Dear Sully District Families,
I hope you were able to enjoy a restful Labor day holiday. For my family, it was a much needed break and a chance to regroup after the first two weeks of transitioning back to in-person instruction and getting re-acclimated to school.
I would like to start by conveying my deep gratitude to teachers and staff for their incredible efforts to welcome students back into our classrooms. Seeing my children's excitement to meet their teachers was heartwarming and got me excited about the year to come.
I want you to also know that I am fully committed to transparency and information sharing and have been working diligently alongside FCPS leadership team to ensure that our COVID protocols are streamlined and clear to everyone involved. I am grateful to the many parents, caregivers and staff who have reached out to me with their concerns about safety while eating, transportation issues, how FCPS and the Health Department are handling suspected COVID cases and contact tracing, length of out-of-school wait times, and asynchronous learning. You have raised important questions about these protocols. Please be assured that FCPS and County leaders are all working hard to solve these challenges as quickly as possible.
As you know, we have and continue to partner with the FCHD to address reported COVID-19 positive cases in our schools. We know there remains significant concern regarding the time students are paused and regarding the 14-day quarantine timeline. We are hopeful that the COVID-19 Contact Vaccination Verification process that was implemented on Thursday, September 2, 2021 for currently paused students and that officially begins on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 for all students will substantially decrease the time fully vaccinated, asymptomatic students are paused given the FCHD will be able to verify vaccination and symptom status within hours of receiving the information during the business day.
I recognize however, that this is a work in progress and much remains to be done. The School Board continues to strongly advocate for our families and have consistently communicated your Return to School concerns to Superintendent Brabrand and his leadership team to ensure a safe and effective learning environment for students and staff.
We are also examining how best to meet the needs of students when they are sent home to “pause” or quarantine. We are looking at ways to better utilize our technology to keep students connected to their classrooms, via options that support synchronous Zoom viewing where students can watch their class instruction, recordings of classes etc. and will communicate updates as they become available. I also continue to advocate for expanded, scalable virtual opportunities for our students beyond Virtual Virginia and the current limited FCPS virtual program, especially for our elementary school families, who are waiting on the COVID vaccine to be approved for children 5-12.
At our first work session and regular board meeting of the SY2021-22 in August, the Board made it clear that that our priority is COVID safety. My colleagues and I pushed hard for funds for our schools to be able to add supervisory staff to allow for students to socially distance and to be outside when their masks are removed during lunches etc. In addition, we asked staff to look at ways to increase the outdoor learning opportunities to re-engage and refocus our students in the joys of learning especially after the year we’ve had! The Aug 26th Board meeting included votes on the ESSER III Spending Plan, as well as a final FY21 Budget Review.
Inside this month’s newsletter:
This month, in recognition of the 20th anniversary of September 11, I would like to commemorate and acknowledge the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. We will also be reading a resolution recognizing this event at our upcoming Board meeting.
September 15th-Oct 15th is also #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth. Please join me in celebrating the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community! More information and resources are included in the newsletter below.
Finally, please continue to share your concerns and experiences with me. These issues are my top priority and is at the forefront of our daily operations. While this new school year has built in significant challenges of providing a safe environment for our students and staff, I am confident that we can come through this Delta variant by working together.
In partnership,
Stella Pekarsky
Health and Safety Guidance & Protocols: How Pausing, Quarantining, and Isolating Keeps Our Schools Safe
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 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 six 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 three 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 their 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 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.
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 epidemiologically 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.
Back to School Resources and Staying Connected
With changing COVID conditions and corresponding health guidance, I want to encourage families to stay connected with the latest FCPS updates. You can do this by signing up for “FCPS This Week”, your school(s) newsletter(s), and my Sully District e-newsletter through News You Choose. This is how we will share important, need-to-know information throughout the school year.
In addition, I encourage you to regularly check and bookmark the links below for more information. These links will continue to be updated as FCPS safety guidelines adjust to national, state, and local health recommendations.
 Speeding the Return of Fully-Vaccinated Students to the Classroom
Following the Labor Day break, fully vaccinated, asymptomatic students will be able to return to in-person learning and activities following a simple process that will reduce the time needed to process potential close contacts. Our goal is to streamline this process so it takes the least amount of time possible to complete while keeping our school community safe.
Parents and guardians who have been notified by their child’s school that their child is a potential close contact will need to complete the COVID Contact Vaccination Verification form if their child is fully vaccinated.
Parents and guardians will be able to access this form through a link that will be embedded in the pause letter sent to all parents and guardians whose child has been identified as a potential close contact to a positive case.
