Dear Sully District Families,
It's hard to believe that school will be reopening in just a few short weeks!
The School Board concluded its official meeting schedule for the 2020-21 school year last month, but our work continues into the summer. At our July 15th meeting, my colleagues and I voted on several important issues, including commencing the search for a new superintendent; updating the Student Rights & Responsibilities handbook; adopting the recommendations of the Joint Environmental Task Force; directing the Superintendent to submit a plan for ESSER III relief funding; and more.
I was also honored and excited to be elected as chair of the Fairfax County School Board for the coming SY2021-22. My colleague Rachna Sizemore Heizer (Member-at-Large) was also elected as Vice-Chair. I look forward to continuing our important work of supporting our students and teachers as we return for five days of in-person learning in the fall. I would also like to express my thanks to Dr. Ricardy Anderson who served so admirably as chair during the challenges of the past year!! Check out the full news release here.
It was my pleasure to speak at the FCPS 2021–22 Leadership Kickoff this week and I can tell you that our educational leaders are energized and ready to safely welcome our kids back to school! As Chair of the School Board, I shared my vision for the school year and urged them to focus on social emotional learning, universal behavioral supports, restorative practices, cultural relevance, and relationship building. A renewed emphasis on learning practices that are grounded in an understanding of trauma and its impacts, and that are designed to promote resilience for all. I urged them to create amazing student engagement experiences that reinforce the associated skills and habits of motivation, joy of learning, persistence, curiosity – and set students up to thrive in college and their careers. And finally, to find creative ways to embrace moments of joy in this new school year, as our students spill into our schools’ buses and hallways again.
Inside this month’s newsletter:
- Fall Return to School and County Childcare Services
- Addressing Student Learning Loss This Fall
- Plan for ESSER Funding
- Sweeping Climate, Sustainability Goals Set by School Board
- COVID vaccine available for 12-15 yr olds
- Parent & Mental Health Resources
While this new school year has built in significant challenges of providing a safe environment for our students and staff, I am encouraged by the drive to succeed, our staff's eagerness to serve, and the experience that our school's leadership team brings to ensure success for all our students, those that follow us easily, and those that require every support we can possibly provide. I realize that many parents are worried about their children's academic progress, but we have robust supports this year to assess and close those gaps (key strategies for support are outlined below in this newsletter as well).
Finally, I want you to also remember there are plenty of summer activities happening that you can participate in safely. Check out some of the fun, free outdoor events near you in the newsletter below. As always, I value the input I receive from the Sully community. I am always happy to address questions or concerns via email or phone as well. Have a lovely the rest of summer! See you soon!
In partnership,
Stella Pekarsky
 FCPS Returning Strong: 2021-22 School Year to Start on Monday, August 23
FCPS has been planning for the return to school since spring, and we cannot wait to have students back in classrooms five days a week! You can prepare for a strong start to the school year by visiting the Return to School page, frequently checking the Return to School FAQs, and reading FCPS This Week for the latest information. Here are five things you need to know this week:
Returning Strong: Health and Safety
Our focus is on creating a safe and healthy learning environment for students to learn together in classrooms all year. We will achieve this through layered prevention strategies, including universal masking in school buildings and widespread vaccination. The Return to School-Safety page has all the details about our safety strategy.
The two most important elements of FCPS’ layered prevention strategy are universal masking and widespread vaccination. We have more details about both, including the dates for our school vaccination clinics at the bottom of this newsletter.
Returning Strong: Academics and Social-Emotional Supports
Teachers and staff will be prepared to address and support students’ specific needs when the new school year begins on August 23. A full Academic Support Plan, tied to FCPS’ proposed ESSER III spending plan—which was based on community feedback—will be a significant investment of funding and resources that will ensure our students have the academic and social-emotional supports they need to thrive this school year and beyond. The final ESSER III spending plan will be approved by the School Board at their Board meeting on August 26 and we will share the details with you once it has been approved.
Returning Strong: Transportation
Bus stops and route information will be shared with families via ParentVue accounts on August 10. Please be aware that all students will be required to wear a mask when riding a school bus or using school transportation.
