 
West Potomac HS Spanish Language Teacher, Yamalie Rodriguez Figueroa, gives two thumbs up to start off the 2021-22 school year. #FCPSReturningStrong
How Pausing, Quarantining, and Isolating Keeps Our Schools Safe
Since the beginning of August 2021, the majority of COVID-19 cases have been acquired through community spread, OUTSIDE of school buildings.
FCPS’ layered prevention strategies are working to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our schools. Pausing, quarantining, and isolating are tools we use to keep schools safe when a positive COVID-19 case is reported. Understanding the difference between the three scenarios can help families - and staff - be prepared.
Pause
A pause to in-person instruction is a short-term safety measure used by FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to allow time to investigate and determine the safest way to address a positive case within our school community. The pause will be initiated by the FCHD for anyone who interacted with an individual who reported a positive COVID-19 case.
- A pause typically lasts between 24-48 hours while FCHD verifies vaccination status and completes contact tracing.
- Vaccination status may reduce the time spent in a pause, but must be verified every time an individual is put on a pause.
- The FCHD does not accept a negative COVID-19 test to release an individual from the pause.
- You will be contacted by the FCHD with a date they can return to school or work.
- This flowchart best explains what happens when there is a pause.
Close Contact
A close contact is any person, regardless of vaccination status, who is within 6 feet of a COVID-19 positive individual for equal to or greater than 15 minutes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) K-12 Exception indicates that students will not be identified as close contacts if they are at least 3 feet apart and are consistently wearing masks in the classroom setting. Adults are not included in this exception.
Quarantine
When a student is identified as a close contact, there are two things that may occur as a result:
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Not fully vaccinated students who are identified as a close contact with someone with COVID-19 must remain home for 14 days after their last exposure. FCPS will notify a student of their return date.
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Fully vaccinated students must remain home until your vaccination status is verified. Upon verification of vaccination status by the FCHD, and if the student/staff is asymptomatic, they may return to in-person learning and activities once notified by FCPS of their return date.
Isolation
Isolation is the response when someone tests positive for COVID-19. Students who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, may not return until:
- It has been at least ten (10) days since the student first had symptoms AND
- The student must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND
- The student’s symptoms are getting better
FCPS is committed to providing students with opportunities to remain engaged in learning when they are in a pause, quarantine, or isolation period. This chart outlines the ways students receive instruction and materials.
Outbreak
It is important to note that more than one case reported by a student, staff, or visitor to a particular school or building does not always mean there is an outbreak. An outbreak is defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with onset within a 14-day period who are epidemiology linked (a case in which the person has been exposed to a confirmed case in a way that a known transmission can occur), do not share a household, and were not identified as close contacts of each other in a setting outside of school during the health department investigation.
FCPS’ goal is to keep students learning in-person all year. We are doing our part by implementing layered prevention strategies and working with FCHD to address positive cases and potential exposures. Every FCPS student and family can do their part by wearing masks, getting vaccinated when they are eligible, practicing healthy hygiene, and staying home when sick.
To learn more about COVID-19 case notifications, watch this video and the SEPTA Q&A session.
FCPS Requires Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Students Participating in Virginia High School League (VHSL)
Beginning November 8, FCPS will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for any student participating in Virginia High School League (VHSL) winter and spring sports for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year.
Proof of a COVID-19 vaccination will also be required for participation in any other activity that requires a physical. This includes dance team and step team, as well as out-of-season practices and workouts.
Vaccinating our students is a critical step in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and minimizing any disruption to learning. The majority of pauses to instruction for our high school students come as a result of exposure during athletic activities, which the Virginia Department of Education classifies as a high-risk activity. These pauses impact participation in activities and in-person learning while the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) investigates and determines close contacts and next steps. Read Dr. Brabrand’s letter to the community.
Please note: Exemptions will be permitted on religious and medical grounds.
We know you have lots of questions! Check back next week for more details and answers to frequently asked questions. We are still working through some of the operational aspects of this decision.
I Do My Part: Mask Up!
Mask Up! Masks are not simply a piece of fabric we are told to wear. A mask is a tool each of us uses to keep ourselves and others safe and keep students learning together in classrooms.
All Staff - Remember to Complete Your Vaccination Status Form by September 9!
All employees should have received the Fall 21 Employee Vaccination Status Form that was sent via outlook on August 26 (use the link if you did not receive). As the Superintendent announced previously, FCPS is putting an additional mitigation strategy in place to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in schools. All employees of FCPS are required to provide their Covid-19 vaccination status. Please complete the form by September 9, 2021.
Use your network ID@fcpsschools.net and network password when prompted to login. If you have not activated 2-step authentication, you can visit the Google 2-Step Verification page to enroll Google 2-Step Verification page.
If you have not logged into your Google Account since June 7, you may not be able to log in because you have not set up your 2-step security verification. Look for the email message from the IT Service Desk with the subject “Google Access Using Backup Codes.” Please find this message in your FCPS Outlook email, and follow the instructions.
If you have further questions about logging into Google or accessing this form, please contact the IT Service Desk at ITservicedesk@fcps.edu. Other questions related to employee vaccine guidance should be directed to HR using the online portal at HR Connection or 571-423-3000.
Provide Input on Boundary Policy Review
The Fairfax County School Board is in the process of reviewing Policy 8130, Facilities Planning, Local School Boundaries, Program Assignments, and School Closings.
