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"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do." Kobe Bryant
 
Dear Justice Families,
We had a great turnout for both performances of our Broadway Desserts show. We have incredibly talented students at Justice. They sang many Broadway hits and their signing was both entertaining and moving. I am so proud to be part of this great community.
This week is National Counseling week. Please join us in celebrating the great work that our career specialist and counselors do to support our students at Justice and beyond. To help promote this week, we want to encourage our students to take a few minutes to tweet out words of encouragement and appreciation for their counselors. Please tag us @justicehswolves. For more information on National School Counseling week go to ASCA website.
We are looking forward to a fun-filled week of learning.
Please join us in congratulating the following Justice High School art students who won awards in the Regional Scholastic Art Competition. “The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are the nation’s largest, longest-running, most prestigious visual and literary arts program recognizing creative accomplishments of students in grades 7-12.”
Three Justice students earned Gold Key Awards, and their work will go on to compete nationally. The winners of these top awards are:
- Clare Hart, Gold Key Award for Painting
- Miranda Kashynski, Gold Key Award for Digital Art
- Olivia Orlando, Gold Key Award for her Art Portfolio
Justice students also earned six Silver Key Awards, and their work will be featured with the Gold Key works in an exhibition/reception at NOVA Annandale Campus on March 4th. Additionally, Justice students earned 8 Honorable Mention Awards. The winners of these awards are:
- Naila Ohmke, Silver Key Award for Ceramics and Silver Key Award for her Art Portfolio
- Valerie Birtell, Silver Key Award for Photography
- Clare Hart, Silver Key Award for Painting
- Nicki Gau, Silver Key Award for Painting and Honorable Mention for Digital Art
- Miranda Kashynski, Silver Key Award for Mixed Media and Honorable Mention for Mixed Media
- Olivia Orlando, 2 Honorable Mentions for Painting
- Laeticia Allache, Honorable Mention for Painting
- Wint Ngon, Honorable Mention for Ceramics
- Jordan Taylor, Honorable Mention for Digital Art
- Sergut Tenker, Honorable Mention for Digital Art
Congratulations to all these Scholastic Art Award winners!
Justice High School will be holding its 2nd Annual Black History Month Celebration on February 28th. This year our guest speaker is Dr. Janice Underwood. Dr. Underwood is the first-ever Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the State of Virginia. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Underwood served as Old Dominion University’s Director of Diversity Initiatives and as the chair of the President’s Task Force on Inclusive Excellence. Dr. Underwood previously served as the Executive Director and Co-Principal Investigator for the ODU Teacher in Residence master’s program, a collaborative partnership between ODU, Norfolk Public Schools and Newport News Public schools. Dr. Underwood also served for a number of years as a national board certified teacher for students with exceptionalities, and has extensive expertise in the cultural contexts of our public education system.
In addition, we will have several musical performances by Justice students. For more information, please contact William Brooks, Assistant Principal at (703) 824-3900.
U.S. Census Bureau Recruiter will be at Justice High School on Thursday, February 6th during Return 5 (from 9:45am-11:12am). Students and members of the community, who are at least 18 years of age, are invited to attend the information session and learn about different job opportunities and how to apply. Please encourage juniors and seniors to sign up to attend this session using the Google Form on their class Google Classroom site. Passes to attend will be sent through 3rd period teachers. The positions are temporary with varying pay ranges. For Census Takers, the pay is $25.00/hour in Fairfax and Arlington Counties. By working for the Census Bureau, our community has a special opportunity to help make the 2020 Census an accurate and complete count.
Applying early to work as a census taker is a great way to line up spring and summer employment opportunities. If you're interested in a job, please visit the Census Bureau job site to apply for jobs now. You'll also be able to see descriptions and frequently asked questions at https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html
From January 30th - March 10th, IB students will sit for oral exams in IB Arabic, IB English, IB French, IB Spanish, and IB Spanish for Fluent Speakers. Teachers need volunteers to facilitate the process - no experience (or language fluency) is necessary!
It's an easy way to contribute to Justice and all parents are encouraged to help if you can, regardless of whether your student is currently enrolled in IB classes. Please take a moment to check your calendar and see if you can help on one or more of the dates and times found in this Signup Genius:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44A8AF29A02-iboral
Find more information in the Signup Genius description. And feel free to contact Tara Rethore who's coordinating community volunteers for IB exams this year. (tjreth@gmail.com)
Thanks in advance for your help. Parent and community volunteers really make a difference in this effort.
