January News and New Year Wishes

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 01/19/2023 07:25 PM EST

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Hello, Springfield District!

Well, winter is certainly upon us (though, mother nature seems intent on throwing us some weird springtime temps sprinkled in). My children search the forecast every night in the hope that we will finally get a snow day here soon. Meanwhile, I’m hoping that we could squeak through January and February with moderate temperatures and dry skies. 🙂

January has been an incredibly busy month and as we come to a close of the second quarter, let me say “Phew!”. This month the Board has been hard at work on our annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the annual budget, and the 2023-2024 school year calendar. With each of these, your input and feedback are vital, so I am hoping you will speak at a meeting or public hearing, email us, or call to give voice to what really matters to you as we set the framework for next year. The calendar continues to be an area where I have found little agreement among members of our community, but highlighting for me what you like and don’t like in the proposed versions is very helpful toward finding one we can all live with. I am very grateful that we are attempting to approve 3 years' worth of calendars so that folks can actually register for camps, and make childcare and vacation plans well in advance. No matter which version is chosen, to our family, that will be a welcome improvement. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or thoughts around the CIP, budget, or calendar. I am currently soliciting calendar feedback.

Our community and FCPS have teamed up together to work on a new strategic plan for FCPS. I hope that you will join us at one or more of the upcoming community forums around the county. Our Springfield District strategic plan meeting is Wednesday, February 15, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at West Springfield High School. Register beforehand.

I’m hoping all of you had a lovely winter break and have welcomed in a wonderful new year. I look forward to all that 2023 will bring in FCPS, including a graduate in our house (YIKES!). For all who celebrate, I hope you continue to enjoy all of the amazing Lunar New Year celebrations and have a terrific year of the rabbit!

All my very best, always-

Laura Jane

This newsletter includes information on the following issues:

Upcoming School Board Meetings
School Board Work
Superintendent Board Briefings
FCPS and Community News

FCPS News
Student Opportunities
Community News

Springfield District Scene
Family and Student Resources
What’s in a Name?
Quick Links

Upcoming School Board Meetings

January 23 at 6:00 p.m. - Public Hearing: Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget
January 24 at 11:00 a.m. - Work Session: FY2024 Budget
January 26 at 7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Goal Reports, University of Wisconsin World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment, Policy 8611, Policy 8612, etc.
January 31 at 1:00 p.m. - Work Session: School Year (SY) 2023-24 Calendar
February 9 at 7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Capital Improvement Program, SY 2023-24 Calendar, Governance Committee Recommendations to Policy 8610, etc.
February 21 at 1:30 p.m.
February 23 at 7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting: FY 2024 Advertised Budget, World Language Basal Resources, etc.
February 28 at 1:30 p.m. - Work Session: Collective Bargaining

Please note, that times and topics are subject to change.

The work sessions and regular meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and the FCPS website. Both will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

For Spanish speakers, watch recorded School Board meetings, or watch live during the Regular Meetings on YouTube, visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the below QR code.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones del Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las Reuniones Ordinarias en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.

Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

School Board Work

School Year 2023-24 Draft School Year Calendars now Available:

At the January 17 work session, the School Board discussed the school year 2023-24 school year calendar and possible calendars for the next three school years.

The development of a school calendar requires a careful balance of many factors, prioritizing instruction. Draft calendars have been created for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years. Three frameworks were developed:

Draft blue calendar: starting 2 weeks before Labor Day, 2-week winter break, 180 instructional days
Draft orange calendar: starting 2 weeks before Labor Day, shortened winter break, 180 instructional days
Draft green calendar: starting 1 week before Labor Day, shortened winter break, 180 instructional days
Draft purple calendar: starting 2 weeks before Labor Day, 2-week winter break, 177 instructional days

Calendars were developed using the following criteria:

Federal, state, and Virginia Department of Education guidance
Superintendent’s priorities
School Board input
Student absentee data
Staff absentee data
Surrounding jurisdictions’ calendars
Survey Results
Calendar Feedback Committee input

The complete list of documents and draft calendars may be found on BoardDocs. View the SY2023-24 Draft Calendar work session.

The Board is scheduled to vote on the calendars during their meeting on Thursday, February 9.

Complete my School Year Calendar Survey!

I value your input and want to hear your thoughts about the proposed school year calendars. Please share your preference and feedback on the draft calendars.

FY 24 Proposed Budget

The School Board discussed the proposed budget at our January 17 work session which included a very useful presentation on student enrollment and the associated increased needs of our students.

View the FY24 Proposed Budget work session.

I look forward to the ongoing discussions around the budget in work sessions and the public hearing scheduled for Monday, January 23. Access the sign-up list.

FY 2023 Midyear Budget Review

At the January 12 regular meeting, the School Board approved revenue and expenditure changes reflected in the FY 2023 Midyear Budget Review.

Watch the full meeting on the FCPS YouTube channel.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month Resolution

Also at the January 12 meeting, the Board unanimously passed a motion to join the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Fairfax County Public Schools. Read the resolution.

Capital Improvement Program

At the January 10 work session, the Board discussed the Fiscal Year 2024-28 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP is a planning tool to coordinate capital projects over five years to determine future capital requirements. Some important issues surrounding the CIP are recent construction cost escalations, the development of a new renovation queue for the future, specific areas of overcrowding and unrenovated facilities, reconsidering the scope of future renovations, and using factors such as programming and boundaries to address facility needs.

You may view the work session on the FCPS School Board YouTube channel. Related documents may be found on BoardDocs.

The School Board is scheduled to vote on the CIP on Thursday, February 9.

Additionally, the School Board held a CIP public hearing on January 12. View a recording of the public hearing.

Office of Auditor General Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report

At the January 10 work session the Board also held a discussion on the Office of Auditor General Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report. See the report. View the work session on the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

Superintendent Board Briefings

January 13, 2023

The following Superintendent update to the School Board may be viewed in the January 13, 2023, Board Briefing on BoardDocs.

Contracts Activity

In the embedded links below are the School Board reports of contract activity from April 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022, (FY22 Q4 and FY23 Q1) where (a) the total contract value is over $250K, and (b) all sole source contract activity. This report is organized to separate Sole Source contracts and Consultant Service contracts from all other contracts.

