Dear Sully District Families,
I hope everyone was able to enjoy a safe and healthy winter break! Mother Nature certainly added a curve ball this week with snow at the beginning and the end. What a way to start 2022....my children (and dog) definitely welcomed the winter weather and the extra days of play and rest.
For many of us, 2020 and 2021 were difficult years. We have been forced to adapt and change as individuals, as families, and as a community. As we enter into 2022, I was looking forward to more normalcy, but covid-19 and its variants seem to have upended our plans again. During this period of upheaval, I am thankful for our parents, teachers, and staff that have been phenomenal in helping our students navigate this unprecedented time.
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Thank you for reaching out to me with your concerns and suggestions. I understand your worry about the rapid spread of Omicron through our community. I am also similarly concerned with the contagious nature of this variant and the fact that so many students still aren’t vaccinated or have health challenges as we return to school. I do worry that like so many schools around the country, we will see outbreaks in schools and potentially face staffing shortages that will negatively impact student learning.
I am monitoring this situation closely and have been advocating to Dr. Brabrand that he be vigilant and ensure he is working closely with our health care professional partners in the Fairfax County Health Dept, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and Inova Health to make sound decisions for our students and staff. Now, more than ever, we must lean into the expert advice and guidance of our public health experts. I am also continuing to work with my colleagues and the leadership team to offer an alternative to families with students that have exceptional needs right now and are not comfortable with in-person school .
The FCPS plan to navigate the current COVID surge reflects how staff will be meeting the challenges in the weeks ahead. This plan will continue for the next 2-3 weeks and then make any necessary adjustments. The health and safety of our students and staff is my top priority!
In December, I devoted much of my time to the Board to the Superintendent search. This is an incredibly important process for our community. Please refer to the newsletter below and the Superintendent search site for opportunities to share your feedback and attend a townhall.
Inside this month’s newsletter:
- Superintendent Search Community Engagement
- Health and Safety Updates
- Calendar Development Updates
- Parent & Mental Health Resources
Please stay safe and be mindful of the news, notes, and reminders upon our return to school. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we navigate this surge with our focus on student safety and education. I look forward to working together with you in the new year to help our students succeed. Welcome back!
In partnership,
Stella Pekarsky
Superintendent Search Update: Community Engagement Opportunities and Information
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is conducting a nationwide search for a new superintendent to lead the school district when Superintendent Brabrand's contract expires. The School Board is charged with hiring the new superintendent. In October 2021, the School Board contracted human resources recruitment firm GR Recruiting to conduct a nationwide search for the next Superintendent of Schools.
The community’s voice is critical in helping define leadership characteristics, qualities, and qualifications of the next superintendent of FCPS. Parents, staff, students, and community members will be deeply involved in the process.
Updates regarding community engagement, as well as other aspects of the hiring process, will be shared on our Superintendent Search webpage and through other methods of communication including email, newsletters, and social media.
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January 4-18, 2022: GR Consulting administering a survey to parents/guardians, students, staff, and community members. 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.
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January 12, 13 and 18, 2022: The search firm will hold Community Stakeholder Meetings with previously identified parents, students, and community members.
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January 12, 13 and 18, 2022: The search firm will hold virtual Town Hall meetings for the community to attend. Details on how to register to be announced soon.
Please visit our Superintendent Search webpage for additional information.
Navigating the COVID Surge - Health and Safety Updates
FCPS has been working hard to prepare for staffing shortages with the recent COVID surge. These shortages will impact schools in every way, from classroom instruction to operations.
Below is the FCPS plan to provide instruction as we return from this extended winter break.
Classroom Coverage
When a classroom teacher is out, we will consider the following in this order:
Dedicated class coverage by:
- a substitute teacher from the sub pool
- another teacher or staff member
- Central Office volunteer subs who have instructional experience.
- Pairing two classes together with one teacher.
- Grouping multiple classes to provide supervision during asynchronous instruction.
