|
Research shows that the single most important factor contributing to student achievement is school attendance.
A student who is absent from school may be able to copy missed notes. However, other important aspects of the lessons are lost forever.
Absent students miss out on discussion, raised questions, explanations and much more. Students fall behind and sometimes never recover.
To support good school attendance:
- Talk with your child about the importance of attending school regularly.
- Avoid scheduling family trips or doctor appointments during school hours.
- Make sure your student eats healthy foods and gets enough sleep and exercise.
- Don't accept excuses from your child why they "must" miss or be late for school.
- Discuss what happened at school each day.
- Support school rules and consequences for skipping class and being tardy.
Provide incentives for improving school attendance and promptness.
Visit FCPS attendance for more information
Please submit the appropriate form AFTER 4 p.m. the DAY BEFORE the change or before 9 a.m. on the MORNING OF the change. This will give the office sufficient time to process the requests.
If your child will be absent from school or arriving late to school, complete this form to notify the front office.
(If opening on an iPhone, iPad, or Android mobile device, you can click "Add to Home Screen" on your browser to make this form work like an app. )
If you encounter technical difficulties, you may call us at 703-619-4848.
Inclement Weather and Emergency Closing Plans; Make Arrangements Now in Case of an Unforeseen Schedule Change
|
Cold and wintry weather will soon be here! Due to inclement weather or other emergency situations, it may be necessary to close schools for the entire day, to open schools late, or to close early.
Parents are urged to make arrangements now for the care of their children when schedule changes are made (and to provide for the rare situation when it is necessary to close an individual school because of a power failure or other circumstances). Children should know where to go if a parent will not be home.
FCPS has several schedules set up to deal with inclement weather; these are put into effect when conditions threaten the safety of students and staff members:
- Keep schools closed.
- Open two hours late.
- Close two hours early.
When Fairfax County Public Schools has a schedule change (closing or delay) due to inclement weather or other emergencies, the information is communicated in several ways as soon as the decision is made.
Note: The official @FCPSnews Twitter account (with blue checkmark) is generally the first and fastest mode of communication during emergency weather closings. 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 time a FCPS Twitter alert is posted and receipt of an email in your inbox.
Video: How Does FCPS Make Winter Weather Closing Decisions?
Ever wonder how FCPS administrators make the decision to close or delay schools due to inclement weather? Watch this video for answers to some common questions.
 |
|
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
|
Preschool Transition to Kindergarten for Students with Disabilities
The transition to kindergarten is a big one for kids and can be even more so for children with disabilities. Please join us to discuss how parents can collaborate with FCPS to ensure their students have a smooth transition to Kindergarten.
Presentation Highlights:
- How are special education services provided in Kindergarten?
- What does the continuum of services look like?
- Overview of the reevaluation process
- What happens at the transition IEP?
- Transportation for school age children
Presented by Kurt Soderstrom and Laurie Andrews, FCPS Special Education Preschool teachers.
Friday, February 7, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.
Register for Preschool Transition to Kindergarten for Students with Disabilities
Fostering Protective Factors in Children and Adolescents to Promote Social-Emotional Wellness
Every adult can foster protective factors and build resiliency in children and adolescents.
Presented by Ryan Dickerson, FCPS School Psychologist and Jenn Spears, FCPS Mental Wellness Specialist
Topics include:
- What does the Fairfax County Youth Survey data show us?
- Identifying Protective Factors and Assets (Three to Succeed)
- Strategies for building protective factors and assets
- Understanding resilience and how to increase your child’s ability to respond to challenges
Thursday, February 13, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon
Register for Fostering Protective Factors in Children and Adolescents to Promote Social-Emotional Wellness
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Join Dr. Lisa M. Cullins, attending physician in the Emotion and Development Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health for this highly informative workshop. She will provide current research on:
- Diagnostic Criteria
- Signs and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as manifested in children and adolescents
- Treatment Options, Resources and Collaborations
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon
Register for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Parenting Your Teen While Keeping Your Sanity
Learn important strategies to help form a positive relationship with your teen.
Topics include:
- Understanding the development of the teen brain
- Recognizing ways to create a positive climate in the home
- Identifying constructive discipline approaches
- Increasing more productive and effective communication strategies
Presented by Michele Tureaud, FCPS Behavior Intervention Teacher.
Friday, February 21, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.
Register for Parenting Your Teen While Keeping Your Sanity
Career and Transition Services Super Transition Saturday
It is never too early or too late to start planning for a successful transition from school life to life as a young adult. Join us to learn about Career and Transition Services (CTS) programming and course options for students with disabilities.
Breakout sessions will cover:
- In-school as well as postsecondary support services.
- Employment and postsecondary education considerations.
- Student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post school success.
This event will also include a student/parent panel where members describe their personal experiences as they navigated Fairfax County Public Schools and the transition process. New this year will be the opportunity to sit with professionals well versed in transition planning to answer your questions during the “Ask an Expert” Q & A.
Saturday, February 22, 2020, 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School
Register for Career and Transition Services Super Transition Saturday
Adversity and Trauma in Childhood: Building Resilient Communities
In the past couple of decades, there has been an explosion of new understanding about how and why adversity and trauma can reliably predict risks for mental, physical, behavioral health and productivity in the population.
This is great news! What’s predictable is preventable! We can understand how protection, prevention and resilience promotion can profoundly improve health, safety and productivity, as well as reduce public and private costs now and for generations to come.
The presentation includes in-depth information about:
- The neurobiological effects of adversity on development.
- The impacts of childhood adversity and trauma on population health.
- Resilience – what we can all do to improve health and well-being across the lifespan.
Presented by Karen Brown, FCPS Psychologist, Sarah Ince, FCPS School Social Worker and Jenna White from the Fairfax County Council of PTA's.
Friday, February 28, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.
Register for Adversity and Trauma in Childhood: Building Resilient Communities
Quick Links:
|
