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Dear Families and Staff,
I hope you are enjoying the Memorial Day Weekend. I wanted to take the opportunity to remember all those that have given their lives for the liberties and freedoms that we enjoy in the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is these liberties and freedoms that are the foundation for our democracy and our collective interest in striving for a more perfect union where all community members can thrive.
Public education should provide the foundation by which students are able to gain the knowledge and skills to succeed and achieve their potential. FCPS and the School Board are committed to ensuring that all students are treated with dignity and respect and provided world class educational opportunities. It is with this in mind that the previous Board in conjunction with the Board of Supervisors adopted the One Fairfax Equity and Inclusion Policy. We are committed to providing the opportunity for students and families of multiple faiths, cultures, ethnicities, socio-economic, gender, abilities and linguistic backgrounds to learn together and from each other in an inclusive learning community.
The ability to learn together, work on projects together and participate in extra-curricular activities should lead to greater understanding and appreciation for each other and the rich diversity of Fairfax County. Unfortunately, a couple of events have occurred over the past couple of weeks that have caused pain and angst for members of our community and for some to question the focus of this Board. These include geo-political events occurring outside of the United States and the release of an anti-racism anti-bias survey.
Although individual Board Members and community members are free to express their personal views on events outside of Fairfax County, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States it is not within the remit of the School Board to address these events. Recognizing that these are complex and difficult issues for many in our community, I encourage those that are speaking in their personal capacity to recognize that words matter and we must be judicious in our words and not unintentionally or intentionally harm the students and families that we serve.
Our schools must be a safe space for our students, staff and families to thrive. If events occurring outside of our schools have a negative impact on the wellbeing of our students, teachers or families, then we have an obligation to be empathetic to the needs of our families and staff and speak out against hateful acts affecting our community locally. I have received emails and phone calls from constituents detailing acts of aggression against their children based on their religious beliefs or cultural heritage. These include both Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic acts of aggression on-line and in person. We must condemn these acts of aggression for what they are; hateful and painful for our students and community members. They are antithetical to the caring culture of Fairfax County Public Schools. I encourage all those in the community to take the time to listen to each other and recognize that Hate Has No Place in Fairfax County Public Schools.
I also want to address concerns about the recently released Anti-racism Anti-Bias Survey. It is unfortunate that the survey was distributed to the community at the same time as it was distributed to the School Board and did not adequately provide background on the “why” of the survey. Board Members were not asked to provide input on the survey or express concerns about the content, design, or provided an understanding of the relevance of the survey to the equity work underway in our schools. I have heard from many constituents about their concerns about the limitations of the survey instrument which did not allow for individual comments, provided a limited number of options for responding, and did not allow for indicating that one did not know how to answer the question. Additionally, constituents asked about the relevance of the survey to curriculum work being undertaken at the state and local level. I understand these concerns and have shared them with the superintendent and his leadership team. We have been assured that the Board and the community will be provided the opportunity to provide input on any policy or curriculum recommendations stemming from this work. Our equity work is focused on ensuring greater inclusivity in our schools for all to thrive in a nurturing environment.
Please be assured that the focus of the Board and the Superintendent this summer and into the fall is on ensuring that we are able to fully reopen our schools 5 days a week in the fall and that we have the programs in place to address the academic and socio-emotional wellbeing challenges caused by the pandemic.
Please find updates on important issues below. I look forward to seeing many of you at our graduation celebrations.
Karen
Join Supervisor Dan Storck & Karen Corbett Sanders for: Community Meeting
Recent and Upcoming Work
Graduations
With graduations beginning this weekend, I want to express my admiration and congratulations to the class of 2021. This has been a challenging year and our graduating students are to be commended for their fortitude in facing the challenges of the pandemic. I am excited to be able to join you at the graduation ceremonies on our home football fields and the Jiffy Lube Center.
It is also exciting to see the plans for our 6th grade promotion celebrations as well. I know that the ceremonies will be conducted virtually (to accommodate all students) and the celebrations are being planned in coordination with the local parent teacher associations and organizations.
 FCPS parents, students, and staff members are invited to share their favorite pictures from this year's graduation or promotion ceremonies on Twitter and Facebook or Instagram by using the hashtag #fcpsgrad21
We will retweet some of the photos on Twitter and share some of the photos on Facebook and on Instagram.
The 2021 FCPS high school graduation schedule, including dates, times, and locations, is available online.
Planning for "5 in Fall" Underway
 FCPS is excited to have all staff and students return in the fall to five days of in-person instruction! Our schools are safe. FCPS in-school transmission rates remain less than 1%, even with reduced social distancing to three feet in schools.
FCPS realizes that some students may have a documented health or medical need for virtual instruction. Enrollment in FCPS’ Virtual Program for the 2021-22 school year will be very limited. Eligibility will be based on a health/medical certification of need completed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, or a licensed clinical psychologist. Families will need to apply. Please be aware that FCPS is planning to base enrollment on the health needs of the student only.
The Health Eligibility Form as well as a Virtual Program Enrollment Application must be submitted by today, May 28.
Additional Resources:
If you have questions or need support with your online application, please contact your school's registrar/student information assistant or email the FCPS student virtual enrollment specialist at VirtualEnrollment@fcps.edu.
