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Dear Lee District Families,
Last week the Superintendent came out with the metrics to determine when schools can bring students in or when students must return to virtual learning. FCPS is using 2 core health indicators, suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here is the link to help you better understand these metrics.
Our staff will monitor these metrics daily and will work closely with the county and state health officials to ensure that decisions are made with the health and safety of our community at the forefront.
As we cope with rising COVID cases in our community and around the country, experts tell us that one of the most powerful tools for staying optimistic during challenging times is gratitude. Take time during this upcoming Thanksgiving week to thank a teacher or school staff member, give back if you are able (see suggestions below) and take time to give yourself grace.
Be it virtually or in person, I hope you can spend the upcoming holiday with those people in your life who bring you happiness.
Stay well!
Tammy
Upcoming School Board Meetings
- Legislative Briefing - Monday, November 23 - 6 p.m.
- Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Joint SB Budget Policy Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 24, 1:30 p.m.
- Work Session - Tuesday, December 1 - 11 a.m.
- Public Hearing: Renaming Mosby Woods ES - Wednesday, December 2 - 6 p.m.
- Regular Meeting - Thursday, December 3 - 7 p.m.*
Click here for meeting logistics, agendas and handouts.
*Effective November 5, 2020, the School Board will return to in-person Regular Meetings at Luther Jackson Middle School. For more information, click here.
Meetings will also be live-streamed on the FCPS website and televised on FCPS Cable Channel 99. For more information about signing up to speak at a regular meeting, click here.
FCPS Delays Additional Students Returning to School
On Monday, November 16, Superintendent Brabrand announced that the current health metrics for COVID-19 cases in our community exceeded the threshold to expand our in-person learning. "Therefore, we are pressing 'pause' and will delay expanding in-person instruction to Group 5, which includes Early Head Start, pre-K, kindergarten and select students who receive special education services, who were scheduled to return on Tuesday, November 17. Any new pilot programs/classes scheduled to start on November 17 were also paused. We are monitoring health metrics daily, but Group 5 will remain virtual until at least November 30. We will communicate additional updates closer to that time."
See the complete letter from Superintendent Brabrand.
Videos: November 12 and November 17 School Board Work Session
The November 12 School Board Work Session that discussed the Return to School plan is available online. Watch the video.
During the November 17 School Board Work Session there was continued discussion on the Return to School plan. Watch the video.
TONIGHT: Superintendent Town Hall
Return to School Town Hall
Thursday, November 19, 2020 - 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Watch the event on your device on the FCPS website. Submit your questions in advance to returntoschool@fcps.edu or call in during the Town Hall at 1-800-231-6359.
FCPS Names Chief Academic Officer and Chief Equity Officer
 Superintendent Brabrand announced two executive appointments yesterday. Sloan Presidio (left) has been named chief academic officer, effective today. Sloan currently serves as FCPS' assistant superintendent for Instructional Services. Read the news release. Lisa Williams (right) will serve as FCPS' chief equity officer, with an effective date to be determined. Lisa is executive director of the Department of Equity and Cultural Proficiency in Baltimore County (Maryland) Public Schools. Read the news release.
The pandemic has increased the amount of stress faced by students and families who are struggling to access food. Project Cornucopia is the latest fund established at the Foundation for FCPS to provide needy students and their families with grocery gift cards for the holidays. Your generosity will help ensure that all of our students can enjoy the simple pleasures of the season. Donate to Project Cornucopia.
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The Hayfield Community and Hayfield Secondary School PTSA
Give the Gift of Thanksgiving! The Hayfield Secondary School PTSA is partnering with the Hayfield Secondary School to give a Thanksgiving meal to those families in need in the Hayfield community. Please help if you can.
Alice's Kids
Alice's Kids is a charity that was formed 10 years ago here in Fairfax County. Their mission is to enhance the self-esteem of children in need by providing them targeted financial assistance. They pay for items like prom tickets, soccer cleats, summer camp, glasses and other items that they cannot afford. The charity has been featured three times in the Washington Post and was named "Harris' Heroes" just a year ago. They are now serving children in 35 states but most of the assistance goes to children in the DMV. They do not accept requests from the general public but if you are a teacher, social worker, counselor or other government worker you can make a request on behalf of the child. Just email them at contact@aliceskids.org. Their website is www.aliceskids.org.
Collect for Kids 2020 School Supply Drive Reaches Record-Breaking Levels
During the pandemic—Collect for Kids—the FCPS-led school supply drive made a dramatic shift. Supporters and donors pivoted to an all-virtual mode, donating funds used for purchasing custom school supply kits. The effort raised over $110,000 through the Foundation for FCPS. Combined with the work from Collect for Kids strategic team members around the county, the effort ultimately provided over 45,000 FCPS students with school supply kits, backpacks, and headphones.
This couldn’t have been done without the steadfast support of the Fairfax County community, and a network of non-profits, companies, and faith-based groups who pulled together to make this change and help kids. Thanks to you, more FCPS students than ever before received the essential school supplies needed for successful learning.
More information about the Foundation for FCPS and Collect for Kids is available online.
