Justice Newsletter - December 8, 2019

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" ~ Dr. Seuss


Winter Concert

A Note from Principal Eck

Dear Justice Families,              

          Our students returned from the Thanksgiving Break excited to start the Winter Sports Season and December concerts. Our winter guitar and choral performances last week were outstanding. This week, we continue with our orchestra and band concerts on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.                       

        As some of you many know, Justice has been approved for an addition to our existing building. We are in the beginning stages of design and construction. Please join the FCPS architects to view the proposed design plans for the addition on Monday, December 9th @ 6:30 PM in the library. After the meeting, please join our PTSA for a presentation on the dangers of Juuling/Vaping.   

       Finally, December is the month where we begin to experience the possibility of inclement weather and I want to encourage you to check the FCPS Website whenever we have the threat of inclement weather.  Due to the speed of updating, the official @FCPSnews Twitter account is generally the first and fastest mode of communication. Other communication channels will be updated as quickly as possible including email, text, website, other social media, and news stations. Please be aware, due to the large volume of emails sent there will likely be a lag between the FCPS Twitter alert and receipt of an email in your inbox.   As a reminder, when school has a two-hour delayed opening, we begin at 10:10 AM. If school lets out two hours early, students are dismissed at 12:55 PM.

         As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me or school staff. We are happy to help.


Bus Delay Notification System

Stay up-to-date on school bus arrivals with FCPS' bus delay notification system. This system provides parents with timely notification of late bus route information. Access it directly online. Morning bus route information will be available until noon. The afternoon bus route information will be available from 1 to 7 p.m.  

E-Notify email messages will also be sent to announce bus delays.

Need assistance or have questions? Visit the FCPS Transportation page for more information. 


Sophmore Career Unit

On Thursday, December 12th and Friday, December 13th, Student Services will be conducting a Sophomore Career Unit through students' social studies classes in the Little Theatre.  Sophomores will have already completed a career interest inventory prior to the meetings.  During the unit, they will use this information as a starting point to explore different careers.


Rising 9th Grade Orientation & HS Curriculum Night

The Justice HS Rising 9th Grade Parent Orientation & Curriculum Night will be held on Thursday, January 9th. Pre-orientation sessions for special populations will be held at 6:00 pm for parents interested in hearing more about the following topics: ESOL, IB/MYP, and Special Education. The full orientation will kick off at 6:30 pm and is geared towards providing information for Rising 9th grade students and parents. At 7:15, students and parents of all high school grade levels will have the opportunity to talk with teachers, department chairs, school counselors and administrators about course offerings, course requirements, and scheduling choices. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held on Monday, January 13th. 


Open Peacebuilding Leadership Conference

A team of high school students from Fairfax County are holding an Open Peacebuilding and Leadership Conference at the James Lee Community Center on Saturday, December 14th, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.  Approximately 50-50 high school students from throughout the Fairfax County will engage in an exercise and simulation to acquire the necessary skills to set up a school club and other peacebuilding initiatives.  Admission is free.  Lunch and snacks will be provided.  Space is limited!  To register click here.


Healthcare Enrollment Event

INOVA Partnership for Healthier Kids will be here to enroll children and adults in healthcare once a month from  8:30 – 3:30 in the Student Services conference room. The next event is scheduled for Friday, December 20th. You do not need to be a US citizen to apply. Call 703-698-2550 for more information.


Senior Transcripts/Letters of Recommendation

Students must turn in their transcript requests to the Student Services office 30 days in advance of the college deadline. Seniors need to be mindful of the impact of the upcoming winter break when counselors and teachers will not available from 12/23/19 - 01/05/20. Students with a January deadline must submit their requests by December 1st. Students who do not submit a transcript request prior to break will have their requests processed after break. As long as the student has submitted the application on time, most colleges will offer some leniency in the deadline for the documents that the school must provide. College application sites can sometimes become overloaded on submission deadline dates so students are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid any glitches that may prevent the application from being received by the official deadline. These reminders are sent in an effort to avoid unnecessary stress. Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions.


Virginia Tech Pamplin Leadership Award

The deadline for seniors to self-nominate for this $5,000 award is Sunday, January 12th, 2020 at 11:59 pm. Please fill out the Self Nomination Google Form to apply. The Pamplin Leadership Award aims to recognize students who have excelled in leadership while in high school; possible applicants include all qualified seniors enrolled at a Virginia public high school who have applied or will apply to Virginia Tech. There can be only one nominee from each high school and the nominee must have a 3.8 or higher cumulative GPA. This application can be submitted to Ms. Grande before knowing the status of Virginia Tech admission. However, only a student who will matriculate to Virginia Tech can receive the award. 


Parent Resource Center Upcoming Workshops

Workshops from the FCPS Parent Resource Center in Dunn Loring:

  • Twice Exceptional Students: What Parents Need to Know, Friday, December 13, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.
  • The IEP Transition Plan: Post-Secondary Planning in Middle and High School, Thursday, January 9, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.
  • Parenting Children with Challenging Behaviors, Friday, January 10, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.
  • Mind in the Making Series, 01/16/20-03/05/20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Virginia Law Now Allows Receipt, Storage, and Administration of Cannabidiol Oil or THC-A Oil to Students at School

Effective July 1, the Code of Virginia was amended to authorize possession or distribution of Cannabidiol Oil (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THC-A) Oil in schools, and FCPS has amended its policies and regulations to reflect the change.

CBD and THC-A oils are derived from the cannabis plant; however, neither have an intoxicating effect on the user. Licensed practitioners may prescribe CBD and THC-A oils to treat conditions including, but not limited to: chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, and seizures.

A fact sheet with more information is available on the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) webpage.  


Next PTSA Meeting

We hope to see parents from the whole Justice HS pyramid at the December PTSA meeting on Monday, December 9, 2019.

Date:           Monday, December 9, 2019

Time:          7pm-8:30pm

Place:         Justice HS Auditorium

Topic:         Presentation about Vaping/Drug Use by Teens (See flyer below.)

Come early! There will be a short presentation on the construction of the addition to Justice HS in the library beginning at 6:30pm. Justice HS PTSA members may attend the meeting in the library before proceeding to the vaping presentation in the auditorium.


Important Dates

December 9 - PTSA meeting beginning at 6:30 PM

December 23 - January 3, 2020 Holiday (Winter Break) 

January 6 - Classes Resume 

January 20 - Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday)

January 24 - End of Second Quarter

January 27 - Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)

January 28 - Student Holiday (Staff Development Day)

 

To view all of the Justice calendars (activities, schedules, etc.), please click here.

 


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