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.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

Hello, Springfield District!

As I write this, we are officially one month away from the end of the school year. I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone by and while I’m ready for summer, I’m not quite ready to come to terms with having a kid in college (for those of you attending the LBSS graduation, I’ll be the one on stage with a box of tissues in each hand). The combination of senior prom and Mother’s Day this weekend really had me reflecting on my nearly 18 years as a mom. Like every parent, I have tried my very best, but I have no doubt that I’ve let my kids down in any number of ways. We’ve had pizza for dinner twice this week, dishes piled in the sink, had to search the house for almost an hour for a band shirt that was discovered crumpled in the hamper, and there is NEVER EVER enough time.

Every year for Mother’s Day, my kids write a note to me in my journal. This year they said, “I hope you know that I will always support and love you no matter what.” “Thanks so much for always being here for me and supporting me.” I share these as a reminder to all of us that, even when we’re not the perfect parents we hope to be, our kids still see us. So, hug and kiss them and just keep swimming and try not to be so hard on yourself. Happy Mother’s Day.

Last month I had an awesome visit to the Lewis Leadership and Pathways to Accessing Community Environments (PACE) Programs. I just can’t get over the amazing things happening in our schools as they work to build and engage student voice. I was particularly moved by a student’s reflection on his learning journey this year, “I used to think that only adult voices matter. Now I know that I can change the world.”. Our PACE students are exploring pathways to meaningful community involvement and careers with an awful lot of fun thrown in. I’m really excited to help find more ways to connect all our students to work opportunities in our community.

Lewis High School Principal Alfonso Smith, Lewis Leadership Program Manager Deborah March, and I; writing my wish for the class; and attending a Lewis class.

Lastly, I wanted to take an opportunity to share this important message (and video) from our Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) about a near-fatal crash involving a teen driver that occurred Monday, May 1st on the Fairfax County Parkway.

Thankfully, this crash did not result in tragedy, but it so easily could have destroyed the lives of everyone involved.

FCPD recommends, "Parents and guardians should consider using this video as an opportunity to have a conversation with their teen drivers about how their driving behavior can affect the lives of others.” The FCPD also shares, “This is an important reminder that life can change in an instant. It is the driver’s responsibility to drive safely and arrive safely.”

Their message also serves as a valuable reminder for all drivers, regardless of age or driving experience. Please see their complete message below.

As always, I am beyond grateful to represent our amazing community,

Laura Jane

This newsletter includes information on the following issues:

• Upcoming School Board Meetings
• School Board Work
• Superintendent Board Briefings
• 2023 Graduation Schedule
• FCPS News
• Student Opportunities
• Summer Opportunities
• Community News
  • Near-fatal Teen Driver Crash
• Springfield District Scene
• New Principals
• Family and Student Resources
• What’s in a Name?
• Quick Links

Upcoming School Board Meetings

• May 16 at 6:00 p.m. - Public Hearing: Fiscal Year (FY) 24 Budget
• May 18 at 10:00 a.m. - Work Session: FY24 Office of Auditor General Risk Assessment and Audit Plan, FY24 Budget, and Strategic Plan
• May 18 at 6:00 p.m. - Public Hearing: FY24 Budget (if needed)
• May 23 at 5:00 p.m. - Work Session: PreK and Early Head Start Parent Policy Committee and Student Rights & Responsibilities
• May 25 at 7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Greenbriar West Elementary School Playground Naming Proclamation, Colin Powell Elementary School 20th Anniversary Proclamation, FY24 Approved Budget, etc.
• May 31 at 4:30 p.m. - Work Session: Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee, Foundation for Applied Technical Education, and Facilities Planning Advisory Committee Reports
• June 15 at 6:00 p.m. - Recognitions: Virginia High School Leauge State Champions
• June 15 at 7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Strategic Plan, Proposed 2023 School Bond Referendum, etc.
• June 20 at 10:00 a.m. - Work Session: Educational Equity Policy and Policy Governance Retreat
• June 22 at 10:00 a.m. - Work Session: Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities, Career & Technical Education Advisory Committee, Title 1 Parent Advisory Committee, and Human Resource Advisory Committee Reports
• June 26 at 7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Student Rights and Responsibilities, Educational Equity Policy, etc.
• June 27 at 2:00 p.m. - Work Session: Special Education Enhancement Plan and Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee, School Health Advisory Committee, Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee, and Committee Reports

Please note that times and topics are subject to change.

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.

For Spanish speakers, to watch recorded School Board meetings, or live during regular meetings, visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the below QR code.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones de Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las Reuniones Ordinarias en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.

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.

School Board Work

ESSER Budget Approved 

At the May 11 regular meeting, the School Board approved the budget for using federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding to help address the impacts of COVID-19 on students by addressing their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. ESSER III funds are now allocated for FY22, FY23, and FY24. 

Student Rights and Responsibilities Updates

The Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) regulation is the framework stating expected student conduct and levels of disciplinary action when needed. The Board reviews the Superintendent’s proposed changes annually for adoption in the next school year. Families receive this information annually and sign a form stating that they’ve reviewed the regulation themselves, and with their students.

