2022 November Newsletter
Dear FCPS Families and Community Members:
Happy November! I hope that our families are enjoying the fall weather and looking forward to the Thanksgiving season. This month, we also pause to celebrate and acknowledge the significant ways Native Americans and Veterans contribute to our shared American experience. Native American history and traditions have impacted many aspects of life in Virginia for thousands of years. Over the four hundred years since the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Native Americans contributed greatly to the vitality of our state and local community and continue to do so. Learn more about the impact of Native American culture in Fairfax County.
Today, we honor all those who serve and have served honorably with the U.S. Armed Forces. As the daughter of a Veteran and a Military Mom, I express my gratitude for the people who answered this call to duty today and in years past. Congratulations to the 40 FCPS schools recognized for their commitment to serving the unique needs of military-connected students. Read more about our Purple Star Schools below.
The School Board remains focused on student success and continuous improvement. This newsletter highlights some of the work I’ve spearheaded as well as my ongoing work.
- The Secondary Course Catalog, which will be released soon, will prepare families and students to have meaningful conversations about course options and academic success. The board passed the motion I introduced to ensure linguistic diversity of the course catalog, which helps ensure that all parents are informed and can fully participate in the course selection process.
- The Lewis Leadership Program which focuses on understanding government and public service celebrated with community supporters during a reception held on October 27. It was my honor to join members of John Lewis' family as well as School Board Members, local leaders, and volunteers who heard from students and staff members who explained how the new program is transforming the learning experiences of its students.
- I have had the opportunity to hear from members of the military community and our special education families. Work in those areas is described below.
- As an Educate Fairfax board member, I am excited to spread the word about the Innovators' Fund, a new program established to support STEM/STEAM activities in our schools. See below for more information
FCPS recognizes the essential role of parents/caregivers in a child’s education and continues its commitment to maximize opportunities for family engagement. I am excited and pleased that FCPS has implemented a text translation program to make sure staff members have the benefit of linguistic diversity and can utilize tools to communicate with our diverse community.
This has been both a challenging and exciting time. As always, I continue to be focused on the well-being of every student and look forward to hearing your comments as we work as a community to improve and provide a world-class education to every student.
 Inside this issue:
My Ongoing Work
- Partnering with Special Olympics Virginia to Expand Inclusive Program Opportunities for FCPS Students and Schools
- Proposal to Establish a Military Families Advisory Committee
- Board Approves Secondary Course Offerings with Keys-Gamarra Motion to Ensure Linguistic Diversity
- Lewis Leadership Program Reception
- Educate Fairfax Announces Innovators' Fund
Opportunities for Family and Community Feedback
- Strategic Plan Student Survey Is Open!
- How FCPS Develops Its School Year Calendar
- School Improvement and Innovation/ESSER III Plans
Support Student Success and Academic Excellence
- Fairfax County SAT Scores Continue to Surpass Averages
- Principal Recognized for Outstanding School Leadership
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Applications Now Open
- Audit Update: Ensuring Accountability
Supporting Parent/Family Engagement
School-Community Partnerships to Support Students and Schools
- 2023 FAFSA Open–College Access Fairfax Is Here to Help
- FCPS Pursues Business and Community Partners to Support Career and Technical Education
Community Reminders and Activities
- November is Native American Heritage Month
- IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair, December 3
- Scholarship Opportunities
My Ongoing Work
Partnering with Special Olympics Virginia to Expand Inclusive Program Opportunities for FCPS Students and Schools
Sometimes sports are just a disguise for something bigger – something life changing.
Special Olympics Virginia offers year-round sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities, but the real power lies within the Special Olympics experience and the people it touches. When student-athletes with and without disabilities come together on a team, perceptions and school and community cultures start to change. Through sports, Special Olympics is shaping a generation that welcomes everyone, despite differences.
Last month, I was honored to accept an invitation from Special Olympics Virginia to support and expand its Unified Champion Schools program in Fairfax County. Through programs like Unified Champion Schools and Best Buddies, FCPS students are leading the way in changing the culture of the language we use, and building bridges that connect students with and without disabilities. I look forward to following their lead and becoming a better ally in these efforts as I work to expand the reach of such programs in Fairfax County schools. Together, we can create a Unified generation that chooses to include.
Proposal to Establish a Military Families Advisory Committee
This past month, I had the opportunity to attend the Military Families Listening Session with Superintendent Reid. It was enlightening to hear the concerns of this community. As a follow-up to this meeting, I had the opportunity to make recommendations to Dr. Reid one of which was to explore establishing a Military Families Parent Advisory Committee. I believe that committee members can be selected by each school board member. The group can then provide regular reports to school board members and Dr. Reid. Such efforts would allow ongoing discussions that assist FCPS's ability in addressing ongoing concerns and work toward improving support of military students in every school.
Board Approves Secondary Course Offerings with Keys-Gamarra Motion to Ensure Linguistic Diversity
On November 3, the School Board voted to approve changes to the list of middle and high school course offerings for the 2023-2024 school year, as recommended by the Course Review Committee, and as detailed in the agenda item.
