|
Dear Franconia District Families,
It has been a busy month on our School Board. I wanted to share the action items from last week's Regular School Board meeting which included a vote on Policy 8220 Architectural and Engineering Services, Policy 2202 Eligibility for Enrollment, a Strategic Budget Priorities Motion, and a Local Plan for the Gifted. Watch the full meeting on the FCPS YouTube channel.
Yesterday morning, I joined Captain John Lieb, Commander for the Franconia Police District, plus other officers from the Franconia Police District at Edison High School, along with Principal Brumfield, and Amazon Global Specialty Fulfilment Manager, Nick Ruggiero for a traffic-safety outreach event aimed at emphasizing the importance of seat-belt usage. We engaged student drivers and verified vehicle occupants were properly seat-buckled – we found 100% compliance! Student participants received Amazon gift cards, Fire Tablets, TV Sticks, Echo devices & Starbucks gift cards. Thank you to Captain Lieb, the Franconia Police District, and Amazon for making safety fun! See pictures below.
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
NAGC Congratulates 2022 Administrator of the Year - Dr. Michelle Reid
Congratulations to Dr. Michelle Reid who was just named the 2022 award recipient of The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). Each year, the Association presents this award to a principal or superintendent, outside the field of gifted education, who has made a significant contribution to gifted education in their school, district, or across the nation.
Read the full press release here.
|
Opportunities to Participate in the Strategic Planning Process
 FCPS is offering a number of opportunities for parents/caregivers to be involved in the Strategic Planning process! Check out two immediate options below:
Nominate Yourself or Someone Else for the Family Team
We are currently seeking nominations for parents/caregivers who are interested in contributing to Strategic Plan development as part of the Family Team. This team will represent the rich diversity of families that make up FCPS’ community, and will focus on identifying engagement and outreach practices that will improve our partnerships with families.
If you are interested in being part of the Family Team or would like to nominate someone else, please fill out this form by, today, Tuesday, November 22.
Be a Key Communicator!
If you are a member of a community organization or group, consider signing up to be a key communicator during the strategic planning process. FCPS key communicators are active members of the community who people turn to for information, and have an interest in sharing information about the school division and encouraging involvement. If this describes you or someone you know, please get the details and complete this form by Monday, November 28.
Calendar Survey: Make Your Voice Heard!
 FCPS parents/caregivers, employees, and students in grades 7-12 were emailed an invitation to take the 2023-24 School Year Calendar Survey. This survey is part of an annual process to gather input from the community to help develop the school year calendar for the following year. Please complete the survey by Thursday, December 1, and make your voice heard! For more information or help filling out the survey, please visit our website.
Help Your Child Have Good Attendance
 Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school. How can you help your child attend school regularly?
- Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day—make that the expectation.
- Help your child maintain routines such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
- Find out if your child feels safe at school and engaged by their classes. Make sure they are not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If these are problems, please work with your school.
- Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
- Be aware of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
- Encourage meaningful after-school activities including sports and clubs.
Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, talk to your child’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work. But remember, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom.
Visit our website for more attendance resources.
Resources for Military Families
 I participated in the High Fives for Our Heroes Parade at Clermont Elementary School. Thank you to Principal Salata and her team for giving such a warm welcome throughout Clermont's hallways to all of their military families!
This month, we are highlighting resources for military families in honor of Veterans Day and Military Family Appreciation Month. FCPS’ Office of Family and School Partnerships provides resources and support for military families transitioning to or from our school division.
Tips to help ease a military-connected student’s transition to a new school in FCPS include:
- Inquire about your school's student-led peer transition support program, such as a Student Ambassador Program, and welcoming practices.
- Contact your school's school counseling office for information on student registration; standardized testing; academic and career planning; course selection; course and grade placement; absences related to deployment; graduation requirements; and social and emotional support.
- Contact your previous school's record’s office to request transcripts and other school records, so they can be shared with your new school.
- Consider asking your child’s former teacher to write a summary including information about subjects and topics covered; curriculum used; and your child’s strengths and areas for growth. We encourage parents and caregivers to share the teacher summary, as well as insights on their child’s development, talents, and interests, with their child’s teacher and school counselor.
- Contact your school’s Student Activities Office for information about participation in extracurricular activities and sports eligibility.
For more information, please contact Meredith Ayala, family partnerships specialist. We also encourage you to sign up for the military-connected families newsletter.
Post-Thanksgiving COVID Diagnostic Testing
 COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS teachers, staff, and students at five locations across the county November 28-30 from 5 to 8 p.m. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID. Appointments are not required, but registration must be completed before testing. Visit the COVID testing webpage for more information.
Recommended Changes to Family Life Education Curriculum
The public may review recommended changes to the Family Life Education (FLE) curriculum and share feedback through Thursday, December 1. Recommended changes are based on leading education and child development research, and expert advice. The goal is to create a more inclusive learning environment, support higher academic achievement for students, and improve school climate.
Please review the recommended changes on our website and complete the brief feedback form. Public feedback will be shared with the Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee and the School Board. FCPS staff and the Board will consider all feedback but are unable to provide replies to individuals.
Congratulations to Our 2022 Teacher Grant Recipients!
 Educate Fairfax and FCPS are proud to announce that 52 grants totaling more than $82,000 were awarded in grades K-12 across the county!
These grants will fund innovative classroom initiatives that focus on developing career-connected experiences for students. Funded projects should enable students to reinforce and deepen their classroom learning, explore future career fields, and demonstrate their acquired Portrait of a Graduate (POG) skills.
Now in its fourth year, our partnership with Educate Fairfax and the Teacher Grant Program has funded nearly 200 grants to educators and impacted more than 60,000 FCPS students. Learn more about teacher grants.
Academic Matters
During the Academic Matters portion of Monday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Reid discussed the innovative assessment practices happening in FCPS as part of our School Division of Innovation designation from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
This recognition means that VDOE has approved a plan to improve student learning, educational performance, and college, career, and citizenship readiness skills. It positions FCPS as a state leader in innovative practices with the opportunity to impact statewide policy decisions. Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation.
Free, On-Demand, Online Tutoring
 Did you know?
- Students who’ve used Tutor.com have provided positive feedback.
- Unless they’ve been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology.
- Every session is personalized to meet students’ needs from remedial to advanced levels.
- Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers.
Learn more on FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.
School Building Asbestos Management Plans Available for Public Review
Asbestos was discontinued in most building materials after 1977, and all schools constructed after 1986, should be asbestos-free. In addition, during school renovations of older schools, FCPS has worked to remove asbestos-containing building material. As per federal requirements, for all schools, even schools constructed after 1986, an inspection for asbestos-containing building material is conducted each year, with an Asbestos Management Plan being maintained for the site.
FCPS has completed the required Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (A.H.E.R.A.) asbestos reinspection and surveillance of all school buildings for Fiscal Year 2023. Updated asbestos management plans for each building are available for review in the main office of every building during regular school hours.
Make a SUBstantial Difference in FCPS!
 FCPS is always looking for kind and caring individuals to serve as substitute teachers when teachers are unable to be in the classroom. Retiree Bunni Cooper (pictured above) is a perfect example! After a 23-year career at the World Bank, she chose to support Bull Run Elementary as a substitute teacher. Read Bunni’s story, and please ask your family and friends to consider being a sub. (Maybe you would like to sub, too!)
By the way, FCPS is offering bonuses for substitutes who are available to teach on high volume days. Visit our Substitute Teaching Employment Opportunities page for more information.
Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving
 Schools and offices will be closed November 23-25. Have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, November 28. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
FCPS This Week will return on Wednesday, November 30.
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.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
|
