Dear Family Fairfax,
We spring forward this weekend which is hard to believe. More daylight and less darkness will do us all some good—but we do believe we have altogether missed the snowfall this year.
We are in fourth place for the WTOP Click for Kids contest. We are trying to win $10,000 for our food pantry, and you can vote every day from now until March 11th—please share the link with your family and friends!
https://wtop.com/contests/2020-click-for-kids-voting/
There is much to celebrate from the past week, and we have worked to include all of it below my message, but I wanted to spend a little time this week on a couple of points of information and reminders.
I understand that many in our community are concerned about COVID-19, and FCPS has remained vigilant in their communication and careful monitoring. In case you haven’t received the messages, here you will find the website that has remained updated, and even includes a video from the Fairfax County Health Department: https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update FCPS officials have been reviewing our current procedures and operating plans in the event of a pandemic influenza. I am confident in our system’s leadership, and public safety has been and will remain our number one priority. For parents who are concerned about upcoming, school-sponsored trips, as of now, only international field trips have been suspended, but FCPS is remaining hyper-vigilant. Should updates or further restrictions be warranted, we will communicate that to you as expeditiously as possible. You, of course, should do what you believe is best for your student and your family.
Students were reminded to stay home if they are sick and to avoid close contact with anyone who appears ill. They were also reminded of the importance of frequent handwashing, at least 20 seconds, and of the importance of not touching their eyes, nose and mouth. Parents and guardians, I ask that you also insist that your child stays home if he/she is sick. I know that missing a day of school is frustrating, but we want to make sure that we all stay as healthy as possible—and that includes taking care of each other.
On a second note, last year I sent out information about vaping and how to talk to your teen about its unknown and known harmful side effects. The Surgeon General also has information for parents: https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/ As spring gets into full swing and our students begin spending more time outside, I encourage you to consider engaging a conversation with your student about vaping and underage drinking. Even in a carpool, though many of our students will be a little uncomfortable when questioned, often times just asking the question will put a seed of doubt or squash a potential curiosity that a student might be having—if they know we, as a community, are asking, they will also know that we, as a community are paying attention. At coffees and other events, parents have shared their frustration with me about what they have heard happens at parties within our community. The school is mostly limited to what happens at FHS, but I encourage you, our parent and guardian community, to keep the conversation alive, ask questions, and “trust but verify.” Remember, we are all in this together.
Again, I know there is much to celebrate, so please continue reading below!
Most respectfully,
Erin B. Lenart, Ed.D.
Principal, Fairfax High School
O: (703) 219-2223
https://fairfaxhs.fcps.edu/
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Included in this issue:
- AT&T Later Haters DECA International Challenge Winners
- DECA State Leadership Conference 2020
- State Track Results
- Congratulations to The Forensics Speech Team
- All-District Band
- Periodic Table of Influential African Americans
- Key Club Blood Drive
- WTOP Click for Kids Contest
- Preventive Actions to Prevent Spread of Respiratory Diseases
- City of Fairfax Voter Sticker Contest
- PTSA ANG Comedy & Hypnotist Show
AT & T Later Haters DECA International Challenge Winners!
Later Haters Winners!
Abby Garcia and Elle McNally developed a community awareness marketing promotional campaign to end cyberbullying. According to the National Bullying Prevention Center and research done by the National Center for Educational Statistics, one out of every five children has been bullied. Later Haters is an anti-cyberbullying campaign challenge initiated through a partnership with DECA and AT&T with the mission to spread the message to stop cyberbullying. Abby and Elle focused on the objective to increase awareness of the prevalence and impact of all forms of bullying towards all children of all ages. Through many events and exciting milestones, Fairfax High School (FHS) DECA inspired the community to volunteer time and take the pledge to end cyberbullying. FHS DECA partnered with various groups to make events happen. Events included a spirit week, “spread the love” schoolwide event, a positive message campaign, bathroom stall positive message designs, hosting a table during the Fairfax City event “Rock the Block”, and staffing a table with volunteers during a regional cheer competition. The most significant component of the project was creating a Public Service Announcement created by over 60 marketing students that was shared with the Fairfax High School community and was shown at the DECA State Leadership Conference. All events were designed to increase awareness and increase the number of people that sign the pledge to stop cyberbullying.
