NO SCHOOL
Monday, 2/21 - Presidents' Day Holiday
Fairfax County Health Department
Special Back to School
Immunization Clinic
The Fairfax County Health Department will be offering a special Immunization Clinic for Fairfax County Students to complete their school vaccine requirements. Call for an appointment.
Saturday, February 5, 2022, 8am to 12pm
Joseph Willard Health Center
3750 Old Lee Highway
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
To make an appointment please call our Fairfax County Health Department Clinic Service’s Appointment Line:
703-246-7100
Franconia Student Council
Winter Fundraiser
Flowers will be delivered on Valentine’s Day, 2/14/22
Show some love to friends, teachers, and staff this Valentine’s Day while also helping the Falls Church Homeless Shelter.
One Flower = $3 Two Flowers = $5
Cash or check made out to Franconia Elementary School
Payment and order form should be sent in for Ms. Octaviano
Your purchase will support the Falls Church Homeless Shelter. This organization’s goal is to serve our community by providing shelter, food, and counseling services for adults in need during the winter season and by offering access to housing placement services to empower their guests and help break the cycle of homelessness.
(order forms were sent home in Wednesday folders - to obtain an additional form, contact the Franconia SCA staff rep, Ms. Octaviano, here.)
VOLUNTEER HELP
The Franconia School Librarian, Mrs. Vandersande, is looking for more parent volunteers to help in the library.
If you are interested, please sign up at the SignUp Genius link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e4caead2faaf49-library
For any questions, please contact Mrs. Vandersande at dmvandersand@fcps.edu.
GUIDANCE LESSONS FOR FEBRUARY
K-3- Setting goals for the New Year (Part 2): Students will write their action plans for achieving their goals.
6th grade: What would you do? Students will learn about the importance of having personal integrity.
From our Franconia School Counselors:
Veronica Guillion - vguillion@fcps.edu
Leslie Fry - lrcalhounfry@fcps.edu
SCHOOL BUS INFO
Did you know you can find out up-to-the minute updates on your child's school bus?
- Check the The Here Comes the Bus® app, a school bus tracking app that can simplify morning and afternoon routines for parents and students by giving them real-time bus location and text or email notification alerts, helping them get to the bus stop on time.
- Stay up-to-date on school bus arrivals with FCPS' bus delay notification system. This system provides parents with timely notification of late bus route information. Parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System online or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app (mentioned above) to receive the delayed bus report.
- Morning route information will be available until noon.
- Afternoon bus route information will be available from 1 to 7 p.m. e-Notify (SchoolMessenger) email messages will also be sent to announce bus delays of at least 30 minutes.
- Need assistance or have questions? Contact the Transportation office listed for your school.
- For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
- Carpool, walk, or bike to school if you are able to do so.
More information about transportation to and from school is available online.
A lot of new and updated information is available for schools and families due to the current COVID-19 surge and recent changes to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
Earlier this week we shared how the new CDC recommendations for quarantine and isolation periods would affect students and staff.
The Health and Safety Guidance Document on our website is your source for the most up-to-date information.
Here are some updates and answers to common questions:
Isolation and Quarantine
We follow the CDC definitions of isolation and quarantine. Understanding the difference is helpful when determining what you need to do following a diagnosis or being named a close contact.
Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. When you or your child has tested positive for, or been medically diagnosed with, COVID-19, the instruction is to isolate.
Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who are exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. When you or your child has been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual, the instruction may be to quarantine.
The First Step if Your Child Tests Positive or Receives a COVID-19 Diagnosis
If your child tests positive or receives a COVID-19 diagnosis, please notify your school so they can provide you with the FCPS Isolation Letter, which will include the anticipated return to school date for your child.
The process for returning to school after a COVID-19 positive test, diagnosis, or exposure is outlined on our website.
Fully Vaccinated Students with School-related Exposures Can Be Exempt from Quarantine
Fully vaccinated students with a school-related COVID-19 exposure can be exempt from quarantine. Parents or guardians will receive the vaccination survey link in the FCPS Pause Letter provided by the school when the student is identified as a close contact. This survey is only available to school-related cases.
Who Provides Clearance Letters
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) will no longer provide return to school/work letters in most cases. FCPS pause letters will now serve as return documentation for students that are close contacts. The FCPS pause letters will provide the steps students will follow to return to school.
The FCHD will provide clearance emails ONLY to students who are exempt from quarantine (see above).
Medical Questions About COVID-19
If you have questions about COVID-19, please contact your child’s physician or the Fairfax County Health Department at 703-267-3511 (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends). You may email ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov (monitored 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays).
VaxUP FCPS
Vaccination continues to be the best protection against severe illness and our best tool to end the pandemic. Vaccination is now available for adults and kids five and up. Booster shots are available for everyone 12 and up, based on your vaccine vendor and last dose.
If you need a vaccination or booster, the Fairfax County Health Department website is a great source of information about clinics and other vaccination opportunities.
DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
Applications start 1/24
Online registration for the county-wide lottery for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) dual language immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, 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.
For more information, click HERE.
HYPOTHERMIA PREVENTION PROGRAM
Since 2005, the Hypothermia Prevention Program has prevented death and serious injuries among Fairfax County’s most vulnerable residents by ensuring that no one must sleep outside during the winter months.
This program - available to any adult in need of immediate shelter - provides warm shelter, food, and other supportive services to help connect guests to a variety of basic needs such as clothing, employment, housing, and more.