In the COVID Contact Vaccination Verification form, parents and guardians will need to take two steps:
- First, you will provide proof of your child’s vaccination status by electronically uploading the vaccination record or card.
- Then you will complete a Health Department survey to confirm the child is asymptomatic, if appropriate.
The Health Department will quickly verify the information provided and send a personalized student clearance letter to the parent/guardian who completed the survey.
The portal will be monitored by Health Department staff seven days a week between the hours of 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Letters will be sent via email within hours for submissions received during business hours or by the next day for after-hour submissions.
Your child will be able to immediately resume in-person learning and activities when you submit the clearance letter you received to their school.
If you or your family does not have access to a computer or email, the Health Department will contact families by phone.
Students who have not submitted the vaccination documentation, who are not fully vaccinated, or have reported symptoms, will receive follow-up from the Health Department with appropriate recommendations and next steps as quickly as possible.
The Health Department will also send a daily list of all cleared students to FCPS, so students can return to in-person activities in a timely manner.
Parents/guardians of students currently paused will receive a separate communication from their child’s school with the link to the COVID Contact Vaccination Verification form so that they can access this form immediately.
To learn more about this new process, click here.
 FCPS to Require Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Athletic Participation
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.
Read Dr. Brabrand’s letter to the community.
Please note: Exemptions will be permitted on religious and medical grounds.
More details are at Athletic Vaccination Requirements - Questions and Answers.
COVID-19 Case Notification Update
Many families are finding it stressful and overwhelming to receive a new COVID notification email every time there is a positive case in their child’s school. We have updated our process to provide families some relief.
Once a week, either on Friday or the last day of school for the week, school leadership will share an update if there were any COVID-19 positive cases confirmed in the school that week. The FCPS COVID-19 Health Metrics webpage will still be updated daily for families who wish to know about cases in real time.
Sully District Happenings
Student Spotlights!
Highlighted here are the amazing stories of just a few of our students who are helping our neighborhoods and communities.
Congratulations to Chantilly HS student Gitika Gorthi, who was a summer intern at NASA Ames Research Center, and conducted research that is being considered for grant funding. Gitika has also started a non-profit IgnitedThinkers to spread awareness about space education, to break stereotypes and equip students with the confidence to pursue a career in the space industry. Gitika's vision is to connect all organizations around the world together, and create an ecosystem where everyone can come to IgnitedThinkers to find free resources, learn about opportunities, and connect with local organizations and space champions. For more information on her amazing work, see www.ignitedthinkers.org and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzMDrWQipwFT0_tLUY4c6ig.
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Chantilly High School sophomore Rudra Dave, has earned his Eagle Scout Rank on August 10th, 2021 and is proud to be a Boy Scout in Troop 0695. As part of his Eagle Scout project Rudra and other neighborhood volunteers provided over 150 elementary school-aged kids with weekend meal kits. These donations help alleviate hunger for local children in need and enable them to focus on their school work as part of the “Food for Others” Power Pack Program (P3). Rudra is a proud member of Chantilly High School’s Cross Country & Track team, Chantilly Academy’s AFJROTC cadet program, the American Red Cross Organization, and Fairfax County Police Department’s Public Safety Cadet program. Rudra loves supporting local community projects.
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Students from Thomas Jefferson HS's Social Change club are working towards promoting awareness and creating change regarding current social issues in our community. In the past, they have worked within the TJ community to ensure that students had a safe, neutral environment to discuss pressing social matters such as the Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate movements. The club officers are Jefferson juniors Sophia Li, Ananya Bandaru, Drishika Bose, and Jaya Gupta, and sophomores Harika Akundi and Annika Holder and it aims to provide a space for students to discuss ongoing social issues and current events.
Recently, the club’s officers have expanded their reach to Fairfax County by working on an Ethnic Studies course that they hope to introduce as a history elective to study ethnic and social minorities. The diversity of the FCPS community emphasizes the importance of learning about different backgrounds from an unbiased point of view. TJ’s Social Change Club believes that FCPS students would benefit from an Ethnic Studies course and have made it their goal to develop and introduce one to FCPS in the near future. #FCPSstudentsarethebest #socialimpact #serviceprojects #eaglescouts
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Rocky Run MS 5K Run/Walk with non-profit Asha-Jyothi!
Rocky Run Middle School is partnering with a non-profit named Asha-Jyothi (https://www.asha-jyothi.org/ ) to sponsor an annual 5K Run/Walk on Sunday September 19th at Fairfax Corner at 8am. All proceeds raised by RRMS will go towards the continued development of our new Inspiration Studio Maker Space. In 2019 Asha-Jyothi donated $60,000 to Rocky Run MS for the creation of the new space that we look forward to opening later this fall.
