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Mason District Community,
As the end of summer approaches, I want to provide the following updates and reminders for the new school year. On Monday, August 22nd, Fairfax County Public Schools will welcome over 185,000 students into the classrooms to start the 2022-2023 school year!
I wish you all a healthy and successful year. As always, I welcome your questions or concerns via email or phone. You can reach me by email at rjanderson@fcps.edu. If you are interested in scheduling a phone call, please reach out to my assistant, Cristy Coffey, at cmcoffey@fcps.edu to arrange a time.
Welcome Back to School!
First Day of School
As a reminder, the first day of the 2022-2023 school year is Monday, August 22. FCPS parents, students, and staff members are invited to share their favorite pictures or videos from the first day of school on social media using the hashtag #FirstDayFairfax. FCPS will share some of the photos on the FCPS Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages. View the 2022-23 school year calendar.
Superintendent Staffing Update
We are excited to let you know that we are very close to being fully staffed for the first day of school. Join Dr. Michelle Reid for a live update Wednesday, August 17 at 6:00 p.m. or Thursday, August 18 at noon. Look out for details in your email early next week.
Jobs in Special Education
A Special Education hiring event will be held virtually on Wednesday, August 17, from 5 to 6 p.m. Register for the Special Education Job Fair online.
View all available jobs with FCPS. For more information, contact HR Connection online, or at 571-423-3000.
Required Immunizations for 2022-2023 School Year
Immunizations 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 in recent years because of disruptions from COVID-19. It is critical to catch up now to keep children healthy and ready for school.
While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are mandatory. Check with your children's health care providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations.
Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a schedule of clinics or schedule with your family’s health care provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.
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.
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Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Available
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.
IMPORTANT: Families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals for the 2022-2023 school year. The application for the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program is now available online.
However, some schools will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). All students enrolled at these schools will be offered breakfast and lunch each day at no charge. Households with students attending these schools will not be required to submit a meal application form for these students to receive meals at no charge. Each household with students attending these schools will receive communication about the CEP, including contact information for any questions.
There are 14 schools in our area that will be participating in the CEP program to include Annandale HS, Annandale Terrace ES, Bailey's ES, Bailey's Upper ES, Beech Tree ES, Braddock ES, Glasgow MS, Glen Forest ES, Justice HS, Parklawn ES, Poe MS, Sleepy Hollow ES, Weyanoke ES, and Woodlawn ES.
A complete list of schools participating in the CEP is available online, along with eligibility guidelines for families and students applying for Free and Reduced-Price Meals from other schools.
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Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Reminders
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.
Corrections to Back to School Night Information
In a recent newsletter, I provided back to school night information. Please see the following corrections to the original list, in red.
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español
Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.
FCPS School Board Meetings in Spanish
To watch recorded School Board meetings or to watch live during the regular meetings on YouTube, please go to the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the QR code.
We are cognizant of the significant language needs of the the Mason District and I will continue to advocate for their availability and inclusion.
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Global Leaders of Fairfax County Fellowship
The Global Leaders of Fairfax County program seeks to prepare its fellows to be global citizens and change agents in their community and the world. The program will provide fellows with regular opportunities during their senior year of high school to engage with national and global leaders virtually and advance their understanding of international affairs and global issues. Applications are due September 5, 2022.
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2022 Congressional App Challenge
The Congressional App Challenge offers middle and high school students who are interested in coding a chance to develop and demonstrate their skills and interests in computer science and STEM. Students may register as individuals or in teams of up to four.
The deadline to enter the Congressional App Competition is November 1, 2022.
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Superintendent Appoints New Chief Experience and Engagement Officer
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid has named Lisa Youngblood Hall to the role of Chief Experience and Engagement Officer.
Ms. Youngblood Hall brings 29 years of experience to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) in communications and community engagement work, including 14 years working in K-12 and higher education. Most recently, she served as the Chief Communications and Experience Officer for the Northshore School District in the state of Washington with Dr. Reid.
Learn more about Ms. Youngblood Hall.
9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Now Available
A new 9-8-8 crisis and support hotline is now active across the United States, including here in Fairfax County.
Dialing either 9-8-8 or the existing NSPL number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), will connect you to behavioral health care and support 24 hours a day. Please note, if you call from an out-of-area cell phone number, your phone's area code determines the locality for services and your call would then be routed to Northern Virginia services.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- September 1, 2022 at 7 p.m.
- September 15, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- August 30, 2022 at 10 a.m.
- September 13, 2022 at 11 a.m. (Forum at 10 a.m.)
All meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. The meetings are recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.
Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting or public hearing.
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.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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