Week of January 30

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.


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.

 

Calendar

January 31 - Scholarship "Lunchshops" for Seniors, All Lunches, College & Career Center

January 31 - ANG Spirit Night at MOD Pizza, 494 Elden St

January 31 - ANG Spirit Night, Panera Bread, 460 Elden St

Two workshops will be held in February at Herndon High School:

February 01 - Financial Aid (FAFSA, VASA) Workshop; 9:45 am – 11:15 am, College/Career Center

February 01, 03 - Rising Junior and ELLs Level 1 & 2 Sophomore Academic Advising Presentations, 4th Period, Various Locations

February 01 - Free Tutoring with HUMC, Virtual

February 03 - Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department Information Session, 10:15am, College/Career Center 

February 04 - Dranesville Strategic Planning Community Forum, 9- 10:30 am, Spring Hill Elementary School Cafeteria

February 06-March 02 - WIDA Assessments

February 06-14 - Rising Junior Course Selection through English 10 and ELD Level 2

February 07 - CPP Information Session, 10:15 am, College and Career Center 

February 20 - No School, Presidents' Day

February 22 - NOVA Information Sessions, 6:30pm, Virtual

FCPS Calendar

 



Photo of the Week



.

Our Robotics Team setting up for a competition held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Herndon HS.



 

Events

Scholarship "Lunchshops" for Seniors 

Do you need help searching for a scholarship, which to apply to, how to find the application, or what you need to complete the application?   If so, come to the College & Career Center Tuesdays 11:15am – 1:15pm (all lunch blocks) during the month of January!  No need to sign up; grab your lunch and make it a scholarship working lunch.


HUMC Free Tutoring Program

TGFT will remain virtual for the start of the 2022-23 school  year, with sessions being held every Wednesday. Information regarding the program can be found on our website: herndonumc.org/tgft.  As in the past, we offer assistance in all math subjects, chemistry, and physics. We want to help your students be successful this year! Additional information available here.


Class of 2023 All Night Grad Party News & Information: 

Buy a ticket for your senior students now!  ANG Tickets 

Please note that you can also order your Senior’s yard sign and buy raffle tickets for priority graduation seating with the same form and/or on the website. 

  • 1/31/23 - Tuesday – Two Spirit Nights!  MOD Pizza, 494 Elden St, MODGIVES20 at online checkout AND Panera, 460 Elden St, FUND4U at online checkout 
  • 2/14/23 – Candygrams for Valentine’s Day ~ See the flyer or order online: Candygrams 
  • 2/16/23 – Thursday – Honeygrow, 12100 Sunset Hills Rd #R12, Reston, 20% benefits ANG 
  • 3/21/23 - Tuesday - 11 am to 9 pm - Aslin Tap Room - 767 Elden Street - proceeds all day and Guest Cicerones in the evening. 
  • Date TBD - now aiming for a Saturday in March - Community Casino Night - The Breeze, 781 Station Street - details coming soon. 
  • 4/9/23 to 5/7/23 - We’ll be having another Pampered Chef fundraiser ~ stay tuned for details! 

https://herndonang.org/hhsang2023@gmail.com


Financial Aid Support (FAFSA or VASA)

Attention Seniors!  Need assistance completing your FAFSA or VASA?  Financial Aid Specialist will be available to help student and family complete their FAFSA or VASA application.  Students are strongly encouraged to submit their FAFSA by March 1st.  Two workshops will be held in February at Herndon High School:

  • February 1st; 9:45 am – 11:15 am in the College/Career Center
  • February 15th; 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm in the Lecture Hall (SPANISH liaison available)

Please click HERE for a detailed list of required documents needed to complete the financial aid application.


FCPS Gap Year Fair

School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at West Springfield High School from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.  This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. Student registration is requested.  The registration link contains agenda for the evening event.   HERE is a recent U.S. News article about Gap Year.


Interested in a Career in Fire and Rescue?

The Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department will be at Herndon’s College/Career Center on Friday, February 3rd at 10:15am to present and talk with students interested in a career in this exciting field. Juniors & Seniors may stop by the College/Career Center to obtain a pass to attend.


