2023 March Newsletter
Dear FCPS Families and Community Members
As we approach the end of March, I am reminded of the wonderful experiences within FCPS. This past month alone, I have had the pleasure to visit our schools, examine our classrooms and hear the concerns of students and staff members alike. Once again, I was honored to participate in Read Across America events at Centreville Library and Camelot Elementary School. From the PTA-sponsored March Madness match between Lake Anne Elementary and Forest Edge Elementary to the Family
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Fun Night at Armstrong Elementary, the joy of connection within our community is evident. I was also thrilled to meet three high school students who have implemented an innovative nonprofit that seeks to publish books reflecting the diversity within our schools. Congrats to the student leaders of Ink Children’s Books.
I also look forward to our Special Education Town Hall on April 17th. FCPS Dr. Michelle Boyd, our Auditor General Esther Ko, and the Chair of Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities will join me for a discussion of the implementation of the recommendations of the three year Special Education study. Please save the date.
Best regards,
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 Inside this issue:
My Ongoing Work
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Special Education Comprehensive Review Virtual Listening Session, April 17, 7:00 - 8:15 p.m.
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School Board Forum Topic: School Resource Officers, April 11
Policy Update
- School Board Approves Collective Bargaining Resolution
Opportunities for Family and Community Feedback
Support Parent and Family Engagement
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Parent Information Lines Available in Eight Languages
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Does Your Child Qualify for PreK or Early Head Start?
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Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
Supporting Student Health and Wellbeing
Celebrating Excellence and Achievement
- Students from 15 FCPS High Schools win DECA Awards
Promoting School-Community Partnerships
- Support the 2nd Annual FCPS Hall of Fame
Community Reminders and Activities
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Recognizing Ramadan, March 22 -April 20, 2023
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Student-Run Non-Profit Ink Children’s Books
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Meet the Artists: Beverly Cosham, March 30
- Noche de Ciencias (Night of Science) 2023, April 12
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Register Now for Thomas Jefferson’s Techstravangaza, May 13
Join Me for Special Education Comprehensive Review Virtual Listening Session, April 17, 7:00 - 8:15 p.m.
 Register online to receive Zoom login credentials and instructions to submit questions before and during the event.
School Board Forum Topic: School Resource Officers, April 11, 11 am
On April 11, I am honored to co-sponsor a School Board Forum on the topic of School Resource Officers. Everyone’s goal is to create a safe environment in which all students can learn and thrive–and our team of School Resource Officers and School Security staff play a key role in making that happen.
The forum is an opportunity to discuss the extent to which law enforcement officers are adequately trained and equipped to respond given the cultural and neurodiversity of students in our schools. We will explore how to best address the concerns and questions of our students as we continue to provide safe, healthy and respectful learning environments. I hope you will join in this important community conversation.
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School Board Approves Collective Bargaining Resolution
At their March 9 meeting, the Fairfax County School Board voted to approve the FCPS Collective Bargaining Resolution. Collective bargaining is a process by which an employer (such as FCPS) negotiates with a group of employees (a bargaining unit) that is represented by a bargaining agent (such as a union or association) over terms and conditions of employment. Visit the Collective Bargaining webpage to learn more. Watch my board meeting remarks.
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Registration Open for Virtual Strategic Planning Community Forums
 We invite parents/caregivers, students, employees, and community members to join us for a virtual community forum to discuss the first draft of proposed goals for the new Strategic Plan. Forums are scheduled for Monday, April 10, at noon; Tuesday, April 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (in Spanish); and Monday, April 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Click on the date to register for the event.
Your participation is important to this work and will help ensure a thriving future for each and every FCPS student. Get more information on our Strategic Planning webpage.
Proposed Updates to the 2023-24 Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
Last week, we shared information about the Department of Special Services’ virtual meetings regarding proposed updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation for the 2023-24 school year. The meeting that was scheduled for Monday, March 27 is currently on hold. Please stay tuned for details.
Parent Information Lines 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 and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.
 Does Your Child Qualify for PreK or Early Head Start?
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start Programs provide a quality preschool experience with no cost to qualifying families who live in Fairfax County. Your family may qualify for preK or Early Head Start if you:
- Have a child who will be age 3 or 4 by September 30,
- Receive free or reduced-price school meals, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Social Security Income, and/or are considered homeless per definition of the McKinney Vento Act, or
- Receive resources such as from a shelter and/or the FCPS homeless liaison office.
Though many families may qualify, spaces are limited. Selection is based on need, not “first come, first serve”, with pre-K priority given to 4 year olds. It is important for all families to apply as soon as possible.
Early Head Start is for children 2 years of age and younger, and pregnant women who live in the Reston, Herndon, and Springfield areas.
Visit the Pre-K and Early Head Start webpage for more information, or call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
According to a recent study of elementary and middle schools, there’s a 5.8% difference between April and June attendance rates. Let's work together to end the school year successfully! Visit our website for more attendance resources.
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 No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for Students Starting April 10
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 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.
Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
On Monday, March 13, 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.
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Students from 15 FCPS High Schools win DECA Awards
 Two-hundred-three students from 15 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high schools were recognized as competitive event winners at the Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference. These students earned the right to compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference April 22-25. A complete list of winners is available on the FCPS website.
Support the 2nd Annual FCPS Hall of Fame
Educate Fairfax invites you to the 2nd Annual FCPS Hall of Fame ceremony to honor distinguished alumni from around the district. The event will be held on Wednesday April 19 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Tower Club in Tysons. Twelve (12) amazing graduates will be inducted. You can read about them here.
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Recognizing Ramadan, March 22 -April 20, 2023
This year, Ramadan began March 22. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year, a time for spiritual discipline for Muslims, who believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to Mohammed. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.
Ramadan began with a half “O Day” on March 22, followed by an O Day on March 23. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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Student-Run Non-Profit Ink Children's Books
Meet the Artists: Beverly Cosham, March 30
Thursday, March 30, 2:15 to 3:30 p.m., free event at the CenterStage, Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.
Celebrated Washington-area cabaret singer Beverly Cosham will perform favorite songs from the Great American Songbook and other favorites. Registration is required in advance or at the door.
Noche de Ciencias (Night of Science) 2023, April 12
Registration Open for Thomas Jefferson's Annual STEM Activity Fair
 TJ Techstravaganza, a free STEM activity fair that provides fun, hands-on labs and demonstrations for K-8 students.
This year, the 19th annual Techstravaganza will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 10 AM to 4 PM at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA. Students can register online.
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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