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Trees are budding and spring break is just around the corner. I know everyone is looking forward to the warmer weather and longer days.
Due to a scheduling conflict, my March 18 evening office hours will be rescheduled to Wednesday, April 22. See specific details below.
I know there is concern about the coronavirus (COVID-19). Below is the latest information from Dr. Scott Brabrand, Superintendent for Fairfax County Public Schools. The School Board is encouraging families to stay informed. Click here to sign-up for FCPS email alerts.
We hope to continue our fun and exciting events as noted below. However, keep in mind that some events may be canceled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
We appreciate your continued patience and support.
- Tammy
Coronavirus Update - Message from the Superintendent
Dear FCPS Families and Staff,
Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to address the multi-faceted challenges related to planning for Coronavirus (COVID-19). We have two important updates to share.
First, Monday, March 16, will be designated a student holiday. This student holiday will provide an opportunity for our staff to prepare for the possibility of distance learning in the event of a school(s) closure. We will use this day as a staff training day and all staff will report to work.
All after-school extracurricular activities on March 16, including interscholastic contests and team practices, will proceed as scheduled. Adult and community education classes will be held and SACC centers will be open. Recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS will proceed as scheduled. The middle school after-school program is canceled.
Second, we decided yesterday to cancel all overnight field trips in state and out of state, effective immediately. Any overnight trips scheduled on or after March 11 are canceled and this cancellation notice is effective through April 12, 2020. Any trips scheduled to New York state are also canceled, including day trips. All other day trips will proceed as scheduled. We recognize that the decision to cancel overnight field trips may be disappointing; however, the decision is made in an abundance of caution for our students and staff.
This situation will continue to evolve and we will keep you updated. Check for updates on our website at: https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update.
Sincerely,
Scott Brabrand, Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools
Community Meeting Tonight for Robert E Lee High School Name Change
Tonight, Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m., a community meeting will be held at the Lee High School Cafeteria, 6540 Franconia Road, Springfield, VA. The community meeting format will include information on the history of the school name and the process to collect community input. Community members will be asked to work in small groups to discuss and write their thoughts on whether the school should be renamed or provide suggestions for a new school name. Feedback will be collected at the end of the meeting, transcribed and posted online. It will be shared with the School Board and the Superintendent.
As outlined in the regulation, a one-month period of public comment, which includes a community meeting and a public hearing, began on February 20 as New Business on the School Board meeting agenda.
Next week, Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 6:00 p.m., the School Board Public Hearing will be held at Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA. Click here if you would like to speak at the public hearing. Community members can also share their input by emailing comments to Region3admin@fcps.edu.
Once the public comment period has ended, the School Board will take action on whether or not to change the name of Lee High School. If the School Board approves the action, the Superintendent will bring a recommendation to the School Board on a new name(s) for the school at a future meeting. If the School Board does not approve action, the process will end.
We will continue to keep you updated throughout the process. Information about the renaming process is also available online.
RESCHEDULED: Lee District Evening Office Hours
Due to a scheduling conflict, my March 18 evening office hours have been rescheduled to:
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 6:00 p.m.
Edison High School - Library (2nd Floor)
5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA
Enter the school at the main entrance (Door #1). From the lobby, go up the stairs to the 2nd floor. The library is located at the top of the stairs on the 2nd floor.
Thank you for your understanding.
Equity in Education Month
FCPS is joining the Virginia School Boards Association to recognize March as Equity in Education Month. We’re excited to plan together as we address the equity challenges in our schools and communities. We are committed to building awareness, examining learning opportunities, and developing our own Best Practices to share with you throughout the month.
Hear from Superintendent Scott Brabrand and Chief Equity Officer Francisco Durán about the many ways FCPS is working towards a more equitable and culturally responsive environment for all. Watch this video.
Welcome to Our Newest Principal at Cameron Elementary School
Join me in welcoming the new principal at Cameron Elementary School. Mr. Eric T. Johnson, who has served as principal at Sleepy Hollow Elementary for the past four years, effective March 2. Johnson has nearly 26 years of experience in education, having served as a teacher at the elementary school level, a Title I reading specialist, a summer school site administrator, and an assistant principal at Westlawn Elementary and Bren Mar Park Elementary. Under his leadership as principal of Sleepy Hollow, he was recognized with the FCPS 2019 Closing the Gap and Raising the Bar Award. Johnson received the FCPS 2018 Region 2 Outstanding New Principal Award, FCPS 2019 Justice Pyramid Outstanding Principal Award, and is a nominee for the FCPS 2020 Outstanding Principal Award.
