May News: Commitment to Safe Schools, Graduation Scheduled, Upcoming Board Meetings, School Board Updates, Springfield Recognitions, and More

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 05/31/2022 01:03 PM EDT

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Hello, Springfield District!

These last few weeks I’ve had the opportunity to visit works sites for our students at Davis and Pulley Centers, where I learned a lot about the perfect napkin fold, commercial laundry machines, and donuts on hangers. I got to speak to the Lake Braddock Secondary Teachers for Tomorrow class, help West Springfield Elementary reveal their new mural, and got to observe Portrait of a Graduate Presentations of Learning at Irving Middle School. I had amazing visits at Kilmer Center, Mountain View High School, Key Center, and Franklin Middle School. I also had the incredible opportunity to present a resolution honoring the Lake Braddock gymnastics team for state victory earlier this year and congratulate all our FCPS retirees. I even got to help plant a butterfly garden at Hunt Valley Elementary with some awesome 2nd graders.

Getting to be in our schools with our students is absolutely the highlight of this work. Seeing our kids laughing, smiling, playing, learning and getting to watch the amazing work going on in our buildings has been incredible. We feel very lucky to be an FCPS family, but this week, I will confess that it was hard to watch my two children walk out the door on Wednesday morning.

The news from Laguna Hills, Buffalo, and Uvalde has rocked all of our worlds. The loss of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde brought us right back to Parkland and Sandy Hook and the terror that our children might not come home to us. I will continue to work for gun sense legislation-background checks for all sales, no gun sales under age 21, closing the gun show loophole, and enacting and enforcing red-flag laws. In my position as your school board member, I will continue to ensure that we have all safety and security measures in place to protect our students as well as increased access to mental health supports, counselors, social workers, and trusted adults that they may feel comfortable speaking to.

Your child may have questions and concerns after learning about this tragic news. The National Association of School Psychologists has a helpful resource for families and educators to support them when talking with students about school violence. If you or your child need additional support, please reach out to your school counselor.

Lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. Information about gun violence prevention is available on our website. I encourage everyone to continue to learn more about what you and your family can do to prevent gun violence.

I remain grateful that we all have each other and am forever grateful for the trust you place in FCPS and in me as your school board member.

All my very best as always,

Laura Jane

Picture of Lake Braddock Secondary School gymnastics team with staff, school board members, and Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn and Dan Helmer.

Lake Braddock Varsity Gymnastics Team with Acting Principal Lindsey Kearns, School Board Members, Megan McLaughlin, Karen Corebett Sanders, Chair Stella Pekarsky, Vice Chair Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn, School Board Member Karen Keys- Gamarra, Delegate Dan Helmer, myself, Assistant Coach Erin Fillare, and Director of Student Activities Janice Pritchett

This newsletter includes information on the following issues:

Gun Violence in Schools
2022 Graduation Schedule
Upcoming School Board Meetings
School Board Work
FCPS and Community News

FCPS News
Summer Camps and Student Opportunities
Community News

Springfield District Scene

Student Awards
New Principals

Family Resources

Resources for Families
Resources for Students

Health and Safety News
What’s in a Name?
Quick Links

Condemnation of Gun Violence in Schools

Recently, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, experienced a horrifying act of violence that resulted in the tragic loss of 21 innocent lives; 19 children and two teachers. Many more were injured. We share in the grief and frustration that follows these far too common events.

Gun violence and school shootings are complicated topics that affect each of us in different ways. The following resources may be helpful as we all process yesterday’s events:

Resources from the National Association of School Psychologists:

Because of the potential for both intended and unintended threats to our schools, FCPS has focused a great deal of attention to emergency procedures and is vigilant about protecting the safety of its students and employees. The school division has spent considerable time and effort in planning and practicing day-to-day safety and security measures, as well as addressing the response to a major critical incident. Among these measures are

Building Safety

Physical security (Locked doors, intrusion alarms, electronic door access, CCTV).
Visitor Management System and Procedures (Deployed system-wide).
Emergency planning coordination with police, fire, and emergency management offices.
Uniformed school security patrols (24/7).
SROs at all middle and high schools.
FCPS security personnel at all middle and high schools.
Comprehensive division-wide crisis management plan.
Individual school crisis plans-updated annually.

Safety Training

Lockdown, Fire, and Tornado Drills.
Safety training and Table Top exercises at all schools.
Critical incident terms awareness and training (Lockdown, Secure the Building, Shelter in Place, Stay Put Stay Tuned).
Employee training in crisis management and communication. (Lockdown, Evacuation, and “Run, Hide, Fight”).
Mandatory annual safety training for all students and staff.

Safety Procedures

Threat assessment process.
Confidential tip, text, and email programs.
Systemwide emergency alert systems.

Safety and security are everyone’s jobs. Staff, students, parents, and the community at large are reminded to incorporate safety and security awareness as routine and to report any unusual activity to the authorities immediately. Know that we take the safety and security of all students very seriously, and additional information regarding our programs can be found on our Safety and Security website.

Safety Tip Line

FCPS’ Safety Tip webpage is available to all students, staff, and community members to report school safety issues, such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tipline users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.

You may submit your anonymous tips using any of the following methods:

Online- SchoolMessenger Quick Tip Form
SMS Text- 888-777, keyword TIP FCPS

Please remember to include the name of the affected school/facility when reporting. An automated banner will respond, allowing the person to text information.
You may receive a response in return asking for additional information. The responder is NOT able to see your name or phone number.

Phone- 571-423-2020

Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

Springfield District High Schools Graduation Schedule

I am looking forward to attending many graduation ceremonies in the coming week. I couldn’t be more proud of the resilience and determination shown by the class of 2022. They have persevered during the uncertainty and change brought on by the pandemic. They adapted, shifted, and grew. Best of luck to the Class of 2022 as they begin this new and exciting chapter!

Upcoming School Board Meetings

June 9 at 5 p.m. - Work Session: Committee Reports; Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC), Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC), Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee (AAPAC), and Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD)

June 14 at 10:00 a.m. - Forum: Trauma-informed School Practices and Educational Equity Policy
June 14 at 11:00 a.m. - Work Session: Fiscal Year (FY) 23 Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Risk assessment and Audit Plan and Goal 3 and 4 Reports
June 16 at 6:00 p.m. - Student Recognitions: Fall, Winter, and Spring Achievements
June 16 at 7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting: FY23 OAG Risk Assessment and Audit Plan, Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R), and Policy 4750
June 28 at 5:00 p.m. - Work Session: Committee Reports; Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee (ACE), Title I Parent Advisory Committee (TPAC), School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), and Human Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC)
June 30 at 7:00 p.m. - Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) Housekeeping Items, ERFC Appointment of Individual Trustee, ERFC Appointment/Reappointment of the Board of Trustees, and Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee (FLECAC) Annual Report

Please note, times and topics are subject to change.