Dr. Ricardy Anderson, School Board Mason District representative will be holding community hours during the listed dates and times.
Morning Session Evening Session
February 14, 2020 @ 10 a.m. – noon February 27, 2020 @ 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Mason District Governmental Center Columbia Elementary
Conference Room Library
6507 Columbia Pike 6720 Alpine Drive
Annandale, VA 22003 Annandale, VA 22003
Purchase your 2019-2020 Yearbook Today for $70 while supplies last!
Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com, school code #4118
Or send cash/check to Ms. Pierce in room D50”
The 2nd quarter honor roll ceremony for “All A” student recipients will be in the auditorium on Wednesday, February 5th during Return Time from 10:42-11:12 a.m. Parents are invited to attend, however the ceremony will be brief. Students will view a live fine arts presentation and hear some words of wisdom from a staff guest speaker. Once the ceremony ends, students will pick up their certificates from their counselors, as well as a donut!
National School Counseling Week 2020, "School Counselors: Helping Build Better Humans," will be celebrated from Feb. 3-7, 2020, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
FCPS employs close to 700 school counseling professionals, including school counselors, directors of student services, and career center specialists. These professionals are committed to preparing students to become lifelong learners and productive members in a global society with a focus on social emotional wellness, academic success, and college and career readiness. At Justice, we have 15 school counseling professionals that support 2,300 students. We will be celebrating them throughout the week with treats and goodies to show our support. Please join us in thanking them for the tremendous work they do!
In the coming weeks, we will begin preparing the 7th semester/mid year grade reports for seniors who have already applied to colleges. No additional paperwork from students or colleges is needed to process these reports. Seniors may come across documents titled “Mid Year Report” or something similar. School counselors do not need this form and the mid year grade reports will be processed without this form. We anticipate that most reports will be submitted no later than Friday, February 14. Typically in early February, seniors will begin hearing from colleges that mid year information is needed. It can take the colleges a while to go through their mail, process it, and mark as received in their system. The FCPS Office of School Counseling Services communicates FCPS timelines to all Virginia public and private two-and-four year colleges. We thank you for your patience as the colleges process this important information.
Our school counselors are in the process of meeting individually with their assigned students to review their transcripts and selected courses for next school year. Students and parents may access student course requests through their SIS Account. Please review the courses your child selected and contact your child’s counselor if you notice any errors. All decisions regarding staffing, instructional supplies, etc. are made based on course selections and classes without sufficient enrollment will not be offered. Students may be placed in support classes based on end of year progress and assessments. The course offering catalog, where you can review information on course prerequisites, descriptions, fee requirements, and general FCPS information is available on the Justice HS website under Academics.
On Saturday, February 22, 2020, Career and Transition Services (CTS), the FCPS Parent Resource Center, and several Fairfax County adult service providers will host “Super Transition Saturday” from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School. This is a free event for parents/guardians and educators of students of all ages with IEPs. Breakout sessions will cover postsecondary education support, the importance of student self-determination beginning in the elementary years, employment support programs, future planning considerations, such as funding needed for services, and CTS support services that are available to students as they progress through the secondary years toward graduation and beyond. A highlight of the day is a parent/guardian and student panel representing a range of challenges and successes. Members of the panel will convey personal experiences and answer parent/guardian and student questions from their perspectives of having been through the transition process. The snow date is March 14, 2020
NACAC is hosting a college fair in our area that is free and open to the public: Friday, April 3, 2020, 9:30am - 12:30pm, Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex. To register, visit: gotomyncf.com
The registration deadline for the March 14 SAT is February 14. For test dates, registration and score reporting, students should visit: SAT – www.collegeboard.org or ACT – www.actstudent.org. Both the College Board (SAT, PSAT, AP) and ACT have established policies and deadlines for students with a professionally diagnosed and documented disability who apply for reasonable accommodations. For more information, please contact Beth Marino, the Justice HS Special Education Resource Teacher at eemarino@fcps.edu.
