February 2019 - Newsletter
I hope you and your families had a wonderful New Year and returned to work and school reenergized for a successful 2019!
As many of us are well aware, Providence District is undergoing immense changes. Mixed use properties and new residential neighborhoods are under construction throughout our district. The fact that more and more businesses are choosing to locate and expand here, and that families from all over the country are choosing to move here, are a testament to our excellent public services, public school system and quality of life. While new development and a welcoming business community are great for our local economy and tax base, with that comes additional students in our schools, many of which are already over capacity. It is important that while our population continues to grow and Fairfax County continues to urbanize, our students have access to appropriate class sizes and modern facilities that are conducive for learning and collaboration.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
At the FCPS School Board Meeting on January 24, I voted in favor of the CIP for FY 2020-2024. The CIP supports many important future facility needs for our students in Fairfax County. For Providence families, these include renovations at Oakton HS, Falls Church HS, Frost MS, and Mosby Woods ES, an addition at Madison HS, and boundary studies for Shrevewood ES and Pine Spring ES. The CIP also includes funding for a new elementary school in the Fairfax/Oakton area to address overcrowding issues and to help reduce the number of classes in trailers.
One of the proposed locations for the new elementary school is Blake Lane Park. When I met with the community on January 16th and listened to their valid concerns and feedback, it was clear to me that many questions had not been answered. Some of these questions related to traffic, safety, parking, green space, community access to the grounds, school boundary changes and the existing dog park. All of these elements represent an intersection of important community values, Due to the complexities and lack of clarity on a range of issues regarding this site and other potential locations, FCPS staff will need more time to address the community’s concerns.
I have had numerous conversations with our Superintendent and FCPS staff to determine whether we can delay the project to allow additional time for staff to evaluate and respond to the community. I will be working with FCPS staff to ensure a clear and transparent process for communicating with nearby residents and Providence families as we work together to find the best path forward.
Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Budget
Last year, for the first time in more than 20 years, FCPS received full funding thanks to the support of the Board of Supervisors and our taxpayers. This year’s fiscal forecast looks equally positive due to an improving local economy and potential funding from Richmond.
If you're interested in learning more about the county's and school's budget funding for Providence District, please join Supervisor Smyth and me for our budget presentation on
March 26th at 7 p.m.
Providence Community Center
3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031
Bring your questions and suggestions. For additional information on the FCPS budget:
Fairfax County Strategic Plan: Survey for Residents Released
Fairfax County Government has started working on a strategic plan to set priorities for 2020 and beyond, and they want to hear from everyone in our community:
- What are your hopes for the future of our community?
- What are the challenges you face living here?
- What are the top priorities county government should address?
Getting involved is easy
- Take the short online survey. It’s just five questions.
- Consider sharing your thoughts in person at a community conversation.
- Share the survey with friends, neighbors and co-workers and invite them along to a community gathering.
Your input will help Fairfax County Government set 7 to 10 initial priorities. Then, they plan to dig a little deeper for input on those issues you deemed most important. This process will help set unified goals across the county for moving forward in January 2020.
Become part of this effort to shape the future together. For more information
COMMUNITY EVENTS
TAKE BACK THE FOREST
Dig in and get involved with native habitat restoration in the Nottoway woodlands. Help TAKE BACK THE FOREST! Learn to identify and remove invasive plants and choose native species for your yard. Students and scouts, earn community service and environmental project hours. Groups and scout projects are welcome.
Workdays: Saturdays (9 am-Noon)
March 2, March 16, March 30, April 13, May 4
Dress & Gear: Appropriate for the weather and working in the forest—long sleeves, long pants, sturdy shoes and heavy gloves (cotton gloves provided), hat, bottled water; tools provided
Weather: Cancellation in event of lightning/thunder/heavy rain but will work in light rain; Forecast
Address: Nottoway Park, 9537 Courthouse Rd, Vienna
Volunteer Sign Up More Information: or call 703-324-8681
ELITE GAMING LIVE!
Free STEM Program for Teens!
Saturdays 12-2 pm (lunch served)
February 23, March 16, April 20, May 18
James Lee Community Center
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, VA
- Competitive Video Game Play
- 2D Game Development and Creation
- Art and Design
- Critical Thinking
- Peer Connections
Interscholastic Competition! The top 25 participants will be invited to compete at a regional championship.For questions or information please call:
Jyll Turner at 703-324-5287
Special Education Conference 2019
This year’s conference focuses on building inclusive and post-secondary practices to support the development of 21st Century skills and Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes.
The 14th Annual Special Education Conference will be held:
Saturday, April 6th
Lake Braddock Secondary School
9200 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA 22015
- Registration will begin in February 2019.
- Parents and Community Members will be able to register online or by phone
- FCPS Educators, Administrators, and Preservice Teachers can register online and earn five recertification points for attending the entire conference
- New Self-Determined Student Strand for FCPS students ages 14-22
- Email prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941 with questions
For additional information and the conference agenda
Students Recognized for Creativity in the 2019 Regional Scholastic Art Awards
The 2019 Regional Scholastic Art Awards program has recognized 406 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students in grades 7-12 with 604 awards including Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mention Awards, and American Visions Nominations.
The Gold Key and Silver Key artworks will be displayed at Northern Virginia Community College’s Ernst Community Cultural Center in Annandale from Friday, February 15, to Thursday, March 21, with an award ceremony on Wednesday, March 6.
If you would like to include your community events in my newsletter, please contact my EAA Kathy Partlow kfpartlow@fcps.edu
Did you know?
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) owned property is the size of five Pentagons! FCPS has a total of 26.7 million square feet while the Pentagon has a total of 5.1 million. School grounds and facilities serve our students and are also a major resource for the county’s community space needs hosting a range of activities from HOA meetings, to sports, worship, performances, election polling, and more (often seeing seventeen hours of use per day)!
I look forward to seeing you in the schools and community. For additional updates and a schedule of my office hours,, please sign up for my FCPS newsletter
Dalia
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