The work sessions and regular meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and the FCPS website. Both will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube page.

Visit the Community Participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

School Board Work

FY 2023 Budget Focused on Safety, Student Success, and Staff Compensation

I was pleased to vote in support of the FY2022-23 Annual Budget at the May 26th School Board Meeting. The Board has shown a commitment to public education by supporting a budget that funds Fairfax County Public Schools’ key initiatives of student success and a premier workforce.

The County transfer increase of $102.6m, for a total of $2,275.3b, will support investments that show our employees they are the critical piece in helping our students thrive. Eighty-six percent of the $3.3 billion budget will go directly to instruction.

Attracting and retaining the best instructional and support staff, including bus drivers, remains critical to student success. The budget includes a 4% Market Scale Adjustment (MSA) for all employees, along with a step increase for eligible employees, a salary scale extension to all scales, and market improvements to our bus driver and family liaison salary scales. A small adjustment in the budget will support a County initiative to provide affordable housing so that teachers and staff can live where they work.

Additional system-wide professional development on new curriculum and skills development, and planning time for elementary schools will allow school-based staff to spend time reviewing formative and summative assessments to prepare for targeted instruction and provide students with more timely feedback, preparing and organizing materials for differentiated instruction, and communicating with families.

In line with its key priorities, the budget includes funding for multiple initiatives that support students in critical areas of need, including a lead special education teacher at all elementary schools, an increase in school-based family liaisons, investments in staff recruitment and retention, and additional supports for student mental health, wellness, and safety. The budget maintains school counselor positions that would have otherwise been reduced due to a decrease in student enrollment. The School Board also directed the Superintendent to conduct a holistic review of safety and security protocols and procedures in all FCPS buildings, as well as prioritize the completion of the security vestibule program.

FCPS and Fairfax County Joint Environmental Task Force initiatives are represented in the budget with funding to support carbon neutrality, electric buses, Safe Routes to Schools, the Get2Green program, and other sustainability programs.

See the full budget.

Jewish American Heritage Month Resolution

At the May 26th regular meeting I was thrilled to put forth a motion for the first ever National Jewish American Heritage Month Resolution by the FCPS School Board. While Jewish Americans, constitute no more than 2% of the US population, the FBI reports that anti-Jewish hate crimes constitute approximately 60% of all religiously based hate crimes. Virginia has the 15th highest number of antisemtic incidents nationwide, reminding us that our Jewish friends and neighbors continue to face incidents of hate, bigotry, and intimidation throughout our commonwealth. Fairfax County Public Schools has an obligation to combat antisemitism in all its many forms, wherever it exists, and I was so pleased that my motion was seconded by my colleague, Ms. Meren, and passed unanimously by the Board.

Read the Jewish American Heritage Month Resolution.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day Recognition

I was pleased to recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day/Wear Orange Day at the May 26th regular meeting. Joined by members of the Burke/Fairfax Chapter of Moms Demand Action, I recognized this important day in remembrance of 15 year old student Hadiya Pendleton who was innocently shot and killed on a Chicago playground. After her death Hadiya's friends worked to raise awareness and commemorate her life by wearing orange, the colors hunters wear to protect one another. Join me in wearing orange on Friday, June 3rd as we honor the more than 110 lives lost by gun violence every day.

Read the National Gun Violence Awareness Day/Wear Orange Day Recognition.

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

Regulation 2601, The Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), is currently under annual review. Proposed changes for the 2022-2023 SR&R, including guidelines to articulate when personal cell phones may be used at each school level, are described in the staff presentation that was discussed at the Board’s work session on April 26th.

I know cell phones are a distraction to many students in classes and the use of unauthorized photos and videos as a form of bullying has become an increasing problem. There is a lot of research about the benefit of banning cell phones in the classroom. I am also aware that many special education students, EL students, and those with medical needs often use their cell phones for accommodations, translation, and medical reminders/needs. Many students use phones for organizational or other accommodations - even if just to take pictures of lessons.

My colleagues and I are working with staff to ensure the cell phone policy removes the distraction in the classroom and inappropriate use while ensuring students who have a documented need can access them without stigma or risk of discipline or violations of their privacy. I want to support our teachers and principals in their efforts to create a positive learning environment where students can focus on their learning, not their phones. And I know families want to be able to reach their students in case of an emergency.

Action by the School Board is scheduled for June 16, 2022.

Family Life Education

The Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee (FLECAC) met seven times during the 2021-2022 school year. The recommendations from the committee were presented to the Board during the May 24th work session. Due to the substantive curriculum changes that were recommended by the committee, the Board chose to hold recommendations until after engaging in further study and an extended community review period in school year 2022-2023. The recommendations are available on BoardDocs.

Approval of Trust Policy

The School Board voted to approve the Trust Policy, to align with the Fairfax County Trust and Confidentiality Policy, which confirms the School Board’s commitment to providing a safe and welcoming space for all students and their families by aligning Fairfax County Public Schools with Fairfax County’s Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. This will ensure that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials.

I am proud of our work to develop a policy that aligns with Fairfax County’s trust policy which was adopted last year. Fairfax is home to over 352,000 immigrants who contribute to various facets of our community. The FCPS policy is an important step as FCPS continues to build trust with all residents in our communities. Immigration status should not pose as a barrier to educational success. Families and students should feel comfortable and confident to fully participate in school activities and access the numerous services available to our community.

Elementary Language Arts Basal Instructional Materials

FCPS Instructional Services began the process for new basal instructional materials as defined in FCPS Regulation 3004 in 2020. In October 2021, the School Board approved the Language Arts Basal Instructional Materials Adoption Committee.

The committee convened six times between February 9, 2022, and March 9, 2022, to review resources for Language Arts that were submitted by vendors in response to an RFP for consideration as basal instructional materials for elementary Language Arts as well as to review the over 300 community review submissions.

During the last months of the adoption process, the Virginia legislature approved the Virginia Literacy Act, which requires evidence-based literacy instruction to be implemented in all early learning classrooms, including new and amended requirements for instruction and intervention programs. Staff has been notified that the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will provide a list of approved resources in the coming months. In anticipation of the VDOE-approved list, FCPS will pause on the adoption of core materials and have provided recommendations for supplemental and intervention materials only at this time. These materials were presented and discussed at the School Board work session on April 26th and were adopted by the Board at the April 28th regular meeting.

Local Special Education Annual Plan

The 2022-2023 Local Special Education Annual Plan was presented to the Fairfax County Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) at the March 9, 2022 meeting. The plan was approved by the Board at the April 28th regular meeting.

Honoring Greenbriar West Elementary

At the April 28th regular meeting I was delighted to put forth a motion honoring Greenbriar West Elementary School for its 50th anniversary. I’m proud to represent Greenbriar West students and families and am so pleased with the work of Principal Blount and his staff.