I introduced a motion to direct the Superintendent to address concerns of online accessibility of secondary school course offerings to all students prior to its usage with students
Why This Matters. Effective academic planning helps ensure that students understand their academic options and are prepared to pursue the courses needed to meet graduation requirements and be ready for life beyond high school. The course catalog plays an important role in providing students and their families with information needed to map out and determine a student’s academic options, including key courses in math, world language, advanced courses, as well as requirements for standard and advanced diploma programs.
When the course catalog is only available in English, families for whom English is not their primary/preferred language are not equipped to fully participate in their child’s academic planning process. Counselors—despite their best intentions—are not always prepared to translate or communicate the course descriptions to family members. I introduced the motion to address this inequity so that ALL parents/caregivers have the tools they need to help support and direct their child’s academic success.
Lewis Leadership Program Reception
On October 27, Principal Alfonso Smith hosted a reception at Lewis High School that was attended by family members of the late Congressman John R. Lewis, the school’s namesake, as well as several School Board members. The event was hosted for community partners, staff, and students who have been influential in the creation of the Lewis Leadership Program.
The program adopts the principles of Congressman John Lewis’ life through a curriculum that focuses on government, public policy, leadership, and human rights. Interested students may become more involved through field experiences, guest speakers, service learning, specialized coursework, internships, and university partnerships.
Students are preparing to take a pilgrimage field trip to Georgia and Alabama to follow in the steps of John Lewis. Educate Fairfax is accepting donations online to help make this trip possible.
Educate Fairfax Announces Innovators' Fund
Earlier this week, Leaders & Learners Breakfast, Educate Fairfax Board Chairman Cindy Anderson announced a new initiative for the coming year, the Innovators' Fund, aimed at involving the business community in a deeper way with schools by connecting their contributions with students on projects to learn about opportunities, experience next generation subjects, and explore career possibilities.
Educate Fairfax will match the first $50,000 donated to this fund, and at the breakfast, we collected nearly $10,000 of that total!
At the elementary level, the Innovators' Fund will support STEAM equipment, supplies and education for every school in the district, for both in-school and after-school programs.
At the middle school level, we will support STEAM after-school programs, particularly by connecting students with mentors from the business community.
At the high school level, the fund will help connect student-led innovative ideas with businesses, like a Shark Tank or a start-up company in the school or even an innovation lab learning space for students to explore. The possibilities are endless!
If YOU'D like to be a part of this exciting initiative and make a direct impact on students at all levels, click HERE to donate.
Thank you to our corporate sponsors who made yesterday's event possible. We can't wait to see the difference this investment will make for our students and schools.
Opportunities for Family and Community Feedback
Strategic Plan Student Survey Is Open!
We are excited to begin the process of developing FCPS’ new Strategic Plan! Starting today through Friday, November 18, students in grades 3-12 will have an opportunity to be a part of this work by taking the Strategic Plan Student Survey. The survey will allow students to share their thoughts about school and what's important to them. If you opted your child out of taking the survey, they will not be asked to participate.
Schools will be showing a short video to help familiarize students with the concept of a Strategic Plan prior to administering the survey. Students in grades 3-6 will watch this video, and those in grades 7-12 will be shown this version. Visit the Strategic Plan Student Survey webpage for more information.
Why Do We Need a Strategic Plan?
FCPS’ last strategic plan was developed in 2015. Since then, we experienced a pandemic that changed the way we think, a shift in technology that has seen eight new versions of the iPhone, and plans developed for the first manned mission to Mars.
Our students are preparing for careers that don’t exist today. In order to keep pace with these needs, we need to rethink our plans for the future—and how we will best serve our students for this new era. Employees, parents/caregivers, students, and our FCPS community must share the same purpose in order to recognize how we can move forward together.
We are all much more motivated, and successful, when we share clear end goals. Learn more on our Strategic Plan webpage.
How FCPS Develops Its School Year Calendar
In an annual planning process, Fairfax County Public Schools uses input from the community to develop the calendar for the following year. Our framework for creating the calendar is available online to ensure transparency, as we work to build a calendar that is inclusive and equitable. Watch your email for a feedback form, which will be shared with parents, staff, and middle and high school students.
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Support Student Success and Academic Excellence
Fairfax County SAT Scores Continue to Surpass Averages
FCPS seniors in the class of 2022 performed well above state and global averages on the SAT, according to results released by the College Board. The FCPS total mean score of 1185 surpassed both the state average (1124) and the global average (1050) for the class of 2022. Read more about the 2022 SAT scores.
Principal Recognized for Outstanding School Leadership
Mosaic Elementary School Principal Mahri Aste is one of only nine school leaders recognized nationally by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a recipient of the 2022 Terrell H. Bell Awards for Outstanding School Leadership. The award is part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Mosaic was named a National Blue Ribbon School earlier this fall.
Principal Aste and her staff work to ensure students at Mosaic—who come from 40 countries speaking 28 different languages—feel emotionally, mentally, and physically safe. The staff is diverse in terms of gender, race, age, experience, religion, and ethnic backgrounds so that students can see role models and learn from people that look like and represent them. Principal Aste focuses explicitly on how to communicate across cultures and develop school-wide strategies that are culturally responsive.
