February 2022 Newsletter

Valentine's Day Greeting

February 2022 Newsletter

Dear FCPS Families and Community: 

Happy Black History Month. This past Thursday, I had the distinct pleasure of presenting our resolution in honor of Black History Month, the theme for which is black health and wellness. I took this opportunity to not only recognize the contributions of African Americans in many areas, including the scientists who brought us the blood transfusion process, Dr. Drew and Dr. Corbett who led the fight in developing the COVID 19 vaccine. I also spoke to the importance of teaching history, all of it. As the daughter and granddaughter of men who served in the military and the proud mother of a son who now serves, I know the importance of understanding both the triumphs and the tragedy of our collective history. This is a nation that has been built by many hands. When we have earnest conversations about the facts of history, in an environment that values both free speech and critical thinking, we are contributing to the healthy workings of a nation that learns from the past and seeks to achieve a more perfect union.  

This past month has also included several meetings to address critical concerns for our system. Our Board continues to evaluate the budget to make sure that we invest in student success. This year we are focusing on investing in continuous improvements in our literacy programs, career and technology offerings, and investment in our top-quality staff members, just to name a few. My review of the budget is focused on both academic excellence and improving access to programming for all students. These evaluations have included a review of our staffing, facility needs, and the like. I voted to approve our Capital Improvement Plan and to authorize additional work to locate a new High School in the Western region of our county. It has been my pleasure to meet with community members on many of these subjects and I enjoyed attending the Falls Church High School Renovation report. Additional information is provided in this issue.

I also want to mention the changing landscape regarding mask use in our schools. I support a layered approach to keeping both our students and staff members healthy. With the implementation of this approach, FCPS has been very successful in keeping our schools open. This is a major concern as I have taken the time to examine several districts and private schools that have not used masks. I have found that the lack of mask use in schools can result in staff shortages, an inability to get substitute teachers, and other such operational problems. With the FCPS approach, we have managed to improve our substitute fill rates and we have minimized the spread of COVID. I have also noted that our hospitals use a similar approach to stop the spread of contagious diseases. I'm grateful for our medical professionals who are on the front line and who take the additional step to keep us healthy through the use of masks when they perform surgeries and/or come into contact with patients who could contribute to the spread of disease. In my view, the collective efforts of our community have contributed to our success in keeping our schools open and support the County's efforts to reduce the spread of COVID. Though I am fully vaccinated, I understand that while I am most likely protected from the deadly effects of COVID, I can still carry the virus and impact those who are more vulnerable. I choose to follow the golden rule, mask up and work with our medical professionals until the threat of COVID has been minimized. Further details on masking are provided in this issue.    

We also celebrate Valentine's Day this month. I also take this moment to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day.

Best,

Karen Keys-Gamarra Signature

Inside this issue: 

  • FCPS Announces Masking Rollback Strategy
  • Supporting Instruction and Inclusivity: Board Approves School Year 2022-2023 Calendar
  • School Board Approves Fiscal Year 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Program
  • Investing in Student Success: Provide Feedback on FCPS’s Use of Federal (ESSER III) Funding
  • FCPS Celebrates Black History Month
  • Audit Committee Update
  • Business Leaders to Engage Students at Upcoming Career Expo, February 14-17
  • Preparing for the Unexpected: Challenges of the Military Family Webinar, February 25
  • FCPS Substitute Job Fair, February 17

Student wearing a mask

FCPS Announces Masking Rollback Strategy

FCPS continues to work with health experts to develop a plan to safely scale back layered prevention measures. The health and safety of our students and staff is our number one priority, guiding every decision we make during this pandemic. Our rollback plan 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 rollback strategy when the Fairfax County community reaches moderate transmission and remains there for 7 consecutive days.

