News and Announcements October 14th Edition

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/14/2022 05:45 PM EDT

Majors achieve and thrive together with purpose and pride!

Homecoming Pic

MVHS Homecoming 2022

Virtual Lunch with Principal Rogers

Principal Rogers is excited to invite you to a virtual “Chew and Chat” Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 11:00 - 12:00 pm.  This is an opportunity to learn more about what is going on in school, ask questions or provide feedback to ensure MVHS is a place where every Major achieves and thrives with purpose and pride! Please help us prepare for this meeting by submitting any topics or questions you would like to have addressed here. 

You can join us using this link. 

Change in Tardy Policy

Beginning November 1, 2022, all students will report to their alpha subschools to check in only during  first and second periods or if they are checking into school late for the first time (i.e. doctor’s appt.) Students who are tardy third - eighth periods will report directly to class and teachers will mark their attendance as UNT (unexcused tardy) or excused if they have a pass.

2022-23 AP/IB Test Opt-Out Timeline and Fees

As part of the FCPS FY 2022 Approved Budget, FCPS is continuing to assess Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) test fees. As in previous years, the fees for the first six AP/IB tests taken for courses in which students are enrolled for high school credit will be paid for by FCPS. Students taking AP tests without enrolling in the corresponding FCPS course are responsible for the test fee(s). 

FCPS and Mount Vernon High School encourage all students to take AP/IB tests for courses in which they are enrolled. However, students will have the opportunity to opt-out of the test(s). Steps to Opt-Out:

  1. Complete Opt-Out google form, also available from their IB teacher.  Students may also request a printed opt-out form from Mrs. Freeland (email: scfreeland@fcps.edu, or come to the IB Office).   
  1. Parent verification--Since the opt-out process requires parental signature, Mrs. Freeland, the IB/AP Coordinator will notify the parent/guardian listed on the Google form via email, and they will have to verify and validate their student’s Opt-Out request by sending a validation email response to Mrs. Freeland by October 21, 2022.  Or, parents may sign the printed opt-out form.

To assist in the decision-making process, students can request a report with their previous tests and current AP/IB course enrollment. Students who wish to view their SY 2023 Opt-Out report should email their request to Mrs. Freeland (scfreeland@fcps.edu).  AP/IB students must make Opt-Out decisions by Friday, October 21, 2022, and parents will be billed a non-refundable test fee in December 2022 for tests that exceed the six FCPS funded tests.  Students who qualify for the free and reduced-price meals program and have submitted the consent to share their free and reduced-price status will not be charged for these fees. 

AP students who register for an AP exam after November 10th will be assessed a $40 late registration fee by the College Board. AP students who do not complete the Opt-Out form in October and cancel an AP exam will be assessed a $40 cancellation fee by the College Board. 

Class of 2026 Parent Council Meeting

The class of 2026 will be hosting our first Parent Council meeting on Thursday, October 27th in the Library at Mount Vernon HS from 6pm-7pm.  All Class of 2026 Parents are welcome to attend.  We look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have.

Attendance Matters

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD OR TEEN HAVE GOOD ATTENDANCE?

  • Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day, make that the expectation.
  • Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s  sleep.
  • Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day.
  • Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick. Complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety.
  • Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from bullies and other threats. Make sure he or she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school.
  • Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
  • Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
  • Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.

COMMUNICATE WITH THE SCHOOL

  • Know the school’s attendance policy–incentives and penalties.
  • Talk to teachers if you notice sudden changes in behavior. These could be tied to something going on at school.
  • Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not piling up.
  • Ask for help from school officials, afterschool programs, other parents or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school
  • Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, talk to your children’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work.  But remember, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that goes on in the classroom.
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Please mark your calendars with the important dates below.

Fall Festival

Student Services Updates

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Mount Vernon High School is holding a special course designed for adults who regularly interact with youth.  Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a public education program which teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, ADHD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorder.  Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling – rather, participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis by applying a core 5 step action plan.