Read more about Aste and this award on our website.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Applications Now Open
Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2027 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application is now available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 18, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration website for more information.
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Audit Update: Ensuring Accountability
At the October 12 Audit Committee meeting, OAG presented the FY22 Information Technology Platform Implementation and Hardware Acquisition Management Audit report.
The audit recommendation follow-up as of July 31, 2022 has been completed and will be discussed in the upcoming meeting.
In addition to the ongoing Continuous Monitoring, the FY22 Local School Activity Funds (LSAF) Audit and Succession Planning and Leadership Development Audit are currently in process.
OAG continues to serve as the project liaison for the comprehensive program review of FCPS’ special education, which American Institutes for Research (AIR) was contracted to perform. AIR presented their Final Report during the School Board’s October 4 work session. The School Board will hold a second session to discuss a framework for FCPS’ Special Education Enhancement Plan at the November 15 work session.
Supporting Parent/Family Engagement
Purple Star Schools Support Military-Connected Families
Forty Fairfax County public schools have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as 2022 Purple Star Schools. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. See the full list of schools.
Schools Adopt Text and Translation Platform
FCPS has recently approved the use of TalkingPoints, a two-way messaging app that allows parents and caregivers to communicate with teachers and schools. Look for messages from your child’s school on how they will be using the app. For more information, visit the FCPS TalkingPoints webpage.
The app translates messages, so teachers can input messages in English, and parents can respond in their preferred language. TalkingPoints supports 125 languages, making it easier and faster for our FCPS families to connect with their schools. If you need to update your preferred correspondence language, contact the front office at your child’s school and ask for the registrar.
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Parent Advocacy Handbook Now Available
The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) is a school board advisory committee which advocates for students by identifying, reviewing, and assessing issues affecting academic achievement of underserved groups within the policies, curriculum, practices, and procedures of FCPS. The MSAOC has created a Parent Advocacy Handbook to provide resources and information for families to support their students in FCPS. The handbook is available in multiple languages online.
Community Conversations Continue
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid has been hosting Community Conversations across the division since August to get to know our school communities. The events continue through November. Registration is not required, but it will be helpful as we plan. We invite you to attend your school pyramid event or, if you have been unable to attend a previous event in your pyramid, register at a location and date that is convenient for you. See the schedule and register for an event.
Unless otherwise noted, all events are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Language interpretation, child care, and light refreshments will be provided.
Watch your email, the FCPS website, and our weekly newsletter for information on future events, which may include virtual and/or multilingual events. Keep up with Dr. Reid’s work and visits around the county by reading her Weekly Reflections and following her Instagram page.
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School-Community Partnerships to Support Students and Schools
2023 FAFSA Open–College Access Fairfax Is Here to Help
Parents of current high school seniors, did you know that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened on October 1? Parents are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible—definitely before March 1, 2023—as you prepare for your child to begin college in the fall of 2023. Some schools have even earlier priority deadlines, so check the individual college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and forms. Then, create an FSA ID and fill out the FAFSA.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application is available for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
Over the next two months, our partners at College Access Fairfax will be offering a number of programs on completing the FAFSA/VASA, and finding and applying for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website.
In addition, College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to complete the FAFSA/VASA. Interested families should email appointments@collegeaccessfairfax.org to request an appointment.
FCPS Seeking Business and Community Partners to Support Career and Technical Education
Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers a variety of business and industry connected programs to FCPS students at the middle and high school levels. The program areas include the following:
- Business and Information Technology
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Health and Medical Sciences
- Marketing
- Technology and Engineering Education
- Trade and Industrial Education
Through our Ignite Partnership Program, business and community groups are invited to help expose students to careers and the pathways to those careers. We are currently seeking partners to provide: :
- Guest Speakers
- Work Based Tours
- College and Career Fairs
- Information Interviews
- Explore career pathways and workplace readiness skills.
- Develop career interests.
- Internships
- Service Learning
- Externships
- Job Shadowing
- Career Mentorship
Call 571-423-1225 to learn more about creating an Ignite Partnership. Visit the Career and Technical Education website for more information.
Community Reminders and Activities
November Is Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair, December 3
Scholarship Opportunities
Apply for the Ron Brown Scholarship
The first deadline: November 1. The second and final deadline: January 9, 2023. Visit the program's website to learn more about this opportunity.
Apply for the NHS Scholarship
Since 1946, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has awarded more than $21 million in scholarships to outstanding NHS seniors. This year, we are awarding $2 million in scholarships to 600 students. Each year, scholarship recipients are selected based on their demonstration of the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. Visit the NHS website for information and apply today!
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Apply for the DEWALT Trades Scholarship
Deadline to apply: February 8, 2023 3:00 pm CT or when 1000 applications have been received
Stanley Black & Decker has established the DEWALT Trades Scholarship to assist individuals attending a two-year college or vocational-technical school who are pursuing a trade degree/certificate in an industry aligned with the Stanley Black & Decker Trade Goals – including but are not limited to Construction, Industrial, Motor/Power Sector, Mechanics, and Technology.
This program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.
Read more about this opportunity online.
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.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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