Upcoming Events August 30: "Return to the Pride" Back to School Night 6:30-9pm September 2 - 5: Labor Day Break September 9: Parent Coffee, 7:30am, Library September 17: Mock SAT/ACT September 20: First PTSA meeting, 7pm, Library September 23: Homecoming Parade September 24: Homecoming Dance

Included in this issue:

Fairfax Lions Need to Know:

• New School Procedures
• Back to School Night Info!
• Calendar Reminder - Labor Day Weekend
• Digital Resources
• Testing Accommodations

Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:

• Yearbook info
• Band Car Wash
• NCAA Info NIght
• Job Opportunities @ FHS
• Connect - Contact - Reach Us

Fairfax HS PTSA

• PTSA Membership Raffles
• Why you should Join the PTSA
• Why you should Donate to the PTSA
• The Top 5 Myths and Truths about PTSA

Acceso de News You Choose en Español:  Haga clic aquí.

August 26, 2022

Greetings Fairfax Family and Friends,

We have had a great first week “Back to School” and “Returning to the Pride” as we watched the sunrise with Class of 2023 and then danced with the dance line, clapped with leadership, moved with the sounds of the FHS Band and cheered with our cheerleaders as each student entered our doors on Monday. Fairfax High School is a dynamic place that embraces diversity, uniqueness, and excellence. We will celebrate Every Student, Every Strength, Every Day and ensure student goals are met and that dreams come true.  Please join us at Back to School Night, August 30th, 6:30-9pm, as we strengthen our school and family partnerships in guaranteeing the success of all scholars and ensure every student has an opportunity to ROAR. Please make sure to see important information below, including a schedule for the evening.

I want to share some important administrative information with our Fairfax families and community.  Mr. Kevin Greata, our dynamic Special Education Assistant Principal, will be moving into an Acting Principal position at Woodson High School for the month of September. In Mr. Greata’s absence we are delighted to have Ms. Janice Monroe assume his Special Education leadership responsibilities. Ms. Monroe served Fairfax High School as an Acting Assistant Principal last year and brings over 32 years of experience in teaching, special education, and leadership to the role. In Mr. Greata’s absence please feel free to reach out to Ms. Monroe, jmonroe@fcps.edu with any concerns or questions. We look forward to a great year of collaboration.

This coming Monday, August 29th, at 7pm the Activities Office is sponsoring an NCAA Information Night for any student who would like to play sports in college. We will have a guest speaker, Mr. Paul Bowden, who is the Senior Associate Athletic Director at Howard University for Student Athlete Support Services. Mr. Bowden will provide valuable NCAA Information and answer any questions you might have regarding the recruiting process. Good luck to our Field Hockey team who plays home verse Langley this afternoon at 5pm and 6:30pm and good luck to the Football team who travels to Wakefield HS for the season opener tonight…Kickoff is at 7pm!

In Collaboration and Partnership,

Fairfax Lions Need to Know:

Reminder: New School Procedures

AM Arrival: FHS staff and police will be in the lots and bus loop to support smooth AM “Kiss and Ride” drop off and car-pooling transitions. Please look out for staff and follow the flow of traffic.

AM ENTRY NOTE- ALL Students should ONLY enter through doors 1, 10, 14, 21. These will be the only unlocked arrival doors to control monitoring of doors in the AM. At 8:10 am these doors (10, 14, 21) will be locked and all students will be directed through Door 1.

• 7:30 am Doors to the school will open for students. Students will transition to the cafeteria for breakfast 
• 8:05 AM Welcome Bell rings for the first class of the day
• 8:10 class begins 

Lunch Periods: ALL Students will be dining in the cafeteria this year. Students must obtain a teacher pass for lunch visits prior to entering the cafeteria or they will not be allowed to leave. The Senior Cafe and Senior Courtyard will be available. An outdoor area will open after the lunch routine is established.  

Lunch Schedule

• A lunch 11:21-11:51 (11:51 bell to begin class)
• B  lunch 12:05-12:35 (12:05 bell to release for lunch/12:35 bell to resume class)
• C  lunch 12:51-1:21 (12:51 bell to release for lunch)

2:55 School Dismisses

Last period teachers and school staff will support students with bus pick up locations and doors to ensure smooth departure. 

NOTE:

Passes- Students must use official FHS passes to travel throughout FHS. Only one student should be leaving the classroom at a time to use the restroom. Teachers will maintain a pass log to track student movement.  

