This Week at Frost - July 28, 2021

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 07/28/2021 02:24 PM EDT

Greeting Frost Middle School Families!

As the end of the month of July draws near, I wanted to reach out to provide you with some updated information in preparation for the upcoming school year. The Frost Middle School administration team is working hard to get things ready for our students to return to school for five days in the fall! I will be in touch soon with additional information for your preparation and information concerning our back to school efforts. At the bottom of this communication you will find a ton of information concerning the return to school health and safety key points.

If you have been by the campus recently you would see our renovation is in full swing! We are extremely excited to see the beginning stages of the new Frost Middle School taking form! Make certain to take a look at the pictures below!

All the best! We are #ONEFrost!!

Mr. Harris

Renovation Updates

Reno 1Reno 2Reno 3Reno 4

Summer Events - Mark Your Calendars!

August 3nd – Second Date for Yearbook Distribution- 9 am- 1pm

We will be distributing yearbooks again on Tuesday, August 3nd from 9am – 1pm.  You can pick up your child’s yearbook at any time during the time slot.  All you need to do is pull up to the front of the school.  We will have a table set up for quick delivery. 

 

August 12th- Lift Off for Rising 7th Grade Students

Falcon Lift Off is, Thursday August 12 from 8:00 - 11:00am OR

12:00 - 3:00pm. 

Registration for the Frost Falcon Lift Off is now open!  This program will take place on August 12th and is open to all rising 7th grade students who will be attending Frost next year. Students will have the opportunity to participate in school orientation activities such as tours of the school, discussion of middle school procedures, and Q&A sessions with teachers and counselors.  Families may sign up for one of two sessions on August 12th from 8 AM – 11 AM OR 12 PM – 3 PM.  There is no cost of the program, but parents must provide transportation to and from Frost.

If you have already registered and received an email confirmation, you do not need to do anything.  If interested and you have not yet registered, please register your student using the following link.

If you have any questions, please email Deb Metzker at dlmetzker@fcps.edu.

 

August 12th -Meet the Principal- Virtual Opportunity to Chat with Mr. Harris- 6pm- 7pm- Link to be provided

August 18th –Falcon Swoop- Open House/Walkaround- Self Guided Tours for Rising 8th   Grade Students

August 19th - Orientation for Rising 7th Grade Students

This will take place for all rising 7th grade students (no registration necessary) on August 19th from 9-11 AM.  During the orientation students will receive their class schedules, have the opportunity to move to each class, and meet their teachers. The morning is for students only. 

Transportation will be provided from your local elementary school and we ask that parents needing this service fill out the survey at this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9RGSQDdxP4P1zA_fDOr5lSNgpiP1kkhxP-gIR9ISRVIGNBQ/viewform

Both students and parents are invited to come that afternoon from 1-3 pm for self-guided tours to practice walking the student’s schedule.  No lockers will be distributed in the upcoming year due to the building renovation (students will be able to carry back packs). More information will be sent regarding this event in the summer, but please mark your calendars!

 

August 23rd - First Day of School!!!!

September 3rd - Student Holiday- No School

September 6th – Labor Day- No School

September 14th- Back to School Night- More details to come- combination of asynchronous and synchronous activities

 

In Other News....

2021-2022 School Supply Lists

The supply lists for this year can be found at this link:

https://frostms.fcps.edu/academics/school-supply-list

 

Summer Learning Resources

There are no assigned summer assignments, but students are always encouraged to read and keep their math skills sharp!

Some families have also asked how students can prepare for upcoming math courses.  Frost math teachers have included a list of topics that students can practice this summer for each upcoming math course along with online sites.  The Fairfax County Public Library reading program information and Frost math information can be found on the Frost website - https://frostms.fcps.edu/academics/summer-reading-and-learning.

 

Frost Main Office Summer Hours

From June 21 through August 6, the Frost Middle School main office will be open from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm.  We will resume regular hours on Monday, August 9th. Please use entrance # 2 during the summertime hours.

 

Laptops for Frost Middle School Students

We are excited to share that every Frost Middle School student will be checking out a laptop to use throughout the 2021-2022 school year through the FCPSOn program. We will be sharing more information about the checkout process later in the summer. During the checkout process, students will receive a laptop, charger, and computer sleeve. We look forward to being able to provide this resource for all our students. Please be reminded to return your laptop used during last school year if you have not done so already!

 

 

Fall Return to School and County Childcare Services

FCPS will be returning to five days a week of in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year. Be sure to review next year’s full school year calendar and note that the first day of the new school year will be Monday, August 23.

 

Food for Students During the Summer Months

The FCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services is offering healthy meals at locations throughout Fairfax County this summer under the USDA Summer Food Service Program. The same meals will be available at no separate charge to all participants at each site. All FCPS students (regardless of age) are eligible for free meals, as are other county children eighteen (18) years and under. Caregivers picking up meals should let staff know how many children's meals they need. The meals will be provided at no cost for students through June 2022. FCPS students are welcome to come to any of the sites or bus route stops to pick up a meal. [ADDITIONAL DETAILS]

 

Summer Mental Wellness Consultations

The FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations this summer through August 6. Any Fairfax County parent may schedule a 45-minute consultation by phone or video conferencing with a school psychologist or school social worker to get the support needed to help your child. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of this service by calling 571-423-4276 or requesting a consultation online.