When that happens, the following changes will go into effect:

  • Masking will be optional. Universal masking will only be required during high or substantial community transmission rates. There may also be times such as an outbreak, when some students and staff will be asked to wear masks during mask-optional community transmission levels to protect the public health. FCPS employees who are not fully vaccinated or are unvaccinated will still be required to wear a mask indoors, regardless of transmission level, as outlined by the Department of Labor and Industry.
  • Student Screening Testing will move to a dynamic testing plan. Screening testing will be available during moderate, substantial, and high community transmission to the greatest extent practicable, in alignment with CDC guidance. Screening testing for students will not be offered during low transmission.
  • Contact Tracing, Isolation and Quarantine will continue. We will provide updates should the guidance change.

We may need to adjust our layered prevention strategies should the region experience a surge or widespread illness that could impact our ability to safely provide in-person instruction to our students. This strategy is based on scientific data and provides a reasonable roadmap to move forward safely. 


Capital Improvement Program Cover Page

School Board Approves Fiscal Year 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Program

During the February 10, 2022 School Board Meeting, the Board unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP is a planning and fiscal management tool used to coordinate the location, timing, and funding of capital projects over five years. CIP includes an annual review of the current student membership and facilities data to determine future capital requirements for new construction, capacity enhancements, and facility renovations. 

The FY 2023-27 five-year capital requirement totals approximately $1.2 billion and identifies current or anticipated funding for capital projects within the five-year timeframe. The listing of capital projects includes New School Construction (funded, partially funded and unfunded), Funded Capacity Enhancements, Renovations (funded, partially, and unfunded), and Site Acquisition Funded. View the complete list of sites. Full details of the vote are available on BoardDocs


Calendar Planning

Supporting Instruction and Inclusivity: Board Approves School Year 2022-2023 Calendar 

The Fairfax County School Board voted to adopt a calendar for the 2022-23 school year that focuses on instruction, and student and operational needs. Additionally, the calendar is aligned with neighboring school districts, including Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun, Montgomery County, and Prince William. The calendar is guided by our calendar development framework, which was clearly established at the beginning of this process.

The new calendar also adds additional key observance days. In recognizing the need to accommodate a growing number of staff and students who have had to take time off or miss school in order to freely exercise their religious or cultural practices, as demonstrated through absenteeism data, we are proposing additional days as holidays. Veterans Day will be a professional work day and student holiday. The SY22-23 calendar is more aligned with the school systems of neighboring counties, 

In SY22-23, FCPS will also change its approach to Observance Days, commonly referred to as “O” days. Regulation 2234 will be revised to allow new instruction to take place on days denoted as religious and cultural observances. Tests, quizzes, tryouts that cannot be rescheduled, and sporting events will still be prohibited.

I fully support a more diverse and inclusive School Year calendar. We are very grateful to all members of the FCPS community who gave their time and feedback in support of this important process. During this process and in years to come, I want to ensure staff and the School Board uphold the integrity of the community input and public engagement process. It must be clear that the input we receive reflects the broad representation and rich diversity of our FCPS community. 

One of my primary concerns during this process was to ensure that our decisions were driven and supported by data. In addition to the dates included in the proposed calendar, absenteeism data also showed significant absences among students and staff, such as Lunar New Year and Veterans Day. I believe holidays that are similarly situated in terms of absenteeism rates must be considered in future conversations about our School Year calendar. 


Investing in Student Success: Provide Feedback on FCPS’s Use of Federal (ESSER III) Funding

There has been a lot of conversation and questions around the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding during the past year and a half. If you are not familiar with ESSER III, here are a few things you should know about how it impacts student success. Last fall, FCPS received $188.6 million in ESSER III funding to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impacts of COVID-19 on students. ESSER III Focus Areas include:

  • Prevention and mitigation strategies to help keep schools open and safe for students and staff.
  • Academic intervention services, such as tutoring, after-school programs, and summer learning programs. 
  • Equity professional development to ensure our schools are welcoming and culturally responsive to all students and families.
  • Multilingual engagement to ensure information is accessible to all families.
  • Additional support for students’ social emotional needs.

