Dear Sully District Families,
I hope everyone had a great first week of the third quarter! There was lots of excitement with the snowy weather (well a dusting) and students did a great job transitioning to their new schedules. I am so proud of their hard work and am looking forward to great things in the second half of the school year.
Do you ever wonder what our teachers and staff are doing when the students are out of school at the end of the quarter? They have been engaged in professional learning time together and at the district level, as well as supporting second semester transitions, finalizing grades, and planning for Q3. Yes, they do a phenomenal job of balancing their many, many responsibilities and I am grateful for all their efforts navigating our students through a successful first half of the school year!
We have had an incredibly busy few weeks on the School Board with important work on the FY24 Budget and developing next year's School Calendar. Details on both of these are provided below in this newsletter. The School Board also approved the Goals 1 through 4 of Strategic Plan reports for SY 2021-22.
Thank you to all the Sully District community members/parents/caregivers who attended the Strategic Planning Community Forum on Jan 30th. Your input and feedback is invaluable and we appreciate you helping us shape FCPS' future! If you missed it, please check out the schedule of Community Forums, including several virtual options, and register for one that is most convenient for you.
Inside this newsletter:
February is #BlackHistoryMonth - a time to celebrate the incredible achievements of Black Americans throughout our nation's history. I hope you will take this opportunity to join the many online vibrant performances, lectures and family activities to celebrate our nation's rich cultural heritage and history. Check out this link to the Smithsonian Museum that is hosting some of these great events. Here is also a list of sites around the region that you can visit in person, or online, to reflect on an inspiring journey of hope, sacrifice, liberation, empowerment, and beauty.
I was happy to connect with parents/caregivers at the Rachel Carson Middle Schools PTA meeting on January 19th. I was able to provide updates on FCPS policies and budget related information as well as give them an opportunity to ask any questions that they might have. I will continue to provide this outreach to the community in February and March. Stay tuned for information on upcoming Town Halls, PTA meetings etc. In the meanwhile, please feel free to reach out to me with observations, suggestions, questions and celebrations. You can do that through this School Board contact form or you can call or sign up for my monthly constituent office hours. Please see my February Office hours in the newsletter below if you would like to schedule time to meet with me.
Have a wonderful weekend!
In partnership,
Stella Pekarsky
Visit to Mountain View HS with Dr. Reid
School Visit to the Mountain View High School!
It was wonderful to visit Mountain View Alternative High School along with Superintendent Reid to observe the programs that FCPS offers for our students who require a nontraditional educational setting. It is so important for us to hear directly from students and staff about the successes and challenges of the school year and I am grateful for the many insights that were shared with us today. Thank you Principal Stone and the amazing staff for creating such a safe, positive and enriching environment that promotes resiliency, confidence and life-long learning in our students! #WeDoAtMountainView #FamilyLoveRespect Fairfax County Public Schools
Sully District Happenings
Engineering with Empathy at Carson Middle School
I am so proud of our students using their engineering skills to design products that can improve the lives of people! Eighth-grader Rishab made a brace to help people with spinal cord injuries inspired by his father’s back pain woes. His classmate, Aasritha, made a specialized bottle cap opener after watching her grandmother struggle to open things on her own. And, Roman (pictured right) made a “third thumb” that he hopes will help people with arthritis hold objects longer, after noticing his grandfather’s difficulty hanging onto coffee mugs.
The prototypes are all part of an “Engineering with Empathy” unit created by Rachel Carson Middle School instructor Mark Bolt, for students in his Engineering 3 elective course. Learn more about the course. #TheFutureIsBright #techforgood
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Congrats to the Regional Scholastic Art Award Winners!
Congratulations to all the amazing Sully District students that submitted pieces and were recognized in the 2023 Regional Scholastic Art Awards!
The program has awarded 533 awards to 337 Fairfax County Public Schools students for outstanding artwork. This includes 174 Gold Key awards, 171 Silver Key awards, and 188 Honorable Mention awards. Four works by FCPS students were nominated for the best-in-show American Visions Award. Artworks were submitted and judged in categories including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture, digital art, design, architecture, jewelry, fashion, film and animation, mixed media, and art portfolios.
Image: The Fisherman by Sergio Flores Ramos, Centreville High School, American Visions Nominee.
