Dear Sully District Families,
A very Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! Wishing you a beautiful day filled with all the love and happiness you deserve.
It was another eventful month for Fairfax County Public Schools and our School Board. At our Board meeting last week, we took an important step forward towards the future Western High School (planned for Sully District). My follow-on motion to execute the appropriate professional services contract for the purpose of identifying and presenting to the School Board for consideration and concurrence a location (new, existing FCPS, or any other appropriate property) for the Western High School so that the site may be included in the FY2024-28 Critical Infrastructure Plan (CIP) was approved! This project will provide capacity relief for the overcrowding issues we face in our high schools in Sully District and has been approved by voters as part of many previous School Bond Referendums. I have strongly advocated for this and am thrilled that we are finally able to move forward to provide the quality educational spaces our students deserve!
I also introduced a Forum topic, along with my colleague Karen Corbett Sanders to review our existing Title IX program, align it with best practices and to setup a student task force to help inform it. Recently, our students have expressly articulated a need for this, to drive awareness of the supports that are available to them and to foster a safe, respectful learning environment.
We also approved next year’s school calendar that is inclusive of our diverse community, worked to continue prioritizing student and staff safety in our schools, received Superintendent Brabrand’s proposed budget, and launched the new Fairfax County Historical Marker’s project just as we began celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth. As we celebrate America's Black history this year, here is a list of sites around the region that you have the opportunity to visit in person, or online, to reflect on an inspiring journey of hope, sacrifice, liberation, empowerment, and beauty.
As I have mentioned in my earlier newsletters, I have been proactively advocating for FCPS to work with health experts to develop a plan to safely scale back layered prevention measures. The rollback plan that has been communicated uses community transmission data and health expert recommendations to inform our decision-making.
While we continue to see declines in COVID cases across our community, we remain in high transmission and all current layered prevention strategies, including masking, remain in place. FCPS will implement our roll back strategy when the Fairfax County community reaches moderate transmission and remains there for 7 consecutive days. The health and safety of our students and staff is our number one priority, guiding every decision we make during this pandemic.
Inside this month’s newsletter:
- Sully District Happenings!
- School Year 2022-23 Calendar Updates
- K-1 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs
- Superintendent’s Proposed Budget
- CIP Plan Approval
- Career Exploration Event
- Parent, Student & Mental Health Resources
It was a real joy to be invited to be a judge at the South County High School Science Fair and to select School Board Award winners from the award-winning artworks at the Regional Scholastic Art Awards sponsored by FCPS Fine Arts. Our students are amazingly talented!! I am also looking forward to school visits planned to Floris Elementary, Brookfield Elementary and Mountain View High School in the next few weeks.
.As always, I look forward to working together with you and our community at large to help shape an environment for our educators and students to thrive!
In partnership,
Stella Pekarsky
Sully District Happenings
Asha-Jyothi, Chantilly-based Non-Profit honored by FCPS School Board Resolution
It was my honor to read a resolution at the January 27th Board meeting to honor Asha-Jyothi, a volunteer-based global nonprofit dedicated to supporting our community through health care and education initiatives and has given over $250,000 to FCPS to enhance their technology education, build Innovation Labs and Maker Spaces, inspiring our students to be the trailblazers of tomorrow. Read the full resolution.
The School Board extends its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Asha-Jyothi for their valuable contributions to enhance the technology education of students in FCPS to help them pursue 21st-century career opportunities.
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Sully District Student is chosen for US Senate Youth Program!
Congrats to amazing Sully District junior Jessica Ye was among 2 TJHSST students chosen to represent Virginia in the United States Senate Youth Program. Both students were selected for their academic achievements, strong leadership skills and dedication to a future in public service. Read all about it here. Photo credit: WJLA news.
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"We Love FCPS Day":Board of Supervisors (BOS) & Volunteer Fairfax Honors FCPS Teachers and Staff!
 Happy Valentine's Day everyone!! Thank you to Volunteer Fairfax and Fairfax County Government Board of Supervisors for the valentines and for proclaiming Feb 8th as “We love FCPS Day”. Our teachers and staff deserve all the love as they work tirelessly towards brighter futures for all our students! Volunteer Fairfax delivered more than 7000 hand-crafted valentines cards from the Fairfax County community to the teachers and staffers at 42 Title One schools. The handoff took place at #BrookfieldElementary. At the event, Kim Ward from the Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith's Office presented the "We Love FCPS Day" proclamation to Principal Ellen Mukai. Read more about it here. #ThankATeacher #WeloveFCPSDay
Sully District Supervisor's Winter Coat Drive for students!
Thank you to Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith and her staff for organizing a winter coat drive that provided more than 250 brand new jackets to children here in the Sully District at Brookfield, Center Ridge and London Towne Elementary Schools! We are grateful for their generous support to keep our children in the Sully District warm! #Communitylove
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Health and Safety Updates
FCPS continues to adjust health and safety measures in response to current health conditions and updated guidance from health officials. Here are the latest updates.
