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.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى
Dear Sully District Families,
Happy #TeacherAppreciationWeek! FCPS teachers continue to go above and beyond for our students and I am thankful for all the big and small things they do to instill a love for learning in all our students. When I was in the classroom, it was one of the hardest, most rewarding jobs I have ever done. Thank a teacher near you this week!
A heartfelt thank you as well to our amazing PTA/PTO/PTSA/PTSO's for organizing all the lunches, snacks, flowers, gifts and other recognitions for our teachers and staff. Our community's strong support of our schools and staff is truly incredible!
Keeping our students and staff safe is our top priority as a School Board. I was grateful to see Superintendent Michelle Reid’s presentation about safety and security at our Board meeting on April 27. She updated the School Board about increased security support for elementary schools, installation of 3000 enhanced door locks, construction of security vestibules, increased video monitoring, strengthened employee and school visitor screening, installation of speed cameras and stop arm cameras on school buses, evaluation of a weapons screening system and front office panic alarms, vape detection pilot program, and more. Watch the video of her presentation here.
 In July, the School Board expects to receive the result of an independent audit we commissioned to examine the safety and security policies and practices of the school division and all its buildings. This work is in addition to all our School Board has done around gun violence prevention over the past three and half years. FCPS also hosted a community conversation about safety and security in our schools, on May 8, at South Lakes High School to discuss our daily work to keep our schools safe.
My colleagues and I have also been working on several policy issues and initiatives to improve school food and nutrition and to continue to promote academic excellence.
Inside this newsletter:
I feel a sense of gladness and gratitude to be in a position to serve and lead this incredibly diverse Sully District community. I am happy to address questions or concerns via email or phone. You can reach me through this School Board contact form or you can call or sign up for my monthly constituent office hours. Please see my May Office hours in the newsletter below if you would like to schedule time to meet with me.
I am looking forward to seeing you at graduations and end of the year events in the weeks to come!
In partnership,
Stella Pekarsky
Visit to Rachel Carson Middle School & Colin Powell Elementary 20th Anniversary Celebration!
School Visit to Rachel Carson Middle School and Colin Powell Elementary 20th Annversary Celebration!
What an amazing 20th Anniversary celebration at Colin Powell ES! Thank you to Principal Luerssen and the incredible staff and volunteers who put together this joyful event of song and music and inspiring speakers. It was an honor and pleasure to share in this wonderful celebration with Superintendent Reid, Sully Supervisor Kathy Smith, former School Board member Mr. Ilryong Moon, the amazing staff (former and current), community members and students.
Thank you Principal Stokes as well for inviting me to visit Rachel Carson Middle School. It was a real pleasure seeing first hand all the hard work the teachers and staff have been putting in this year translate into wonderful programs that help our students succeed and thrive. I loved talking with them and seeing them engaged and learning!
Sully District Happenings
Community Visit to Korean Language School in Chantilly!
It was a pleasure to visit the Korean Language Saturday school last week at KCPC. Thank you Principal Sang Jun Han for the warm welcome and the tour! It was great to see FCPS students volunteering at the school as teacher aides and to get the parents/community feedback on our Korean language pathways. Many of these students are enrolled in the Korean Immersion Program at Colin Powell ES as well as Korean World languages courses. The goals of the FCPS immersion and World languages programs are to foster grade level academic achievement and develop bilingualism and biliteracy, as well as intercultural competence.
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Sully Students Leadership Field Trip to the White House!
I am so proud of our Student Council Association representatives from Colin Powell Elementary who took a Leadership Field Trip to the White House. The students were invited to the State Arrival Ceremony, hosted by President and Dr. Biden, honoring His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea, and Mrs. Kim Keon Hee.
Colin Powell is a two-way immersion program where native speakers of English and native speakers of Korean learn both languages in the same classroom. Students spend approximately half of each day learning mathematics, science, and health in Korean. The other half of the day is spent learning social studies, language arts, and reading in English. Our immersion teachers team with the grade-level teachers to integrate the total FCPS curriculum.
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Sully Students Selected for 2023 All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Selections - Congratulations!
So proud of the many Sully District students who auditioned and were selected for the 2023 All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra! In total, 167 students representing Fairfax County high schools were selected!
Participants will now have the opportunity to rehearse with nationally recognized conductors and collaborate with fellow musicians from throughout the Commonwealth.
To view the concert details and the full list of students selected, click here. #TheFutureIsBright
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Eight Students Awarded 2023 National Merit Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships
Eight Fairfax County Public Schools students have been awarded 2023 corporate-sponsored scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The students are part of a group of more than 840 National Merit finalists chosen to receive scholarships financed by corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. See the complete list in our web release.
33 FCPS students win DECA’s highest honors at the International Career Development Conference in Florida!
 Another shout out to 33 FCPS students from six of our high schools, including Sully District students, who earned DECA’s highest honors at the organization’s annual International Career Development Conference, held in Orlando, Florida, at the end of April. DECA is a career and technical student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs to be college- and career-ready. The competitions are designed to simulate real-life business scenarios and test students’ academic understanding and skills development. The full list of students is available on our website.
Constituent Meeting Hours in May
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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May is #AAPIHeritageMonth!
 Please join me in celebrating the rich histories, contributions, and cultures of the AAPI community in our very own Sully District and the rest of the country. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, celebrates the histories of Americans hailing from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, and across the Asian continent. People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. To celebrate their heritage and contributions, in 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Visit https://asianpacificheritage.gov/ to learn more about the many contributions and achievements of individuals within this diverse and varied group.
