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Greetings Frost Middle School,
The month of May is full of celebrations at Frost Middle School! We truly enjoyed celebrating Staff Appreciation Week this past week. We are so grateful for the continued partnership and donations provided by the PTA and the Frost MS parent community! Staff Appreciation Week was a great opportunity for our community to thank our teachers and staff (both virtual and in-person) for their resiliency and commitment to our students. We even had a couple teachers win a drawing that a parent let me know about, see below:
“To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, Seasonal Roots is having a drawing to give away 3 local food prizes worth $150 each for 3 deserving winners, who will be selected in a random drawing on May 6. Seasonal Roots is a home delivery farmers market, connecting Virginia and Maryland families to local farmers. https://blog.seasonalroots.com/teacher-appreciation-week-drawing/
1) Kate Wright from Woodson
2) Ashley Martinez from Frost
3) Dawn Alexander from Frost
This week started off with a bang as we were in full swing for SOL testing! The students performed well even with some minor hiccups that occurred during our first foray into new territory! We tested almost 900 students, both virtual and in-person students, in one day. We have two more to go!
I understand there was some concern and anxiety on Monday regarding traffic. For those who are familiar, traffic at Frost MS is typically quite heavy in the morning. When you consider we had 900 families testing and 85% of our families opting to drive students in during this testing season, then the typical traffic issues are exacerbated.
The first thing all families should know is even though we said we want all students in by 7:30, we know that traffic may preclude it. The 7:30 time was a target for families to hit because we want to start testing as soon as possible. We will not start testing until the majority of students are seated in their testing location. This Monday, that happened to be around 7:50 am. Most testing sessions began around 8- 8:15 am, plenty of time for students to test. So, please don’t worry if you are stuck in traffic at 7:30, we have planned a cushion for the traffic. Traffic should be lighter this Monday as only 8th grade students are testing.
Second, please try to get in and drop off your students as early as possible. The building will open at 7:10 am for students to report to their testing location. It should be the exact same location as before for future testing, even down to the same seat in most occasions.
Finally, we are working with our safety and security team to adjust the traffic patterns for Mondays only for SOL testing. Our buses (all 9 of them) will use the right-hand lane primarily and use the kiss and ride lane to disembark students, while parents will use the left-hand lane to drop off students in the front of the building. This will allow us more real estate for drop off and ensure that the buses are in and out in a timely manner. Please pull all the way up to the modular building to drop off students. We can drop off 20 students at a time this way. Once the buses have all dropped off students, we will use both lanes for kiss and ride. We are hopeful that this will alleviate congestion in the morning. Also, we will have our SRO out at Little River Turnpike to support with traffic at that intersection. Map of Monday SOL Kiss and Ride
We are looking for new leadership in the Frost MS PTA! Please consider running for office. We need a President and a Vice President. More information can be found here about the duties and responsibilities. Thanks in advance for your consideration. We had an informative PTA meeting earlier this week. The recording from that meeting can be found here.
We discussed many things at the PTA meeting including the recent communication about 5 Day In-Person Return to School planning for the 21-22 school year. The Intent to Apply to the Division Level Virtual Program was due last week (this communication was sent out to current virtual student/families only). Enrollment in the division level virtual program is limited to students who have a documented health/medical need. This is not extended to family members. Families interested in applying to the virtual program will need to submit a completed COVID-19 Health Eligibility Form with health/medical certification to virtualenrollment@fcps.edu during the week of May 17-21. Upon submission, families will receive an electronic reply with detailed instructions on how to complete the Virtual Program Enrollment Application via the online application portal. Bottom line:
- Intent to Apply was due last week-https://forms.gle/LuDWuLGnhiKATgh47
- Enrollment will be limited based on documented student health/medical need
- Application will need to be submitted May 17-21 with documented health need
- Virtual Program Website
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! As always, “We are #ONEFrost!”
All the best,
Anthony
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.