Contact Tracing
The Virginia Department of Health recently announced that contract tracing in schools may be limited only to outbreaks. However, the CDC continues to recommend contact tracing, in combination with testing, wearing a well-fitting mask, and quarantine and isolation, as effective strategies to identify people with COVID-19 (cases) and to reduce transmission.
FCPS has and continues to implement CDC recommendations, to the greatest extent practicable, to prevent or reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools and to foster the continuation of in-person learning for students and staff. As a result, FCPS will continue contact tracing until further notice.
Effective this week:
- The FCPS Pause (Close Contact) Letter includes quarantine guidance and replaces the Fairfax County Health Department quarantine email to families.
- The FCPS Student Quarantine Exemption and Attestation Form replaces the Fairfax County Health Department Vaccine Verification Survey.
Vaccinated, asymptomatic students may be exempt from quarantine following exposure by completing the FCPS Student Quarantine Exemption and Attestation Form. An automated email will be sent to the parent/guardian after completing the form which will serve as the student’s documentation of clearance to return to school. Hard copies of this form will be available at your school if needed.
Test-to-stay is recommended by CDC to reduce the impact of quarantine and limit school absences. FCPS is piloting test-to-stay in seven schools for students ages 5-17 who have not completed their primary vaccination series, and students 18+ who have not completed their primary vaccination series and their booster dose. These schools are:
- South Lakes High School
- Robinson Secondary School
- Katherine Johnson Middle School
- Glasgow Middle School
- Bush Hill Elementary School
- Bailey’s Elementary School
- Hybla Valley Elementary School.
Student-Athletes
FCPS highly encourages all student-athletes to be vaccinated for the spring athletic season. During the spring athletic season, student-athletes that are unvaccinated will not be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing but will be required to follow all CDC protocols pertaining to isolation and quarantine for COVID-positive persons and close contacts.
The original vaccine requirement for FCPS athletics was for winter sports due to the close proximity of certain sports and being indoors. As we transition to spring sports, our athletic activities are primarily outdoors. In addition, we are starting to see declining rates of community transmission of the virus alongside high vaccination rates among our high school students and athletes.
Students who are unvaccinated and exposed to the virus as close contacts or become positive will miss both their sporting activities and valuable learning time in the classroom as they will need to follow the protocols for quarantine and isolation as outlined by the CDC.
Please contact the FCPS Office of Student Activities and Athletics with any questions.
School Year Calendar Updates
The School Board voted to adopt a 2022-23 school year calendar that focuses on instruction, and student and operational needs. Additionally, the calendar is aligned with neighboring school districts and adds additional key observance days. A few key highlights are below:
Four observances will be student holidays
Four observances will be student holidays next school year, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Orthodox Good Friday, and Diwali. Teacher and staff schedules for this day will be announced later this spring.
Employee Calendar
The 2022-23 Employee Calendar is still being developed and will be shared later this spring.
O Days
New instruction will be allowed to take place on days denoted as religious and cultural observances, or “O” days. Look for more information about O Days in 2022-23 later this spring.
Date Change for Eid-al-Fitr for the 2021-22 School Year Calendar
The current “O” (religious and cultural observance) day for Eid-al-Fitr on FCPS’ 2021-22 School Year calendar was incorrectly listed as Tuesday, May 3. Please note that the correct date is Monday, May 2. FCPS apologizes for the error. View the updated 2021-22 School Year Calendar.
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FY 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Program
The School board unanimously approved the proposed FCPS FY 2023-27 Capital Improvement Program at last night's regular meeting.
More information is available online
Proposed Budget Includes Increased Teacher and Staff Pay
Superintendent Scott Brabrand’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 is inspired by the school division’s tradition of academic excellence through public education. After two years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, FCPS is committed to moving forward into a bright future that places an emphasis on student achievement, and recognition of world-class educators and operational support staff.
The proposed budget includes a 4 percent Market Scale Adjustment (MSA) for all employees, along with a step increase for eligible employees. FCPS continues to recognize the critical role that instructional and operational staff play in our student’s success. Pay increases will also help to attract high quality substitute teachers and bus drivers. [Details here]
Register Today for Career Exploration Event starting 2/14!
Calling all students!
Register today for Instruction 2 Industry - an upcoming regional career exploration event for high school students.
When: 4pm-7pm daily from Monday, February 14 through Thursday, February 17, 2022
FCPS, with six neighboring school divisions, is hosting a Virtual Career Expo where students can connect with over 100 local industry professionals from in-demand career fields across the region, to prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey and ultimately the pathway into the workforce!
All sessions will be recorded for playback after the event's conclusion.
