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Dear Lee District Families,
I hope you have been able to enjoy the beautiful fall colors, crisp air and maybe even do some apple picking. The second quarter is off to a fast start and Thanksgiving break begins tomorrow.
It has been a busy month on our School Board. Below are updates from last night’s meeting, information on upcoming opportunities for our FCPS students, school events, resources for our families and other informative FCPS news.
Last week, I attended the Virginia School Board Association’s (VSBA) annual conference with my colleagues and other School Board members from around the state. It’s always a great experience and I appreciate the opportunity to network and learn.
At our November 11th School Board meeting, I had the honor of recognizing my former colleagues Janie Strauss and Ilryong Moon for their dedication to Fairfax County Public Schools as long-standing School Board Members. See below for their recognition.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit Lewis HS and worked with students to plant native plants in their school courtyard. Through a program called Revitalize, Restore and Replant I had great fun “getting my hands dirty” under the guidance of Danielle Wynne, Ecologist IV, Watershed Education and Outreach for Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES), Rachel Clausen, Lewis High School Biology Science Teacher. Thank you to the Lewis students for your hard work and great conversations as we planted together. I can’t wait to come back in the spring to see the “blooms of our labor”! Read more about this program here.
I am thankful to continue to serve and represent our students, families, teachers, administrators and staff. You have my best wishes for a safe, relaxing and fun-filled Thanksgiving holiday.
Stay well,
Tammy
 Photos from Revitalize, Restore and Replant Event at Lewis High School.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
- Governance Committee Meeting (Gatehouse): Tuesday, November 30, 11 a.m.
- Regular School Board Meeting (Jackson Middle School): Thursday, December 2, 7 p.m. - Mid Year Budget Review
- Audit Committee Meeting (Gatehouse): Thursday, December 9, 4 p.m.
- Work Session (Gatehouse): Tuesday, December 14, 11 a.m. - John Lewis HS, Boundary Consultant Report
School Board Meeting Updates
Last night’s School Board meeting included votes on The State and Federal Legislative Program, changes to community participation in School Board meetings, and a modification of the contract for the FCPS Special Education Comprehensive Review. See specific details below.
2022 Fairfax County School Board State and Federal Legislative Program
The School Board annually adopts a legislative program and legislative priorities to inform local, state and federal public officials and others of its positions on legislative policy and budget issues of potential importance to Fairfax County Public School students, teachers, staff, and community. The School Board voted to adopt the 2022 Fairfax County School Board State and Federal Legislative Program and Priorities with several amendments that can be found on Board Docs.
Public Engagement Committee Recommended Changes to the Governance Manual Regarding Community Participation
The School Board welcomes community members to provide comments at its regular business meetings and public hearings on school board deliberations, school-related issues or particular topics. The School Board voted to approve the recommended changes from the Public Engagement Committee, including adjustments to the submission of video content.
Modification of Contract - Fairfax County Public Schools Special Education Comprehensive Review
The Audit Committee recently recommended additional funding for the Year 2 Special Education Comprehensive Review over: (a) Stakeholder focus groups, (b) Classroom observations, (c) Extant data analysis, totaling $87,443. The School Board last night voted to approve the recommended modification of the Special Education Comprehensive Review Contract between Fairfax County Public Schools and American Institutes for Research (AIR).
View the video of the November 22, 2021 Fairfax County School Board meeting.
Former School Board Members Janie Strauss and Ilryong Moon Honored with Facilities Renaming
The contributions of two former Fairfax County School Board members were recognized at the November 11 School Board meeting when two school facilities were renamed in their honor.
The theater dressing rooms at McLean High School were renamed after Janie Strauss, a School Board member for the Dranesville District from 1993 to 2019, an avid former educator, and director of the nationally acclaimed Critics Awards Program for High School Theater, known as the Cappies.
Ilryong Moon, an At-Large School Board member from 1995 to 2019, was honored with a resolution dedicating the main gym at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) in his name. The gym will now be known as “Ilryong Moon Gymnasium.”
Read here for the full article honoring Ms. Strauss and Mr. Moon.
Pop-up Pediatric Vaccine Clinic Opportunities
The Fairfax Health District and Fairfax County Public Schools are hosting free COVID-19 vaccine clinics at 10 schools for students 5-11 years of age. Children do not need to be an FCPS student to attend these clinics. Vaccines will not be available for those 12 years and older. Children must be accompanied by a parent or another responsible adult at all community vaccination sites.
The Fairfax County Health Department’s webpage has information about the clinics and resources for finding and scheduling a vaccine appointment. Up-to-date information about vaccination opportunities is available on our website.
Find out if you can schedule your child’s COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time.
Local pediatricians share their advice for children with underlying health concerns, and if your child can get the flu shot at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine in this short video.
Register for Optional COVID-19 Student Screening Testing
Parents and guardians can use the secure online portal to register their child(ren) for optional COVID-19 screening. If you do not want your child to participate, no action is required. You will have the option to update your child’s vaccination status and/or withdraw consent for testing anytime.
Student-athletes do not need to pre-register with the LTS online portal for screening testing, they will use a separate portal provided by their school’s student activities director.
There will be no student COVID-19 screening testing the week of November 22 due to the Thanksgiving break.
For more information on student COVID-19 testing, visit the FCPS website.
Reduction in Student Quarantine Period
With the start of the national rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5-11 and a drop in the Fairfax County transmission rate from “substantial” to “moderate,” we are adjusting some of the layered prevention strategies that have helped keep the rate of in-school transmission of COVID-19 at just 0.02%.
