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Dear Mason District Community,
I hope you have had a restful Thanksgiving holiday. Although the global pandemic has forced us to celebrate this holiday much differently than normal, it is my wish that you were able to spend some quality time with your loved ones.
It is important for me to be cognizant of the frustrations that continue to plague our community. We have those who feel unheard because students have not yet returned to in-person instruction and those who feel neglected by the push to return to in-person instruction before a vaccine is available. FCPS staff continues to work on metrics to safely return students and staff to our school buildings and those measures are provided in this newsletter.
Additionally, FCPS staff has established safety teams to monitor mitigation protocols with groups currently in our schools. FCPS leadership is also engaged in hiring monitors to provide in-person classroom assistance for students when some staff members must work virtually.
I value the input I receive from the Mason Community and am happy to address questions or concerns via email or phone. You can reach me by email at rjanderson@fcps.edu. If you are interested in scheduling a phone call, please reach out to my assistant, Ms. Coffey, at cmcoffey@fcps.edu to arrange a time.
I wish you all good health.
Health Metrics for In-Person Instruction
FCPS is monitoring COVID-19 health data every day to make decisions on when students and staff can return for in-person learning. The school division posts the regional health data collected by the Virginia Department of Health on the COVID-19 Health Metrics web page and monitors two core indicators related to coronavirus infections: the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people and the percentage of people who test positive for COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has set thresholds to help school communities understand the risk of introduction and transmission of COVID-19 in schools. View thresholds for Groups 1-6.
For a group to BEGIN in-person instruction, the established thresholds for the group must be met for BOTH the number of cases per 100,000 persons and the percent positivity for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.
For a group to REMAIN in in-person instruction, the number of cases per 100,000 persons or the percent positivity may not exceed the established threshold for the group for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.
For groups 1 and 2, health metric thresholds for cases per 100,000 and percentage of PT-PCR test positivity can exceed 200 and be greater than 10%. Currently, FCPS metrics do not indicate a threshold to return groups 1 and 2 to distance learning as these groups are aligned to Virginia Phase I and II guidance for the Reopening of Schools allowing schools to offer limited in-person instruction to preschool through third grade, English Learner students and students with disabilities. More information is available HERE.
For Group 3, FCPS has currently designated the threshold for returning students to distance learning as greater than 200 cases per 100,000 and equal to 10% PT-PCR positivity. Currently, our cases per 100,000 has exceeded 200; however, our PT-PCR positivity is 9.7%. Should our percent positivity reach 10% and remain at that level for 7 consecutive days, this would trigger the return of group 3 to distance learning.
Group 1: specialized high school career preparatory programs (40 students).
Group 2: Preschool Autism Classrooms (PAC), and Early Childhood Class-based (ECCB), and specialized high school career preparatory programs (1,300 students).
Group 3: Elementary Comprehensive Services Sites (CSS), Key Center, Kilmer Center, Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE), Recently-arrived English Learners (ELs) in Grades 3-12, Enhanced Autism Classrooms (EAC) including students accessing general education curriculum, Intellectual Disabilities (ID) K-12 classrooms, Intellectual Disabilities Severe (IDS) K-12 classrooms, and students receiving Noncategorical Elementary (NCE) services who are instructed with the adapted curriculum in a special education classroom (4,100 students).
TJHSST Admissions
Our Board reviewed options for revising admissions to the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) admissions process in September and October 2020.
On September 5, 2020 the Superintendent proposed a Merit Lottery process for admissions. On October 6 and 8, 2020, our Board reviewed this proposal, which incorporated a holistic review into the Merit Lottery.
The Board made the following decisions related to the admissions process:
- Removal of test
- Removal of the application fee
- Increase capacity at TJHSST to 550
- Establish a regional board
The Board held an additional work session on December 7th. Documents from that session can be found through the links below:
A final vote on this matter will take place at the regular School Board meeting on December 17, 2020.
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Family Guide for Return to School
Fairfax County Public Schools is partnering with families to ensure we keep students and staff safe and healthy as we return to school buildings for learning. Working together, we will follow recommended health guidance that focuses on student and staff health, safety, and emotional well-being.
The FCPS Family Guide for Return to School has a wealth of information on topics like concurrent instruction, lunch and recess, the mandatory mask policy, laptops, and health protocols.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Work Session - Return to School
December 10, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Superintendent Brabrand will provide an update on his plans for future groups of students to return to in-person instruction.
