Dear Sully District Families,
Happy Summer! I hope everyone is taking the time to enjoy the summer, visiting our parks and historic sites and outdoor events in the Sully District. I am staying busy with onboarding our new Superintendent and School Board work while juggling the many camps, swim team, and music lessons for my kids.
For the 2022-23 year we will continue the progress that we have made to maximize our students’ education, prioritize their emotional wellbeing, and continue to strengthen the social connections to their school communities. We have excellent staff under the leadership of our exceptional new Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid, who will continue to ensure success for our students, those that follow us easily, and those that require every support we can possibly provide.
It was my privilege and pleasure to serve as Chair of the School Board in SY2021-22. I appreciated my colleagues’ trust in me and excited to support the next SB chair. Last year has been fulfilling in so many ways. It has given me the opportunity to gain valuable experience and greater insight into our large FCPS organization. Serving as good fiscal stewards and initiating policies that create opportunity and access for our students to be successful is a significant responsibility and my life’s passion. Our School Board was able to accomplish a number of things this past year with these goals in mind. Highlighted below are a few:
2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Appointed new Superintendent: Conducted an extensive nationwide search and successfully recruited a highly-qualified, exceptional new Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid to lead the school district.
Eliminating Opportunity Gaps in Reading: Adopted a systemic, research and science based approach for literacy instruction to ensure success for all students.
Investing in Infrastructure: Allocated nearly $150 million in school renovations, construction, and improvement projects at schools attended by students living in Sully District and wider Fairfax County system, including the moving ahead in the process of a future Western High School.
Promoting Mental Wellness: Initiatives to promote a renewed emphasis on learning practices that are grounded in an understanding of trauma and its impacts, and that are designed to promote resilience for our students. Increased focus and funding on social emotional learning and mental health supports, universal behavioral supports, restorative practices, cultural relevance and relationship building.
Increasing Outdoor and STEM Experiential Learning Opportunities: Increased funding for Get2Green, aimed at creating outdoor student engagement experiences that reinforce environmental sustainability, stewardship goals, as well as motivation, joy of learning, persistence, and curiosity setting students up to thrive in college and their careers.
Addressing COVID Learning Loss: Invested more than $188 million in ESSER funds to address pandemic learning loss with increased academic, social/emotional, and mental health supports, including unfettered access to tutors. Offered robust summer school offerings to students across the district.
Boosting Teacher and Staff Pay: Provided teachers and other staff increased pay and bonuses, and committing to work toward establishing a living wage for all school division employees.
Supporting Immigrant Families: Protected immigrant students and families privacy by keeping their personally identifiable information confidential and prohibiting voluntary cooperation with immigration officials unless there is an imminent safety concern.
Preventing Gun Violence: Directed staff to review all curriculum, safety protocols, and professional development around gun violence prevention and to notify parents annually about their legal obligation to store their guns securely. We also extended gun prohibitions from schools to ALL system property as well, including buildings like those that house our school board and superintendent.
Inside this month’s newsletter:
As Sully District school board member, I am committed to listening and working with you to address your concerns and to provide our students and staff with the supports they require in SY2022-23. Safety is of the utmost importance this year and I am 100% dedicated to ensuring that every single student receive individualized support and attention in a caring culture.
I always appreciate hearing from you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me for any help you may need. I look forward to our shared partnership to create policies and regulations that provide our students with safe places to learn that are reflective of the values of our diverse Fairfax County community.
In partnership,
Stella Pekarsky
Dr. Michelle Reid Takes Her Oath of Office
 Swearing In Ceremony for Dr. Michelle Reid
 Dr. Michelle Reid with the Fairfax County School Board
On Thursday, June 30, at Luther Jackson Middle School, Michelle Reid, Ed.D., was sworn in as the superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools. Her term begins Friday, July 1.
“It’s important for me to remember that learning happens best in community, and this is an amazing community,” said Dr. Reid. “It’s a community that drew me because of the strength of the partnerships, the spirit, the passion, the resources of time and talent, and for the importance that this community places on education.”
Dr. Reid is known regionally and nationally for strong instructional leadership. She was named AASA National Superintendent of the Year in 2021 for exemplary communications, her work in closing achievement gaps, and leading her previous school system in uncharted territory at the start of the pandemic.