The Gold Key and Silver Key artworks will be displayed at Northern Virginia Community College’s Ernst Community Cultural Center in Annandale from Friday, February 9, to Thursday, March 23, with an award ceremony on Wednesday, March 1. See the full list of award winners here
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Salad Bar Debuts at London Towne and Brookfield Elementary
They're back! After a three-year hiatus, salad bars return to Fairfax County elementary schools. With Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid in attendance, salad bars made their debut in the cafeterias at, London Towne Elementary School. I’m SO excited we finally got this started again. Thank you to Real Food For Kids and Superintendent Reid for your leadership. I was in attendance on Jan 23 as salad bars returned to Brookfield School!
Constituent Meeting Hours in February
I have office hours set up to meet with Sully District constituents to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Please use this Constituent sign-up sheet to register for slots and meeting info will be sent to you. I look forward to talking with you!
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Updates on Equitable Access to Literacy Plan
At the January 26th School Board meeting, Superintendent Reid unveiled our Equitable Access to Literacy Plan (EAL), which outlines the school division’s ongoing work to align literacy practices with science-based reading research. In 2021, the school board committed FCPS to this approach. I was proud to partner with my board colleague Karl Frisch (Providence District) in sponsoring a proposal to initiate the board’s first work session on the science of reading, anchoring our discussions with one of the field’s leading experts from the University of Virginia.
Eliminating opportunity gaps in reading and adopting a systemic, research and science based approach for literacy instruction is a passion of mine and one I have consistently advocated for since the beginning of my School Board term.
Data presented by FCPS and literacy experts show the urgent need for a new approach to literacy education. This conclusive research provides us with a foundational understanding of how students learn to read, what sequential skills are involved, and what professional learning is necessary to ensure access to evidence-based literacy instruction in each classroom. A strong foundation of these skills will ensure high levels of reading and writing across a variety of genres and across a variety of disciplines. The ability to read and write is a fundamental contributor to understanding our world, creating empathy within and among communities, and engaging fully as a global citizen. Read the plan here.
School Year Draft Calendar - Deadline Extended
Thank you to the approximately 27,000 staff, families, students, and community members who completed the Calendar Feedback Form to let us know which aspects of the four draft calendars—blue, green, orange, and purple—worked or did not work for them. The School Board received the feedback in real time at the January 31 Work Session, and included it as part of our discussion on the calendar for the 2023-24 school year. The School Board is scheduled to vote on a calendar on Thursday, February 9.
View a summary of the feedback collected on the four draft calendars. (Select the file "SY Calendar 2023-24 1-31-23.pdf.")
It's Not Too Late–Share Your Feedback Today!
FCPS has extended the deadline for community feedback on the draft calendar options to Monday, February 6. If you haven't already participated, please share your thoughts by filling out this form.
Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Updates
Employee compensation is the largest part of the annual FCPS budget – it’s the investment in our people that allows our students to achieve success! The Board’s public Work Session on Jan 24 focused on the proposed investments in the developing Fiscal Year 2024 budget that the Board is working on through the Spring.
Staff’s presentation shares a lot of valuable information about how FCPS seeks to recruit and retain our staff – from teachers and instructional aides, to operational staff who drive busses, serve food, maintain our buildings, providing business services – and more.
The January 24 meeting recording is on the FCPS You Tube channel. The presentation slides are found on the following link, and scrolling down to the PDF icon.
Information, and all budget documents, is on this FCPS website: https://www.fcps.edu/budget/budget-documents.
The School Board will vote to adopt an “advertised” budget on February 9 – this is the budget that then gets considered by the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, who control the total revenue available for all county services, including FCPS. The process continues with an ultimate adoption of the approved budget by the School Board on May 25. This budget then goes into effect on July 1, 2023 for the year ahead.
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Adult Panel Discussion - Preparing Families for Difficult Conversations about Alcohol & Drugs
The FCPS Student Safety and Wellness Office, along with each pyramid’s Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS), will be presenting an in-person, adult-only panel discussion designed for parents/caregivers of students in 5th grade through high school. Receive basic information about alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioids; learn what caregivers can do; and identify and connect with community resources.
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Westfield Pyramid - Monday February 6, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. @ Westfield Lecture Hall G108/G109
- Centreville + Mountain View Pyramid - Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m @ Centreville Lecture Hall.
- Oakton Pyramid - Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.@ Oakton Lecture Hall 2240/2242.
- Annandale + TJHSST Pyramid - Monday, March 6, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. @ Annandale Library 131
Division-wide Virtual Event:
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Invest in FCPS with Your Annual Sponsorship!
Calling all businesses! Your corporate Annual Sponsorship will have an immediate and sustained impact on our students, our future workforce, and our county. Businesses that invest in Educate Fairfax and FCPS not only develop their own future talent pipeline but position their company favorably with local customers and their community.
Educate Fairfax believes in the power of community partnerships to strengthen public schools and help students achieve success. Strong public schools are the bedrock of a vibrant community.
