Late-April Updates
Dear Providence District Families,
Over the past few weeks, I have visited more than a dozen schools around Providence District to see how staff and students are adjusting to the return of in-person learning.
It has been great catching up with principals and teachers as we discuss topics like getting creative to expand in-person learning opportunities, the challenges of concurrent instruction, planning for summer school, and returning to five days a week in-person next fall.
Above all, it has been great seeing students back in their classrooms, eager to be with their classmates and teachers.
This month, our newsletter contains updates on several important topics, including:
- In-Person Learning Updates (Spring/Summer/Fall)
- Revised Fairfax County Budget Includes 2% Teacher/Staff Pay Raise
- 2021 Graduation Updates
- School Trust Policy
- All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra
- Reading Instruction Review
- Rededication of John R. Lewis High School
- COVID-19 Vaccinations for Students
- National Merit Corporate-Sponsored Scholarship Winners
- Music Education Programs Honored
- Resolution Condemning Anti-Asian Racism and Violence
- Audit Committee Applicants Needed
- Upcoming School Board Meetings
Please don’t hesitate to contact me. Hearing your comments, questions, and concerns has been invaluable to my work on the School Board.
 Karl Frisch
Providence District Representative
Fairfax County School Board
Visiting Providence District Schools
In-Person Learning Update
Spring 2021: FCPS has worked to increase in-person learning opportunities for students. As identified using the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), those experiencing the most significant learning challenges began receiving four days of in-person instruction in early April. Many other students who were receiving two days of in-person instruction are now receiving four days as well. This transition looks different at each school because capacity availability varies considerably.
Summer 2021: In-person learning options will be offered at every FCPS school site, serving more than 35,000 students – a ten-fold increase over typical summers. For the first time, FCPS will offer free enrichment programs (Elementary Institute for the Arts, Institute for the Arts, Tech Adventure Camp, and CTE Summer Academy) to students qualifying for FRM. Elementary and middle school offerings include Bridge to Kindergarten, Bridge to First Grade, Young Scholars, Mathematics and Language Arts Acceleration SOAR (ES), IMAGINE (MS). High schools will offer a School-Based Credit Recovery Academy for students who earn a mark of F/NM. Special education programs include Extended School Year (ESY), Recovery Services, and Preschool Autism Class (PAC). English learner supports include SOAR (ES) and IMAGINE (MS), credit recovery and numeracy/literacy essentials (HS), and small group English Language Development (ELD).
Fall 2021: We are looking forward to five days a week of in-person instruction as the primary learning model for all FCPS students during the 2021-22 school year. At the School Board work session on April 20, we unanimously rejected the proposed continuation of concurrent instruction this fall. Superintendent Brabrand will bring the Board an alternate proposal for limited virtual instruction at the work session on May 3. To prepare for a smooth transition to five days in the fall, FCPS is updating bell and bus schedules, expanding outdoor learning capacity, expanding lunch capacity, exploring COVID-19 screening and diagnostic testing pilots, developing master schedules for five days a week of in-person instruction, monitoring health and vaccine updates, reinstating School Age Child Care (SACC) to its before and after school model, discontinuing the use of classroom monitors, sunsetting COVID-related Leaves of Absence (LOA), and more. All employees are expected to report in person.
Revised Fairfax County Budget Includes 2% Teacher/Staff Pay Raise
Today, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider an updated FY22 budget that avoids the pay freezes contemplated in earlier drafts and acts on the School Board’s request for increased pay for teachers and school division staff. The revised budget includes a 2% boost for FCPS employees, funded in part with dollars from the Commonwealth. More details about the updated FY 2022 budget are available here. Final adoption by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for May 4.
Time and again, our educators, custodians, bus drivers, food service workers, and other school staff have met the challenges presented by the pandemic head-on. If adopted, this pay raise will not only demonstrate our gratitude for their tireless dedication, it will also serve an investment in our students and the future of Fairfax County Public Schools. I am thankful the Board of Supervisors and Commonwealth are helping to fund the School Board’s request during these difficult times.
Graduation Ceremonies Update
The Class of 2021 will be celebrated during in-person graduation ceremonies at outdoor venues between May 27 and June 12. The locations were identified based on class size, renovation schedules, and previous dates selected. They include Jiffy Lube Live, individual high school stadiums, and three central high school stadium sites (Fairfax, Woodson, and Hayfield High Schools). Each graduation ceremony will follow the Governor’s orders for graduation capacity and health and safety protocols.