Read the Resolution Honoring Greenbriar West Elementary School.

FCPS and Community News

Meet the Incoming Superintendent: Dr. Reid Community Engagements

On Tuesday, May 17, Dr. Reid was joined by families, employees, and community members for a multilingual virtual town hall. Dr. Reid answered questions submitted by audience members on many topics including equity, student success, student and employee social/emotional health, and more. If you missed the town hall view the recording or watch the highlights in this short video.

Picture of Incoming Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for in-person town hall.

Click the video above to view Dr. Reid's in-person town hall.

Students, families, and staff gathered for an opportunity to get to know Dr. Michelle Reid, incoming superintendent, on Tuesday, May, 3 at Annandale High School. Dr. Reid answered audience questions on a variety of topics including equity, technology, learning loss, social/emotional health, and students with disabilities. Six student representatives from across FCPS shared the stage with Dr. Reid, asking their own questions on matters such as school lunch, supporting the arts, and helping immigrant families feel safe.

If you missed the May 3 town hall meeting with Dr. Reid, you may view the recording or watch the highlights in this short video.

These were the first of many opportunities for the FCPS community and Dr. Reid to engage with each other. Stay informed about community engagement opportunities by visiting our website.

Picture of 2022-23 Student Representative to the School Board, Michele Togbe

Michele Togbe to Serve as 2022-23 Student School Board Representative

Michele Togbe, a junior at South County High School, has been elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council (SAC) to serve a one-year term as the student representative to the Fairfax County School Board, beginning July 1. Togbe will participate in School Board meetings as a nonvoting member, filling the position currently held by Pranav Choudhary, a senior at Langley High School. She will be the 52nd student representative to the School Board.

Togbe has three main focuses as a student representative: transparency within students’ voices, furthering civic education, and maintaining an equitable lens. “It is increasingly important for our diverse communities to be represented. I have witnessed firsthand what a lack of transparency can do to a community, which is why we must be forthcoming and transparent about opportunities and programs. Every person should have equal opportunities,” she said. “That ideal can’t be achieved until all students are made aware of all resources our county offers.”

Read the full news release.

FCPS PreK and Early Head Start Now Accepting Applications for 2022-23 School Year

FCPS PreK and Early Head Start is now accepting applications for School Year 2022-23! PreK and Early Head Start is an income-eligible program serving children ages 3 or 4 by September 30 in multiple classrooms across the county and ages 6 weeks to 2 years in the Reston, Herndon, and Springfield areas. Please watch this video to learn more about the program and to see if your child may qualify.

English video
Spanish video.

Amharic	Arabic	Chinese
English	Farsi	Korean
Spanish	Urdu	Vietnamese

For more information you can reach the FCPS PreK Office via the English Line: 703-208-7900, Spanish Line: 703-208-7901 or PreK email at: fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu.

Family Return to School Survey Is Coming Soon

Now that FCPS has transitioned back to a more typical school experience, the school division is interested in hearing from parents/caregivers about how the school year has gone for their students. You will have an opportunity to provide your feedback on our Family Return to School Survey which will open Tuesday, May 31, and close Friday, June 10.

The survey is being administered by the FCPS Office of Research and Strategic Improvement, which provides objective research and data-based information back to the school division’s leadership. The survey is part of the office’s continuing evaluation of the pandemic’s impact on our school division. We encourage all FCPS parents/caregivers to respond to the survey and share their experiences whether positive or negative. The information you and other families provide will be used, along with other data, to inform FCPS leadership about the return to five days a week of in-person instruction, and support FCPS’ efforts to make improvements that support schools, students, and staff. It will also be included in ESSER III reporting.

Tutor.com Update

As outlined in the May 6 Brabrand Briefing, as of April 14, 2022, FCPS students have had access to 24/7, on-demand online tutoring services via Tutor.com at no cost to families. Highlights of the service include support in most K-12 subjects, the ability to submit papers for review, AP/SAT/ACT test prep, etc. As of 5/2/22, there have been 5,001 tutoring sessions.

Communication about Tutor.com continues to be shared via the Tutor.com - Online Tutoring Services Public Web Page, FAQs, FCPS social media platforms, and school newsletters.

Students will have continued access for the next two years, including the summer months, as funded by the ESSER 3 Unfinished Learning Grant.

Tutor.com - Online Tutoring Services Summer 2022 Access

FCPS students will continue to have unlimited access to 24/7, on-demand, online tutoring support services through Tutor.com during the summer of 2022. Students can use Tutor.com during the summer to review and/or practice in subject areas of interest or need. Students may also choose to access other tools/services such as practice quizzes in a variety of subject areas, as well as self-paced study courses for SAT/ACT preparation.

Students can log into Schoology from any device with internet access to get to the Tutor.com site!

In-person Tutoring Options

For families interested in in-person tutoring, FCPS’ Parent Resource Center maintains a list of tutors who can be hired by families.

The tutor list contains the names of current FCPS employees who hold valid and current teaching licenses in Virginia. These employees have contacted the Parent Resource Center to offer their services. The tutor list is updated monthly during the school year.

For a list of tutors, please email The Parent Resource Center (prc@fcps.edu).

This list is a resource offered by the PRC, but parents are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors.

For more information about tutors, visit the Parent Resource Center website.

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Update

FNS continues to manage ongoing supply chain challenges to include regular shortages of menu items. The most recent product concern pertains to our milk vendor, LeHigh Valley Dairy. LeHigh announced discontinuation of service at the end of the summer, impacting several Northern Virginia school divisions. A milk product Invitation for Bid (IFB) closed on May 24, 2022, and no submissions were received by FCPS.

As an alternative FNS has been proactively exploring shelf-stable milk as a temporary solution and determining if a supplier is capable of providing the amounts FCPS would need daily. Shelf-stable milk is much more costly and FNS would require additional staff and trucks to both receive and distribute this product. LeHigh previously delivered fresh milk directly to FCPS, either daily or every other day, and to all schools. Based on current participation, approximately, one full tractor-trailer truckload of shelf-stable milk would need to be received daily at the Food Service Center (warehouse), and then distributed to schools.

FNS is working with the Office of Procurement Services to search for a replacement vendor for fresh milk. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Office of School Nutrition Programs, has been alerted to this concern.

Staffing

Staffing shortages continue to impact daily food service operations. FNS and Talent Acquisition Management have been working diligently to hire support staff throughout the current school year and are collaborating to proactively recruit new employees before the start of the school year.

Summer Meal Service

The area eligibility waiver under the USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) has been rescinded. No-cost summer meals for children eighteen years of age and under in the community are only able to be served at locations that qualify based on specific SFSP criteria, including schools with a free and reduced percentage of 50% or greater (October 2019 data). However, FNS will be offering free meals at all FCPS summer school locations. Community meal service is yet to be determined. FNS is awaiting confirmation from VDOE on the status of two important SFSP waivers – non-congregate feeding and parent pick-up. These two waivers will determine if at eligible sites, meals may be taken off-premise for consumption and if parents will be able to pick up meals for children.

