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Good Afternoon! What wonderful weather we have been having lately and I hope you all have been able to enjoy it some. This week's newsletter is filled with lots of resources and community activities. Please enjoy the read!
 Every October, Fairfax County Department of Family Services is proud to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s theme, "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation," recognizes the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation's workforce diverse and inclusive. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ Chairman Jeff McKay issued a proclamation to celebrate and recognize the essential role people with disabilities play in our nation’s economic success through employment. Learn more about National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
 Domestic violence is a family, community and public health issue with widespread ripple effects that impact all parts of our community. It will take all of us to build a peaceful and safe Fairfax County.
Did you know?
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1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men will experience sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner during their lives.
- More than 43 million women and 38 million men will experience psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Research also shows survivors of domestic violence have significantly higher rates of long-term health problems, including diabetes, frequent headaches, chronic pain, difficulty sleeping, asthma, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
We can prevent domestic violence across our community by addressing the root causes of the problem. We can eliminate attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, environments and policies that contribute to domestic violence and promote strategies that stop it. Together, we can reduce our acceptance and tolerance of violence, and reject norms, practices and policies that place girls and women at increased risk. We can confront gender and racial injustices.
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 (10 a.m.-Noon)
Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School
4015 Fielding Street
Alexandria, VA
Join the brothers and sisters of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., as they partner with Shelter House and Domestic and Sexual Violence Services for the 2nd Annual Domestic Violence Toiletry Drive. Can't make it in person? Choose items off the Amazon Wishlist.
Be a part of a national day of action and join #PurpleOut. Wear your favorite purple outfit, post a selfie, help raise awareness about domestic violence, and show your commitment to promoting healthy relationships. Here’s how to join us:
- Wear purple to show your support for survivors of domestic violence.
- Take a selfie in your favorite purple outfit. Share it on social media for #PurpleOut! Be sure to tag Fairfax County Department of Family Services on Facebook!
- Email your photos to John Crownover at john.crownover@fairfaxcounty.gov. You may see your photos shared on the Fairfax County website.
A Discussion with Laurie Hernandez and Shaquem Griffin. Moderated by Christine Brennan (All Ages)
Saturday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.
$25/15 MCC district residents
Click Here to Learn More!
Laurie Hernandez is known as the “human emoji.” She is the first U.S.-born Latina to make the U.S. Olympic team since 1984. She brought home the gold and silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, but the road to get there wasn’t easy. She endured years of rigorous training, intense sacrifices and verbal and emotional abuse from her coach, causing an eating disorder and depression. She learned to take charge of her mental health by challenging the myths and stereotypes surrounding mental health issues.
Shaquem Griffin made history as the NFL’s first-ever one-handed player. Now he inspires others to overcome adversity and persevere. Griffin was born just minutes after his twin, Shaquill. Both boys went on to become remarkable athletes in high school and college at the University of Central Florida, and both play in the NFL after being drafted by the same team—but Shaquem did it all with just one hand.
Christine Brennan was first woman sportswriter at The Miami Herald, the first woman to cover Washington’s NFL team as a staff writer at The Washington Post and is now the most widely read female sports columnist.
5th and 6th Grader Party
Friday, Oct. 21, 7–9:30 p.m.
$35/$25 MCC district residents. Preregistration is highly recommended.
Activity No. 4601.222
The Old Firehouse 5th & 6th Grader Parties are themed and decorated accordingly. Partygoers can enjoy catered food and beverages, a DJ spinning the latest tunes, an open dance floor and a variety of other attractions and activities. Preregistration is recommended.
Location The Old Firehouse, 1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, Va. 22101
Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park, a Fairfax County Park Authority business partner, located at the South Run Rec Center, is celebrating the change in seasons with a variety of fun, fall festivities throughout September and October.
The highlight of the autumn festival will be the brand-new Frights at Height horror-filled experience. On select evenings in October, guests will find zombies, ghosts and ghouls hiding in dark corners of the Treetop Journey zipline and ropes course. This activity is not for the faint of heart. It’s open to everyone, but highly recommended only for those prepared to be scared. This will be an adventurous way to celebrate Halloween. These sessions are limited, so reservations are strongly encouraged. Register at the Go Ape website. The cost is $39.95 per person for this one-hour, gravity defying, scream-filled adventure after dark.
Not ready to unleash the terror inside? Don’t worry, Go Ape is open before the sun goes down as well. Guests will find a Halloween-themed adventure during daylight hours. To get into the spirit of the season guests can enjoy the Treetop Adventure, Treetop Journey and Monkey Drop activities. Go Ape will have candy, cobwebs, pumpkins and fun festivities all throughout the fall, whether you visit while the sun is in the sky or once the ghouls come out after sunset.
South Run Rec Center is located at 7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield, Virginia. For more information, visit the South Run Rec Center website; or call 703-866-0566.
 The Parent Resource Center will host an open house for parents to learn more about dyslexia and how to support students with dyslexia on Thursday, October 20, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The FCPS Dyslexia Handbook also provides information and resources for families. It reflects a division wide commitment to ensure that the needs of students with dyslexia are met as a result of collective responsibility and collaboration across general and special education contexts.
 From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli...
Join the National Museum of the Marine Corps' outreach team and learn about the United States Marines in World War I!
The traveling display opens at 2pm in the John Marshall meeting room, and visitors of all ages are welcome to come inside, wander around, look at the artifacts, and chat with the docents. This event is cosponsored by the National Museum of the Marine Corps. No registration required.
Date: Saturday, October 15, 2022
Time:2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: John Marshall Meeting Room 1, John Marshall Meeting Room 2Library
 The activity heats up as temperatures cool down on the farm. See all that’s happening as Farm Harvest Days returns to Frying Pan Farm Park Oct. 14 through Oct. 16, 2022.