A Reminder to Families – Please Review the Health Commitment Form
Please do not send your student to school if they are not feeling well. As students returned to in-person instruction, families signed the Health Screening Commitment Form, agreeing “not send my child to school when he/she is sick or feeling unwell.” If a student comes to school and reports that they are feeling unwell with a COVID-like symptom, that student must return home and either stay home for 10 days, receive an alternate diagnosis from a healthcare provider, or receive a negative result on a COVID test.
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/HealthScreeningCommitment.pdf
Tuesday, June 8th is Democratic Primary Election Day- All Students to be Virtual
Tuesday, June 8th, is the Democratic Primary Election. The Fairfax County Electoral Board and the City of Fairfax Electoral Board will be using 165 school facilities as polling locations, therefore all students will have a virtual synchronous learning day (no in-person classes) for students.
ALL students will login to classes and learn from home on this day - in-person students will NOT report to school.
SOL Testing
We will conduct SOL testing on May 17 for 8th grade only and on May 24 for 7th and 8th grade. 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. Remind your child that if they rode the bus, they don’t have to call you once they are done. They should ride the bus in the afternoon when the buses come in. Some students called home when they saw that others were doing so.
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 FCPS On laptops, one will be waiting for them in their testing location.
For questions, please contact Ms. Debbie Metzker at dlmetzker@fcps.edu.
Virginia Remote Student Progress Tests On Hold
The Virginia Department of Education has identified an error with some Virginia Remote Student Progress Test (VRSPT) sessions across the state. As a result, VRSPT testing will be temporarily unavailable starting Thursday, May 13, until further notice. The VRSPT is an optional assessment for elementary and middle school fully virtual students whose families have refused the SOL test.
Frost Minds Matter
Frost Minds Matter Club Members will be continuing their great advocacy work as part of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month! Not only has Mr. Harris been getting the word out via Twitter and PTA meetings, but we saw FCPS students promoting the importance of mental health supports in last night’s School Board Meeting. Frost Minds Matter and our partners at Poe Middle School got a special shout-out as being one of two middle schools implementing Our Minds Matter as a proactive and preventative strategy to support the social-emotional and wellness needs of students in FCPS. Check out the video clip from the meeting (start around 5 minutes and 30 seconds):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MkEl0uxrK0&t=599s
We are super excited to be a part of the mental health movement. We will be showing our club members this clip in our meeting so that they can continue to see how important student voices can be in making positive changes for many students.
The COVID-19 Vaccine is Now Approved for Children 12 – 15
The FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for the 12 -15 age group. This means that just about every middle and high school student in FCPS may now be vaccinated.
FCPS is encouraging student vaccinations because that is one more way to ensure the safest school environment for everyone and for students to avoid quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
The fact sheet, below, has important information about the Pfizer vaccine, which is the only vaccine currently available to children as young as 12 years.
https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download
COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available. Many pediatricians and family doctors’ offices have vaccine, and you may choose to take your child to their regular medical home for the vaccine. In addition, there are many opportunities to get COVID-19 vaccine in Fairfax, including other private health care providers, Urgent Care facilities, pharmacies, Inova, and FCHD. Many locations offer same-day appointments, and some even have walk in availability. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or another adult at all community vaccination sites.
- To learn how to get a vaccine at a Health Department clinic site, including the Fairfax County Government Center, George Mason University, and the Tysons Community Vaccination Center, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/vaccine or call the Fairfax County Health Department vaccine call center at 703-324-7404. You can schedule directly, and you don’t need to pre-register.
- Walk-in appointments are also being offered at the Tysons Community Vaccination Center Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. This center is in the former Lord & Taylor site at Tysons Center at 7950 Tysons Corner Center in McLean.
- To schedule an appointment at Inova’s Stonebridge site at 5001 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, go to www.inova.org/COVID19/vaccine-scheduling.
- Locations for other vaccine providers in the community, including local pharmacies, can be found at www.vaccines.gov. Be sure to search for Pfizer vaccine which is the only vaccine currently for use on children 12 – 17 years. You can also text your ZIP code to GETVAX (438829) for information in English or VACUNA (822862) for information in Spanish.