Our teachers will be reminded to upload classroom materials to Schoology, when students need to access lessons asynchronously. While we hope to continue to offer StreamIn/CheckIn for students who are paused, quarantined or in isolation, this may not always be possible.
Transportation Staffing shortages are impacting our operational staff as well. Expect that there will be delays in bus routes with more double-backs that may mean students will arrive after the bell. Schools will adjust instruction to ensure that no child is missing important classroom time. Access the Bus Delay App to receive current bus delay information. When possible, please consider driving your child to school, or walking or biking if you are nearby.
Food Services Breakfast and lunch service has not been impacted at this time, but it is possible that with greater staff absences, we may need to change to providing bag lunches, instead of the regular menu.
Here are some ways that you can partner with us to keep our schools safe and open for learning.
Health and Safety
- Keep your children home when sick.
- We encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated or boosted, which is the best protection against serious illness caused by COVID-19.
- Sign your child up for optional screening testing and make use of our diagnostic testing if your child has symptoms.
- Remind your child about our layered prevention strategies including proper mask wearing, hand washing and using hand sanitizer.
- Be sure your child brings home their laptop and charger every night.
Supporting Our Classrooms Apply to be a substitute teacher. Watch for emails from your school leadership for other volunteer opportunities.
FCPS will follow this operational plan for the next 2-3 weeks. During this time, we must adjust our expectations about instruction and give our staff the space needed to make adjustments and on the spot decisions needed to combat this COVID spike.
Resources and Messages
Webpages:
Videos:
Letters:
Sully District Happenings
Chantilly HS Student, Girl Scout Gold Award Project to help Autism Awareness!
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Our amazing student Christina Alvarez, a Senior at Chantilly High School, for her Girl Scout Gold Award, worked to promote Autism Awareness! In an effort to promote sponsoring your own Autism Awareness Month, she has created 12 videos providing advice on planning and creating activities at your own location/school. Please check out all her videos if you are interested and subscribe to her channel. Here is the playlist of Autism Awareness Videos on YouTube. |
Juniors at Five High Schools Can Apply for Paid Internships With Sully Historic Site
Sully Historic Site is pleased to announce the seventh year of the Margaret C. Peck Youth Internship program, sponsored by the Sully Foundation Ltd. Juniors at Centreville, Chantilly, Herndon, South Lakes and Westfield high schools, who are in good standing and have an interest in history, are encouraged to apply for this paid internship that runs from mid-May through December 2022. Up to three interns will be hired and participants will gain invaluable experience in museum operations, public speaking, historic object collections, event programming and customer service.
Candidates must provide a completed application, written essay and one teacher recommendation by Monday, March 21, 2022, for panel review. Candidates will be selected in mid-April. For more information about the internship, please contact Tammy Higgs at tammy.higgs@fairfaxcounty.gov or call the Site at 703-437-1794. Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly, Virginia. For more information about the Site, visit Sully Historic Site's website.
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.
Questions? Please contact the Office of Communication and Community Relations at occr@fcps.edu.
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Stay Safe: VaxUP and Test, COVID-19 VACCINE KEY UPDATES
COVID-19 VACCINE KEY UPDATES
There are new COVID-19 vaccination opportunities for teens and children: ages 12–17 years now eligible for a booster dose and 5–11-year-old vaccine recipients who are moderately or severely immunocompromised now eligible to receive a third dose. See this update.
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.
Mental Health Resources for Students and Parents
This month's theme: Happier January
How can we start this new year happier? Things have certainly not been easy over the last year, and we are still in difficult and uncertain times. The best way to try to handle our difficult emotions and experiences is by focusing on what we can control. This month, we're encouraging everyone to focus on small steps to try to boost happiness - for ourselves and others around us - to spread kindness and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
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.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
- January 11, 2022 - Work Session - 11 am
- January 13, 2022 - Regular Meeting - 7 pm
- January 27, 2022 - CIP Public Hearing - 6 pm
- January 27, 2022 - 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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