Required School Immunization Appointments Available

Documentation of immunization is required for students entering kindergarten, 7th grade, 12th grade, and new students transferring into FCPS. Vaccines are available through private physicians, pharmacies, and clinics. In addition, the Fairfax County Health Department offers school-required immunizations for free at the following locations:

  • Annandale District Office: 7611 Little River Tnpk., #400-E, Annandale, VA
  • Herndon/Reston District Office: 1850 Cameron Glen Dr., #100, Reston, VA
  • Joseph Willard Health Center: 3750 Old Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA
  • Mount Vernon District Office: 8350 Richmond Hwy., #233 Alexandria, VA
  • Springfield District Office: 8136 Old Keene Mill Rd., 1st Fl., #A-100, Springfield, VA

Limited evening and weekend appointments are available. Please call early to schedule your appointment. No walk-ins will be accepted.

 

Returning Strong- Health and Safety Measures

FCPS is returning strong for a strong school year this fall. Students will engage in in-person learning five days a week in safe and supportive schools. 

 

As we prepare to welcome students back to the classroom, COVID-19 case numbers are increasing in Fairfax County, driven by the highly-contagious Delta variant and slowing vaccination rates. The key to maintaining a healthy environment for learning is a robust vaccination rate and layered prevention strategies, including universal masking.

 

There are three things we can all do to start strong this fall:

  1. Wear a mask
  2. Get vaccinated
  3. Stay connected

 

FCPS Resources:

Return to School Webpage

Return to School- Safety Webpage

 

The Student Health and Safety Document is continually updated and provides detailed information on school policies and protocols related to COVID-19 such as adherence to layered prevention strategies. These guidance documents will continue to be updated to align with public health guidance.

VDOE Resource:

The Virginia Department of Health, along with the Virginia Department of Education launched the Healthy Back to School COVID-19 Website as a resource for schools and families.

Mask

Mask Guidance

Masks are an essential tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting those unable to be vaccinated. To ensure a safe start to the school year, masks will be required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, inside FCPS buildings.

Wearing a mask protects us all:

  • Children under 12 and the immunocompromised are not able to be vaccinated at this time. 
  • By wearing a mask, we all help create a safe environment for those who are unable to be vaccinated.
  • When recommended social distancing is a challenge, universal masking is an approved substitute - meaning more students can engage in learning in classrooms and other spaces within the school building.
  • Reducing the spread of COVID-19 also reduces student absences and missed extracurricular activities and athletic events.

 

Buses: The CDC federal order requiring masks be worn on public transportation remains in effect, and applies to buses and school transportation operated by Virginia public schools. 

 

Outdoors: Masks are not required when outside, including athletic activities.

 

Mealtimes: Masks may be removed while eating but should be reapplied as soon as you are finished with your meal.

Locker rooms: Masks are required at all times.

Band: Band members will use covers/special masks inside the school.

Students with Disabilities: A small group of students with disabilities and staff who work with them will have access to clear masks (e.g. center-based students with hearing impairments, teachers of deaf/hard-of-hearing, speech language pathologists, and some students receiving speech services as needed).

Student Exemptions: Students can request an exemption from this requirement through the process outlined in Regulation 2109.

Visitors: All visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks in buildings.

Mask 2

 

Vaccinate! Vaccination is the most effective tool for preventing the spread of COVID-19. At this time, anyone age 12 and older may receive the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge.

FCPS encourages everyone who is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine:

  • The Fairfax County Health Department will hold COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the following schools:
  • You can schedule an appointment for COVID-19 vaccination or find out about pop-up clinics near you through the Fairfax County Health Department’s website.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are also available at doctor’s offices, health departments, and retail pharmacies. Vaccines.gov is a helpful resource to find a location near you.

Student Exemption For Close Contact Definition The CDC issued a revised definition of close contact to include an exemption for K-12 students. 

  • A close contact is defined as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. 
  • In the K-12 classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3-6 geet of an infected student where:
  • Both students were engaged in consistent and correct use of well-fitting masks; and
  • Other K-12 school prevention strategies (such as universal and correct mask use, physical distancing, increased ventilation) were in place in the school setting.

When students are wearing masks and layered prevention strategies are in place, students are not considered close contacts. Therefore, students will not miss in-person instruction or activities for quarantine after an exposure.

Stay Connected Being connected to your school and division is important every year, and even more so now as we navigate our return to school. The best way to stay informed is to sign up for newsletters through News You Chose. 

Your school and FCPS have a variety of topics you can choose from, including:

  • School Newsletters- featuring everything you need to know about your child’s school
  • FCPS This Week- a weekly newsletter featuring news and happenings from across the division, published Wednesday mornings
  • School Board Meeting Update- a recap of important news coming out of school board meetings, published the Friday morning after the meeting
  • FCPS Employee News- weekly updates just for staff, published Tuesday mornings

Ongoing Review

 

FCPS will continue to review its mask policy in line with national, state, local guidance, the  American Academy of Pediatrics and local community transmission rates. 

The Student Health and Safety Document is continually updated and provides detailed information on school policies and protocols related to COVID-19 such as adherence to layered prevention strategies. These guidance documents will continue to be updated to align with public health guidance