Upcoming School Board Meetings, Kindergarten Registration, Graduation Information, FCPS Events, Grab and Go, and more ...

Dear Lee District Families,

FCPS will be expanding opportunities for four days of in-person learning for identified students during the month of April based on updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, which allows schools the opportunity to transition from 6’ to 3’ social distancing in some circumstances. This transition will depend on space and staffing at each school as well as community transmission rates. Read here for more information.

At the School Board's Regular Meeting on April 8, I shared my thoughts on my decision making during this COVID-19 pandemic. Watch here or click on the video below to hear my comments.

Stay well,
Tammy

TammyYouTubeVideo

Upcoming School Board Meetings

  • Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 11 a.m. All-Day Work Session
  • Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 7 p.m. Hybrid* Regular School Board Meeting
  • Tuesday, May 4, 2021 ta 10 a.m. Forum Topic
  • Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 11 a.m. All-Day Work Session
  • Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 7 p.m. Hybrid* Regular School Board Meeting
  • Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 6 p.m. Budget Public Hearing

Visit the citizen participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more 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.

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


TOMORROW: Annual Special Education Virtual Conference 

FCPS will hold its 16th annual Special Education Conference virtually on Saturday, April 17. Registration is now available online. The conference will include a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions supporting the conference's theme: The time for inclusion is now. A student strand will be held for youth ages 14-22. FCPS educators, administrators, and pre-service teachers will earn five recertification points for attending the entire conference.

For more information or to register, visit the Special Education Conference webpage


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 Kindergarten Registration and Early Childhood Programs

Listen to the latest Spanish, Arabic, and Korean podcasts on FCPS Kindergarten Registration and Early Childhood Programs. FCPS Family Services staff share information on Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) and Early Head Start (EHS) Programs. The FCPS Pre-K and EHS Programs provide an early education program for families who meet income requirements and live in Fairfax County. For information on how to apply, visit Pre-K and EHS Programs' website and/or call 703-208-7901.  It's time for FCPS Kindergarten registration for children who will be 5 years old on or by September 30. The goal of every podcast is to help families access key resources and understand how to best support their children’s education.

Listen and Subscribe:

Spanish Podcast: https://anchor.fm/enpocaspalabrasfcps

Arabic Podcast:  https://anchor.fm/inafewwordsarabicfcps

Korean Podcast: https://anchor.fm/inafewwordskoreanfcps


Graduation Update and Video Message for Seniors

The Class of 2021 will be celebrated during in-person graduation ceremonies this year. High schools will be hosting graduation ceremonies at outdoor venues. 

The venues were identified based on the class size, renovation schedules, and previous dates selected. They include Jiffy Lube Live, individual school stadiums, and three central high school stadium sites (Fairfax, Woodson and Hayfield High Schools). 

All the graduation ceremonies will follow the Governor’s orders for graduation capacity, and health and safety protocols. Graduations will take place between May 27 and June 12.

Principals will be sharing their graduation plans with students and parents soon. View Dr. Brabrand message for the Class of 2021.


NOVA JumpStart Summer Program Offers Free Classes for Graduating Seniors

This summer, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) will offer a selection of online, tuition-free classes to Northern Virginia high school graduating seniors. Students must meet placement requirements and understand there may be textbooks or other material fees associated with courses. Since these classes are all online, students will need access to a computer and the internet. Students may take a maximum of two JumpStart courses. Important dates:

  • JumpStart applications are open and will close April 30.
  • Classes will run from June 1 until August 9.

Details about the JumpStart Summer Program, including placement requirements and material fees, are available online.


High School Students Invited to Virtual Career Exploration Fair

Fairfax County Public Schools high school students are invited to participate in the 2021 Virtual Career Exploration Fair, scheduled to take place from Monday, April 19, through Friday, April 30. This completely virtual event will include synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions and workshops.

Students will be able to learn about work-based learning opportunities; attend industry panel discussions; take part in mock interviews; attend resumé workshops; and learn about postsecondary education, training, and apprenticeship opportunities.

Get more information on the Virtual Career Exploration Fair.


English Learner Supports for Summer 2021

FCPS staff members will be providing additional academic content and English language development support for our 36,000 English learners (ELs) this summer. 

Elementary and middle school ELs will participate in the division’s inclusive summer program to strengthen core mathematics and language arts skills.  All ELs ELP level 1 and 2 will be invited to participate. Additional ELs ELP level 3 and 4 will be invited based on identified needs.

High school ELs who failed a core academic course will participate in Credit Recovery.  ESOL resource teachers will collaborate with content teachers to support ELs.

High school ELs who are ELP level 1 or SLIFE will be invited to participate in numeracy and literacy essentials based on need, for multiple weeks of math and literacy intervention.