Dr. Reid has served as superintendent for Northshore School District, Washington, since 2016. She previously served as superintendent of South Kitsap School District in Port Orchard, Washington. She also served as deputy superintendent, district athletic director, and high school principal in Port Angeles (Washington) School District.
Dr. Reid received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington, master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Washington, and her bachelor’s degree in Natural Science/Chemistry from the University of Puget Sound.
View Oath of Office
View Dr. Reid’s Oath of Office Remarks
Watch this short video to get to know Dr. Reid. [video with Spanish captions]
View her interview with student journalists.
Read Dr. Reid's bio.
Learn more about the superintendent's office.
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
On June 16, 2022, the Board approved a number of revisions to the SR&R. Parents are urged to review the revised document and take notes of changes that were made. While most recent revisions were initiated locally, a new reporting requirement included is a result of current legislation. The full SR&R can be found on BoardDocs.
Of note, please find below new language regarding student use of cell phones and mandated reporting procedures.
Cell phones (page 17)
Elementary and Middle Schools: Students in grades K-8: Phones must be silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day. Watches that serve a dual purpose (e.g., smart watch) may be worn; however, phone features (e.g., texting Internet, calls, etc.) are to be off when phone use is prohibited. Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency. Teachers may allow usage of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool, however one-to-one FCPS devices should meet most needs. Cell phones may be used on campus only before and after school.
High Schools: Students in grades 9-12: Phones must be silenced and put away during all instructional periods. Phone accessories are also to be silenced and away when phone use is prohibited. Watches that serve a dual purpose (e.g., smart watch) may be worn; however, phone features (e.g., texting Internet, calls, etc.) are to be off when phone use is prohibited. Storage may be in a locker, backpack, pencil bag, etc., during classes. Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency. Teachers may allow usage of cell phone for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool, however one-to-one FCPS devices should meet most needs. Cell phones may be used on campus before the first bell, after the last bell, during passing periods, and lunches.
Parent/guardians, multi-disciplinary team members, or other persons with knowledge of students who require access to personally owned devices as an accommodation shall make requests for such accommodations through their respective multidisciplinary team [i.e., 504 Committee, IEP Team, English Language Committee, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Team].
Mandatory Reporting (page 45)
Guidelines for mandatory reporting to law enforcement (police) have been updated to align with the new requirements outlined in House Bill 4 (SB 36) passed in May 2022.
Currently, mandatory reporting to law enforcement is limited to acts which may constitute a felony. Under the new law, school principals will be required to report to law enforcement certain acts that may constitute a misdemeanor offense in addition to certain acts which constitute a felony such as incidents involving alcohol, marijuana, a controlled substance, an imitation controlled substance, or an anabolic steroid on a school bus, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity, including the theft or attempted theft of student prescription medications.
Sully District Happenings
Sully District Outstanding Employees for 2022!
Exceptional employees from across Fairfax County Public Schools were recognized at the FCPS Honors event held Wednesday, June 8. Sponsored by Educate Fairfax, the 2022 celebration was hosted at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. Congrats to all the employees including those from Sully District: Outstanding New Principal - Ellen Mukai, Brookfield Elementary School & Blair Smith, Assistant Director, Student Activities, Centreville High School. The full list of outstanding employees is here.
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Summer Reading Adventure at Fairfax County Libraries!
Check out these fun upcoming events at Fairfax County Public Library! LIFE SIZE HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS game at Centreville Regional Library and PIRATES LOST AT SEA at Chantilly Regional Library! Link to all the events is here.
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Latino Conservation Week in the Parks
Latino Conservation Week is an annual celebration that seeks to engage the Latinx community and everyone in recreational activities and stewardship that benefit their local communities and parks. This celebration emphasizes the community's role in conservation. Join the conversation on social media by using #LCW2022. This year's celebration is from July 16-24, 2022.
For more information, please visit the Fairfax County Park Authority's website.
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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 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.
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.
Summer Meal Service
Summer meal kits will be offered on Tuesdays at several locations through August 9. Meal kits contain seven days of breakfast and lunch items packed in bulk. All meals are available at no-cost to FCPS students and children 18 years of age and under. Pick up locations and times have recently been updated. Visit our Meals for Students website for more details.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Available Later 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. Learn more about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program online.