The project won 2nd place Internationally and Abby Garcia and Elle McNally will be recognized at the International Career Development Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on April 29th.
With the efforts of Fairfax High School DECA contributions, over18K pledges for the AT&T Later Haters campaign were signed.
Fairfax High School DECA members promote signing the pledge to end cyberbullying at Fairfax City “Rock the Block.”
 DECA State Leadership Conference 2020 Opening Night!
DECA State Leadership Conference 2020
Fairfax High School DECA had a fabulous weekend at the DECA State Leadership Conference.
This past weekend, 58 FHS DECA Members attended the State Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach. At the conference, students demonstrate their strengths through both a written component such as an exam, extensive marketing research with a business or organization, as well as an interactive component such as a presentation or role-play. Industry professionals serve as the judges for these events.
As an integral part of the classroom curriculum, DECA’s industry-validated competitive events are aligned with the National Curriculum Standards in the career clusters of marketing, business management and administration, finance, and hospitality and tourism. DECA’s competitive events directly contribute to all participating students being college and career ready when they graduate from high school.
The following 23 students earned the opportunity to advance to the International Career Development Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
Elizabeth Gillette and Christian Grimmell placed first overall in Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research, Lucy Fitterer placed first overall in Sports and Entertainment marketing Series. Jack Allen and Madison Mitchell placed second overall in Integrated Marketing Campaign (Event). Tarang Mishra and Owen Hardiman placed second overall in Marketing Management Team Decision Making. Matthew Tzong and Aditya Suresh placed third overall in Financial Services Team Decision Making. The following students were top eight finalists in their event. Roheena Hasanzade (Integrated Marketing Campaign (Product), Emilie Bidgoli, Tanner Kissler, and Jody Marchiando (International Business Plan), Rishi Shah (Independent Business Plan), Meredith Bacon (Principles of Marketing), Alec Mitchell and Ben Vicencio (Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making), Abby Garcia and Elle McNally (Community Awareness Project), Megan Gutierrez and Anya Skare (Finance Operations Research) and Shirley Nguyen and Devon Warner (Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making).
The following students earned medals for placing in the top 10 on comprehensive exams and presentations.
Madison Mitchell and Jack Allen (Integrated Marketing Campaign), Astha Shah, (Integrated Marketing Campaign) Emma Dunlop and Elizabeth Dunlop (Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making), Ben Vicencio and Alec Mitchell (Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making), Matthew Tzong and Aditya Suresh (Financial Services Team Decision Making), Lucy Fitterer (Sports and Marketing Entertainment), Devon Warner and Shirley Nguyen (Sports and Entertainment Team Decision Making), Marcus Stotts (Sports and Entertainment Team Decision Making). Fairfax High School DECA earned the highest recognition with the Blue Chip award for FHS DECA chapters’ program of work and annual report. Fairfax DECA was also recognized as a Diamond chapter for their membership that includes over 237 students, 20 professional members and 20 alumni members.
Madison Mitchell earned a $1,000 Virginia DECA Foundation scholarship.
Abby Garcia and Elle McNally were recognized for their Later Haters AT&T Later Haters challenge which won 2nd place Internationally. With the efforts of Fairfax High School contributions, over18K pledges for the AT&T Later Haters challenge to end cyberbullying were signed.
 State Track Results
Congratulations to our Track Team for outstanding performances at the State Indoor Track meet last weekend in Hampton, VA. Overall we had 13 participants, the largest in our school’s history. Marcus Dropik won the 500 meter dash in a personal best and school record. He also finished 15th in the 1000m run just 30 min later and 16th in the 300m dash immediately after that. Rachael Wilson placed 3rd in the 500m dash in a personal best time and 6th in the 300m dash. She was the only freshman in the state competing in these distances. Overall our girls finished 20th in the state and our boys 23rd.
