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Dear Families and Staff,
I hope our students, staff and their families were able to enjoy some well-deserved time off over Spring Break. Following our regular school board meeting last Thursday, there are important updates on many issues.
Returning to In-Person Instruction
I am especially pleased that students are being invited to attend school four days a week where space is available and robust summer school plans are underway. If your child is already attending in-person class two days a week, please expect more communication from your principal about the possibility of attending four days a week. These decisions must be made at the school level because of the capacity constraints associated with school size and the number of students attending in person. We will be having in-person instruction 5 days a week in the fall with limited virtual education opportunities.
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.
Summer School
With the help of Federal CARES Act and ESSAR funds, FCPS will be increasing summer school offerings by an increase of 10 times. A wide range of remediation opportunities will be provided at each of our schools. Please contact your school counselor about the opportunities available. Additionally, students looking for enrichment opportunities will be able to enroll in a limited number of slots for the summer institute for the arts, technology and more. Your student can also take a self-directed personal finance course online as well. The link for these programs can be found here: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning and https://www.fcps.edu/registration/adult-and-community-education-registration.
Sportsmanship
Some have raised concerns about recent sporting events where racial slurs were reported. I want to assure you that the School Board and the Superintendent take these incidents seriously. Actions taken include, additional professional development of coaching and officials, town halls with the teams and their parents and reminders provided to teams in advance of play. It also serves as a reminder to all athletes that this behavior is not acceptable, and individuals will be held responsible for their actions. Please talk to your students about the impact of this hateful language on individuals in our community. More on this can be found in the FCPS Letter on Respect and Inclusivity.
Equity Updates
We are pleased to share that our Equity profile/dashboard has been updated to reflect data from the 2019-2020 school year in relationship to our strategic plan. This dashboard was part of our work with the Fairfax County Government and our collaborative One Fairfax Policy. As always, we want to maintain a level of transparency in our efforts towards our goals in particular around access and opportunity.
I have encouraged the Superintendent to focus efforts on ensuring that we have a structured approach to literacy, based on science and data and ensures that there is a fidelity of implementation at all of our schools and classrooms across the county.
You can access the link to the Equity Profile located from the FCPS public homepage or directly at: https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/one-fairfax/equity-profile.
FCPS Achieves WELL Heath-Safety Rating
We are proud that FCPS recently earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating for all schools and offices. In so doing, FCPS has joined a community of organizations pushing the boundaries of what health and safety look like in a post-coronavirus environment. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for new and existing facilities that focuses on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans. The strategies within the WELL Health-Safety Rating are informed by insights from nearly 600 virologists, government officials, academics, business leaders, architects, designers, building scientists and real estate professionals, as well as the WELL Building Standard – achieving the rating demonstrates FCPS’ prioritization of health and well-being, instilling confidence in our students, staff and community. For more information on the WELL Health-Safety Rating visit https://wellhealthsafety.com/
Thank you for your patience and feedback over the last few months as our students have returned to classrooms. I know that everyone is looking forward to the fall where we can get everyone back 5 days a week.
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.
National Math Festival coming up this Friday - Sunday
https://www.nationalmathfestival.org/join/2021-festival-online It’s 100% online, and 100% free — but you need to register. NMF is organized by leaders in the field of mathematics (Mathematical Research Sciences Institute, Institute for Advanced Study, and the National Museum of Math in NYC). There are lots of activities, designed for kids of all ages, from talks to puzzles to games to book-reading events. Including presentations by famous mathematicians:
“The End of Space and Time: The Mathematics of Black Holes and the Big Bang” Dr. Robbert Dijkgraaf (Institute for Advanced Study)
“Changing the ‘Face’ of Mathematics” Dr. Erica Graham (Bryn Mawr College), Dr. Raegan Higgins (Texas Tech University), Dr. Candice Price (Smith College), and Dr. Shelby Wilson (Johns Hopkins University)
“Math Is Play!” Dr. Emille Davie Lawrence (University of San Francisco)
“Numbers through Pictures: A Taste of the Geometry of Numbers” Dr. Jesús De Loera (University of California, Davis)
“Infinite Powers: The Story of Calculus” Dr. Steven Strogatz (Cornell University)
“Math and the Movies” Dr. Joseph Teran (University of California, Davis)
There will also be a special live reading celebrating the Mathical Book Prize:
Mathical Author Reading: "Slay" Brittney Morris
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.
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
Apply to be an EQAC Student Representative (Due May 14)
The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for its student member term running from July 2021 through June 2022. EQAC is comprised of one citizen representative from each of nine magisterial districts, four at‑large members, and one student representative. Each member is appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve a three-year term, except the student member, who serves during her or his junior or senior year of high school.
If you are currently a sophomore or junior in good standing and would be interested in serving in this capacity during your junior or senior year, please download and complete the application linked below. All applications must be received via email to eqac@fairfaxcounty.gov by 11:59 PM on Friday, May 14, 2021.
FERSS – Now Accepting Scholarship Applications
To learn more and to apply please go here:
FERSS.ORG – Foundation For Eleanora R. Spratt Scholarships
The Foundation for Eleanora R Spratt Scholarships (FERSS) was developed to
provide financial assistance to assist individuals who are enrolled in certification programs or higher education academic institutions. Dr. Eleanora R Spratt was a person who broke down tremendous obstacles in life to achieve her educational status. She always believed that education was the key that would allow one to accomplish goals and dreams for success. Dr. Spratt continued to mentor and teach others until she was 90. In fact, Dr. Spratt was known for asking her relatives, friends of relatives and people she met throughout life “How are you doing in school?” Even when she was on her sick bed in the hospital, she would ask her visitors about their educational aspirations. FERSS Scholarships are open to the economically challenged individual who fall into one of the following categories:
Those who wish to pursue a college degree from an academic institution
Those who wish to pursue a professional certification
Deadline For Application Submission Is May 30, 2021
Scholarship Winners Will Be Announced By June 21, 2021
INOVA Blood Donation
There is a severe blood shortage for blood types O+, O-, A+, B+ and B- nationwide, and it is impacting us locally. If you are an eligible donor, please make time to donate in the days ahead at Inova Blood Donor Services to help ensure a steady supply of blood is available for the patients we serve. Make your appointment today at inovablood.org or call 1-866-BLOODSAVES. Your hour spent donating the gift of life will make a difference for a patient in need.
Step Up 4 Kids Campaign
 Children who experience Domestic Violence are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, run away, act out in school, or come into contact with law enforcement. These behaviors are often a cry for help. Caring adults can help interrupt this cycle. The more caring adults involved in a child’s life, the more likely the child is to be successful at school and in relationships with others. To learn more about how you can support a child, visit: https://bit.ly/3bxo9b9
If you want to know how to help a child experiencing domestic violence, please call the Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline: 703-360-7273.
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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