Hello Springfield District!

What a joy it has been to be able to visit our schools this month and finally get to see them full of bright shining faces and smiles (behind masks of course)! Thank you to the staff at Silverbrook ES, West Springfield ES, Cherry Run ES, Fairview ES, White Oaks ES, and Greenbriar East ES, who have all welcomed me this month. I look forward to visiting Oak View ES, Fairfax HS, and Lanier Middle schools this week. I so appreciate having the opportunity to get to talk with our Principals, APs, teachers and staff, and our students to learn more about all the good work happening in our schools. 

I know everyone is anxious to hear further details about our plans for next fall (count this mom of two FCPS kiddos among those eagerly awaiting specifics!). I’m excited to learn more about what Dr. Brabrand and the leadership team are working on to ensure all of our children are able to attend in-person 5 days a week while providing alternate opportunities for those students who are unable to attend in person for medical or social-emotional reasons. I remain committed to working together to ensure that concurrent learning is not our default option here in FCPS. We will be learning more about the fall plans in our next work session on May 3rd at 1 pm.

I hope you and your family have been able to enjoy a little sunshine in these past few weeks and that you and your loved ones are taking advantage of the vaccine if you are able. I am so grateful to everyone who has volunteered their time to administer the vaccine here in our county and around the country. After a year apart, finally getting to hug my niece was a true light in so much darkness this past year. May the coming weeks and months provide more opportunities for connection for all of us.

All my best (always)-

Laura Jane

This newsletter includes information on the following issues:

• Upcoming School Board Meetings
• School Board Work
• FCPS & Community News
• Student Essay Contest
• Senior Spotlight
• Scholarship Information
• Graduation Dates
• Summer Learning
• Fall Return to School
• Family Supports
• Springfield District Happenings

Upcoming School Board Meetings

• May 3 at 1 pm - Virtual Work Session: Return to School Update
• May 4 at 11 am - Virtual Work Session: FY22 Budget and Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) 
• May 6 at 7 pm -  *Hybrid Regular Meeting: FY22 Approved Budget, Proposed 2021 School Bond Referendum, etc.
• May 11 at 6 pm - Virtual Budget Public Hearing
• May 12 at 6 pm - Virtual Budget Public Hearing (if needed)
• May 18 at 6 pm - Virtual Committee Reports Work Session: Foundation for Applied Technical Education (FATE) and Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC)
• May 20 at 7 pm - *Hybrid Regular Meeting: FY 22 Approve Budget
• May 25 at 6 pm - Virtual Committee Reports Work Session: Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD), School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), and Human Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC)\

*Effective November 5, 2020, the School Board returned to in-person Regular Meetings at Luther Jackson Middle School.

The meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and the FCPS website. The meeting will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube page.

Visit the citizen participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Resolution to Condemn Anti-Asian Racism

Over the past year hate crimes against the Asian American and the Asian Pacific Islander (AA/API) community have increased by over 150% across the country.  Women, children and senior citizens have been targeted the most.  The School Board adopted a resolution condemning Anti-Asian racism and committing the school system to support our students who may experience anti-Asian racism in school or the broader community. 

FY 2022 Budget

As is the tradition, the Fairfax County School Board Chair was the first speaker at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors first public hearing on the county executive’s Proposed FY 2022 Advertised Budget Plan on April 13. Some of the key points from Dr. Anderson’s presentation include:

• FCPS’ FY 2022 Advertised Budget is fiscally responsible and based on the most pressing needs of our system.

• Fully funding the budget is critical to providing students with the increased academic and social-emotional support brought on by the pandemic.

• A 3% requested compensation increase will recognize the extraordinary dedication of FCPS staff, who have gone above and beyond in supporting students and families this past year. 

Here is a video of Dr. Anderson's, our School Board chair, speech to the Board of Supervisors regarding the budget. It sums up our budget needs/ask for 2021-22!

Update About Use of Post-Pandemic Funding

Curious about post pandemic funding? Detailed information will be provided at the May 4, 2021 School Board budget work session. April CARES ESSER CRF Updates.

Public Comment Process

The School Board held a Work Session on April 6, 2021 to discuss changes to the public comment process at Regular School Board Meetings.  We know that many members of the public are interested in sharing their perspective with the School Board and the community and the Public Engagement Committee, and the rest of the School Board is working to make changes to broaden these opportunities.