FCPS Policy 5011, Authority to Contract, requires a quarterly report of all contracts to the School Board (a) where the total contract value is over $250K; and (b) all sole source contract activity. The report includes both new contract awards and contract amendments with potential cumulative spending over the length of the contract exceeding $250,000. The columns of the report provide

Contract # - Contract number. This number can be used to view the contract register: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cregister/
Supplier Name – Vendor to which the contract was awarded
Contract Title – Descriptive title of goods and services purchased
Contract Type – Method of procurement
Category – Indicates if the item purchased was goods or services
Contract Valid From Date – Start date
Contract Valid To Date – Expiration date
Procurement Action Taken

New Contract – a newly-awarded contract (shaded on the report)
Amendment – an agreed addition to, deletion from, correction, or modification of an existing contract

Description of Amendment/Changes – Description of goods and services purchased, or description of amendment/changes
Contract Target Value – All contracts with projected spending of $250,000 and higher over the length of the contract are included in report
Effective Date – Date of contract award or date of a contract amendment with the report being sorted by effective date
FCPS/County Joint Contract - Contract award comprising joint effort between FCPS and County

FCPS and Community News

COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan Meetings for Families of Students with Disabilities

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to implementing a plan for COVID-19 compensatory education as part of its obligation to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. Please join us at an informational meeting for parents/guardians and other stakeholders on Wednesday, January 25 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Access this Zoom link to participate. Language interpretation will be available in Amharic, Bengali, Chinese-Mandarin, Korean, Spanish, Tamil/Telegu, Turkish, and Twi.

Learn more about the COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan.

Important Message from the Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA)

In December, the federal Office of Civil Rights (OCR) published a finding that FCPS was in violation of providing students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education during the Covid-19 pandemic. Anyone who was a student receiving special education services from April 14, 2020, through June 10, 2022, may qualify for compensatory services (including students who may have moved away from FCPS since then). The OCR agreement requires every IEP team to have this conversation for every student. For many, this discussion will be wrapped into their annual IEP meetings this spring. For those who may have already had their annual IEP meeting this fall, the team is required to convene again to discuss this issue.

Resources for Staff and Families

SEPTA's initial post about the finding - including links to the full PDFs from OCR, and a video of the presentation provided to the Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD).

FCPS' COVID-19 Compensatory Services Recovery Plan page (please check this page for updates)

FCPS Public Meetings Regarding Compensatory Services

The agreement requires FCPS to have at least 3 public meetings about the Compensatory Services Recovery Plan. Notification about this was sent to all families of students receiving special education services on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. The presentation itself will be recorded and made available publicly. While some of the virtual meetings have already taken place, please make note of the final meeting on Wednesday, January 25, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Access this Zoom link to participate. Language interpretation will be available in Amharic, Bengali, Chinese-Mandarin, Korean, Spanish, Tamil/Telegu, Turkish, and Twi.

COVID-19 Reuniones del Plan de Educación Compensatoria para Familias de Alumnos con Discapacidades

Las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Fairfax se han comprometido a implementar un plan de educación compensatoria COVID-19 como parte de su obligación de proporcionar una educación pública gratuita y apropiada (FAPE) a los estudiantes con discapacidades. Por favor, únase a nosotros en una reunión informativa para padres / tutores y otras partes interesadas:

Miércoles, 25 de Enero, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Visite nuestro sitio web para ver qué servicios de interpretación de idiomas estarán disponibles en cada reunión y para aprender más sobre el Plan de Educación Compensatoria COVID-19.

장애 학생 가족을 위한 코로나-19 보상 교육 계획 회의

페어팩스 카운티 공립학교는 장애 학생에게 적절한 무료 공교육(FAPE)을 제공하기 위한 의무의 일환으로 코로나-19 보상 교육 계획을 시행하기 위해 최선을 다하고 있습니다. 학부모/보호자 및 기타 이해 관계자를 위한 관련 정보 회의에 참여하시기를 바랍니다.

1월 25일 수요일 오후 7:00-9:00시

웹사이트를 방문하여 각 회의에서 어떤 언어 통역 서비스를 이용할 수 있는지 확인하고 COVID-19 보상 교육 계획에 대해 자세히 알아보십시오.

Strategic Plan: Make Your Student’s Voice Count!

FCPS Our Voices Our Future Strategic Planning

FCPS’ strategic planning process will incorporate feedback from school staff, families, students, and community partners and organizations. FCPS is currently seeking secondary students in grades 7-12 who are interested in participating in a strategic planning focus group. Please encourage your students to participate in this unique opportunity to share their voice.

Focus groups will provide an opportunity to share feedback in a small group with other FCPS students and a trained facilitator. FCPS is hosting four virtual focus groups for secondary students in February and March:

February 9, 3:30-5:00 p.m. or 5:30-7:00 p.m.

March 16, 3:30-5:00 p.m. or 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Interested students should check their email for a form to sign up for a focus group. Students will be asked to provide their student ID, so their parents/caregivers can be identified and contacted to ask for consent to participate.

If you have any questions about the student focus groups or would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact strategicplan@fcps.edu.

Register Now for Community Forums!

Visit our schedule of Community Forums for in-person and virtual Community Forums. Register for the one that is most convenient for you. Community Forums will provide every resident an opportunity to participate in and influence the direction of FCPS’ Strategic Plan, prior to its completion and formal adoption by the School Board. Learn more about our strategic planning process.

Springfield District’s In-person Forum

Wednesday, February 15, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (West Springfield High School) Register.

Other Forums

Monday, January 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m. (Stone Middle School) Register.
Tuesday, January 31, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Lake Braddock Secondary School) Register.
Tuesday, February 7, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (South County High School) Register.
Wednesday, February 8, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Spanish (Virtual) Register.
Thursday, February 9, 12:00-1:30 p.m. (Virtual) Register.
Saturday, February 11, 9:00-10:30 a.m. (Virtual) Register.
Thursday, February 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m. (Hunters Woods Elementary School) Register.

Academic Matters

Virginia Growth Assessments

Dr. Reid presented an Academic Matters Update on the Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) at the January 12 regular school board meeting. She shared how results will be distributed to families and that FCPS students, in general, outperformed the state on the Fall VGA. More than fifty percent of FCPS students performed in the top two quartiles for every VGA. As part of this discussion, she shared the efforts that are underway to provide in-person tutoring in after-school enrichment programs in the spring. See the materials and watch the recording.

Superintendent Announces FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget

At the January 12 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for FY 2024 that focuses on closing the achievement gap for all students which widened during the pandemic.

This budget also gives our youngest learners a strong start and includes investments for our special education students who were impacted during the pandemic, while continuing to attract and retain teachers and staff who are the backbone of our organization.

The FY 2024 Proposed Budget totals $3.5 billion—a net increase of $249.6 million or 7.6% over the FY 2023 Approved Budget. The superintendent is requesting an additional $159.6 million, or a 7.0% increase, from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Nearly 86% of the budget is targeted at instruction.

