|
To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
如果您想以其他语言阅读此新闻时讯请访问我们的网站。
이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.
.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى
Dear Dranesville Families:
I want to share more information about the Kent Garden ES Community Meeting on April 26 at McLean HS. In my last newsletter, I have also included an update from Principal McGuigan and Dr. Zuluaga, Region 2 Assistant Superintendent.
Elaine
Kent Gardens ES Community Meeting- April 26
McLean HS (633 Davidson Rd, McLean)- Cafeteria
The public is invited to a community meeting on April 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at McLean High School to address capacity challenges at Kent Gardens Elementary School. This meeting will be held in the school cafeteria, and will explore options including boundary scope changes. The public will have the opportunity to provide input about these options as well as the schools and communities that could be involved in the boundary scope.
The amendment to the FY 2024-28 CIP adopted by the School Board in February enables staff to begin the community engagement identified in School Board Policy 8130 and Regulation 8130, for Local School Boundaries and Program Assignments. More information on the process is available in Regulation 8130.
FCPS staff will present an option for the boundary scope to the school board for approval. There is currently no designated date for this action. The next opportunity for public input on this process will be in the fall. Community meetings will be held for all schools and communities identified in the boundary scope.
Information to address questions and feedback has been posted to the Kent Gardens Capacity Challenges webpage.
Kent Garden ES Update
Dear Kent Gardens Families:
We have some good news to share regarding the facilities at Kent Gardens Elementary School. We want to thank you once again for your feedback and your care for the school community, and we appreciate all your input. A summary of key topics and answers to common questions have been added to the Kent Gardens Elementary School Capacity Challenges webpage.
We are now moving forward with short and long-term approaches to alleviate overcrowding at the school. Since any program changes or boundary adjustments will likely be phased in, we will not solve the overcrowding issue overnight. Phasing will potentially require a multi-year time frame before any change we decide on will be in full effect. Given this fact, we must deal with the capacity challenges in two phases.
SHORT-TERM PHASE
The short-term plans for facility improvements will take place before school starts in the fall of 2023, they include:
- Removal of seven old trailers behind the school.
- Refurbishment of the back area where the trailers are currently located into an outdoor classroom space (this will take planning and time over the next year or two).
- Installation of a quad trailer with four classrooms to the left of the playground and a duplex trailer with two classrooms next to the existing duplex trailer.
- In addition, maintenance will be done on the existing bathrooms to ensure that all plumbing features (toilets, faucets, etc.) are in proper working order for the 2023-24 school year.
 You will begin to see staging for this process as soon as next week during spring break. We want to begin trailer removal and construction of the new classroom spaces as soon as school ends this year to make sure we are ready for school to start in the fall.
LONG-TERM PHASE
We will continue discussions about the best way to alleviate the overcrowding at the school at a community meeting on April 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at McLean High School. This meeting will inform the community about the scope of possible program and boundary changes. The public will have the opportunity to provide input about the schools and communities that could be involved in the boundary study.
FCPS staff will present recommendations on the schools and communities to be involved in the boundary study to the School Board for approval, with any changes to be implemented for the 2024-25 school year. At this time, a date has not been scheduled for the boundary study to be presented to the School Board.
Our process will follow Regulation 8130: This regulation guides any closing or consolidation of school facilities, as well as all adjustments of school attendance areas, special program service areas, and special program locations affecting 15 percent or more of a school's membership. Our meeting on April 26 is a step in Task 2: engaging affected communities.
At this meeting, staff will provide a brief background on the capacity challenges and actions taken since the last meeting with the Kent Gardens community in October 2022. Upon conclusion of the presentation, the community will provide input via participant-led breakout groups on what schools and communities should be involved in the study. Staff and facilitators will be available to answer questions as groups work together. Staff will review this input to develop a recommendation to the School Board on the scope of the boundary study.
After the School Board approves the list of schools/programs to be included in the study, FCPS Facilities Planning staff will create various scenarios, and their impact on capacity, for presentation to public community meetings in the fall of 2023. There will not be any further community meetings this school year (SY 2022-23).
Community meetings will take place this fall to gather public input on the scenarios. A final recommendation will be presented to the School Board, followed by a public hearing, and then a vote by the School Board in fall 2023.
We were hopeful we would finish this process for implementation in the 2023-24 school year. However, to provide adequate time for analysis and school planning, implementation will take place in the 2024-25 school year.
Please keep informed about new developments in this process by monitoring our newsletters and the webpage on this topic. We hope to see you at the meeting on April 26th at McLean High School.
Regards,
Holly McGuigan, Principal
Fabio Zuluaga, Region 2 Assistant Superintendent
Calendar Reminders
-
April 13 End of Quarter | Early Release
-
April 14 Teacher Workday | No School
-
April 17-20 Earth Week Spirit Week
-
April 19 FCPS Purple Up Day | Supporting Our Military Families
-
April 21 Holiday- Eid al Fitr | No School
Thursday, April 13, is the quarter end and students will be released two hours early. There will be no classes for students on Friday, April 14, a student holiday and teacher work day. See the complete school year calendar.
|
Is your school celebrating Earth Week Spirit Week?