Reissuing of Transcripts and Diplomas- Forum Follow Up

Transcripts

A review of DOE and VDOE websites for guidance on altering student alumni records, provided the following guidance for transcripts related to school name. 

Superintendent’s Memo #1333-18 Subject: Secondary School Transcript Guidance for School Divisions May 21, 2018 https://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2018/133-18.shtml

“The secondary school transcript is limited to secondary courses, and as such, the information contained in the transcript should be limited to student information, including attendance, for the years that the student was enrolled in secondary-level coursework. Also, the names of the schools attended on the secondary school transcript should reflect the name of the school at the time the student attended. “

It has always been the practice of FCPS to preserve records as they existed at the time of creation. Student records are created in the course of everyday business of a public agency, thus making them public records, although protected public records.  It is illegal to alter public records and it is cited in many U.S. codes, but is not exclusively stated in the Virginia Public Records Act. 

In the case of a gender change, however, the new regulation allows for alumni records to be updated and FCPS is already following this guidance and has altered alumni records for this year. 

Changing existing transcripts for schools that have undergone a name change is counter to VDOE guidance. FCPS does not alter transcripts for this reason which is consistent with a large nearby school district’s practice.,

Diplomas

Students who have undergone a gender change can request a replacement Diploma with their new name using the process outlined below.

For alumni of schools that have changed names, if so requested, FCPS can order a replacement diploma through our vendor with the new school name. 

Process for Requesting Updated Transcripts and replacement Diplomas for Alumni having undergone a Gender Changes

The amendment and update process for former students requesting updated transcripts and replacement diplomas is already established for alumni who have undergone a gender change.  They are required to submit a letter requesting the change to IT Document Management.  (For students who have been out of FCPS for more than 5 years.)  For students who have been out of FCPS less than 5 years, they need to go back to their former school and request the amendment from the school.  As for the replacement diploma, the schools can do that or refer the request to IT Document Management. https://fairfaxva.scriborder.com/applicationDiploma

FCPS and Community News

FCPS Earns Best Communities for Music Education Award "We use music to say things we could never say with words" by Andrea Bocelli. Feb. 7, 2018 The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) has awarded FCPS the title of 2021 Best Communities for Music Education.  FCPS is one of several school districts that received the award nationwide. Read more.

2021 Congressional Art Competition

Enter for a chance to have your artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol!

All entries are exhibited at The Workhouse Arts Center. 

Categories Include:

Painting, Drawing, Collage, Mixed Media, Prints, Computer Generated Art, and Photography

Entry Deadline: Friday, April 30, 2021

• Students can submit up to two art pieces this year, and it does not have to be artwork specifically for this competition – they can submit any piece which they previously created.
• Please have participating students complete the following: https://forms.gle/J48xA9i2ocNtSnPTA to let us know which district office they would like to drop off their artwork. And if students need further assistance in planning to drop off their artwork, please let my office know.
• Submitted pieces will be displayed in the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia. This exhibit will be open to the public and will adhere to the Workhouse Arts Center’s COVID-19 safety protocols. The display will be up from May 5th, 2021 to May 16th, 2021.
• We will be hosting our art competition reception online this year on Saturday, May 8th at 11am. During this reception we will announce the winners of this year’s competition. The top three winners would receive a scholarship from ARTSFAIRFAX: 1st - $500; 2nd - $300; 3rd - $200
• Register for Congressman Connolly's Virtual Art Competition Reception.
• Additionally, we will be hosting our art competition reception online this year on Saturday, May 8th at 11am. If you have any questions please visit Congressman Connolly’s website.

April Is Arab American Heritage Month  FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the remarkable history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. To support teachers and school divisions to that end, FCPS Social Studies, in collaboration with a group of community stakeholders and educators across subject areas, developed a new Google site: Planning for Arab American Heritage Month. Teachers and school leaders will find ideas for classroom learning experiences across content areas and grade levels, as well as details on upcoming virtual events.