The Proposed Budget focuses on several key areas:

Innovative investments that close the achievement gap for all students:

Equitable access to literacy.
Increased access to PreK programming.
Supports for students with special education needs.
Funding for students in Advanced Academic Programs.
Changing student enrollment needs.
Increase in student and family supports, including access to middle school athletic opportunities that support student well-being.

Continuation of green investments.
Increased security measures.
Proposed increases in employee compensation.

Access the presentation slides on Boarddocs. Recordings of School Board meetings and work sessions may be viewed on the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

Budget Public Hearing

The Budget Public Hearing will be held on January 23 at 6:00 p.m. You and/or your student may sign up to speak for 2 minutes either in-person at Luther Jackson Middle School or live virtually. Access the sign-up list.

Building and Renovation Plan Focuses on High-Quality Facilities

Fairfax County Public Schools outlined plans to build three new elementary schools and to acquire land that will be used for a new high school during the School Board meeting on December 15.

Other projects include three new and/or repurposed school facilities, the renovation of 25 schools, and the relocation of modular buildings. Timelines for capital projects will be posted on CIP project web pages, where you can follow the progress of each approved project.

The School Board is scheduled to take action on Thursday, February 9. Read more in the CIP news release.

What Is the Role of the Annual CIP Plan?

The CIP 5-year enrollment projections are used for short-term planning purposes.

The numbers are used to determine the need for staff at each school and short-term changes that need to occur to accommodate the number of students such as modifying an existing school building or adding a modular.

Longer-term plans are done in conjunction with staff in Fairfax County as part of the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan. This plan is the long-term plan for development in the county. It is reviewed frequently to manage changes in the county and to make necessary revisions.

Please note that spending on school maintenance and on trailers is not included in the CIP.

Working on new Renovation Queue

Work on the new renovation queue is underway. A consultant has been hired to evaluate the condition of each of our school buildings.

Based on this analysis and public input, new criteria will be determined for the renovation queue rankings, and a new list will be generated in 2023.

Summary

In summary, the CIP is a document filled with data and information regarding our county-wide view of capital spending for the near term, primarily the next 5 years. Our Facilities staff is working hard to alleviate and find solutions for the schools that have the most acute capacity deficits given our fiscal constraints and the length of our renovation queue. The quality of school facilities impacts student learning and our students deserve a high-quality study environment. I will continue to advocate strongly to make progress on capacity enhancements, renovations, and especially site acquisition for the new Western High School in our district.

Read more about the process on FCPS’ CIP webpage.

Timelines for approved capital projects are posted on CIP project web pages.

School Improvements Supported by County Bonds

Capital projects reflect a $205 million investment approved by Fairfax County voters in the November 2021 bond referendum.

Funding allocations to FCPS from bond sales have increased in recent years due to positive collaboration and partnerships between the Joint CIP Committee of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the School Board. FCPS appreciates the continued support from Fairfax County leadership.

Voters will have the opportunity to approve additional bond funding for school projects included in the CIP in November 2023, which will support the division’s ability to continue to work through construction and renovation needs.

Western High School Project

Western HS was initially identified as South West County HS in the southwestern portion of the county to provide relief to overcrowding at existing high schools such as Centreville, Chantilly, and South Lakes. The location was broadened from southwestern to western due to planning for the Silver Line Metrorail Phase 2 (Dulles Extension) and increased potential development intensity and mix of uses in this region. The 2013 School Bond Referendum approved funding for the site acquisition and the 2021 School Bond Referendum includes additional funding to acquire a site in this area of the county, based on the current cost standards.

The School Board approved a follow on motion in February 2022 “to execute the appropriate professional services contract for the purpose of identifying and presenting to the SB for consideration and concurrence a location (new, existing FCPS, or any other appropriate property) for the Western High School so that site may be included in the FY2024-28 CIP.” A contract has been procured for the purpose of identifying a location for the Western HS and work is ongoing.

Western High School Site Acquisition Status

Centreville High School Capacity Deficit

Centreville HS has been experiencing a capacity deficit for over ten school years. Membership, program capacity utilization, and solutions implemented to address a capacity deficit over the last ten school years for Centreville HS are presented below.

Chantilly High School Capacity Deficit

Springfield District School Project Updates

Below are updates on school renovation projects in Springfield District students attend: (Click on the school name for more information on each project.)

Funded

Bonnie Brae Elementary School: Permitting phase. Estimated completion - fall 2024
Centreville High School: Planning/Design phase. Estimated completion - to be determined
Frost Middle School: Construction phase. Estimated completion - fall 2023
Willow Springs Elementary School: Planning/Design phase. Estimated completion - to be determined

Unfunded

Franklin Middle School
Sangster Elementary School
Saratoga Elementary School
Union Mill Elementary School
Waples Mill Elementary School

Dual Language Immersion Program Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 23. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first-grade immersion programs for the 2023-24 school year.

Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Visit the DLI registration page for more information.

Parents who are interested in the DLI programs in FCPS are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at their school site. Meetings will begin on Wednesday, January 11. Details regarding access to virtual meetings will be available on the Dual Language Immersion registration page by the meeting date. Get more information on DLI programs and registration.

February Instructional Job Fair

Interested in becoming a teacher? FCPS wants you to be a part of our team! We are searching for educators with strong academic backgrounds and a passion for making a difference. To meet hiring needs in instructional areas, we are hosting a job fair on Saturday, February 11, 2023, during which networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools will be available.

Job Fair Options

We will have two job fair options on February 11:

In-person Job Fair | 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Job Fair | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Get more details on the job fair. Find out how to Become a Teacher and read teachers’ stories.

Hiring Now! Food and Nutrition Services

From Food Services van drivers to managers-in-training, FCPS has many job opportunities related to food and nutrition. Benefits include paid training, school holidays off, and some positions offer full-time benefits for part-time work. See Food and Nutrition Services job opportunities to apply. Call 703-813-4800 with any questions.

View all current job openings.

Salad Bars Returning to Elementary Schools

The Office of Food and Nutrition Services is excited to begin adding salad bars back to elementary schools as a part of lunch service this month. The goal is to reach all 142 elementary schools before June 2023.

Salad bars encourage students to build nutritious and delicious meals each day. Students can select a salad bar lunch or fruit and vegetable sides paired with an entree. Salad bar offerings include student favorites such as apple slices, baby carrots, bananas, hard-boiled eggs, broccoli, corn, cucumber slices, grapes, orange slices, salad greens, shredded cheese, and lunch meats.

Salad bars returning to schools with students from the Springfield District include

Bonnie Brae Elementary - February 27
Canterbury Woods - February 27
Cardinal Forest Elementary - February 28
Centreville Elementary - February 28

Safety and Mental Health in the Wake of Tragedy

In the wake of the recent tragic school shooting in Newport News, I share Dr. Reid’s below message with the community. Remember, research shows that secure firearm storage is associated with up to an 85 percent reduction in the risk of self-inflicted and unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens. Many school divisions in states with secure firearm storage laws like Virginia’s now notify parents/guardians about their legal obligation to securely store their firearms.