School Year 2022-2023

At this time, the USDA and VDOE are instructing school nutrition programs to plan for a return to pre-pandemic operations under the USDA National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for school year 2022-2023. FNS is currently developing a strong messaging campaign with the Office of Communications and Community Relations in order to inform families of the anticipated change back to paid, free, and reduced-price meals and the importance of submitting applications early in order to apply for the meals benefit in advance of the new school year.

When the supply chain issues and staffing shortages are resolved, FNS plans to phase in additional menu offerings and program enhancements such as salad bars at elementary schools. The FNS large food IFB closed on May 20, 2022. Although this new bid is still under review, FNS is hopeful to have suppliers for all current items and bring in new offerings such as halal products at selected schools in the fall.

Human Resources Technology Infrastructure Project

The current Human Resources Information System (HRIS) was implemented over 20 years ago and relies on many ad hoc databases for support and reporting. An updated enterprise system with additional automation and self-service functionality is required to sustain core operations.

On January 5, 2022, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued to procure a consultant to provide the initial technical and functional assessment of human resources (HR) and payroll business systems and processes. The main goals of the assessment are to create a roadmap of process changes and implementations to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the HR Payroll staff and processes and prepare FCPS for near-term implementation of a modern cloud-based Human Capital Management system to replace the current HRIS. The functional assessment includes the review of current business processes and applications, hiring, onboarding, benefits management, time management, and tracking, payroll, core HR functions, position management, employee evaluations and training, and employee and retiree self-service. Additionally, the assessment concurrently provides education around current industry trends and best practices, along with recommendations for improvements. The assessment is expected to take approximately four months.

The evaluation team is comprised of selection and technical advisory committees, which include 5 representatives from HR and Financial Services (FS), and the region offices. The evaluation team recommends the award of contract to Gartner, Inc., at a firm and a fixed price of $375,000.

The project will be funded by the Department of Human Resources and the proposed contract will have a 5-year contract term, through June 30, 2027.

Office of the Ombudsman Q3 Report

The SY2021-2022 Office of the Ombudsman Q3 Report is now available. The reports include data on contacts to the Office of the Ombudsman from January 1, 2022- March 31, 2022. Questions regarding the report can be directed to Armando Peri, Ombudsman, at ombudsman@fcps.edu or 571-423-4014.

FCPS’ Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

Fairfax County Public Schools' commitment to environmental stewardship has earned praise from national leaders. Superintendent Scott Brabrand was invited to attend a special event with Vice President Kamala Harris on April 4 to highlight investments in clean and efficient school infrastructure and transportation. In addition to Dr. Brabrand attending Vice President Harris’ event, EPA Administrator Michael Regan visited Flint Hill Elementary to discuss the investment in clean school buses nationwide.

Both events are a reflection of FCPS's commitment to providing carbon-neutral student transportation by 2035. FCPS officially launched its first fleet of electric school buses in October 2021. The fleet is one of the largest in the U.S., transporting more than 141,000 students on more than 1,600 buses each day. Learn more about these efforts.

FCPS also has been named a 2021 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year: Sustained Excellence, the highest honor among ENERGY STAR awards. This is the fifth consecutive year that FCPS has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy for its continued efforts to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings and facilities. Read more.

Office of Auditor General

The latest issue of Audit Buzz includes an update on current engagements, spotlights a fraud scheme, bid rigging, and highlights a recent peer review.

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline:

(571) 423-1333 (anonymous voicemail)

InternalAudit@fcps.edu (email is not anonymous)

Educate Fairfax Grant

In 2019, an Educate Fairfax teacher grant supported a work-based learning activity at West Springfield High School to promote the trades. Springfield District’s Jonathan Ramos-Alverez listened to a master electrician and two Electrical Level 2 students talk about career opportunities as an electrician - and students were invited to try a hands-on activity setting up a single pole circuit. Jonathan was hooked and is now in an elite upper-level electrician class at Edison Academy and on his way to a great career.

Read about Jonathan's journey.

Find out more about Educate Fairfax's teacher grants and how you can help on our website.

Virginia Department of Education - May 2022 Report

Earlier this month, the VDOE published a report outlining their approach to education in Virginia and their plans to close existing achievement gaps. The report details the current state of Virginia’s public education and VDOE’s commitment to improvement. Seven principles represent their approach:

Establish and maintain high expectations for students, schools, and ourselves.
Advance parent and teacher empowerment to best serve students in partnership.
Demand zero-tolerance for discrimination in education and beyond.
Foster innovation in all education environments.
Provide transparency and accountability, so that each child is seen and receives what they need to succeed.
Ensure post-secondary readiness so that all learners can succeed in life.
Protect and nurture freedom of speech and inquiry to ensure every student is taught how to think, not what to think.

See the full May 2022 report for details.

Fairfax NAACP 2022 DMV Trade Jobs Fair

The Fairfax NAACP will hold a virtual Trade Jobs Fair on June 4, 2022, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. High School students interested in promising careers in the skilled trades should attend. Several employers will be available to chat about paid job opportunities that include on-the-job training with little or experience required. Register today!

Free Teen Gym Access and Scholarship Opportunity at Planet Fitness

School’s out and the gym is in! Teens 14-19 may work out for free all summer (May 16 through August 31) at Planet Fitness. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to win a $5,000 scholarship! Registration began May 16 at Planetfitness.com/summerpass or in-club. Under 18? Sign up with a parent or guardian.

Sing, Dance, and Design With FCPS Summer Programs

Graphic for Institute for the Arts and Elementary Institute for the Arts Summer 2022

All students with an interest in continuing to explore the arts are eligible for two summer enrichment programs. Registration is now open for the Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) Summer enrichment programs.

Elementary Institute for the Arts (for rising 3rd through 6th graders) and Institute for the Arts (for rising 7th through 12th graders) will be held July 5-29 at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Classes are offered every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. Both programs have fees. Waivers are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

For more information or to register, visit the Summer Learning webpage.

Tech Adventure Camp at Home

Explore Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses from home at your own pace! This FREE resource includes activity guides and supply lists needed to create several fun projects in STEAM, cooking, health, trades, business and marketing areas.

Students can access these guides by visiting the Enrichment Activities Google Site. Students must log in using their FCPS G Suite account (a student's ID number followed by @fcpsschools.net).

Cyber Summer Camp Opportunity at Chantilly Academy

Chantilly Academy will host its annual CyberPatriot summer cyber camp led by current and former cyber students. This camp welcomes students of all skill levels, so we encourage anyone interested in cybersecurity to register! The camp is for anyone looking to learn about cybersecurity! Register to attend the AFA CyberCamp being hosted by Chantilly Academy. This is an opportunity to learn the importance of cybersecurity and gain the skills to protect yourself and others from cyber threats on a variety of operating systems! Recommended grades are rising from 5th-8th.

