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Upcoming Events
March 23: Cultural Observance Day: Ramadan begins Sunset 3/22 and continues until 4/21
April 3-7: Spring Break
April 13: Early Release End of Quarter
April 14: Student Holiday Teacher Workday
April 15: ANG fundraiser at Plastic Modelers Show
April 21: Cultural Observance Day: Eid al Fitr (begins sundown 4/20)
April 21: Teacher Work Day, Student Holiday
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Included in this issue:
Staff Spotlight!
- Juliana Woodill, NBCT, Music Teacher & Choir Director
Fairfax Lions Need to Know:
- Calendar Reminder: Spring Break & Main Office Hours
- Attendance Matters!
- Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
- High School Assessment and Grading Survey
- No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for Students
- Is Your Child Getting Enough Sleep?
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- Check the Lost & Found ~ all items will be cleared out after break!
- Parent Info Phone Line available in Eight Languages
- Update your Emergency Care info via weCare@school
- Asian Festival on Main 2023
- FHS Softball Fundraiser
- Spring Break and Teacher Work Day Camps
- Athletic Boosters Golf Tournament
- Connect - Contact - Reach Us
Fairfax HS PTSA
- Join the PTSA Board
- Parent Volunteers Needed this Testing Season
- ANG Tickets and Yard Signs on Sale
- Prom Dress Shop @ Centreville HS
Acceso de News You Choose en Español: Haga clic aquí.
March 24, 2023
Happy Friday Fairfax Family,
The daffodils are blooming, the daylight is remaining a bit longer, and the sun is shining daily, Spring has sprung into action, and we are "ROAR"ing at FHS. This week we hosted a Freshman Transition Night that offered curricular counseling, translation services, and much excitement for all of our rising 9th grade families. We welcomed our favorite furry friends for wellness and tummy rubs at lunch. We continue to ramp up March Madness with our student-lead Mario tournament and much fun.
Our Portrait of a Graduate focus this week was on creative and critical thinking. Our scholars are engaging in problem solving, inquiry, and demonstrating their learning in dynamic ways. As we visited Mr. Lopez's Spanish IV class we were delighted to see students delivering modern twists on age old dramas in the Spanish language. Mr. Barbour's students were digging deep into genetic composition and the probability of genetic traits. In our AVID class students were working on strengthening their community with team building. Mr. Yeo's students were determining limiting reactants in chemistry through mathematical analysis. The push to think deeper is evident!
Next week, is gearing up to be "Egg"cellent for students and staff as we instructionally egg hunt and will also showcase our Fashion Show.
Every Student, Every Strength, Every Day here at Fairfax High.
Yours in partnership,
Juliana Woodill, Music Teacher & Choir Director
Juliana Woodill is the choral director and a National Board Certified teacher here at Fairfax High School. She received her education at Westminster Choir College where she received dual degrees in Music Education and Musical Theater. She began teaching in 2009 and has taught music across all ages in Fairfax County Public Schools. Her choirs consistently receive superior ratings at local and state adjudications. In 2018, her choir, Bella Canzone, from then Lanier Middle School (now KJMS), performed at the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference. She guest conducts throughout the state for county and District events. She is also a clinician and trained adjudicator who judges auditions and assessments throughout Virginia. She has worked on the curriculum development team for choral music in Fairfax County and served as the President for the Fairfax County Choral Directors Association from 2019-2021.
Ms. Woodill is passionate about building a safe, welcoming community in the choral program. She is adamant that any student who wants to learn, no matter their current skills and abilities, can sing and grow as a choral student. She programs music from a variety of time periods and cultures to help students make connections to other classes, eras, and our wonderful Fairfax diversity! Last week at Choral Assessment, the advanced choirs received Superior ratings from all judges, and the intermediate choir received ratings of Superior and Excellent. With Superior ratings for all of our top music ensembles - Choir, Band, Orchestra - Fairfax High School is once again a Blue Ribbon School for musical excellence. Go Lions!