Dranesville Strategic Planning Community Forum - February 4

Adults only-childcare provided with registration

Please join Elaine Tholen for the Dranesville District in-person Strategic Planning Community Forum. Help shape the division’s future for the next few years!

WHEN: Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 9- 10:30a.m.

WHERE: Spring Hill Elementary School Cafeteria

Please register here. (link:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1VbzKvC6JIK_aT4ZAMaOBwt8HoaOKsws9ctu23yKL5X19uQ/viewform) Child care and language interpretation will be provided at this event, and sign up is through the registration link above.

These Community Forums  (link: https://www.fcps.edu/strategicplanning-communityforums) provide families, students, staff, and community members with an opportunity to participate in and influence the direction of FCPS’ new Strategic Plan. The goal is to have the final strategic plan by June 2023. Learn more about our strategic planning process here. (link: https://www.fcps.edu/strategicplanning) If you can’t join the Dranesville Forum, please check out the schedule of Community Forums, including several virtual options, and register for one that is most convenient for you.

What Happens at a Strategic Planning Community Forum?

  • Community Forums will provide families, students, staff, and community members with an opportunity to review student achievement, access, and perception data and identify both strengths and challenges within the data.
  • Working in small groups, participants will use research-based goals as a framework to transition their observations into recommended goals for the strategic plan that are focused on our desired future state for students.
  • As a culminating activity, participants will identify the one guarantee they would like FCPS to make regarding our students’ education.
  • The data from the Community Forums will be synthesized and that information will be shared with the Core Planning Team to incorporate those recommendations into finalized strategic plan goals.

What Can I Do to Prepare?

It's not necessary to do anything in advance. We want you to bring your thoughts and experiences to the discussion. If you'd like to review in advance, the data reports shared at the Community Forums are available on the Strategic Planning website.

 Link: https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/strategic-planning-process-2022-23/data-reports


WIDA Assessment

Current federal legislation requires that all English learners (ELs) participate annually in an English language proficiency assessment.  In the state of Virginia, all divisions use the WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners®2.0 (ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0) to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English.  ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0 is administered annually to all kindergarten ELs and all students in grades 1-12 with an English language proficiency (ELP) level of 1-5. 

ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0 is aligned with the WIDA English language development standards and assesses the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  The assessment will:

  • Determine students’ English language proficiency level and eligibility for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services and testing accommodations.
  • Help students and families understand students’ current level of ELP along the developmental continuum.
  • Provide teachers with information they can use to plan for and support student learning.
  • Assist in determining whether ELs have attained the language proficiency needed to participate meaningfully in content area classrooms without ESOL support.

Students participate annually in the ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0, even if ESOL services are declined, until they reach the criteria for ELP level 6 and are designated English proficient.

This year, the ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0, the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs®, or the ELP Checklists will be given at Herndon High School from Monday, February 6, 2023, to Thursday, March 2, 2023. Students will receive their testing schedule via E-Mail this week. It will be helpful if you can avoid appointments which may take your child out of school during this time.  Also, it will help your child perform his or her best if he or she has had a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast, and comes to school with a positive attitude. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Dr. Karl Gussow, our Assessment Coach.

Additional information can be found on the FCPS ELP Assessment Parent Notification - WIDA and WIDA Screener page.


College Partnership Program (CPP)

 Application open for 9th/10th graders

The SY 2023-24 application is open now through March 10, 2023, for 9th and 10th graders to apply for Herndon’s CPP group.   CPP is an FCPS College Success Program designed to support students who are from populations that are traditionally underrepresented in college, such as first in the family to attend college in the U.S., economically disadvantaged, students of color, students with disabilities, English language learners, and immigrant students.  The application is available at www.tinyurl.com/CPPAPP2023  with a deadline of 11:59pm March 10, 2023.   Click HERE for further details.   9th and 10th grade students may attend a Herndon information sessions on either: 

  • February 7th; 10:15am in the College/Career Center
  • February 22nd; 10:15am in the Library Stonewall Room

Students are asked to sign-up at http://tinyurl.com/CPP2023infoHHS .  Questions can be directed to Mrs. Peirce or to the student’s counselor.


