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Dear Families and Staff,
I hope everyone is enjoying the first few days of warmer weather. We are excited to welcome back our students, teachers and staff to our buildings. This has been a challenging year for so many, but it seems that we have some brighter months ahead of us.
By March 16th, all our students who have opted to return to in-person learning will be back in the classrooms. We will also be holding a work session on March 16th to discuss summer school as well as 5 days a week plans for the fall.
In the last few weeks, the school board has been busy with Return to School plans and FY22 plans. We will also be voting on a new school calendar at the March 18th regular meeting that will take in account the board’s commitment to having a welcoming and inclusive school system as well as limiting closure days to support our hourly employees.
We value your input and appreciate your continued patience and support for FCPS. Please find below updates on important issues.
Karen
Family Guide for Return to School
Fairfax County Public Schools is partnering with families to ensure we keep students and staff safe and healthy as we return to school buildings for learning. Working together, we will follow recommended health guidance that focuses on student and staff health, safety, and emotional well-being.
The FCPS Family Guide for Return to School provides information on topics such as concurrent instruction, lunch and recess, the mandatory mask policy, laptops, and health protocols.
Return to School Update
FPCS has successfully welcomed Groups 1-5 and grades 8, 9 & 12 from Group 8 for in-person instruction, with the remaining groups scheduled to return within the next two weeks:
March 9:
- Grades 1-2
- Grades 7, 10 & 11
- Grade 6 from Poe, Glasgow, and Holmes
- Davis and Pulley Center students who age during the 2021-2 SY
March 16:
- Grades 3 - 6
- Burke Middle School
- Davis & Pulley Centers - all remaining students and Davis STEP
Staff and teachers are excited to welcome students back into the buildings and centers and have put in place numerous changes and improvements to ensure our schools are safe places for learning. The next Return to School update from Superintendent Brabrand will be received by the Board at our work session scheduled for March 16.
Special Education Conference 2021
Our 16th Annual Special Education Conference will be held virtually on Saturday, April 17, 2021. The conference will include a combination of synchronous(live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions supporting our conferences theme: Inclusion: The time for inclusion is now.
See: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/special-education-instruction/special-education-conference-2021
Dyslexia Handbook
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/special-education-instruction/dyslexia-handbook Special Education Parents Handbook:
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/OSEPSprocedures.pdf
Request for Blood Donors
Fairfax County is currently experiencing a shortage of blood donors. If you are interested in donating, please visit https://www.inovablood.org/donate-blood/where-can-i-donate/ to book your appointment.
2021-22 Calendar Update
Two calendars (A & B) were developed prior to the pandemic with considerations for additional holidays for certain observances.
A third calendar (C) was developed during the pandemic with a focus on student learning loss and continuity of learning as well as balancing Support Staff unpaid and paid working days.
The Board discussed the 2021-22 calendar in our work session on March 2, 2021. The outcome of the work session resulted in the Board providing direction to the Superintendent to develop a new calendar option, to account for but not be limited to:
- legal considerations
- instructional concerns and disruption
- student wellness, both socio-emotional and academic
- support staff pay
- absenteeism data
- operational disruption
- staff days off and planning time
- survey preferences
- transparency and community climate
- any and all equity considerations
- inclusiveness
- consider use of two floating holidays that could be used for religious observances or cultural celebrations
Additionally, during the March 4 regular meeting, the Board directed the Superintendent to identify religious and culturally significant days that could result in significant absenteeism and create regulations that do not currently exist for the manner in which FCPS will designate impermissible activities on those days to prevent negative impact upon the academic, social or emotional well-being of those students who engage in such observances.
The Board is scheduled to take action on the calendar at our regular meeting on March 18, 2021.
Celebrate National Nutrition Month!
March is National Nutrition Month, and the Employee Wellness Team is celebrating by hosting a Vegucational Series of seminars and live chef demos! Learn about various nutritional topics and effective application strategies to eat healthier and feel better!
March 4 | 5 - 6pm | Power in Plants Seminar
March 11 | 5 - 6pm | Live Chef Demo: Mason Jar Salad and Energy Bites
March 18 | 5 - 6pm | Quick and Healthy Meals on a Working Schedule Seminar
March 25 | 5 - 6pm | Live Chef Demo: Hummus Veggie Wrap and Baked Oatmeal
Click here to view the flyer and for more details. Register for the seminars, chef demos, and virtual fitness classes here.
Session recordings will be posted on the Employee Wellness Website.
2021 FCPS Summer Academic Opportunities including Self-Directed Economics and Personal Finance
Many students participate in summer learning opportunities to advance academically, to sharpen their skills, or to learn something new. This summer, FCPS will offer a variety of opportunities including Self-Directed Economics and Personal Finance. Information regarding additional opportunities will be announced on the FCPS Summer Learning webpage as they become available.
Self-Directed Economics and Personal Finance: Current grades 8-12
Dates:
Session 1: Monday, April 19-Friday, June 18
Session 2: Monday, June 28-Friday, July 30
This online course is for current FCPS students only and is pass/fail only. Self-Directed Economics and Personal Finance requires students to complete work without direct teacher support. Students will access content for this course through an FCPS Canvas online environment. The course was updated in September 2020. The new course features include updated curriculum, interactive modules, and exit tickets. Students will read through 14 modules, complete 140 exit tickets, 14 module tests, and a final exam. This course does not meet face-to-face.
Registration:
Session 1: Monday, January 11-Friday, April 9
Session 2: Monday, January 11-Friday, June 11
Virtual Career Exploration
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO BUILD YOUR FUTURE WORKFORCE
2021 Virtual Career Exploration with APS & FCPS
Program Dates / Times: Various, April 19 - 30, 2021
Registration is open until February 26, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
Share your availability here
Arlington (APS) and Fairfax County (FCPS) Public Schools are working together to facilitate a series of virtual career exploration events for students across our districts in grades 9-12 during the month of April. We are actively seeking volunteers from our business community who would be interested in participating in any of the following:
- Industry Panel Discussions
- Interviewing Tips and Tricks Workshop
- 5-10 minute Mock Interviewing Sessions
- Resume Writing Support Workshop
- Industry-specific Problem Solving Challenges
- Personal Statement Writing Support Workshop
- Soft Skills Training Scenarios
- Advertisement for Postsecondary Education and Training Opportunities
- Advertisement for Work-Based Learning (WBL) Opportunities - guest speakers, job shadowing, externships, internships, and more.
- Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) Information Sessions for Youth Registered and Registered Apprenticeships for Trades and Industries.
- Virtual Career Fair (share available job / educational / training opportunities with students)
What types of jobs are students interested in learning about?
Students in APS and FCPS have access to a variety of Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses across the 17 career clusters. Data from Naviance suggest that our students are especially interested in learning more about careers in the following fields:
- Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
- Health Science
- Human Services
- Information Technology
Next Steps?
Dates, times, and scope of events will all be based on business partners / volunteer interest and availability. After you complete the Google form to share your availability, you will receive follow-up via email. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all events will be virtual.
Please note - once confirmed, you may need to complete additional virtual volunteer processes for either APS, FCPS, or both counties.
Questions? Please contact:
- Arlington Public Schools - Laura DiNardo laura.dinardo@apsva.us
- Fairfax County Public Schools - Matt Bechtel mhbechtel@fcps.edu
By donating your time and expertise, you will give the gift of career exposure into a student’s field of interest as well as helping to build your future workforce!
Registration Starts March 2021
Starting in March, parents and community members will be able to register online or by phone. In addition, FCPS educators, administrators, and preservice teachers will be able to register online and earn recertification points for attending the conference.
For more information please email prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941.
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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