October 2019 Newsletter from School Board Member Tom Wilson

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson's Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Now that we are over six weeks into the 2019-2020 school year, and finally enjoying fall weather, I hope everyone is settling into their school routines and adjusting to new schedules. I have enjoyed meeting so many of you at the Back to School nights and other events. In this newsletter, I have included a few events and activities around the County and in our community that may be of interest to you and your family. As a quick reminder, I will have Office Hours on Friday, November 8th (more details below), if you have any concerns that I can help with, this would be a great opportunity for us to meet. I hope to see you there!

 

-Tom Wilson


Office Hours

I will be holding office hours at the Starbucks in the Greenbriar Shopping Center - 13037-A Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy Space #A, Fairfax, VA 22033 at 10:00 am on:

Friday, November 8

If you would like to discuss any issue related to Fairfax County Public Schools, please drop by. No appointment necessary.

 

Fairfax County Health Department: Severe Lung Illness Associated with Vaping

The Fairfax County Health Department is recommending that if you know of a young person complaining of respiratory issues who has a history of using vaping products, please suggest they seek care with their primary medical doctor. Health care providers in Fairfax County are being instructed to report suspected cases of severe respiratory illness associated with vaping to the disease reporting unit at 703-246-2433 or email at hdcd@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Additional information and resources for parents on the health risks associated with vaping have been posted online

 

Opening of Schools Report

Opening of Schools report for the 2019-20 school year has been released.

opening 1o2o3

To view the complete report, please visit the BoardDocs page to view the September 24 Regular Meeting Agenda.

 

FCPS Solicits Public Comment on High School Science Basal Instructional Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is soliciting public review and comment on basal instructional resources under consideration for high school science.  A basal resource review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet this fall to review and recommend new high school science instructional resources to the Fairfax County School Board.  Citizens are encouraged to review materials under consideration and complete comment sheets or the online survey so that community feedback may be shared with the School Board and committee as part of the review process.  

High school science basal instructional materials may be accessed in person and online from Monday, October 14, through Thursday, November 14.  Digital materials for public review and comment will be available online beginning October 14.  Hard copies of textbooks will also be available in the front lobby of Willow Oaks Administrative Center located at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax. Willow Oaks is open each business day from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and extended hours will be provided until 7:45 pm on Monday, October 28, and Thursday, November 7. For more information, click HERE.

If you are interested in serving on the Science Basal Resource Review Committee, please contact Tom Wilson.

 

Centreville Day 2019

The 27th Annual Centreville Day celebration is set for October 19, 2019, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, in the Centreville Historic District. Once again there will be a great line up of activities and entertainment planned for this year. The parade will begin at 11:00 am and will travel through the Historic District.

With Halloween right around the corner, many will be in costumes, and the Festival will include several Halloween-themed activities. Other activities will include rides, food, vendors, crafts, entertainment, and much more!  This is a great event for the whole family. For more information, click HERE.

centreville day

Five Things to Know from the 2018-2019 Youth Survey

Vaping, depression and declining physical activity are among the issues affecting our kids according to the 2018-19 Fairfax County Youth Survey. Fortunately, the survey also identifies ways that you can actively help teens succeed and avoid/reduce risk behaviors.

Since 2001, the Board of Supervisors and the School Board have co-sponsored the Youth Survey, which helps to monitor behavior trends and changes among our youth. This provides crucial information to help prioritize the focus for prevention efforts throughout the community. It is an anonymous and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 8, 10 and 12 (students in grade 6 take a modified, shorter survey). A total of 47,539 students, representing 84% of enrolled students, participated in the 2018-19 Youth Survey.

Here are five top takeaways:

  1. Vaping is Common, but Regular Cigarette Smoking is Decreasing: One in five students (19.8%) reported vaping within a 30-day period, while only 1.8% reported smoking cigarettes. One-quarter of 12th graders vaped nicotine, one-seventh vaped marijuana, and approximately one-eighth vaped flavoring only.
  2. Depressive Symptom Rates Continue to Inch Up: Depressive symptoms (28.3%) for 8th, 10th and 12th grade students has increased since last year (27.3%), which is higher than the rate in 2016. Students in 6th grade reported depressive symptoms (24.2%) at the highest rate since 2011.
  3. Physical Activity Levels are Down: The percentage of students (38.4%) getting at least one hour of physical activity per day on five or more days is the lowest since 2010, when 42.6% did so. Overall, 63.9% of 8th, 10th and 12th grade students get more than three hours of screen time per day (49% for 6th graders).
  4. Marijuana Use Remains at Relatively Low Levels: Almost one in ten students (9.7%) in 8th, 10th and 12th grades reported using marijuana in the past 30 days, compared to 9.5% last year. This is well below the national rate of 14.6%. 
  5. Cyberbullying Rates Continue to Drop: Reported rates of being a victim of cyberbullying (8.2%), as well as being an aggressor (3.9%), continued to decrease.

The most important finding in each year’s Youth Survey is that protective factors, such as having parents available for help and engaging in community service, make a real difference and help teens succeed and flourish. Learn more about these “factors that matter” - and the easy ways in which you can help teens attain them - in the Three to Succeed section of the Youth Survey website, where you can find lots more information on the survey and results.

For more information, click HERE.  

 

Teaching Artists Display Their Creativity at Annual Artist Teacher Exhibition

In collaboration with the Workhouse Arts Center, the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Fine Arts Office presents the 12th annual Artist Teacher Exhibition, an art exhibition recognizing the creativity and technical expertise of FCPS art teachers, beginning Wednesday, October 9. 

Teachers were invited to submit original works for consideration. This year, 111 original works of art were submitted by 56 teachers. Art Juror Ju Yun, owner and director of Ju Ju Art Gallery and J Art Studios, selected 50 artworks to be included in the exhibition. 

The exhibition will be open to the public from October 9 through Saturday, October 26, in the McGuire Woods Gallery, Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. For more details, visit the FCPS website.

art

Edison Academy to Host 2019 Apprenticeships and Skilled Workforce Career Fair

High school students and recent graduates interested the construction-related trades, service industries, manufacturing, and information technology are invited to attend the Apprenticeships and Skilled Workforce Career Fair on Thursday, November 7, at Edison Academy. The fair is designed to encourage interest among high school students and recent graduates in the in-demand skilled career fields that are attainable through two-year degree programs, certifications, apprenticeships or on-the-job training.


Fairfax County high school students, recent graduates, and their parents are invited to attend this free event to meet business, education, and industry leaders from Northern Virginia who offer skilled workforce employment, education, training, and apprenticeship programs. The fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on November 7 and is sponsored by Wegmans Food Markets.


For more information and to register, click HERE.

fair

Important Dates to Remember

November 1 - First Grading Period Ends

November 4-5 - Student Holidays

November 5 - Election Day

November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break - Student Holiday

December 23-January 3, 2020 - Winter Break - Student Holiday

Click HERE to view the 2019-20 Standard School Year Calendar


School Board Meeting

The next School Board Meeting will be held on October 24, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at Jackson Middle School.  Information about upcoming meetings and agendas can be found here

 

Contact Tom:

E-mail:
tawilson1@fcps.edu
Phone: 571-423-1085

 

Lisa Madeja
Executive Admin Assistant
571-423-1055
emadeja@fcps.edu