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Upcoming Events
October 5: Yom Kippur Holiday
October 6: Academic Boosters Lettering Event, Lion Time
October 6: Paying for College, Class of 2023, Auditorium @ 7pm
October 7: Principal's Coffee, Library @ 7:30am
October 7: FHS Pyramid Night Tailgate, 5:30-6:30pm; Food Trucks and Games before 7pm Football Game
October 8: FHS Crew Informational Family Picnic and Open Boathouse, 12-2pm @ Sandy Run Regional Park (rescheduled from 10/1)
October 10: Indigenous Peoples Day, Student Holiday, Staff Development Day
October 12: FHS PSAT/SAT Testing day for 10th, 11th, and pre-registered 12th; No School for 9th and most 12th.
October 16: College Fair @ GMU, 4pm-7pm
October 17: Community Conversation with Dr. Reid
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Included in this issue:
Fairfax Lions Need to Know:
- Attendance Checkout Procedures
- PSAT/SAT Day info for October 12th - early release day
- Important Information about Rainbow Fentanyl
- Region 5 Virtual Family Substance Use Education Night
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- "Recent Works" Art Show
- News from the Career Center
- Senior Portraits Update
- News from the Athletic Dept.
- Connect - Contact - Reach Us
Fairfax HS PTSA
- Crew Info Picnic - New Date!
- Raffle Drawing Winners
- Academy Lettering Event
- Empowering Safe Kids Webinar
- End of Quarter Teacher Treats
- Community Conversations with Dr. Reid
Acceso de News You Choose en Español: Haga clic aquí.
 Teacher, John King, works with his Automotive Tech students on tire balance and repair.
September 30, 2022
Greetings Fairfax Family and Friends,
Fall is here and we are “fall”ing in love with all things academic this week at Fairfax High School. Our students are focused on personal goal setting and are exhibiting portrait of a graduate skills in all of their classes as they commit to being critical collaborators and key communicators. This week our theater students took to the stage in our “Sparkplug Showcase” and wowed the crowd with their multi-faceted talents. The Mane Market (our school store) opens next week and we couldn’t be any more excited for our entrepreneur students to launch this student created, student planned, and student promoted business opportunity in our commons area during lunches and after school. Social and emotional health is always important and on this “Fun” Friday one of our classes focused on creating stress balls, while another student group made restaurant and menu recommendations to each other. The sounds of our chorus echoed in the atrium as they prepare for exciting fall performances. Next Friday, we will host all of our feeder elementary and middles schools for a fun night at the FHS field; please plan to attend this family fun event.
In Collaboration and Partnership,
Important info from the Attendance Office
Parents and families, if you know in advance that you will need to check your student out in the afternoon, please plan to do so before 2:30pm to allow ample time to locate your student before our regular school dismissal time.
You can find all our attendance information on the school website here:
Fairfax HS Attendance Policies & Procedures. The attendance office can be reached at 703-219-2224, or -2227.
Questions or concerns regarding attendance, please reach out to our Dean of Students, Bruni Herring, bsherring@fcps.edu. Thank you for your cooperation in helping our students be successful!
Important Information for PSAT/SAT day, October 12, 2022
On Wednesday, October 12, 2022, Fairfax HS will be giving the PSAT and SAT. Fairfax HS has decided to make Oct. 12th a 2hr early release day.
Important Need to Know:
- All 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT.
- Seniors who signed up will be taking the SAT. Seniors who did NOT sign up do NOT attend school.
- All 9th graders do NOT attend school.
- Students receiving Category B special education services receive a normal instructional program.
- It is a 2 hour early release day. Some students will have a bus at 2:55 if they have accommodations.
- There are NO academy classes or buses.
- The testing begins at 8:10am like a normal school day.
You can view the entire school year calendar here: FCPS 2022-23 school year calendar
Important Information on Rainbow Fentanyl
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The DEA has issued a public warning educating the community about rainbow fentanyl. These particular pills are targeted to youth and young adults by its colorful candy-like appearance making them look harmless. Rainbow Fentanyl resembles playground chalk before it is pressed into pills and has been found in 18 states including West Virginia and New York and are sold as low as $17 (Hawaii) per pill making them affordable. In August of 2022 47,000 pills were confiscated at the Arizona border as well as 186,000 “Perc 30’s” or “Blues”, another popular synthetic opioid found in our county.
