Dear Fairfax County Students, Families and Staff,
Congratulations to the Class of 2022! You did it!
I enjoyed attending many of your graduations to celebrate you, the Class of 2022! Your high school career was interrupted by the pandemic in your sophomore year and was largely virtual for your very important junior year. Thankfully you were able to have a senior year that, while still marred by COVID surges and difficult transitions back to in-person learning, contained many of the traditional experiences and events. I hope those gave you a little sense of normalcy in these turbulent times.
Your class led the return to in-person learning, and more importantly, revived the traditions and rituals you experienced as freshmen and sophomores. I have watched as you taught the younger students these important traditions and rituals many may not have experienced. Your class had to teach yourselves how to be leaders while simultaneously guiding the underclassman looking to you to learn how to be a high schooler.
I have visited many schools and attended many events and have seen firsthand the energy that you have poured into experiencing these opportunities and in teaching others. You have realized the importance of participating to the fullest and appreciating the present after the previous losses and traumas. And you did this with grace, humor, strength, and empathy.
Your high school experience is unique and definitely not what you expected and, while I know that many of you are still struggling, the resilience, leadership ability, and grit of your class will serve you well on your life’s path. I am beyond impressed with you. I hope you continue to participate in life to the fullest.
Class of 2022, you are indeed very special and I cannot thank you enough and cannot wait to see what you do in the future.
FY 2023 Budget
At our May 26 Regular Meeting, we adopted the FY23 budget that includes a 4% Market Scale increase for all of our employees as well as additional compensation increases for some. You can read more about it below. As always, the vast majority of our budget is allocated to instruction. I wanted to take the time to highlight some important items that are new to this budget that will continue to strengthen the educational experience of our students:
-
Professional development and planning time for elementary school teachers. This time will help our elementary school teachers review student assessments to better target instruction to individual students, provide students with feedback that can help them learn, prepare lessons and materials to differentiate instruction to meet student needs within their classes, collaborate with special education and English Language Learner and communicate with families.
-
Equitable Access to Literacy. Funding to support the EAL plan that is based on the science of reading, including resource teacher positions and instructional coach positions.
- Instructional Resources such as textbooks and basal materials.
-
Special Education Support. The FY23 budget contains funding for elementary school special education lead teachers and special education mentor coaches to help our teachers better serve our students with special education needs.
-
Advanced Academics Support, including a 2e specialist to work as a liaison between the special education and AAP teams, and additional Advanced Academics Resource Teachers at elementary and middle schools.
-
Additional ESOL Teachers.
-
Protected school counselor positions despite lower enrollment. Our counselors are even more important these days with the greater mental health needs of our students, and we have ensured that these positions are maintained.
School Safety
I know many parents are concerned about school safety in light of the horrible violence in Uvalde, Texas. FCPS has previously shared resources about gun violence prevention, student safety and wellness and resources to discuss these issues with your children. In my newsletter below, I highlight a recent FCPS email discussing building safety. The safety and education of students are our top priorities and we will continue to do everything we can to keep our students and staff safe. However, we cannot do it alone; we as a society need to do all we can to prioritize the safety of our schools through common sense gun safety measures and better mental health services.
Thank you
It has been a long, exhausting but also exhilarating year, as our students and staff have adjusted to in-person learning and rediscovered connections and friendships. It has been heartening to see our students learning and discovering together, record attendance at sporting events, plays, musicals, art shows, and more. Students and families were eager to experience the joys of these events. I thank our teachers, staff, and administrators for their hard work and dedication to helping our students adapt, learn, and thrive. And I thank you all for hanging in there with us as we all learn to live a life where COVID is likely here to stay. The trauma of the past two years remains with us, and forging forward in a new world can cause much uncertainty, but together we can figure out how to thrive.
In the meantime, I hope you and your families have a healthy and relaxing summer. As always, please reach out if I may be of assistance in any way.
Warmest regards,
Rachna
Below you will find information on:
School Board Updates
School Board Adopts FY23 Budget
The School Board adopted the FY23 budget at its May 26 Regular Meeting. 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.
In line with its key priorities, the budget also 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 prioritizing completion of the security vestibule program. Read more.
Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) Representative Needed
The Fairfax County School Board invites applications from community members interested in serving on the Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) as an at-large member. FPAC advises and informs FCPS staff and the School Board in the development of comprehensive, long-term plans for facilities.
The Facilities Planning Advisory Council consists of 13 members, one from each Fairfax County magisterial district, three at-large representatives, and one representative from the City of Fairfax, each appointed for three year terms. The current council member appointment will end June 30, 2025.
FCPS encourages individuals with experience in construction, engineering, architecture, land use planning, development, demographics, government operations, and financing to apply.
The deadline to submit an application is June 17. Applicants must reside within the boundaries of Fairfax County or Fairfax City. More information and an application are available online.
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 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.