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
Student Course Requests for the 21-22 school year
This year, students entered classes directly into SIS. Please have them log into SIS StudentVue or you may use your SIS ParentVue account to review the courses listed. Once in SIS, click the Course Request tab. There are two sections, Selected Course Requests and Alternate Elective Requests.
Selected Course Requests- All students should have English 8, Civics 8, Invest Matter/Ener (Science), Math, and two Health & PE 8 (one for each semester) listed. In addition, he or she will have between 2-4 elective classes (2 yearlong, 1 yearlong and 2 semester, or 4 semester classes). This is a class list. This does not indicate his or her schedule for the fall. Official class schedules will not be available until the week of August 16th.
- Music classes (Band, Orchestra, and Chorus) will be updated in June after Frost teachers are able to complete auditions. All students are currently in a general, single code until then. These changes are expected in early June.
- Elective classes are subject to change if your child receives special education services with required hours, your child’s ESL level changes based on WIDA scores, and/or data indicated a need for an enrichment course (Action Literacy, Literacy, Algebra Readiness).
Alternate Elective Requests – Students were asked to enter all elective choices they would prefer in the order of their preference in this area. You will notice that those that fit into the class schedule will appear above in Selection Course Requests. The others listed there will be used only if one of those selected does not fit into his or her schedule.
Change Requests – If you would like to request any changes to your student’s classes, please email Ms. Hornbecker at dshornbecker@fcps.edu. We will try our best to honor requests, but some electives may be closed based on full enrollment. Please note: All change requests must be made prior to June 12th.
Save the Date!
This summer, rising 8th grade students will be able to come in on Wednesday, August 18th to pick up a paper copy of his or her schedule and do a self-guided tour of the building prior to the first day of school. Lockers will not be assigned at the start of the school year due to the building renovation, but students will be able to carry back packs with necessary materials. More information will be shared in the upcoming weeks.
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.
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
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.
Returning Five Days in Fall: American Academy of Pediatrics Endorses FCPS’ Five Days of In-Person Learning
This week, the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) put out a statement supporting FCPS’ model of five days of in-person instruction for all students this fall.
This endorsement by a highly respected group of pediatricians validates our belief that in-person learning is best for children. The AAP also believes that virtual instruction should be utilized only when necessary as a result of a documented health or medical need and in consultation with a child’s physician or medical team.
FCPS virtual learning in the fall will be limited to students with documented COVID-19 related health/medical needs. For more information about the virtual program for School Year 2021-22, visit the virtual program webpage or view the news release.
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
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:
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:
Fairfax County Public Schools Hosts Career Switcher Information Session May 18
Thinking about teaching? Join Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), the largest school system in Virginia, for a Virtual Career Switcher Information Session on Tuesday, May 18, from 5- 6:30 p.m. This event will provide an opportunity to learn how to become a licensed teacher in Virginia.
The information session will begin with presentations from the five approved Virginia Department of Education career switcher programs: Educate Virginia, Old Dominion University, Regent University, Shenandoah University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Troops to Teachers will present their program offerings for military veterans.
There will also be an opportunity to conduct video chats with the FCPS licensure team and substitute office. Register to Attend
Download the Career Switcher flyer.
Questions? Visit FCPS’ Department of Human Resources online web portal.
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FCPS Hosts Virtual Instructional Job Fair
Are you interested in becoming a teacher? Fairfax County Public Schools, the largest school system in Virginia, is searching for educators with a strong academic background and a passion to make a difference in the lives of students.
Principals will meet and engage with candidates at the FCPS Virtual Instructional Job Fair on Monday, May 24, to fill vacancies for the 2021-22 school year.
Celebrating AAPI Month
Julie Wu founded the Asian Pacific American Club at West Potomac High School and is the president of the Asian Pacific American Club Coalition, which brings together all of the APACs across FCPS to educate other students about Asian American heritage and culture and provide a safe space for Asian Americans to share about their identities.
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