The news of another school shooting in Virginia is unsettling, even more so knowing the suspect is a six-year-old child. Our wishes for a full recovery are with Abby Zwerner, the first-grade teacher who was injured. Our thoughts are with the entire Richneck Elementary School community as they grapple with this senseless tragedy. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact our nation’s schools.

For our employees, if you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed and need support, please consider reaching out to FCPS’ Employee Assistance Program. More information is available on the Employee Hub. Let’s remember to check in on one another.

For parents and guardians, it can be difficult to find the right words to reassure their children and help them express how they are feeling. This handout titled, Talking to Children About Violence (translated into multiple languages) has helpful guidance.

As a reminder, Virginia law requires gun owners to store loaded firearms to which a child is unlikely to gain access. An estimated 4.6 million children in the U.S. live in households with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm. A recent study found that about one in three gun owners store their weapons loaded and unlocked. A Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center study of targeted school violence incidents from 2008 to 2017, found that 76 percent of the firearms used in gun violence incidents at schools were obtained from the home of a parent/guardian or close relative. The FCPS website has more information on our gun safety and storage resources page.

As a school division, we work every day to do all that we can to keep our students and staff safe. Our administrative teams meet with the FCPS Office of Safety and Security (OSS) and our School Resource Officers (SRO) regularly to review our procedures and to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to keep our students and staff safe while they are in our schools. FCPS also deploys a centralized threat assessment oversight committee that is composed of multijurisdictional (FCPD) and interdisciplinary team members that in addition to conducting case reviews, address threat assessment-related topics such as safety, security, mental health, and human resources. During its regular monthly meeting today, the committee discussed the Newport News case as it relates to our processes here in FCPS.

Our security operations center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we work with the county, state, and federal health, safety, and emergency personnel leaders to ensure coordinated responses to potential threats. We are grounded by a centralized crisis management plan, and also drill for emergencies and then review and revise plans as needed. All FCPS schools deploy a comprehensive threat assessment process and a team that reviews incidents to mitigate any threat through final resolution. FCPS provides parents and students with information about the threat assessment process which includes training modules and other detailed information about how this process can prevent violence.

OSS has a safety tip line for community members, parents, and students to share their concerns. We were among the first in the nation to offer this as a “text to tip” option as well as online and by phone.

We are partners in keeping our students safe in school and we ask you to speak with your child and remind them that when they see or hear something concerning, to reach out to a trusted adult who can contact the authorities, or use our safety tip line. Remind them, if they feel there is immediate danger, they should dial 911, if they can. Families and students can learn how to talk about safety concerns at school by taking a free, online, interactive training titled “Safe & Caring Schools for Families”.

More than anything, we need to take the time to ask each other how we are doing. We need to listen when someone says that they are not okay. We need to sit down with our children or coworkers and check-in. These simple acts of community and caring can make a big difference. Together, we are stronger.

How to Partner or Volunteer with Schools

FCPS Business and Community Partnerships is happy to work with local businesses and organizations to help support our schools and students. Through its Ignite Partnerships, the team establishes valuable long-term relationships in the community. Please contact Jay Garant at 571-423-1225 or Kathy Ryan for information. Learn more about Business and Community Partnerships by subscribing to their monthly newsletter.

Support Financial Literacy

Junior Achievement of Greater Washington (JA) is a public/private nonprofit collaboration between FCPS, educators, businesses, and volunteer mentors who come together to inspire, guide and teach students how to be financially capable and ready to take on their futures.

Eighth graders at FCPS have an opportunity to build their financial literacy at JA Finance Park. Talk to your students’ social studies teacher to find out what day your student will be visiting. Parents can sign up online to volunteer.

Business professionals are also encouraged to volunteer to work with students. If interested, please contact Caitlin Hennessy.

Opportunities for Volunteers 55+ Years Old

Ignite Partner GrandInvolve is recruiting older adult volunteers to provide classroom assistance with reading, event support, math, materials preparation, and other important tasks that a teacher might request. This all-volunteer-led program facilitates volunteer opportunities in 25 of FCPS’ Title I elementary schools.

If you or someone you know would like a rewarding experience with flexible hours and an engaging variety of responsibilities, consider volunteering with GrandInvolve. Learn more and complete their interest form.

Educate Fairfax Our Students. Our Strength

Educate Fairfax Teacher Grants in Action

This year, Educate Fairfax granted nearly $85,000 to 52 teachers around the county to be used for innovative classroom projects that relate to future careers. These grants are already making a difference!

Students at Key Center have used funds from Educate Fairfax to open the "Key Cafe," a small business run entirely by students.

The students shop for materials, bake different flavors of bread, make coffee orders, and sell to the staff every Friday. Grant funds purchased a bread machine, ingredients, a Keurig machine, and containers to keep the cups, lids and different coffees organized. This project gives the kids real-world experience in the customer service industry.

Apprenticeship 101

FCPS Adult & Community Education (ACE) will offer a 12-week introduction to the construction skills program. It’s an excellent opportunity for seniors who are interested in exploring opportunities in a trade after high school. Students earn 80 hours of apprenticeship-related instruction, and industry-recognized credentials and can connect with employers.

The rigorous twelve-week introduction to construction skills covers topics such as Basic Safety, Hand and Power Tools, Construction Math, Communication Skills, Introduction to Construction Drawings, and Construction Careers. During class, you will:

Learn the basic skills to continue education in any apprenticeable trade
Earn 80 hours of apprenticeship-related instruction
Earn an industry-recognized credential through National Center for Construction Education and Research Registry System
Connect with Employers

The class will be held February 6 - May 1, 2023, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Pimmit Hills Center.

Tuition is $197.

More information may be found on the ACE Apprenticeship webpage.

View more ACE apprenticeship opportunities on the ACE Apprenticeship Programs webpage.

Awareness + Action = Social Change Entries

The Fairfax County Department of Family Services - Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is shining a spotlight on teen dating violence. Fairfax teens (ages 12-19) are invited to use their creativity to design works of art that promote this year’s awareness theme and what it means to them: Awareness + Action = Social Change.

Submissions may include:

Paintings
Posters
Sculpture
Short Videos & TikToks
Poetry
Musical Performances
Dance Performances

Entries and performance audition videos should be submitted at your local Fairfax County Community Center or through the below QR code by Friday, February 3, 2023.

Find a Community Center or Teen Center near you.

