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As a reminder, Wednesday, January 25, is the last day of the quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 26, for a staff development day and Friday, Jan. 27, for a teacher workday. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
We have a lot of items in our lost and found in the cafeteria. Please check some of the photos below for anything your child may be missing. At the end of the quarter, we will be donating all lost and found items to charity.
Parents, please label all clothing, lunch boxes, and water bottles so lost items can be quickly identified and returned to the owner. Articles found in classrooms are temporarily held by the teacher until identified by the child. After a reasonable time, these articles are placed in the "lost and found area" in the cafeteria. Parents are encouraged to come to school to check for lost items.
 
At their January 17 work session, the School Board discussed draft calendars that were created for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years. Draft calendars were developed using the following criteria as a framework:
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- 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.
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You may view the draft calendars and other related documents in Boarddocs. The calendars will be presented as new business during the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 26. The Board is scheduled to vote on the calendars during their meeting on Thursday, February 9.
Watch a recording of today’s Work Session. Get information on FCPS' calendar development process.
Each year, nearly 5% of youth experience school refusal. This refers to a child refusing to go to school on a regular basis or remain 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. Read how to get your child back to school in the Healthy Minds Blog or learn more about attendance policies. |
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he office of Student Safety & Wellness has scheduled in-person Drug Education Nights for parents, guardians and youth caregivers across the division to share trends and how to connect with resources.
Mark your calendar for February 6, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. *Adults only @ Westfield HS Lecture Hall G108/G109
Find more information here and to register: Westfield Parent Night Feb 6th
Prefer to attend virtually? Mark your calendar for March 21st at 10:00-11:30 a.m. Parent Information and Resources March 21st
At the January 12 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for FY 2024 that focuses on attracting and retaining teachers and staff, initiatives aimed at closing the achievement gap for all students, and gives our youngest learners a strong start, including investments for special education students impacted during the pandemic.
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. 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.
How to Talk About Alcohol Safety
Stores have been packed with holiday savings, credit cards have been charged, and food has been consumed. The holidays are often a time for family and friends to come together and create lasting memories with one another. The matching holiday pajamas leave a lasting impression on social media, but what impression does your relationship with alcohol leave on your child. Although difficult, conversations about alcohol safety are necessary. When consuming alcoholic beverages around young people, consider the message you would like for them to receive. Have you caught yourself saying any of the following: “ I need a drink,” “a drink would help me relax,” or “wine helps me sleep better at night”. These statements could inadvertently cause your child to believe that alcohol is a suitable replacement for healthy coping strategies.
It’s never too early to have age-appropriate conversations with your child about alcohol. About 10% of children say they have tried alcohol and that number increases to 50% by the time they are 15 (SAMHSA). Early and frequent conversations about alcohol and other drugs tend to be more effective than having “the talk” once. If you choose to not have the conversation with your child as a parent, they will still have the conversion with their peers. Silence communicates as loudly as a verbal conversation, so it’s up to you to decide what message is explicitly shared.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Sources & Resources
Why You Should Talk With Your Child About Alcohol and Other Drugs
Talk, They Hear You
FCPS SAPS Program
For further Information & support:
Stacey King, MSW
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
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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.
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The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees, specifically at Coates. |
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22nd- Lunar New Year
25th- End of 2nd Quarter- 2 hour Early Release
26th-Student Holiday- Staff Development Day
27th- Student Holiday- Teacher Workday
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6th-10th - National School Counseling Week
8th- Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
9th- Coates Spelling Bee- 6-8pm
20th- President's Day- Student Holiday
22nd- School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
24th- PTA Meeting
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*The full FCPS 2022-2023 calendar can be accessed here.
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