Public Hearing - Restraint and Seclusion
December 11, 2020 at 6 p.m.
The School Board will hear public comments regarding the Restraint and Seclusion Draft Policy.
Work Session - CIP and Mid-Year Budget Review
December 15, 2020 at 11 a.m.
Regular School Board Meeting
December 17, 2020 at 7 p.m.
The School Board returned to in-person regular meetings at Luther Jackson Middle School on November 5th. Audience capacity is limited to 37 to ensure social distancing. Overflow rooms will also be available. Masks must be worn by everyone present at all times.
Visit the citizen participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting or public hearing.
The meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. The meeting will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube page.
End of First Quarter Guidance to Teachers
In a communication to teachers at the end of the quarter, Dr. Brabrand outlined steps to address issues he has been hearing about from teachers and students regarding workload, assignments and ongoing stress during the virtual first quarter.
He extended the first quarter to allow any late work for first quarter grading to be submitted through 5 p.m. on November 2. In addition, he provided the following guidance:
- Grading should reflect current circumstances; less is more - emphasize quality over quantity in assigning work.
- Develop "Catch-Up" days to provide class time for students to catch up on assignments without assigning any new work.
- Adhere to student workload guidelines:
- Middle and High School - homework should not exceed 60 minutes per course, per week (75 min for AP or IB courses)
- Elementary School - no homework should be assigned T-F, while independent work will be assigned for Mondays.
FCPS Names Chief Academic Officer and Chief Equity Officer
Superintendent Brabrand announced two executive appointments last month. Sloan Presidio (left) has been named chief academic officer, effective November 17, 2020. Sloan was serving as FCPS' assistant superintendent for Instructional Services. Read the news release. Lisa Williams (right) will serve as FCPS' chief equity officer, effective December 30, 2020. Lisa is executive director of the Department of Equity and Cultural Proficiency in Baltimore County (Maryland) Public Schools. Read the news release.
FCPS Student Athletes Return to VHSL Competition
Based on the data and experiences with student athletes who have been conditioning successfully since summer, FCPS is progressing with the return of participation in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) athletic season. To be specific, students have been engaging in workouts and sports-related activities since July 2020 with less than .2 percent of students having been exposed to COVID-19. Of those cases, none were transmissions from school-related workouts. Offering tryouts and practices for our student athletes are the next steps in starting winter sports.
FCPS continues to work closely with VHSL at the state level to ensure the health and safety of our student athletes and coaches are in compliance with federal, state, and local health guidelines. Schools have been provided with detailed protocols to adhere to from VHSL’s guidelines for returning to play. FCPS is following both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) guidelines for health mitigation and masks. The current guidelines for masks from the VHSL is that athletes will wear masks while participating in practice, with the exception of when they are engaged in high physical exertion activities and direct competition. FCPS will continue to monitor health metrics daily and will adapt to any new CDC or VHSL guidelines as required.
Practice for basketball began on December 7 and is planned for December 14 for all other winter sports.
Safety Teams Deployed to Monitor COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies at FCPS Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools has implemented new Safety Teams to help the school district monitor each schools’ adherence to five mitigation strategies for COVID-19. These teams, consisting of FCPS staff members and retirees, will conduct random onsite spot checks, deliver education and resources, and report data back to administrators.
The five mitigation strategies are set forth in the Centers for Disease Control’s Indicators for Dynamic School Decision-making guide, and include proper use of masks or face coverings; social distancing; hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette; cleaning and disinfection; and contact tracing in collaboration with the health department.
More information on FCPS Safety Teams is available online.
Fairfax County Public Library Checkout Now Available to All Students
All FCPS students (preK-12) are able to check out materials from the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL), even if they don’t have a traditional library card or a card has been blocked due to fines.
Under the Library Equity Access Pass program (LEAP), a partnership with FCPS and FCPL, students need only their name, not a physical library card, to check out three items at a time for six weeks each (no renewals). LEAP accounts are never charged fines or fees.
A student can have a LEAP account in addition to a standard library account. Standard accounts allow users to place holds on materials and access FCPL’s digital resources, such as eBooks and databases.
Families can apply for a standard account online and in library branches.
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Programs Offer Support for Parents, Students During COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fairfax County government’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) is offering two programs to support parents, guardians, and students in distance learning.