Lynbrook Elementary Teacher Named 2020 Virginia Art Educator of the Year
Libya Doman, who teaches art at Lynbrook Elementary School, has been named the 2020 Virginia Art Educator of the Year and Virginia Elementary Art Educator of the Year by the Virginia Art Education Association (VAEA).
Doman is praised by nominators as being an exemplary art educator who is motivated to grow and learn as an art educator. “Libya is well-versed in the disciplines of an exemplary art educator: aesthetic inquiry, art historical content, critical evaluation, and the studio creative process,” says nominator Roger Tomhave, retired professor of art education at James Madison University. “With this knowledge, Libya has demonstrated a great deal of sensitivity in translation to diverse learning styles and developmental stages of all the students she instructs. She has worked hard to incorporate the diversity of student needs in thoughtful, adaptable lessons, allowing for individualized student responses to a range of challenges.”
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Click here to read the full news release on Ms. Doman.
 Dave Worst is a very charismatic health and physical education teacher at Rose Hill ES. Check out his five simple strategies on how educators can keep virtual learning engaging and fun for students. (Push-ups are not required.) Watch now.
Photos of the Week
Check out this week's photos to see students at work in the classroom. A few students from the Lee District are recognized below.
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Key Center students participated in a virtual drum circle with the Drumlady and her drumming partner Kweku who played a traditional west African Djembe drum and took the students through various rhythm and drumming patterns. |
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Edison Academy Veterinary Sciences students are ready for hands-on learning. |
Third Annual Back2Fairfax Teacher Seminar
 Do you know an FCPS graduate or student who is interested in being a teacher in FCPS? FCPS graduates and current FCPS juniors or seniors are invited to join us for a virtual event on Tuesday, December 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. for the third annual Back2Fairfax Teacher Seminar. Learn more about how to navigate the hiring process, employee resources, and tips to being a successful educator.
Join us for an evening filled with networking opportunities, breakout sessions, and FCPS employment information. We invite current students and FCPS graduates to Say Yes to FCPS!
Registration for the event is available online.
New Employment Opportunities in Fairfax County Public Schools: Classroom Monitors
FCPS schools and centers are hiring classroom monitors to provide in-person classroom assistance for students when some staff members continue to work virtually. If you would like more information about the position, review the job description online and apply if interested. Please share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested.
FCPS Is Seeking Individuals to Serve as Substitute Teachers
Are you or somebody you know interested in substitute teaching with FCPS? Apply online or attend one of our Friday information sessions to learn more. To sign up for a session, visit the FCPS substitute teacher information page.
Healthy Minds Podcasts
In this week's Healthy Minds podcast. Dr. Ronne Lancaster shares important information on actions families can take to help their students cope with the ongoing pandemic. Action strategies relating to managing screen time, building personal resilience, and the importance of recognizing one another’s positive strengths and seizing times to turn current challenges into positive opportunities to move forward. Listen to the podcast.
In last week's podcast, learn about Healthy Minds’ short-term behavioral health resources and peer support partners (available at low or no cost) that can help struggling children and teens across Fairfax County.
James Gillespie, director of Youth Services for Healthy Minds Fairfax, addresses some of the mental health trends underway during the current pandemic and how parents can access help for their children and themselves. Listen to the podcast.
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Special Education Parent Newsletter
The Department of Special Services (DSS) publishes a regular electronic newsletter for parents of special education students to provide updated DSS information, tips and ideas to support you and your family during distance learning. The latest issue is available online.
FCPS’ Office of Auditor General (OAG) publishes Audit Buzz to provide a look into OAG’s work. In this issue of Audit Buzz, OAG summarizes the status of current engagements, offers highlights from the November 11 Audit Committee meeting, and provides steps to stay cybersafe. Learn about International Fraud Awareness Week, too. Read the Read the latest issue of Audit Buzz.
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Important Update on Grab and Go Meals: Delivery Times and Some Bus Stop Locations Changing
Fairfax County Public Schools is offering no-cost nutritious meals to ALL students through June 30, 2021. Meals are available at school sites and along bus routes.
As of November 9, grab and go bus delivery times and some bus stop locations have changed. The updated bus schedule is now available online. Bus delivery times were changed to accommodate the need for more buses to transport students returning to school buildings for in-person learning.
Breakfast and lunch meals are offered Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Breakfast and lunch are served at the same time. Breakfast and lunch are also offered at no-cost to any student who attends in-person instruction at a school Monday-Friday. Meals for Saturday and Sunday are offered at sites and on bus routes every Friday.
More information is available online, or by calling the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
Calendar Reminder: Schools and Offices Closed November 25-27 for Thanksgiving Holiday
As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 25 through Friday, November 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, December 1. Monday, November 30 is an asynchronous day.
See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar.
School Board Votes to Make Changes to 2020-21 Calendar
The Fairfax County School Board has voted to make Inauguration Day–Wednesday, January 20, 2021–a holiday for FCPS students and employees, and Juneteenth–June 19, 2021–a holiday for employees that will be observed on Friday, June 18, 2021. Read the news release.
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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