Fairfax County Office for Children will offer SRS (Supporting Return to School) programming for elementary age children this fall. The SRS program begins September 8 and will be offered at 37 FCPS schools, including the following Region 4 elementary schools:
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Centre Ridge ES
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Keene Mill ES
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Oak View ES
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White Oaks ES
Open enrollment starts today and will be limited in order to maintain physical distancing and health protocols.
https://wjla.com/news/local/fairfax-county-will-launch-new-childcare-program-to-help-families-during-virtual-learning
Frequently Asked Questions About SRS
On August 14, Fairfax County announced the new Supporting Return to School (SRS) program developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s virtual return to school. SRS will provide full-day programming to support children’s active and engaged learning during the FCPS virtual academic day and will provide opportunities for children to explore, engage, relax and enjoy activities based on the program curriculum, The Great Outdoors: Road Trips Through the Americas.
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the program:
Who is offering the program?
The program is being offered by Fairfax County Government through the Office for Children, which provides educational care for students before and after school through the SACC program. OFC teachers will be staffing the SRS program.
Where will the SRS program be located?
The SRS program will be offered at 37 Fairfax County Public Schools, including 35 elementary schools and the Key and Kilmer Centers. Enrollment will be limited in order to maintain physical distancing and health protocols.
What are the SRS program dates?
The SRS program begins Sept. 8, 2020. As FCPS updates to online and in-person instruction occur, the program’s status will be reevaluated.
What are the SRS program hours?
SRS will operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate parents who are working outside the home or may need full-day services. All current CDC health and safety guidelines, including the use of face coverings, physical distancing protocols, and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting practices will be implemented.
How many children will be served at each location?
The program will be able to accommodate approximately 60 children per site. Each classroom will have a group of no more than 10 children who will stay together each day, along with consistent staff to support their online learning and in-person connections.
How will the program support my child’s virtual learning?
FCPS is working in partnership with SRS to provide professional development in virtual learning technologies for SRS staff. SRS staff will collaborate with families on an ongoing basis to align support for children’s virtual learning schedules and will provide a space conducive to supporting children’s learning during the academic day.
Will the program provide academic instruction?
SRS staff are employees of the Fairfax County Office for Children, not Fairfax County Public Schools. SRS staff will support children’s virtual learning but will not provide academic instruction. The program is not designed to replace or duplicate virtual learning, but to support it by ensuring students are able to access the FCPS academic day and have the technical support and engagement they need to succeed.
What health and safety protocols will be in place?
The safety of both staff and students in the SRS program is of utmost importance. The SRS program will follow current CDC health and safety guidelines, as well as guidance from the Fairfax County Health Department. Additionally, the following measures are in place:
• Students will be in groups of 10 or fewer per classroom.
• Students will stay together as a group the entire day with the same staff members.
• Scheduled cleaning of high-touch areas will occur throughout the day.
• No visitors will be admitted.
• A daily check-in will include taking staff and students’ temperatures and asking a series of health questions before staff and students may enter the building.
• Children and staff will be required to wear face coverings throughout the day.
• Physical distancing of at least six feet will be supported.
Can I still enroll my child if the SRS program is not offered at my base school?
Yes, regardless of your base school, you may choose to attend the SRS site that is closest or most convenient for you.
Are there any requirements for program eligibility?
Yes, the SRS program serves children in Kindergarten through sixth grade. Families must reside in Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax.
Do families have to be working in order for their child to participate?
No, the SRS program does not have a work requirement for eligibility.
Is financial assistance available?
A sliding fee scale is available for income-eligible families. Additional financial assistance is also available. Families who may need additional financial assistance or transportation should communicate their request when enrolling so that registration staff can best provide assistance.
Why is enrollment limited?
The SRS program has limited enrollment in order to accommodate full-day programming, as well as physical distancing guidelines, and to support additional health and safety procedures. The program is designed to help families with the greatest need, who may not have access to other resources, and to mitigate opportunity gaps that may widen without in-person instruction.
How is this program different from SACC?
The SACC program is not currently being offered. SRS will be staffed by OFC teachers and provide a safe environment for students to learn. SRS is a full-day program supporting virtual learning during the academic day, with a before- and after-school care component. When children in the SRS program are not engaged in their virtual academic school day, they will have opportunities to explore activities based on the program’s curriculum, The Great Outdoors: Road Trips Through the Americas.
May I enroll on a daily, weekly, or as-needed basis?
No, the program is designed to provide consistent care and support for children’s virtual learning on a monthly basis only. Students must be enrolled for the full five-day-per-week program.
May I enroll my child for just the academic school day if we do not need the before-and after-care components?
No, the SRS program is a full-day program providing support for children during the academic day as well as before and after care. When children in the SRS program are not engaged in their virtual academic school day, they will have opportunities to explore activities based on the program’s curriculum, The Great Outdoors, Road Trips Through the Americas.
Will meals be provided?
Yes, breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack will be provided in conjunction with FCPS Food and Nutrition Services.
Will transportation be available?
County and FCPS staff will work to ensure that transportation will not be a barrier to families’ participation in the SRS program. Families who need transportation should communicate their request when enrolling.
Will laptops and Internet access be provided?
Students must bring their personal or school-issued laptops. Wireless Internet access will be provided at all SRS sites.
Can my child who has special needs participate, and will he or she receive specialized instruction?
Yes, all SRS sites will accommodate children with special needs. Additionally, the Key and Kilmer Center sites will specifically serve children and youth ages 5-21 with multiple disabilities. SRS staff will collaborate with families on an ongoing basis to align support for children’s virtual learning schedules and will provide a space conducive to supporting children’s learning during the academic day.
What are the fees for the program?
Supporting Return to School (SRS) Program SY 2020-2021
The fees below are billed monthly.
Adjusted Household Income One Child
$131,000 and above $1,472
117,900 - 130,999 $1,272
104,800 - 117,899 $1,076
91,700 - 104,799 $876
78,600 - 91,699 $676
65,500 - 78,599 $476
52,400 - 65,499 $280
52,399 and below $80
Reduced rates are applicable for families with two or more children enrolled. The discount for the second child is 10%; the third child and each additional child receive a 20% discount.
Additional financial assistance is also available. Families who may need additional financial assistance or transportation should communicate their request when enrolling so that registration staff can best provide assistance.
How do I enroll?
Enrollment begins the week of August 24, 2020. For additional information and to register, call 703-449-8989 or visit Fairfaxcounty.gov/OFC. Translation services are available.
Registration Information
• Information is available online https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/office-for-children/supporting-return-school-program.
• Space is limited. To register, call 703-449-8989.
• Current CDC health and safety guidelines will be implemented.
• Sliding fee scale available for income eligible families (see below).
• Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack provided.
Sliding Fee Scale
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Supporting Return to School (SRS) Program SY 2020-2021 The fees below are billed monthly
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Adjusted Household Income
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One Child
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$131,000 and above
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$1,472
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$117,900 - 130,999
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$1,272
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$104,800 - 117,899
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$1,076
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$91,700 - 104,799
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$876
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$78,600 - 91,699
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$676
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$65,500 - 78,599
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$476
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$52,400 - 65,499
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$280
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$52,399 and below
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$80
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