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Dear Franconia District Families,
Thank you to all those who joined me at the Franconia District Strategic Planning Community Forum last week. If you were unable to attend there is still an opportunity to participate in this important work. See details below.
Last Thursday, the School Board adopted a calendar for three school years: 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 to continue our commitment to academic excellence, equity and opportunity, recognizing the diversity of our students and community. Read the full news release here.
The School Board also approved an annual update to the capital improvement program (CIP) that includes continuing work on upgrading school facilities across the County, the building of three new elementary schools, and acquiring land to be used for a new high school during the School Board meeting.
In addition, I made an amendment to our FCPS Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to reallocate $500,000 of the $21 million in funding already approved in the 2013 School Bond, into the 5-year cash flow to begin planning and designing an Early Childhood Education Center on the land currently designated as Route1/Pinewood Lakes site.
This property is in the Franconia District and was bonded in 2013 to help with overcrowding. However, due to the Department of Defense realigning over 11,000 jobs to Ft. Belvoir, in 2014 FCPS was able to secure a federal grant to build an elementary school on the Ft. Belvoir base which eliminated our overcrowding issue.
I worked with Marty Smith, FCPS’ Chief Operating Officer in the Spring of 2022 to begin looking at the Pinewoods site as a standalone Pre-K site. This pre-K site could support 15-20,000 square feet for dedicated classroom use and the space would allow up to 400 pre-K, early/head start and pre-k special education students to gain that critical strong educational start.
The vote was approved unanimously and I am extremely proud that FCPS will be developing a new model for early education for our youngest learners.
I have recently had the pleasure of visiting the following schools:
- I attended the salad bar reopening at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School with Principal Gina O'Neal. Students were extremely happy to see the salad bars reopened.
- Along with several of my School Board colleagues and FCPS staff, we attended the Bryant High School Graduation. Congratulations to the Class of 2023 - it was such an honor to see these amazing students reach their goals and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
- Superintendent Reid and I visited Hayfield Secondary School and Lynbrook Elementary School. It was wonderful to share the hard work and amazing accomplishments of both of these schools with Dr. Reid.
A special thanks to all of our school counselors! Last week was National School Counseling Week, which highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and plan for a career. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. -- I appreciate all you do for our students!
Lastly, I wanted to share that the Edison Choir performed at our January 26 Regular School Board meeting to sing the National Anthem to start our meeting. You can watch their beautiful performance below.
Regards, Tammy
 Left to Right (Top Row): Hayfield Secondary School Visit and Bryant High School Graduation.
Left to Right (Bottom Row): Lynbrook Elementary and Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School visits.
Be Part of Shaping the Future Direction of FCPS!
 Click image above to learn more about the Strategic Planning process from Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid.
FCPS is seeking input from families, students, teachers, staff, and community partners and organizations to develop a new Strategic Plan, which will establish our school district’s goals and focus our efforts on how to get there.
The easiest way to participate in and contribute to the direction of the FCPS’ Strategic Plan is to attend a Community Forum, being held in-person in each of the nine magisterial districts and several virtual meetings, too.
The next in-person session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m. (West Springfield HS). There will be additional opportunities scheduled for mid-late March. Register and see the full schedule here.
When you register, please indicate if any language interpretation services are needed. Child care will also be provided at this event.
If you'd like to review in advance, the data reports that will be shared at the Community Forums are available on the Strategic Planning website.
Learn more about our Strategic Planning process.
Job Opportunity: Clerk to the School Board
The Fairfax County Public Schools School Board is seeking a highly qualified candidate to serve in the role of Clerk to the School Board. Please review the job posting here and share it with anyone you know who may be interested.
EHS Choir at School Board Meeting
Thank you to the Edison High School Innovation Choir and Choir Director, Kevin Lackie, for performing The National Anthem at the start of our last Regular School Board Meeting. Here is a link to watch their performance. They did an amazing job!
Playing with Numbers: Therapy Dog Helps Students with Special Needs Learn
 A furry visitor at Key Center School is helping students with special needs learn math skills in a fun, interactive way. Micah the golden retriever and his trainer, Kris Campesi, help students practice counting, compare numbers, and learn addition through games and activities. The animal assisted instruction is just one part of their visits. The pair also focuses on relaxing with students, practicing motor skills, and communication.
Many of the students at Key Center in Springfield are non-verbal, use wheelchairs, or have severe intellectual disabilities. The center, which serves students up to age 22, has welcomed therapy dogs for the past 11 years.
Key Center Received FCPS School Communications Awards - Congratulations!
 From Left: Helly Ahmadyar, Administrative Assistant II, Newsletter; Beth Curtis, School-Based Technology Specialist, website and social media; and Principal Ann Smith
Key Center created a website page to highlight its fantastic ratings by parents completing the division wide engagement survey. Features are created to highlight staff members and include home photos, such as one from a staff member in the water with a dolphin she used to train. The social media (Facebook and Twitter) accounts are upbeat and positive, described as "joyful" by some followers.
