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Dear Mason Community,
As the year 2020 comes to a close and as many of us usually do, I will take some time to reflect on the closing year and peer into the new year hopeful for a brighter and better experience.
Needless to say, 2020 has been a long year! This December marks the 1-year anniversary of the swearing-in ceremony of the new Board – but that event truly feels like a lifetime ago.
At the sunset of a turbulent year, I want to take the opportunity to extend good wishes to the Mason community. We all look forward to 2021 to usher in peace, good health and return to normalcy craved by all, young and old.
However, before heading into the break, I wanted to highlight several actions taken by the Board during the final meeting of the calendar year. The December 17th School Board Regular Meeting resulted in several significant actions including the revisions to the TJ admissions process, the development of a Restraint and Seclusion policy and the approval of a mid-year budget. Thank you to all of the parents and groups who advocated for changes with these policies – your stories were heard. I consider the decisions made by our Board regarding TJ Admissions and Restraint and Seclusion as solid starts to a much more comprehensive discussion to advance opportunity and access for all students in Fairfax County.
Calendar Reminder: Winter Break Is December 21 to January 1, 2021
As a reminder, this year winter break starts on December 21 and ends on January 1, 2021. All students will resume classes virtually on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Monday, January 4, 2021, is an asynchronous (independent) day.
See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar
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TJHSST Admissions Update
The Fairfax County School Board voted to enact several changes to the admissions policy for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). The Board sought to develop an admissions policy that recognized and addressed cultural and socioeconomic barriers to access while maintaining the high standards for which the school is known.
The final decisions reached by the Board after very careful deliberation included input from known experts and internal stakeholders, and examined the admissions policies of similar magnet schools as well as a literature review.
The new criteria, which will be used to select the class of 2025, is based on a holistic review aimed at improving diversity and access at the school. The changes to the current process include the following:
- Increase of the capacity of each admitting class to 550 from 480;
- Elimination of the Quant-Q, ACT Aspire Reading and Science tests;
- Elimination of the application fee;
- Elimination of the teacher recommendations;
- The top 1.5 percent of eighth-grade students at each public middle school who meet the minimum standards will be offered admission. According to current 8th grade enrollment, it is anticipated that approximately 10 seats will be available to top students at Glasgow MS, 5 seats to students at Holmes MS, 8 seats to students at Jackson MS, and 5 seats to students at Poe MS.
The holistic process will evaluate students on 1) grade point average (GPA); 2) a student portrait sheet where students will need to demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes and 21st Century Skills; 3) a problem-solving essay; and 4) experience factors – which include provisions for economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, special education students, and/or students who are currently attending underrepresented middle schools. The new admissions policy also includes recruitment communications to all eligible students and targeted recruitment of students from such disadvantaged groups.
The Region 2 office will be working closely with principals to ensure outreach efforts to result in robust application pools as well as continued preparation to support student success.
The Board also approved several follow-on motions to further strengthen the admissions policy including the administration of the essay and student information sheet to all eligible students at their middle schools. This change, effective for the 2026 class, which opts eligible students into the application process, should have a significant impact on our students in Mason District who may have had difficulty accessing this opportunity for a variety of reasons. Another significant vote taken by the School Board is to establish a process, effective for the 2027 class, that will proportionally allocate seats to the top eligible 8th grade students in each of Fairfax County’s middle schools.
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Restraint and Seclusion Policy Update
During the December 17th meeting, the Fairfax County School Board approved a new policy on Restraint and Seclusion, effective immediately. The policy, developed using Virginia regulation 8VAC20-750, Regulations Governing the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia, was created to address the use of physical restraint and seclusion.
The policy includes strategies that incorporate positive behavioral interventions and support consistent with the student's rights to be treated with dignity and to be free from abuse, including alternatives to physical restraint and seclusion. Positive behavioral interventions and support strategies will be used to reduce and prevent the need for the use of physical restraint. If behaviors need intervention to keep students and staff safe, the policy dictates that the least restrictive intervention will be used.
Seclusion is prohibited in all Fairfax County public schools with the exception of Burke School, Key Center, and Kilmer Center. Only personnel who have completed advanced training will be permitted to engage in seclusion.
Budget Update
The FY 2021 Mid-Year Budget Review presented to the Board at the December 15th work session included the following:
- School Operating Fund increase of $2.1 million due to final year-end adjustments made after the FY 2020 Final Budget Review.
- Other adjustments include an increase of $3.1 million in revenue primarily due to sales tax based on actual receipts, City of Fairfax tuition based on actual expenditures for FY 2020, and the federal IDEA grant offset by an expenditure increase of $0.8 million primarily in unemployment claims.
- FY 2021 revenue adjustments include an increase of federal grant revenue ($0.4 million) and an adjustment to the FY 2022 Beginning Balance to support the Food and Nutrition Services program ($9.6 million) to address the revenue shortfall due to the continued impact of COVID-19.
The FY 2022 Superintendent's Proposed Budget will be presented to the Board at the work session on January 19, 2021.
For additional FCPS budget information, please visit the FCPS Budget webpage.
Grab and Go Meals during Winter Break - access for ALL Students
Fairfax County Public Schools is providing all students access to meals during the FCPS Winter Break. The following plan will be in place from Friday, December 18 through Wednesday, January 6, 2021.
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Updated Return to School Bell Schedule
As more students return for in-person learning, it will be necessary to revise the bell schedule to accommodate additional bus runs. The number of students allowed on each bus will be reduced substantially to meet social distancing requirements. The school day will be reduced by 15 minutes to allow for increased cleaning time required between bus runs.
A revised bell schedule, effective starting Tuesday, January 12, 2021, has been developed to improve start times and end times for all levels, barring any changes due to Covid-19 related developments.