Seniors who want to go to attend NOVA after graduation are invited to the NOVA GPS for Success Information Session on Friday, February 14, 2020 during Return in the Career Center in the library (J207H). Sign up in Naviance under college visits. Please see Ms. Grande in the Career Center if you have questions. https://www.nvcc.edu/gps/
The CPP application is now available for students (students must be logged into their fcpsschools.net account to access the form). APPLY NOW! The primary goal of CPP is to increase the number of students, particularly first-generation and minority students, who enroll and succeed in college. Services provided by the College Partnership Program include: college visits, assistance with completing college and scholarship applications, monthly meetings, parent education sessions, SAT preparation classes, and a summer overnight experience on a college campus. Any student may apply. A typical CPP student represents a traditionally underrepresented population in higher education (first generation, African-American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Hispanic,English learners, students with disabilities, or economically disadvantaged), demonstrates the ability to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 in core classes (weighted), is willing to pursue advanced coursework, and demonstrates leadership in school or community activities. Contact your child’s school counselor for more information. Applications are due March 18, 2020.
New scholarships and enrichment programs have been posted in Naviance Student. Only the student will have access to view all the details. Always check the website of the scholarship/enrichment program for the most up to date deadlines. Scholarships offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this school. Additional information for students, parents or guardians, and community members is available on the Scholarship and Enrichment Opportunities website.
Parents of high school seniors—did you know that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open and most colleges require that the FAFSA be completed by March 1 to receive the maximum financial aid possible starting in fall of 2020? Some schools have even earlier priority deadlines, so check the individual college’s financial aid office website for deadlines. Parents and students should start by creating a FSA ID and then begin the FAFSA. Additional links can be found on the FCPS FAFSA website.
Need help completing and submitting the FAFSA? There are several FAFSA workshops remaining this school year:
- February 5, 5 to 7:30 p.m., at Lee High School.
- February 6, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School.
- February 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Herndon High School.
- February 27, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Annandale High School.
- April 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Annandale High School.
- April 7, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School.
Register to attend the FAFSA workshops at the College Access Fairfax website. Families can contact their high school's career center specialist or school counselor if they need additional help.
Boys State and Girls State are summer leadership and citizenship programs sponsored by The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary for high school juniors. Justice HS has the opportunity to send 3 boys and 4 girls to these summer programs which will be held on June 21-27, 2020 at Radford University for Boys State and Longwood University for Girls State. Activities at the Boys/Girls State include a number of political activities such as running for office, electing officials, drafting and debating bills. There are also creative and fun activities such as band, choir and athletic competition. Interested students must be currently in 11th grade and expected to graduate from high school next year. They must also have strong leadership and public speaking skills and an interest in government and politics. Selection is highly-competitive. Students may contact their school counselor to apply or receive more information.
Eating disorders are behaviors that can lead to serious health problems. These behaviors can begin as a child, and affect both girls and boys. When discovered early, eating disorders are treatable. In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system provide information to parents annually about eating disorders. This information is given to parents of students in the fifth through twelfth grades. It is important to note that eating disorders are not identified based on weight changes as much as behaviors and attitudes. Signs of eating disorders may differ between males and females and in different age groups. Often, a young person may not recognize the signs that they might have an eating disorder. Parents/guardians and family members are in a position to notice behaviors that cause concern. It is important that a child with an eating disorder be treated early by someone who understands this type of care. If you think your child may be showing signs of a possible eating disorder, please contact your doctor, school nurse, or one of the resources listed below. A fact sheet may be found the Justice HS website and additional resources may be found at Virginia Department of Education under the section titled. Eating Disorders.
The Parent Resource YouTube channel has new workshops being added every month. Workshops from the FCPS Parent Resource Center in Dunn Loring:.
- Preschool Transition to Kindergarten for Students with Disabilities, 2/7, 10:00 am - Noon
- Fostering Protective Factors in Children and Adolescents to Promote Social-Emotional Wellness, February 13, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents, February 18, 2020, 10 AM - Noon
- Parenting Your Teen While Keeping Your Sanity, February 21, 2020, 10 am - Noon
- Career and Transition Services Super Transition Saturday, February 22, 2020, 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School
- Adversity and Trauma in Childhood: Building Resilient Communities, February 28, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon
February 12 - PTSA Meeting @ 7:00 PM
February 17 - Washington's Birthday and Presidents' Day - School Holiday
February 18-21 - Justice Art Show - Little Theater
February 25 - Pre-Assessment Band Concert @ 7:00 PM
February 25-28 - Pyramid Art Show - Little Theater
February 26 - Pre-Assessment Band Concert-2 @ 7:00 PM
February 27 - Pyramid Art Show Reception @ 6:00 - 8:00 PM
June 8th @ 2pm Eagle Bank Arena - Graduation
To view all of the Justice calendars (activities, schedules, etc.), please click here.
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