Note: Adults with children (ages 0-17) should contact Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for referrals to family-oriented support and services.
If you need assistance after hours, please contact or visit one of the county’s family shelters – locations and contact information are available.
For more information:
https://bit.ly/Fairfax-Hypothermia-Program
About the Program
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/emergency-shelters
Please remember to notify the school office of any of the following changes that come up for your child.
Notification should be made by 9:00am on the day of the change.
- Absence
- Late arrival
- Planned early pick-up or mid-day appointment (pick-up and return)
- If your child needs to be picked up unexpectedly, please call the office (703-822-2200) in advance of your arrival
- This allows the office to contact your child’s teacher to prepare your child for their departure
- For early pick-ups after 3:00pm, please park on Kathmoor as the school buses start to arrive for dismissal at that time
Below are the 3 options by which to notify the school office (choose one option):
Please do this IN ADDITION to contacting your child's teacher. There could be times when the teacher is absent and, by also contacting the office, the information will be properly noted.
To email your child’s teacher, click HERE.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
FCPS CARES
Recognize FCPS Employees
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care.
The start of the school year is a great time to acknowledge someone who has helped to make your child's return to school amazing.
Learn how you can acknowledge an FCPS employee for their great work.
FCPS Parent Resource Center
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services
2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1, Room 105
Dunn Loring, VA
The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members.
PARENT RESOURCE CENTER CONTACT INFO:
Email: prc@fcps.edu
Phone: 703-204-3941
Web: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center
Twitter: @prc_fcps
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fcpsprc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCPSParentResourceCenter
FREE CONSULTATIONS:
- The PRC offers free, confidential in-person, videoconference, and phone consultations for families and FCPS staff.
- Appointments are highly encouraged.
- They can brainstorm strategies and possible solutions to help you address your concerns by drawing upon resources and support from FCPS, as well as community, state, and national centers.
TUTOR LIST:
- The PRC maintains a list of current FCPS employees who hold a valid and current teaching license in VA and want to tutor after their contracted school day.
- Contact the PRC at 703-204-3941 or prc@fcps.edu for more information.
FREE LENDING LIBRARY:
- Come explore the library for families and staff, 8:00am-4:00pm
- The library contains over 10,000 books, eBooks, DVDs, and CDs on topics related to parenting and educating all children, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
- Check out up to 6 items and keep them for 3 weeks. Renewals are easy - just call or email us.
- Find library resources to support your child with help from the Parent Resource Center staff.
- Call us and we can have library materials ready for you to pick up.
- Return library materials to us 24/7 in our book return or use the FCPS inter-office mail. Contact us for details.
FREE WEBINARS:
- Register here - https://bit.ly/3hSRIZW
- Watch recorded webinars - https://bit.ly3rpPl3Q
- To turn videos into preferred languages, open a video - choose any video on YouTube and follow these directions to have closed-captioning in your preferred language:
- Click the CC button - make sure it is underlined in red.
- Click the settings button - it looks like a gear.
- Click subtitles.
- Click auto-translate.
- Choose a language.
What should I do before my child grows up? Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students with DisabilitiesJoin Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school!
It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for your future. We want to help you start planning for a successful transition from school to life as a young adult.
Ensuring the postsecondary success of our students with disabilities is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for a month of webinars focused on planning for the future.
Each week, webinar sessions will cover a range of topics: CTS programming and services for students with disabilities, short and long-term postsecondary supports, employment and postsecondary education considerations, Supported Decision Making, and student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post-school success.
This event also includes two evenings of student/parent panels where members describe their firsthand experiences as they navigated Fairfax County Public Schools and planning for their child’s future.
Wednesdays in February, 2022: 2/9, 2/16, & 2/23 6:30-8:30 p.m.
CTS Special Education Programs and Services Available in FCPS
Career and Transition Services (CTS) Overview: Learn about the different course offerings, programs, and services available from CTS. Opportunity to ask questions and interact with teacher and staff representatives.
February 9
6:30 – 7:30 Session 1
The Arc of Northern Virginia: Transition Planning and Supported Decision-Making: Learn how to successfully plan for the move from school to the adult world, including how to empower your child or student to maximize independence and rights protection by using a chosen team of supporters.
7:30 – 8:30 Session 2
Supporting Students Accessing Adult Services: Learn about how the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), the Community Services Board (CSB), and Career and Transition Services (CTS) work together to support students accessing adult service providers upon exiting FCPS.
February 16
6:30 – 7:30 Session 1
College and Postsecondary Education Options: Understand the college planning process and learn how to find colleges/programs with the right support and services for your child or student.
7:30 – 8:30 Session 2
My Journey - Part I: An FCPS Graduate Student and Parent Panel: Opportunity to hear from students and parents who navigated special education programs and services in FCPS.
The panel for Part I will consist of individuals with disabilities who are pursuing competitive employment and higher education opportunities after exiting FCPS.
February 23
6:30 – 7:15 Session 1
Middle School Support: This session will provide an overview of planning for your future within the IEP and a discussion about why it’s important to start that planning early.
7:15 – 8:30 Session 2
My Journey - Part II: An FCPS Graduate Student and Parent Panel: Opportunity to hear from students and parents who navigated the transition process in FCPS.
The panel for Part II will consist of individuals with disabilities who are pursuing supported employment, group supported employment, or day support opportunities, and working with the Community Services Board (CSB) for on-going support after exiting FCPS.
Register for What should I do before my child grows up? Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students with Disabilities
Penguin Points
Click on a link for information
Franconia Elementary School website
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