Important Dates
- 5/8-5/12 - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
- 5/8-5/12 - AP Exams
- 5/15-5/19 - SOL Exams (See schedule below)
- 5/17 - Getting to Know FCHS (6:30 pm, LJMS Cafeteria, see announcement below)
- 5/20 - Prom
- 6/8 - Graduation (9:30 am, Eagle Bank Arena)
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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
FCHS Student Named Peace Award Winner!
Lucia Patino Iporre
Lucia Patino Iporre, an immigrant from Bolivia, saw that lack of English language skills significantly affects other students’ ability to participate in high school life. She started translating the student activity bulletins and other school documents into Spanish. This practice was ultimately extended by the staff using Google Translate into translations for Vietnamese and Urdu speakers, the next two most widely spoken non-English languages at her school. Lucia also asked student club officers to encourage non-English native speaking students to participate in clubs and to try out for sports. She was especially delighted when a friend made it to varsity soccer, a team he had not previously realized was open to him. Lucia and the other two Equity Ambassador leaders at Falls Church High School are starting a student equity council so that students will have a safe space to express their ideas to the school administration.
SOL Test Schedule*
Monday, May 15: Upperclass students with test conflicts
Tuesday, May 16: Algebra 1 SOL
Wednesday, May 17: Geometry, Algebra 2, Chemistry, Earth Science SOL's
Thursday, May 18: Reading SOL
Friday, May 19: Biology SOL
*Seniors or students with accommodations may test at other times
Technology Update: We Need Your Help!
Parents, please remind your students to bring their school issued laptops to school everyday this week and restart them.
Thank you!
Getting to Know Falls Church High School
Falls Church High School in partnership with Luther Jackson Middle School invites families of 8th grade students to attend. Thank you to LJMS for supporting the presentation during our renovation. All incoming freshman families for the 23-24 school year, regardless of current school are invited (Poe, Glasgow & Private or homeschool).
Join us to learn more about the difference between Middle School and High School, academics, schedules, clubs, sports, staff, and support.
This is a great opportunity to get answers to your questions about credits, GPAs, and more!
When: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Luther Jackson Middle School / Cafeteria
English – Spanish interpretation and snacks available.
Questions? Contact Carolina Dotel at ccdotel@fcps.edu, or call 703-207-4074
No-Cost Hazel Health Teletherapy for High School Students
At last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Reid presented on FCPS’ partnership with Hazel Health to offer teletherapy to high school students at no cost. Hazel’s therapists can help students address:
- Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
- Anxiety, worry, fears
- Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
- Academic stress
“Hazel Health has been surprisingly user-friendly for both staff and families,” says Sara Brewer, a school counselor at West Potomac High School. “We were skeptical that it sounded too good to be true, as it offers services for ALL families (including those that need language support for intake services). We were pleasantly surprised that our first referral was processed within THREE days because the family was so responsive and appreciative.”
How to Access Hazel Health Teletherapy Services
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Have you set up your high school student for free mental health therapy?
In order for high schoolers to participate in teletherapy services, caregivers must complete three steps:
- Give permission for FCPS to share basic demographic information with Hazel in ParentVUE.
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Consent for Hazel Mental Health services.
- Students must be referred to therapy by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services.
Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!
Do you have questions or concerns about Fairfax County Public Schools? If so, reach out to the Office of the Ombuds, an independent, impartial, informal, and confidential resource for employees, parents/caregivers, students, and the community. Ombuds staff members are eager to listen and assist with navigating the school division. They will also offer options and resources to help resolve challenges.
Contact the Office of the Ombuds at 571-423-4014, at ombuds@fcps.edu, or via the “Submit a Question” button on their webpage. The team looks forward to serving you!
From our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS)
Mental Health Awareness Month
The month of May is a time to pause and raise awareness of the fact that many people live everyday with mental and behavioral health issues and there is a need to reduce the stigma attached with the experience. Post-COVID the reality is that millions of Americans are dealing with an increase in mental, behavioral, and substance misuse illnesses in their families (NAMI). Additional mental health challenges by the COVID-19 pandemic have also increased youth related substance use, mental health struggles, and suicide (HHS). According to HHS, suicide is still the second highest cause of death in youth ages 10 to 14 and adults from ages 24 to 35. This prompted the July 2022 launch of 998 the new three digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 call, text, and chat access to crisis counselors. It is for anyone experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crises or emotional distress. Concerns about loved ones may also be addressed using the 988 dialing code. SAMHSA has described the new 988 dialing code as an important step in transforming how crisis and trauma situations are handled in the United States. Please note that the 800-273-8255 number still works, 988 is just built off of the 10-digit number.
Resources:
Substance Use Prevention and Encouraging Healthy Brain Development
Together for Mental Health
Fact Sheet: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month 2022
988 Frequently Asked Questions
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @FCPSSAPS.
For further Information & support:
Anna Teeter
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Amteeter@fcps.edu
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.
Student Bus Passes
Useful Links/Information
FCHS Bell Schedule
Schoology
SIS ParentVUE
FCPS 22-23 School Year Calendar
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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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