Opening Academic Year 2021-2022


Happy Constitution Day

Today is Constitution Day!  On this day in in 1787, the Constitution was signed in Philadelphia. It is a day in which we are all reminded of the shared goals included in the pre-amble of our nation’s founding document:  to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.  It is this belief in the common good that binds us together as a community and a nation. Happy Constitution Day!

Supporting our Students Diagnosed or Exposed to Covid

This past week, Dr. Brabrand provided the Board with a Briefing on the impact of the Delta Variant in our schools.  Dr. Brabrand reviewed the collaborative efforts with the Fairfax County Department of Health and identified areas for improvement.  Major concerns raised with the Superintendent include the length of time it is taking for contact tracing and quarantining,  student engagement while quarantining, enforcement of mask wearing and getting our students outside during the day.

Our Regional Assistant Superintendents and the facilities staff are working with local principals to develop strategies for getting more of our students outside for meals consumption and breaks during the day. 

New plans are being put in place to allow quarantined students to observe classroom instruction via live streaming and video recordings.  Teachers will also establish office hours, every other day, after the school day to allow quarantined students to obtain additional supports. 

Next Tuesday the Board will be having a full day work session which will include an update on the first month of school for our students, and a briefing on the emerging trends coming out of phase 1 of the Special Education Audit.  The Special Education presentation can be found:  https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/C6WVFF80182B/$file/FCPS%20Special%20Education%20Comprehensive%20Review_Interim%20Presentation.pdf.  I was pleased to sponsor this initiative with my colleague Karen Keys Gamarra as part of a forum topic in December 2019. 

I have the opportunity to appoint one Mount Vernon District resident to represent our community on several committees that work with our Instructional Services team to provide input on curriculum. A current vacancy is the Challenged Materials Interdepartmental Review Committee: Reviews challenges made to any library or instructional materials included in FCPS curriculum (see Regulation 3009). Meets twice a year if needed, 1-year term.

 

FCPS Virtual Job Fair – Friday, September 24, 2021

FCPS Office of Talent Acquisition & Management (TAM) will host a virtual job fair to connect Student Monitors and School Public Health/COVID Case Managers and schools on Friday, September 24, 2021. Middle and High Schools will be interviewing 9:00- 11:00 a.m. and elementary schools 12:00 -2:00 p.m.  Please consider joining the FCPS team.

Please be Safe,

Karen

Active Fairfax Flyer

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Upcoming Community Events

Registration is Open for Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC) Fall College Fairs!

Registration is now open to counselors, parents, and students for PCACAC's Virtual College Fairs!  We're excited to partner with StriveScan to host FREE fairs on September 19 and 20, 2021.

During each fair, participants will have the chance to connect with some of the best colleges and universities across the U.S. and abroad. Choose who you'd like to network with when registering for each session.

Learn more and register at www.strivescan.com/pcacac!

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Virtual College Fairs: Student Registration Now Open (HS)

Students can get an early start on college planning by signing up to attend free NACAC Virtual College Fairs. The eight fairs happening this fall offer students the chance to interact with hundreds of institutions as they pursue their college dreams. Click here for more information and to register.


NOVA’S DREAMERS WEBSITE TO LAUNCH THIS WEEK (HS)

NOVA is excited to unveil and encourage all to  visit this updated website specifically dedicated to DREAMers–undocumented, DACA and TPS holders. This website was created to provide accurate and timely information to assist DREAMers as they navigate the admissions process.

Moreover, this revamped site also contains valuable information about services and supports that promote the success of immigrant students. Aligning with our priorities, it is our mission to be a more welcoming and inclusive institution to all our immigrant students. We also want to assist undocumented students in overcoming the obstacles that they often encounter as they navigate higher education.


Lorton Fall Festival and Craft Show

Collection for LCAC at the South Fairfax Chamber booth
Greetings for the Troops
Santa’s Book Emporium
Take a Photo with Santa 10a-12p
Emma Jordon Kidz Fighting Cancer Foundation
Decorate a Pumpkin - Donation 9a-2p
FREE Admission
@LortonHolidayExtravaganza SCHSCraftShow@gmail.com
South County High School Parking Lot
9:30am
Kids 12 & under
*Registration required
Thank you to our Fall Festival Sponsor


COVID 19 VACCINE CLINICS SCHEDULE

9/16/2021 Ray’s Mobile Home Park 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

9/22/2021 Woodlawn Apartments 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

9/23/2021 Washington Square Apartments

9/30/2021 Skyview Apartments

 

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.

© 2020 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia