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Dear Families and Staff,
Happy Fourth of July! Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays because it celebrates not only our nation’s birthday but the grit and tenacity of our nation’s founders to fight for independence and a shared common goal of always striving for a more perfect union. Here in Mount Vernon, we are especially blessed with the opportunity to explore historic sites that were part of the making of our democracy.
There are a number of great opportunities for our students to explore this summer including visiting our national parks along the GW Parkway (including Fort Hunt Park) the presidential estate, the birth place of the Bill of Rights, Gunston Hall, local museums such as Gum Springs, the Lorton Work House, and the newly opened Army Museum and Suffragists memorial. These provide excellent learning opportunities for our families and students. While visiting Mount Vernon, check out the new historical marker commemorating Ona Judge and her flight to freedom. I was honored to participate in the unveiling ceremony which recognized the students of Laurel Ridge Elementary and their school-based technology specialist (and Mount Vernon resident) Maura Keaney for their work in proposing the marker to the governor.
Class of 2021
Congratulations to the class of 2021 for their accomplishments during a very difficult school year! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing our students and staff at the graduations and particularly enjoyed seeing so many graduate from their home fields. I was inspired by the amazing speeches offered by our students at graduations. They were well thought out, poised and meaningful. Thank you to all our teachers, staff, and families for your dedication to our students. I was also impressed with the multiple millions of dollars in scholarships awarded to the students from each of our high schools. Students graduating from our local schools will be attending the top universities across the United States and around the globe. All of the service academies will benefit from our wonderful students being part of their incoming classes. Students at Mount Vernon High School earned college credits valued at $1.5 million through the pathways program with Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University launched in January 2020.
TJ High School or Science and Technology Admissions
This past week letters of acceptance were offered to the class of 2025. For the first time in over a decade, students from each of Fairfax County’s middle schools were offered admission.
I hope everyone can take time to relax and spend time with their loved ones this summer.
Please find updates on important issues below.
Karen
2021-22 School Year to Start on August 23
We are looking forward to having students back in classrooms 5 days a week in the fall. Given the new strains of Covid that are circulating, I encourage those that have not received a vaccination and are eligible to do so to register for a shot.
With the school year winding down and many families making plans for summer camps, vacations, and other activities, be sure to note that the first day of school for the 2021-22 school year will be Monday, August 23. The last day of school is June 10, 2022. See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar.
New Important Immunization Requirements:
Do You Have a Student Entering Seventh or Twelfth Grade This Fall?
While the COVID-19 vaccination is NOT required by schools for the 2021-22 school year, many other vaccinations are.
Seventh-grade students need:
- One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) given at age 7 or older.
- One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo) given at age 10 or older.
Twelfth-grade students need:
- One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo) given at age 16 or older.
More information on new immunization requirements is available online.
Fairfax County’s School Age Child Care to Open for 2021-22 School Year
Many FCPS families utilize Fairfax County’s School Age Child Care (SACC) programs for childcare. Good news! SACC will be open to provide before and after school services for the 2021-22 School Year. The SACC program is currently assessing center capacities based on health and safety protocols. More information for the 2021-22 School Year program is available on the SACC website. Families who were previously enrolled will be contacted to determine their need for services
PreK and Early Head Start Accepting Applications for SY 2021-22
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start is now accepting applications for School Year 2021-22! Please watch this video to see if your 3 or 4 year old may qualify for PreK. To apply online. For more information call our English Line: 703-208-7900 or Email: fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu
¡FCPS PreK y Early Head Start ya está aceptando aplicaciones para el año escolar 2021-22! Por favor mire este video para ver si su hijo de 3 o 4 años puede calificar para PreK. Para aplicar en línea. Correo electrónico: fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu Para más información llame a la línea de español: 703-208-7901
2021-22 Kindergarten Registration
Will your child turn five years old by September 30? If so, contact your child’s school to make arrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Most schools begin getting information together now for parents of incoming kindergartners, and many host an orientation or open house. All kindergarten programs are full-day and located in FCPS elementary schools.