Scholastic Art Awards Names 337 FCPS Regional Winners
The 2023 Regional Scholastic Art Awards program has awarded 533 awards to 337 Fairfax County Public Schools students for outstanding artwork. This includes 174 Gold Key awards, 171 Silver Key awards, and 188 Honorable Mention awards. Four works by FCPS students were nominated for the best-in-show American Visions Award. Artworks were submitted and judged in categories including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture, digital art, design, architecture, jewelry, fashion, film and animation, mixed media, and art portfolios.
The Gold Key and Silver Key artworks will be displayed at Northern Virginia Community College’s Ernst Community Cultural Center in Annandale until Thursday, March 23, with an award ceremony on Wednesday, March 1. See the full list of winners. Congratulations to all of our FCPS winners!
Lewis Coach Named Washington Commanders Coach of the Year Nominee
I wanted to share that the Lewis High School Football Varsity Head Coach - Larry Choates - was named by the Washington Commanders as the team's nominee for the 2022 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award.
The league-wide award honors high school football coaches who display the integrity, achievement, and leadership qualities exemplified by the winningest coach in NFL History, Don Shula.
Per the Commander's press release - Coach Choates "has made an immense impact on his team, school, and community. Choates has an empathetic and education-first mentality ensuring that his players feel supported in the classroom and in their personal lives. His goal is getting his athletes to graduate with honors, continue playing football in college, and leave high school with real world experience that will influence their lives for the better."
Read more about this amazing honor here. Coach Choates was also named the Commanders "Week 6 Coach of the Week".
Thank you, Coach Choates, for all you do for the Lewis Lancers and FCPS!
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Text-to-Speech Available on FCPS Websites
 FCPS is introducing an innovative way to address the diverse needs of the community. A new text-to-speech feature, available on the FCPS website and each school website, will read the words aloud from webpages.
The feature will help those with accessibility needs, such as visual impairments, dyslexia, or other difficulty reading large amounts of online text. The text-to-speech feature is available in English, Spanish, and Korean. Learn more and try out the new feature.
Registration Open for Summer Learning Programs Registration
 FCPS’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps are now open for registration. Visit the websites below for more information on schedules and fees. Tuition is waived for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
Career and Technical Education
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to give current K-6 students an opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM); culinary; health; trades; and business and marketing areas. Visit the TAC webpage to register.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 7-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA webpage to register.
Institute for the Arts Camps
IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual arts. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.
Teens and Substance Abuse: Panel with Local Schools
A virtual panel on teen substance abuse will be hosted on Wednesday, February 22, at 7 p.m., by Formed Families Forward and the Northern Virginia Family Network. The panel will feature representatives from Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Loudoun County, and Prince William County schools. Stefan Mascoll, coordinator of Student Safety and Wellness, will represent FCPS.
Caregivers and community members can join to learn more about current challenges, how they are being addressed in schools, and how families can help. Please register in advance.
Magnet School Information Nights
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts.
Parents/caregivers interested in sending their students to an elementary magnet school program are encouraged to attend school-based information nights on Wednesday, February 15, at Bailey’s Primary School; and Thursday, February 16, at Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.
FCPS will be accepting applications for its elementary magnet school programs on Wednesday, March 1, through Wednesday, April 12, at 4 p.m. Get more information about parent information nights and the magnet school lottery, or on the schools, their programs, and locations.
Special Education Enhancement Plan: Feedback Opportunity
Fairfax County Public Schools is developing a Special Education Enhancement Plan to help ensure an excellent educational experience for all students with disabilities. As part of this effort, FCPS is seeking feedback from families, employees, and community members on Part 1 of the Draft Special Education Enhancement Plan. Please complete this form by Friday, February 17, to provide input on FCPS’ priorities regarding special education including vision, mission, core values, goals, and objectives.
Thank you in advance for lending your voice to this important work. Visit the Special Education Enhancement Plan webpage for more information.
Eating Disorder Awareness and Resources
The Code of Virginia, 22.1-273.2, requires Virginia public schools to provide, on an annual basis, parent educational information regarding eating disorders for pupils in grades five through twelve. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2022):
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. While no one knows for sure what causes eating disorders, a growing consensus suggests that it is a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Eating disorders are not fads or phases, and can have serious consequences for health, productivity, and relationships.
FCPS has created a webpage, in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, containing detailed information and resources about eating disorders.
Upcoming Performances
Edison High School
- Band Concert - Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Edison High School
5801 Franconia Road
Alexandria, VA 22310
Hayfield Secondary School
- Middle School Concert - Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 pm.
- High School Concert - Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Hayfield Secondary School
7630 Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA 223105
Mount Vernon High School
- Orchestra Concert - Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m.
- Band Concert - Thursday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Mount Vernon High School - Auditorium
8515 Old Mount Vernon Road
Alexandria, VA 22309
West Potomac High School
- Orchestra Concert - Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m
West Potomac High School
6500 Quander Road
Alexandria, VA 22307
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
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