Exiting the Building and Leaving Campus  

Students are prohibited from leaving campus during the school day, if a student is seen leaving the building or opening unauthorized doors they will be held accountable as defined in the SRR. This is to ensure student and staff safety.

Food Deliveries

ALL outside food deliveries are prohibited. If a parent brings lunch for their student, it will be held in the office until their scheduled lunch period. 

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we strive to keep our school community safe!

Back to School Night Info

Calling all Lions!

Come out and hear us ROAR at the Fairfax High School Back to School Night!  We will be hosting families on Tuesday, August 30th, to connect as a community as well as showcase our teachers and curriculum in each class.  We are excited to welcome you into the heart of the den!

The main event is from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, where families will move through a schedule of their child’s classes, meeting each teacher and learning about each class.  Prior to the main event, there will be some community building events for everyone starting at 5:30 pm.

Please read through the following information for schedule details, information about community building events, parking information and more!

Traditional Back to School Night - The Main Event!

We are excited to return to the traditional back to school night format, where families will follow their child’s schedule, connect with every teacher, and learn about each class.  This event will begin promptly at 6:30 pm and will end close to 9:00 pm.  

Families will start this journey in their child’s Lion Time class.  Prior to Tuesday, please ask your child for their Lion Time teacher’s name and room number.  Families will be provided a copy of their child’s schedule in the Lion Time classroom.

Printed maps and bell schedules will be available at Back to School Night.  Please see the bell schedule below.

Community Building Events

5:30-6:15 Senior Parent Night - In the Auditorium

5:45-6:30 AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Signing - In the Library

5:45-6:15 Special Education Coffee - In the cafeteria

6:00-6:30 All Things Fairfax - In the commons (see full list of available tables below) 

All Things Fairfax 

Tables will be set up in the commons with information, opportunities to support the school community, and to check off some items on your “to do” list. 

1. Attendance - Information regarding attendance  procedures  
2. ParentVue – Get assistance setting up your parentVue account
3. Digital Resource Consent Form - Sign the DRC to allow your student to use digital resources
4. Leadership/SGA – Overview of Leadership 
5. FFX School Board – Meet members of the board and learn how they support our school
6. PTSA  – Become a member of the PTSA
7. Yearbook – Buy a yearbook
8. Jostens - Information about available purchases regarding class rings and additional products 
9. Athletic Boosters  – Buy your spirit wear and buy your booster pass
10. Choral Patrons – Information about the choral program
11. FHS Crew Patrons – Information about the crew program
12. FX Players – Information about the theater program 
13. Indian Student Association - Information about the ISA club
14. Activities  - Information about the various clubs and activities
15. Wellness – Information about school services and supports
16. Spanish and Arabic Liaisons  – Interpreter services for the event
17. Map/Bell Schedule Table – Pick up a map of the school and the bell schedule for BTSN

Parking and Shuttle Bus Information

Parking will be limited at the school.  Overflow parking is available at the following locations between 5:30 pm until 9:45 pm, with continuous shuttles running between Fairfax High School and these locations: Daniel’s Run Elementary School, St. Leo the Great Catholic School (3704 Old Lee Hwy), and Home Depot (3201 Old Lee Hwy).

Back to School Night Videos

Below are a series of Back to School Night videos from the school board members that represent our community. 

School Board videos 

Calendar Reminder: Labor Day Weekend

Friday, September, 2, and Monday, September 5, are part of the Labor Day holiday for all FCPS employees and students. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. View the 2022-23 school year calendar.

Digital Resources @ School require Consent

At Fairfax High School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. You can find our school’s list of the resources that require parental consent here:

https://fairfaxhs.fcps.edu/adopteddigitalresources

Additionally, you can find more information about approved digital resources in FCPS here: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/digital-resources.

Included on this page is also a link to a form where the enrolling parent or guardian will need to indicate whether or not their student is allowed to use the list of digital resources this year. This page also provides more information about how FCPS carefully reviews digital resources for approval and why we must request your consent before using certain tools. We encourage you to complete the parental consent for digital resources form as soon as possible, as your child will not be able to use the digital resources until we have received your permission. Please reach out to our Technology Specialist, Tim Brown, at twbrown@fcps.edu, if you have questions or concerns about the digital resources we’ve chosen to use this year.