Congratulations, Ms. Woodill, we are very lucky to have you here! Thank you for all you do for our school community.
 FHS Advanced Chorus performs at assessment.
Calendar Reminder: Spring Break April 3-7
Schools and school offices will be closed Monday, April 3, to Friday, April 7. Students will return to school on Monday, April 10, 2023.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims congregate that morning for Eid prayers. The most common way to wish someone a Happy Eid al-Fitr is Eid Mubarak, which means “blessed feast” (or festival). Read more at Britannica.com.
FCPS has designated Eid al-Fitr as a religious and cultural observance day to allow students the opportunity to miss school for observances not already designated as school holidays. Eid al-Fitr is from sunset Thursday, April 20, to sunset Friday, April 21. April 20 is a half O Day, April 21 is a student holiday.
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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Please note that during Spring Break, the FHS front office will be open from 9am - 1pm, Monday - Thursday, and CLOSED on Friday, April 7. |
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
This year, spring break is April 3-7. We will be eager to welcome your children back in school on Monday, April 10. Their attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit our website for more attendance resources.
Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
Monday evening, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis hosted nearly 400 families, staff, and community members for a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. During this impactful event, audience members heard testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic and learned facts from medical experts and law enforcement representatives.
The conversation will continue on Monday, April 24, with our next community meeting on the critical topic of fentanyl danger and opioid awareness. More information is coming soon. Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for updates as they become available.
Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and how to get help for yourself or loved ones.
High School Assessment and Grading Survey
Instructional Services is conducting a survey to gather perceptions and preferences around assessments and grading elements. High school students, their families, and high school-based staff will be surveyed. Students and their families will be asked about their current classes and how they feel about assessment, grading, and grading practices and policies.
The survey results will be used along with information from student focus groups, research, best practices, and benchmarking to propose recommendations to the School Board later this spring. Surveys were sent Monday, March 20, and individuals will have until Friday, March 31, to respond. For more information, contact Michael Gillespie in Instructional Services at mlgillespie@fcps.edu.
No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for Students
FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to begin offering virtual mental health services to high school students via live video sessions. Starting Monday, April 10, parents/caregivers who have been struggling to find a therapist for their child or who notice changes in their child’s behavior will be able to connect them virtually with a licensed therapist.
Teletherapy services for students are short-term, evidence-based, and culturally-responsive.
Teletherapy is available on any device, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Therapists will be locally-licensed clinicians; 50% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC); and 40% of whom are bilingual. More than 15 languages are available.
Hazel Health’s licensed therapists can help students who are experiencing:
- Mood/behavior changes, lack of motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Bullying, sexual identity challenges, challenging peer and family relationships.
- Academic stress.
The first step for parents is to provide information through an opt-in form. Visit FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for details.
Is Your Child Getting Enough Sleep?
Research shows that sleep deprivation is widespread and can lead to serious consequences such as:
- Academic struggles and low grades in school.
- Impaired cognitive functioning and low standardized test scores.
- Emotional difficulties such as depression and anxiety.
- Behavior problems and inattention.
- Health problems including weight gain and asthma.
- Greater risk of injuries or automobile accidents.
How do you know if your child is getting enough sleep and how do you help them develop healthy sleep habits? Read the Healthy Minds blog.
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
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Lost & Found
If students have lost or misplaced any items at school, please have them check the Lost & Found area in the front office. It will be cleared out when we return from spring break, and any items not picked up will be donated to charity.
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Parent Information Phone Line Available in Eight Languages
 Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. They can also get support with communicating with their child's school.
Update your Emergency Care Information via weCare@school
Fairfax County Public Schools provides weCare@school (weCare), an emergency care information system, to parents/caregivers who have registered for their own parent account. weCare helps manage emergency medical information by allowing parents/caregivers to enter and update their children’s medical data online at their convenience. That contact information automatically enrolls parents/caregivers to receive critical updates from the district and their child’s school through the eNotify system. FCPS uses eNotify to communicate emergency, transportation, attendance, weather closing and delay, and essential outreach messages. Messages are sent by email, text, and occasionally by phone.
