From the Principal
Family,
Okay, what’s next? Your guess is as good as mine. I can tell you that we have done all that we have been asked to do as a school to be prepared for this upcoming week. I have asked our staff to bend and twist in ways that would have been thought unimaginable, and they have done everything that I have asked. To be totally honest, I am not worthy of the staff of teachers and support staff that have been fortunate to work with. So when you get a chance to, please let them know how much you appreciate them.
I understand that there have been times that we have appeared to be not so accommodating. But I will argue that whoever that person may have been (myself included), they have been rock stars in terms of doing what is necessary to create a learning space that is prepared and safe for our students for Tuesday. All we can do is see if Blackboard had been successful in accommodating our needs. I have asked our teachers to jump, and with every staff member, they have responded with, “How high?” Know, as in without a doubt, that doesn’t happen everywhere. I am blessed to be in the building with the staff I have alongside me.
So what is next? Well, as far as I can tell, Blackboard is back up and running. I was able to go in and see teachers’ classrooms. So for me that means we are good to go. But we won’t really know until Tuesday. Monday, South County teachers will be back at work collaborating and reaching out to students to ensure they have what they need to move forward and improve their 3rd quarter grades; which in turn will help to improve their overall grade. I ask that you continue to encourage your children to reach out to their teachers as well. Our students know what they have not completed based on their gradebooks. Everything for the most part is fair game for make-up at this time. So please push your children to get all that work in….. NOW!
I will be having a meeting with our Seniors on Monday to reconnect with them. If your child is not a Senior, please let them know that I will be reaching out to their respective class in the near future o address whatever their questions are. I promise not to leave anyone out.
We are prepared to assist our students with technology support. If your child needs support of this kind, please have them refer to the information that has been provided by their classroom teachers, or their “Class of …” pages which should closely resemble this:
FCPS has developed the support guide below for assisting students with technical issues
Student Reports issue to Teacher, Counselor, Administrator or another staff member
Students and/or parents should not contact the Tech Team Directly
- Staff member submits a Request IT ticket in the staff member’s name for the student
- Including the following in the ticket. We will not be able to process the ticket without this information.
- Student name
- ID#
- Parent email and/or phone number
- Description of the issue
- A member of the Tech Team will contact the student/parent for support
Appointments –
- We can only service one person at a time. If a 2nd car arrives while we are working with the 1st person they will have to wait in their vehicle.
- Time slots 10-15 minutes apart
Please know that families are financially responsible for new adapters and computers if needed in the event they are not returning one in exchange.
For our Senior Families, I have two links. One is for our parents (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebATrsewDG7RQunMzk38ZoPO1tRRug9-RG-JPezYvjfGoB7w/viewform?usp=sf_link) and the other is for our students (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScstBdFwXJag2jOB6mLk18AhY3oWcz0fwxW9Be6VIlYTzJJdg/viewform?usp=sf_link). The student link will also be sent out to them individually, but if you as parents want to share it with them, please feel free to do so.
Now I understand that this may be the 132nd time I have said this, but please be patient with this and all processes. We only want to do what is best for all students. Our teachers are chomping at the bit to be in front of teachers right now, and it has been so frustrating having to tell them that we are changing directions. I truly hope that we will be able to remain on the course that will allow teachers to engage with students on Tuesday. In the event that we are not able to, teachers will post content to Google Classroom pages (or other discussed platforms) to ensure that students have work to do to that will assist in leading them to mastery of their content. Please remember that even though the professionals of FCPS have been in this game for many years, this is the first time we have been in this position. We will create the environment that is most conducive to our students being in the best possible place.
I thank you very much for all that you are doing from home to help with our current situation. We need each of you to do your part as our teachers do theirs to make this experience meaningful for all students. Encourage your children to be actively engaged and to be a part of the learning experience for their peers. If you have questions or concerns,….. keep them to yourselves. Okay, I am kidding. Send them to me. But really, know that we (every teacher and support staff member) are in this business to do what is best for every student. And “every” student means yours.
Please be sure to check in with your children. This is a difficult time. If you are having a hard time with the school closure, social distancing, and being stuck in the house, know that your children are having twice as hard of a time with it than you are. I don’t have any more room in my life for new friends (probably like you). However, your children aren’t there yet and this is a tough tow for them. So check in to make sure they are okay. And if you get a hint that they are struggling in any way, please reach out to us (administrator, counselor, teacher, trusted adult, etc.) so that we can implement the same supports for your children that we would if they were with us face-to-face. We are with you. We are Family. Take care, and be safe in all that you do. We are, #OneStallion.
Gary
Mental Health Resources | 24/7 Emergency Numbers
If you are in crisis, text NEEDHELP to 85511, call 1-800-273-TALK, or dial 911; TTY dial 711
CrisisLink Regional Hotline: 703-527-4077 (CrisisLink is a hotline for individuals in crisis or family/friends seeking guidance for how to help a loved one)
Dominion Hospital Assessment and Referral Line: 703-536-2000
Inova Emergency Services: 703-289-7560
Mobile Crisis Unit: 1-844-627-4747
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE
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