Important Info about Testing Accommodations

Information for students planning to take PSAT, SAT, or AP exam with accommodations

Students planning to take the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT10, SAT, or Advanced Placement exams with accommodations (students with IEP or 504 plan) must have accommodations approved by College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). The approval process can take up to 7-weeks. Please check the college board website for more information (www.collegeboard.org). The accommodation request can be submitted on the website or with the school SSD coordinator. The school SSD coordinator is Milan Sikand (msikand@fcps.edu). It is important to follow the registration and accommodation request deadlines provided on the college board website. Please email Ms. Sikand following documents to start the request for accommodation-

• Parental Consent Form
• Copy of IEP or 504 plan

Fairfax Lions Nice to Know: 

Underclass Photos

Families are reminded that photos for underclassmen will be taken between Sept 13 to the 16th during their non-elective English classes. Each English teacher will be assigned a time to take their students for photos, so the best way to find our which day they are assigned is to check in with their friendly neighborhood English teacher next week.

Families should also note that we are not providing paper order forms this year as Legacy Studios has moved to all-digital ordering. Folks can follow these instructions from the studio:

• Before, on or after picture day, go to shop.legacystudios.com
• On the page titled: View and Purchase Your Portraits, click on the image of the student on the left that says Underclass
• On the next page, you'll be asked if you have your online code 
• Click on the blue button marked YES - Take me to my Gallery
• Enter code 4541F23
• Review package and product offerings and make your selections
• When you've made your selections, click on the green button on the bottom right of the page marked Checkout
• On the next page, you'll find options for retouching, teeth whitening, etc. as well as your portrait background choices
• Make your selections and click on the blue button on the bottom right of the page that says Next
• From there, you'll enter your student's information and proceed to checkout by clicking the blue Next button
• Keep in mind that all packages and products will be sent to the home or mailing address provided.  Pictures are not returned to the school for distribution.
• For assistance, please contact Legacy Studios Customer Care team directly at customercare@legacystudios.com or 716.512.6336.  Please do not contact the school.

Please also note that every child will have their photo taken regardless of their intent to order photos since we use their photo in SIS and on their student IDs (which they will be receiving on picture day). 

Time to order Yearbooks! 

Speaking of pictures... Believe it or not, the time has come once again to order yearbooks! Our students are already hard at work to put together Fairfax High School’s yearbook, The Sampler, for 2023. This will be volume 88 of the historic yearbook, and after a couple of years where all our lives have been upended, we are looking forward to digging up our roots and leaning into all the traditions that make all the folks at Fairfax family. 

Students and families who order books before homecoming will be receiving a $15 discount. That’s right, The Sampler vol. 88 will be only $65.00 until September 30th. We encourage you to order early! It’s easy, just click the link below, enter your information, and reserve your copy. 

Until the beginning of September, students and families will have to fill in their own name and information as the data to search by name has not yet been uploaded to simply search by name. Fairfax High School’s order number is 5671 if prompted to enter it. 

Families of students of the class of 2023 are also encouraged to purchase “ads” for their seniors. Small ads are available and families can purchase up to a full page to celebrate and honor their student’s achievements. These ads can be bought by clicking “Yearbook Ads” at the top of the order page. 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Yearbook Sponsor, David Greene, dtgreene@fcps.edu.

https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5671

Band Car Wash! 

Hey, Fairfax! Do you enjoy seeing and hearing the Marching Band at the football games? The Friday March-arounds, the Homecoming Parade, or even the 4th of July Parade?? We love being part of the community and showing our Pride! But we can't do it without your support. Come out to our CAR WASH this weekend and you'll be helping a great program with a LOT of great kids! All donations go directly to the band.

Who: Fairfax Band

What: Car Wash Fundraiser

Where: Both Exxon stations at Chain Bridge Rd & Fairfax Blvd

When: Saturday, Aug. 27^th, 9AM - 3PM

Why: To help fund music, instrument, uniform purchases

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

NCAA Info Night

Job Opportunities @ FHS! 

Fairfax HS has two job openings that would be perfect for our community members. If you are looking for part-time hours, or thinking about stepping back into the working world, please consider joining our Lion family! 

COVID CASE MANAGER - The COVID Case Manager monitors and manages COVID case data in schools in concert with the local health department by:

• working closely with students, staff, administration, FCPS central office and the County Health Department
• accesses and uses student information system data to assist health department staff with contact tracing
• identifying close contacts and reporting to the health department
• using applicable technology to collect, maintain, analyze and report data related to management of potential exposures
• may assist with collection and/or coordination of COVID testing.