Other finishes include:
Mason Mays, Senior, 55m dash 17th
Elle McNally, Sophomore, High Jump 12th
Boys 4x200m relay (D. Curtis, A. Peters, J. Burton, M. Mays) 17th
Boys 4x400m relay (M. Mays, K. Klutse, N. Indugula, D. Curtis) 18th
Boys 4x800m relay (G. Buechter, N. Tran, M. Indugula, S. Brown) 15th
Top Photo: Forensics Nationals Qualifiers. Lower Photo: Forensics MetroFinals Team.
Congratulations to the Forensics Speech Team
Congratulations to the Forensics Speech team for their 3rd place overall finish at yesterday’s VHSL Super-Regional Tournament. Shout outs to the following students for being named alternates in their respective categories: Joel Bucarey, Maggie Christofferson, Lena Asha Camp, Jessica Jiang, and Anisa Mohamed. And special congratulations to the following students for medaling and advancing to the State Tournament: Jin Wen Xie in Prose Interpretation, Marie Madjo in Dramatic Interpretation, and Megan Kuo in Humorous Interpretation!
Congratulations to These Students Qualifying for All-District Band!
Macie Chamberlin – Flute
Janice Choi – Flute
Irina Lin – Flute
Aidan Peters – Clarinet
Shelby Jordan – Clarinet
Stephen Sim – Alto Saxophone
Samuel Littman – Trumpet
Shiv Love – Trombone
Zachary Tunick – Euphonium
Shahab Khan – Tuba
 Periodic Table of influential African Americans
We created a periodic table of influential African Americans, both current and past. As a Science teacher, I immediately knew that I wanted to share this with my Science students. Mrs. Lenart gave me the go ahead to place it in a more visible place. It was Black History Month and I wanted to make sure that students were introduced to some figures from all disciplines, especially as Fairfax is a very diverse place.
The periodic table contains dancers, activists, authors, fine and performing artists, inventors, scientists, entrepreneurs, and athletes.
It has been met with excitement from students. They have shared their experiences and appreciation for having something visible for Black History Month. Traci Haskins, Science Teacher, Fairfax HS
Key Club Blood Drive
Did you know that by donating blood, you can save up to three lives? Do your part to help the community by donating at the Key Club’s Annual Blood Drive. The drive will be hosted on Tuesday, March 31st in the Multi-Purpose Room. Students over the age of 16, parents, and teachers are able to donate.
Starting next week, Key Club will have a table in the cafeteria during lunches to distribute parental consent forms. All students 16+ have to fill out a parental consent form, even those who are 18. Once a student turns in the form, they will schedule an appointment to donate blood during the school day on March 31st. However, parents and teachers are not required to make an appointment and are able to simply just walk in at any time, on the day of the drive.
All donors will need to have a form of photo ID that can verify their age. Some examples for students include StudentVue (which can be shown on phone or computer), license/permit, etc…
There are certain factors that can prevent someone from donating blood such as certain medicines and some travel locations. For more information on eligibility to donate please contact Patricia Freedmen: Patricia.freeman@inova.org 571-434-3628
The process of donating blood can take anywhere from 45min- 1hour; however the blood drawl only takes about 5-10mins. Before the blood drawl, all donors will be expected to go over some FDA paperwork, a short questionnaire regarding personal health, and a short physical that will consist of taking the donor’s pulse, blood pressure, and temperature, and take a small sample of blood for testing.
In preparation of donating blood it is important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water leading up to the day of the blood drive, consume less caffeine, eat a good meal and get enough sleep the night before. Those who have practice of any sport or physical activity the day of the drive need to keep in mind that it takes roughly 9-12 hours for the body to fully recover after donating blood.
Donating blood is a terrific way to give back to your community and help save lives.
If you have any questions, please email fairfaxhskeyclub@gmail.com.
This is the only way our school and program have a chance of winning!!
If you are interested in more information about the organization A Place to Eat please visit https://aplacetostand.org/
Follow These Everyday Preventative Actions to Help Keep Us All Healthy and Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Diseases:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be use. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Follow everyday preventative actions to help keep us all healthy—stay home when you are sick, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects.
- Fairfax County Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu provides an update on the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and what residents in Fairfax County need to know. coronavirus update from Fairfax County Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu
Above you’ll find the promotional poster for the contest, and here’s a link to the contest’s site: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/cultural-arts/2020-election-sticker-contest
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