Returning Strong: Athletics
The return to school brings a return to fall sports. As with our entire return to school plan, safety is our top priority as we plan for fall sports to resume. The health and safety protocols in place this fall include universal masking when indoors in locker rooms or taking part in indoor athletics.
- Outdoor activities–Masks are not required.
- Indoor activities–Masks are required for coaches and all players who are not participating in the activity; this includes practices, games, and outdoor sports moving indoors for practices.
- On buses–Masks are required.
All athletic safety protocols for the 2021-22 school year, including water, screening, equipment, and reporting are available on the FCPS website. We wish all our student athletes, coaches, and supporters a great season!
Returning Strong: Free Meals
When we return strong this fall, FCPS’ Food and Nutrition Services staff will be ready to serve healthy meals to students and staff. This year, all students will receive free breakfast and lunch. Find out more about school meals.
 School-Aged Child Care (SACC) is back!
I was thrilled to join Chairman Jeff McKay to announce Fairfax County & FCPS 2021-22 SACC Plans! With the return to in-person instruction this fall, SACC will be providing before and after services in 142 locations this year, including two new centers. Watch the full video here https://fb.watch/73UfJqZ49q/. More information for the 2021-22 School Year program is available now on the SACC website. Families who were previously enrolled will be contacted to determine their need for services.
Sully District Happenings
Our Students, Helping People and the World
FCPS students are the very best! Highlighted here are the stories of just a few of our students who are connecting the dots to make our world kinder, conserve resources and being important role models for our younger students! Madison High School rising junior Sophia Brown is helping students in Africa with books and bikes! “I was thinking about what are two of the most dire needs in society? Transportation and education.” Sophia said. “Books are one of the biggest necessities of education. And without access to cars, another option is bikes. It’s more affordable and can help you get places way faster.” Details here.
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Ayonnah Tinsley graduated from Westfield High School last month, and the 18-year-old already has a wide array of achievements under her belt. She has found time to complete more than 400 service hours throughout her high school career. She spent many of her service hours working with the Women Giving Back organization, running science experiments for visitors at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s annex, the Udvar-Hazy Center, visiting elementary schools such as London Towne Elementary to talk about STEM, and working at STEM conferences. Read more about her here.
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Nikita Rao a rising senior, is working towards implementing solar panels at Westfield High School. She is an officer of Solar on Our Schools (https://www.sierraclub.org/virginia/solar-our-schools), a group of FCPS students who are working on passing environmental protection bills and implementing solar panels across FCPS and a member of the Climate Education Committee of FCPS. "I have the opportunity to save our planet and the people on it. I can do this by pursuing a career that applies technology to solve global issues." Read more about her environmental efforts here. Our students rock! #serviceprojects #globalcitizens #girlscoutsrock
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August Free "Movies Under the Stars" & Summer Fun!
The 2021 season of Starlight Drive-in Cinema provides four movies, free for the public to enjoy. These movie nights bring the community together and nurture community spirit with features that appeal to both children and adults. Feel free to bring a picnic, blanket, and chairs, and enjoy the movies! To volunteer, please contact Sully District Supervisor's office at 703-814-7100. Details are here. Also check out these free fun outdoor concerts "Evenings on the Ellipse at the Fairfax County Government Center" and other events next to you at this Fairfax County Govt Summer Concert Series website. #summervibes
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Addressing Student Learning Loss This Fall
As FCPS prepares for a full return to five days of in-person learning this fall, its top priority is ensuring there is an appropriate plan to bring students up to grade level or higher. Below is a brief snapshot of the key strategies FCPS will use to address student learning loss during the upcoming school year:
Reviewing and Reteaching: FCPS is updating its curriculum instruction guides to ensure that teachers are provided with effective information and strategies to review or reteach previous grade standards as they teach current year content. This approach is critical for helping students master essential knowledge and fill any skill gaps. This approach will also allow FCPS to accelerate learning, as opposed to starting a cycle of remediation. For students who have more significant learning needs, FCPS anticipates providing a variety of interventions.
