Dear Sully District Families,
With the holiday season upon us, I want to express my warmest wishes for each and every one of you to have a safe and restful Winter Break. I am looking forward to the opportunity to relax, reconnect with friends and family, and recharge. I wish you all the same.
For me, it has been a great joy to see all our students and my own children back in-school and fully participating in classes, clubs, sports, and other activities once again. Teachers and staff have worked harder than ever to support the academic and socioemotional needs of our children and I am incredibly thankful for their efforts. I have loved my school visits and attending sporting events, plays, and concerts this past month.
Much time has been devoted by the Board to the Superintendent search and we understand how incredibly important this process is for our community. Please refer to the newsletter below and the Superintendent search site for opportunities to share your feedback. At our November work session and regular meetings, the School Board voted to adopt the 2022 Fairfax County School Board State and Federal Legislative Program and Priorities with several amendments that can be found on Board Docs. The School Board also voted to approve the recommended changes from the Public Engagement Committee and approved the recommended modification of the Special Education Comprehensive Review Contract. More details on these topics can be found below in this newsletter.
I am also pleased with the decision of FCPS to follow CDC and VDH options for shorter quarantine periods with testing when the safest standard is not easily applied. I believe this is in the best interest of our students and one I strongly advocated for with the Superintendent. Furthermore, I am advocating for our state health department to offer health guidance to school districts regarding tiered pathways for reducing mitigation protocols based on vaccination and COVID-19 transmission rates. Recent developments in Virginia with vaccine availability both for adults and school aged children indicate that we should consider putting in place “off ramps” for the layered mitigating procedures that we have implemented in our schools.
Inside this month’s newsletter:
- Superintendent Search Community Engagement
- School Board and Calendar Development Updates
- Health and Safety Updates
- Sully District Happenings
- Open Position on Citizen Advisory Committee
- Get2Green News and Updates
- Parent & Mental Health Resources
I had the honor to accompany Delegates Karrie Delaney and David Bulova to our schools and give them a first hand view of our amazing programs and students at Chantilly Academy and Fairfax High School. We also talked with our school principals about the challenges they are facing, particularly with mental health, as well as the resources they will need to address them. This is an issue I care deeply about and I want to make sure schools have the additional supports they need to help our students and staff navigate the uncertainties ahead and cultivate resilience.
Thank you for continuing to share your concerns and experiences with me. I enjoyed engaging with you at our Virtual Town Hall on November 30th and answering all of your important questions. As always, I am honored and privileged to serve this community.
I look forward to seeing you back in January 2022!
In partnership,
Stella Pekarsky
Taking our Legislators to School!
It was my honor to take Delegate David Bulova and Delegate Karrie Delaney to Fairfax High School and Chantilly High School as part of Virginia School Board Association's (VSBA) "Take Your Legislator to School" program. This is an excellent opportunity for educational and political leaders to work together to ensure that we provide the best possible education for our students. Thank you Principals' Keck and Poole for being so welcoming and talking with us extensively about the challenges and successes of this school year. We enjoyed visiting with students in the ESOL and in the African American History classes as well interacting directly with students in the Leadership class to share our varied experiences as leaders on the School Board and House of Delegates. What fun visits!
Superintendent Search Update
 On December 13, the School Board held a work session to discuss the Superintendent search process, timeline, and engagement opportunities. Watch the work session on the FCPS YouTube Channel.
There are many ways you can share your voice during this process. Below is a snapshot of upcoming activities:
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Survey: GR Consulting, the search firm handling the superintendent search, will be administering a survey. The survey will be available in multiple languages and will be a great opportunity for the FCPS community to weigh in on the most important qualities our next superintendent should possess. Look for the survey in your email inbox next week.
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Parent, Student, Community Focus Groups: The search firm will hold in-person focus groups with previously identified parents, students, and community members. These focus groups are planned for January 10-12.
Please visit our Superintendent Search webpage for additional information.