April is Autism Awareness Month “In a world where you can be anything, be kind” is a statement associated with exhibiting kindness to people of all circumstances and abilities. During Autism Awareness Month, which is recognized in April, the Autism Society of America promotes its “Celebrate Differences” Campaign.  This year, the Autism Society is formally shifting references of Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month. They are doing so to promote change, have a greater understanding and acceptance of people with autism and encourage a kinder, more inclusive community. “Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today.” AutismSpeaks.org

April Is Month of the Military Child Military-connected youth face unique circumstances living the military lifestyle. By understanding the lifestyle of military-connected youth we can better meet their needs as they transition with their family members who serve our nation. Currently over 14,000 military-connected youth call FCPS home. Each year, our nation designates April as the Month of the Military Child to recognize and thank children from military families for the sacrifices they make living the military lifestyle.

NOVA JumpStart Program for Graduating Seniors

Northern Virginia Community College will offer a selection of online, tuition-free courses to Northern Virginia graduating seniors. After meeting placement requirements, students will have the opportunity to take a maximum of two courses with the understanding that there may be textbooks or other material fees associated with courses. Students will need access to a computer and the internet.

Important dates

• JumpStart applications will open April 5, 2021 and close April 30, 2021
• Classes will run from June 1, 2021 till August 9, 2021

Please contact your counselor about the JumpStart Summer Program.

Below you will find a list of 15 Scholarship Programs that will give out more than 1000 Individual Scholarship Awards during the 2021 school year.

Scholarship Deadlines for: April 30th to June 30th, 2021

1) AMVETS National Scholarships - $4,000 – 9 Awards (Deadline: April 30, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be a deserving high school senior or high school JROTC student.
2. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in the Fall of 2021.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/27258/amvets-national-scholarships

2) Fortuna Scholarship - $1,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: April 30, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be at least 13 years old and enrolled or will enroll in a college or university in the US.
2. You must be a legal resident of the U.S. or Puerto Rico.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/33040/1000-fortuna-scholarship

3) National Healthcare Heroes Grant for Nurses - $1,000 – 1 Award (Deadline: May 1, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be planning on becoming a nurse.
2. Be in Grade 12 or higher and accepted for enrollment in the Fall of 2021.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/35438/national-healthcare-heroes-grant-for-nurses

4) Paradigm Challenge Scholarship - $100,000 - 100 Awards (Deadline: May 1, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be 18 years or younger.
2. Demonstrate a solution to a real-life problem using kindness, creativity, and collaboration.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/30370/the-paradigm-challenge

5) Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship - $10,000 – 6 Awards (Deadline: May 5, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be a legal resident of the 50 U.S. states or District of Columbia as of August 5, 2021 and be 18 or older as of August 5, 2021
2. Have a declared major of biology, chemistry, bio-chemistry or a related life science field.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/31484/thermo-fisher-scientific-antibody-scholarship

6) Impact Scholarship for Black Students - $2,550 - 1 Award (Deadline: May 11, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be a Black student who excels at dreaming big and starting small while building their vision for the future.
2. Be 16 years of age or older and be enrolled in college or registered in a high school.

Applications can be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/35437/impact-scholarship-for-black-students

7) NAGE Scholarship - $500 – 100 Awards (Deadline: May 14, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be planning to attend or already be attending a two or four-year college, graduate, trade or technical school.
2. Be a member of NAGE, IBPO, IBCO, or IAEP, or be the member's spouse, child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or significant other.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/30992/nage-scholarship

8) NC Scholarships - $2,000 - 12 Awards (Deadline: May 31, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be currently enrolled as a high school senior or a student enrolled at an accredited college or university located within the United States.
2. Have a GPA of at least 2.5.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/36026/nc-scholarship

9) Full Circle Scholarship - $15,000 - 650 Awards (Deadline: May 31, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen eligible to attend college in the U.S.
2. Be enrolled in a certificate, associates, bachelors, or graduate program by the Fall of 2021.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/27313/full-circle-scholarship

10) SP High School Scholarship - $10,000 - 10 Awards (Deadline: May 31, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be a high school student planning to attend college in September 2021.
2. Answer the Essay question on the sponsors website.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/31068/sp-scholarship

11) SILA Foundation Scholarships - $1,000 – 10 Awards (Deadline: May 31, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better.
2. Be pursuing a course of study in Business administration, Education, Finance or accounting, Insurance studies, Marketing or Mathematics.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/33465/sila-foundation-scholarships