You are invited to participate in two public engagement opportunities related to how FCPS is meeting ESSER III requirements for ensuring a safe return to in-person instruction and providing continuity of learning. 

Please provide feedback via our Online Feedback Form and/or sign up to speak at the Fairfax County School Board’s ESSER III Public Hearing. The hearing will be held in person on Thursday, February 24, at 6 p.m., at Jackson Middle School

For more information on the ESSER III grant, please watch this video and visit our website. Thank you in advance for lending your voice to this important effort.


Black History Month Resolution Signing

FCPS Celebrates Black History Month

During the month of February, FCPS celebrates Black History Month by affirming African American accomplishments, milestones, and contributions to our nation’s history. The Fairfax County School Board passed a resolution recognizing February as Black History Month during its regular business meeting on February 10, which passed unanimously.

I was honored to introduce this resolution and truly appreciated the opportunity to commemorate the moment with so many community partners and leaders who actively work to expand opportunities for all students. I was grateful for the chance to share my thoughts on the matter. You can view can my full remarks or excerpted comments here.


Audit Committee Update

During the December Audit Committee meeting, OAG presented on the following agenda items (full agenda can be found on BoardDocs):

  • FY 2021 Annual Report.  Click here to view the report!
  • Recommendation Follow-up
  • Auditor General Updates

The Business Continuity Plan is complete as of December 2021 and is scheduled to be presented to the Audit Committee soon. The Community Use audit is currently ongoing.

FY22 Continuous Monitoring testing for quarter one is in the final stages. OAG is finalizing its work and will be sending results to the selected schools.  Continuous Monitoring is a year-long process that is reported at the end of the fiscal year along with the end of year local school activity funds report.

OAG continues to serve as the project liaison for a comprehensive program review of FCPS’ special education, which American Institutes for Research (AIR) was contracted to perform.  Based upon the feedback collected from the School Board in the September 2021 work session, the Audit Committee recommended additional funding for the Year 2 (Phase II) Special Education Comprehensive Review over: (a) Stakeholder focus groups, (b) Classroom observations, (c) Extant data analysis, totaling $87,443. During the November 22 meeting, the School Board voted to approve the recommended modification of the Special Education Comprehensive Review Contract between Fairfax County Public Schools and AIR. As a result of the modification, the Year 2 report is now scheduled to be presented to the School Board between September and November 2022. 

Below is a high-level timeline of the review:

Audit Overview

Career and Technical Education Symposium

Business Leaders to Engage Students at Upcoming Career Expo

Thank you to the business leaders who registered to support the career development of our student’s during our upcoming Career Expo Event. At the event, high school students will learn about career paths and post-secondary options to prepare them for the next chapter of their educational journey. 

Business engagement registration is closed, but we encourage all to amplify this message. The virtual Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo will be every night from Monday, February 14, through Thursday, February 17. This event was developed in conjunction with six neighboring Northern Virginia school divisions. Find details and student registration information


Military Dad and Son

Preparing for the Unexpected: Challenges of the Military Family Webinar, February 25 

Did you know military-connected students experience different “seasons” as they navigate their school years? Using tools from her book, “Seasons of My Military Student,” Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman will offer relevant tips and strategies for managing new challenges.

Highlights include:

  • What makes a school "military-friendly"?
  • How can parents help schools understand the challenges of their military-connected students?
  • The history of "military-friendly" in the United States and origin of the Purple Star Schools. 
  • What does being a Purple Star School really mean to military families? 
  • Moving this summer? Get started on the Seasons of Leaving

Join Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman for our third of a 4-part series supporting military-connected families on February 25, 2022 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Register for Preparing for the Unexpected: Challenges of the Military Family


FCPS Substitute Job Fair, February 17

Apply to Be a Substitute Teacher

Starting pay is $17.79 per hour for short-term subs; $23.91 per hour for long-term subs. 

If you are interested, FCPS is holding a virtual Substitute Job Fair on Thursday, February 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. Learn more about the fair, as well as how to apply, prepare, register and attend.


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.

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