Justice Junction - Community News & Updates - October 14, 2022

October 14, 2022

Hello Justice HS Students, Families, and Community Members,

The safety and well-being of our students is always our number one concern.  As many of us have seen in the news and also recently in the letter sent out from Dr. Reid last week, our school district is not immune to the illegal and illicit use of drugs to include the use of pills and vape devices.

We as a school would like to share both what we are doing to support a healthy environment as well as resources available for those who are concerned about a friend or loved one. On Wednesday, November 9th at 6:00 PM, we will host a Safety & Wellness Information Session.  This session will be facilitated by our very own Colleen Lally, in collaboration with the FCPS Student Safety & Wellness Office as an informal session for parents and answer any questions they may have around these issues.

 Additionally, here at Justice High School, our administrative team as well as our safety and security team conduct the following each day:

• Daily routine bathroom checks to monitor for students loitering
• Video camera monitoring throughout the building to check for large groups entering the bathroom together
• Hallway supervision between classes with administrators and security posted near bathroom entrances
• Conduct student searches in accordance with the SR&R and Regulation 2601.36P

To support students who may struggle with drug use (nicotine and/or other drugs), we:

• Communicate with families the available resources to include referrals to a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
• Refer students for substance abuse screening and connect with a substance abuse counselor (a meeting that we can host right here at our school)
• Connect families with our school social worker
• Refer to outside services

Drug use- whether illegal or illicit- is a serious concern.  If you are the parent of a child and you have concerns, please reach out to your child’s administrator if you would like to set up a confidential meeting for your child and the Substance Abuse Prevention specialist. Fairfax County also has a number of additional resources available.  Please see this list for more resources. 

Together we can help to keep our students safe.

Read below for additional amazing opportunities and important news for students and parents. Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Tiffany I. Narcisse, Principal

Empower our school, embrace our community, and educate to build positive futures as global citizens together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below you will find important upcoming dates and a variety of information for the upcoming school year.   

~LGBTQIA+ History Month ~

~Breast Cancer Awareness Month ~

~Disability History and Awareness Month~

• October 17^th – 21^st - Homecoming Week
• October 22^nd - Homecoming Dance
• October 24^th – Diwali (No School for staff/students)
• October 28^th – End of Quarter (Early Release Schedule)
• October 31^st – Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
• November 8th – Election Day (No School for staff/students)
• November 11^th - School Planning Day/Veterans Day (No School for Students)
• November 23rd -25^th - Thanksgiving Break
• June 7^th – Class of 2023 Graduation

 

 

                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

COVID Diagnostic Testing

COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS students, teachers, and staff at five locations across the county on October 17, 18, and 19. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID. Appointments are not required, but registration must be completed before testing. Visit the COVID Testing webpage for more information.

 

Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid

Beginning on October 18, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 4. All results are confidential.

 

Special Education Review Final Report

FCPS is committed to providing excellence for all students, and continues to seek ways to improve and ensure the highest quality of special education and related services for students and families. At the request of the School Board, the FCPS Office of Auditor General engaged a consultant to conduct an independent, third-party review of FCPS’ special education program in October 2020. 

 

American Institutes for Research® (AIR) presented their final report during the School Board’s October 4 work session. Watch the video of AIR’s presentation and visit FCPS’ Office of Auditor General webpage for more information.

The School Board will hold a second session to discuss a framework for the Special Education Enhancement Plan at their Tuesday, November 15 work session.

 

 

2022 Homecoming

 

 

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Identifying whether your child’s behaviors are normal or a warning sign of a mental health concern can be difficult. Talk to your child and pay attention to their actions. Also, consider these warning signs:

• Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
• Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
• Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
• Lack of sleep, or too much sleep.
• A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
• Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

 

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker. Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call your school or visit their website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to support your child’s wellness on FCPS’ website. 

 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harm to self or others, please take action:

• Text NEEDHELP to 85511 for the CrisisLink hotline or call them at 703-527-4077.
• Chat online with a specialist.
• Go to the nearest emergency room or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
• Call 911.

 

 

JUSTICE HS PTSA NEWS

Announcing the Wolfshack, Justice PTSA‘s school store and resource pantry! In preparation for our grand opening next month, please consider donating food, essentials, money, or Amazon gift cards to stock the Wolf shack. Click on (or copy and paste) the link below to access our Amazon Smile wish list. All donations will be shipped directly to the pantry. Also, please consider signing up for subscribe and save to make regularly scheduled donations. Stay tuned for more information on volunteering and opening day.

 

https://www.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/2H02J86SL2U91/ref=smi_ext_lnk_lcl_cl

 

 

PTSA: Parent, Teacher & Students Association

PTA is a national nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to make every student’s potential a reality. At the high school level, students can also join to participate and hold leadership positions.

Get Involved! Become a member of the PTSA ($10 for the school year). You will have a vote in planning our community programs. The more members the PTA has at the school, state, and national levels, the stronger our voice.

CLICK-ON or SCAN the QR code to access our store and buy memberships, swag, and donate to our programs! 

 

 

 

 

 

GO TO: www.justicehsptsa.org - join us & see events (meetings & programs are open to all)!

* Click here to sign up to receive JHS PTSA emails via News You Choose (select Justice HS PTSA under Justice High School).

> Follow us: Facebook: @justicehsptsa; Twitter: @justichsptsa; and Instagram: @justicehsptsa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News You Choose - The following weekly letters are sent to all members who have signed up for News You Choose.  If you are not receiving these messages, please go to this link to sign-up.  Below you will find which day messages are sent out to the community.

• Monday – Activities Office Newsletter
• Wednesday - PTSA newsletter
• Friday – Principal’s Newsletter (Justice Junction)

weCare@school  - This emergency care information system is available to FCPS parents/guardians who have a SIS ParentVUE account. Parents can enter and update their children’s medical data at their convenience online. Contact information provided automatically enrolls parents to receive eNotify communications from the district and their child’s school.

Naviance - Naviance Student is a comprehensive website designed for parents of middle and high school students who are making decisions about academic plans, colleges, and careers.  Student Services uses this platform to send out up to date information for your student.

 

Twitter

• School - @justicehswolves
• Athletics - @Justice_Sports