FCHS News & Announcements - 11/23/20

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 11/23/2020 02:35 PM EST
thanksgiving

Important Dates

  • 11/23 - Meet the Coaches Night (7:00 pm, see announcement below)
  • 11/25-11/27 - Thanksgiving Holiday

Attendance Matters

Attendance drives everything! It is tied to almost every aspect of school performance and future outcomes. Please visit the Falls Church High School website attendance page for updated policies and procedures.

A note about Monday attendance:

Please remember that while there is no bell schedule on Mondays, attendance is still required. Students are responsible for logging in to their 4th period/Advisory teacher’s Google Classroom and completing the Google attendance form posted by the teacher between 8:10 a.m. and 11:10 a.m. in order to be marked present.

Good attendance will help your children do well in high school, college, and at work.

  • Families should avoid extended vacations that require your children to miss school. Try to lineup vacations with the school’s schedule. The same goes for doctor’s appointments.
  • You can help your children develop homework and bedtime routines that allow for 8 ½ to 9 ½ hours of sleep. Make sure that when the lights go out, so do the cell phones, video games, and computers.
  • Get to know the teachers and administrators. School officials can help you stay on top of academic progress and social contacts to make sure your child is staying on track.

Celebrating Our Students!

Our weekly recognition of students who are demonstrating excellence in academics, behavior or citizenship.

  • Dan-Uyen Tran (Winnie) is so enthusiastic about science and shows it. She is motivated by her goal of seeing he future in the medical field and recognizes that scientific knowledge is the start. She keeps classroom discussions going with her constant inputs which engages her peers and makes them want to participate. She is a regular contributor to our "Science In The News" class time and her excitement is contagious. It is great having a student like Winnie during this time of virtual learning because she models the positive possibilities for this learning model. Thanks Winnie! Elvera Logie

#WeAreFC!

Homework & Holiday Breaks

Jaguar Parents/Guardians,

I sent the message below to FCHS Faculty last week. I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and am thankful for you and your support!

Jaguar Faculty,

We are only a few school days from Thanksgiving break and winter break is close.  I want to remind you to give yourself and your students a break during these holidays.  Now more than ever, we all need breaks from the many demands of school life.  Please do not assign homework, projects, papers, reading, and/or studying over major breaks (Thanksgiving, Winter & Spring).  I recognize that some students may elect to work on long-term projects or make-up work during breaks.

Here are some guidelines:

  • Students should not be required to complete work over school breaks. 
  • Be reasonable with due dates.  Provide enough time for students to complete their work within the normal school calendar without the need to work over school breaks. 
  • Though you may have a long-term assignment that spans over a school break, no work should be due immediately after a break (first two return days). 
  • Pace yourself to avoid major assessments immediately upon return from breaks (first two return days).

Thanksgiving will likely look different this year…I hope you still have quality time with your family and an opportunity to reflect and recognize how important we all are to one another.  In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my Jaguar Family and all that you do!

#WeAreFC!

Ben Nowak, Proud FCHS Principal

Calendar Reminder

Schools and Offices Closed November 25-27 for Thanksgiving Holiday

As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 25 through Friday, November 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, December 1. Monday, November 30 is an asynchronous day. 

Meet the Coaches Night

Monday, November 23

FCHS Activities Department is hosting an information session for students (and their parents) interested in trying out for winter sports teams on Monday, November 23rd at 7:00pm. All students (and their parents) who are interested in trying out for Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Swim and Dive or Wrestling should attend this important virtual event.  A link to the event is provided below.

https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/a269274973024728b6f7697bd3f544ef

Jaguar Spirit Wear

FCHS Athletic Boosters have launched a new spirit wear store in conjunction with Burke Sporting Goods.

Click here to purchase Jaguar Spirit Wear.

Proceeds directly benefit Falls Church High School Athletics.

From our FCHS Orchestra

The FCHS Orchestra Pyramid had our annual Masquerade Concert with the LJ Chamber Orchestra and select 6th graders in the FC pyramid.

Here is a performance of Rosing Eating Zombies by Richard Meyer featuring the FCHS Chamber Orchestra.

From the FCHS Spotlight Theatre Company

seedfolks

 

Falls Church high School Spotlight Theatre Company is offering another performance for interested audience members!  With illustrations from our talented artists and voices from the diverse actors representative of our Falls Church high School student body, you will hear a sweet story of a young Vietnamese girl who wants desperately for the spirit of her dead father to notice her.  As he was a farmer, she decides to plant some seeds in a vacant lot in Cleveland, Ohio.  Her one act prompts her neighbors to plant the seeds of community that transforms their junky lot into a garden of hopes and dreams in this spoken musical.  This show is recommended for ages 12 and up due to some adult content.  Ticket information will be posted on our website at www.fchsdrama.org and on all of our social media platforms before Thanksgiving break!

Follow us on Instagram @fchsspotlighttheatre

Twitter @fctheater

And our facebook page FCHS Drama

Our Illustrated, audio performance will be December 11 and 12 at 7PM. 