School Trust Policy
Dr. Ricardy Anderson (Mason District) and I have sponsored a proposal to create a “School Trust Policy,” which will be discussed during the School Board Forum meeting on Tuesday, May 4, at 10am. On January 26, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopted the Trust Policy, which prohibits voluntary cooperation by all Fairfax County agencies with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This move was a necessary first step, but without a “School Trust Policy,” we remain limited in our ability to protect students and keep families together. We must increase family confidence in our school system by having a policy that explicitly protects students who access educational opportunities. Our proposal would require the School Board to adopt a policy for FCPS that aligns with Fairfax County’s Trust Policy.
Students Selected for All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra
One hundred eighty-five students from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high schools, including 60 from schools attended by Providence District residents, have been named to the 2021 All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. A combined virtual performance will premiere in late May. Students from throughout Virginia went through a rigorous audition process to compete for spots in the band, chorus, and orchestra. Students selected for these ensembles will rehearse virtually with nationally recognized expert conductors to prepare for their performances. [ADDITIONAL DETAILS]
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Reading Instruction Review
Stella Pekarsky (Sully District) and I have sponsored a proposal to initiate a School Board work session to address persistent gaps in reading, especially among Economically Disadvantaged and English Language Learners, Students with Disabilities, and Asian, Black, and Hispanic students. The proposed work session would include an overview of FCPS’ current reading instruction strategies and testimony from an independent expert in phonics-based reading instruction to ensure we utilize the most up-to-date, research-based approaches and programs. This proposal will be discussed during the School Board Forum meeting on Tuesday, June 22, at 10am.
Rededication of John R. Lewis High School
Last week, FCPS held a rededication ceremony for John R. Lewis High School. The event was attended by Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, Congressman Don Beyer, Congressman Gerry Connolly, Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay, Supervisor Rodney Lusk, and the entire School Board.
School Board Chair Dr. Ricardy Anderson (Mason) took a moment to reflect on the fact the significance of the renaming even resulted in a question on Jeopardy last week: The show asked contestants, “In 2020, Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield, Virginia was renamed for this late Congressman and civil rights icon.” “Who is John R. Lewis?” Dr. Anderson asked. “First and foremost, he was a champion for the marginalized. He was a courageous leader dedicated to challenging injustice and inspiring hope,” she said.
Lewis dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of all Americans during his 17 terms serving as a congressman in Georgia. As a young man, he survived a brutal beating by police during a landmark 1965 march in Selma and became known for his philosophy of “good trouble” activism. Lewis died last July at 80 years of age. [ADDITIONAL DETAILS]
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COVID-19 Vaccinations for Students
FCPS wants to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all students, and we know vaccinations are an essential tool in doing so. Virginia law requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases before attending public school. When Virginia law is updated, FCPS responds to those updates by implementing the new requirements by the deadline provided. Currently, Virginia law does not require students to have the COVID-19 vaccine. 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 Fairfax County, individuals aged 16 and older have open access to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 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. [VACCINE REGISTRATION]
Winners of 2021 National Merit Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships
Thirteen FCPS students have been awarded 2021 corporate-sponsored scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, including an Oakton High School senior. The students are part of a group of more than 1,000 National Merit finalists chosen to receive scholarships financed by corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and can be used at regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities. [ADDITIONAL DETAILS]
Music Education Program Receives National Recognition
FCPS has been named a Best Community for Music Education by the National Association for Music Merchants Foundation. The school division was recognized for its outstanding commitment to and support of music education and its efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, FCPS provided information on funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were reviewed by the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. [ADDITIONAL DETAILS]
Resolution Condemning Anti-Asian Racism and Violence
Over the past year, hate crimes against the Asian American and the Asian Pacific Islander (AA/API) community have increased by more than 150% across the country. Women, children, and senior citizens have been targeted the most. The School Board recently adopted a resolution condemning Anti-Asian racism and violence, committing the school system to support students who may experience anti-Asian racism in school or the broader community. [ADDITIONAL DETAILS]
Seeking Applicants for the School Board Audit Committee
The Fairfax County School Board is seeking applications from community members interested in serving on the School Board Audit Committee. Applications will be accepted from April 19 to 30. Applicants must reside within the boundaries of Fairfax County or Fairfax City. The Board will be appointing one committee member for a term ending June 30, 2023. [ADDITIONAL DETAILS]
Upcoming School Board Meetings
- Monday, May 3, 1pm: Work Session (In-Person Learning Update)
- Tuesday, May 4, 10am: Forum (Strategic Program Review, School Trust Policy)
- Tuesday, May 4, 11 am: Work Session (Budget, SR&R)
- Thursday, May 6, 7 pm: Regular Meeting
Meeting agendas and handouts can be found on BoardDocs. Meetings are broadcast on Channel 99 (Cox, Comcast) or 11 (Verizon) and live-streamed on the FCPS website. Recordings of meetings are archived on the Fairfax County Public School YouTube channel.
Office Hours
If you would like to schedule a Zoom or phone meeting with me, submit a request here.
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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