Learn more about updating your emergency care information.
Asian Festival on Main 2023
 FHS families are invited to attend the Asian Festival on Main 2023. This event will be held at Old Town Fairfax on May 21, 2023 from 12PM to 6PM. Student volunteers are also needed to support the festival, organized by Old Town Fairfax Business Association (nonprofit) and supported by Fairfax City. More information is available on our website https://asianfestivalonmain.com or sign up to help here: https://asianfestivalonmain.com/get-involved/#volunteers.
FHS Softball Fundraiser!
Softball is selling Flowers, Vegetables, Herbs, hanging baskets and flower bowls this spring as a fundraiser! More pictures and an order form can be found here: Softball Fundraiser Flyer & Form.pdf
Orders are due by April 1 and your items will be delivered to you sometime between 5/16-5/28. Orders can be placed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JVL2KFY
or email Annie Clark at Amonastero@aol.com for more information.
Spring Break and Teacher Work Day Camps
Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is offering camps during spring break (April 3-7) and FCPS teacher workdays (April 14 and April 21)! FCPA camps are held in recreation centers, parks, schools, and virtually. Categories include: Sports, performing arts, STEM, music, and others. Kids can explore a special interest or learn something new while making new friends. Register today.
Check out the Camps website for a complete list of options or browse the FCPA Spring and Summer Camp 2023 Guide (PDF).
Athletic Boosters Golf Tournament May 8 - Entry Fees go up April 10th!
HELP SUPPORT FAIRFAX ATHLETICS! Join us for a fun day of golf, food, prizes and auction, or help by purchasing a sponsorship for the 10th Annual Athletics Booster Fundraiser. All are welcome! Scan to code below or go to https://fairfaxhighsports.org/page/3310 to register or donate.
SIGN UP NOW! Entry fees go UP after April 10th!
For questions contact Miranda Adams at fhsboostergolftour@gmail.com. Thank you!
with us throughout the year by:
Fairfax HS PTSA
Table of Contents:
- Join the PTSA Board
- Proctor Volunteers Needed this Testing Season
- ANG Tickets and Yard Signs on Sale
- Prom Dress Shop @ Centreville HS
Join the PTSA Board!
The Fairfax High School PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) is looking for parents to serve on the Board during the 2023 - 2024 school year. Our goal is to have the Board reflect our school community and classrooms. Involvement is a big part of your student’s success and what better way than to be at the center! You will be surrounded by community members who are engaged in all aspects of Fairfax High School.
Positions available include: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Hospitality and Web Master.
Meetings are currently on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Everyone welcome, no previous experience necessary.
Please contact the nominating committee at Susan@skares.com if you are interested or want to find out more information.
Proctor Volunteers Needed
Fairfax High School is seeking parent volunteers to help proctor the AP exams being administered May 1-18th. We have many opportunities available to give our students a great exam session. Email or sign up for a time you can work during the school day even if it’s not the whole session:
FHS AP Testing Proctor SignUp
Please note that you cannot proctor an AP exam that your student is scheduled to take and you cannot be in the same room with any family member. If you have any questions, please email Leslie Trieu at latrieu@fcps.edu.
No Money Needed for Prom Dress Shop at Centreville High School
FCPS marketing students from Centreville High School and the Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall program will open their Prom Dress Shop on Friday, March 24, at Centreville High School. Since 2006, the dress shop has helped hundreds of financially challenged students attend prom in style each spring by providing dresses and accessories at no cost.
Any area student—not just those from Fairfax County Public Schools—who does not have the funds to purchase a prom dress may choose from hundreds of new dresses donated by Macy’s. Students must show a valid student ID, or another form of school identification, to choose a free dress on select days from Friday, March 24, to Sunday, May 7. See shop hours.
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Do you want to celebrate a Fairfax employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone. |
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