This year, part of your sponsorship will be an investment in our newest fund, the Innovators Fund, which will inspire STEAM learning, creativity, and exploration at all levels in FCPS.
Find out more about sponsorship opportunities and their impact on our website. THANK YOU!
Student Opportunities
Girls Who Code AI Challenge and Summer Immersion Programs!
 This spring, Girls Who Code is challenging our students and community to create a project that explores how AI can be used for good. You can record a song about algorithmic bias, animate a short on automation, or code a game. The sky's the limit. To learn more about eligibility and how to enter visit https://bit.ly/3HuZrdr hq.girlswhocode.com. Submit your project on HQ by March 28!
GWC Summer Immersion Programs:
In our 2-week Summer Immersion Program for current 9th-11th graders, you’ll join live virtual classrooms where you’ll learn the fundamentals of game design, UX, the iterative design process, and more. You can even apply for tech access and grants of up to $300 for financial support!
In our 6-week Self-Paced Program for current 9th-12th graders, you’ll learn to code through independent study and real-world projects. By the end of the program, you’ll earn beginner-level certificates of completion in HTML, CSS, or JavaScript for web development or intermediate-level certificates of completion in Python for Cybersecurity or Data Science.
What are you waiting for? Apply now before the early application deadline of FEBRUARY 15 for priority consideration. https://bit.ly/3QMAbma.
National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest
The National Wildlife Federation’s National Wildlife Photo Contest is accepting entries through March 26, 2023. Students between the ages of 13-17 may enter in the Young Habitat Photographers category. Learn more about NWF’s National Wildlife Photo Contest and how to get a fee waiver.
NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge
NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge opened for entries on Jan. 6, 2023 and close on April 28. The judges will choose winners in two categories: grades five through eight and grades nine through 12. Entries must be submitted by an educator or a student leader who's 18 years old or older. And don't forget all the tips, advice and lesson plans we've compiled over the years and read more here.
Young American Creative Patriotic Arts Scholarship Competition
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary is sponsoring its annual Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. Students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to participate in two competitions: a 2-dimensional competition and a 3-dimensional competition. More information may be found on the VFW Auxiliary website. The deadline to submit artwork is March 31, 2023.
Anyone interested in participating should contact the VFW organizers at bettinalawton@gmail.com or pattybortz@gmail.com no later than March 1, 2023.
Parent Resource Center February Webinars
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.
Register for Meet the Author Series All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum by Kathy Hoopmann
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
Register for Neurdoversity at Elementary Schools
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.
Register for Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education
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.
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.
Register for Supporting Mental Health Through Play
Mental Health Resources for Students and Parents
This month's theme: Friendly February!
Be friendly to others and give your relationships a boost.
Go to Action for Happiness for ideas to help you take action for a happier and kinder world.
Healthy Minds Podcast
Hear about how we are all handling uncertainty; get new ideas to help your child, friends and families feel better; and learn to help yourself feel stronger and more energized
Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies
Feeling super stressed? Worried about a friend's mental health—or your own? Get tips to help manage your emotions and see what to do if you are in crisis.
Mental Health and Resiliency
Helping students to manage stress, make better choices, and develop healthy habits.
FCPS Parent Resource Center
Staff is available by phone 703-204-3941 or email prc@fcps.edu to help! Offers free workshops, consultations, a lending library, and more to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs and disabilities.
Federal Grant Will Support School-Based Mental Health Staff
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the first year of a five-year grant to Fairfax County Public Schools for $13.5 million, to support a School-Based Mental Health Services Grant project. The goal of the grant program is to increase the number of credentialed mental health service providers delivering school-based mental health services to students with demonstrated need. With the funding, FCPS will focus on enhancing the division’s recruitment and retention practices for mental health professionals, including school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers.
Filling Your Child’s Emotional Bank Account
Read the latest Healthy Minds blog to understand why relationships are like savings accounts, and how you can help build trust and security with your children.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
- Thursday, February 9, 7pm: Regular Meeting:
- Tuesday, February 21, 1:30pm: Work Session
- Thursday, February 23, 7pm: Regular Meeting
- Tuesday, February 28, 11am: Work Session
Please note, times and topics are subject to change.
*Public Hearing speaker sign up forms are forthcoming
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.
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.
New! For Spanish speakers, watch recorded School Board meetings or to watch live during the Regular Meetings on YouTube, you may visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the QR code. |
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Contacting Me
To contact me, it is most helpful if you can please use the official School Board contact form. This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.
Use this link to sign up for our Newsletters.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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