Winners will receive a $100 gift certificate in the Most Original, Most Powerful Message, Best Presentation, Most On-theme, and People’s Choice categories.

Questions may be directed to Debra Miller at Debra.Miller@fairfaxcounty.gov or Yolanda Bonilla at Yolanda.Bonilla@fairfaxcounty.gov.

If you need help, call the Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 703-360-7273. Visit their website for more information.

Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo

The Office of Counseling, College, and Career Readiness (CCCR) in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is teaming up with school divisions across the Northern Virginia region, to present a multi-day virtual career exploration fair for all interested high school students on February 13 – February 16, 2023. This annual event offers a virtual venue for students to connect with industry professionals from in-demand career fields across the region.

The virtual expo will be held after school during the week of February 13, 2023, with all interested high school students having countless opportunities to connect with industry professionals and learn about promising career paths for their postsecondary future. Learn more about the Career Expo on the Instruction to Industry webpage.

2023-24 College Financial Aid Forms Are Available; College Access Fairfax Is Here to Help

It’s time for high school seniors and their families to complete college financial aid forms. Most colleges require that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) be completed by Saturday, March 1, to receive the maximum financial aid possible in fall 2023. Some schools have earlier priority deadlines, so check the individual college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and specific forms to complete. To begin the FAFSA, you will need to create an FSA ID.

A funding opportunity is available for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA—the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) program. Visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website for help in determining which aid option is right for you.

College Access Fairfax's website offers recordings, virtual workshops, and other resources. Their Financial Aid Champions also provide help completing the financial aid forms. To request a one-on-one appointment, please email appointments@collegeaccessfairfax.org.

Families can also contact their high school's college and career specialist or school counselor if they need additional help.

Summer 2023 Self-Directed Economics/Personal Finance

Self-Directed Economics and Personal Finance requires students to complete work without direct teacher support.

Students will

Access content for this course through FCPS Schoology.
Read through 14 modules, complete 140 exit tickets, 14 module tests, and a final exam.

This course does not meet face-to-face. Students may only take this course as "Pass/Fail".

Eligibility

Current FCPS Students (Grades 9-12*)

*Only, current FCPS 12th graders are eligible if they are graduating in August of 2023. Current FCPS students who will be in grade 9 in 2023-24 are eligible but must discuss the course with their school counselor and parent/guardian before registering.

Dates

Monday, June 5 - Friday, June 28, 2023

Registration

Tuesday, January 3 - Friday, May 19, 2023

Tuition

Full: $100
Reduced Lunch: $50
Free Lunch: $10

Career and Technical Education Summer Academy

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office is planning an engaging summer enrichment program for students! The CTE Summer Academy is for current 7th to 11th-grade students.

CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a weekly enrichment program that allows students to

Dive deeper into Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas
Encourages skill development
Begin career exploration

Students are able to personalize their experience by choosing which CTE classes they will take!

Eligibility

The Summer Academy is open to students in grades 7-11 during the 2022-23 school year. Students currently in grades K-6 may participate in Tech Adventure Camp. Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come basis until seats are filled.

All students are welcome:

FCPS students.
Students enrolled in private schools.
Students who are homeschooled.
Non-Fairfax County residents.

Dates

July 10 - 14, 2023
July 17 - 21, 2023
July 24 - 28, 2023

Time

8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Early drop-off begins at 7:30 a.m.

Location

Lake Braddock Secondary School

Tuition

$275 per week

Students eligible for free and reduced lunch: No tuition.*

*To be eligible, students must apply on the Free and Reduced Meals website. You must allow your benefits to be shared or submit the Consent to Share Information Form.

Classes and Daily Schedule

Students have four classes every day. Students choose their classes during the registration process and are encouraged to try new and exciting content. Class descriptions can be found below. Activities and projects change each year so students who participated in previous years can choose the same classes again this summer.

Visit the CTE Summer Academy website for more information. Registration opens in February 2023.

Orthodox Epiphany

In the Orthodox church, Epiphany is celebrated on January 19 and celebrates the baptism of Jesus rather than the arrival of the Magi. This observance commemorates Christ's baptism by John the Forerunner (John the Baptist) in the River Jordan, the beginning of Christ's ministry on earth and revealing the Holy Trinity of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to mankind.

The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year is a holiday that marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, which is the calendar traditionally used in many east Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Singapore, and South Korea. In these and other Asian countries, it is one of the most important holidays of the year. The Lunar New Year is all about ushering in luck and prosperity with family.

The 2023 Lunar New Year is on Sunday, January 22, starting the year of the rabbit.

Read more about Lunar New Year and its animal symbols in National Geographic Kids.

Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Dating Violence is more common than you think. 1 in 3 teens will experience physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse from someone with whom they are in a relationship. Dating violence also occurs in the form of financial control and digital violence. Many teens experience some form of intimate partner violence even before graduating from high school.

Learn more about raising the issue of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month on the Love is Respect website.

Career and Technical Education Month

February is Career and Technical Education Month. By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of Career and Technical Education courses is offered in every middle and high school including Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology and Engineering Education, and Trade and Industrial Education. As this is an elective course, course offerings may vary by school.

Learn more on our Career and Technical Education webpage. Additionally, be sure to check out the Academy Open Houses!

National School Counseling Week

February 6-10 is National School Counseling Week, and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career.

School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.

Springfield District Scene

Congratulations to Lewis High School’s Football Coach, Larry Choates, who was recognized by the Washington Commanders Charitable Foundation as their Week 5 Coach of the Week for the 2022 Season! Coach Choates was recognized for his positive leadership and dedication to student-athletes and the community. 😊🏈

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology was among the 60 winning teams chosen by NASA for the second TechRise Student Challenge. The Challenge is a nationwide contest designed to engage students in technology, science, and space exploration. These teams will work together to build science and technology experiments in preparation for a suborbital flight test. Read more about the contest. Way to go!

Congratulations to Woodson High School’s Rocket League for winning the state championship in eSports!

New Burke School Principal

The Region 4 Office and I are pleased to announce that Dr. Thomas Sweet, acting principal at Burke School, has been selected as the principal of Burke School effective January 9, 2023.

Dr. Thomas Sweet has 20 years of experience in special education, beginning his career as a special education teacher at a Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) middle school. He transitioned to the leadership path when he became a program administrator and later a director, at two schools in the private day setting. Dr. Sweet moved back to public schools, working for Arlington County (APS) in the division’s central office supporting special education. At the APS Office of Special Education, Dr. Sweet was responsible for the planning and operation of specialized programs, curriculum development, staff training, and collaboration with community agencies. While working for APS, Dr. Sweet also served as an Adjunct Professor of Education at Marymount University. He returned to FCPS when he became an assistant principal at Burke School in 2020.