Welcome, Michele! I am looking forward to working with you!
|
Office of Auditor General
The May 2022 issue of Audit Buzz is available. In addition, the School Board heard a presentation about the FY23 Audit Plan at its May 26 Regular Meeting. The plan will be discussed at the June 14 Work Session and voted on at the July 14 Regular Meeting.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
-
June 14 at 10am - Forum: Trauma-informed School Practices and Educational Equity Policy
-
June 14 at 11am - Work Session: Fiscal Year (FY) 23 Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Risk assessment and Audit Plan, Goal 3 and 4 Reports and Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)
-
June 16 at 6pm - Student Recognitions: Fall, Winter, and Spring Achievements
-
June 16 at 7pm - Regular Meeting: SR&R, Policies 4750, 5011 and 5015.
-
June 28 at 5pm - 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 7pm - Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) Housekeeping Items, ERFC Appointment of Individual Trustee, ERFC Appointment/Reappointment of the Board of Trustees
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.
FCPS News and Resources
FCPS School Safety
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 is everyone’s job. Staff, students, parents, and the community at large are reminded to incorporate safety and security awareness as routine, and to immediately report any unusual activity to the authorities. 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.
Reminder to Complete the FCPS Return to School Survey
You have an opportunity to provide your feedback on how the 2021-22 school year has gone through our Family Return to School Survey, which you should have received via email. The survey deadline has been extended and will close on June 17 .
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.
Families Will Receive Reports Throughout the Summer for Spring Assessments
Spring assessments help teachers and schools check on students’ learning and skill development. Families will access results from end-of-year assessments in different ways. For most assessments, FCPS provides custom reports to share scores with families.
Look in SIS ParentVUE for these reports by the end of July:
Watch the mail for these reports by the end of the indicated month:
Other scores come from the school or testing organization. These include Advanced Placement (AP) scores accessed through students’ College Board accounts.
Go online or contact your student's school for additional information about FCPS assessments. You can also learn how to activate a SIS ParentVUE account to access scores. Schools will mail SIS reports to families without ParentVUE accounts.
Preview Your Student’s Spring SOL Scores in SIS ParentVUE
Want to know how your student did on their spring SOL tests before the official report? Families can see SOL scores in the Test History section of SIS ParentVUE. To access Test History, log into your ParentVUE account using a web browser (not the app). You will see spring SOL test subjects, performance levels, and overall scores. Families will also receive an official SOL score report letter with more details by the end of July.
Additional information about SOL assessments is available online. You can also learn more about SIS ParentVUE and how to activate your account.
Tutor.com—Online Tutoring Services Summer Access
FCPS students will continue to have unlimited access to 24/7, on-demand, online tutoring support services through Tutor.com this summer. Students are able to use Tutor.com to review and/or practice in subject areas of interest or need. Students may also choose to access other tools such as practice quizzes in a variety of subject areas, as well as self-paced study courses for SAT and ACT preparation.
Details about how students can access Tutor.com through archived courses in Schoology are provided in Summer Access at Tutor.com - Online Tutoring Services. Students enrolled in summer Credit Recovery Academy, Online Campus, Online Economics and Personal Finance, and TJHSST summer courses will be able to access Tutor.com via their active summer course in Schoology.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Due This Summer
For the past two years, the federal government has provided no-cost meals to all public school students without the need to complete the annual Free and Reduced-Price Meal application. The extension of the no-cost meals benefit to all students is expected to expire at the end of this school year, meaning families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced price meals for the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible families are encouraged to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the first day of the 2022-23 school year. The online application will be available later this summer and accessible via the FCPS homepage.
Students approved for Free and Reduced-Price Meals may qualify for additional benefits such as waived or reduced fees for instruments, uniforms, field trips, FCPS class fees, and Parktakes classes.
Summer Meal Service
No-cost summer meals will be served at all FCPS summer school locations this year. Please visit our website for updated information during the summer.
Religious and Cultural Observance Days Regulation Revised
In response to a request from the School Board, FCPS has updated its regulation related to religious and cultural observance days (“O” Days). Changes to the regulation include:
- New material can be introduced on religious and cultural observance days provided that the content is made accessible in Schoology and teachers support absent students.
- Graded assignments or activities may occur as long as there are opportunities for students absent because of a religious and cultural observance to make up the assignment or activity.
- Details are provided for days on which an observance begins at sundown (1/2 O Day).
The regulation was drafted with input from principals who were charged with making recommendations to prioritize instruction while honoring religious and cultural observances.
Make a Difference as a Special Education Teacher
Are you or someone you know interested in exploring a career as a special education teacher? Join us for a Special Education Teacher Information Session on Wednesday, June 15, from 5 to 6 pm.
Keep Supporting Students This Summer With Collect for Kids School Supply Drive
To ensure that every child in the school district is prepared for school, Fairfax County Public Schools and Educate Fairfax are once again leading the Collect for Kids effort, a consortium of not-for-profit, for-profit, and government entities providing school supplies to benefit FCPS students who otherwise might go without them.
More than 56,000 (31%) FCPS students qualify for free or reduced-price meals and struggle to afford basic necessities. Your donation will help provide the school supplies these students need to be successful at school.
Contributions can be made online through Educate Fairfax. Donations will be used to purchase bulk school supply kits at highly discounted pricing. For more information, visit the Educate Fairfax website.
