Dear Fairfax County Students, Families and Staff,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! I hope you and your students are as energized and excited as we are for the new year! As a child, I could hardly sleep the night before the first day of school because I was so excited to meet my new teacher, and, as a parent, I made sure to be as fun but also as *obnoxious* as possible in making the first day of school memorable for my own children, telling them “Byeeeee,” “I loooove youuuuu,” and “I miiiisss youuu” for as long as I could see them …they loved it, I’m sure.
I hope our students are returning rested and ready to have a wonderful school year of academic growth, personal development and social connection.
As Chair of the School Board, I have been lucky to attend and speak at the FCPS Leadership Kickoff, the kickoff event for all of FCPS leadership, and the Great Beginnings Institute, the welcome and training event for our new teachers. The energy and excitement was off the charts! We have so many committed and enthusiastic people serving our students who are determined to make the first day and every subsequent day of school wonderful for your students. And I am super excited to work, alongside our new Superintendent, Dr. Reid, to see that each of our students can succeed and thrive in FCPS.
 2022-2023 Back to School Video
Below you will find information about back to school events. I hope you make a note and are able to attend the events for your child’s school. They are wonderful opportunities to become more familiar with the school and teachers and build a community which is so vital to the success of our students.
Please also be sure to familiarize yourself with some important updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities document. You can read more below but I wanted to highlight the new section on cell phones that prohibits cell phone use in classrooms. We appreciate you talking to your children before school starts since this is a shift for our students that will be easier with partnership from families. If your student needs to access a cell phone or other personal device for medical, language, or other accommodations, please reach out to your school team, such as your IEP or 504 team. If you are not sure who to talk to, please reach out to your school principal.
I can’t wait to see all that our kiddos learn this year!
As always, please reach out to share your thoughts, concerns and questions.
My warmest regards,
Rachna
Below you will find information on:
School Board News
Michele Togbe is the 2022-23 Student School Board Representative
Michele Togbe, a rising senior at South County High School, is the student representative to the School Board for the 2022-2023 school year. Michele will participate in School Board meetings as a nonvoting member. I always welcome hearing from students but, if you prefer to speak directly to a student, feel free to reach out to Michele. You can learn more about Michele, watch her welcome video and see how to contact her here.
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Upcoming School Board Meetings
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August 23 at 12:30 pm Work Session: Strategic Initiatives
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August 30 at 10 am - Work Session: Goal 4 (Resource Stewardship) Report; Strategic Plan
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September 1 at 7 pm - Regular Meeting: FY23 Year-End Budget Review. School Board Committee and Liaison Assignments, Advisory Committee Appointments
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September 13 at 11 am - Work Session: Family Engagement Survey Results; ERFC Annual Report
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September 15 at 7 pm - Regular Meeting: Opening of Schools Report
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September 20 at 10 am - Work Session: Strategic Plan/Governance
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.
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NEW! For Spanish speakers -- to watch recorded School Board meetings or live Regular Meetings on YouTube, you can visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the QR code.
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español
Para ver las reuniones del Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las Reuniones Ordinarias en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR
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FCPS News and Resources
Staffing
In this time of nationwide teacher shortages, FCPS has been working very hard to hire staff and is very close to being fully staffed for the first day of school. FCPS has held many job fairs and cast a wide net through both in-person and virtual events, including ones focused on special education hiring. It has also launched a new FCPS teacher residency program and assigned some central office instructional staff to cover vacant classroom positions. You can read more about the staffing situation in Dr. Reid’s update.
Back-to-School Nights, Newsletters, and More!
Our schools and staff are preparing for the return of our students and to welcome any new students to our school communities. If you have not already, be sure to sign up for your school’s newsletter and social media channels.
Find the sign up links and information on back-to-school events on each school’s website. The schedule for back-to-school nights are also available online by region: Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Region 5. Don’t know your school’s region? Do a search for your school in the Schools and Centers Directory, then click on the school name.
Important Changes to Student Rights and Responsibilities
The Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read the Letter from the Superintendent on the 2022-23 Student Rights and Responsibilities: A Guide for Families.Key changes to the document for the 2022-23 school year include:
- Adding rights to protect citizenship and immigration status from unauthorized sharing.
- Changes to FCPS’ Acceptable Use Policy Regulation for Technology.
- A new section on cell phones.
The new section on cell phones prohibits cell phone use in classrooms. We recognize that this new policy will be a shift for many students and families this year, but research shows that managing phone use during class time will support students’ attention and ability to fully engage in their learning. Schools are partnering with parents to have students understand the importance of putting their phones away to minimize distractions during class.
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Students in K-8 must keep phones silenced and in backpacks for the duration of the school day unless there is a medical need or emergency, or teachers have allowed the usage of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool. Cell phones may only be used on campus before and after school. (Except in secondary schools where students in grades 7 and 8 may use phones during passing periods)
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Students in grades 9-12 must keep phones silenced and put away during all instructional periods unless there is a medical need or emergency, or teachers have allowed the usage of cell phones for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool. Cell phones may be used on campus before the first bell, after the last bell, during passing periods, and lunches.
If a parent or guardian believes their child requires access to a personally owned device(s) as an accommodation, they should contact child’s school team—i.e., 504 Committee, Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team, English Language Committee, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Team—to schedule a meeting to have their request considered.