From the Library

As 2023 gets underway, the American Library Association will recognize the best children’s and young adult literature of 2022 with their Youth Media Awards. This year’s awards will take place on January 30. Stay tuned for information about this year’s winners and honor recipients—we’ll post links in the HHS Library course on Schoology and in an upcoming News You Choose issue. 2022 was an outstanding year for books and other media!

Are your students conducting research in their classes? We work with many classes to help them find reliable information and learn how to use information ethically. Please remind your students that there are fantastic research supports available through their HHS Library course on Schoology and that they can always reach us at hhs_library@fcps.edu with any questions.

Our Global Citizen Book Club meets monthly. All students are welcome, whether they have attended a meeting in the past or not. The next meeting will take place on Monday, February 13 from 3:00 to 4:00 in the library. Students can join the book club’s Schoology group at F4BT-W6TC-5G8JD for all of the details.


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.  

Register Now to Attend a Community Forum! 

Check out the schedule of Community Forums and 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.


Instruction 2 Industry: A Career Expo for High School Students

During the week of February 13-16, 2023, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and school divisions across the region, are hosting a Career Fair with panel discussions.  Industry experts, in multiple fields, will be speaking on their professional journeys and providing valuable insight into how to achieve your own success. A virtual, but live, event, Instruction 2 Industry, is free to all Northern Virginia high school students.  For more information about the schedule and to register for the event, visit the Instruction 2 Industry event page.


NOVA Virtual Information Sessions for FCPS Families

NOVA will present to FCPS seniors and their families; learn about the opportunities, degrees, certificate programs, numerous services and resources designed to connect seniors to NOVA.  Click HERE for NOVA flyer.


ASVAB Test at HHS

(Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)

Sophomores, juniors and seniors have the optional opportunity to take this career exploration test on Thursday, February 23rd; 8:10am – 11:30am at Herndon High School.  Students must register by February 15th at http://tinyurl.com/Feb23ASVAB .  The ASVAB is the most widely used multiple aptitude test battery in the world and is administered by a military representative.   The test is available to all students, regardless of whether or not they have an interest in a military career.    It assesses a student's ability to learn new skills and is a predictor of success in training and education programs. The Career Exploration Program offers more than just a test. It includes an interest inventory and other activities and resources designed to help students explore the world of work and gain confidence in making career decisions.


Academic Advising and Course Selection for 2023-24

Academic Advising Season has begun!  Starting in January 2023, students will meet individually with their school counselor to choose their courses for the 2023-24 school year. It is so important that parents and students are informed of their academic options. Families are encouraged to talk with current teachers for their recommendations for next school year. Just like last year, students will choose classes via their SIS Student accounts. After the students choose their courses via their accounts, they will meet with their counselor to confirm the selections. In January, parents can view the course selections via their SIS Parent account. If you do not have an active account, please contact Student Services to obtain a login.

It is important for students to choose a course load that will challenge them and help prepare them for their post-secondary endeavors while also allowing for balance with their extracurricular and personal commitments. We take academic advising and course selection seriously and encourage students to seek input from current teachers, school counselor, and their parents as they make course selections. It is important that your student base their choices on their strengths and interests and with their post-secondary plans in mind. 

The timeline for academic advising and course selection can be found here (English, Spanish).  

Rising Junior Events Academic Advising and Course Selection

  • Feb 01 & 03 - School counselors will meet with rising juniors and sophomore ELLs Level 1 & 2  in a large group setting to present in various locations during 4th period on the academic advising and course selection process. 
  • February 06-14 - School counselors will meet with rising juniors and sophomore ELLs Level 1 & 2 individually through their English 10 and ELD Level 2 classes to discuss graduation requirements, academic opportunities and course selection options. The schedule is available here.

 



Photo of the Week



.

Congratulations to the Herndon Dance Team for their first place awards for Small Varsity Pom and Jazz at the North Stafford Dance Competition.



 

Support

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

For further Information & support: Diana Vera, MSW, dpvera@fcps.edu

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, Herndon Pyramid


Quick Links