12) AGC Workforce Development Scholarships - $1,000 - 100 Awards (Deadline: June 1, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Plan to attend a technical school or approved craft training program in any discipline of construction.
2. Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/30550/agc-workforce-development-scholarships

13) Got a Spine Scholarship - $500 - 1 Award (Deadline: June 2, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be attending college or university no later than October of 2021.
2. Have achieved a GPA of 2.5 or greater during their last academic year.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/28302/got-a-spine-scholarship

14) Girls Impact the World Scholarship Awards - $5,000 – 12 Awards (Deadline: June 15, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be attending high school or enrolled in an undergraduate program.
2. Be 25 years of age or younger at the time of application.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/31730/girls-impact-the-world-scholarship-awards

15) Scholarship Buddy - $1,000 - 10 Awards (Deadline: June 30, 2021)

To be eligible for the scholarship a student must:

1. Be a current senior in High School and a legal resident of the United States.
2. Be enrolled or expected to be enrolled by the Fall of 2021.

Applications can be found by going to:

https://scholarshipbuddy.com/scholarships

*Receive the  Weekly Scholarship Newsletter.

The Northern Virginia Business and Professional Women's Club is again offering its 2021 College Scholarship Program to a female student of African American descent living in and graduating from a high school in the Northern Virginia counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, or Prince William.  

The Club awards college scholarships annually in amounts from $500 to $1,000.  Awards are based primarily upon both academic and financial needs.  All completed applications and supporting documents must be submitted by May 22, 2021. 

Students should send completed applications and documents to the following email address: novabpwscholarships@gmail.com 

Selected finalists will be notified of acceptance and must attend a virtual award presentation ceremony on June 27, 2021.

Graduation Dates

Quander Road School: Thursday, May 27th, 3:30 p.m. at Quander Road School

Pulley Center: Friday, May 28th, 10:30 a.m. at West Potomac High School

Fairfax High School: Tuesday, June 1st,  9:00 a.m. at Fairfax High School

*Rain Date: Wednesday, June 2nd, 9:00 a.m. at Fairfax High School

West Springfield High School: Tuesday, June 1st, 9:30 a.m. at Jiffy Lube Live

Lewis High School: Tuesday, June 1st, 6:00 p.m. at Lewis High School

*Rain Date: Wednesday, June 2nd, 6:00 p.m. at Lewis High School

Mount Vernon High School: Wednesday, June 2nd, 9:00 a.m. at Mount Vernon High School

*Rain Date: Thursday, June 3rd, 6:00 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School

Woodson High School: Wednesday, June 2nd, 9:00 a.m. at Woodson High School

*Rain Date: Thursday, June 3rd, 9:00 a.m. at Woodson High School

Chantilly High School: Wednesday, June 2nd, 7:30 p.m. at Jiffy Lube Live

Davis Center: Friday, June 4th, 10:00 a.m. in the Marshall High School auditorium

Thomas Jefferson HSST: Saturday, June 5th 9:00 a.m. at Woodson High School

*Rain Date: Saturday, June 12th, 9:00 a.m. at Woodson High School

Lake Braddock Secondary School: Thursday, June 10th, 9:30 a.m. at Jiffy Lube Live

South County High School: Thursday, June 10th, 2:00 p.m. at Jiffy Lube

Centreville High School: Friday, June 11th, 9:30 a.m. at Jiffy Lube Live

Robinson Secondary School: Friday, June 11th at 2:00 p.m. at Jiffy Lube Live

Summer Recovery Services FCPS will be providing expanded options this summer to address some of the difficulties that students have had.  We will learn more about these options at our next Return to School Work Session on April 20th.  In the meantime, I know there is some confusion so I wanted to highlight one recovery option for some of our students with disabilities, the Summer Recovery Academy.  Recovery Services are available to students with disabilities whose teams determined there remains a significant educational impact due to the COVID-19 school closure and the virtual learning this school year. Recovery Services are designed to address learning gaps and are determined by IEP teams.  These services are separate from Extended School Year Services and from our programming for general education students. A child can receive recovery services during the summer or even during the school year. You may reach out to your child’s principal or counselor if you think your child might need recovery services. For more information on summer programming, please see the Return to School Presentation.