The camp will take place June 21-24, 2022 from 9:00 am - 3 pm. For more information visit their website.

Teens in Action

Teens in Action offers an engaging, healthy, and affordable recreation program for youth ages 12 to 18 to learn, play and serve. Activities include team sports, games, arts and crafts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programming, service projects, cultural field trips, and much more! Free nutritious lunches and snacks are served. Admission to Teens In Action is FREE. Some activities and field trips will require a fee to participate. Please contact your Teens In Action location for details. More information is available on the County webpage.

Tech Adventure Camp

Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a weekly exploratory camp designed to give students the opportunity to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, business and marketing areas.

Students have five classes every day. There is one 55-minute class in STEAM, health and medical, trade and industrial, culinary, and computer science every day.

Open to rising 8th - 12th grade students. Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come basis until seats are filled. Fee waivers are available for eligible students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Academy

Students can personalize their experience by choosing which CTE classes they will take!

CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a weekly enrichment program that allows students to

Dive deeper into Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas
Encourages skill development
Begin career exploration

Open to rising 8th - 12th-grade students. Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come basis until seats are filled. Fee waivers are available for eligible students.

Camp Fairfax

This camp is a full-day program for rising 1st- through 7th-grade children residing in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. It features exciting opportunities in outdoor adventures, performing arts, sports and recreation, visual arts, science, technology, engineering and math exploration, and much more! Several camp locations are in the Mason District! Visit the County website for more information.

FCPD-Teen Police Academy and Future Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Summer Programs

Teen Police Academy (TPA)

July 11-15, 2022

Applications due: June 17, 2022

A week-long program to explore careers in law enforcement. Classes will be held at Lake Braddock Secondary School Monday through Friday 9 am to 3:30 pm. The program is free of charge.

For an application and more details, please see the Fairfax County Police Department website: Teen Police Academy | Police (fairfaxcounty.gov)

Future Women Leaders in Law Enforcement (FWLLE)

August 1 – 5, 2022

Applications due: June 24, 2022

A week-long program to explore careers for women in law enforcement. Classes will be held at Lake Braddock Secondary School Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm. The program is free of charge.

For an application and more details, please see the Fairfax County Police Department website: Future Women Leaders in Law Enforcement | Police (fairfaxcounty.gov)

Fairfax High School Summer Sports Camps

Fairfax High School will be hosting a Youth Football Camp, Boys Basketball Camp, and a Girls Basketball camp this summer. Click the following links for more information and to register:

Feel free to call the Activities Office at 703-219-2201 if you have any questions.

Lewis Summer Sports Camp

Lewis High School will be offering a Summer Sports Week Camp the week of July 11 - 15, 2022 for rising 2nd graders to rising 9th graders. Each day will offer up to two different sports, and you may choose your session. You may sign up for 1 day, or all 5 days.

Below is more information in English and in Spanish. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Matt MacDonald, Assistant Director of Student Activities at mwmacdonald@fcps.edu or 703-924-8351.

Lewis Summer Sports Week Camp-English Version

LEWIS LANCERS SPORTS CAMP WEEK 2022.-Spanish Version

Oakton High School Summer Dance Camp

The Oakton High School Dance Team’s annual Junior Dance Camp will be held June 14-16 from 8:30-12:30 at Oakton High School. This clinic is open to rising 1st-8th graders from any school. Participants will learn choreography and technique with dance team members and will have the opportunity to perform at the end of camp on June 16! Campers will enjoy a craft each day too! Register online at https://oaktonhighcamps.jumbula.com.

South County 2022 Boys Basketball Camp

Basketball enthusiasts ages 7-15 are invited to register for the South County High School (SCHS) Boys Basketball Camp. The two sessions; June 20-24, 2022, and June 27-July 1, 2022 will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the SCHS gym (Entrance #11). The cost is $190. Save $15 if you sign up for both sessions and receive a Sibling Discount of $15 off the first sibling. Register and find more information. Registration is due by June 19, 2022.

West Springfield 2022 Lady Spartan Summer Basketball Camp

West Springfield High School will be holding several basketball camps this summer for boys and girls!

Coed Pro Camp - June 15 -17, 2022; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ($95) rising 9th - 12th grades

Girls Camp - June 27 - July 1, 2022; 9:00 am - 3:00 pm ($175) rising 3rd - 9th grade

Sessions Camp - June 22, 23, 24 ($95)

Session 1 - Coed; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - rising 3rd - 6th grades
Session 2 - Coed; 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - rising 6th - 9th grades

More information may be found on the 2022 Lady Spartan Summer Basketball Camp Google Form.

Woodson Summer Sports Camps

Woodson High School is offering Baseball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Cheer and Dance, Field Hockey, and Volleyball sports camps. Click the links below to register and for more information.

Baseball Summer Camp - June 13 - 17 and June 20 - 24, 2022

Field Hockey Summer Camp - June 13 - 17, 2022

Girls Basketball Summer Camp - June 27 - July 1, 2022

Boys Basketball Summer Camp - Session 1: July 11 - 15, 2022; Session 2: July 18 - 22, 2022

Volleyball Summer Camp - Session 1: July 12 - 15, 2022, 5 - 7 pm; Session 2: July 12 - 15, 2022, 7:30-9:30 pm; Session 3: July 19 - 22, 2022, 6 - 8 pm

Cheer and Dance Summer Camp - August 8 - 12, 2022

Breakthrough Junior Challenge Video Contest

Students ages 13 through 18 are invited to create a short (under 90 seconds) video explaining a challenging concept in physics, mathematics, or the life sciences in an engaging, illuminating, and creative way. Don’t miss your chance to win a $250,000 college scholarship. If you win, you’ll receive a college scholarship, your teacher will receive a $50,000 prize, and your school will get a new $100,000 science lab! Learn more about the Challenge and submit your entry at the Challenge website! Entries are due by June 25, 2022.

VASWCD Photo Contest

The Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District’s (VASWCD) 2022 Photo Contest theme is “Conservation Moments.” Express what conservation looks like through your lens. You can submit up to 10 photos online. All photographs must be taken within the Commonwealth of Virginia. The application deadline is August 1, 2022. Find full guidelines for the VASWCD Photo Contest.

Conservation Poster Contest

Calling all student artists! The 2022 Conservation Poster Contest theme is "Healthy Soil, Healthy Life." This contest is open to any K-12 student and participating scouts can earn a badge. There is also a new digital poster contest this year for students in grades 7-12. The application deadline is September 30, 2022. Learn more about the 2022 Conservation Poster Contest.

Virginia Young Adult Survey

The Virginia Young Adult Survey (YAS) is a statewide survey that will collect data at a local level. Obtaining local data is vital to understanding behavioral health trends and needs across Virginia’s communities. These data can support prevention planning to help meet local needs and target strategies more effectively.