To sign up, participating staff, students and/or their families visit the webpage: https://asha-jyothi.redpodium.com/2021fairfax5k. Simply enter the code “aj4schools” and select your school from the drop down menu.
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Fight Hunger with Stuff the Bus!
On Saturday, September 11, and Saturday, October 9, Stuff the Bus will be collecting non-perishable food donations at 21 locations throughout Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. Help fight hunger and feed hope in our community by donating. For updates, including donation locations, most requested food items and more, visit http://bit.ly/FfxStufftheBus.
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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month Sept 15 to Oct 15!
 Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week” under President Lyndon Johnson, but it was later extended to a month during President Ronald Reagan’s term in 1988.
Since then, the month has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more. Additional information and resources can be found here.
Fairfax County School Board Approves $188 Million ESSER III Spending Plan
The Fairfax County School Board approved a $188.6 million spending plan for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) grant funds at its Board meeting on August 26.
The funds will be used to address expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the safe reopening of schools and to sustain the safe operation of schools. The spending plan also outlines how the division will address the impact of COVID on students by addressing their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs.
Staff Bonus Added to FY21 Budget as Part of Final Review
The School Board voted to approve revenue and expenditure adjustments to the FY21 budget, to include a one-time bonus for FCPS employees to recognize the extraordinary contributions and sacrifices that all FCPS employees made during the pandemic.
Due to complexities in job classifications and a desire to be equitable in bonus allocations, the proposed one-time bonuses will be provided to all employees who are currently employed by FCPS at the following rates:
- $1,000 for all employees (both full-time employees (FTEs) and hourly contracted, to include bus drivers and food service employees)
- $500 for temporary hourly employees
The total cost of the one-time bonus is $32.7 million and will be paid at the end of November.
Mental Health Resources for Students and Parents
This month's theme: Self Care September
Self-care isn't selfish, it's essential. No-one's perfect. But so often we compare our insides to other people's outsides. This month we're encouraging everyone to be kinder to themselves (as well as others), especially when things go wrong. Self-care increases our resilience and helps us get more out of life. It also helps us accept others as they are too.
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.
Multilingual Parent Podcast: Fairfax Health Department Specialist Talks About COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Listen and subscribe to a FCPS multilingual family podcast to hear timely, important information related to school news. The podcasts are produced in conjunction with the Office for English as a Second Language (ESOL) Services and the Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement.
In this week’s episode, meet Kirsten Buchner, a community health specialist at the Fairfax County Health Department. Buchner answers questions about wearing masks for COVID-19 safety protocols and COVID-19 vaccinations. For more information, the Fairfax Health Department COVID-19 phone line is 703-324-7404.
At the end of the podcast, the hosts offer families information on the FCPS Parent Resource Center’s newest resource, PRC Packs, which are pre-packaged tote bags with books for adults and children on important topics such as supporting children and teens with attention deficit disorder, anxiety, and motivation.
Listen and subscribe:
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September Webinars at the Parent Resource Center
How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments This School Year, September 9, 2021 6:30-8 p.m. and September 10, 2021 10-11:30 a.m. Register for How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments This School Year
Military-Connected Students and School Transition: A Family Webinar,September 17, 2021 10-11:30 a.m. Register for Military-Connected Students and School Transition: A Family Webinar
5 Ways to Stop Anxiety, Power Struggles, & Behavior Issues: A Webinar for Families, September 23, 2021 6:30-8 p.m. and September 24, 2021 10-11:30 a.m. Register for 5 Ways to Stop Anxiety, Power Struggles, & Behavior Issues: A Webinar for Families
PRC PACKS: Prepackaged Materials Ready for Checkout!
Our staff has curated top resources from our library, webinars, and digital resources on some of our most requested topics. One example topic is Supporting Children and Teens with Anxiety. Available in several languages. Learn more at the PRC website.
What’s in a PRC Pack?
- 2-3 books for a caregiver or educator
- 1-2 books for a child (perfect for a read-aloud or independent reading for an older child)
- 1 resource guide with a list of eBooks, free webinars on YouTube, and other resources
- Tote bag for easy return at any FCPS school
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 Upcoming School Board Meetings
- September 9, 2021 - Regular Meeting - 7 pm
- September 21, 2021 - Work Session - 10 am
- September 23, 2021 - Regular Meeting - 7 pm
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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