Read more here.
Great Student Opportunities!
Girls Who Code Summer Program
Coding, Sisterhood, Bravery. Great summer program for 9-11th graders!! GWC Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is a FREE, live, virtual, 2-week introductory computer science course for current 9th-11th grade students. Here you’ll learn web development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript while getting an inside look into the tech industry through incredible company partners like EA, Pfizer, and ViacomCBS. They also have a Self Paced Program, which is a flexible computer science course for current 9th-12th grade students who prefer not to adhere to a set schedule. Learn more about both and apply today — and share with a STEM friend who should apply too! You can apply here.
CTE Summer Academy and Tech Adventure Camp
Two great opportunities for students to explore their interests this summer are open for registration. Students in grades 7-11 can dive deeper into Career and Technical Education program areas, develop new skills, and explore future careers in the CTE Summer Academy. Additionally, students currently in grades 2-6 may participate in Tech Adventure Camp, where they will explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, business, and marketing areas. Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come basis until seats are filled. Registration and more information about the CTE Summer Academy and the Tech Adventure Camp is available online.
University Start-Ups College & Career Planning Program
University Startups gives students access to college preparation, internship, experiences, and new career opportunities through social and inclusive programs. Open enrollment for University Startups college and career planning programs is now available to all Fairfax Public Schools students for sessions beginning March 21. Find out more about this program here. You can register here.
Edu-Futuro Emerging Leaders Program
Edu-Futuro's three-part Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is for students in grades 9-11 and provides them with a toolkit of integrative, interdisciplinary, and transferable skills and strategies to support them in their path towards becoming leaders of their own futures. Find out more about this program here.
PreK and Kindergarteners May Now Apply for Dual Language Immersion Programs
Online registration for the county-wide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs opened on January 24. Current prekindergarten students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2022-23 school year.
The kindergarten DLI programs are available in Korean and Spanish. Korean is available at Powell and Spanish is available at Bailey’s Primary, Fort Hunt, Lake Anne, Laurel Ridge, London Towne, and Rose Hill Elementary Schools. First grade DLI programs are available at 12 elementary schools and are offered in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Information Meetings
Parents who are interested in the DLI programs in FCPS are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming informational meetings. All meetings are held virtually. Information regarding virtual meeting access will be made available on the Dual Language Immersion registration site by the day of the meeting.
Get more information on Dual Language Immersion programs.
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.
Celebrate Black History Month
Diversifying bookshelves can help kids find themselves in literature—and the outdoors. Researchers have identified an alarming lack of books about Black children in nature. Explore these books that feature Black children in the outdoors.
Applications Open for Hog Island Educators Week Scholarship
Each year Audubon Society of Northern Virginia offers one classroom teacher, specialist or school administrator a scholarship to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at Hog Island Audubon Camp, in coastal Maine. This year's scholarship covers tuition, room, board, and transportation. The deadline to submit your application and two letters of recommendation for the scholarship is February 28. Learn more about the Hog Island Educators Week Scholarship and apply.
NWF Photo Contest
The National Wildlife Federation’s National Wildlife Photo Contest is accepting entries through March 27, 2022. Students between the ages of 13-17 may enter in the Young Habitat Photographers category. The entry fee is waived for students at registered Eco-Schools. Learn more about NWF’s National Wildlife Photo Contest and how to get a fee waiver.
Audubon Society of Northern Virginia Youth Education Mini-Grant
The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia’s (ASNV) mini-grant program supports teachers, schools, and non-profit organizations in educating youth about birds and the environment. ASNV is awarding three mini-grants of up to $500 each. All projects must include an educational component. Applications are due by Friday, April 1. Learn more and apply for the ASNV Youth Education Mini-Grant.
NVSWCD College Scholarship
NVSWCD is offering a scholarship to one high school senior or college freshman pursuing a degree in conservation or a related field. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 1. Learn about and apply for the Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship
Join the Growing School Food Gardens Community!
KidsGardening is thrilled to announce that the new Growing School Food Gardens Community is live in the Kids Garden Community. With the support of the USDA, the Growing School Food Gardens Community will provide opportunities to:
- Connect with other educators teaching in school food gardens
- Get support from experienced peer garden educators
- Share your expertise growing a school garden
- Find vetted school food garden and farm to school resources to support your growing and teaching adventures
Connect to Get2Green
Get2Green Website | Email | Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | YouTube
Mental Health Resources for Students and Parents
This month's theme: Friendly February.
Be friendly to others and give your relationships a boost.
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
- February 22, 2022 - Work Session - 11 am
- February 24, 2022 - ESSER Public Hearing - 6 pm
- February 24, 2022 - Regular Meeting - 7 pm
- March 8, 2022 - Forum & Work Session - 10 am
- March 10, 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.
© 2022 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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