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Dear Lee District Community -
As many of you have heard by now, Governor Northam held a press conference yesterday announcing the closure of all schools through the remainder of this academic school year. To view his press conference, click here.
I strongly support the decision of Governor Northam to close the schools in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But I know that this decision is unprecedented -- please know that the School Board, Dr. Brabrand, his leadership team and many others are working around the clock to develop and implement strategies that will best educate all of our students during this crisis. As these plans are developed, we will communicate them to you.
To sign up for the latest information and alerts, click here. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes for your health and safety as we navigate this COVID-19 emergency.
- Tammy
FCPS COVID-19 Update
Dr. Brabrand issued a response to Governor Northam's announcement yesterday. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will be providing school districts with additional guidance and information on many factors impacting our school system from this announcement.
Superintendent Brabrand is working closely with the Fairfax County School Board to determine how to provide distance continuity of learning for students. We will communicate the plan for the remainder of this academic school year with parents and staff as soon as possible.
Click here to see the full statement that Dr. Brabrand shared yesterday to all FCPS parents and staff.
Since these changes are evolving on a daily basis, please stay connected to the latest C-19 information through the FCPS website and the Fairfax County website.
Food Resources for Families
As the COVID-19 public health emergency continues to evolve, we understand that individuals and families in our communities may have food assistance needs.
Fairfax County and Fairfax County Public Schools have worked together to develop a searchable map that includes community food distribution sites, including FCPS grab and go locations, a bus route meal plan, community meal distribution sites, food pantries, and other related services.
Please click here to view the map. For complete details, visit: https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-food-resources
Talking to Children About COVID-19
I wanted to share some tips for parents and educators on how best to talk with children about the coronavirus. Concern over this virus can make some children and families anxious. Click here to view guidelines provided by the National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Nurses.
FCPS Shares Important Updates for AP and IB Students
The College Board and International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) continue to provide 2020 AP-IB program testing updates and guidance directly to students and parents through global press releases. In light of that communication, FCPS is providing additional guidance to ensure our students and parents understand how the district is responding to these changes and, specifically, how we plan to provide support to students moving forward. Reference the most recent updates by program below along with the FCPS response to best support and meet the needs of our students.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) PROGRAM - AP Updates from the College Board, March 20.
- Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place. Students will take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home.
- Some students may want to take the exam sooner rather than later, while the content is still fresh. Other students may want more time to practice. For each AP subject, there will be two different testing dates.
- College Board timeline for next steps:
- March 23 – an update was sent to students directly from the College Board.
- March 25 – students will have access to College Board’s free, live AP review lessons, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. These optional, mobile-friendly classes are designed to be used alongside work that may be given by schools. Students can find the classes online.
- April 3 – the full exam schedule including the specific free-response question types that will comprise each AP exam will be published by the College Board.
AP students are encouraged to access lessons, tools and review resources provided via FCPS 24-7 as well as those provided by the AP program.
We request that students and parents take no immediate action specific to test registration and administration and please wait to receive 2020 AP exam administration instructions directly from FCPS. Since school-based test coordinators register and order all AP exams and FCPS pays for the first six exams, it is imperative that AP exam administration continue to be directed by the school division. Once testing details have been determined, FCPS will communicate procedures directly to students and parents to ensure that every student is fully supported and successful throughout the 2020 AP online test at home exam administration.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) PROGRAM - IB Updates from the International Baccalaureate Organization, March 23.
- The May 2020 IB examinations for Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme students will no longer be held.
- Depending on what they registered for, the student will be awarded a Diploma or a Course Certificate which reflects their standard of work.
FCPS staff are developing a districtwide communication for immediate release to ensure IB families/students understand that IB exam scores will be awarded based on coursework, including internal and external assessments, but will be calculated without May exams.
IBO will provide full details and answers to frequently asked questions to all stakeholders no later than Friday, March 27. As we receive that information, we will work with schools to ensure students have the opportunity to complete and submit all required coursework to earn IB exam scores. Principals and coordinators will work directly with their teachers and students to identify the required coursework for submission and deadlines for submission of these components to comply with IBO’s extended deadlines.
Questions About Graduation Requirements
Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane announced today that high school seniors who were on track to earn a diploma later this spring will be able to graduate.
High school seniors in the following categories will be able to graduate on time:
- Seniors currently enrolled in a course for which they need a standard or verified credit in order to graduate (verified credits are earned by passing a required course and also passing the associated Standards of Learning test);
- Seniors who have successfully completed a course required for graduation, but have not earned the associated verified credit; and
- Seniors who have not passed a required student-selected SOL test;
Flexibility also is available for seniors who have not earned a required career and technical education credential, seniors who have not completed a fine or performing arts course or CTE course, seniors who were unable to complete sequential course requirements, and seniors who have not completed a course in economics and personal finance.
The vast majority of high school seniors have already met most graduation requirements.
VDOE Guidance Memo
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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