Register Now for E-IFTA and IFTA Summer Enrichment Programs

Registration is now open for the Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) Summer enrichment programs. All students are eligible for these opportunities. Elementary Institute for the Arts (for rising 3rd through 6th graders) and Institute for the Arts (for rising 7th through 12th graders) will be held July 6-30 at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Classes are offered every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. Both programs have fees, waivers are available for students eligible for free and reduced meals.  

For more information or to register, visit the Summer Learning webpage.

Thinkabit Summer Camp

If your student enjoys inventing or has an idea for an app that they’ve wanted to develop, the Qualcomm Thinkabit Summer Camp is the perfect place for them! This summer’s camp will be held virtually and all materials will be provided free of charge.

Any current 5th, 6th, or 7th grader in the Fairfax Pyramid is invited to attend. Have your student fill out this form using their FCPS Google account: https://forms.gle/JRYvBhtNLz5pAMDFA  The deadline to register is April 30.

Planning for “5 in Fall” Underway We are looking forward to in-person instruction as the primary mode of learning for all FCPS students during the 2021-22 school year.  Plans were presented to FCPS’ School Board at a Work Session on Tuesday, April 20. The presentation covered health and safety updates, fourth quarter review, a summer learning preview, planning for fall 2021, and community outreach. View the presentation. More information will be posted as it becomes available on the fall 2021 planning webpage. The Commonwealth of Virginia has made it a legal requirement for all school divisions to offer five days of in-person instruction for all students in the fall via Senate Bill 1303. The CDC expects all schools to offer in-person instruction in the fall. FCPS believes that in-person learning is best for all students and is working towards that goal in fall. FCPS anticipates more changes in guidance before school resumes in August, which we anticipate should help align our goal to see all students return 5 days in-person with health guidelines. FCPS is planning now for a successful transition in the fall: addressing transportation and lunch; ordering tents; conducting screening and diagnostic testing pilots; creating master schedules; minimizing concurrent learning opportunities. Virtual learning options will be very limited and will be the exception.

Questions About FCPS COVID-19 Vaccinations for Students

FCPS wants to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all students, and we know vaccinations are an important tool in doing so.

• The Code of Virginia requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases prior to entrance into FCPS. The Code of Virginia is updated accordingly, and FCPS responds to those updates by implementing the new requirements by the deadline provided. 

• At this time, and in compliance with the existing requirements, students are not required to have the COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued emergency authorization only for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use by individuals 16 years and older. 

• In Virginia, individuals aged 16-18 years will opened access to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine beginning April 18, 2021. While research is ongoing, as of the writing of this update, the FDA has not authorized any COVID-19 vaccinations for use by those younger than 16.

Family Resources

Meal Kit Sites Moved to Monday Distribution Starting April 19

Many FCPS Grab and Go food distribution sites have switched this month from daily food pickup to weekly Fairfax Meal Kit distribution. Fairfax Meal Kits contain seven days of breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and supper items packed in bulk.

On Monday, April 19, all meal kit sites permanently moved to a Monday distribution day. Hours remain 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or until supplies are exhausted. Grab and Go locations and bus routes remain the same. Go to the food distribution webpage for more information.

Supports for Families With Religious or Cultural Observances During Scheduled Spring Assessments

Standards of Learning (SOL) exams are scheduled throughout April, May, and June, and Advanced Placement (AP) exams are scheduled in May. Even though schools try to avoid scheduling conflicts, staff control over testing dates is often limited.

In some cases, a student’s exams may fall during a religious or cultural observance. FCPS welcomes and encourages the parents and guardians of students affected by this type of scheduling conflict to engage with school staff. School staff will work with parents and guardians to make schedule adjustments or determine how best to address students’ needs.

If you have a student whose spring SOL or AP exams conflict with a religious or cultural observance for your family, notify the school to take advantage of possible scheduling options. View more about FCPS’ approach to supporting student assessments during religious and cultural observances.

MOMNetwork, LLC Celebrating Ramadan and need support? Ramadan began on April 12, 2021. During this time, Muslims will be fasting for 29 to 30 days between sunrise to sunset. Several organizations will be providing free food, programs for families, service projects, and so much more. We've designed a list of resources.  If you are interested in submitting or benefiting from any of these resources, contact us at info@momnetworkusa.com or 703-579-7149.  Visit us at www.momnetworkusa.com.