Qualifications - Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Two years of public health or other relevant experience preferred. Proficiency in the use of technology. Ability to maintain confidentiality and compliance with established procedures; to establish and maintain positive relationships with school staff and students; and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

This is an hourly position. If you are interested, please email your resume to  Assistant Principal Berneatta Barnes, at blbarnes@fcps.edu. 

TESTING COORDINATOR - We are looking for an hourly testing coordinator to help in the Assessment Office.

• The testing coordinator assists the assessment coach with planning, organizing, and coordinating test administration within the school.
• This includes managing logistics, maintaining security of testing materials, ensuring that students receive the appropriate testing accommodations, administering and proctoring exams and communicating with families and staff.
• The testing coordinator is detail-oriented, teachable, highly organized, flexible in dealing with unexpected issues, comfortable working with students with accommodations, comfortable with technology, and recognizes legal and ethical responsibility in adhering to testing regulations.

If interested please send resume to Leslie Trieu at latrieu@fcps.edu.

with us throughout the year by:

• visit the Fairfax High School Website
• sign up/modify your membership to our message -  News You Choose
• visiting the Fairfax PTSA Website

Fairfax HS PTSA

Table of Contents:

• PTSA Membership Raffles
• Why join the PTSA?
• Why donate to the PTSA?
• Top 5 PTSA Myths and Truths
• Parent Coffee, Friday, Sept. 9th, 7:30am, Library
• FAQ for New Families 

PTSA Membership Raffles

Join the Parent Teacher Student Association today to support FHS and win prizes! First drawing to be held on August 31^st, with additional drawings to be held in September. Sign up each parent or guardian and FHS student TODAY at MemberHub for the most chances to win!

All individual memberships received by midnight the night before the drawing are entered to win.  Open to all 2022-23 FHS PTSA members, including staff, students, parents and PTSA board members.  Winners will be announced in the weekly PTSA and/or Principal’s email.

Prizes to be won:

• Fairfax High Tote Bag or Lanyard
• Fairfax Football Booster Cards for discounts at local businesses
• Tickets to Fairfax Players Fall Play
• Free Bundtlets from Nothing Bundt Cakes
• Additional Prizes to be added….

Thank you to FHS Athletic Boosters, FX Players and Nothing Bundt Cakes for your generous donations!

Why join the PTSA?

The Parent Teacher Student Association keeps you informed and involved at FHS! Membership dues directly support FHS students and teachers, funding school functions like guest speakers, Teacher Appreciation and student scholarships and awards. Let us help you get connected with the things that your student enjoys and build a supportive community.

Why donate to the PTSA?

The Parent Teacher Student Association is a 501(c)3 organization that relies solely on membership dues and donations to fund the budget. Your donations support student recognition, the FHS food bank, fund teacher grants and support the clinic and school counselors. Please visit our website to see the proposed budget that will directly support students, teachers and parents at FHS. Fairfax High School PTSA - Bylaws & Budget (fairfaxptsa.org)

Top 5 PTSA Myths and Truths

1. MYTH: PTSA membership is only for moms.

TRUTH: PTSA is for everyone! Parents, guardians, students, teachers, administrators, school board members, etc. Everyone can have good ideas and contribute to making our school community stronger.

     2. MYTH: I do not need to join PTSA now that my child is in high school.

TRUTH: Students who attend a high school with a PTSA are more likely to graduate. And the more members in the PTSA, the higher the overall graduation rates.

     3. MYTH: Joining PTSA requires you to volunteer.

TRUTH: If you want to volunteer, that’s great, but your support as a member is enough. Your dues and donations fund the majority of the PTSA budget.

    4. MYTH: If I join the PTSA they will just keep asking for more money.

TRUTH: The PTSA needs input and perspectives from as many families as possible and each family can contribute in whatever way they are most comfortable, whether that is by sharing their ideas, their volunteer labor, their financial support or all three.

    5. MYTH: PTSA is only a social club.

TRUTH: PTSA is a membership-based advocacy association. Local PTSAs build community between schools and families. Join to have your voice heard!

BONUS MYTH: PTSA membership never expires.

TRUTH: You need to join every year. Even though membership runs annually, each family member can join anytime during the year.  https://fairfaxhs.memberhub.com/store

Join us for the first Parent Coffee of the year!

The first Parent Coffee of the year is Friday, September 9th, at 7:30am in the library. This is an informal way to meet the Principal and other staff members, chat with fellow parents, and find out what's going on at school. Please join us!

Do you want to celebrate a Fairfax employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.

3501 Lion Run Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-219-2200

Attendance: 703-219-2211| Web