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Dear Franconia District Families -
Happy Holidays!
Our winter break begins next week and I hope you find yourself surrounded by friends and family doing all the things that bring you joy!
As I have shared before, my family celebrates Hanukkah, Christmas and Eastern Orthodox Christmas during this time of the year. For our family, the traditions and music of the past often add much to our celebrations today. Here in FCPS, we are fortunate to have amazing music educators teaching and composing beautiful music at every grade level--creating new memories for our students and their families!
Please enjoy a sampling of the many performances that recently took place in Region 3 by clicking on each image below.
I will continue to share opportunities to see concerts and theater events in my future newsletters. However, you can also subscribe to the FCPS Fine and Performing Arts Calendar for individual listings of many middle and high school theater events. Click “Subscribe to Calendars” to add events to your digital calendar and be notified of upcoming performances.
As I reflect on the past year, I remain grateful and humbled to serve our parents, staff and students in the Franconia District community. I wish you and your family an enjoyable winter break and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Stay well,
Tammy
Also I want to welcome my constituents who may be receiving this newsletter for the first time! You should already be receiving FCPS This Week, which has important information about Fairfax County Public Schools. Be sure to subscribe to your child’s school newsletter, as well. If you are not receiving those, make sure you go to the News Your Choose site where you can manage your subscription preferences.
In my newsletter, I share important updates about policies and other School Board actions that impact Fairfax County Public Schools. I hope you will find this information helpful, and I look forward to your feedback. If you wish to unsubscribe, you can click “unsubscribe” at the bottom of this email.
 Clermont Elementary School Chorus singing “Hot Chocolate”
 Hayfield Secondary School Symphonic Band playing "Amber Moon"
 Hayfield Secondary School Choir singing "Carol of the Bells"
FCPS' Fall 2022 VHSL State and National Champions
 Fairfax High School Field Hockey Team
Last night, our School Board honored the Fall 2022 VHSL state and national championship teams and performing artists from this past fall season.
The Board was pleased to recognize the students, their coaches and teachers last night. Congratulations to all the FCPS students who participated. See the list below.
Building Future Engineers: Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher Grady Visits Walt Whitman Middle School for STEM Challenge
 A Whitman Middle School student shows the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid his design for the tallest paper tower, as part of the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff STEM Design Challenge.
Students at Walt Whitman Middle School in Alexandria had the opportunity to impress the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Christopher W. Grady, as they demonstrated their engineering skills with a special STEM challenge on Monday. With only 30 sheets of paper and a roll of tape, students were instructed to create a tower that could support a can of tomatoes for one minute. Adm. Grady and his wife, Mrs. Christine Grady, traveled from the Pentagon to speak to students and test their designs.
Read the full story and learn more about this challenge.
Coming Soon - Salad Bars Return to Elementary Schools
Salad bars will begin to return to elementary schools as a part of lunch service in early 2023. Watch for specific information from your child's school.
Elementary schools that had a salad bar installed prior to the onset of the pandemic and have Title I designation will be prioritized.
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services is currently working with vendors to source salad bar menu items and will start collaborating with administrators for a successful transition back to this pre-pandemic program enhancement.
High School Academy Open Houses
FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January.
A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that can prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, and/or internships with local businesses.
Learn more and find the calendar of Academy Open Houses.
Preparing for Winter Weather
Here’s a reminder of FCPS’ inclement weather procedures. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional “snow days” with no school activities. After those five days, we will hold virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain continuity of learning. Virtual learning on these days will be synchronous (live) instruction following the inclement weather virtual learning day schedule which includes a two-hour delay.
Consider bookmarking FCPS' Weather Cancellation Procedures to stay informed in case of winter weather or other emergency situations.
Upcoming School Bus Driver Job Fairs
Join one of our school bus driver job fairs and learn how to become part of the FCPS team! The job fairs will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on:
In addition to a $3,000 signing bonus for all new drivers, FCPS also offers competitive pay, excellent retirement plans, health and dental plans, paid training, and other benefits.
Learn more about upcoming school bus driver job fairs. If you have questions, please call 571-423-3000 or email driveforfcps@fcps.edu.
Hiring Now! Food and Nutrition Services
From Food Services van drivers to managers-in-training, FCPS has many job opportunities related to food and nutrition. Benefits include paid training and school holidays off, and some positions offer full-time benefits for part-time work. See Food and Nutrition Services job opportunities to apply. Call 703-813-4800 with any questions.
View all current job openings.
Free, On-Demand, Online Tutoring
 FCPS students who’ve used Tutor.com have provided positive feedback:
- “This tutor was very helpful! She didn't tell me the answers. When needed, she helped me solve them! She was very kind and she really helped me!” –Elementary Math Student
- “This was an awesome tutor! She explained why I needed to do specific steps, and she gave me practice problems! Best tutor I have had!” –IB Chemistry Student
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.
Save the Date: Strategic Planning Community Forums
 Beginning January 30, FCPS will host a series of community forums as part of our Strategic Plan development process. The completed schedule and locations for the sessions are posted on FCPS' Strategic Planning webpage.
The community conversations to be held in Regions 3 and 4 include Edison, West Springfield and South County High Schools. They will be held on the following dates:
- Monday, February 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Edison HS cafeteria
- Tuesday, February 7, 6:30 to 8 p.m., South County HS cafeteria
- Wednesday, February 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m., West Springfield HS cafeteria (blue)
Click here for the full list of in-persona and virtual forums.
A Safe, Welcome, and Inclusive Space at FCPS
FCPS’ Trust Policy confirms our commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space, where all students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear of having their data disclosed to federal immigration officials. Read more about the Trust Policy.
Service Animals Permitted in FCPS Buildings
FCPS permits service animals access in all public areas, including schools, in accordance with federal and state law. A service animal has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. A service animal is not a pet, and the work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability.
Generally, therapy animals are not considered service animals and are therefore not permitted. The ongoing use of a service animal by staff members, parents, or members of the community must be coordinated through the Office of Equity and Employee Relations. Contact EERADA@fcps.edu to submit an accommodation request. To coordinate a student’s use of a service animal, contact the Due Process and Eligibility section of the Office of Special Education Procedural Support at 571-423-4290. If you have any questions regarding service animals in FCPS buildings, contact the Office of Equity and Employee Relations at 571-423-3070.
Calendar Reminders
Chanukah: December 18-26
Happy Chanukah to all in our community who celebrate! This Festival of Lights is an 8-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple, and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple's menorah for 8 days.
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Winter Break: December 19 - January 2
As a reminder, winter break will be held December 19 to January 2. To help make sure school-based staff and students have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.
Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
Christmas: December 25
A very Merry Christmas to those in our community who celebrate! Christmas is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus, and is celebrated in many unique ways across the U.S. and the world.
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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.
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