In the three years he’s been with Burke School, Dr. Sweet has proven to be a strong advocate for students while he partners with schools and families across the division. He builds supportive relationships with families and knows the unique needs of the students and families he serves. He has both the passion for the students that are served at Burke along with the professional knowledge and expertise that is needed to lead such a unique school. Dr. Sweet keeps students at the forefront of all decision-making and maintains a focus on strong relationships, the importance of engaging and rigorous instruction, and teaching students the social-emotional skills they need to be successful. Dr. Sweet works to create a family atmosphere and knows the value each staff member brings to Burke School every day. Together, they work with students to help them see their own strengths and values.

Dr. Sweet is honored to serve as the principal of Burke School. He is excited to continue the work with the Burke students, staff, and families. In his spare time, Dr. Sweet enjoys spending quality time with his wife and three boys. Time together includes watching his two youngest play soccer or trying to improve his golf swing with his oldest son. Dr. Sweet also enjoys reading and studying Spanish in his free time.

Dr. Sweet holds a Doctor of Educational Administration and Supervision degree from the University of Virginia, a Master of Arts in Special Education from George Mason University, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of William and Mary.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Thomas Sweet as the principal at Burke School.

Springfield District Students Receive Posse Scholarship

Congratulations to Eric, from Lewis High School, and Aanya, from South County High School, who were recognized as 2023 Posse Scholars!

Posse was founded in 1989 because of the words of one student who said, “I never would’ve dropped out of college if I had my posse with me.” The Posse model works for both students and college campuses and is rooted in the belief that a small, diverse group of talented students—a Posse—carefully selected and trained, can serve as a catalyst for individual and community development.

Learn more about the Posse Mission and History.

2021-2022 Friends of Trees Awards

The Fairfax County Tree Commission has recognized two Springfield District schools with the 2021-22 Friends of Trees Award. The awards highlight exceptional, outstanding, and innovative tree conservation actions in Fairfax County that meet one or more criteria: to protect and preserve existing trees and associated habitats, to increase the urban tree canopy and its related habitats, to educate and inspire people to plant more trees and properly maintain them, and to convey an understanding of the value and benefits of trees.

Congratulations to Greenbriar West Elementary School and Irving Middle School, together with Girl Scout Troop 5532!

Find more information and the complete list of winners on the Fairfax County Tree Commission website.

Family and Student Resources

Tutor.com for Test Prep

Did you know Tutor.com can help with more than just homework? This free, on-demand tutoring service also offers a comprehensive range of resources that include exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests.

Students can take practice quizzes at any time, and if they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor through voice or chat options for help. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com website.

Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities

SEPTA, the Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association, was created to empower and connect families, students, and educators to ensure students with disabilities develop their full potential as individuals and community members. Visit the SEPTA website to become a member or learn more.

The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is a state-mandated Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Parents/guardians, students, teachers, administrators, staff, and others interested in special education at FCPS are welcome and encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, and/or public comment related to the unmet needs of students with disabilities.

FCPS’ Office of Special Education Procedural Support provides guidance to staff, families, and students in areas related to the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.

Families of students in special education programs can find more resources in the Special Education Handbook for Parents. Translations are available from the Parent Resource Center (PRC).

The PRC offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Their YouTube channel includes videos of workshops and webinars for families and educators. Sign up for the PRC's newsletter to receive information on upcoming webinars and other resources. Please contact the PRC with questions at prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-2941.

Kathy Murphy, the Assistant Ombuds for special education, provides information and support to parents/caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Staff in the Office of the Ombuds believe that by being transparent and connecting families with available supports and services, children with special needs can equitably access public education.

Contact the ombuds by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.

Individual and Family Support Program Funding Opportunity

The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) recently announced that they would be accepting applications for funding requests soon. IFSP-Funding provides direct assistance to families and individuals who are on Virginia’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) Medicaid waiver waitlist. Individuals with developmental disabilities who are on the DD waitlist or their family members are eligible to apply.

The following dates have been provided:

Monday, January 23rd for Waitlist Priority 1
Wednesday, January 25th for Waitlist Priorities 2 and 3

To assist families in completing applications, there will be a virtual training session offered by IFSP on January 18, 2023, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. The link has not yet been released. The best way to stay updated regarding this funding opportunity, make sure to join the IFSP email list and visit the IFSP-Funding webpage.

Caregiver Training Offered through Virginia Office of Integrated Health

The Office of Integrated Health - Health Supports Network (OIH-HSN) at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) offers training for caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Pre-registration is required for all training sessions. After registering a link will be sent which should be added to your calendar to show the alphabetical passcode needed to enter the training. Attendees of each OIH-HSN training session will receive a certificate of participation, and a .pdf copy of the PowerPoint presentation along with any other educational materials where applicable.

Topics covered include: VDH Special Needs Oral Health, Nutrition, Diabetes, Skin Integrity & Pressure Injuries, Transfers Training, Skilled Nursing- Private Duty Nursing, and Dysphagia & Modified Diets.

Access the Winter 2023 OIH-HSN Caregiver Training Schedule for more information as well as registration links.

Pyramid Drug & Alcohol Presentation for Parents and Guardians

FCPS is dedicated to providing parents and community members with the most accurate and up-to-date information on youth substance use, prevention, addiction, interventions, and available supports. Please join us and our partners from the Fairfax County Police Department and Community Services Board as we discuss these topics as well as the ongoing opioid crisis. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of:

Alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioids.
List what you can do as a caregiver.
How to identify and connect with community resources.

Springfield District parents and guardians may attend the following pyramid events. Adults only, please.

Pyramid	Date	Time	Location
Chantilly High School	Monday, January 30, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	Chantilly High School Lecture Hall
Fairfax High School	Monday, January 30, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	Fairfax High School Library
Lake Braddock Secondary School	Tuesday, February 2, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	Lake Braddock Secondary Lecture Hall
Robinson Secondary School	Tuesday, February 2, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	Robinson Secondary Recital Hall
West Springfield High School	Monday, February 6, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	West Springfield High School Library
Thomas Jefferson HSST	Monday, March 6, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	Annandale High School Library
Centreville & Mountain View High Schools	Tuesday, March 7, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	Centreville High School Lecture Hall
Mount Vernon High School	Tuesday, March 7, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	Whitman Middle School Library
Oakton High School	Tuesday, March 7, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	Oakton High School Lecture Hall
Quander Road School	Tuesday, March 7, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	West Potomac High School Library
Lewis High School	Tuesday, March 14, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	Lewis High School Library
South County High School	Thursday, March 16, 2023	6:00-8:00 p.m.	South County Middle School Lecture Hall

Register for Free Webinars from the Parent Resource Center

The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) is offering free parent webinars. They are:

Social-Emotional Milestones in Early Childhood

The first five years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a child’s development. Social and emotional development includes the child’s experience, expression, and management of their emotions, and the ability to establish positive and rewarding relationships with others. Join us for this important webinar to learn about the social-emotional developmental milestones in early childhood.