Get Outdoors! Learn and Do!
Supervisor Dan Storck invites you to participate in the 3rd Annual Mount Vernon District Environment Expo: Get Outdoors! Learn and Do! on Saturday, June 26, 2021, from 8 a.m. to noon at Fort Hunt Park, 8999 Fort Hunt Road. We are excited to announce that this year’s event will be held in partnership with the National Park Service. This event will educate and inform local residents on environmental challenges that we face on a daily basis. Attendees will leave the Expo with simple actions you can take to make an impact on climate change and our environment.
This FREE Family Friendly Event will include: Exhibitors, Workshops, Live Music, Live Reptile and Owl Programs, Electric Vehicles, Nature Walks, Junior Ranger Program, Touch-a-Truck, Recycling How To’s, History Tours, Purple Glass Monster (bring your glass recycling for drop off!), Food Trucks and more! Please share this information with your family, friends and neighbors!
This event will adhere to COVID-19 restrictions and protocols in place on June 26. In order to meet any outdoor event size limits, pre-registration is recommended. If COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, walk-ups without registration will be permitted. Please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/environment-expo-get-outdoors-learn-and-do-tickets-151993062341 to register for FREE today!
Event updates and information will be announced here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mountvernon/environment-expo-get-outdoors-learn-and-do.
Join us to LEARN, ENGAGE and ACT to save our environment!
Webpage: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mountvernon/environment-expo-get-outdoors-learn-and-do
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/776514983068172
Summer Opportunities
2021 FCPS Summer Learning Information
This summer, FCPS will offer a variety of school-based opportunities. These include:
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Credit Recovery: Each high and secondary school will host credit recovery opportunities for its students during two sessions.
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School-Based Opportunities for Select Elementary School Students: Each elementary school has summer learning opportunities designed to support students as they develop executive functioning skills, mathematics skills, and language arts skills.
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School-Based Opportunities for Select Middle School Students: Each middle school has summer learning opportunities designed to support students as they develop: mathematics, language arts, and problem-solving skills.
School staff will contact families of students who will be invited in the coming weeks. The total number of students that can attend school-based programs is based on the number of teachers at the school available to work this summer.
There are also a variety of summer enrichment programs open to all students. Information on how to register for these programs is available on the FCPS Summer Learning webpage.
Summer Recovery Academy: Special Education COVID Recovery Services
Special education COVID recovery services may be considered for any student with a disability whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team or Section 504 Committee determines 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 or 504 Committees.
Case managers are responsible for reaching out to parents about their recommendations for Recovery Services. Additionally, parents have been advised to contact their child’s IEP/504 case manager to further discuss and schedule a meeting if they think their child may require COVID recovery services. View additional information regarding FCPS’ Summer Recovery Academy
Rec-PAC Summer Camps (Grade 1-6)
Rec-PAC (Pretty Awesome Children), operated by Fairfax County Park Authority After COVID-19 prevented in-person programs last summer, the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Rec-PAC returns this summer at 30 elementary school locations across Fairfax County.
Rec-PAC is an affordable, structured six-week summer program for children in grades 1-6 featuring a different theme each week. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays from June 28 through Aug. 5, 2021. Parents can sign up for one week at a time or all six weeks.
For more information and to register, visit this site for general information and detailed information at the Rec-PAC site.
Community Use News Update: More Summer Opportunities Coming Soon
Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs); Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs); Parent, Teacher, and Student Associations (PTSAs); and Booster organizations can now submit requests to use our buildings and grounds for Summer Camp Programs (June 21-August 5). While there are limitations and all groups will be required to adhere to Fairfax County Health Department and Virginia Health Department COVID guidelines, this is definitely a step in the right direction. Read more about community use.
Check your school’s PTA/PTSA/PTO website for more details.
Face Masks Are Still Required at All Times at All FCPS Sites, Indoors and Outdoors
On Thursday, April 29, Governor Ralph Northam amended Executive Order Seventy-Two to adopt new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on mask use in outdoor settings. The CDC guidelines state that fully vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks outdoors when alone or in small gatherings. Mask use is still required indoors and outdoors at large crowded events like concerts, sporting events, and graduation ceremonies.
What does that mean for FCPS?
- The ease in the mask rule only applies to social gatherings.
- Sports (to include spectators of FCPS events) and entertainment (proms and other events) are not included.
- Only athletes engaged in active play may remove their masks.
- Until further notice, FCPS’ Regulation 2109 still requires masks in facilities and on school property as FCPS has no way of knowing who is and who isn’t vaccinated.
PreK and Early Head Start Accepting Applications for SY 2021-22
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start is now accepting applications for School Year 2021-22! Please watch this video to see if your 3 or 4 year old may qualify for PreK. To apply online. For more information call our English Line: 703-208-7900 or Email: fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu
¡FCPS PreK y Early Head Start ya está aceptando aplicaciones para el año escolar 2021-22! Por favor mire este video para ver si su hijo de 3 o 4 años puede calificar para PreK. Para aplicar en línea. Correo electrónico: fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu Para más información llame a la línea de español: 703-208-7901
2021-22 Kindergarten Registration
Will your child turn five years old by September 30? If so, contact your child’s school to make arrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Most schools begin getting information together now for parents of incoming kindergartners, and many host an orientation or open house. All kindergarten programs are full-day and located in FCPS elementary schools.
