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Dear Families and Staff,
Happy Spring! I know everyone is looking forward to spring break beginning this Friday afternoon.
Return to School
I have been so happy to see the spring in the steps of so many of our students as they have returned to our buildings over the past month.
Although this process has taken longer than any of us would have liked, the feedback from our students, staff and families who have returned to our buildings has been incredibly positive. Many are adjusting to the schedules, and our staff are reaching out to students and families who have registered for in person learning but have not returned to welcome them back to our schools.
The CDC has changed their guidance for social distancing in schools to at least 3 feet with additional mitigating measures. The superintendent is expected to provide recommendations on how to accommodate this guidance after working with the principals over the next week. There are also plans for a robust in person summer programming this summer at each of our schools. Plans for arts programming opportunities for our students this summer will be released in April.
Anti-Racism and Hate Resolution
Over the past year hate crimes against the Asian American and the Asian Pacific Islander (AA/API) community have increased by over 150% across the country. Women, children and senior citizens have been targeted the most. After the events of last week in Atlanta, the School Board adopted a resolution condemning Anti-Asian racism and committing the school system to support our students who may experience anti-Asian racism in school or the broader community. I was pleased to co-author the resolution and second it with my colleague Stella Pekarsky from the Sully District.
School Calendar Adoption
Every year, the adoption of the calendar provides challenges because of the need to ensure it is student focused, balances the academic, social and emotional needs of our students and staff and it must be legally compliant with state and Federal laws. That is a challenging balance to obtain.
This year’s calendar vote was one of the most difficult votes I have ever taken because of my concerns about students and staff who observe religions that have not traditionally been included in our calendars. I understand the feelings of not being seen or being treated as “other” expressed by the groups that were represented in proposed calendars, as well as those that have advocated for years for their holidays.
Last Thursday, the School Board approved a calendar for the 2021-22 School Year. The calendar will serve as an interim calendar while FCPS establishes a calendar development process that allows the School Board to establish clear criteria and priorities for the calendar; clearly define the roles of staff, Board, and community members; and create a robust community engagement process that outlines how and where feedback will be solicited and shared with the Board.
The calendar recognizes 15 religious and cultural observances in the school year and establishes a fixed spring break. The calendar with new enforceable regulations ensures students will not have to make choices between honoring their religious or cultural observance, or taking a test/quiz or missing an important school event this coming school year.
Under two new enforceable regulations, tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, and FCPS-scheduled athletic events cannot be scheduled on any of the 15 religious and cultural observances. Tests and quizzes will be given prior to any of the 15 days, so that students will not be expected to study on these days. Employees will be permitted to take 16 hours for religious or cultural observances. I have asked that the Superintendent provide this time as administrative leave rather than be made up as is the current policy. These regulations will be implemented for the start of the new school year which begins July 1.
More information on how I came to my decision regarding the vote for the calendar can be found here.
I welcome your perspective on this very complex issue.
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.
Head Start
The Fairfax County Head Start/Early Head Start program is currently enrolling eligible families in programs throughout the county. HS/EHS provides early childhood education and family supports for children ages birth to five years old and their families, at no cost to families. Women who are pregnant can also receive services and support through EHS. Services are provided in a variety of early childhood programs including Higher Horizons Day Care in Falls Church, Gum Springs Children’s Center and Gum Springs Glen in Alexandria, Fairfax County Public Schools classrooms, and family child care programs throughout the county. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Head Start! For more information, visit Fairfaxcounty.gov and search for “Head Start”, call the Office for Children at 703-324-8290 or view our flyer.
Northern Virginia Community College Virtual Open House
NOVA will be holding a virtual Open House this Thursday March 25, 2021 from 6:00p.m. – 7:30p.m. High School Students and Parents are invited to discover all that Northern Virginia Community College has to offer. This virtual Open House will showcase academic programs, transfer and workforce opportunities, and student success services available right in your backyard. *Please note there will also be a Spanish-speaking breakout session for students and parents who are interested.*
Parents, Guardians, and Students should register in advance in order to receive the zoom link for the virtual Open House at: https://vccs.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QotxiQILTq2ueMIlH0CBNQ
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
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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