Karen Corbett Sanders's Newsletter
Dear Families,
This time of year is filled with so many exciting events.
Many of our families are celebrating college graduations, high school
commencements and sixth grade completion celebrations. Each of these
events recognize the hard work and dedication of our students. It is also
a time to reflect on the importance of the partnership between parents, teachers and
students. So please take the time before the end of the school year
to thank the teachers and staff at your child’s school and consider how you can
support the PTA and PTO at your student’s school next year.
Prior to the end of the year, the school board still has a
number of items on its agenda, including the budget, approval of the student
rights and responsibilities and the family life curriculum. Additionally,
there are a number of parent education events available in our community.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS)
adopted its FY 2019 $4.29 billion General Fund budget
which becomes effective July 1. Included in the county's FY 2019 budget will be
the full funding of Fairfax County Public School's FY 2019 budget request.
School Board Chair Jane Strauss released a statement thanking the BOS for their
efforts. Read
her message. The school board will
adopt its budget on May 24, 2018. I expect that there will be a few
amendments and follow on motions to address concerns over compensation and
discipline.
Fairfax
County Public Schools recommended Family Life Education (FLE) materials
(media and lesson objectives) to support instruction are available for
community review through the close of business on Friday, June 8. Recommended
materials under review will affect students in grades 4 and 7-12. Get more
information about the recommended materials.
As parents in the digital age, being aware, alert, and involved in
your child's use of the internet is crucial. What else can you do to keep your
teenager safe on the internet? Join Richard Stegman, FCPS Educational Specialist,
to learn the top internet dangers for teens and seven steps for good digital
parenting.
Register now!
Friday, June 1, 2018
10:00 a.m. - noon
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services
2334 Gallows Road
Entrance 1 - Room 100
Dunn Loring, VA (map)
School Board Approves New Fees to Be Implemented for Student
Transfer Applications
On May 25, 2017, the Fairfax County School Board approved a
student transfer application processing fee of $100 per student per year. The
application processing fee applies to all student transfer requests (Initial,
Renewal and High School Curricular) based on criteria outlined in Regulation
2230. The non-refundable application processing fee will apply for all
transfers effective at the beginning of the 2018-19 school year and will be
integrated and collected within the online student transfer application using a
debit or credit card, prepaid credit card, or electronic check, prior to
submitting the student transfer application.
The application fee is
automatically waived through the online application for students who qualify
for the free
and reduced-price meals program and have submitted a Consent
to Share Information for Benefits for Other Programs.
May
is National Mental Health Awareness month. While the majority of our students
thrive and are resilient, all students can struggle at times with emotional and
behavioral issues that can affect their learning and overall wellness. Schools
are often the place where these kinds of issues, as well as other mental health
needs, are discovered and where school-based supports can be provided. FCPS
wants all parents and guardians to know that your school psychologist, school
social worker, and school counselor are available for consultation and support
on concerns such as anxiety, peer relationships, stress, depression or other
social and emotional issues. They can also provide a list of private and
community-based mental health resources. If you have any questions or concerns,
please contact your child’s school to connect with a member of the student
services team. Click on the following links to learn about resources and ways
to foster resilience in your child. Mental Health and
Resiliency, Healthy Minds
Blog, and Student Wellness:
Tips and Strategies.
On April 26, Superintendent Brabrand announced that Deputy
Superintendent Steve Lockard has officially been named the superintendent of
schools for Carroll County, Maryland. This role is a lifelong pursuit of Dr.
Lockard's, with strong personal and professional ties. He grew up in Carroll
County, and his father, Brian Lockard, served as superintendent of the school
district as well. Personally, I would like to
extend my gratitude for Dr. Lockard’s dedication and professionalism that he
exhibited as the interim superintendent of schools during the 2016-2017 school
year. I was honored to work with him and wish him great success.
Will your child turn five years old by September 30? If so,
contact your child’s school to make arrangements for kindergarten enrollment.
Most schools begin getting information together now for parents of incoming
kindergartners, and many host an orientation or open house. All kindergarten programs
are full-day and located in FCPS elementary schools.
Check your school’s webpage or contact the
school directly for specific enrollment information and dates of orientation
that typically occur now until the end of June.
Get more
information about kindergarten registration.
FCPS is searching for full-time bus drivers. School bus driver job fairs for 2018 will be held from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the following locations:
June 1 - Lorton Transportation Center
June 22 - Stonecroft Transportation Center
Driver pay starts at $18.82 per hour, including:
- Excellent Benefits
- Summers Off (optional)
- Daycare Savings (bring your kids or grandkids on the bus)
- Paid Training
- Flexible Hours
- Advancement Opportunities
If possible, please bring two (2) employee references (one from your most recent/current supervisor) and two (2) letters of recommendation. This will help us process your application faster. Access this link to obtain the forms.
Applicants residing outside of Virginia, please bring your driving record.
Bus drivers and training staff will be available on the above dates to answer your questions. You may also call 571-423-3023 or email us at driveforfcps.edu.
Considering a career in teaching? Join us on Tuesday, May
22, 2018 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at Willow Oaks Center.
- Presentations
from Educate VA, Old Dominion University, Regent University, Shenandoah
University, and Troops To Teachers.
- Panel of
FCPS educators will share their stories of transitions from their former
careers to teaching with FCPS.
- The FCPS
licensure team and substitute office staff will be available to answer
questions.
If you are interested and want to attend,
please register here.
Willow Oaks is located at 8270 Willow Oaks
Corporate Drive, 1000A/B, VA 22031.
Gum Springs will be celebrating 185 years of its founding on June 16, 2018.
Plans are underway for a community parade to kick off Gum Springs Community Day!
For more information and to stay up-to-date on Gum Springs Community Day & Parade and to download the required parade application, please visit the community website – www.ngsca.org.
Parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Richmond Highway & Fordson Road and end at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Park (8115 Fordson Road). Activities in the park will begin shortly after the arrival of all parade participants and end for the day at 5:00 p.m.
Join the Gum Springs Community for a fun-filled day with planned games, food, and other family-friendly activities.
May 28 - Memorial Day - Student Holiday
June 7 - Graduations on or after this date
June 15 - Last Day of School - Early Release
The next School Board Meeting will be held on May 24, 2018 at
7:00 p.m. at Jackson Middle School. Information
about upcoming meetings and agendas can be found here.
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