Check your school’s webpage or contact the school directly for specific enrollment information and dates of orientation.
Get more information about kindergarten registration.
Video: How to Register Your Student in FCPS.
Cox Participation
Beginning May 12, 2021, Cox Communications will be participating in the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, which is part of the stimulus package passed by Congress in December. This will further help qualified Cox customers in your area access affordable internet. In a time where many are facing challenges due to the pandemic, we want to continue keeping families and households connected to their loved-ones, friends, work and school.
Eligible households with active Cox service can receive up to $50 off their current internet service, including equipment rental costs. Those living in tribal areas could receive as much as $75 off their monthly bill. Mobile phone payment plans may also qualify for the subsidy. Qualifying households include those that suffered a loss of income due to furlough or unemployment or are enrolled in one or more eligible government assistance programs.
Cox will continue to raise our hand to help administer this worthy program and deliver whatever governmental financial relief is available to consumers in need. For more information about EBB efforts, visit our website at cox.com/ebb
Inova COVID-19 Vaccination Update – Age 12-15 Group
With the recent CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) recommendation to approve use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 12-15 years of age, Inova will begin vaccinating children that meet this category at the Inova-Stonebridge Vaccination Center effective immediately. In preparation, parents can schedule their children for an appointment through Inova MyChart. Appointments are required and parents will need to activate a MyChart proxy account for each child under the age of 18 in order to schedule an appointment.
- To make an appointment:
- Ages 12 and 13: Using their own MyChart account, a parent or guardian must complete the electronic child proxy form. Once processed, the parent will have proxy access to schedule appointments.
- Ages 14-17: Using their own MyChart account, a parent can submit the teen permission form which allows a teenager to activate a MyChart account. The teen can then grant proxy access to the parent via email. Once the parent accepts invitation, they will be able to schedule an appointment.
- Click here for more information on setting up and requesting access to child and teen MyChart Proxy accounts.
- All children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at their vaccination appointment to provide consent for the COVID-19 vaccine.
For more information on Inova’s vaccination clinic and our COVID-19 vaccination effort, visit www.inova.org/vaccine. Our website includes specific information on vaccinating children and teens, including a video about what to expect prepared by our Child Life team within Inova L. J. Murphy Children’s Hospital.
INOVA Blood Donation
There is a severe blood shortage for blood types O+, O-, A+, B+ and B- nationwide, and it is impacting us locally. If you are an eligible donor, please make time to donate in the days ahead at Inova Blood Donor Services to help ensure a steady supply of blood is available for the patients we serve. Make your appointment today at inovablood.org or call 1-866-BLOODSAVES. Your hour spent donating the gift of life will make a difference for a patient in need.
FERSS – Now Accepting Scholarship Applications
To learn more and to apply please go here:
FERSS.ORG – Foundation For Eleanora R. Spratt Scholarships
The Foundation for Eleanora R Spratt Scholarships (FERSS) was developed to
provide financial assistance to assist individuals who are enrolled in certification programs or higher education academic institutions. Dr. Eleanora R Spratt was a person who broke down tremendous obstacles in life to achieve her educational status. She always believed that education was the key that would allow one to accomplish goals and dreams for success. Dr. Spratt continued to mentor and teach others until she was 90. In fact, Dr. Spratt was known for asking her relatives, friends of relatives and people she met throughout life “How are you doing in school?” Even when she was on her sick bed in the hospital, she would ask her visitors about their educational aspirations. FERSS Scholarships are open to the economically challenged individual who fall into one of the following categories:
- Those who wish to pursue a college degree from an academic institution
- Those who wish to pursue a professional certification
Deadline For Application Submission Is May 30, 2021
Scholarship Winners Will Be Announced By June 21, 2021
Provide Your Feedback on FCPS’ COVID Relief Funds
Fairfax County Public Schools wants to hear how you want to spend anticipated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III funds.
The ESSER III grant will be used in support of students, staff, and school operations. Learn more about the ESSER III grant.
Sign up to speak at a Fairfax County School Board Public Hearing about the ESSER III grant on June 7 at 6 p.m or submit your input using the FCPS Online Feedback Form.
FCPS Requires Masks for the Remainder of the School Year
For the remainder of the 2020-21 school year, FCPS will be requiring students and staff to continue to wear masks and socially distance during instructional time inside school buildings. Students will be required to wear masks at recess but will not be required to be socially distanced. FCPS will maintain CDC requirements of 3 feet social distance in classrooms and 6 feet social distancing in our cafeterias through June 15. Both these requirements are aligned with the Fairfax County Health Department guidance and helps maintain consistency as we finish out the year.
As per national, state and local guidance, there are unique and specific mask and social distancing requirements for graduation, athletics, school performances, and other school-specific events held indoors and outdoors. FCPS will be transitioning to updated guidelines for these specific events starting May 28.
For specific information regarding these requirements, please visit this webpage.
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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