 
Fairhill ES teachers Victoria Kim, left, and Kirsten Chen, collaborate together during a community builder.
Join Our Countdown to the First Day of School!
We have five days left before we welcome our students back into our buildings for their first day of the 2021-22 school year! Share in the countdown fun with us and make sure you, too, are ready to Return Strong on #firstdayfairfax.
5 Days to Go! Check Health and Safety Updates
The FCPS administration is in the process of partnering with a third-party provider to provide access to screening testing among other health service supports for FCPS students and staff. We recognize that screening testing of individuals who are not fully vaccinated is important given the recent surge of the Delta variant. We look forward to sharing details regarding this emerging partnership soon. In addition to the emerging partnership for screening testing described above, we continue to partner with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to provide diagnostic testing for symptomatic, in-person students or staff who are unable to access testing independently. The partnership for diagnostic testing for in-person students and staff who need support was established during the 2020-21 school year and will continue as we start the 2021-22 school year.
Elementary schools will provide seating charts to minimize the number of potential close contacts while masks are removed. This is a NEW prevention strategy for elementary school given elementary students are generally not age-eligible for the vaccine.
FCPS is following CDC guidance on masking and does not require masks to be worn outdoors, including during recess. Parents who have specific requests for their child can contact their school. Schools will make the best possible effort to ensure the parent’s request is followed when possible. Please understand schools cannot guarantee all requests will be able to be met.
Protocols for Potential Temporary COVID-19 Closure: Virginia public schools are required under SB 1303 to provide five days a week of in-person instruction, as directed by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. FCPS is committed to continuity of learning during the 2021-22 school year and the school division is using layered prevention strategies to do everything possible to ensure our schools remain safe, healthy and open.
FCPS has plans in place to ensure continuity of learning in the event health authorities require a temporary closure to protect the health of students, staff, and the community. Find out more.
4 Days to Go! MySchoolBucks isn’t just for students; Set up your MySchoolBucks account for easy payment for meals and snacks.
MySchoolBucks isn’t just for students; we can enjoy the ease of an account as well! This year, having a MySchoolBucks account not only means convenience, it helps our cafeteria staff with a unique problem-coin shortage.
The U.S. is experiencing a coin shortage and that extends to FCPS cash registers. By using MySchoolBucks, you can help keep change in cash registers for those who may not be able to use their account and help keep lines moving quickly.
Staff can use their MySchoolBucks accounts to pay for meals and a la carte items in the cafeteria.
Be ready on day one- set up your MySchoolBucks account and memorize your pin. If you have questions about MySchoolBucks, your school’s front office staff can help.
3 Days to Go! Take a Dance Break this Friday!
What? Fun-filled virtual dance party! A live DJ will get the party going with fun music, dance contests, raffles, and more!
When? Friday, August 20, from 12 – 1 p.m.
Where? Join the party on Zoom. Meeting ID: 881 2839 2116 Passcode: 098470
Questions? Email employeewellness@fcps.edu
2 Days to Go! Check Your MyPDE Portal & Get Up to Date With Required Trainings
As we embark on the school year ahead, we want to remind you that professional development is an important tool that supports growth and learning throughout your career. It also supports FCPS’ ability to provide the best for students. You can play your part by completing all required training by the assigned deadlines. Not only does this ensure you have all the information you need to start the year strong, it also is a part of your professional responsibility and an expectation noted in employee evaluation. Please be sure to check out your MyPDE portal for assigned mandatory training.
To help achieve this goal, the Office of Professional Growth and Career Development has provided a new email notification system to help organize timelines and due dates.
Have a great school year!
1 Day to Go! Share Your First Day of School Photos
FCPS parents, students, and staff members are invited to share their favorite pictures or video from the first day of school on Monday, August 23, on social media using the hashtag #firstdayfairfax and #FCPSReturningStrong. We will share some of the photos on the FCPS Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
Be sure your photos show FCPS’ safety measures in action- everyone should be wearing masks when indoors.
Secondary Grading and Homework Updates
FCPS is committed to consistent grading practices where grades are an accurate reflection of student learning. Last school year, temporary changes were made to secondary grading and homework expectations in response to pandemic learning. This past spring, a stakeholder group reviewed the grading changes from last year and recommended that two changes be made permanent. The following changes have been approved by FCPS leadership:
- 50 is the lowest grade on a 100-point scale.
- Allow late work on major assignments with a maximum penalty of 10 percent if submitted within two weeks after the due date.
Last school year, FCPS set temporary limits for homework to account for the conditions of virtual learning and student wellness during the pandemic. FCPS is resetting homework expectations to account for both student wellness and the existing FCPS regulation on homework.
To ensure that student homework falls within existing FCPS regulations:
- Middle school teachers should plan for homework not to exceed 25 minutes per class block.
- High school teachers should plan for homework not to exceed 30 minutes per class block.
- When long-term projects require additional time, teachers should adjust daily homework assignments accordingly.
- Reading assignments are considered part of the homework load.
OurFCPS Faces - Vijai 'VJ' Rao
Meet FCPS’ new Cybersecurity Director, Vijai (VJ) Rao. We welcome VJ who has worked at many organizations over the last 20 years including Unisys, National Democratic Institute, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and Commission of Presidential Debates.
Rest assured that FCPS is in good hands with VJ; however, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility! Learn more about VJ and his plans to keep FCPS safe in the cyber world.
Staff Staples
Note: Intranet access is required to open some of the links in this email. If you're using a mobile device or working remotely, you can connect to the intranet via the Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email ITServiceDesk@fcps.edu with questions.
Please email EmployeeNews@fcps.edu with potential submissions or questions. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!
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