Middle School 7:30-2:00
Secondary School 8:20-2:50
High School 8:20-2:50
Thomas Jefferson 8:40-3:45
Elementary School 9:00-3:30 or 9:45-4:15
Annandale HS Virtual Concert
 The Annandale High Choral Department hosted its first virtual concert, Lift Every Voice, featuring all five of the school’s choirs performing works of six living African-American composers with a focus on hope, equity, and unity. More information can be found in the press release.
Justice HS and Falls Church HS
Join Together for a Special Virtual Performance
 The annual Bell Game competition between Justice High School and Falls Church High School could not be played this year. The choir directors and students from the two schools decided to honor the tradition with a very special virtual performance: The Carol of the Bells.
Edison High School Choir Winter Showcase: Gifts of Humanity
 The Edison High School Choir premiered their virtual 2020 Choral Winter Showcase: Gifts of Humanity on December 10, 2020.
The 2020 National Care Letter Campaign to Honor Deployed Service Members and Veterans
 Help honor veterans and deployed service men and women this holiday season by sharing a card through the 2020 National Care Letter Campaign. Letters will be accepted through December 29.
To participate, mail your personal written and designed letter or greeting card to America’s Adopt A Soldier, 5400 Shawnee Road, Suite #300, Alexandria, VA 22312.
2020-21 Inclement Weather Day Procedures
This year, FCPS will provide additional approaches for observing “snow days” during the inclement weather season that may include synchronous instruction (teacher-led) and asynchronous instruction (independent). If conditions are warranted, we do anticipate that there will be “typical” snow days as we have had in past years. As with any inclement weather event, each one is very different than the other, and they can present unique challenges for our students, staff, and community.
FCPS will continue to evaluate how weather conditions impact our operations and will notify you as we have in the past through the FCPS website, Twitter, Facebook, email, text messages, and the local media. Please be aware, due to the large volume of emails sent there will likely be a lag between social media postings and receipt of an email in your inbox.
More information is available online.
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Video: FCPS Safety Teams Review Mitigation Strategies
Safety Teams are being deployed to schools and centers across FCPS every weekday to conduct random onsite spot checks, immediately deliver education and resources, and report their findings to administrators on a continuous basis. Safety Team members consist of FCPS staff members and retirees. Watch the video to learn more.
All Female Team from Annandale HS Wins Grant in Audi-STEM for Her: DRIVE Like A Girl Competition
A team of sophomores from Annandale High School won a $2,000 grant in the annual Audi-STEM for Her: DRIVE Like A Girl competition. Aisha Ismael, Katie Hutnan, Francesca Gabriel, and Tejh Hardin came up with a way to enhance the car buying and ownership process for female customers while considering the global pandemic and its effects. The Audi of America DRIVE Like a Girl program is an annual science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competition, in which high school girls from the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area identify, design, and present a project focused on the automotive industry. The students met with mentors from Audi for several weeks leading up to competition to develop a final idea and presentation. Annandale High will use the grant to fund future STEM and Technology Student Association competitions. Read more about the objective and the team's solution.
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Athletes Required to Wear Masks
FCPS is progressing with the return of participation in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) athletic season in December. Students have been engaging in workouts and sports-related activities since July 2020 with less than .2 percent of students having been exposed to COVID-19.
The VHSL has strongly encouraged the use of masks at all times and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has stated that athletes should wear a mask at all times while participating in athletic activities. FCPS is aligning its guidance to the VDH and requiring the use of masks during all phases of athletics. The three sports with limited exemptions include: swim and dive, wrestling, and cheerleading.
Revised Grading Policy
FCPS is committed to finding ways to ease the burdens of stress for our students, staff, and community. FCPS is taking the following steps to ensure a smooth transition into the new semester.
FCPS grading policy changes include the following:
- Designating a score of 50 as the lowest grade on a 100-point scale.
- Dropping the minimum number of assignments per quarter from nine to six.
- Accepting late work on major assignments with minimal penalty.
- Capping the maximum weight of an assignment or assessment at 20 percent.
When and How to Get Help When Your Child Has a Mental Health Concern
Parenting can be difficult, even under the best of circumstances. Now the coronavirus pandemic has brought major changes to every aspect of our lives – how we live, work, teach, and play – making parenting more stressful. Many of us are worried about how our children are handling the social isolation of distance learning, alongside the usual trials and challenges of growing up.
"Just as you are looking out for your child’s physical health during the pandemic, keep an eye on their mental health too," recommends James M. Gillespie, Healthy Minds Fairfax Director and CSB Youth and Family Services Director. He adds, "Having less contact with friends and family and not being able to do enjoyable activities can increase stress and lead to emotional or mental health concerns in children."
If you’re worried about your child, have a talk with them to find out how they are doing. Give them your full attention. Listen carefully, repeat what you heard and ask if you got it right. When they feel heard and understood, they’re more likely to share with you. Learn more.
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.
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.
High School Graduation Updates
The 2021 High School Graduation schedule can be located HERE. Center program and alternative program promotion and graduation plans will be added in the near future. Please be aware that FCPS is working with the two major venues (Eagle Bank Arena and Constitution Hall) regarding plans related to the pandemic. Both venues are still finalizing protocols related to cleaning and logistics. It is anticipated that there may be limitations regarding attendance that range from 50% of capacity to full capacity. FPCS will provide additional updates as more details become available.
Upcoming Board Meetings
Work Session
January 5, 2021 at 11 a.m.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
FY20 OAG Annual Report
Return to School Update
Public Hearing
January 7, 2021 at 7 p.m.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Regular School Board Meeting
January 7, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Visit the citizen participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting or public hearing.
The meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. The meeting will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube page.
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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