Monday, November 1 (Dia de los Muertos), and Thursday, November 4 (Diwali), are religious and cultural observance days. Religious and cultural observances are designed to allow students the opportunity to miss school for observances not already designated as school holidays.
Happy Halloween!
Lake Anne hopes everyone has a happy, and safe, Halloween this weekend! Consider the health department’s tips for a healthy Halloween before you venture out.
The Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid was due today. If you did not complete and turn in the survey please do so next week and send it in with your child. If you need an additional copy, please reach out to the main office or your child's teacher.
FCPS is looking for kind and caring substitute teachers to ensure our students continue to thrive when teachers need to be out of the building. Substitute teaching is a great opportunity for stay-at-home parents who would like a flexible work schedule. Subs save the day- apply today!
St. Anne’s Food Pantry will be distributing groceries and produce on Thursday, November 18th at 11 am. St. Anne’s is located at 1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston. Distribution will remain open until 12 noon on that day. Anyone who comes will be provided with 1-2 bags of groceries and fresh produce.
La despensa de St. Anne (Food Pantry) distribuirá comestibles y productos frescos el jueves 18 de noviembre a las 11 am. St. Anne's se encuentra en 1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston. La distribución permanecerá abierta hasta las 12 del mediodía de ese día. Cualquiera que venga recibirá 1-2 bolsas de comestibles y productos frescos.
St. Anne's Food Pantry is open on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. They distribute up to 100 bags of free groceries as well as a large selection of other goods which can include meat, bread, fruit, and vegetables. No referral is needed.
For more information, please call 703-437-6530 or email Glen Corso at stuartcrest@gmail.com
St. Anne’s address: 1700 Wainwright Dr, Reston, VA 20190
School Bond Referendum is on the November 2 Ballot
A school bond referendum is on the general election ballot this year. Early voting continues through October 30 at sites throughout the county. Polls are open Election Day, Tuesday, November 2, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents of Fairfax County may vote if they are 18 years or older on Election Day and have registered to vote 22 days prior to the election (on or before October 12, at 5 p.m.).
New and renovated schools provide safe and optimal spaces for teaching and learning. The building and renovation of schools is financed through bonds. Bonds sales must be approved by voters since they are a future obligation for taxpayers. As long as debt service costs do not increase significantly as a percentage of combined general fund disbursements, the county's bonded debt is not likely to be a contributing factor to any increase in local taxes. Learn more about the 2021 Bond Referendum.
Community Review of Instructional Resources
K – 8 Science Basal Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools will adopt new K – 8 Science Basal Instructional Resources for the 2022-2023 school year. A review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet in November and December to review the instructional materials under consideration and community feedback. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources.
K - 8 basal instructional resources may be accessed online until November 14, 2021. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/node/39027. People reviewing the material online may complete an electronic comment sheet https://forms.gle/g76TjGmewaN8Fgfb6.
All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before the vote at the School Board regular meeting.
K – 8 Language Arts Basal Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for school years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. A review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet in November and December to review the instructional materials under consideration and community feedback. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources.
Elementary English Language Arts basal instructional resources may be accessed in person and online October 26 through November 26, 2021. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/node/36853. People reviewing the material online may complete an electronic comment sheet https://forms.gle/VKxcfabLedjYAZpS8. In addition, hard copies of instructional resources will be available in the lobby of Willow Oaks Administrative Center. Willow Oaks is open each business day from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm and extended hours will be provided until 7:45 pm on October 26 and November 3, 2021. All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before the vote at the School Board regular meeting.
Hearing from our community is an important part of this work. Please join us Monday, November 8, at 7 p.m., for a virtual Calendar Development Webinar hosted on the Zoom platform. We will share information on how the calendar is developed and invite you to provide feedback on a series of questions related to this process.
This year, calendar development will be guided by a framework that clearly outlines the four factors that FCPS must consider when creating the school year calendar:
State and Federal Law: Have a secular reason to establish a holiday. Provide 180 days or 990 hours of instruction.
State Guidance: Establish a Calendar Feedback Committee and provide opportunities for community input such as a Calendar Survey and our upcoming webinar.
Superintendent Priorities: Deliver high-quality instruction for students, which includes professional development for teachers and ensuring schools are adequately staffed.
School Board Priorities: Each member will share their most important considerations for the school calendar.
Insight gained from the Calendar Feedback Committee and other community engagement activities noted above will be weighted against the calendar framework and considered when FCPS leadership creates a calendar option.
FCPS is offering this community engagement opportunity in English, Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, and Korean.
Please register to attend the Calendar Development Webinar and indicate if you will need an interpreter. You will receive the webinar link on November 8, from “Office of Communication and Community Relations.” Register to Attend.
It’s a big week for COVID-19 vaccination news. Today, the Food and Drug Administration’s key vaccine advisory committee endorsed Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 -11, moving the matter to the full agency for approval. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet next week to vote on its recommendation. Emergency Use Authorization may be announced soon (learn more about Emergency Use Authorization). FCPS, the Fairfax County Health Department, Inova Health System, and the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics are collaborating to provide opportunities for vaccination throughout the community, in doctors’ offices, and at schools. Learn more and stay up to date with the latest news on our website.
COVID-19 Screening
Optional COVID-19 screening testing for students will begin November 15, not November 8 as previously announced. The change aligns all student screening testing start dates, making it more convenient for families with students in different grade levels. Preregistration and consent information will be shared with families soon. For all the details about COVID-19 screening testing, visit our COVID-19 Screening Testing webpage.
Screening testing is an important layered prevention strategy that helps keep our school a safe place for all students to learn. I hope you will consider enrolling your child in screening testing until your child is eligible for vaccination.
Please contact Mrs. Stewart if you have any questions or concerns.