The Special Education Process: How It Works The FCPS Special Education Handbook for Parents includes details on how the special education process works. This process occurs sequentially, over a period of time, with each step building upon the previous step(s). It is important for parents to understand how the special education process works so they can effectively participate and collaborate with school staff members to make appropriate decisions regarding their child’s educational needs. Parents are an integral part of the decision-making team. More information on the special education process is available online.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. While no one knows for sure what causes eating disorders, a growing consensus suggests that it is a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Eating disorders are not fads or phases, and can have serious consequences for health, productivity, and relationships.Eating disorders can develop or re-emerge at any age. Eating disorder specialists are reporting an increase in the diagnosis of children, some as young as five or six. Many eating disorder sufferers report that their thoughts and behaviors started much earlier than anyone realized, sometimes even in early childhood. Although most people report the onset of their eating disorder in their teens and young adulthood, there is some evidence that people are being diagnosed at younger ages.In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed eating disorder documents with detailed information to be provided to parents and guardians of Fairfax County Public Schools. The letter and fact sheet have been translated and posted on the following webpage: http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/ssse/translations/dss-healthmedical.htm.

Additional resources may be found at:

• Academy for Eating Disorders (AED)  https://www.aedweb.org/ 
• Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (F.E.A.S.T.) www.feast-ed.org 
• National Eating Disorders Association www.nationaleatingdisorders.org. Toll free, confidential Helpline, 1-800-931-2237 

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are conditions that can have a serious effect on health.  They are serious behaviors that affect every aspect of the child’s life.  Eating disorders may be identified based on weight changes, but also based on behaviors and attitudes.  Be alert for any of these signs in your child.

Key things to look for around food:

• Eating a lot of food that seems out of control (large amounts of food may disappear; you find a lot of empty wrappers hidden)
• Develops food rules—may eat only a particular food or food group, cuts food into very small pieces, or spreads food out on the plate
• Talks a lot about, or focuses often, on weight, food, calories, fat grams, and dieting
• Often says that they are not hungry
• Skips meals or takes small portions of food at regular meals
• Cooks meals or treats for others but won’t eat them
• Avoids mealtimes or situations involving food
• Goes to the bathroom after meals often
• Uses a lot of mouthwash, mints, and/or gum
• Starts cutting out foods that he or she used to enjoy

Key things to look for around activity:

• Exercises all the time, more than what is healthy or recommended – despite weather, lack of energy, illness, or injury
• Stops doing their regular activities, spends more time alone (can be spending more time exercising)

Physical Risk Factors:

• Feels cold all the time or complains of being tired all the time. Likely to become more irritable and/or nervous.
• Any vomiting after eating (or see signs in the bathroom of vomiting – smell, clogged shower drain)

Any use of laxatives or diuretics (or you find empty packages)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health

Parents Matter

Parents, while it’s true that your child is developing, and part of that development includes placing more importance on peer relationships, you still matter a great deal to your child and their continued healthy development. The Fairfax County Youth Survey (FCYS) provides invaluable information about what parents can do to support students’ development. The FCYS identifies six assets that lead to greater success outcomes. The six assets are:

• Having Parents Available for Help

• Participating in After School Activities

• Having Community Adults to Talk to

• Accepting Responsibility for Actions

• Having Teachers Recognize Good Effort

• Having Family Members Respect Each Other

Students who have three or more of these assets are significantly less likely to use alcohol or drugs and they are significantly less sad and hopeless, which can often fuel substance use. In addition to assets, your attitudes about alcohol and drug use matter to students. The data shows that parents who believe alcohol and drug use are wrong or very wrong and share that belief with their child have children who are less likely to use drugs or alcohol. What you share with you children matters and developing a relationship built on respect and communication matters!

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

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is still providing general mental health and substance abuse services. Their information can be found on the Fairfax-Falls Church CSB webpage.

Student Voice: Bria - Sometimes, it's the Little Things

FCPS student Bria wants parents to know that sometimes it’s the little things, such as letting your child know you are there for them, that make all the difference in dealing with pandemic challenges. Watch the video.

Vaping Initiative

The Fairfax County Health Department, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and Fairfax County Public Schools have partnered to implement the Truth Initiative’s This is Quitting program.  This is Quitting is a teen and young adult-focused vaping cessation text messaging program based on the best scientific evidence from the tobacco cessation literature.  For more information visit the Vape-Free Fairfax website.