Check out our cast and crew members below.  We want to support these talented students by offering the opportunity to send them a SHOUT OUT CARE PACKAGE.  Our concessions stand will be open next week through our website (www.fchsdrama.org).  Send a caring note and a bag of goodies to your favorite FCHS Drama student and they will receive it in time to listen to the production with their families!  Please email Mrs. De Marco at eademarco@fcps.edu if you have any questions.  Show our drama Jags some love!

AJ Anaviza (grade 12)- AMIR

James Benjamin (grade 10)- CURTIS, GONZALO

Daphne Cardozo (grade 11) - MARICELA

Chase Carmody (grade 11)- HOMELESS MAN, 1st KID

Jack Child (grade 12) - WENDELL    

Nathanael Clock (grade 9)- RECEPTIONIST

Mrs. De Marco (ancient)- ANA

Diana Garcia Guiterrez (grade 10)- CONSUELO

Trip Jones (grade 12) -SAM, 3rd PASSENGER

Rudy Jurado (grade 10)- AMERICO

Lucia Ku (grade 11) - SAE YOUNG, HOMELESS WOMAN

Paige Martin (grade 9)- KIM, PENNY

Ella Moore (grade 10) - LATEESHA, GINNY, GIRL

Luis Silva (grade 9) - PHILLIPE, 2nd KID

Lam Vu (grade 9)- ROYCE, 4th KID

Adrienne Watts (grade 12)- LEONA, MOTHER

Zoe Bogan (grade 10)- Stage Manager

Rania Ashoor (grade 11)- poster design and sound crew

Jenny Tran (grade 11)- sound crew

From our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS)

My name is Anna Teeter and I am the Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for the Falls Church Pyramid. If you need support for a student or have concerns you’d like to discuss, please feel free to reach out to me via email at amteeter@fcps.edu or call 571-402-2613.

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness- (571) 423-4270.

Vaping Facts

  • 2018 Fairfax County Youth Survey reported that more than a quarter (27.9%) of students reported vaping at least once in their lifetime:
    • 1% of FCPS eighth grade students
    • 3% FCPS of twelfth grade students
  • The addictive chemical Nicotine was found in 99% of the vape products sold in a Center for Disease Control study.
  • Vaping aerosols include dangerous chemicals, such as heavy metals, cancer causing chemicals, and small particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
  • For more information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/livehealthy/tobacco-free/vape-free-fairfax

This is Quitting

  • “This is Quitting” is a program specifically tailored for Fairfax County adolescents and young adults and sponsored by the Health Department, FCPS, CSB and other community partners.
  • This is a free, anonymous, texting services that helps students set a quit date and receive up to 12 weeks of tailored texts to assist in the quitting process.
  • Get 24/7 on-demand support for cravings, stress, relapse, or requests for more messages.
  • Text in VapeFreeFFX to 88709 to get enrolled.
  • To learn more about the “This is Quitting” program: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/livehealthy/tobacco-free/vape-free-fairfax/quit

2019-2020 Fairfax County Youth Survey

Here are 5 things to know about the 2019-2020 Youth Survey

  1. The prevalence of depressive symptoms continues to increase.
  2. Vaping and alcohol use remain common.
  3. Fruit and vegetable consumption continue to decrease.
  4. Screen time increases while physical activity level drops.
  5. Most students feel safe and supported at school.

Here are some ways to help prevent substance use, promote self-care and healthy coping skills: 

  1. Start the day with a good stretch and/or online exercise (check YouTube for ideas). 
  2. Take mini breaks throughout the day to check-in on your mood. Take a few deep breaths and give yourself a few moments of silence. 
  3. Go outside (keeping distance from others) and take a walk to improve your mood, get sunlight, and fresh air.
  4. Share healthy meals with your family and play games to increase shared experiences, laughs, and identify any concerns. 

To see the results of the youth survey please visit:

New employment opportunity in Fairfax County Public Schools!

FCPS schools and centers will be hiring classroom monitors to provide in-person classroom assistance for students when a staff member remains virtual.  You can apply to work in the Falls Church pyramid and work at one of our local schools.  If you would like more information about the position, please review the job description and qualifications online and apply if interested. Please feel free to share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested.

Job Description

Provides in-person classroom assistance to a school or center assisting a virtual teacher with conducting classroom activities; works with individual and small groups of students; operates technology to include cameras, learning platforms, and learning tools; helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students; provides supervision throughout the school day including in the classroom, halls, lunch, recess, and specials; performs administrative and non-instructional duties, such as keeping daily attendance; and ensures all CDC/safety protocols and procedures (e.g., fire drills) are implemented and followed.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school. Must be comfortable with basic technology equipment/tools; knowledge of and ability to ensure all CDC/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed; and ability to interact effectively with assigned student population.  Pay is paid hourly and the position ends at the end of this school year.

Technology Help @ FCHS

In-person Help: Entrance #2

  • Monday thru Friday
    • 7:00 am - 8:30 am
    • No appointment needed

All other requests, please use the Parent and Student Technology Support portal

Useful Links/Information

FCHS Return to School & Virtual Learning

FCPS Return to School

FCPS Technology Support for Families

FCPS Cares

FCPS Cares

Do you know a Falls Church HS or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.