Justice Junction - Community News & Updates - January 20, 2023

January 20, 2023

Hello Justice HS Students, Families, and Community Members, 

Today our Student Government Association graciously served staff breakfast and lunch as a token of their appreciation.  Many thanks to our SGA and PTSA volunteers for today’s act of kindness.

We are proud to announce that Dani Pineda and Justice GirlUp have been recognized as a FCPS Student Peace Award recipient!! Congratulations to Dani and all of our fabulous Girl Up members for their efforts to create peace.

 

Congratulations to the following Justice High School students on their achievements in the Regional 2023 Scholastic Art Awards Program! 

• Jenna Kassem - Gold Key in Photography - Ms. Martin and Ms. Wallestad 
• Jenna Kassem - Silver Key in Photography - Ms. Martin and Ms. Wallestad 
• Gretchen Hardy - Silver Key in Drawing & Illustration - Ms. O'Grady 
• Elizabeth Cheek - Silver Key in Sculpture - Ms. Wallestad 
• Raine Jeff - Silver Key in Ceramics & Glass - Ms. Gleeson 
• Raine Jeff - Honorable Mention in Ceramics & Glass - Ms. Gleeson 
• Elizabeth Forrest - Honorable Mention in Sculpture - Ms. Wallestad 

Their artwork was selected by a panel of judges from about 3500 entries.  The Gold and Silver Key winning works will be on display at the Ernst Cultural Center Galley at NOVA's Annandale campus from February 9 - March 23, 2023.  There will be an awards ceremony and reception at the gallery on March 1^st at 7:30pm.  Jenna Kassem's Gold Key photography entry will go on to compete with other gold key winning entries at the national level.  Congratulations to these students and their teachers!

       

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

 

Tiffany I. Narcisse, Principal

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

• January 25^th – End of Quarter (Early Release for Students)

• January 26^th – Staff Development Day (No School for students)

• January 27^th – Teacher Workday (No School for students)

• February 20^th – President’s Day Holiday (No School for staff/students)

• March 2^nd – End of Quarter (Early Release for Students)

• March 3^rd – School Planning Day (No school for students)

• April 3^rd – 7^th – Spring Break

•  April 13^th – End of Quarter (Early Release for Students)

• April 14^th – Teacher Workday (No School for students)

• April 21^st – Eid Holiday (No School for staff/students)

• June 7^th – Class of 2023 Graduation

 

 

                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

Justice High School Science Fair 2023

Science Department is excited to announce the Science Fair event, which will take place on February 1^st, starting at 3:00 PM. Students, under teachers’ supervision, were able to design and conduct scientific research projects, and they are very enthusiastic to present their posters and to be interviewed by the judges, to compete for prizes and some will have the opportunity to go to the Regional Science Fair.

If you want to share our students’ enthusiasm or if you are curious to know more about students’ progress in learning scientific concepts, please join us at this event to judge their projects. We need volunteers and we will offer a short informative session prior to the event. Refreshments will be provided after the Science Fair.

 

If you are interested in supporting our students by being a judge, please send an email to the science fair co-directors, Ms. Cynthia Martinez (cmmartinez@fcps.edu) and Ms. Catalina Steriade (casteriade@fcps.edu), no later than January 25^th.

 

Substance Use Presentations

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 opioid.
• List what you can do as a caregiver.
• How to identify and connect with community resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

School Board Reviews Draft School Year Calendar Options

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:

• 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.

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. 

 

FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget Highlights

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.

 

Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation to the board. Access the presentation slides on Boarddocs. 

 

Strategic Plan: Make Your Students’ Voice Count!

Strategic Planning is in process and will incorporate feedback from school staff, families, students, and community partners and organizations. Please encourage your students to participate in this unique opportunity to share their voices.

FCPS is currently seeking secondary students in grades 7-12 who are interested in participating in a Strategic Plan focus group. This focus group provides 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 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m.
• March 16, 3:30-5 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m.

Interested students should check their email for a form to sign up for the focus groups. 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 you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact strategicplan@fcps.edu.  

 

 

JUSTICE HS PTSA NEWS

The Wolf Shack: School Store and Resource Pantry is opening! We are very excited to be able to establish this avenue to serve our school community. We plan to provide essential resources that students can easily collect, starting with food and toiletries and moving to clothing and academic, artistic, and athletic supplies. We will use the funds earned from the sale of the spirit-wear, snacks, and drinks to restock the pantry. The success of this endeavor is dependent upon the financial support and volunteerism of the students, staff, and community.

Please donate food, essentials, money, Amazon or Giant gift cards, and sign-up to volunteer. The "store-side" opened on November 16^th; to continue being open regularly we will need additional and consistent volunteers. With your continued donations we can maintain needed provisions. THANK YOU!

 

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

 

   

 

PTSA: Parent, Teacher & Students Association

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

 

Twitter

• School - @justicehswolves
• Athletics - @Justice_Sports