The Young Adult Survey is completely anonymous and will be open for participation until June 30, 2022. We anticipate the 30-question survey will take you approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

Graphic for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month. "A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island). The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants." Please see this website for more information.

Jewish American Heritage Month

May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who helped form the fabric of American history, culture and society. Learn more here and find upcoming events.

Mental Health Awareness Month

1 in 6 youth, aged 6-17, experience a mental health condition each year. For 2022’s Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s bring our voices together to advocate for mental health, help students gain access to care, and provide resources. The stigma around mental health and treatment has long existed. Though this has started to change, still, students hesitate to seek help or even talk about it with their loved ones for fear of being judged and facing unnecessary backlash. Simple logic dictates that if we are hurt anywhere, we must seek treatment to get better. This applies to both our mental- and physical well-being. Mental health is an incredibly important part of taking care of ourselves and our overall health. Normalizing mental health is key to taking steps forward. It may not always be easy to talk about mental health but it is important to start normalizing these conversations with youth.

Fairfax County Resources: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthymindsfairfax/

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

May 19 marked the 11th Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Our families and students rely on our websites to engage with the division and learning. These are essential tools for a public school system.

Providing an accessible website experience for all users strengthens our caring culture and reaffirms our commitment to equity. Within the last few months FCPS has

Conducted routine accessibility checks of our web pages.
Added accessibility checks for web pages and web-based applications as part of standard workflows.
Updated requirements for FCPS’ online web accessibility training.

Springfield District Scene

Congratulations to Franklin Middle School’s Hannah Lee and her classmates for winning the Real Food for Kids “Community Choice” award! They’re entree, the Vegejita Wrapadilla was chosen by FCPS Food and Nutrition officials to be served on school lunch menus in the 2022-23 school year! Read the full story.

I’m so proud of Liberty Middle School for recognizing Arbor Day with a tree planting event to promote outdoor and environmental education! Read this Fairfax Times article for more information.

Congratulations to the Chantilly High School Jazz Ensemble for being the opening act for James Madison University’s (JMU) Jazz Ensemble. In doing so, the JMU Jazz Department recognized Chantilly Jazz as one of the top in the state!

Chantilly’s Seonghyeon Hwang placed third in the K-Video category of Hanbow 2022. Way to go!

Shout out to Chantilly Academy’s Corps of Cadets for being named a Distinguished Unit by Headquarters Air Force Junior ROTC! This is a significant achievement and places the unit in the top 10% of AFJROTC units worldwide!

Fairfax High School’s Crew Team Mens’ JR-8 boat on their first place win at the State Championship! In addition, the Varsity Men’s boat took home a bronze medal on the first day of States. Congrats!

Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Odyssey of the Mind competed successfully in the World Finals. Kudos to the following winners!

8th grade team: Cameron Thorpe, Amelia Uhl, Ariana Chidambar and Zoe Luong along with teammates from Irving Middle and Sangster Elementary - second place worldwide, Balsa Problem Division
7th/8th grade team: Juliana Newsom and Jessica Soliman - ninth place worldwide, Drama Problem Division
10th grade team: Jonathan Barnard, Casey Chen, and Tyler Huang along with teammates from West Springfield High and Thomas Jefferson HSST - thirteenth place worldwide in Classics problem Division

Congratulations to Mount Vernon High School’s Theatre Teacher, Jess Shaw, who has been offered the chance to present on theatre curriculum at the 2022 Educational Theatre Association National Conference in Los Angeles, CA. She’ll be presenting a workshop that explores developing a student-centered project-based curriculum entitled "Creative Chaos: Student Voice and Choice in the Theatre Classroom".

Congratulations to South County High School’s Crew Mens-2 boat, with 4 rowers and one coxswain, for winning the Virginia State Championship in this category on May 7th 2022. This boat included Jae Wan Jung, Andrew Contreras, Shawn Rashidi, William Ngo, and Connor Matier.

South County’s Karma Thanyachareon and Caleb Martz were finalists in Digital Photography in the Annual Tech Arts Competition. Way to go!

The TJHSST Technology Student Association (TSA) competed at the Technosphere, a statewide competition over the weekend of April 30-May 1. The group competed in 29 different competitions, earning first place in eight of them, second place in three, and third place in seven more. The TSA Club won the prestigious Arvid W. Van Dyke award for outstanding high school. Great job everyone!

Congratulations to TJ’s AP Economics class teams who took the top three places at the state Economics Challenge Competition, Adam Smith Division!

Wow! Thomas Jefferson’s CubeSat Team had their paper accepted to the SmallSat Conference at Utah State in Logan, Utah! They will be presenting alongside industry leaders such as Northrop Grumman and SpaceX as well as prestigious academic institutions such as the Service academies and MIT. They are the only high school team to have earned the right to present at this conference. The team will have a booth, and 5 minutes to share their findings with the CubeSat community. Fantastic!

Congratulations are in order for West Springfield High School Crew! The Men’s-Freshman-Four finished as the Novice Four Mens’ Virginia State Champions. In addition, the Women’s-Novice-Four and Women’s Varsity Third-Eight both finished third in the state in their respective categories. Way to go!

Thirteen West Springfield High School students from the Springfield District won awards in the 2022 Virginia History Day Competition! Shout out to the following students:

Sarayu Jilludumudi and Ishi Velpula - first place, Senior Group Website: “The India-Pakistan Divide: The Overlooked Debate Behind the Partition”
Manishka Nair - second place, Senior Group Website: “Roe v. Wade: The Fight for Reproductive Rights”
Kaitlyn James and Chloe Nasr - second place, Senior Group Performance: “1793 Philadelphia Yellow Fever”
Austin Nguyen, Ryan Nugyen, and Noah Walls - second place, Senior Group Documentary: “The Scopes Trial: How it Changed America Forever”

Coco Ahn - second place, Senior Paper: “Building the Future with Soft Power: How Taiwan Utilized Internal Debate and External Diplomacy to Transition to Democracy and Address Derecognition”
Nicholas Brunson - third place, Senior Individual Performance: “Cold War Musical Revue”
Charlotte Witzel - third place, Senior Individual Exhibit: “Evolution on Trial: The Scopes Trial and the Debate Between Science and Religion”
Hiba Khalid and Adina Tewolde - Bobby Chandler Senior Project Award: “Radium Girls”

Read the news release.

* Correction: Springfield District Student Artists Recognized in 2022 National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Original works of art and writing by students from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) earned 30 national medals in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program. National medalists will be celebrated at an award ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City in June. Select national award winning work will be included in an exhibition in New York, and a traveling exhibition over the coming year.

