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The third quarter is in full swing. It's a good time to get involved with your child's school by volunteering for a special event, reading to your child's classroom, or simply enjoying a lunch with your student and his/her classmates.
Tomorrow, I will be hosting my Kaufax Koffee. This is a great opportunity to have a casual conversation and talk about the great things happening in the Lee District or talk about ways we can help improve it.
In March, I will hold evening office hours where again I hope to hear from Lee District members. See specific details below.
I hope to see you at one of the upcoming Lee District events below.
- Tammy
REMINDER: Kaufax Koffee Tomorrow
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Grounded Coffee
6919 Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA 22310
Please join me for coffee and casual conversation. Bring your thoughts, concerns and questions.
School Board Forum Topic Regarding Renaming of Robert E. Lee High School
As many of you may know, last Thursday, February 6, I brought forth a School Board Forum topic, seeking the support from my other School Board colleagues to begin the process of changing the name of Robert E. Lee High School. These are some of my comments from that evening.
It is important that we, the School Board, conduct this naming process with transparency and fidelity. Our previous School Board, along with staff, took the time to properly revise the naming policy and regulations, as well as conduct a review of schools that are named after Confederate soldiers and individuals with Confederate ties.
This process did take some time, more time than most would like, but it’s through this revised process that we can bring forward positive change.
Per the regulation, the action for renaming a school is initiated by at least one magisterial School Board Member who represents the students attending that facility, and one at-large School Board member. Ms. Keys-Gamarra supports this action and helped put forth the forum topic at last week’s meeting.
To be transparent, there has not been a groundswell of advocacy in the Lee High School community to take this action. However, in my view, the time has come for this Board to do what is right.
As I stated last February when this process began, Confederate values are ones that do not align with our community. I have seen the pain and hurt that these names have inflicted on friends, colleagues and community members. Our schools need to be places where all students, staff and members of the community feel safe and supported.
The Confederate States of America dissolved in April of 1865 when Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses Grant at Appomattox. That was 155 years ago. It is time to make this change.
I know that some may criticize and say this is an attempt to erase history. That is not the case. The history of Virginia will always include General Robert E. Lee. That history will be in our text books and in our museums.
I know that many community members have strong feelings that exist on both sides of this issue, but please understand my hope is that the public and community can debate this topic with civility and respect.
As community outreach and public hearings are scheduled, I will keep you informed through these community newsletters and the FCPS website.
Hayfield Pyramid Wellness Conference
The Hayfield Secondary School PTSA is sponsoring an informative evening promoting Academic Success and Social/Emotional Health in students K-12 on Thursday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the HSS MS Lecture Hall. Topics include: The Core Four, Managing Home Life, Mindfulness, Coping with Stress, Anxiety and Depression. This conference will be presented by Hayfield Pyramid school psychologists and counselors. Target audience is parents/caregivers of students K-12.
Thursday, February 20 - 6:30 p.m.
Hayfield Secondary School - MS Lecture Hall
7630 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA 22315
GrandInvolve Info Session: Inside a 21st Century School
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Learn about our Title 1 Schools and how to change the trajectory of success for our students by volunteering in the classroom. Click here for the flyer.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 - 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Richard Byrd Library
7250 Commerce Street, Springfield VA 22150
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New Mentoring Program with FCPD (Franconia Station) and FCPS, including a Fun Teen Event
 We are proud to announce the collaboration between Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) and FCPS, in which 21 police officers and supervisors will be participating at Rose Hill Elementary School in a new mentoring program. They held their first monthly mentoring breakfast at the school and a counselor advised that there were numerous students already on the waiting list for the next mentoring opportunity.
A special thank you to Officer Eric Nelson from the Franconia Police Department, who helped gather numerous officers and supervisors with a desire to assist in mentoring. He arranged for the necessary training and the initial kick-off began on Thursday, January 30. The plan is to have the officers touch base once a week and attend a monthly breakfast. In the spring, officers and students will have a celebration at Rose Hill Elementary School.
This is a great opportunity to engage with our youth and help create positive relationships between students and police officers.
In addition, Officer Nelson initiated a collaboration with Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) to use Key Middle School as a “Teen Drop In.” The plan is to hold monthly gaming nights, in which several police officers, along with representatives from Nintendo and Sony, will come out to engage with middle and high school students in a fun, positive outing. The first gaming night was held on Friday, January 24, where 32 students, six NCS staff members and three officers attended. The NCS staff provided pizzas. The hope is that this event will continue to grow and also bring about positive changes.
All The World's A Stage by Mr. Glenn Cook, FCPS parent from Alexandria, Virginia
Edison High School was featured in the American School Board Journal (ASBJ) for their high school theater work that offered learning opportunities amid controversies. To read the full article "All the World's A Stage" by Mr. Glenn Cook, click here.
Mr. Cook is a freelance photographer and writer who lives in Alexandria, Virginia. Three of his four children attended Fairfax County Schools, with the last one graduating in 2016.
Photo courtesy of Glenn Cook.
Registration for Select FCPS Summer Programs
Registration has begun for the following FCPS summer programs: CTE Summer Academy, Elementary Institute for the Arts, Institute for the Arts, Tech Adventure Camp, and CTE Summer Career Academy.
Students should register for programs based on the grade they are in during the current 2019-20 school year.
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Details including program dates, tuition, and registration information will be posted as they become available on the FCPS Summer Learning webpage.
Join the Rose Hill Elementary School’s Rose Hill Players for "Oz"
The timeless “Wizard of Oz” tale has been adapted into a dazzling musical. A cyclone carries Dorothy and Toto to the magical Land of Oz. When Dorothy’s house squashes the Wicked Witch of the East, she is ecstatically thanked by the liberated Munchkins and given permission to wear the witch’s powerful silver slippers. From there, Baum’s lovable characters, rubber-legged Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tin Woodsman, join Dorothy on a journey to meet the great Oz. While on their trek, they battle the Wicked Witch of the West, who is determined to get revenge for the death of her sister. This bright musical is charged with a bundle of wonderful songs and thrill after thrill... like the escape from the Fighting Trees and encountering the enchanted poppies. Eventually, Glinda the Good Witch helps Dorothy defeat the evil witch and her winged monkeys. The great and powerful wizard grants Dorothy’s friends their wishes and of course, helps Dorothy return to Kansas. Click here for flyer.
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Performances will be held at Thomas A. Edison High School (5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria)
Friday, March 6: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 7: 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Tickets available at the door ($7 for adults, $4 for children, $1 for children at matinee). Concessions will be available for sale at all performances.
Trades for Tomorrow at Edison Maintenance Center
Before the winter break FCPS Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand had the opportunity to visit Edison High School to meet with students who are participating in the Trades for Tomorrow program.
This program is a great opportunity to offer students a chance at a meaningful career without a four-year degree. Trades include HVAC, Electrical Construction, Automotive Technology, Carpentry and more.
To see Dr. Brabrand's visit, click here or to learn more about this program, click here.
Students studying HVAC as part of Trades for Tomorrow
Upcoming Dates
February 17: Presidents' Day - No School
February 20: Regular School Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m. (Luther Jackson MS)
February 24: Work Session - 6:00 p.m. (Gatehouse Administration Center I)
March 3: School Planning Day - No School for Students
March 5: Regular School Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m. (Luther Jackson MS)
Save the Date - Lee District Evening Office Hours
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
John Marshall Library
6209 Rose Hill Drive
Alexandria, VA 22310
An evening opportunity to join me for casual conversation. Bring your thoughts, concerns and questions.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© 2020 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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