Watch the cider press in action, milk a goat, shell corn, peel apples, meet the farm animals and see traditional farm demonstrations. Take a wagon ride around the park or take a spin on the carousel. Farm Harvest Day activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, but there is a charge for the wagon and carousel rides. No reservations are necessary.
Have you ever wondered what it was like to operate large equipment? Come see these up close and speak with those that operate them at Big Truck Night, which takes place on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park and the Fairfax County Park Foundation.
For even more family fun at Frying Pan, visit the Fall Carnival that runs concurrently. There will be games and rides and tasty food and beverages for sale. Carnival tickets may be purchased online, and an unlimited carnival ride pass is available for use on Friday and Sunday afternoons.
Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon, Virginia. For more information, please call 703-437-9101, or visit Frying Pan Farm Park.
The Parent Resource Center is open from a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through for families and staff. Our staff is available by phone 703-204-3941 or email prc@fcps.edu.
Upcoming Webinars
Promoting Digital Wellness
October 14, 2022 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Promoting Digital Wellness
Access to technology provides limitless opportunities to connect with others, explore diverse perspectives, share and build upon ideas, get involved in the community, and find opportunities. However, many kids are online almost constantly, which poses a number of challenges that impact youth wellness.
Highlights will include:
How the attention economy makes technology irresistible
How adolescent development impacts youth technology use
How schools and families can build the skills needed to navigate the complexity of online life
Presented by Tammi Sisk, FCPS Educational Specialist, Educational Technology, and Bethany Demers, FCPS Educational Specialist, Mental Wellness
Available resources to checkout. We can pony any materials to schools and offices.
1. The technology tail
2. The tech-wise family : everyday steps for putting technology in its proper place
3. The art of screen time : how your family can balance digital media and real life
Nontraditional Families: Fostering Resilience and Inclusivity While Welcoming and Affirming All Families
Welcoming nontraditional families into authentic partnerships takes effort and can reap great rewards. Nontraditional families include those with parents, caregivers, or youth who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as those formed through foster care, adoption, and kinship care by grandparents, other relatives, or close family friends.
Join Dr. Kelly Henderson, Executive Director of Formed Families Forward, for this important webinar.
Highlights include:
- Identifying unique strengths and challenges faced by nontraditional families raising children and youth, including those with special needs.
- Practicing effective communication strategies between families and school partners to increase comfort and inclusivity for students and families.
- Collaboratively strategizing and planning supports for adults (families, caregivers, teachers, and support staff), while boosting personal resilience as they face stressful circumstances.
November 3, 2022, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Register for Nontraditional Families: Fostering Resilience and Inclusivity While Welcoming and Affirming All Families
Where to Start: Supporting Children When Someone They Love Has Cancer
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer, this presentation will provide information and guidance on how to support your children throughout the cancer journey.
Webinar Highlights:
- How to have open communication about cancer with your children
- Strategies to use in the home to help your children adjust to changes
- Activities that the entire family can use to support each other
Presented by Jemma Stratton, MSW Pediatric Oncology Clinical Therapist I, Supervisee of Social Work, Life with Cancer, Family Center
November 4, 2022, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Register for Where to Start: Supporting Children When Someone They Love Has Cancer
Moving On to Life in the Community:
Resource Fair
Once students with significant disabilities graduate, they may require additional, ongoing support in the areas of residential, leisure, recreation, independent living, advocacy and more.
This event will include:
- various support programs in the community available to students.
- A brief presentation about FCPS transition services and the bridge to adult services
- An exhibitor/vendor fair.
Designed to assist parents, guardians, and caretakers with future planning for students with disabilities who may require ongoing supports after graduating from high school.
- Thursday, November 10, 2022
- Willow Oaks Administrative Center – Room 1000 A&B, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Register online for Moving On To Life in The Community: Resource Fair
Everything You Need to Know About Opioids
Join us for this important webinar designed to inform and raise awareness about the dangers of children and adolescents using and overdosing on opioids. This webinar is for adults only due to the content.
Webinar Highlights:
- How young people are getting drugs
- Opioid risk, misuse, withdrawal, and overdose symptoms
- The dangers of Fentanyl
- Naloxone and how it works
Presented by Tiffany Jones, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Thursday, November 10, 2022, 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Everything You Need to Know About Opioids
Bullying Prevention
FCPS is deeply committed to creating a safe and positive school environment where all students can learn. Through school-wide positive behavior approaches and participation in K-12 health and guidance lessons, students are taught to behave respectfully and to resolve conflicts in positive ways.
The Bullying Prevention Webinar seeks to educate listeners on the following:
- FCPS definition of bullying
- Types of bullying
- Differences between bullying and other forms of inappropriate behavior
- How FCPS responds to allegations of bullying
- How parents and schools can work together to prevent bullying
Presenters:
- Stefan Mascoll: Coordinator Student Safety and Wellness, Fairfax County Public Schools
- Joan Lee: Educational Specialist, School Counseling Services, Fairfax County Public Schools
November 18 10:30 a.m. - noon
Register for Bullying Prevention
October 13, 2022, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
This hybrid event will be held in the 1st-floor café at the FCPS Gatehouse Administration Center, 8115 Gatehouse Road, Falls Church, VA 22042. Free parking is available in the underground garage. Language interpretation will be provided, as available, as well as childcare and light refreshments. Families can register here if they want to attend in person or virtually or email occr@fcps.edu
Important Links
Parent Resource Center
Haycock Elementary School-Resources
Haycock PTA
Fairfax County Resources
Thank you so much for reading, and as always feel free to contact me at eshoemaker@fcps.edu with any questions, comments, or concerns.
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