Congratulations once again to the following Springfield District students who I previously identified with the incorrect schools:

Chantilly High School: Victoria Phinizy and Michelle Wang

Lake Braddock Secondary School: Tahanni Robinson

Find more information and the full list of winners.

Springfield Student HanBowl 2022 Winners

This year’s theme was Breaking Through Barriers, and students were judged in the categories of essay writing, speaking, modern dance, and art. Congratulations to the following students who placed in the top three at the Korean Embassy’s HanBowl 2022!

Chantilly High School

Seonghyeon Hwang - third place, K-Video

Lake Braddock Secondary School

Donghyeon Kim - second place, Speech

Victoria Phinizy - second place, K-Art

Forensics State Championship Winners

Five Springfield District students placed in the top three at the VHSL Forensics State Championship and Chantilly High School won the Class 6 title! Way to go Chantilly and congratulations to the following students!

Chantilly High School

Tyler Hicks - third place, Serious Duo Interpretation
Lili Malatinszky - second place, Poetry Interpretation

TJHSST

Daniel Kim - first place, Humorous Dramatic Interpretation

West Springfield High School

Samantha Korff - second place, Original Oratory
Sophie Runia - third place, Prose Interpretation

Students Named to 2022 All-Virginia Middle School Honor Choir

Eleven Springfield District middle school students have been named to the 2022 All-Virginia Middle School Honor Choir. The students performed with other outstanding young vocalists from across the commonwealth on April 23.

Students from throughout Virginia went through a rigorous audition process to compete for spots in this honor choir. Students selected for the ensemble rehearsed with nationally recognized conductors to prepare for their performance.

Way to go to the following Springfield middle schoolers!

Frost Middle School

Carson Fenner

Katherine Johnson Middle School

Charlotte Davidson and Zoey Lee

Rocky Run Middle School

Audrey Nagle

South County Middle School

Kara Bailey, Bryn Jackson, Sydney Mersinger, Thalia Ramos, Emily Tan, and Sarah Tracy

Irving Middle School

Richard Eicholtz

Students Selected for 2022 All-Virginia Band, Orchestra, and Chorus

One hundred ninety students from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high schools have been named to the 2022 All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. The students performed with other premier musicians from across the state April 20-23.

Students from throughout Virginia went through a rigorous audition process to compete for spots in the band, chorus, and orchestra. Students selected for these ensembles rehearsed with nationally recognized conductors to prepare for their performances. Nicely done Springfield District music stars!

Band

Chantilly High School - Keith Scroggs

Robinson Secondary School - Austin Nordhaus

West Springfield High School - Tyler Anderson, Isaac Ermarth, Jenna Hoffman, Ashlie Hong, Sarayu Jilludumudi, Elias Kim, and Joel Solomon

Chorus

Centreville High School - Jacqueline Copeland and Lena Jovancevic

Fairfax High School - Ainsley Buice and Abril Tello Cornejo

Lake Braddock Secondary School - Natalie Gillum, Noelle Koss, and Mia Widmar

South County High School - Connor Walsh

West Springfield High School - Holden Browne, Nicholas Brunson, and Thomas Seeger

Orchestra

Chantilly High School - Adwait Harkare

Fairfax High School - Ian Lee

Oakton High School - Valerie Su

TJHSST - Angelee Kang

Students Take Top Honors at Virginia FBLA State Leadership Conference

Students from six Springfield District schools won awards at the 2022 Virginia Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference held recently in Reston. More than 15 students placed in the top four in their event and qualified to compete in the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Chicago in June.

Robinson Secondary School’s chapter took top honors in a number of events, including American Enterprise Project, Entrepreneurship, Introduction to Social Media, and Sports & Entertainment Management. Way to go!

Congratulations to the following FBLA State Conference winners!

Centreville High School

Vivian Dutton - fourth place, Introduction to Business Communications

Chantilly High School

Yaxinaer Mahemuti - third place, E-business

Fairfax High School

Angelina Tran - first place, Business Calculations

Lake Braddock Secondary School

Michelle Wang - first, Coding & Programming

Jenna Chanchu - second place, Future Business Leader

Anwesha Chowdhury - fifth place, Graphic Design

Tyler Huang, Jeevan Kaur, and Ariana Marticio - third place, Introduction to Business Presentation

Robinson Secondary School

Imara Haggarty - first place, Entrepreneurship

Kidar Krishnan - third place, Introduction to Event Planning

Chloe Fortune - fourth place, Job Interview

Thomas Asefi - third place, Management Information Systems

Spandan Das - second place, Network Design

Aleeza Kagzi - third place, Supply Chain Management

South County High School

Tyler Boyer - second place, Mobile Application Development

Students Receive Scholarships from FCPS Hispanic Leadership Alliance

The Hispanic Leadership Alliance—a certified employee group of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) employees—presented scholarships to 4 Springfield District students on Tuesday, May 3.

Scholarship recipients were recognized for leadership and mentoring skills in their educational and social activities. Candidates are committed to furthering their education while improving their communities. Each of the applicants will be the first in their families to attend a postsecondary institution.

Retired FCPS educator Teddi Predaris said of the scholarship winners, “As I listened to each student talk about their career plans, it was amazing to hear the diversity of areas they will go into, and I couldn’t help but think what a better place this world will be with these young leaders fulfilling their potential and coming together to serve in an interwoven tapestry of critical areas that can help shape the tenor of their and future generations.”

Congratulations to the following West Springfield High School recipients: Keyri Riva Garcia, Melanie Cuenca-Crossetto, Andrew Gamboa Velásco, and Melanie Jiménez!

Read the full list of recipients.

New Fairview Elementary School Principal

The Region 4 Office and I are pleased to announce that Ms. Samantha Goldstein, Assistant Principal at Hayfield Elementary School, has been selected as the new principal of Fairview Elementary School, effective July 1, 2022.

Ms. Goldstein is a proud product of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) as a graduate of Hayfield Secondary School. She started her educational career at FCPS at Gunston Elementary School where for eight years, she served as a third, fifth, and sixth-grade teacher. She then joined Region 4 at Laurel Hill Elementary School as a fifth-grade teacher for two years. She went on to serve as the assistant principal at Hayfield Elementary School, where she has been for the past seven years. During this time, she also served as the Extended School Year (ESY) principal at Hayfield ES.

As the Assistant Principal at Hayfield ES, Ms. Goldstein has proven herself to be a people person who builds strong, trusting relationships with families and staff. In her role as an assistant principal, she prioritized learning about special education and has become skilled in working with families whose children have IEPs, helping to navigate the process in the best interest of serving the student. Ms. Goldstein has worked at schools that have a diverse community of learners. She has implemented the CLT processes and FCPS best practices to meet these different student needs, while also providing support to the faculty and staff.

Ms. Goldstein is ready to work alongside teachers to continue to improve instruction and academic outcomes for students. She will use her strong collaboration skills to focus on teacher efficacy, equity, student achievement, and social-emotional wellness. She is committed to fostering a positive school climate and engaging with all stakeholders.