All high school ELs ELP level 1-4 will be invited to participate in online language and literacy connections (middle and high school). This is one hour of synchronous online learning with one hour of asynchronous reading, writing, and online assignments per week.

In addition, extended English Language Development (ELD) will be offered to all ELs ELP level 1-4 in elementary, middle, and high school who are not participating in a structured summer program. 

For any questions about the FCPS summer programs, email SummerLearning@fcps.edu


Photo of the Week

SandburgMs

Instructional coach Joanna Hansen spices up lunch with gift cards for trivia winners at Sandburg Middle School.


Academy Students Recognized in Video Contest

Christian Thomas, a West Potomac Academy student, has been named a national finalist in the Lights, Camera, Save! annual video contest. Read here to learn more about his accomplishment.


Video: April Is Month of the Military Child; Purple Up Day Is April 21

Military-connected youth face unique circumstances living the military lifestyle. By understanding the lifestyle of military-connected youth we can better meet their needs as they transition with their family members who serve our nation. Currently over 14,000 military-connected youth call FCPS home. Each year our nation designates April as the Month of the Military Child to recognize and thank children from military families for the sacrifices they make living the military lifestyle. During the month, one day is selected as the day to “Purple Up! For Military Kids” and all are encouraged to wear purple in recognition of the strength and sacrifices of military connected youth. 

Why purple? Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Navy blue. This year, Purple Up day will be celebrated on April 21. Watch this video to learn more about Purple Up day

PurpleMilitaryAwareness

Clint Mitchell Is Virginia's Recipient of 2021 NAESP National Distinguished Principal Award 

ClintMitchell

A very special congratulations to Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School principal Clint Mitchell, named the Virginia recipient of the NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals) National Distinguished Principal Award for 2021.

The announcement was made on April 8 by the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals.


Meal Kit Sites Moving to Monday Distribution Starting April 19

Many FCPS Grab and Go food distribution sites have switched this month from daily food pickup to weekly Fairfax Meal Kit distribution. Fairfax Meal Kits contain seven days of breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and supper items packed in bulk.

On Monday, April 19, all meal kit sites are permanently moving to a Monday distribution day. Hours remain 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or until supplies are exhausted. Grab and Go locations and bus routes remain the same. Go to the food distribution webpage for more information.

MealsToGo

Standards of Learning Test Schedules for Students Observing Ramadan

This year, the main Standards of Learning (SOL) testing window has significant overlaps with Ramadan, the Muslim holy month marked by daily fasting. The SOL testing window begins Monday, April 12, for high schools and Monday, April 26, for elementary and middle schools. All schools must complete SOL make-up tests and retakes by Friday, June 4. Ramadan begins the evening of Monday, April 12, and ends with Eid-al-Fitr on Thursday, May 13.

FCPS welcomes and encourages engagement with parents and guardians of students affected by this overlap. School staff will work with parents and guardians to make schedule adjustments or determine how best to address students’ needs. For example, it may be possible to schedule testing early in the day when energy levels are likely to be highest.

If you have a child in an SOL grade-level who will be fasting to observe Ramadan this year, notify the principal or school counselor to take advantage of possible scheduling options.

View more ideas and tips to prepare for upcoming testing during Ramadan.


Seeking Applicants for the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)

I am seeking an appointee to represent the Lee District on the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC). This committee assists with the development of health policy in the school division and evaluates the status of school health, health education, school environment, and health services. The committee meets monthly and appointees serve a one-year term.

If you are interested in serving on this committee, please email a brief statement on why you are interested, along with a copy of your resume, to my assistant, Cheryl Austin. For questions, please call 571-423-1069.


Seeking Applicants for the 2021 Citizen’s Bond Committee

The 2021 Citizen's Committee for the Bond is again seeking appointees for a committee that promotes community support for a school construction bond. General tasks of the committee include communing support for the bond to HOA boards, other organizations and chambers and distributing information electronically and in print such as yard signs, shirts, stickers, and Facts booklets (though the committee will be discussing methods as per COVID-19 restrictions). Typically, the committee meets about 6-9 times from July to November.

If you are interested in serving on this committee, please email a brief statement on why you are interested, along with a copy of your resume, to my assistant, Cheryl Austin. For questions, please call 571-423-1069.


COVID-19 Vaccines and the Vaccination Process in Fairfax County: A Webinar for Families

Vaccine

The FCPS Parent Resource Center is offering a webinar for families with important updates about COVID-19 and the vaccines that have been developed to help prevent the disease on Tuesdays in April and May from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Topics will include:

  • COVID-19 impacts (health, economic, education).
  • The vaccine.
  • Community immunity: What is it and How do we get there?
  • Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines—how they work and their effectiveness.
  • Safety of vaccines.
  • Vaccination process: Eligibility and how to register.

Note: Sessions are subject to change or cancellation based on the number of registrations. Registration is available online. This session is also available in other languages.


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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