This Week at Frost - May 7, 2021

This Week in Review

We Love Teachers

 

Greetings Frost Middle School,

What a wonderful time we had at Frost this week! I would like to first thank our amazing parent community for the incredible outpouring of love and support shown for our faculty and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week! The faculty and staff are raving about the gift card drawing and the massive snack room! We always know the Frost community supports and loves our folks, but it awesome to see it live and in living color! Thank YOU!

Snacks

 

We are officially in our testing season now. For the next three Mondays our students, who have chosen to do so, will have the opportunity to show what they have learned during this year.

Please remind your student not to stress about the assessment this year, just try their best. There are no negative ramifications for students. Testing will simply be used to gauge what students have learned and what teachers can work on with students the following year. There have been a few e-mails that have gone out over the past week with all of the relevant information concerning testing. In addition, students are being provided with information during Falcon Focus today. If your child is testing and you are dropping him or her off and picking them up, please be patient and plan ahead because our kiss and ride lines can be quite long.

If you child’s testing location finishes before noon, we will allow students to call home to be picked up earlier. If your child has a cell phone, they will call or text you directly to be picked up. Once you are on campus, you can call and/or text them back to let them know, then they will be released to you. The same procedure goes for students who walk home. They should call to let you know they are finished testing before being released to walk home.

Finally, I want to wish all of the mothers and mothers-in-kind a Happy Mother’s Day! I know that the job of a mom is thankless and has been especially tough during the pandemic. You have had to do it all and I’m hoping that you are able to celebrate with your family this weekend!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! As always, “We are #ONEFrost!”

 

All the best, 

Anthony

 

Upcoming Dates - Mark Your Calendars

 

May 10                    Reading SOL for 7th and 8th Graders

May 11                    Updated PTA Meeting at 7:30 pm-

• Guest link:

https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/d5db73ab9a1a41c9b2947d14f051c0f3

 

May 17                    Science SOL Date for 8th Graders Only

May 24                    Math SOLs (ALL Math Courses) for 7th and 8th Graders

May 31                    Memorial Day Holiday- No School or Check- in for students

June 8                     New-Virtual Synchronous Learning for All Students- Election Day

June 11                   Last Day of School- 2 Hour Early Release

  • The calendar will be updated with additional dates for parent/community events as they become available.

In Other News....

 

SOL Testing

We will conduct SOL testing on May 10 and 24 for 7th and 8th grade and on May 17 for 8th grade only.  Students who are testing in person must arrive at school by 7:20am.  Parents can pick their students up between 11:00 and 12:00. 

Students who have selected bus transportation should have received bus stop and pick-up information.  Buses will depart school at 12:00 noon. 

SOL Prep

Please have students restart and charge their laptops Sunday night in preparation for Monday’s SOLs.  They should bring both their laptop and charger to school for testing. 

For students who have not been assigned FCPSon laptops one will be waiting for them in their testing location.

For questions, please contact Ms. Debbie Metzker at dlmetzker@fcps.edu.

 

High School Course-Summer Opportunities and Transcript Updates

 

Credit Recovery Summer Program – Algebra 1

  • Only students currently enrolled in Algebra 1 are eligible to take the course this summer.
  • Students who are expunging the final Algebra grade (removing it from the student’s transcript) may want to consider this option.
  • Rising 9th grade students - Students who take this course in the summer will not have an option to remove it from the student’s transcript as the student is considered a high school student after June 11th.
  • Information about the program (dates, session information, transportation and lunch) and registration can be found here.

 

For Students enrolled in high school classes (World Language, Algebra, Geometry or Algebra 2)

An additional option is available for high school credit bearing classes taken in middle school.  High school credit-bearing courses will be reflected on the middle and high school transcripts. In  accordance with Virginia state regulations, FCPS Regulation 2408 permits parents of students  who take a high school credit-bearing course in middle school to request that the grade be  omitted from the student's high school transcript and the student not earn high school credit for  the course. Parents must make this request no later than the end of the first nine weeks of the school year following completion of the course. The request to expunge as well as guidelines and  the procedures for expunging grades for high school courses taken in middle school can be found  at the following link: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/is104.pdf

You can reach out to your child’s counselor if you have additional questions

 

2020-21 End of Year Grading Flexibility for Middle School Students 

During the current 2020-21 school year, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has  adopted a grading policy change to provide flexibility for students in middle school to  designate their current school year courses as “Pass” or “No Mark” status instead of a  letter grade for their final mark.  

