From the Principal's Desk....

kids

Erin

 

Dear Family Fairfax,

Though it isn’t sunny, it is a beautiful end to our week—and it is Friday the 13th—and a full moon.  I didn’t want to say it out loud today, but I can freely say that it was a very, very good day, despite superstition.  😊

The Flavor of Fairfax was amazing last week for our first home football game.  It was difficult to move through the crowds at times, and even more amazing was the student hype squad at the football game!  A few seniors painted a new Lions Den for the student section, and it was great to see our students having such a great time supporting their peers and our community!  I even had my face painted!

As we have settled into the school year and our final enrollment numbers, we ended up with significantly more students over the original projection.  Working with our Director of Students Services, administrators, and several of our department-teacher leaders, we will be opening up some additional sections to accommodate some of our larger-than-expected classes.  Though opening additional sections is never easy as students’ schedules are changed, we try to be as fair as possible, selecting students at random.    Should any additional sections impact your student, we will let you know in the coming week.

Several parents at Back to School Night commented that they would like to have Google Classroom access for their respective student.  The challenge with parent-Google accounts that could access the Google Classroom is that there are many assignments that are shared with the entire class with completed work also posted for the entire class to see.  From an information-security lens, creating parent accounts that access work other than your own student’s is very problematic, and we do not have a direct method to modify Google’s platform.  The home-school partnership we share is very important to the success of all students, and I know that a lot of parents are underwhelmed by the information on Blackboard.  The good news is that FCPS is in process of changing to a new vendor, Schoolology, which provides a more integrated and robust platform.  The bad news for many of our parents is that we are still a couple of years away from implementation of Schoolology.  I would encourage you to have your student log in to show you what is going on in his or her classes and stay up to date with SIS ParentVue. 

Next week, our parking rules will be enforced. We have spent this week identifying cars that are not properly tagged and giving citations, but next week, we will apply wheel clamps to unregistered vehicles at FHS, not in the visitors spaces, during school hours.  Remember, we do this to ensure that vehicles on our campus are supposed to be here, and to limit the possibility of a person on our campus to do harm.  Our visitors spots are under surveillance 24/7.

Finally, on a high note, Fairfax High School PROUDLY has seven of our own who are National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.  These students represent less than 1% of high school seniors.  Congratulations to Vishwa Arun, Aashish Gullanki, Isha Melige, Lara Nayar, Anthony Nguyen, Ryan Phillips, and Melissa Trivett.  You can view the full press release here:  https://www.fcps.edu/news/two-hundred-forty-four-students-named-2020-national-merit-semifinalists?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

Wishing you all the best this weekend and always,

 

Erin B. Lenart, Ed.D.

Principal, Fairfax High School

O:  (703) 219-2223

https://fairfaxhs.fcps.edu/

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Included in the messages below:

  • National Merit Scholarship Competition
  • Mock SAT and ACT
  • Important Student Services Information
  • PTSA Reflections
  • PTSA and All Night Grad Meetings
  • Freshman Float Building
  • Europe Trip Coming Next June

REBELS NEED TO KNOW:


No delivery

A reminder:  We do not accept food deliveries from restaurants for students at any time during the school day.  Thank you



Semifinalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Competition

Congratulations to these students for qualifying as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition:  Vishwa Arun, Aashish Gullanki, Isha Melige, Lara Nayar, Anthony Nguyen, Ryan Phillips, and Melissa Trivett All semifinalists are eligible to compete for 7,600 National Merit Scholarship awards worth more than $31 million, to be awarded in spring 2020.

Please congratulate these students when you see them!



Mock SAT and Mock ACT at Fairfax High School

On Saturday, September 21st at 8AM, the Fairfax High School Academic Boosters will again be partnering with Applerouth Tutoring to offer Mock SAT and ACT exams at Fairfax High School.

This is a perfect opportunity for students who haven’t started their testing to become familiar with the format in a stress-free environment.  We will also offer the Mock ACT for students who have already taken the SAT and wish to see if the ACT might be right for them.

Students are encouraged to take a practice test before attempting the actual exam.  They may select either the SAT or the ACT practice test. At the Score Giveback (October 8th @ 7pm), students will receive detailed score reports to help them determine which areas they need to study.  

To register, go to:

www.applerouth.com/signup

SAT code: M359097       ACT code: M359108

The cost is $25.00

Can't make this date?

Future test dates @ Fairfax February 22nd & March 3rd



Important Student Services Information

Scheduling is a multifaceted process that begins in January of the previous school year and results in a student-driven schedule when school begins in August.  All teaching positions, types of classes and number of offerings is determined by the decisions made before June of the previous school year.  As with any schedule, but especially this year due to an increase in enrollment, it was unlikely (or not) possible that all 2300+ students would receive their first-choice electives. When scheduling students our counselors’ priority is to ensure that every student has a complete schedule of seven classes based on diploma type and graduation requirements.  Now that we have settled into the school year and have been able to review seats in courses, it has been determined that we will have an open elective change period for those students who need to change their elective class(es). The open elective change period begins on Monday, September 16th and will end at 3pm on Friday, September 20th.   During this time, it is important to understand that limited options are available, and all requests for an elective change will require parent permission via an email to the counselor. The elective change period will not include changes that may involve a level change for Honors, AP or Dual Enrollment classes. (Ex. AP World to World History 2)

Beginning on September 23rd a schedule change packet will be made available to any students in need of level changes that include AP, Honors, and Dual Enrollment classes.   This process will provide students, parents, teachers and counselors an opportunity to reflect on why a level change is being requested as well as to provide a safe environment to nurture and cultivate resiliency and grit.  The information gathered from this packet has been useful for students and parents for future course selection at both the high school and college levels, as well as helpful to inform teachers and departments about the ever-changing needs of their students.  Schedule change packets can be picked up from school counselors beginning on Sept 23rd and will be accepted for consideration through the close of the 2nd quarter, January 31st.  A committee reviews all completed packets on a weekly basis and provides recommendations based on course availability.  Please note that in some situations, a parent conference may be requested.

Additional Key Information:

A Pass/Fail status can be requested for one course per school year for any Elective, Health & PE, or World Language class.  The form can be found here (https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se119.pdf) and submitted to the counselor prior to September 26.

Finally, all classes dropped prior to November 18 will not show on a transcript.  All courses dropped after November 18 will result in a mark of WP or WF, carrying no impact to the GPA.  For any questions concerning Pass/Fail status or withdrawing of a course, please contact your student’s school counselor below:

Counselors 9/2019


Reflections

PTA Reflections "Look Within"

Do you enjoy art, music and dance or have an interest in writing, producing films and taking photos? Then join us and have fun unleashing your inner artist with PTA Reflections! This year’s theme, “Look Within,” calls for your own unique interpretation through the arts. Pick up submission guidelines and an entry form today or from the main office and return by Friday, October 25th. For inspiration, visit the Reflections virtual art gallery and learn more about prizes and scholarships at http://www.fccpta.org        



ptSAang ptsa


REBELS NICE TO KNOW:


Calling All Freshmen!

Interested in helping make our float for the homecoming parade? Want to walk with 2023 in the parade?

Join us after school in Coach Barbee’s room (D117) from 3:05-4:00 Tuesday the 17th and/or Thursday the 19th.

We’ll also be designing and crafting after school during homecoming week. We look forward to seeing you there!

Attention Parents of Freshmen:

The Class of 2023 is seeking a pickup truck to use in the homecoming parade. Please contact Coach Barbee (mjbarbee@fcps.edu) for more details. Go 2023!



Eurpose Poster

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: http://www.explorica.com/Alam-301



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