Oak View Review

Mask Mandate Rolls Back Tuesday

Oak View and FCPS will roll back the mask mandate this Tuesday, March 1. Beginning Tuesday, parents may elect whether their child wears a mask at school. There is no form required and only a conversation with your child about the preference of your family.

FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Brabrand, sent communication earlier today:

Late Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated health guidance that included new metrics for determining COVID-19 community levels. Based on this new guidance, Fairfax County’s current COVID-19 community level is low. 

Monday will be a day to prepare for this transition. Students and staff will have the day to get answers to questions and prepare for the change. We will share additional information tomorrow that will help us all prepare. 

The decision to wear a mask or not is a personal one for our staff and families, based on many factors. The FCPS community values our Caring Culture, and we will see that value in action as we treat each other with respect and understanding during this transition. 

Families, please talk with your children about these upcoming changes so they are prepared for this transition and understand your expectations for them at school.

We've got READING Spirit, how about you?

Oak View is excited to celebrate Reading THIS WEEK, February 28 - March 3. We invite students to wear their best spirit attire following the schedule below:

• Monday, February 28 - Silly Outfit & read a silly story
• Tuesday, March 1 - Travel Tuesday, wear something from a place you have traveled and read about a place you have never been
• Wednesday, March 2 - Sports Team & read about an influential athlete
• Thursday, March 3 - Favorite Color & read your favorite book

Early Release Thursday & Teacher Workday Friday

Oak View reminds families that students will have a 2-hour early release this Thursday, March 3. Dismissal will be at 1:15 PM. Friday, March 4 is a Teacher Workday and no school for students. We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, March 7.

Oak View Honors Black History Month

Oak View celebrated Black History Month throughout February. Students were able to select from picture books in our library that highlighted black authors and stories that featured the significant contributions of black citizens to our society. In addition, many classes participated in read-alouds throughout the month including a county-wide offering this past week. We thank our librarian, Mrs. Atkins, for making this a special feature and look forward to future celebrations.

Oak View ESSER Funding

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) is a federal grant which requires that spending be used in specific areas. Part of the Fairfax County Public Schools spending plan identifies funding to be used for Unfinished Learning and Student Academic and Social, Emotional, Mental Health (Wellness) Needs. Oak View has been working diligently to put our ESSER grant funds to use to support the Academic and Wellness needs of our student body. Check out our Oak View ESSER At-A-Glance linked here. To date, we have funded the following initiatives with our first wave of grant allocation:

• 2, 6-week before school academic intervention for identified students 
• 2, 6-week after school wellness intervention for identified students
• Advanced Math Recovery Training and Materials for all teachers in Grades K-3
• Purchase of Spotlight on Comprehension Leveled Readers for Grades 3-6
• Purchase of Decodable Texts for Grades K-3
• Funding additional planning time for teachers in Grades K-6 and special education to target small group intervention needs in math and reading
• Purchase of Zones of Regulation materials and training for teachers in Grades K-6
• Purchase of calm containers to support mental breaks and self-regulation strategies

We encourage you to participate in a public engagement opportunity related to how FCPS is meeting ESSER III requirements for ensuring a safe return to in-person instruction and providing continuity of learning. As a reminder, last fall, FCPS received $188.8 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding to address the impacts of COVID-19 on students. Grant 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.

All of these areas impact student success! Please provide input today via our online feedback form. For more information on the ESSER III grant, please watch this video and visit the FCPS website.

SOL Schedule Begins May

Oak View has confirmed our upcoming SOL schedule for all students in Grades 3-6. It is linked here. Please try and avoid appointments on the morning of the scheduled test day, when possible. Thank you in advance for helping your child do their best by reinforcing a good night's sleep and healthy breakfast on test dates. Students will continue their preparations throughout the upcoming spring.

Daily Symptom Check at Home

Oak View thanks families for their continued diligence in keeping your children home if they are sick or displaying any COVID-like symptoms. In addition, please note that if you are awaiting test results, please keep your child home - as noted on the screening questionnaire. One of the most important prevention strategies guidelines is screening students daily for any signs of illness prior to leaving home for school. Any student who is ill or presents with COVID-like symptoms is to remain at home. The daily health screening questionnaire and all translated version can be found on our Health and Safety Guidance document at https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/health-and-safety-guidance-document. This document provides the details of the policies and protocols related to COVID-19, and it is continually updated to align with public health guidance as it evolves during the school year. Daily completion of the health screening is done on an honor basis and does not need to be sent to the school. More information is available here.