As you review your middle school student’s third quarter report card, please consider the flexibility that will be applied to final marks: 

  • Students receiving a final mark of “D” or “D+” in any course will be automatically assigned a mark of “P” (pass) as the final mark at the end of the school year.
  •  Students receiving a final mark of “F” in any course will be automatically assigned a mark of “NM” (no mark) as the final mark at the end of the school year. 
  • Students may select a mark of “P” (pass) for any courses for which a passing grade is earned for the final mark. ○ Action Needed: Should you wish to designate one or more courses as Pass status for anticipated grades of “A” through “C-”, the Pass-No Mark Status Form linked here: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se358.pdf must be submitted to your school counselor/Student Services by June 4, 2021.  
  • Students and families are encouraged to carefully consider the option to request a Pass instead of a passing letter grade or final mark. Additional information including considerations and frequently asked questions are available at the following link: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/grading-and-reporting/secondary

An additional option is available for high school credit bearing classes taken in middle school.  High school credit-bearing courses will be reflected on the middle and high school transcripts. In  accordance with Virginia state regulations, FCPS Regulation 2408 permits parents of students  who take a high school credit-bearing course in middle school to request that the grade be  omitted from the student's high school transcript and the student not earn high school credit for  the course. Parents must make this request no later than the end of the first nine weeks of the school year following completion of the course. The request to expunge as well as guidelines and  the procedures for expunging grades for high school courses taken in middle school can be found  at the following link: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/is104.pdf

You can reach out to your child’s counselor if you have additional questions.

 

All Students to Be Virtual on June 8 Due to Democratic Primary Election

Tuesday, June 8, is the Democratic Primary Election. Because the Fairfax County Electoral Board and City of Fairfax Electoral Board will be using 165 school facilities as polling locations, June 8 will be a virtual synchronous  learning day (no in-person classes) for students.

 

Mindful May

Mindful May kickoffs started this week! The focus of each week in May will be: Relaxation, Be Physically Active, Laugh More, and Self-Care. Each week will start with a Tuesday announcement from Student Services, and on May 5th students will receive a 20-minute (teacher guided/presentation provided) Study Break Yoga lesson during Falcon Focus. Thank you for supporting this focus at home, as mindfulness and stress management are very important as we move into SOL testing and towards the end of the school year. Additional information about ways to incorporate Mindfulness into your daily practice can be found here: Seven Ideas for Incorporating Mindfulness into Your Routine

 

Multilingual Poscasts

 

Returning Strong: Multilingual Parent Podcasts - Yes, We Want Your Child Back in School! Attendance Matters!

Last year and 2021 have posed many challenges for all of us. We miss our students who have been absent. FCPS wants your child back in school and is ready to help. Listen to the latest Spanish, Arabic, and Korean podcasts on why we want your child back in school. We care and attendance matters.  

Podcasts hosts and guests engage in a passionate discussion on how we care, why attendance matters, common reasons for absence, school procedures regarding attendance, and what parents can do to partner with the school to get students back on track and in school.

Listen and Subscribe:

What Should Families Know About ESOL Services?

Listen to the latest Spanish, Arabic, and Korean podcasts on what FCPS families should know about English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services. Nearly 49%, or 87,571 students, in Fairfax County Public Schools speak a second language. This week's podcasts include a discussion about FCPS English Language Services. Rich Pollio, director of FCPS ESOL Services, talks about why ESOL services are important, how families are notified about ESOL services, how families can help at home, new school to home communication tools, and adult English Language Classes.

Listen and Subscribe:

 

Substance Abuse Prevention Program Office Newsletter

Ms. Allyson Jacobi, MSW, the Woodson Pyramid’s contact from the Office of Student Safety and Wellness, is sharing the first ever Substance Abuse Program Office’s Newsletter. Take a look at the link, below!  

https://www.smore.com/5q4xe

 

Vaccines for Teens

 

Update on COVID Vaccine Appointments

Schedule COVID vaccine appointments for 16-18 year olds and get answers to your questions on the FCPS School Health Services webpage

NOTE: The COVID-19 vaccination is NOT required by schools for the 2021-22 school year but some others are.                     