Identifying Student Needs Students at all levels will participate in classroom assessments based on grade level units to identify specific learning gaps that need to be addressed during its regularly scheduled grade-level instruction. Elementary students will participate in a VDOE Fall "SOL-like" assessment, as well as the iReady screener. These will serve as "initial indicators" for each student's needs in literacy and mathematics. Middle school students will participate in the new VDOE assessments and mathematics/literacy inventories. High school students who have risk indicators will participate in mathematics and literacy inventories.
Preparing Teachers to Tackle Learning Loss: Upon return to school, teachers will engage in professional development, so they are prepared to implement updated curriculum guides and effectively use data and strategies to support social-emotional learning. Ongoing professional development will occur throughout the year with specific support for teacher leaders/coaches at each school site. In addition, our resource teachers from Central Office will be deployed in our schools to support professional development, planning, and instructional delivery.
Sweeping Climate, Sustainability Goals Set by School Board
At our July 15th meeting, the School Board voted unanimously to adopt the recommendations of the Joint Environmental Task Force (JET) to achieve zero waste by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2040. Our Board's action followed the same action from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors just days earlier. I am committed to proactively and equitably addressing climate change and environmental sustainability and I strongly support these recommendations. Achieving these ambitious goals will not be easy and we will need creative solutions to reach them, particularly on electrification of our fleet of buses as soon as possible, student participation to achieve substantial reductions in waste and possible private sector collaboration on workforce development strategies. Read all about it here.
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Superintendent Will Submit Plan for Relief Funding
At our Board's July 15 meeting, we authorized Superintendent Brabrand to develop and submit a formal plan to the state for accessing an allocation of $188.6 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding. These funds will support the safe reopening and operation of schools and address the pandemic's impact on students by focusing on their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. Funds will be spent during fiscal years 2022-24. Additionally, our Board requested a briefing on the detailed plan before it is officially submitted to the Commonwealth. Read the details here.
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 Summer Opportunities to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 12-15!
FCPS received a tremendous response to the COVID-19 vaccination opportunities for students (ages 12 and up) that were made available at several school locations. Let’s keep working together to stop the spread of COVID-19 throughout the summer. Additional opportunities to get the vaccine for students are available at Fairfax County Health Department clinics. Find out more about making an appointment here. More information on vaccinations for 12-15 year-olds are available at the links below provided by FCHD: Get the details. See their experiences. Watch one family's story.
 Fairfax County Historical Markers Contest
FCPS is partnering with the Board of Supervisors to host the inaugural Fairfax County Historical Markers Contest. This project will showcase previously untold narratives and highlight the histories of those who are underrepresented in school curriculum. This year's focus will be on African American history in Fairfax County. With assistance from the FCPS Instructional Services Department, the contest will be integrated into the K-12 social studies curriculum as a Project-Based Learning Initiative for the upcoming school year. Read all the details here.
Mental Health Resources for Students and Parents
This month's theme: Altruistic August
Altruism is vital for the human race to survive and thrive; and each of our lives is supported by countless kind acts from other people. The August calendar below has ideas for everyone to do one kind act per day. Let's create a wave of kindness to spread around the world.
Go to Action for Happiness for ideas to help you take action for a happier and kinder world.
 Healthy Minds Podcast
Hear about how we are all handling uncertainty; get new ideas to help your child, friends and families feel better; and learn to help yourself feel stronger and more energized
Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies
Feeling super stressed? Worried about a friend's mental health—or your own? Get tips to help manage your emotions and see what to do if you are in crisis.
Mental Health and Resiliency
Helping students to manage stress, make better choices, and develop healthy habits.
FCPS Parent Resource Center
Staff is available by phone 703-204-3941 or email prc@fcps.edu to help! Offers free workshops, consultations, a lending library, and more to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs and disabilities.
 Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Aug 24th at 11 a.m.- Work Session
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August 26th at 7 p.m.- Regular School Board Meeting
Visit the citizen participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting or public hearing. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas and handouts.
The meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. The meeting will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube page.
Contacting Me
At this time, with an overflowing inbox, I am prioritizing responses to Sully District constituents. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.
To contact me, it is most helpful if you can please use the official School Board contact form. This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response.
Use this link to sign up for our Newsletters.
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.
© 2021 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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