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"You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice ."
Dear Justice Families,
I hope that you have had an opportunity to read the Distance Learning Plan information (fcps.edu) sent out by Dr. Brabrand dated March 27th.
Our attention is now on how we provide meaningful distance learning opportunities for students. Last week our staff participated in phenomenal staff development sessions using technology tools to support and enhance virtual learning. I will be meeting virtually with staff early Monday morning to kick off our content specific planning sessions.
Justice faculty and staff are excited in planning for synchronous (virtual teacher directed) and asynchronous (subject area office hours-student directed) instruction, which will begin after spring break on Tuesday, April 14th. Students are advised to begin working to update their grades/work for 3rd quarter (up to 3/13). The goal is to continue to give students and teachers time to finalize 3rd quarter grades. See "Grading Update" below for more information. More information about Justice’s Distance Learning Plan (DLP) will be shared soon.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me, if you have questions.
Students: We have been sending important information to you through your @fcpsschools.net email address. Please make sure that you are checking your @fcpsschools.net email on a regular basis so that you can stay up to date with recent news from the school, your teachers, and counselors.
 Join us celebrating our virtual Shine On week, a week of positivity and happiness in loving memory of a Justice HS alumna, Casey Schulman. Shine On week is a special tradition for the Justice High School community and we feel continuing this is important. Our students in the Leadership classes and many of our clubs and athletic teams are leading the daily spirit activities for Shine On week and we invite the Justice Pyramid to join us in participating as we offer virtual activities this week. When you post to social media, be sure to use #ShineOnJustice. and tag us on Twitter @justicehswolves.
3rd Quarter Grading Update - The School Board was briefed that no student work assigned after March 13 will be graded, at the recommendation of VDOE; however, work assigned prior to March 13 will still be accepted up until April 24 in order to be applied in the calculation of students’ third quarter grades. Additionally, it is the intention of FCPS and Justice High School to use maximum flexibility in assessing and evaluating student learning for the remainder of the school year.
4th Quarter Grading - Middle school and high school students will be assigned a “no mark” for the fourth quarter, with assignments submitted being allowed to positively influence the student’s overall grade for the year based on mastery of learning concepts, in accordance with FCPS grading policy. Only final grades will be shown on transcripts; a “no mark” will not show on a student’s final transcript.
Graduation Standards Update - The Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction, James Lane announced this week 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;
- Seniors who have not passed a required student-selected SOL test;
Flexibility is also 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.
Last week, the 65th annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair virtually showcased over 400 high school science projects. Via recorded videos, over 600 students presented their research projects in a wide variety of science and engineering fields. Projects were judged by over 150 professionals and 40 professional organizations and businesses. Congratulations to the following Justice students:
2nd Place:
Biomedical Engineering: Andrew Tran (11th grade) – Opidroid: A Fully Autonomous Dynamic Opioid Administration Platform for Post Operative Pain Remediation
Physical Energy: Azlan Choudhry & Omar Shayeb (10th grade) – Energy Conversion from Sound to Electricity
3rd Place:
Chemical Energy: Mario Solis & Mohtashin Talukder (10th grade) – Different Metals on Conductivity of Microbial Fuel Cells
Earth & Environmental Sciences: Sundus Ahmed, Makda Dejene, & Sumaya Ga’al (10th grade) – Algae and Its Roll in Climate Change
Honorable Mention:
Cellular & Molecular Biology: Amber Christensen & Isabela Jesse (11th grade) – The Effect of Local Northern Virginian Honey and Commercial Manuka Honey on E. coli
Chemistry: Teddy Cohen & Maximilian Van Zandt (10th grade) – Water Electrolysis
Physics & Astronomy: Bereket Bessie (11th grade) – The Effect of Temperature on the Stretch of a Nickel Titanium Metal Spring
Physics & Astronomy: Ahmed Abbas & Hieu Vu (11th grade) – The Effect of Different Dimensions of Wood on a Boomilever’s Efficiency
 Congratulations to Miranda Kashynski. Miranda earned a National Scholastic Award! Her digital artwork, Glass Floor, earned a Silver Medal at the National Scholastic Art Competition
Learning activities are now available on FCPS cable channels. New instructional videos are currently being developed and recorded and will be added to the programming shortly. Channel 21 includes elementary school programming, Channel 25 includes middle school programming, and Channel 99 includes high school programming. Find out what is available online at What's On.
The Senior Letter has been posted on the Justice HS website here - Senior Letter 2020. This letter includes important information and dates for upcoming senior activities. We will keep this page updated if there are any changes.
Students are encouraged to reach out directly to scholarship sponsors and/or check the scholarship webpage(s) to inquire about any potential deadline extensions, as necessary. Please contact your school counselor if you need assistance sending a transcript to a scholarship sponsor. Due to the impact of the coronavirus on students and school attendance, the Justice High School Scholarship Fund has extended the deadline for scholarship applications by six days. The new deadline to submit applications is midnight on Monday, April 13, 2020. https://www.jhsscholars.org/.
FCPS staff members are working closely with officials from the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) program and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) regarding the evolving impact of school closures on AP/IB instruction and testing. The following links will provide the latest updates from the AP and IB programs.
For consistency and clarity in messaging, we will stay focused on what FCPS sends to families. This will eliminate multiple messages and will decrease chances of error or confusion. If there is information particularly unique to the entire the Justice community, I will be sure to keep you informed.
For information please go to the coronavirus webpage.
During these uncertain times, students and families may be feeling anxious. Mental Health Resources and 24/7 Emergency Numbers are available on the Justice HS website. Below are some additional resources to help guide families.
Fairfax County Public Schools is providing "grab and go" breakfasts and lunches at no cost for students at multiple sites to students, with breakfast from 8:00-10:30am and lunch from 10:30am to 2:00pm. Below are the nearest locations to Justice:
- Annandale Terrace, 7604 Herald St., Annandale
- Braddock Elementary, 7825 Heritage Dr., Annandale
- Bailey’s Elementary School, 6111 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church
- Crestwood ES, 6010 Hanover Ave., Springfield
- Graham Road Elementary School, 2831 Graham Rd., Falls Church
- Weyanoke Elementary School, 6520 Braddock Rd., Alexandria
All meals are available at no cost to children 18 years and under. Adult meals are available for purchase for $2. Check out the "Coronavirus Update - Food Resources for Families" for the latest information and other "pop-up" and grab and go locations.
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