Check your school’s webpage or contact the school directly for specific enrollment information and dates of orientation.
Get more information about kindergarten registration.
Video: How to Register Your Student in FCPS.
Summer Opportunities
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Summer Practice Books will be mailed home or link emailed in early June to FCPS students in grades PreK-8, Special Education, and English Learners to provide suggested activities for students to support continued learning. Please see the Summer Practice Books public webpage for more information and details about customized books for English learners and Special Education students.
There are also a variety of school-based summer school programs and summer enrichment programs open to all students. Information on how to register for these programs is available on the FCPS Summer Learning webpage.
Rec-PAC Summer Camps (Grade 1-6)
Rec-PAC (Pretty Awesome Children), operated by Fairfax County Park Authority After COVID-19 prevented in-person programs last summer, the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Rec-PAC returns this summer at 30 elementary school locations across Fairfax County.
Rec-PAC is an affordable, structured six-week summer program for children in grades 1-6 featuring a different theme each week. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays from June 28 through Aug. 5, 2021. Parents can sign up for one week at a time or all six weeks.
For more information and to register, visit this site for general information and detailed information at the Rec-PAC site.
2021 Summer Camps for Students with Special Needs
The FCPS Parent Resource Center has a helpful resource for finding summer activities for students with special needs. The list does not indicate recommendations or endorsements by Fairfax County Public Schools or the Parent Resource Center. Please contact the camps directly for fees and availability.
ESSER Funding
In general, ESSER II funds are slated to be spent in three primary areas:
- Enhanced upcoming summer school
- Facilities infrastructure enhancements - $33 million is allocated toward facilities infrastructure for HVAC and air quality improvements
- Technology leasing costs and TSSpec positions
ESSER III funds have not been allocated, due to federal conditions for required input from community and other stakeholders prior to the development of the spending plan. Please let us know your ideas on how to best utilize these funds.
The FCPS FY22 budget begins July 1, 2021.
Future Women Leaders in Law Enforcement August 9 – 13, 2021
Haven't decided on a career path? Come and explore careers in law enforcement for women. Learn first-hand about core police functions such as patrol, K9, and crime scene investigation. Meet today's women leaders in law enforcement in Fairfax County. Explore what it takes to become a police officer and skills you will learn in the police academy. Discover your potential to become a future woman leader in law enforcement.
You will learn about:
- Patrol
- Crime scene investigation
- Women in law enforcement
- Recruiting process
- Law enforcement career opportunities
- Defensive tactics
- Leadership skills
- K-9
- Helicopter division
- And more…
For more information, please call (703) 246-4315 or e-mail us at CPA@fairfaxcounty.gov
Details
Classes will be held August 9 - 13, 2021:
- at Lake Braddock Secondary School
- Participants are expected to attend all classes
- Application deadline is July 12th, 2021
- Eligibility
- The program is offered free of charge and is open to all Northern Virginia high school girls who will be entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during the 2021-2022 school year.
- Class size is limited to 20 students. All applicants will be notified of their status at the end of July. Students are expected to provide their own transportation and bring a bagged lunch.
- The Fairfax County Police Department seeks people from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds when selecting participants for its Citizens Police Academy programs. Candidates of different ethnicities, professions, cultural backgrounds, orientations, age groups, and communities throughout Fairfax County are encouraged to apply in order to enrich class discussions and strengthen community relationships.
Meet the Chief
On Thursday July 15th, Communities of Trust is hosting Fairfax County’s newly appointed Police Chief, Kevin Davis, in meeting with interested community members to discuss his plans for the department and keeping Fairfax County one of the safest places to live. He looks forward to hearing your thoughts and answering any questions. There is an option to attend in person, as well as virtually. Please register using the link below:
In-Person: https://bit.ly/mtc0715
Virtual: http://bit.ly/mtczoom0715
WHEN: Thursday, July 15th at 7PM
WHERE: Harvest Assembly Baptist Church 8008 Fordson Road Alexandria, Virginia 22306
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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