MiFi Program Continues Over the Summer
Any student needing a MiFi internet connection device for summer learning can reach out to their school administrator or TSSpec to request one.
The MiFi provides internet content filtering for safe student use. Each individual MiFi can accommodate up to five device connections, making it useful for family needs. As always, adequate cell signal reception is necessary for a strong connectivity experience. FCPS MiFis shut down from midnight to 5:00 a.m. each day.
Healthy Minds Digest - Summer Break 2022
Check out the most recent articles from the Healthy Minds Blog.
Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations Available this Summer
Any Fairfax County parent may schedule a free virtual consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker to get the support needed to help their child.
Opioids: Learn How To Get Help and Prevent Overdoses
Opioid overdoses are increasing nationally among youth and young adults. Know how to prevent overdose.
Teaching Children How to Accept Mistakes and Disappointment
We all want to see our children succeed. However, making mistakes and learning how to handle disappointment is a valuable experience for children.
Assisting Children in Developing a Healthy Self-Esteem
Learn tips and strategies to build self-esteem and prevent a low self-concept.
Translations Available Using Google Translate
To view a translated version of a Healthy Minds blog post, please click on the link to the blog above and then click on the “language” link. The language link is located in the top left corner of the page (desktop) or on the menu (mobile). The Healthy Minds blog, as part of the Fairfax County Public Schools web site, is being translated primarily through "machine translation" using Google Translate. As with any machine translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not fully convert text into its intended meaning. Fairfax County Public Schools cannot guarantee the accuracy of the converted text nor are we liable for any resulting issues.
Be Wise, Immunize! Required Vaccines for 2022-23 School Year
 Vaccinations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. Many children missed their well check-ups and their recommended childhood vaccinations over recent years because of disruptions from COVID-19. It is critical to catch up now to keep children healthy and ready for school. Check with your students’ health care providers now to make sure they are up to date on their vaccines.
Appointments are required for most vaccination clinics. Don’t wait until the last minute when you might not be able to find an appointment. Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a schedule of clinics or schedule with your family’s health care provider.
Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. More information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation is available online.
Office of the Auditor General Update
The June 2022 issue of Audit Buzz is available.
Resources for a Fun, Safe, and Healthy Summer
Looking for ways to help students stay active and learning this summer? Visit our Summer Resources page, for information including how to access Tutor.com, COVID vaccines and boosters, and virtual mental health consultations. The page will be updated throughout the summer months.
Mental Health Resources for Students and Parents
This month's theme: Jump Back Up July
Daily actions to help you find ways to bounce back.
Go to Action for Happiness for ideas to help you take action for a happier and kinder world.
 Healthy Minds Podcast
Hear about how we are all handling uncertainty; get new ideas to help your child, friends and families feel better; and learn to help yourself feel stronger and more energized
Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies
Feeling super stressed? Worried about a friend's mental health—or your own? Get tips to help manage your emotions and see what to do if you are in crisis.
Mental Health and Resiliency
Helping students to manage stress, make better choices, and develop healthy habits.
FCPS Parent Resource Center
Staff is available by phone 703-204-3941 or email prc@fcps.edu to help! Offers free workshops, consultations, a lending library, and more to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs and disabilities.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
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July 14 at 7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting
Please note, times and topics are subject to change.
Visit the citizen participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting or public hearing. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas and handouts.
The meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. The meeting will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube page.
Tax-Free Weekend is Aug 5-7!
 August 5-7, 2022 will be a three-day sales tax holiday in the state of Virginia. For more information, visit Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday webpage.
Family Engagement with Language Supports
Please use this contact list if you speak another language or need support through our Parent Resource Center. Phone lines are available in eight languages including Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Urdu, Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
School Bus Driver Job Fairs
Join us for one of our school bus driver job fairs this summer and be part of our team! FCPS will be hosting school bus driver job fairs from 10am-2pm on the following dates and locations:
To learn more, please visit the Employment Opportunity page.
Contacting Me
At this time, with an overflowing inbox, I am prioritizing responses to Sully District constituents. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.
To contact me, it is most helpful if you can please use the official School Board contact form. This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response.
Use this link to sign up for our Newsletters.
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
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