Ms. Goldstein is honored to serve as the principal of Fairview Elementary School. She looks forward to meeting and working with the school faculty and staff this summer to prepare for the upcoming school year. She is excited to welcome Fairview Falcons into the school building this fall. In her spare time, Ms. Goldstein loves spending time with her husband, two children, and a puppy. She loves to be outdoors, especially on the beach.

Ms. Goldstein holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, both degrees from Lynchburg College.

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Samantha Goldstein as the new principal at Fairview Elementary School.

Welcome Principal Khoshaba

The Region 4 Office and I are also pleased to announce that Dr. Kambar Khoshaba, principal at Western Branch Middle School in Chesapeake, VA, has been selected as the new principal of South County High School, effective July 1, 2022.

Dr. Khoshaba brings 20 years of administrative experience with him having served as a middle school principal for the past eight years and an assistant principal for the twelve years prior to that. He has significant experience at the high school level, working at two high schools in Chesapeake serving as both an assistant principal and assistant principal for instruction. His educational career also includes work as a school psychologist, special education teacher, and wrestling coach.

Dr. Khoshaba is a respected leader throughout his district and the state of Virginia, having been named the 2021 Middle School Principal of the Year by the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals. The hallmarks of his leadership include a true commitment to equity and inclusion and elevating student voice. His advocacy for student voice was recognized when he was named the Administrator of the Year by the Virginia Student Council Association. He is known for building strong and trusting relationships with staff and families and his work at his current school has been highlighted by a variety of educational media outlets in print and video. Dr. Khoshaba is a true instructional leader who values the importance of rigor and helping students to reach their true potential. His background as a school psychologist leads him to prioritize the well-being of each child and to focus not only on high quality instruction but the social-emotional skills that students need to be successful.

Dr. Khoshaba is honored to serve as the principal of South County High School. He looks forward to meeting and working with the school faculty and staff this summer to prepare for the upcoming school year. He is excited to welcome the Stallion students into the school building this fall. Though he was born and raised in Virginia, Dr. Khoshaba is proud of his Iraqi heritage and has strong family ties to this Northern Virginia area. He is excited about continuing his career in Fairfax County. He enjoys spending time with his family, figuring out a challenging Sudoku board, traveling and making a great cup of coffee. He’s also a huge Star Wars fan.

Dr. Khoshaba holds a Doctorate of Education in Education Administration from The George Washington University, a Master of Arts in School Psychology from Radford University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Christopher Newport University.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Kambar Khoshaba as the new principal at South County High School.

Family Resources

Bullying Education for Parents

The FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention public website has been updated to include a parent video. The video educates parents on what bullying is, per the SR&R, and what they can expect when a bullying allegation is reported to a school administrator. The video is available at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/bullying-prevention-and-intervention

Current Opioid Trends

The opioid epidemic continues to impact the Northern Virginia region and the nation. Recently, two youth fatally overdosed in Prince William County after taking what preliminarily appear to be fentanyl-laced Percocets (official causes of death are pending toxicology results). Please learn more and help share this information widely.

For more information visit the Fairfax County Government News Center site, Opioids: Learn How to Help and Prevent Overdoses

In addition, FREE Training is available through the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board: REVIVE! trains individuals on what to do and not do in an overdose situation, how to administer naloxone, and what to do afterward. Each attendee also receives a free REVIVE! kit, which includes all the supplies needed to administer naloxone.

Webinar on Opioid Use Trends and Support Set for June 7

Opioid overdoses are on the rise in the Fairfax Health District, which is consistent with national and state trends.

Fairfax County Public Schools is partnering with Fairfax County Government to provide an educational webinar on substance use trends and supports June 7 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Register for the June 7 webinar.

The webinar will cover topics including

Most Commonly Used Substances.
In-Depth Opioid Information.
Reasons Why Youth Use Substances.
Ways Parents Can Support their Children.
Available FCPS and Fairfax County Resources.
How to connect with Support Providers.

Language interpretation will be available in Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, and Korean. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting by an ASL/Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) Team will also be provided.

Learn more about what you can do to help and prevent overdoses in our Healthy Minds blog.

Register for Free Webinars from the Parent Resource Center

The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) is offering free parent webinars. This school year's last webinar is:

Preparing for a Military Move? What Every Military Family Needs to Know

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.

Registration and withdrawal process
How to use the Education Binder
Why goodbyes are important
Resources within FCPS for military families

Join Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman for our fourth of a 4-part series supporting military-connected families

June 3, 2022, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

FCPS Multilingual Family Podcasts

Listen and subscribe to an FCPS multilingual family podcast to hear timely, important information related to school news. The podcasts are produced in conjunction with the Office for English as a Second Language (ESOL) Services and the Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement.

In this episode, we explain the Virginia Standard of Learning tests (SOLs) and how parents might help their child prior to the tests. The SOLs are administered in FCPS in May.

Many answers to frequently asked questions about the SOLs are available online.

Listen and subscribe

English Classes at Literacy Council of Northern Virginia (LCNV)

LCNV continues in-person beginning level English and skilled based classes this summer. Participation requires full vaccination against COVID-10, with proof of vaccination to register. Classes are $65. Find more information and register. You may also call at (703) 237-0866.

Tip Sheets for Parents

Help Your Teen Handle Pressure Without Melting Down

You want to help your student deal with pressures, not add to them. To be a safety valve for your teen, show that you care. Respect their feelings, and avoid making unrealistic demands. Teens need to feel they are working toward their own goals, not their parents'.

Teach your student to view mistakes as learning opportunities, and to develop good study habits. When studying is routine, it's easier to deal with increasing workloads. Here are some tips for being a safety valve for your student.

Colleges and Universities Still Accepting Applications

Do you know a high school senior who is still looking for the right college fit for the fall? The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has released their annual list of colleges and universities that are still accepting applications from prospective freshmen or transfer students for the fall of 2022.

Students and families are encouraged to use this tool to search colleges that still have space available. Users may narrow down the list of schools by state and also view whether a school still has financial aid, as well as unfilled housing.

Additionally, NACAC has created an enrollment deposit fee waiver request form for students experiencing significant financial hardship. Families can learn more about the enrollment deposit fee waiver and the eligibility criteria on the NACAC website. Students should check with the colleges and universities they are considering to see if the enrollment deposit fee waiver will be considered by the institution. It is recommended that students and families contact their school counselor and college and career specialist with any questions.

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship Guidance

Below you will find a list of scholarship programs from Scholarship Guidance’s weekly scholarship newsletter. These scholarships are awarded during the 2021-2022 school year and all students are eligible.

SCHOLARSHIPS DEADLINES BETWEEN:

June 1 - August 31, 2022

1) Know Your Worth Scholarship - $10,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: June 1, 2022)