Seventh grade students cannot begin school in August without documentation of the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines.

Seventh-grade students need:

  • One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) given at age 7 or older.                                  
  • One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo) given at age 10 or older.                                                                                                             
  • Get more information on new immunization requirements

Face Mask Message to Update and Clarify for Your Communities

Face Masks Are Required at All Times at All FCPS Sites, Indoors and Outdoors

Despite the recent change in guidelines from the CDC on wearing face masks outdoors, Fairfax County Public Schools is still requiring that face masks are worn by spectators at all sporting events. Please make sure you have one with you when entering FCPS facilities. Universal masking is the best way to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all spectators.

Please Note: Face masks are not required for athletes when engaged in competition. 


FCPS Budget

 

Sign Up to Make Your Voice Heard on FCPS’ Budget for Next School Year

The Fairfax County School Board will hold public hearings on the FY 2022 budget Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12 (if needed). Both public hearings are at 6 p.m. To bring your voice into the room on the proposed budget, register to speak at a School Board meeting or call 571-423-1075.

See more details on the FCPS FY 2022 Budget and planning documents.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering an updated Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget that includes a 2% salary boost for FCPS employees, funded in part with dollars from the Commonwealth. More details about the updated FY 2022 Fairfax County budget are available here

Video: Watch Fairfax County School Board Chair Ricardy Anderson’s comments on the FY 2022 Advertised Budget

Stay up to date with FCPS’ budget calendar here

 

FCPS Seeks Input on Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias Curriculum Policy

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to educational equity in which every student thrives academically, socially, and emotionally. FCPS wants to empower students as the next generation of change leaders for a more just world. To achieve educational equity, FCPS will be analyzing and addressing the beliefs and policies that inform teaching practices along with what is taught in schools. The school division will begin this process by revising the existing Controversial Issues Policy and developing a new Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias Education Curriculum Policy.   

Families and staff will be asked to participate in a survey seeking input on what should be included in the Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias Education Curriculum Policy. The survey will be sent to all families and staff in early May. In addition, FCPS will conduct a series of focus groups to gather perspectives and input of all stakeholders. 

FCPS is working with a consultant The Leadership Academy to support stakeholder engagement on the revision and development of these two curriculum policies. An update on the draft policy will be presented to the Fairfax County School Board in the summer. 

Resources:

 

 

 

Math

Setting the Record Straight on Proposed Changes to Virginia’s Mathematics Standards—Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative

 

  • The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI) is a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) proposal to modernize and update Virginia’s mathematics curriculum in grades K-12 to align instruction with the essential knowledge and skills students need to succeed in the 21st-century economy. Every 7 years, VDOE revises the standards in each content area and reassesses graduation requirements, and follows an established procedure for standards revisions that includes public comment windows and public hearings. 
  • A key component of VMPI is the shift from a traditional high school mathematics course sequence (Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2) to an Integrated Mathematics course sequence. The VMPI initiative establishes a course sequence that integrates existing math content into blended courses for students in grades 8, 9, and 10. 
  • The content from Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 is not being eliminated by VMPI, but rather the content of these courses would be integrated into a progression of connected learning. Under VMPI, students in 11th and 12th grade would continue to have access to a wide variety of rigorous mathematics courses to meet their interests and post-secondary plans. 
  • The VDOE is proposing that this model would encourage students to connect mathematical concepts and develop a much deeper and more relevant understanding of each concept. 
  • Any changes made to the Mathematics Standards of Learning would be scheduled for classroom level implementation in the 2025-26 school year. See the complete VMPI talking points

 

Student Intention Form

For students who will NOT be attending Frost, Woodson, or a boundary FCPS high school next year, please complete the Student Intention for the Next School Year form, https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/it110.pdf,  and return it to Emily Cheng in the Frost Student Services office, or via email ECheng@fcps.edu.

This includes students who are transferring to:

  • Another FCPS school other than Frost or Woodson or boundary HS
  • A private school in Virginia or out of Virginia
  • Another Virginia public school division outside FCPS
  • Another state public school outside of Virginia

A school outside of the United States