Calendar Reminder: Last Day of School Is June 10
As a reminder, the last day of the 2021-22 school year is Friday, June 10, and students will be dismissed early. Check with your child's school for its individual dismissal time.
2022-23 School Year to Start on August 22
With the school year winding down and many families making plans for summer camps, vacations, and other activities, be sure to note that the first day of school for the 2022-23 school year will be Monday, August 22. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
Enjoy our School Grounds This Summer
School blacktops, playgrounds, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, and tracks are available for use by individuals (not organized groups) without being scheduled.
Please keep the following in mind when using these facilities:
- Use is allowed from dawn to dusk, except during school hours or when being used for school activities or other scheduled programs.
- Facilities must be shared with anyone else who wishes to use them.
- Please leave the facilities as you found them. Remove any waste or debris from the property.
Visit our availability webpage for more information on the usage of school grounds and facilities. Community users are prohibited from having the following activities in Fairfax County Public Schools including in school buildings, on playgrounds, and on fields:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Animals. Service animals are allowed. However, the user shall clean up any school grounds used by service animals participating in scheduled events.
- Car wash
- Drones
- Fireworks and sparklers (except by Local Government)
- Gas or charcoal grills
- Illegal drugs
- Moon bounces
- Paintball
- Rocket launch
- Tobacco products or smoking devices
Visit our Community Use webpage for a full list of prohibitions and more information on reserving facilities. Groups interested in formally reserving school facilities should contact fcpscommunityuse@fcps.edu or calling 571-423-2340.
Fifteen Students Named 2022 National Merit College-Sponsored Scholarship Winners
Fifteen FCPS students from six high schools have been named winners of 2022 Merit Scholarship awards by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The students are part of a group of more than 2,600 National Merit® finalists chosen to receive scholarships financed by higher education institutions. See the list of recipients.
FCPS Students Receive Awards in Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
Eight FCPS students won awards at the 2022 International Science and Engineering Fair, held recently in Atlanta. Over 1,800 students from 81 countries participated in the 2022 International Science and Engineering Fair. See the list of the FCPS winners.
Community Resources
Win Prizes With the Public Library Summer Reading Adventure; Starts June 10
The Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) summer reading program will take place June 10 to August 12. Children, teens, and adults can sign up now on Beanstack where they can track their summer reading.
Participants will have the chance to earn prizes when they read and complete activities. There are different challenges for preschoolers, K-5 students, teens, and adults.
Prizes will be awarded after the completion of Summer Reading Adventure. If you don't want to use Beanstack to log your reading, paper reading logs will be available beginning June 10 online and at your local library branch. Fill out your reading log and return it to your local library by August 12 to be eligible for prizes.
More information about the FCPL summer reading program is available online.
English Classes
The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia (LCNV) has announced their summer classes. LCNV provides a beginning-level English class for adults that will be offered both morning and evening at the James Lee Community Center. Registration is in-person. See the complete schedule for registration, class dates/times, and additional locations.
LCNV is also offering a FREE conversation class on Monday evenings at the James Lee Community Center. You must register by June 10th for this class. Details can be found at the bottom of the summer schedule.
More information about LCNV and summer classes can be found on the LCNV website.
Community Health and Research Survey
The integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV) aims to better understand investigators’ and community members’ perceptions about factors that might encourage or discourage community participation in health research.
By completing this voluntary and anonymous survey, you can help improve health across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The researchers plan to share the survey findings with the communities they serve and post findings on https://www.ithriv.org/. This survey is estimated to take 5-10 minutes to complete.
The survey closes June 14th, 2022.
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
In the month of June we recognize the valuable contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals across America, and we reaffirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice.
Juneteenth (June 19, Observed June 20)
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 that word of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, effectively marking the end of slavery in the United States.
Good News!
Region 1: Rachel Carson MS student, Nicholas Flanigan, is leading a group of Scouts who are holding a medical supplies and food donation drive for victims of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Great job working to help others! Read more and see how you can contribute.
Region 2: Congratulations to TJHSST student, Sagar Gupta, who won the Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry, one of five creative writing awards and scholarships given by Penguin Random House. Read more about the award, scholarship prize and see Sagar’s poem entitled Conversation Starter: How is your English so Good?
Sagar’s poem resonated with me. Many of the experiences his poem illuminated of growing up in the United States were also my experiences as the child of South Asian immigrants: being immersed in American culture while also celebrating our heritage, trying to bridge two cultures, and a shared history of family members living under colonial rule in India and through the partition. It is wonderful to see diverse stories elevated through literature.
Region 3: Congratulations to Mount Vernon High School’s Theatre Teacher, Jess Shaw, who has been offered the chance to present on theater 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".
Region 4: Liberty Middle School recognized Arbor Day with a tree planting event to promote outdoor and environmental education. Read more about the event.
Region 5: Chantilly HS students, Akanksha Tibrewala and Kaavya Karthikeyan, won first place in Fairfax County’s Shark Tank Technology Challenge. This year’s challenge encouraged students to develop an innovative device or app that enhances the independent enjoyment of life for older adults and adults with disabilities, including wounded warriors. Read more about all the winning projects.
Quick Links
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© 2022 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
|