The City of Fairfax will also host a one-day, outdoor, family event on Main Street in Historic Old Town Fairfax City on Sunday, May 21, from noon to 6 p.m. (Rain date is June 4.) The event will highlight Asian heritage through food, arts and crafts, education, and performances. Learn more about the Asian Festival on Main.
Superintendent Reid's Academic Matters
In the fall of 2021, FCPS received $188.8 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding to support the safe operation of schools and address the impacts of COVID-19 on students.
FCPS has an intentional multi-year plan to ensure maximum value from the ESSER funding it received to assist with the post-pandemic recovery.
At the April 27 Regular Board meeting, Sloan Presidio, Chief Academic Officer for FCPS, presented the proposed ESSER expenditures for the 2023-24 school year, the last year of ESSER funding. This funding is in addition to the FCPS operating budget and is specifically targeting the impacts of COVID-19.
The proposed plan presented at the recent School Board Meeting is intended to maximize the dollars remaining in our funding. At least 20% of the funding must be spent toward unfinished learning. The proposed plan has nearly 80% of ESSER funds allocated to support student learning needs.
In FCPS those funds have been used toward expanded summer learning and tutoring services directed to the students with greatest academic need. More than 30,000 students participated in summer learning programs the last two years. And in a single year, about 40% of students deemed to need the highest degree of intervention saw marked improvement through high impact tutoring—a tutor working with small groups of students over a prolonged period of time.
Some of the recommended projects for remaining funding include the continuation of special education teacher contract funding, funding school-based wellness and SEL staff; academic interventions both at the school-level and through centrally assigned academic tutors; summer learning programs; school health coordinator; and a provider to address chronic absenteeism.
Final Feedback Opportunity on Draft Strategic Plan
 If you haven’t already, please participate in the final opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Strategic Plan goals, measures, and pillars. Take the survey today! Feedback will be reviewed by the School Board at their May 9 retreat. It will also be discussed at the May 25 Board meeting. The survey will close Wednesday, May 17. Visit FCPS’ website to learn about the strategic planning process.
Student Opportunities and FCPS Summer Camps!
 Registration for FCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps closes on Friday, June 9. Tuition is waived for students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 7-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA webpage to register.
Institute for the Arts Camps (IFTA)
IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual arts. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.
Credit Recovery Academy Registration
Registration is open for the 2023 Summer Credit Recovery Academy. The academy provides an opportunity for students to recover one high school course credit. Students may not take these courses for new course credit. In addition, the Credit Recovery Academy provides an opportunity for students to take one of several selected Standards of Learning (SOL) or WorkKeys tests.
Students will attend class in person at Hayfield Secondary School, or Marshall, Oakton, or South Lakes high school. Courses are free, and transportation is provided.
STEM Scholarships for Young Women
Three $5,000 awards available. Deadline: May 23, 2023
Women in STEM make up 27% of the STEM workforce, despite women workers as a whole making up 48% of the workforce.
Over the past fifty years, efforts have been made to increase female representation in STEM. The efforts have thus far been successful, but now is not the time to let up on this progress. Women are being encouraged to pursue STEM more now than ever before.
The Young Women in STEM Scholarship looks to encourage the future generation of women in STEM fields, especially those coming from low-income backgrounds. Female high school seniors and undergraduate students that are from a low-income household and are pursuing a degree in STEM can apply.
Learn more this scholarship online.
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Parent Family Resource Is Now the Family Resource Center
FCPS’ Parent Resource Center has changed its name to the Family Resource Center (FRC), as a way to acknowledge and support the broad diversity of families in our community. The FRC continues to offer a wide range of essential resources and education for caregivers and students including:
Families can find printable resource guides and details about the center’s free lending library on FRC’s homepage. They may also sign up to receive the FRC newsletter for updates on webinars, resources, and other information. If you have questions, please contact the FRC via email at frc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941.
Upcoming FRC Webinars
The FRC is hosting the following upcoming webinars. Events are virtual unless stated otherwise:
Click on the titles above for more information or to register for a webinar. Check out the May webinars at the Family Resource Center!! Registration is available online.
Mental Health Resources for Students and Parents
This month's theme: Meaningful May
Let's find ways to be part of something bigger.
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.
Free Student Bus Passes
 All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses 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 the Student Pass online. Complete the application and return it to your school office.
Students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church, and Marshall High Schools, and Davis Center can ride Metrobus for free, in addition to Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE. Visit the website to learn more about the passes and approved Metrobus routes. Complete the application and return it to your school office.
Starting this month, the Fairfax Connector has expanded their fare free service to include riders 12 and younger (when accompanied by a paying adult).
Limit Food Waste - Care to Share Toolkit
Get2Green has partnered with the Fairfax Food Council to introduce a Care to Share Toolkit that schools can use to rescue acceptable, unwanted and unopened foods from the cafeteria trash. This food is then confidentially redistributed to families in need within the school, or to local food pantries. Eliminating food waste is crucial in addressing the growing problem of food insecurity.
The Care to Share Toolkit provides guidelines that individual schools can adapt to their schools' unique resources. Schools that have implemented this program have done so with the collaboration of school staff, the PTA, school nurses and aides, student clubs, cafeteria staff, parents, and student volunteers. School's should consider their own unique resources to identify who might be best situated to implement a version of Care to Share. To learn how other schools have resolved resource issues in implementing this program, please contact the Fairfax Food Council at fairfaxfoodcouncil@fairfaxcounty.gov.
View this wonderful 2 minute video of students explaining the value of food share.
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Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Tuesday, May 9, 10am: Retreat
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Thursday, May 11, 7pm: Regular Meeting
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Tuesday, May 16, 6pm: Budget Public Hearing
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Thursday, May 18, 10am: Budget Work Session
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Thursday, May 25, 7pm: Regular Meeting
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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