FCHS News & Announcements - 4/24/23

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Important Dates

  • 4/24 - PTSA Meeting (7:00 pm, Library/Hybrid)
  • 4/27-4/28 - The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (see announcement below)
  • 5/8-5/12 - Staff Appreciation Week
  • 6/8 - Graduation (9:30 am, Eagle Bank Arena)

Attendance Matters!

Student 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 FCPS’ website for attendance resources.

Please remember to notify the school when your child will be out.

Attendance Voicemail 703-207-4019 or Attendance Online Form 


Congratulations...

To Special Education Teacher Allie McCool for being selected as the Region 2 Outstanding New Teacher!!

Allie will now move on to the next level and compete with the outstanding new teachers from all five regions.

Go Allie! We are so lucky to have you in the Jaguar Family!

allie

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Falls Church High School's Spotlight Theatre Company is presenting THE LION, THE WITCH and THE WARDROBE April 27-29.

Show starts at 7PM.  Ticket link is here:  https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15620/falls-church-high-school-theatre/

In collaboration with Chef Payne and the Culinary arts program at Falls Church High School, we are offering TEA TIME IN NARNIA one hour before the Friday and Saturday shows.  Menu will include Mrs. Beaver's stew, Tumnus's Tea Sandwiches, and sweets from The White Witch. 

Just the show:   $8 for students, $12 for adults

With Tea Time meal (starting at 6PM Friday and Saturday evening and 1PM for the Saturday matinee): $20 for students, $25 for adults.


Tutor.com Services for All Students

Does your student need help with homework or preparing for a test? Don’t forget, FCPS students still have no-cost access to Tutor.com 24/7. Do you have questions about the service? View this FAQ.


From our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS)

Drug Additives to Be Aware of: Xylazine“Tranq”

In our continuing efforts to educate the community, we have been tracking a new trend in the region known as Xylazine or Tranq. Tranq, a non-opioid tranquilizer, is often mixed with other drugs giving the user a fentanyl-like high for an extended period of time. Considering the rise in opioid-related overdoses, it is important to know about various additives such as fentanyl and tranq that can be mixed in, unbeknownst to the user. Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer which is not approved by the FDA for human consumption; it affects the central nervous system by suppressing breathing and slowing down vital functions in the body. Tranq has recently been detected in several fatal overdoses related to cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl in unsuspecting users. Narcan/Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, will not reverse the overdose in a person who has taken Tranq thus resulting in potential death. Continued use has  resulted in lesions, ulcers, and other health related issues resulting in loss of limbs from untreated abscesses.

While alarming, education is key to keep our communities safe. Here is some recent data showing the trend in our region. Xylazine was present in 19% of drug overdoses in Maryland in 2020 alone; with trends increasing in Pennsylvania by 26% and in Connecticut by 10%. In areas of higher populations Xylazine has been present in 1 of every 5 deaths that have been reported. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Xylazine was present in 64.3 % of deaths when it was detected. 38 states including the District of Columbia have seen a rise in “Tranq” in and around their communities. 

For more information please, contact myself or the Student Safety & Wellness Office at (571) 423-4270. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @FCPSSAPS. 

Sources & Resources:

NIH: Xylazine

DEA: Xylazine  

DEA: Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine 

CDC: Xylazine

Overdoses in Philadelphia

FCPS Webinar: Everything You Need To Know About Opioids

For further Information & support

Anna Teeter

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

amteeter@fcps.edu


Save the Date! Safety and Security Town Hall

On Monday, May 8, FCPS will hold a town hall to discuss our approach to safety and security and the work we do every day to keep our schools safe. FCPS staff and experts will review our risk assessment processes, the physical measures we already have in place to protect our students and staff, pilot programs to detect vaping, and how we communicate and collaborate with our partners when there is an incident at our schools. Please stay tuned for additional details.


Register for the Special Education Conference

The FCPS Special Education Conference will take place on Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m.This year's theme is Unity Within Our FCPS Community. Registration is now for this virtual event. Watch this short video to learn more about the event, including guest speakers. We encourage registrants who need language assistance to call the Parent Information Phone Lines.


Advanced Placement Exam Review

Virtual Review Sessions for Students led by FCPS Teachers

Want to get a new perspective on your AP Course? Ready to review for your upcoming AP Exam? 

Virtual review sessions are available for any FCPS student in nine AP subjects. Sessions will be conducted by experienced FCPS AP Teachers who are also scoring the AP exam this spring, so they know their content well!! Find the AP subject, dates/times of the review sessions in the table below. 

To participate in a review session:

  • Join the Schoology Group “ISD- Advanced Placement Exam Review Sessions 2023” using Access Code: SF44-ZJ4B-ZMKKG
  • Access the Zoom review session via the Schoology Group.

For directions on how to join a Schoology Group,click here. 

For directions on how to access a Zoom meeting via Schoology, click here (students will join Zoom from the Schoology Group).

Questions?

Email Rebecca Small, High School Specialist, Advanced Academic Programs:  rdsmall@fcps.edu


young scholars

Student Bus Passes

Did you know: All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE bus for free. Fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year, with the pass. Learn more about Student Pass online. Complete the application and return it to your school office. 

Additionally, Connector and Metrobus are issuing SmarTrip cards to students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church, and Marshall High Schools, and the Davis Center for use on specific routes in Northern Virginia. Visit the website to learn more and view the routes. Complete the application and return it to your school office.

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Useful Links/Information

FCHS Bell Schedule

Schoology

SIS ParentVUE

FCPS 22-23 School Year Calendar


FCPS Cares

FCPS Cares

Do you know a Falls Church HS or FCPS 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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