Webinar Highlights:

Identify social-emotional skills that develop in early childhood
Discuss strategies to support children in their social-emotional development
Explore concepts of attachment, temperament, and self-regulation and their impact on social-emotional development

Presented by Naomi H. Grinney, LCSW, Infant Mental Health Specialist, IMH-E® Clinical Supervisor/Behavioral Health Senior Clinician Infant-Toddler Connection of Fairfax – Falls Church

January 20, 2023 10-11:30 a.m.

View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.

Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting: Building Positive Classroom Communities through Social and Emotional Learning

Join us to hear about how teachers and school staff are building positive schoolwide and classroom communities through social and emotional learning.

During this session, families will:

Learn about the evidence-based Responsive Classroom practices of Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting.
Understand how teachers are using these practices to engage students in learning that is challenging, developmentally appropriate, and supportive of the whole child.
Learn new tips so you can continue these responsive practices at home.

The presenter is Ivette Robles, FCPS Curriculum Resource Teacher, Office of School Improvement and Supports.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 10-11:30 a.m.

Register for Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting: Building Positive Classroom Communities through Social and Emotional Learning

View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.

SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!

The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to

Meet other siblings in a relaxed setting.
Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
Play games and have fun!

Thursday, January 26, 2023, 9 a.m.- noon at Providence Community Center

Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services. There is only an in-person option.

ستراتيجيات ووسائل لدعم الأسرة للتعامل مع الضغوطات النفسيةسلسله ندوات مجانية من جزئين مقدمه باللغة العربية عبر الانترنت

الجمعة الموافق 9 ديسمبر/كانون الأول 2022، الساعة 10 صباحاً

الجمعة الموافق 3 فبراير/شباط 2023، الساعة 10 صباحا

يسر مركز موارد الأباء بمدارس فيرفاكس بالتعاون مع مكتب الخدمات العائلية في منطقة شمال فرجينيا، أن يدعوكم للانضمام لنا في ندوة عبر الإنترنت من جزئين حول التعامل مع الضغط النفسي (التوتر) والعلاقات الأسرية.

الجزء 2:

أثر الضغوطات النفسية على الأطفال.
كيف يمكن أن يتصرف الأطفال الذين يعانون من ضغوطات نفسية.
استراتيجيات لمساعدة العائلة على دعم أطفالها الذين يعانون من ضغوطات نفسية.

تقديم الأخصائيات بمكتب الخدمات العائلية في منطقة شمال فرجينيا

ساره العامري، مستشارة مُجازة في الصحة العقلية، تتحدث لغتين ومشرفة برنامج.

هنادة زين الدين، مقيمة واستشارية، خدمات الصحة العقلية تتحدث لغتين.

للتسجيل عبر الانترنت.

استعرض هذه الصفحة الخاصة بالمعلومات عن الندوات إذا كنت ترغب في المشاركة مع الاخرين لدعوتهم للتسجيل .

Meet the Author Series All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum by Kathy Hoopmann

Cats take a playful look at the world of autism, and these fun feline friends will strike a chord with all those who are familiar with children on the Autism Spectrum.

Join Kathy Hoopmann as she celebrates the diversity within this neurodiverse community by reading from her book and answering audience questions.

Thursday, February 9, 2023, 7 - 8 p.m.

View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.

Neurodiversity at Elementary Schools

How can families partner with schools?

Strategies to set your child up for success
How to advocate for your child
Tools for collaborating with your child's school

February 10, 2023, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Presented by Kristen Haynor, FCPS Neurodiversity Specialist

View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.

Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education

*For families, caregivers, and educators of students receiving special education services.*

Join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school!

It’s never too early or too late to prepare for your future. We want to help you start planning for a successful transition from school to life as a young adult.

Ensuring the postsecondary success of our students with disabilities is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
You will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of representatives from CTS programs and services for students with disabilities, short- and long-term postsecondary supports, employment, and postsecondary education considerations, and Supported Decision Making, and student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post-school success.
This event also includes a student/parent panel where members describe their firsthand experiences as they navigated Fairfax County Public Schools and planning for their child’s future. A questions/answer session will follow.
FCPS Educators register in MyPDE to receive 2 recertification points for attending the entire event

February 15, 2023, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Snow Date: February 22, 2023)

Luther Jackson Middle School

View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.

Supporting Mental Health Through Play

Join us for a 2-part interactive session designed for parents, caregivers, and educators to discover how incorporating more unstructured play & sensory foundational activities to support all young children’s development, including children with special needs and mental health concerns.

Session #1 Highlights: View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.

The power of unstructured play in creating opportunities to build executive functioning skills
Differences in play experiences over the past 30-40 years
Benefits and Ways of incorporating unstructured play into a child’s day

Session #2 Highlights: View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.

Angie Voss’ “power sensations” (movement & touch)
Reflecting on our own temperaments, including sensory preferences, in order to provide a “goodness of fit” for our child or student
Creating an environment where all young children can thrive

This webinar is presented by Early Childhood Special Education Assistant Director, Amber Gant, with George Mason’s Training and Technical Assistance Center.

Session 1: February 17, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m.

Session 2: February 24, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m.

Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER

Filmmaker and physician Dr. Delaney Ruston takes the conversation around screens and teens to the next level with Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience – a film that examines the science behind teens' emotional challenges, the interplay of social media, and most importantly, what can be done in our schools and homes to help them build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age.

View the movie trailer and see the full screening release.

January 23, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

Messiah United Methodist Church

Purchase tickets at a cost of $10 per family.

Parents are encouraged to bring their students to the movie. Contact the Messiah United Methodist Church for more information.

The Shape of Youth Mental Health

Finding a way Back From Sadness and Stress for Northern Virginia’s Teens

The mental health needs of Northern Virginia's youth have increased since 2020. The 2022 Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions shows that one in ten high school students has seriously contemplated suicide in the past year, while one in three has symptoms of recent clinical anxiety.

Join The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, for a discussion of their next Insight Region® report, “The Shape of Youth Mental Health: Finding a Way Back from Sadness and Stress for Northern Virginia's Teens.”

This report follows "Finding our Way Back to Mental Health" launched in March of 2022 which identified the extent of mental health needs in our region's adult population.

The event is open to the public and is free to attend (in-person or virtually), though limited in-person seating is available.