Share your Input on Draft Goals for FCPS’ New Strategic Plan
Join us for our final virtual community forum on Monday, April 17, from 6-7:30 p.m., and see how your feedback has helped shape the latest draft of the new FCPS Strategic Plan. The community forum is open to staff, students, parents/caregivers, and community members. Please register today.
We appreciate your continued involvement throughout every step of this important process. Together, we will help ensure a thriving future for each and every FCPS student. Visit our Strategic Planning webpage.
|
First Class Awards
The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should demonstrate the following skills/criteria:
- Modeling excellence in their role relative to special education
- Positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike
- Commitment to creating an inclusive environment and mindset
Please complete the 2023 Special Education Conference First Class Award Nomination Form to nominate an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in FCPS. Nominations close April 14.
MCC Spring Community Parking Lot Sale
The McLean Community Center (MCC) is holding a Spring Community Parking Lot Sale with up to 50 adult and youth sellers, it is sure to be one of the largest sales of the season. Find bargains at this festive parking lot sale with up to 60 vendors. Lighten the load and join your friends and neighbors as a vendor at this fun, community event. Residents selling household items are welcome. Limited commercial vendors or flea market dealers are also welcome.
Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MCC parking lot, (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean)
|
Herndon Park and Stream Cleanup Day- April 15
 Join the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department for some spring cleaning. The Parks & Stream Cleanup Day is a time to help pick up litter, remove non-native invasive plants, and refresh the town's parks, trails and public areas.
Saturday, April 15 at 8am-12pm
Runnymede Park (195 Herndon Parkway, Herndon)
Purple Up! Day- April 19
To show our support, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” on April 19 for military children. Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue.
FCPS Hall of Fame- April 19
Join Educate Fairfax and meet some of our most talented alumni as we induct the second class of the FCPS Hall of Fame! This year’s Hall of Fame members include an Army general, an ambassador, entrepreneurs, a scientist, a doctor and philanthropist, and non-profit leaders in Fairfax. Meet them all at this link. The celebration is April 19 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at the Tower Club-Tysons Corner (8000 Towers Crescent Dr Suite 1700, Vienna). Tickets are available here!
EcoCareers Summit Series- through April 20
The NWF EcoCareers Summit Series prepares high school students and young professionals for wildlife and sustainability careers by providing information on the latest EcoCareer trends from leading analysts and employers, clarifying career-enhancing credentials and academic offerings, and formulating a better understanding of the competencies employers seek in the green sector. The Summit runs through April 20, 2023.
MCA: Teen Character Awards Nominations
The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) is again sponsoring Teen Character Awards to recognize teens with exceptional ethical and compassionate character. Learn more and apply here.
Teens who have, on their own and without compensation or formal recognition, cared for elderly relatives or younger siblings, or who have helped out in their neighborhood or community (the Greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area), deserve to be recognized not only for themselves but as examples to others. The award will be presented on the outdoor stage at McLean Day- Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Applications must be sent to e-y_committee@mcleancitizens.org no later than Friday, April 21.
GW Parkway New Traffic Pattern- April 15
All George Washington Memorial Parkway traffic will shift to the northbound lanes between I-495 to Route 123 on Saturday, April 15, weather permitting. Drivers should follow traffic signs, respect the 40-mph speed limit, expect delays through narrow travel lanes and plan alternate routes.
To avoid traffic delays on the northern section of the parkway, drivers should consider alternate routes and plan for additional travel time. All lane closure hours, bridge work, and general construction information is available on their website.
Motorists exiting at the CIA Headquarters or Route 123 must remain in the right lane.
Weekday morning rush hour (5:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.)
- Two lanes southbound (toward Washington, D.C.).
- Drivers who need to exit at Route 123 or CIA Headquarters must use the right lane.
- One lane northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).
Weekday evening rush hour (2:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.)
- Two lanes northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).
- Drivers who need to exit at Route 123 or CIA Headquarters must use the right lane.
- One lane southbound (toward Washington, D.C.).
Weekdays (9:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. & 7:15 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.) and weekends
- One lane southbound (toward Washington, D.C.).
- One lane northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).
Upcoming School Board Meetings
-
Thursday, April 13, 7pm: Regular Meeting
-
Thursday, April 27, 6pm: ESSER Public Hearing
-
Thursday, April 27, 7pm: Regular Meeting
Please note, times and topics are subject to change.
How to watch meetings and to sign up to speak
FCPS en Español
For Spanish speakers: You can scan the QR code to watch recorded School Board meetings or watch Regular Meetings live on YouTube.
|
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.
© 2023 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
|