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A graduate of Norfolk State University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science, Johnson earned his elementary education endorsement from the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, N.J. In addition, he earned a Master of Education in reading from Trinity University in Washington, D.C., as well as a Master of Education in educational leadership from George Mason University. He holds a postgraduate professional licensure in Virginia School Administration (K-12) and Reading Specialist (K-12).
School Food Culinary Challenge
The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge is the only event in the area that gives students the chance to influence what is served in their school cafeterias.
21 teams from 7 school districts in the National Capital Region will participate in three categories: breakfast, lunch, and snack. The winner of the lunch category will have their dish served to thousands of their peers in school cafeterias across the DC region.
Come have a taste and judge for yourself which team should go home with the prize!
Saturday, March 21 - Admission is Free
10:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Hayfield Secondary School
7630 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 22315
For more information, click here.
2020 VSBA Student Essay Contest
The Virginia School Boards Association is holding a personal essay/speaking contest where the winner will have an opportunity to present before an audience of more than 300 school board members and administrators at the 2020 VSBA Conference on Education held July 21 at the Short Pump Hilton in Richmond, VA.
This is the first year the Virginia School Boards Association will hold this contest. We hope that this contest will bring out the very best in students’ writing and speaking efforts and allow our attendees to witness examples of the bright, thoughtful, and accomplished students from around the Commonwealth. This year's topic is Can and Should Freedom of Expression and Civility Co-exist?
The deadline for submitting is 4:00 p.m. on March 31, 2020. For more information on the contest and to view the guidebook, click here.
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Congressional Art Competition 2020
 Congressman Donald S. Beyer Jr.’s office invites students, grades 9-12, to participate in the 2020 Congressional Art Competition!
WHERE: Each student submission will be displayed at the National Education Association (NEA) in Alexandria from April 27 to May 29
An award ceremony and winner reveal will take place on Tuesday, May 5th at NEA (6:00-7:30 p.m.)
The winning art will be on display in the U.S. Capitol for a year. Last year’s winner received a lot of press.
- General Rules and Regulations for Students and Teachers (Link)
- Submission Checklist (Link)
- Student Release Form (Link) *REQUIRED FOR SUBMISSION
- Call for Art with Important Logistics & VA-08 specific rules (Link)
Scholarships are available for first place winner from the Savannah College of Art and Design ($3,000/year).
TIMELINE:
Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs and Career-Building Workshops
This event is open to all Fairfax County teens who are looking for employment, or tips on career-building skills such as networking, building a resume, and interviewing. Free booth space will be provided to any business or organization wanting to advertise their available positions. Event schedule:
Saturday, March 14, 2-4 p.m. at Chantilly HS
Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m.-noon at Mount Vernon HS
Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m.-noon at West Springfield HS
For more information, click here.
Foundation for Applied Technical Education, Inc. Open House
FCPS Career and Technical Education and the Foundation for Applied Technical Education, Inc. (FATE) hosted an open house to celebrate the ninth student-built home in Spring Village Estates.
I had an opportunity to tour the home in Springfield, VA last week. For more information about FATE, click here.
Military Child Education Coalition - Military Kids Now Education Survey
The Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC®) has dedicated itself to delivering high-quality programs, services, and professional development to meet the needs of military-connected students, parents, and professionals.
The Military Kids Now Education Survey is YOUR opportunity - whether you are a military-connected student (age 13 and up), a military-connected parent with school-aged children, or a professional who supports them - to sound off about your experiences. This is the perfect time to take a fresh look at the challenges facing our military families and how MCEC might best respond to those challenges.
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If you can check both the parent and professional boxes, please pick the one that most resonates with you. We also encourage you to take the survey again for the other viewpoint. The survey is open through April 17, 2020.
Responses are anonymous and should only take ~10 minutes depending on your responses. For questions, visit: https://www.militarychild.org/contact.
Fine Arts Theater Calendar
The Fine and Performing Arts Calendar (LINK) features individual listings for many middle and high school theater events through June. Users can subscribe to the calendar to be notified of upcoming performances, and each event can be added to a calendar or shared on social media.
Important Dates
March 16: Teacher Work Day - No school for students
April 3: End of Third Quarter
April 6-10: Spring Break - No school for students
April 16: Teacher Work Day - No school for students
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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