Parents should talk to their child(ren) before the start of the school year about these expectations for this upcoming school year. Families may also review the parental controls available for all iPhone and Android users. More information about the SR&R is available online.
Community Conversations with Dr. Reid
Superintendent Michelle Reid will be hosting Superintendent Community Conversations across the division this fall to get to know our communities. Please visit this webpage to see the community conversations that are currently scheduled. The list will be updated as new schools are added.
Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents and guardians know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided by Lightspeed, our internet content filtering service, at no cost to families. You may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. If you want more detailed information, sign up for the Internet Use Parent portal and log-in anytime to see more detail about your child’s browsing and “pause” access to the internet during non-school hours.
Required Immunizations for the 2022-2023 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. 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.
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Breakfast and Lunch for School Year 2022-23
Parents can set up an account through MySchoolBucks in order for your child/ren) to purchase lunch or breakfast during the school year. For information on pricing and options, please go to this link. Students can purchase meals during the week based on the menu and choose your student's school.
Paperless Opt-Outs Available
As a part of our ongoing efforts to streamline paper processes, parents can now select a number of opt-outs electronically via ParentVUE. Once you have signed into your ParentVUE account, simply select the “Student Info” tab and click on “Edit Information.” You will find opt-outs listed there. If you need to set up your ParentVUE account, you can create one online via the FCPS ParentVUE Registration page.
Parent Resource Center
The beginning of a new school year is a great time to remind everyone that the Parent Resource Center (PRC) is a wonderful resource for our entire FCPS community. The PRC offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators and community members to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs and disabilities. They provide access to a free lending library of over 10,000 resources on topics related to parenting and educating all children, free webinars (live and recordings of past webinars), confidential in-person, virtual or telephone consultations and a tutor list. Learn more about their valuable services.
September webinars include "I Can't Focus!" When ADHD Impacts Your Child's Math and Writing Performance: A Webinar for Families and Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders: What Families and Schools Need to Know. More information and registration links available.
New Monthly Newsletter for Military Families
There is now an FCPS newsletter for Military Families. Military families are encouraged to update their selections on News You Choose. To subscribe:
- Visit News You Choose and enter your email address.
- Under Subscription Topics, scroll down to “PROFESSIONAL LEARNING & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT”
- Select “MILITARY FAMILIES” from the menu.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “SUBMIT” to update your subscription preferences.
VDOE Wants Your Feedback on History and Social Science Curriculum Review
Fairfax County Public Schools’ robust history and social studies programs prepare all students to be positive contributors to their communities. FCPS aligns curriculum to the History and Social Science Standards of Learning provided by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
VDOE is conducting a routine review of current History and Social Science Standards of Learning. This process began in 2020 and is expected to be complete by November 2022. Public engagement is an important component of the review process and VDOE will consider all public comments received by September 25, 2022.
FCPS encourages families, students, staff, and community members to provide feedback to VDOE and participate in district discussions and feedback opportunities. Learn more and offer public comment on the VDOE website.
Lake Braddock Chamber Orchestra to perform during National Music Education Conference
Each year, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) selects high level elementary, middle, high school, and university groups to perform at its national conference. The Lake Braddock Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Clayton Allen, has been selected to perform during the 2022 NAfME National Conference. Ensembles are chosen based on unmarked recordings submitted.
The Lake Braddock Chamber Orchestra will be performing at The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., on November 4 at 4 p.m. on the Outside Main Stage. Congratulations to the Lake Braddock Middle School Chamber Orchestra for your selection to this prestigious national music conference!
Community News
Expanded Metro Bus Program
The Metrobus pass pilot program, launched in 2018 at Justice High School, is being expanded to four additional schools this fall: Annandale High School, Falls Church High School, Marshall High School, and Davis Center. The expanded student bus pass adds Metrobus access to the Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE access already offered to students at these schools.
The pass will be valid for specific routes in Northern Virginia between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. and will be available to students at no charge. Participating schools will provide more information when students return.
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495 Next Road Construction Update
The 495 Next project involves extending the I-495 Express Lanes from the existing terminus of the I-495 Express Lanes to the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchange in the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge. Project improvements will include replacing existing overpasses, implementing a shared-use path that could be used by bicyclists and pedestrians, and replacing and constructing new noise walls.
This construction work will affect our communities and I encourage you to stay informed. Also visit https://schoolpool.commuterconnections.org/schoolpool/ to learn about carpool opportunities for students.
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. No more than four students are allowed to form a team. Each district has its own challenge. The Congressional App Challenge also has compiled a Learn To Code list of resources to assist participants in their efforts.
The deadline to enter the Congressional App Competition is November 1. For additional details and to register, please visit this website.
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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.
GrandInvolve: Changing the World, One Child at a Time
Would you like to have a unique and interesting volunteer experience while making a difference in a school, classroom, family, or in one child’s life? Join in at GrandInvolve, a nonprofit program that facilitates volunteer opportunities in 25 of Fairfax County’s Title I Elementary Schools!
GrandInvolve is currently recruiting adult volunteers who are interested to provide classroom assistance with math, reading, and other simple educational tasks that the teacher requests. For a rewarding experience with flexible hours and various responsibilities, consider volunteering. For additional information, contact them at info@grandinvolve.org or go to their website to learn more.
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Changes to Fairfax County Public Library Hours
All regional and community Fairfax County Public Library branches have modified their schedules due to ongoing staff recruitment challenges. For more details, visit the Fairfax County Public Library website.
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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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