2022 Fairfax County School Board State and Federal Legislative Program
The School Board annually adopts a legislative program and legislative priorities to inform local, state and federal public officials and others of its positions on legislative policy and budget issues of potential importance to Fairfax County Public School students, teachers, staff, and community. The School Board voted to adopt the 2022 Fairfax County School Board State and Federal Legislative Program and Priorities with several amendments that can be found on Board Docs.
Public Engagement Committee Recommended Changes to the Governance Manual Regarding Community Participation
The School Board welcomes community members to provide comments at its regular business meetings and public hearings on school board deliberations, school-related issues or particular topics. The School Board voted to approve the recommended changes from the Public Engagement Committee, including adjustments to the submission of video content.
Modification of Contract - Fairfax County Public Schools Special Education Comprehensive Review
The Audit Committee recently recommended additional funding for the Year 2 Special Education Comprehensive Review over: (a) Stakeholder focus groups, (b) Classroom observations, (c) Extant data analysis, totaling $87,443. The School Board last night voted to approve the recommended modification of the Special Education Comprehensive Review Contract between Fairfax County Public Schools and American Institutes for Research (AIR).
View the video of the November 22, 2021 Fairfax County School Board meeting.
Some Students May Now Return from Quarantine After Seven Days
CDC guidance allows for a reduction of the student quarantine period to seven days “when diagnostic testing resources are sufficient and available.” With FCPS now offering drive-through diagnostic testing at six sites across the county, in addition to the many alternative ways to access COVID-19 testing, FCPS is now providing the option for students who have been exposed to COVID-19 to return to school and in-person activities after seven days.
If your child is quarantined due to exposure at school, please keep them at home until one of the following quarantine periods is met:
- Seven days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide both: a negative COVID-19 test (Rapid Antigen or PCR) taken on day five of quarantine or later, as well as a copy of the FCPS pause letter indicating the return to school dates; or
- 10 days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide a copy of the FCPS pause letter indicating the return to school dates; or
- 14 days of quarantine and you provide a copy of the clearance letter (SARA-Alert) from the health department.
If your child is quarantined due to exposure outside of the school, please contact the school as soon as possible and you will receive a Return Letter for Exposures Outside of FCPS. The timeline for quarantine return begins when you alert the school. Keep your child at home until one of the following quarantine periods is met.
- Seven days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide both: a negative COVID-19 test (Rapid Antigen or PCR) taken on day five of quarantine or later, as well as a copy of the Return Letter for Exposures Outside of FCPS indicating the return to school dates; or
- 10 days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide a copy of the Return Letter for Exposures Outside of FCPS indicating the return to school dates (you must contact your school to request the letter at the beginning of the quarantine period); or
- 14 days of quarantine and you provide a copy of the clearance letter (SARA-Alert) from the health department.
The above options only apply to a student returning to in-person learning and school-sponsored activities. Other organizations, such as SACC, may have different requirements for return.
We continue to balance the need for students to have a high-quality in-person learning experience with student and staff safety. By adhering to our layered prevention strategies and increasing vaccination rates, we are all doing our part to keep schools safe.
Supporting the Development of Life Skills in Students
We want to ensure that all our students have a grasp of appropriate life and behavioral skills, and can feel comfortable expressing feelings, talking about relationships and have sound mental health awareness.
Earlier this fall, students in grades 3-12 had the opportunity to participate in the SEL screener. This optional activity helps us understand students’ life and behavioral skills, feelings, relationships, experience of the school environment, and general mental health and well-being.
In the coming weeks, parents and guardians of students who participated in the fall 2021 screening window will be mailed a letter with their student’s self-reported ratings. The letter includes tips for understanding the ratings and discussing them with your child. Families may use this information to reinforce their child’s strengths and give extra support in areas of growth.
More information is available online.
Sully District Happenings
FCPS and Fairfax City Board Joint Meeting - Chantilly HS Culinary Arts Students Excel!