This offering is free of cost to MVHS community members to include families within our feeder schools.  Please email Melissa Mentzel at mjmentzel@fcps.edu with any questions.  Participants can scan the QR code or use link provided to register: https://bit.ly/3Sy6VQ0

Mentzel Pic

College Exploration Events

Below is an updated list of upcoming College Rep visits to the MVHS College and Career Center.  Please note that dates and times are subject to change.  Students interested must register in advance in Naviance Student.

October 14th @ 11:15 Longwood University

October 14th @ 11:45 University of Maine

October 17th @ 9:45 Mississippi University

October 17th @ 9:45 United states Military Academy West Point

October 17th @ 12:30 Princeton University

October 18th @ 12:30 Univ of Mary Washington

October 18th @ 12:30 Saint Michael’s College

October 20th @ 11:15 Mount St. Mary’s University

October 20th @ 12:30 University of Mississippi

2023 FAFSA Open—College Access Fairfax Is Here to Help

Parents of current high school seniors—did you know that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened on October 1? Parents are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible—definitely before March 1, 2023—as you prepare for your child to begin college in the fall of 2023. Some schools have even earlier priority deadlines, so check the individual college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and specific forms to complete. Parents and students should start by creating an FSA ID and then begin the FAFSA.

The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application is available for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.

Our partners at College Access Fairfax will be offering a number of programs on completing the FAFSA/VASA and finding/applying for scholarships over the next two months. Information on these programs and how to access them can be found at the College Access Fairfax website. 

In addition, College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to complete the FAFSA/VASA. Interested families should email appointments@collegeaccessfairfax.org to request an appointment. 

Ms. Katrina Rowsey, our Financial Aid Champion will be available to meet with students in families in the MVHS College and Career Center from 9:30 -11:00  Ms. Rowsey can help with both the FAFSA and the VASA.  She can also be reached via email at KHRowsey@fcps.edu.  See below for her in-person Schedule:

  • October 18th
  • October 20th
  • October 25th

Financial Aid Information Night

Lewis High School

Virginia College Application Week

College Application Week

What is Virginia College Application Week?

For the past eight years, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has partnered with the Virginia Secretary’s Office on Education, the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia and national education non-profit ECMC to coordinate Virginia College Application Week (VCAW). Members of the Class of 2023 from across the Commonwealth of Virginia will be applying to colleges during the week of October 24th - 28th, 2022. On this Google Site (fcpschools.net account required) you will find information about all of the schools that are participating as well as some helpful resources on the Common and Coalition Application.  

At Mount Vernon students will have the opportunity to attend a college and military information fair, complete college applications, and participate in college On-site admissions and apply to participating colleges for free. There will be sessions to assist students with completing the FAFSA and VASA and much MORE!! Sign up for sessions through the VCAW Link on Schoology and Naviance. Deadline to sign up for the MVHS sessions is Tuesday, October 18th.  

Students may register by clicking on the link below: https://forms.gle/CHkNdQNWLAUSi3qr6 or contact your school counselor for more information.

VCAW Schools

James Madison University Workshops

JMU

College 101 Conference

Flyer 1

High School College Forum

Gum Springs

Naval Academy Information Session

Naval Pic

Scholarships

Free Student Bus Pass Program for Connector and Cue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nycsQ6H-ql4

Fall Festival

Fall Festival

FOOD FOR NEIGHBORS

Would you like to help students in our area receive the healthy food they need to succeed in school? We’re partnering with Food For Neighbors to stock the food pantry in our school and supply supplemental weekend food to our students who struggle with food insecurity outside of school hours.  

FFN is looking for Red Bag Donors to donate food 5 times per school year, volunteers to drive and pick up the food and sorters to help organize and pack the food on event days. It only takes a few minutes to sign up and can make a huge difference in the lives of local teens! Visit the website at www.foodforneighbors.org/get-involved to donate food and volunteer. Thanks for your support!