Parent Connect provides in-person services for parents and guardians at NCS Community Centers and other community locations. Assistance includes support related to digital literacy and Internet access; support related to language barriers; and connection to county Health and Human Services resources, service navigation and referrals. These services are offered by appointment only Monday through Friday, 3-8 p.m., though times may vary by location.
NCS Connects: After School is a virtual platform providing programming for youth and teens Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. Virtual programs include academics (i.e., STEAM), family engagement, service learning, and youth leadership development.
More information is available online.
Parent Access to Student Records
Special education regulations (34 C.F.R. § 300.613; 8 VAC 20-81-170.G) set forth generally provisions governing the parents’ right to inspect and review any education records relating to their child, and direct school divisions to comply with a request to inspect records:
- Without unnecessary delay; and BEFORE:
- any meeting regarding an IEP;
- any hearing in accordance with 8 VAC 20-81-160 (e.g., expedited due process hearing regarding disciplinary placements, appeal of manifestation determination review, etc.) and 8 VAC 20-81-210 (due process hearing); and
- a resolution session conducted as part of a due process hearing (8 VAC 20-81-210); AND:
- in no case more than 45 calendar days after the request has been made.
Further, pursuant to these regulations, the parents’ right of inspection and review includes the right to request that the school "provide copies of the records containing the information if failure to provide those copies would effectively prevent the parent from exercising the right to inspect and review the records [emphasis added]."
These regulations also permit the school division to charge a fee for copies of records if the fee does not effectively prevent the parent from exercising the right to inspect and review those records (8 VAC 20-81-170.G.5).
Finally, "[u]nder FERPA, a school is not required to provide information that is not maintained or to create education records in response to a parent's request."
Grab and Go Meals Available to All Students
Fairfax County Public Schools is offering no-cost nutritious meals to all students through June 30, 2021. Meals are available at school sites and along bus routes.
The bus schedule is available online. Changes to bus routes are posted on the website by 5 p.m. each day. If there are bus delays while distributing meals, the information will be posted on the FCPS Bus Delay website.
Breakfast and lunch meals are offered Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) at the same time daily at no-cost to any student who attends in-person instruction at any school. Meals for Saturday and Sunday are offered at sites and on bus routes every Friday.
Dinner and snacks are now offered at select locations. Please refer to the website for locations and times. Additionally, Fairfax Meal Kits are also available at certain sites, offering seven days of breakfast and lunch for pick up in bulk. The goal is to provide every FCPS student daily access to nutritious meals.
More information is available online or by calling the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800
Free Student Bus Pass Program
The Fairfax County School Board has joined the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors by passing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Free Student Bus Pass Program that provides free bus passes to all Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) middle and high school students to ride local buses at no cost.
Interested students should contact their school for an application.
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Annandale HS Receives National Attention
 Annandale HS principal, teachers, and students were featured in this ABC story over the weekend.
Glasgow "Hoodie Squad"
 A group of Glasgow Middle School students held a socially distanced, safe performance for parents and teachers last month. Read more about the "Hoodie Squad" and their efforts to keep their love of music alive during the pandemic.
Celebrating Community Support
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Braddock Elementary School Business and Community Partners were recognized on September 19th for providing 27 weeks of incredible community support during the pandemic.
I was heartened by the outpouring of support for our community by the dedicated volunteers and organizations who have so freely devoted their time and resources, providing food, clothing, school supplies, and many forms of emergency assistance for our students and families.
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National Merit Semifinalists
Two hundred twelve students from 18 high schools have been named semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2021. All semifinalists are eligible to compete for 7,600 National Merit Scholarship awards worth more than $30 million, to be awarded in spring 2021.
Congratulations to the semifinalists from the Mason District:
Avani Sharma, TJHSST
Peter Costescu, TJHSST
See the news release for a complete list of all FCPS semifinalists.
Help Students for the Holidays
with Project Cornucopia
With the upcoming holidays right around the corner, we are concerned about our most vulnerable students - the pandemic has added to their struggles, especially around food access.
Project Cornucopia is the latest fund established at the Foundation for FCPS to provide needy students and their families with grocery giftcards for the holidays. No matter what sits atop the holiday table, your generosity will help ensure that all of our students can enjoy the simple pleasures of the season.
To donate to Project Cornucopia, click here
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Calendar Reminder: Student Holiday
As a reminder, December 21, 2020 through January 1, 2021 is winter break for students (no school). Schools and offices will be closed December 24, 25, & 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021.
Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Monday, January 4, 2021, is an asynchronous day.
See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar.
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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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