Parent Resource Center and Upcoming Free Webinars

COVID-19 Vaccines and the Vaccination Process in Fairfax County: A Webinar for Families

The FCPS Parent Resource Center is offering a webinar for families with important updates about COVID-19 and the vaccines that have been developed to help prevent the disease on Tuesdays May from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Topics will include: COVID-19 impacts (health, economic, education) The vaccine Community immunity: What is it and How do we get there? Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines—how they work and their effectiveness Safety of vaccines Vaccination process: Eligibility and how to register o Tuesday May 4: Register for the session in Vietnamese o Tuesday May 11: Register for the session in Korean o Tuesday May 18: Register for the session in Arabic Note: Sessions are subject to change or cancellation based on the number of registrations. Registration is available online. This session is also available in other languages.   Supporting Your Child’s Wellness Through Health and Physical Education  Every day we make decisions that impact our health and wellness. Health and Physical Education provides students with the knowledge and skills to make healthy decisions. Join us to explore the curriculum and learn how to support your child in the Health and PE Program.   This webinar will focus on: Exploring K-12 Health and Physical Education Program  Engaging reluctant students Encouraging Your Student to Make Healthy Choices Throughout the Summer  Friday May 7, 2021 10 - 11:30 a.m. Register for Supporting Your Child’s Wellness Through Health and Physical Education    SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, Virtual Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to: Meet other siblings in a relaxed, virtual setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs. Share sibling experiences and receive peer support. Play games and have fun! Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services Saturday, May 15, 2021 Two time-slots are available:  10 a.m. or 1 p.m.  Sessions run 1-1.5 hours Register for SibShops   How to Talk to Your Children About Body Safety There are a lot of important conversations that we need to have with our kids, and how we treat our body and allow others to treat it, is one of them.  It can be challenging to figure out where to begin and what is age-appropriate.  This webinar is about how to talk to our kids about body safety and a program that you can utilize to support your effort.  Join us to learn more about the following: Program Overview: Body Safety Education Program for children Parent/Caregiver Body Safety Tips What to Look Out For, Potential Signs of Abuse What Can I do as a Safe Adult? Resources for Families Friday May 21, 2021 10 - 11:30 a.m. Presented by Francesca Watson, Body Safety Program Coordinator, Fairfax County Department of Family Services. Register for How to Talk to Your Children About Body Safety   Parent to Parent: Surviving and Thriving During a Second COVID-19 Summer Are you searching for peer support, advice, encouragement, and resources? This webinar will offer families opportunities to learn from each other as they grow in their parenting skills. Parents build their own sense of competence and power by building relationships and connecting with other parents who share common experiences, successes, and challenges.  Discussion Highlights: Parent to parent connection Self-care for kids Navigating decisions and establishing stability in uncertainty (or maybe “sanity” is a better word than stability!) Making plans and creating family fun in the unknown Join Mary Elizabeth Fleming, Fairfax County Department of Family Services, and FCPS Parent Resource Center Staff for this important webinar.  Thursday May 27, 2021 10 - 11:30 a.m. and 6:30- 8 p.m. Register for Parent to Parent: Surviving and Thriving During a Second COVID-19 Summer   Connect with the Parent Resource Center!

Healthy Minds Podcast: ‘Speak Up; Be Safe’ During Child Abuse Awareness Month

In the most recent episode of the Healthy Minds podcast, join Francesca Watson, the Fairfax County Department of Family Services’ Body Safety Program coordinator, and Lori Harkin Huse, school social worker at London Towne Elementary School, as they discuss how adults can engage in important conversations with children about body safety.

Hear about boundaries, choices, big feelings, mandatory reporting, the impacts of trauma, and adverse childhood experiences during this powerful podcast. More information and resources about the Body Safety Program are available online. 

Healthy Minds Resources:

• How You Can Build and Support Stronger Families.

Springfield District Happenings

The Chantilly High School Cheerleading Team competed in the State Meet On April 10th and finished as Runner-Up in the State for 6A. Congratulations to the team and coaches on their performances this year!