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Unvaccinated students who are exposed to COVID-19 in a school setting may quarantine for 10 days, instead of 14 days.
- Students will be notified of the day they may return to the classroom via the pause letter.
- If you do not have a pause letter from your school, you will need to quarantine for 14 days, per the requirement of the Fairfax County Health Department.
More information is available online.
FCPS Reinstates Two Books, Reaffirming Commitment to Supporting Diversity in Literature
Two books that were subject to a formal challenge have been deemed appropriate for high school readers following a two-month review process and will be reinstated to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) libraries.
The books "Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe and “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison had been temporarily removed from FCPS libraries serving high schools following a challenge in September.
After deliberate and lengthy discussions on the potential merits and concerns of the book as a literary work, and the potential merits and concerns associated with retaining or removing access to the book from students using school libraries, the committees unanimously recommended that the books should remain available. The final decision to reinstate them was made by the assistant superintendent, Instructional Services Department, per the process outlined in the regulation.
Read full news release here.
Learn More About School Library Collections
 School libraries provide access to a large number of print and digital products for all our students and their families. Browse the entire collection within all FCPS libraries on our website.
Parent Resource Center Materials for Families: PRC Packs
The staff from the Parent Resource Center (PRC) has curated top resources from its library, webinars, and digital resources on some of its most requested topics into PRC Packs ready for checkout by families.
What’s in a PRC Pack?
- Two to three books for families.
- One to two books for a child (perfect for a read-aloud or independent reading for an older child).
- Resource guide with a list of eBooks, free webinars on YouTube, and other resources.
- Tote bag for easy return at any FCPS school or office.
Contact the PRC by email at prc@fcps.edu or by phone at 703-204-3941 to check out these materials.
How FCPS Develops Its School Year Calendar
 The school year calendar is created with community feedback while also ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and policies. To understand the process and the framework FCPS is using, watch this video or visit the FCPS website. The School Board has final approval on the calendar and is scheduled to vote on January 27.
Multilingual Family Podcast on the FCPS Advanced Academic Program (AAP): Arabic, Korean, Spanish
 In the latest multilingual podcast produced in conjunction with the Office for ESOL Services and the Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement, you can learn about the FCPS Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Continuum of Services and the different levels of services for elementary and secondary students. All K-12 students receive instruction to develop critical and creative thinking skills as part of AAP instruction. The goal is to build upon students’ individual talents and skills to maximize their academic potential as learners. Equity of access to the services is a priority within FCPS. For more information, visit the AAP website.
Listen and subscribe:
Talk. They Hear You.
 High rates of youth alcohol use, shifting state laws regarding marijuana, and the nation’s opioid crisis are health concerns that affect America’s parents and caregivers. It’s important to start talking to your children early about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.
Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge
Calling all high school students! The Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee has announced this year’s Shark Tank Technology Challenge with a focus on new or improved existing technology that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, wounded warriors, or caregivers. Students are encouraged to consider projects that offer assistance in the following areas:
- Active free time activities.
- Participation in the arts.
- Caregiving.
Students can submit an innovative or creative project as individual or a team. The deadline to submit the initial proposal is Monday, December 6. Final proposals are due February 22, 2022. The Shark Tank event will be held in April 2022. The winning projects will receive a cash prize. More details are available by visiting Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge.
What Is the Office of the Ombudsman?
 Dawn Clements, Armando Peri, and Deanna Johnson of the Ombudsman Office.
The FCPS Office of the Ombudsman provides an independent, confidential resource for students, families, community members, and employees who are seeking informal help to answer questions, resolve concerns, and voice complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Examples of services the Office of the Ombudsman provides include:
- Sharing strategies for parents to improve communication with, and between, school and home.
- Helping to resolve disagreements between parents and schools or disagreements involving employees in the workplace.
- Providing ideas to foster parent participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings.
However, the Office of the Ombudsman does not:
- Change or make decisions, policies, or regulations.
- Take sides.
- Provide legal advice.
Contact the Office of the Ombudsman by using the "Submit a Question" button at the top of the Office of the Ombudsman webpage, by calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombudsman@fcps.edu.
Snow Days Will Stay: FCPS’ Inclement Weather Approach for 2021-22
FCPS has announced updates to its inclement weather policy for the 2021-22 school year.
- The first five inclement weather days will be traditional inclement weather days. These five days may occur consecutively due to a single weather event or may take place as several individual events.
- Once these five days have been taken, FCPS will use the flexibility provided by the General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, wherever possible, to maintain continuity of learning.
Find out more.
Become a Substitute Teacher and Save the Day!
Want to make a difference in the life of a child? Fairfax County Public Schools is looking for enthusiastic, engaged, and dedicated substitute teachers.
Substitutes help our students thrive when their teacher must be out of the classroom and are essential members of every school’s team.
More information about the application process and requirements is available online.
Upcoming School Events
Please see below for some exciting news and upcoming events in some of our Lee District Schools. Hope you can come and help support some of these events.
Edison High School Food Drive
Edison Academy
- Vet Science Grooming is Back: You can schedule dog baths and nail trims! Currently, they are not offering haircuts. Email Karen Nestlerode at kenestlerode@fcps.edu with your dog's information or any questions.
Mt. Vernon High School
West Potomac High School
- Alexandria Community Nutcracker - December 2-December 4. This is the 13th year, dancers from West Potomac and other FCPS and local schools will perform together in the Alexandria Community Nutcracker. For more information, visit artspireva.com.
Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving Break
 As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed November 24-26. Classes will resume on Monday, November 29. See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar.
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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
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