3 includes students who attend Key Center and Kilmer Center, secondary and elementary students who access the adapted curriculum, elementary Comprehensive Services Sites, SLIFE students in grades 3-12, English learner newcomers who entered FCPS after July 2019, and students enrolled in select high school CTE courses. Group 4 would include elementary age students attending Burke School and high school students enrolled in select CTE courses.
Parents and caregivers in the initial groups that would return for in-person instruction will be provided the opportunity to confirm their preference for either in-person instruction or virtual learning based on choices made in a July county-wide survey.
In the event that a case of COVID-19 is confirmed in a classroom, those students would revert to virtual learning for a 14-day period, pending follow up from the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). If two or more classrooms in a school have transitioned back to virtual learning, the school would revert to virtual learning, pending follow up from the FCHD.
The school system is preparing for students’ safe return to school. FCPS will utilize a one-time parent-guardian health screening commitment form requiring parents and guardians to screen their child’s health daily before coming to school and require face coverings be used by students and staff. FCPS will perform intensified cleaning and disinfection practices as outlined in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Mitigation Guidelines.
The superintendent will provide additional return to school details in early October, prioritizing early learners and transitioning students for in-person instruction.
Additional details about the proposed plans can be found online.
Superintendent Presents Recommendations to Improve Diversity at TJHSST by Establishing Merit Lottery Admissions Process
Superintendent Brabrand has presented recommendations to the Fairfax County School Board to revise the admissions policy at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), the governor’s regional school, in order to promote access to historically underserved students. The Board is required to submit a report to Virginia Governor Ralph Northam by October 1 of each year on its diversity goals and status of those goals for its student body and faculty. The submission deadline this year is extended until October 12.
Please click on the link below for more information about the Superintendent's proposed changes.
Additional details about the plan are available here.
The video from the FCPS School Board Work Session on September 15 where the TJHSST admissions policy proposal was discussed is available.
Opening of Schools Report
Superintendent Brabrand presented the annual Opening of Schools report during the September 17 School Board meeting. The report provides an overview of demographics, hiring statistics, budget, technology systems, capital improvements, and other information about the school division. Watch the video.
Healthy Minds Podcast: Practicing Coping Skills with Executive Functioning
In this week’s Healthy Minds podcast, Langley High School psychologist Anna Davis talks about executive functioning. Executive functioning is a set of skills and mental processes that help us to plan, focus our attention, manage tasks, and control our impulses.
Special Education Newsletter
The Department of Special Services (DSS) publishes a regular electronic newsletter to provide parents of special education students with updated DSS information, tips, and ideas to support special education families during distance learning. See the latest issue.
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Helping individuals at risk to create a network for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness. Find local and national crisis resources.
Mosby Woods ES Renaming Public Hearing
The Board will hear public comment on the renaming of Mosby Woods Elementary School on October 7 at 6 p.m. via Blackboard Collaborate. The Public Hearing will be broadcast on channel 99 and live streamed on the FCPS website at www.fcps.edu/tv/ch99.
Citizens may register to speak from September 23 at 6 a.m. until October 6 at 4:30 p.m.
Register to speak
Students, Families Encouraged to Participate in Walking Wednesdays This Year
Students and families are being encouraged to take part in weekly Walking Wednesdays during the 2020-21 school year to help promote mental and physical health. Despite the virtual start to the school year, the Safe Routes to School office will be promoting Walking Wednesdays throughout the year, with a different theme each month.
October’s Walking Wednesday will take place on October 7, which is also Walk to School Day. Participants are encouraged to walk in their neighborhoods; families, schools, and neighborhoods can register their participation online for Walk to School Day.
Walking Wednesdays will provide a boost of energy for students and an opportunity for neighbors to greet each other and reconnect at a safe social distance along with physical benefits.
Walking Wednesdays are a county-wide initiative in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Move Your Way and Healthy Strides campaigns. Inova Fairfax and the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax also support the campaign.
FCPS plans to create a Walking Wednesdays Facebook page where parents and students can post photos of their Wednesday walks.
How Can I Receive Text Messages from FCPS?
Parents can receive text messages from FCPS for emergencies and essential information. How? Make sure your parent cell phone numbers are listed in the "cell telephone" fields in the parent/guardian contact information section on the emergency care information form for each of your children.
Parents and guardians can view and update emergency contact information online using the weCare@school feature of FCPS 24-7 Learning.
Standard message and data charges may apply for text messages depending on your cell phone service plan. More about text messages is available online.
Tips for Online Learning Success
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Dedicate a space for you to do your work, where your computer will be on a level surface. Remember that everyone can see where you are working when your camera is on.
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Communicate with your teachers via email (your student ID# @fcpsschools.net). Also use this email to reach out to counselors and other school staff.
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Check for assignments and announcements in FCPS 24-7 Learning or Google Classroom.
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Stick to a schedule.
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Follow the schedule for meeting with teachers. Use the other days to complete assigned work and check in when needed.
Be open and flexible to learn this new way together!
For more information click here.
How to Get Your Child/Adolescent to Open Up to You
We all want to know what's going on in our children's lives. We want to know about school and about their friends. We want to hear their successes and their struggles. But what happens when your kids won't tell you what's going on in their lives? What if you ask questions and all they do is shrug and mumble "It was fine," or "I don't know"?
Webinar Highlights:
- Strategies to use with reluctant children
- How to open lines of communication with your children
- How to increase productive, effective communication
Presented by Parenting Specialist, Rachel Bailey, M.A., CPDPE.
Friday October 2, 2020, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Register for How to Get your Child/Adolescent to Open up to You
Alcohol, Drugs, and Vaping: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Talking with your teen or young adult can be challenging. Having meaningful, ongoing conversations about drugs and alcohol, however, is key to helping keep your son or daughter healthy and safe.
Presentation Highlights:
- Current trends in substance use and abuse
- Impact of substances on physical and emotional development
- Paraphernalia display and discussion
- Tools for parents
Presented by Carrie Glasgow, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist.
Friday, October 16, 2020, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Register for Alcohol, Drugs, and Vaping: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Save the Date—Moving on to Life in the Community: A Virtual and Free Resource Fair for Students with Disabilities—to Be Held on October 21
Don’t miss this virtual and free resource fair for students with disabilities and their parents on Wednesday, October 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All ages are welcome. Learn about vocational, residential, leisure, recreational, independent living, and advocacy options. This resource fair is for individuals who may need ongoing employment and community support after graduation.
Presenters include: Career and Transition Services, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, and The Arc of Northern Virginia.
Agenda:
- 6:30-7:15 p.m.—Overview presentation.
- 7:15-7:30 p.m.—Participants move to virtual breakout rooms.
- 7:30-8:30 p.m.—Virtual Question and Answer with adult service providers.
Registration is available online.
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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