Important Dates, Constituent Opportunities, Thank a Teacher, and Parent Resource Center Update

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Important Dates, Constituent Opportunities, Thank a Teacher, and Parent Resource Center Update

Hello, Springfield District,

On Thursday, May 4th, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 6th, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., FCPS will hold instructional job fairs. Join our team to make a difference in the lives of our students!

Additionally, FCPS will host a community conversation around school safety and security on Monday, May 8th from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. In line with security for our students, please provide your feedback in the Virginia Safe Routes to School and Northern Virginia Opioid Response surveys.

Lastly, consider applying to serve on the School Board’s Audit Committee and learn about the newly renamed Parent Resource Center and its free webinars!

Read below for more information.

All my very best-

Laura Jane


🏫Instructional Job Fairs

FCPS is searching for educators with strong academic backgrounds and a passion for making a difference. FCPS is hosting two upcoming job fairs to meet hiring needs in instructional areas. The first instructional job fair will be held virtually on Thursday, May 4 (6:00 - 8:00 p.m.). The second job fair will be held in person at Lake Braddock Secondary School on Saturday, May 6 (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.). Registration is required.


🚍School Bus Driver Job Fair

Join FCPS’ Transportation Team! It’s a great opportunity to earn income with benefits for stay-at-home parents, retirees, college students, or career switchers.

A bus driver job fair will be held Wednesday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Lorton Center. Learn more about the job fairs.


Community Conversation: School Safety and Security

FCPS will host a community conversation to discuss our approach to safety and security, and the work we do every day to keep our schools safe. Join us Monday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South Lakes High School. Register for the Community Conversation.

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.


🚲Safe Routes to School Survey

How do students travel to school? How much physical activity are children in Virginia getting? 

If you're a parent or caregiver in Virginia, Virginia Safe Routes to School wants to hear from you! Take the Spring 2023 Parent Survey. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete, will be available in both English and Spanish, and will help parents and caregivers understand student travel and physical activity habits.


💊Northern Virginia Opioid Response Survey

Would you like to share your thoughts on the resources needed to address the opioid epidemic in Northern Virginia? The Northern Virginia Opioid Response Network is seeking input on potential uses of opioid settlement funds. Take the survey by Friday, May 12, 2023.


Fairfax County School Board Seeks Audit Committee Applicants

Fairfax County Public Schools invites applications from community members interested in serving on the School Board Audit Committee. Applicants must reside within the boundaries of Fairfax County or Fairfax City.  The Board will appoint two committee members for a term ending June 30, 2025.  

Applicants cannot be a current FCPS employee and must be able to understand general government processes and technical and complex financial reporting issues. Applicants should be knowledgeable about internal controls, financial statement audits, management and operational audits, and risk. The deadline to apply is Monday, May 15, 2023.  Get more information about the Office of the Auditor General and submit an application here.


Apple holding piece of chalk with "Teacher Appreciation" written on chalk board

Say “Thank You!” to Your Favorite Teacher

This week (May 8 to 12) is Teacher Appreciation Week. You may submit a recorded message thanking and celebrating our school’s amazing teachers and staff.

Your video message may be selected to share with our teachers and community on FCPS’ website and social media channels throughout Teacher Appreciation Week. Surprising our teachers and staff with these messages of gratitude and support is part of the fun, so keep your contribution under wraps until May.

More information and a submission form are available online. Please be aware, the submission form requires a Google account. If you do not have a Google account and wish to be part of the celebration, share your messages on social media and tag your school.


Welcome! The Family Resource Center, We're here to help!

Parent Resource Center 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 Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center

The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) is offering free parent webinars. They are:

Let's Talk About Grief: What To Say And How To Support Children And Adolescents Who Have Lost A Loved One

This presentation will provide information and guidance on how to talk about grief & loss with children and teens. Parents, guardians, and other supportive adults are welcome to join to learn about what they can do to support the grieving child in their life.

Webinar Highlights:

  • What to expect of a grieving child/teen
  • How to navigate conversations about grief & loss Legacy & meaning-making activities to do as a family
  • Resources for further support

May 5, 2023 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Presented by Jemma Stratton, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and pediatric oncology therapist with the Inova Life with Cancer program.

Register for Let's Talk About Grief: What To Say And How To Support Children And Adolescents Who Have Lost A Loved One

View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.

Equitable Access to Literacy: The Keys to Literacy Success

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) Plan outlines the division’s continuous improvement efforts to align practices with science-based reading research.

We are excited to share webinars for families to learn about the shifts that FCPS is making to improve literacy instruction.

Webinar Highlights:

  • What is the Science of Reading?
  • What is the Virginia Literacy Act?
  • How is the Equitable Access to Literacy Plan being implemented?
  • Why is this so important for my student’s reading life?

Thursday, May 11, 2023, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Elementary) Share this event with others.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Secondary) Share this event with others.

Presented by Tara Hewan, Carrie Leestma, and Natasha Saunders.

Elementary: Register for Equitable Access to Literacy: The Keys to Literacy Success

Secondary: Register for Equitable Access to Literacy: The Keys to Literacy Success

Portrait of a Graduate: The Keys to Success in Life: A Webinar for Families

In this session, families and caregivers will learn about the what, the why, and the how of the FCPS Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and skills.

Participants will walk away with tangible strategies for supporting their children in owning and growing these transferable 21st-century skills.

  • What are Portrait of a Graduate Skills?
  • Why are these skills important in school and life?
  • What is a Portrait of a Graduate Presentation of Learning (POG POL)? Why is POG POL an effective measurement tool?
  • How can you support at home?

Join Nishi Langhorne, Manager of Learning Innovations, FCPS Instructional Services for this important webinar.

May 12, 2023  10:00-11:30 a,m.

Register for Portrait of a Graduate: The Keys to Success in Life: A Webinar for Families

View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.

Meet the Author Series 1-2-3 MAGIC: The Basics: A Webinar For Families

Webinar Highlights:

  • The counting method The timeout
  • Common parenting mistakes
  • Tips for encouraging positive behaviors Strengthening your relationship with your child

May 19, 2023 10:00-11 a.m

Register for 1-2-3 MAGIC: The Basics: A Webinar For Families

View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.

SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! 

The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to:

  • Meet other siblings in a relaxed setting.
  • Celebrate the many contributions of brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
  • Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
  • Play games and have fun!

Saturday, May 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m.- noon at Madison High School

Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services

Register for SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! 


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.

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