Happy Winter Break

Dear Lee District Families,

The welcomed winter break is upon us!

Below is a listing of the actions our School Board has taken this week. Plus our healthy minds podcast and the beautiful music from Edison High School Choirs.

As the calendar year comes to an end, it is often time to reflect on the past year.  As we all know, the challenges have been great in 2020. In my first year on the School Board the former principal of West Potomac, Clifford Hardison, gave me a small gift after a particularly difficult time--it is pictured below.

DanceintheRain


Thank you all for learning to dance in the rain! Enjoy these next two weeks to celebrate, relax, read books and recharge.

Wishing you joy and happiness this holiday season!

Stay well ~

Tammy


Upcoming School Board Meetings

  • Work Session, Tuesday, January 5, 11:00 a.m. (CIP, Audit Annual Report, Return to School)
  • Regular Meeting, Thursday, January 7, 7:00 p.m.
  • Work Session, Tuesday, January 12, 4:00 p.m. (FY22 Budget)

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.


Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Admissions Process

Last evening, the Fairfax County School Board voted to change the admissions policy for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) to a holistic review to improve diversity at the school. The new process will be used to select the class of 2025 at TJHSST. Established in 1985, TJHSST is a governor’s school offering a comprehensive college preparatory program emphasizing the sciences, mathematics, and technology.  

“The Board sought to develop an admissions policy that recognized historical inequities and addressed racial and socioeconomic barriers to students while maintaining the high standards for which the school is known,” said School Board Chair Ricardy Anderson. “The process which resulted in several bold decisions by the Board—after very careful deliberation—included input from known experts and internal stakeholders and examined the admissions policies of similar magnet schools and a review of the literature.”  

A holistic review will be done of students whose applications demonstrate enhanced merit; 550 seats will then be offered to the highest-evaluated students. The top 1.5 percent of the eighth grade class at each public middle school meeting the minimum standards will be eligible for admission. Students will be evaluated on their grade point average (GPA); a portrait sheet where they will be asked to demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes and 21st century skills; a problem-solving essay; and experience factors, including students who are economically disadvantaged, English language learners, special education students, or students who are currently attending underrepresented middle schools. 

The new admissions policy also includes sending recruitment communications to all eligible students, targeted recruitment of underrepresented students, presentations to students and parents, and a virtual open house, all available in multiple languages.


Fairfax County School Board Approves New Policy on Restraint and Seclusion

During last night's Regular School Board Meeting, the Fairfax County School Board approved a new policy on Restraint and Seclusion, effective immediately. The policy was developed using Virginia regulation 8VAC20-750, Regulations Governing the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia, as a baseline, and was created to address the use of physical restraint and seclusion to prevent a student from harming themself or others.  

“The new policy includes not only five components required by the state, but additional requirements that we believe are necessary to maintain the rights of our students and to ensure their safety,” said School Board Chair Ricardy Anderson.

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.


Superintendent's End of Year Message

A message to parents, caregivers and staff from Dr. Brabrand about the end of 2020.

EndOfYear

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 websiteTwitterFacebook, 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


Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

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Did you know that the Fairfax County Health department’s contact tracing efforts help slow the spread of COVID-19 by making individuals aware of those they’ve been in contact with who have tested positive for COVID-19?

Slowing the spread of COVID-19 also requires people to answer the health department’s call, stay home from work and school during their isolation period, and provide the information needed to protect others who may be at risk of becoming ill.

Learn more about how you can help in the fight against COVID-19 by downloading COVIDWISE, the free, voluntary smartphone app that is available to all Virginians. 


From the Healthy Minds Blog: Build Children's Self-Esteem Through Praise

HMLogo

Praising children is one of the ways that parents can build up children's self-esteem and self-worth. Having a strong, positive sense of self is important for a child’s development. Ultimately as parents, we want children to grow up to be kind, caring individuals.

Children's behavior may be a reflection of how they feel about themselves. When they hear affirming and positive comments, children view themselves as positive people, and they tend to behave that way toward themselves and others. The same holds true with a negative view of themselves. If children hear enough negative comments, they will begin to internalize them, believe them, and behave accordingly.

Children learn to be nurturing and caring when being treated that way...and praise does just that. Learn about the two distinct kinds of praise that parents can give

Six Ways to Manage Mental Health During COVID-19

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to change the way we live, work and play, it is normal for us to feel anxious, fearful, and uncertain about what to expect. The social isolation of COVID-19 can affect us in different ways.

Although there is no right way to manage stress, there are many strategies for us to practice that promote positive emotional and mental health


Edison High School's Winter Choral Showcase: Gifts of Humanity

Last week the Edison Choir premiered their Choral Winter Showcase: Gifts of Humanity. Enjoy the following treat directed by Anna Cooper, Choral Director for Edison High School.

EdisonChoir

Grab and Go Meals for Winter Break

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to providing all students access to meals during the FCPS Winter Break. The following plan will be in place from today through Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

Friday, 12/18

  • Bus routes will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch
  • Grab & Go locations will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch

Monday, 12/21

  • Bus routes will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch
  • Grab & Go locations will not distribute any meals 

Tuesday, 12/22

  • Bus routes will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch
  • Grab & Go locations will offer 14-day meal kits 
  • Meal Kits sites will offer 14-day meal kits

Wednesday, 12/23 through Friday, 1/1/21

  • No food service

Monday, 1/4/2021

  • Resume regular bus route and SRS meal service

Tuesday, 1/5/2021

  • Resume regular Grab & Go location distribution

Wednesday, 1/6/2021

  • Resume regular Meal Kit site distribution

Meals will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.   

As a reminder, it is important to follow social distancing guidelines. Be sure to stand a minimum of 6 feet apart from others and practice regular hand washing, including prior to leaving a residence to pick-up meals, upon returning home, and before consuming food.  Please wear a mask when picking up meals. 

Please visit the Return to School/Food page for more information or call the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800. 


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. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Monday, January 4, 2021, is an asynchronous day.

See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar

Winter Holidays and COVID-19: Recommendations for Family Celebrations, Shopping, and Entertainment

To help families celebrate the holidays safely, the Fairfax County Health Department shared suggestions on how to stay healthy this winter holiday season as you shop, celebrate, and entertain.


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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