In July 2019, the Board requested the Superintendent hire an outside consultant to work with the Board to identify best practices in boundary policy and engage the community in the discussion.
MGT Consulting Group (MGT), an education consulting firm, will be sharing information about the boundary policy review at three upcoming community meetings and seeking community input in a survey.
You are invited to attend a virtual community meeting. Each meeting will provide the same information and use the same format. No specific boundary changes will be discussed at the meetings. The meeting dates:
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Monday, September 13, 7- 8:00 p.m.
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Tuesday, September 14, 7-8:00 p.m.
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Monday, September 20, 7-8:00 p.m.
Please register to receive the meeting link and indicate if you need an interpreter.
MGT will send all FCPS parents an email with the survey link to collect input.
The community meetings will not be discussing any boundary changes for any schools within FCPS. The information shared will focus on what factors should be considered when making boundary changes. For more information, view the Boundary Policy Review.
Calendar Reminder
Labor Day Holidays: Friday, September 3 & Monday, September 6; Religious and Cultural Observance Days: Tuesday, September 7, Rosh Hashanah; Thursday, September 16, Yom Kippur
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Friday, September 3, and Monday, September 6, Labor Day (holidays for all FCPS employees and students)
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Tuesday, September 7, Rosh Hashanah (religious and cultural observance day)
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Thursday, September 16, Yom Kippur (religious and cultural observance day)
As a reminder employees wishing to observe religious/cultural observances on these dates, as schools and offices are still open, should request a religious accommodation as outlined in Regulation 4817 – Religious Accommodation for Employees. Employees will be permitted to make up 16 hours of any time they miss for religious or cultural observances.
Tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events cannot be scheduled on any religious and cultural observances. Tests and quizzes will be given prior to any of the 15 days, so that students will not be expected to study on these days.
Tuition Reimbursement Request Portal Opens September 1
The portal to apply for reimbursement of Summer 2021 courses will be open September 1- September 30. Interested and eligible contracted employees may apply for up to $700 in tuition reimbursement for one course that ended between May 16 - August 31. Apply through the Tuition Reimbursement Portal (VPN Required). Detailed information is available on the Tuition Reimbursement page in the new employee hub.
Tuition reimbursement is available on a first-come, first-served basis using the current priority list. Remember to have your Tuition Paid Receipt and Grade Report handy to complete the request. Please email Tuitionbenefits@fcps.edu for more information.
New Instructional Coach Learning Cohort Opportunity; Apply Now
Applications are being accepted for the New Fall Instructional Coach cohort (replaces Building the Foundational Skills of an Instructional Coach Academy Course). Teacher leaders interested in becoming an Instructional Coach for the 2022-23 school year should apply.
The Instructional Coach cohort is designed to prepare a diverse group of candidates for the role of an instructional coach through the course content, experiences leading in their schools, self-directed learning and reflection, and observations, coaching, and feedback. Participants will earn 100 renewal points at the completion of the cohort. Application deadline is October 1.
Cohort dates:
The cohort will meet virtually, using Zoom, on Tuesdays from 4:45-7:45 p.m. on the following dates: November 9, November 16, November 30, December 7, December 14, January 11, February 8, February 22, March 1, March 15, March 29.
The cohort is contingent upon the number of qualified applicants. To learn more about the cohort, register for a virtual information session on September 13 from 3:30-4:15 p.m. or 4:45-5:30 p.m. Additional information and application materials can be found online. Contact: Michelle Lis, Coordinator of Instructional Coaching.
Save the Date for the 2021 Fall Equity Symposium: It’s a New Day
The Equity Symposium is designed for participants to break out of their comfort zone into growth, reflection, and continuous improvement when engaging in themes of identity, bias, power, and privilege as we seek a culture of inclusivity, equity, diversity, and acceptance. Keynote speakers and small group breakout sessions will be tailored to the specific audience with opportunities to engage in conversations to process and apply what was learned. Registration and more information will be coming soon.
Stay Up to Date With School Board News
The Fairfax County School Board holds regular business meetings at 7 p.m. twice monthly in the auditorium at Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church. In addition, the School Board holds work sessions to examine subjects in greater depth than is possible during business meetings. All-day work sessions are held in the School Board Conference Room 1600 at the Gatehouse Administration Center, 8115 Gatehouse Road, Falls Church. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are required to wear masks at either meeting.
Both school board meetings and work sessions are live streamed on the FCPS YouTube Channel or on Channel 99. View all School Board meeting agendas, minutes, videos, and news. You can also subscribe to receive newsworthy updates from the School Board.
OurFCPS Faces Profile - Meredith Norris
Meredith Norris, currently in her 17th year employed by Fairfax County Public Schools, is in her first year serving as principal of Stone Middle School.
Meredith recognizes that as large as this county is, at the core, it really is a family. And family is at the heart of her desire to help others and serve her community; this desire was instilled in her by both of her parents. As a side note, Meredith is one of 14 siblings (she’s #8!).
She elaborates, “Born and raised in FCPS, I attended Cub Run ES, London Towne ES, Stone MS and Chantilly HS. I feel so fortunate to be able to give back to my hometown community as 25 years later, I am now the principal of Stone MS. I love when I am able to share with ALL my students at Stone, “Guess what, I went here too,” and then to some, “I went to Cub Run and London Towne,” and see their eyes light up because they appreciate the connection.”
Learn more about Meredith’s journey to create a meaningful future for what matters the most…
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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