The trend, as reported by users, is to crush the pills, smoke it off of a piece of aluminum foil, with the theory that it is “safer” than snorting. When burned, it often gives off a distinct odor of burned rubber. While we have not seen Rainbow Fentanyl yet, Perc 30’s or Blues are popular among adolescents and young adults in Fairfax County and the surrounding areas. Fentanyl is also found in counterfeit prescription pills, cocaine, Xanax, and other licit and illicit drugs.
The Medical Examiner from the Virginia Department of Health recently released its 1st quarter data for 2022 stating 483 people have died from fatal fentanyl overdoses in the state. For Fairfax County data and additional information on youth substance use, please see the Fairfax County Youth Substance Trends webinar linked below.
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists (SAPS) provide Tier 1 support throughout FCPS. Each high school pyramid is assigned a SAPS who conducts brief interventions, psychoeducation, and presentations to students, staff, families, and community members. Topics of discussion include alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) as well as current trends on substances. For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
For further Information & support:
De’Ja Ruffin (McNeil), MSW
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
dsmcneil@fcps.edu
Sources & Resources:
Region 5 Virtual Family Substance Use Education Night
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
"Recent Works" Art Show Oct. 14-15
 Heather Dilatush, our Studio Art Teacher will be showing her paintings and puzzles a in a group show “Recent Works” at the Fairfax Station & Railroad Museum. It is a wonderful show with a nice range of artwork by six artists – paintings, drawings, collage, photography and more. It is Friday, October 14th 4-8pm and Saturday, October 15th 12- 7pm. Even better is that 15% of proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Questions? Email Ms. Dilatush at hldilatush@fcps.edu.
News from the Career Center
Region 5: Fairfax, Chantilly, Westfield, and Woodson High Schools Present:
PAYING FOR COLLEGE: The Financial Aid Process
For Class of 2023 Seniors sand Parents/Guardians
Thursday, October 6, 2022
7:00 p.m.
Fairfax High School Auditorium
3501 Lion Run, Fairfax, VA 22030
Presented by College Access Fairfax. College Access Fairfax is committed to helping FCPS students with the complex task of acquiring financial aid for post-secondary education. Financial Aid Night 2022.pdf
Presentation Topics:
- Understanding financial aid
- How the financial aid process works
- Steps families need to take to secure financial aid
No pre-reservation is required.
Spanish & Arabic Interpretation will be available.
For more information or questions, contact: Maureen Kim - FHS College & Career Specialist, 703-219-2204, MHKim@fcps.edu
FCPS College Fair and Postsecondary Week
 Look to the FUTURE week
Students and their families are inivited to the annual Fairfax County Public Schools College Fair and Postsecondary Week.
- College Fair, Sunday, October 16, 2022, Eagle Bank Arena
- Postsecondary Week, Mon - Thurs, Oct. 17-20, 2022, Virtual, 5-8pm
Students are highly encouraged to register for these free events. Please see this flyer for more information. En Español aquí.
Senior Portrait Updates
Attention Seniors and Senior families! You asked and we are delivering: we have added four additional days for you to take your all-important Senior Portraits. These photos are not only printed on your IDs but in the yearbook and hopefully will become a keepsake for you and your parents for many years.
The four available dates will be Nov 16 & 17 as well as Nov 21 & 22. To schedule, click on the link below and follow the easy instructions:
https://seniors.legacystudios.com/fairfax-hs-va/
Two things to keep in mind:
- The times listed are for your sittings (meaning time in front of the camera). You will not be in-and-out in 20 minutes. There is often a reasonable wait before you take your photos even if you have an appointment.
- Per Virginia law, you pay nothing to take a photo only to be in the yearbook. There is an option for this on the website. Please note that all yearbook photos require formal dress (which is provided by the yearbook company.
Please direct any portrait questions to Legacy, 716-512-6336, or email customercare@legacystudios.com), and not to the school. Thank you!
News from the Athletic Dept.
Congratulations to our Varsity Golf Team who went undefeated in the regular season and this past week winning the Patriot District Tournament. The team put together a strong effort to defeat very competitive Patriot District schools. Two special shoutouts go to senior Josh Duangmanee who won the individual Patriot District Championship by shooting 3 under par and to Senior Raymond Kim who shot a 71 and tied for 2nd place! The team competes on Monday at Twin Lakes in the Region Tournament!
Girls Volleyball is home tonight at 5, 5, and 6:30pm ~ Come out and support the Lions as they take on the visiting West Springfield Spartans.
with us throughout the year by:
Fairfax HS PTSA
Table of Contents:
- Crew Info Picnic - New Date!