At the Annual Fairfax County/City of Fairfax School Board Dinner students from the Chantilly High School Culinary Arts Program with the assistance of Chef DoubleDay prepared and hosted a sumptous dinner for Board members and FCPS senior leadership team. This is an annual partnership meeting between the two Boards at which I spoke about our mutual collaboration on a number of initiatives. Thank you to CHS students for your hospitality and creativity! And to Chef Doubleday who himself was a CHS student and took over the culinary arts program in 1994! These are amazing courses dedicated to providing students a working knowledge of classical culinary techniques through lecture, hands-on experience, and projects. See CHS Culinary Arts for more info.
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Boy Scout Troop 1459 Leadership in the Community Meeting
I met with Boy Scout Troop - Pack 1459 to help them fulfill their requirements about meeting with a community leader to learn about their role and discuss an important issue facing our community. It was a great way to share my experiences as Chair of the School Board and get students interested and aware of the role of the School Board in FCPS. Thank you for inviting me! #RoleModels #FutureLeaders.
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Fairfax High Esports Team Preps for Spring Season Debut
The official start of Fairfax County Public Schools entry to gaming competitions is still months away, but at Fairfax High School, the esports group has more than 200 interested students, and is already the most popular club on campus. Fairfax High, which had an unofficial esports group during the last school year, is home to staff and students that have helped push the district to consider allowing an esports pilot program, in which competitions should be underway by March. “It happened very quickly, it is kind of a big shift,” Fairfax High’s esports faculty adviser David Greene says. “Attitudes have changed towards video games, parents are a bit more supportive than they were when I was a kid.” Read more about this here.
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Donate to the 2021 Sully District Winter Coat Drive
This winter, Sully District Supervisor's Office and various community partners have teamed up with Operation Warm to purchase 500 brand new winter coats for children in the Sully District. Together, we can bring warmth and comfort to children in need. Operation Warm is a national non-profit organization that focuses on providing coats and shoes to children. Please visit the donation page to contribute to this cause. Donations will be accepted through this website until Friday, December 17.
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Calendar Development Update
The 2022-2023 calendar development is well underway. FCPS is working to build a calendar that is inclusive and equitable. The framework for creating the calendar can be found on the calendar webpage.
Upcoming School Board action on the 2022-2023 calendar:
January 11 - Discussion at Work Session.
January 13 - Presented as new business with opportunity for public comment.
January 27 - Vote on final calendar with opportunity for public comment.
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Stay Safe This Season: VaxUP and Test
The holiday season and colder weather brings more indoor gatherings. Delta continues to spread and a new variant’s impact on community transmission remains unknown. We are fortunate to have easy access to two tools to keep ourselves safe and schools open.
VaxUP
Vaccination opportunities are available across Fairfax, whether you need your first dose or a booster. Visit the health department’s website to find a list of providers or make an appointment.
Diagnostic Testing
Diagnostic testing is now available for students at six drive-through locations. You may take advantage of these services if you are a close contact or are experiencing symptoms. Appointments are not needed for diagnostic testing but families do need to register in the secure online portal. Information about student diagnostic testing, including site locations and schedules, is available on the FCPS website.
Optional Screening Testing
Parents and guardians can use the secure online portal to register their unvaccinated child(ren) for optional COVID-19 screening. If you do not want your child to participate, no action is required. You will have the option to update your child’s vaccination status and/or withdraw consent for testing anytime. Student-athletes do not need to pre-register with the online portal for screening testing, they will use a separate portal provided by their school’s student activities director.
FCPS COVID-19 testing sites will not be available from December 18-January 1. Testing will resume on January 3, 2022. If needed, other local providers are available for testing and vaccinations during that time.
Get2Green News & Updates
 FCPS Get2Green is the environmental stewardship program for Fairfax County Public Schools. The website is an amazing resource to engage in environmental stewardship projects at your school, incorporate sustainability in the classroom, find your school's energy and recycling data, and learn more about green initiatives in FCPS.