Event Details

Wednesday, February 1, 2023, | Hybrid Event

8:30 am: Breakfast & Registration (in-person)

9:00 - 9:45 am: Program & Report Launch (hybrid)

IN-PERSON: George Mason University's Johnson Center Room A, Fairfax, VA

(Parking in Mason Pond or Shenandoah Parking Decks is available for $9.00)

VIRTUAL: Zoom Webinar (Link to be shared upon registration.)

**When registering, you must indicate whether you plan to attend in person or by Zoom. In-person registration is limited to the first 50 guests.

Please contact Tara Nadel at the Community Foundation with any questions about this event: 703-879-7637, tara.nadel@cfnova.org.

Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center Special Education Workshops

The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) is presenting virtual workshops for parents and professionals who want to learn more about special education in Virginia.

Upcoming workshops include:

February 1 - From Referral to Eligibility
February 15 - Anatomy of an IEP
March 1 - Measurable IEP Goals
March 15 - Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings
March 29 - Dispute Resolution Options in Virginia

Workshops are presented virtually at 6:30 p.m. and will last 1-1 ½ hours. Register to attend.

View more courses and workshops on the PEATC calendar webpage.

Tips from the Healthy Minds Blog

School Refusal

Each year, nearly 5% of youth experience school refusal. This refers to a child refusing to go to school on a regular basis or remaining in school throughout the day due to significant emotional distress. School refusal includes kindergarten students with relatively mild separation anxiety and more severe cases where a student misses weeks or months of school because of debilitating anxiety or depression. Besides tearful pleas to stay home, youth with school refusal often complain of aches and pains or other physical symptoms. School refusal can develop at any time, especially when making a transition to a new school. It often shows up more intensely after school breaks, weekends, or periods of illness. Failing to attend school may have significant immediate and long-term social, emotional, and educational consequences for youth. The problem needs to be addressed promptly as the longer a child stays home from school, the more challenging it is to help them return. Missing school reduces stress in the short term and reinforces avoidance as a coping mechanism. However, this avoidance often increases stress over the long term and does not teach a child more adaptive ways of coping.

Getting Your Child Back to School

If you suspect that your child is experiencing school refusal, it is important to seek out help quickly. Contact the school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker at your school for assistance and resources. You may also wish to access professionals such as a physician to rule out any medical issues or a mental health therapist to assist in responding to the situation.
Addressing school refusal can be quite challenging and therefore, it often takes a team approach involving the family, educators including school support staff, and community or private providers. A team can meet to assess the situation of why your child is not attending school and develop a reentry plan that addresses the steps to be taken at home and school to jump-start your child’s school attendance. It may be appropriate to develop a Return to Learn plan with school staff which can address the following issues: a modified attendance schedule with progressive school reentry; a set morning routine upon arrival to school; available school-based mental health supports and how your child can seek out any necessary help; a manageable plan for making up missed work, as well as modifying homework and classroom work as needed; and identified goals for attendance and reinforcement for behaviors that are approaching success.
Talking with your child about feelings and fears may help reduce their anxieties. Help your child reframe negative thoughts and identify negative or unhelpful thinking patterns. Encourage your child to recognize the good things he/she does instead. Emphasize positive aspects of going to school (e.g., seeing friends, learning favorite subjects, enjoying recess). Ensure your child that a school is a safe place with many supportive adults.
Maintain a clear expectation of school attendance. Establish consistent evening and morning routines at home. Keep as similar a schedule as possible during the weekends and short breaks.
Provide reinforcement for positive, school-attending behaviors. Consider utilizing a contract to set expectations and goals for attendance and highlight reinforcement to be earned when sufficiently met.
Work hard to ignore somatic complaints when appropriate. Students with emotional distress may truly be feeling queasy and achy. However, it is often part of the distress and not a true medical issue. For students with known school refusal issues, it may be best to clearly outline that school attendance is necessary unless they have a fever, physical injury, or repeated vomiting. Try not to discuss the somatic complaints with the child, but rather focus on recognizing positive behaviors such as getting ready for school.
Welcome the separation-anxious child when he or she arrives at school. Help the child become involved in getting organized for the day. Give the child special jobs, such as handing out papers or collecting books. Praise and encourage the child and provide comfort to younger students when they are upset.
Assign a peer buddy at recess or lunch to help a socially anxious child feel more comfortable. Someschools issue personal invitations to events and activities to help students feel welcome.
Provide tutoring and other academic interventions and supports for students who have academicdifficulties.
Show sensitivity to students with performance anxiety. Reduce the need for the student to give speeches or provide an alternate test-taking environment.
Identify a safe space with a trusted adult where the student can go when feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Spotlight on Drugs: New Year's Resolutions

In January, many people will head to their local Target or Michaels to find a new planner. The crisp, fresh feeling of new paper to write new and improved goals gets some of us excited. When thinking of your goals consider making them SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound), this method breaks your goals down into specific objectives and makes it easier for you to track your progress. What goals would you like to share with your child, to show them examples of healthy adult introspection? Introspection, looking within, is necessary to learn how to manage stress in a healthy manner. What regular coping skills can be implemented into your daily/ weekly routine? Some goals may be physical, spiritual, financial, or emotional. Would it be easier to have serious conversations over a family dinner? Or maybe regular family dinners, spark joy and connection that’s often missing.

Research has shown that family therapy is the best treatment option for young people who misuse drugs and alcohol (SAMHSA). Many people use drugs to manage life’s hardships when they feel disconnected from themselves or others. The opposite of addiction is connection, and young people benefit from a connection with their families. Families who have a common mission based on autonomy and openness instead of secrecy and silence thrive. Families teach young people how to manage stress when they communicate honestly and openly with one another. Learning how to manage stress early in life could be a major factor in whether or not a young person decides to use drugs.

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at (571) 423-4270.

Sources & Resources

Scholarship Opportunities

Hispanic Leadership Alliance Scholarship Program

The Hispanic Leadership Alliance (HLA) scholarship is for first-generation Latinx senior students from Fairfax County Public Schools. A first-generation Latinx student is one born abroad or to immigrant parents in the United States. The student must be the first one in his or her family to attend a post-secondary educational institution. HLA is a non-profit organization of Fairfax County Public Schools employees, retirees, former students, and residents. To learn more about the scholarship and to receive the application, please contact your school.

Apply by February 27, 2023.

Scholarship Guidance

Below you will find a list of scholarship programs from Scholarship Guidance’s weekly scholarship newsletter. These scholarships are awarded during the 2022-2023 school year and all students are eligible.

Scholarship Deadlines between January 29, 2023 - March 31, 2023:

1) Owl Scholarship - $1,000 - 50 Awards (Deadline: January 29, 2023)