- Raffle Drawing Winners
- Academic Lettering Event
- Empowering Safe Kids Webinar
- End of Quarter Teacher Treats
- Community Conversation with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Crew Info Picnic now on October 8th
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The crew picnic scheduled for October 1st is being postponed until October 8th due to Hurricane Ian. It will still be held at Sandy Run Regional Park, from 12pm - 2pm. |
Final September Membership Raffle Winners
The final September Membership Raffle winners from the 9/28 drawing are: weeks membership raffle winners are:
- FHS tote bag: Kelley Zelnio
- FHS lanyards: Elizabeth Abreu and Elizabeth Portaluppi
- Nothing Bundt Cake: Patrick Curtin
- FHS mouse pad: Rob Yingling
- FX Players fall play tickets: Mari Benavides
Congratulations to our winners. Please watch you email for information on how to redeem you prize!
Thank you to everyone who joined in recent weeks! Membership is always open and you can join the PTSA at any time on our website here:
PTSA Member Hub. Direct donations help as well, any amount is greatly appreciated to help fund our program and activities for 22-23. Thank you for your consideration! www.fairfaxptsa.org
Academic Lettering Event 2021-22
On Thursday, October 6th, the Academic Boosters will be recognizing those FHS students who have earned an Academic Letter or Patch by achieving a GPA of 3.8 or higher for the 2021-2022 school year. We are excited that over 500 of our students qualify for this honor! The students will receive an invitation by email to leave Lion Time to pick up their academic letters and/or patches in the cafeteria. Refreshments will be served before returning to class.
About 10 volunteers are needed to help hand out packets and serve refreshments. Volunteers should arrive at 9:45am and expect to stay until 11:45 am. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044EABAA2FA57-academic
If you are not able to volunteer, you can still help by donating items at the link above or donating here MemberHub. Money collected will be used to purchase refreshments and patches.
Empowering Safe Kids Webinar Oct. 3rd
FCPS just announced corrective action following an external investigation into the arrest of a middle school counselor. While FCPS implements these needed changes, FCCPTA and SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) have partnered for a free virtual event to help parents learn how to keep kids safe from harm in institutions and organizations.
Here’s the good news—you can make your kids safer anyplace they are! Join us for a discussion about how healthy relationships increase the chance your child will ask for help when things go wrong. Learn what research tells us makes kids more susceptible to harm in organizations. Unpack a few damaging myths. Get tips on how to respond to sexting, when to ask more questions, and how to choose safer programs from a child protection professional who specializes in institutional abuse prevention.
Participants will:
- Unlearn 5 myths that hurt kids
- Learn tips for talking to kids about harm, online and in person
- Identify parenting and organization behaviors that make kids safer
- Understand how to identify and respond to children in need of help
Presented by Laurie Tasharski, the Director of Institutional Abuse Prevention for Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia (SCANVA). She facilitates Allies in Prevention, multi-disciplinary child protection teams, and the Loudoun County Trauma Informed Community Network (TICN). Laurie works with international child protection professionals, develops comprehensive safety programs for organizations, and has delivered professional development in more than 40 countries. REGISTER HERE.
End of Quarter Treats for Teachers and Staff!
Everyone has been working SPOOK-TACULARLY hard throughout this first Quarter! The PTSA wants to thank each staff member with an end of first quarter Halloween treat bag!
We are seeking donations of treat bags and individually wrapped candies and have created an AMAZON WISH LIST to make donating as easy as possible. However, if you prefer to purchase equivalent items not using the Wishlist, please deliver your donations to the front office by Monday, October 17. Please label any box or bag as “PTSA END OF QUARTER DONATION.” Fairfax PTSA: End of Quarter 1 and Halloween Treats for Staff (signupgenius.com)
If you have any questions, please contact Jen Seifert (liledjen4901@gmail.com) or Shenika Bailey (shenikabailey@yahoo.com).
Thanks for helping us make this SPOOKTACULAR success and show the FHS Staff how much we appreciate them!
Community Conversations with FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will be hosting Community Conversations across the school division this fall to get to know our communities. Events will be held at the high school in each pyramid through November. The full list of events may be viewed on the FCPS website.
We invite you to attend a Community Conversation with Superintendent Reid at FHS. Interpretation services, childcare, and light refreshments will be provided. The event will be held on Monday, October 17, 2022, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairfax High School, 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend
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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. |
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