The Chantilly High School Forensics Team placed second at the State Forensics Tournament recently. Cheers to Tyler Hicks for his first-place finish in Humorous Duo!   Recognitions go to the Chantilly Chargers who competed in the Virtual State Science Olympiad Tournament and medaled in eleven categories! The team also won the fifth-place trophy for their overall performance at the Tournament.  The fifth-place trophy winners include Aaryaman Bhute, Rithwik Erabelly, Alex Pyo, Meghana Vasireddy, and Willa Xun. Individual Category Medal Winners include: Rithwik Erabelly - fourth place in Astronomy and third place in Dynamic Planet Meghana Vasireddy - third place in Dynamic Planet and second place in Geological Mapping Willa Xun - sixth place in Forensics and fourth place in Protein Modeling

Congratulations to the Lake Braddock Bruins Debate Team who recently participated in the Super Regional Debate Tourney.  Among the winners are: Lincoln Douglas Debate: Sean Burdett placed 4th and will advance to the State Tournament. Student Congress:  Aidan Chomicki, placed 3rd and will advance to States. Aneshwa Choudhury, placed 13th and is the Super Region's 1st Alternate to States. Caley Nee, placed 12th and will advance to States. Caleb Sharman, placed 7th and will advance to States. Way to go Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Odyssey of the Mind! Teams placed at the recent awards ceremony for the Virginia statewide tournament.  The combined Lake Braddock/TJHSST/Homeschool 7/8/10 grade team, including Ella Ridgway,  placed 2nd overall in their division and 3rd highest raw score.  The Lake Braddock 7/8 grade team placed 2nd overall in their division and 1st in spontaneous problem-solving. The middle school team members included Jenna Nelson and Grace Sanchez.

Shout out to Liberty Middle School engineering student, Katelyn Bragg who was selected to attend the Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST) program at Virginia Tech this summer. BLAST is an all-expenses paid 4 day college immersion program in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)!

Girl Scouts Provide Educators at Lanier MS with a Sweet Surprise Tammara Hannah, principal at Lanier Middle School, was pleasantly surprised when Lauren Bauer, membership specialist, Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, notified her of an initiative with the local Girl Scout troop to have cookies donated for educators. Lauren dropped off 96 boxes of cookies for teachers. Through the Samoa Love for Teachers program, Girl Scouts in the greater Washington region sold 50,000 boxes of cookies that were specifically designated to be donated to their local school systems. It’s rumored that all FCPS schools will get this sweet surprise this spring! Learn more about the Somoa Love program.

2020-21 Regional Outstanding Employee Awards I am thrilled to recognize the awesome work of the following Region 4 and Region 5 staff members who received Outstanding Employee Awards! Region 4 Kerry Peerman - Outstanding New Principal,  Halley Elementary School Dr. Daniel Smith - Outstanding Principal, Lake Braddock Secondary School Allison Jankovich - Outstanding School-Based Leader, Sangster Elementary School Olivia Dowd - Outstanding New Elementary Teacher, Ravensworth Elementary School Sarah Temple - Outstanding New Secondary Teacher, South County High School Merri Joy Hrabak - Outstanding Elementary Teacher, Rolling Valley Elementary School Jenny Hay - Outstanding Secondary Teacher, South County Middle School Wanda Talford - Outstanding Operational Employee, Burke School Amy Resquin - Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee, Centreville Elementary School   Region 5 Dr. Diane Leipzig - Outstanding New Principal, Canterbury Woods Elementary School Dr. Tammara Hanna - Outstanding Principal, Lanier Middle School Kathryn Teague - Outstanding School-Based Leader, Lanier Middle School Catherine Ly - Outstanding New Elementary Teacher, Olde Creek Elementary School Anson Yan - Outstanding New Secondary Teacher, Stone Middle School Stephanie Crump - Outstanding Elementary Teacher, Canterbury Woods Elementary School Rob Hornfeck - Outstanding Secondary Teacher, Lanier Middle School Ana Maxey - Outstanding Operational Employee, Dunn Loring Center Margaret Sisler - Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee, Westfield High School

Quick Links:

• School Board Meeting Recordings
• School Board Information
• COVID-19 Dashboard.
• Return to School: Your Questions Answered. 

• 2020-21 Standard School Year Calendar.

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information. 
• Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools. 
• FCPS Cares. 

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

E-mail: Laura Jane Cohen  |  Phone: 571-423-1080

Stephanie Sheridan, Executive Admin Assistant,
571-423-1065, srsheridan@fcps.edu