How can Get2Green support you? Check out the Get2Green Program Scope infographic (must be signed in to FCPS Google account) and discover opportunities to incorporate environmental stewardship into your academics and extracurriculars. Share with your colleagues and administrators to start the conversation about creating a culture of sustainability at your school and evolving your staff and students into ethical and global citizens.
Donate Used Bikes to Students
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is collecting used bikes in working condition to donate to students in our community. For several years the SRTS program has been teaching elementary and middle school students about pedestrian and bike safety and how to ride a bike. Many of the students who learn to ride do not have a bike of their own. If you have a bike that is no longer being used, please consider donating it to SRTS. Bikes in need of minor repairs will be accepted. Please contact Sally Smallwood to arrange for pick-up or drop-off.
Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Online Course
Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom is offering a free self-paced course for teachers. The course is made up of 5, one-hour, modules covering Virginia Resources, Environment, Plant Life Cycle, STEM, and National AITC Resources. Participants may choose to complete as many modules as they wish and will receive a one-hour completion certificate for each module. Learn more and access the Agriculture in the Classroom course.
US Botanic Garden Holiday Display
The U.S. Botanic Garden is committed to creating and offering extraordinary exhibits that delight, educate and inspire the public to become more active stewards of the plants that support life on earth. This year’s free outdoor holiday exhibit features a train display while focusing on agricultural systems throughout the world, including a rooftop urban farm in Illinois, indoor farming in Finland, and coffee-banana-sweet potato crops in Uganda. The US Botanic Garden Holiday Display is open through January 2, 2022.
KidsGardening Youth Garden Grant
KidsGardening.org’s Youth Garden Grant is accepting applications from schools planning a new garden or expanding an existing garden. Selected schools will receive a small cash prize along with gardening tools and supplies. The deadline to apply is December 17, 2021. Learn more and apply for the Youth Garden Grant.
Master Gardener School Garden Support Request Form
Need some school garden advice? Green Spring Gardens Extension Master Gardener volunteers are available for consultation to answer your questions, provide free advice, and make a site visit if necessary to support your school gardens projects. Request a garden visit by completing this form.
Middle School Garden Resources
Do you have an after school gardening club? Are you looking for garden activities to do with you middle school students? Check out these middle school garden resources for fun activities to engage your students and introduce them to the wonderful world of gardening.
Follow Get2Green on Twitter
Want more recognition for your Get2Green efforts? Be sure to follow them on Twitter and tag them @fcpsGet2Green.
Serve Your Community by Joining an FCPS Committee!
As a Fairfax County School Board member, I have the opportunity to appoint one Sully District resident to represent our community on Citizen Advisory committees. See openings below. You must be a Sully District constituent to apply!
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Human Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC): The purpose of the HRAC is to advise the Fairfax County School Board (FCSB) on achieving and maintaining a premier workforce within a caring culture. HRAC will make recommendations to improve practices used by FCPS leadership personnel at school and district levels to promote a rewarding workplace environment. Meets monthly. One year term.
Please email my staff at skhurana@fcps.edu if you wish to apply!
Mental Health Resources for Students and Parents
This month's theme: Do Good December
This month, we're encouraging you to carry out small acts of kindness. This has been another difficult year of uncertainty and ups and downs for many of us. Kindness is contagious, and helping others has been proven to make us feel better too! Let's try to focus on being generous with our time and attention - it's free and better for everyone, as well as our planet!
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: Winter Vacation … Stay Calm, Set Expectations, Connect with Family and Friends
Winter vacation will soon be here. In this episode the hostesses offer tips and reminders to get through the holidays and vacation with joy and peace. They talk about staying calm, envisioning a realistic holiday, setting expectations, and connecting with family and friends. There is also a reminder about FCPS Food Distribution for Winter Vacation. Call the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800 with any questions about food distribution.
Listen and subscribe:
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Upcoming School Board Meetings
- December 16, 2021 - Regular Meeting - 7 pm
- January 11, 2021 - Forum - 10 am
- January 11, 2021 - Work Session - 11 am
- January 13, 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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