Updates to the proposed changes to the SR&R document were presented at the May 11 public Regular Meeting of the School Board. Note that among the proposed updates, the Superintendent is proposing updates to the dress code. The Board will hold a Work Session to further discuss the proposed changes on May 23 from 5:00-8:30 p.m. (the SR&R portion of the Work Session begins at 6:00 p.m.). Materials will be posted on Board Docs prior to that meeting. The Board is scheduled to approve the 2023-24 SR&R on Monday, June 26, 2023.

View more information on BoardDocs.

Recommended Adjustments to the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Approved Budget reflects a projected decrease of $18.6 million in state revenue, as compared to FCPS’ FY 2024 Advertised Budget projection. The projected decrease is based on the impact of the General Assembly’s substitute budget adopted on February 25, 2023, also known as the skinny budget. The substitute budget addresses the impact of K-12 technical adjustments related to average daily membership (ADM) changes, sales tax revenue forecast changes, and program participation rate updates. Changes to the state budget adopted after the FY 2024 Approved Budget will be recognized as part of a future quarterly budget review.

Superintendent Reid presented a list of recommended adjustments to balance the FY 2024 Approved Budget during the May 11 School Board Meeting. 

School Board Addresses Threat of Fentanyl and Substance Abuse, Considers Recovery High School

On May 11 the Fairfax County School Board approved a proposal to conduct a comprehensive review of Fairfax County Public Schools regulations, policies, practices, and curriculum to ensure the school division is adequately addressing the threat of illicit drug use and fentanyl, and meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of students in recovery from substance use disorder. The proposal was co-sponsored by Providence District Representative Karl Frisch and myself. 

As part of this review, the Board is asking the Superintendent to consider the merits of various initiatives, including creating a recovery high school, providing students and staff with access to fentanyl testing strips, placing naloxone in all classrooms with appropriately trained classroom-based staff, offering naloxone training to high school students, partnering with local hospitals and health agencies to increase local residential and outpatient treatment options for minors, and helping families learn how to live with and support their students in recovery. 

Nearly 100 recovery high schools have opened since they first appeared in the late 1980s. When Chesterfield County Public Schools opened Virginia’s first recovery high school in 2022, media reports indicated the model increases the odds that teens will stay in recovery by making sure they are surrounded by like-minded students in a supportive environment. By integrating counseling and other support into the school day, the programs aim to prevent relapse, keeping kids on track to earn their diplomas. 

While current figures are not yet available, data from Fairfax County’s Opioid Dashboard indicates four local young people 17 years of age and under suffered fatal overdoses in 2022. Additionally, between January 1 and March 31 of this year, there were 17 non-fatal overdoses among the same age group — a startling trend for the first three months of the current year compared to the 27 non-fatal overdoses of young people during the entire previous year. 

A 2022 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found fentanyl-involved fatalities among adolescents on the rise. In addition, beginning in 2020, adolescents experienced a more significant relative increase in overdose mortality than the overall population, mainly attributable to fatalities involving fentanyl. In the context of decreasing adolescent drug use rates nationally, these shifts suggest heightened risk from fentanyl, which has variable and high potency. In Fairfax County, fatal overdoses by young people are driven almost entirely by fentanyl. 

Last year, an analysis from the National Institute on Drug Abuse indicated 11 percent of eighth graders, 21.5 percent of tenth graders, and 32.6 percent of twelfth graders reported using an illicit drug in the past year. Among teens, past-year use of cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, and nonmedical use of prescription drugs, is steady year-over-year, including 4.9 percent of eighth graders, 5.7 percent of tenth graders, and 8 percent of twelfth graders.

Special Education Annual Plan and Report School Year 2023-2024

At the April 27 regular meeting, the School Board approved the Special Education Annual Plan and Report for School Year 2023-2034.

The Department of Special Services (DSS) has completed the Local Special Education Annual Plan/Part B Flow-Through Application and Report for the 2023-2024 school year, as required by Public Law 108-446, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) State Superintendent's Memo #272-22, dated December 2, 2022. This report will be used by VDOE in preparing the state plan for special education. As required by VDOE, this report has been prepared and will be submitted entirely online in a VDOE-prescribed abbreviated format on a date, no later than May 12, 2023.

More information may be found on BoardDocs.

Superintendent Board Briefings

Third Quarter Trust Policy and Ombuds Reports

The Third Quarter Trust Policy and Ombuds Reports for the School Board may be viewed in the April 28, 2023, Board Briefing on BoardDocs.

Third Quarter Restraint and Seclusion Report

The Third Quarter Restraint and Seclusion Report for the School Board may be viewed in the May 5, 2023, Board Briefing on BoardDocs.

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Here are the graduation and transition ceremony dates for students who reside in the Springfield District.

FCPS News

An Update on ESSER Funding and 2023-24 Budget Proposal

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. 

At the April 27 regular meeting, Dr. Sloan Presidio, FCPS’ chief academic officer, 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 is intended to maximize the dollars remaining in our funding. At least 20% of ESSER funding must be spent toward unfinished learning. FCPS’ proposed plan has nearly 80% of ESSER funds allocated to support student learning needs. Read more about the plan.

✅Final Feedback Opportunity on Draft Strategic Plan

There only one day left to give input on FCPS' draft Strategic Plan. Please take our survey today, if you haven’t already. The survey will close Wednesday, May 17. Your voice matters! 

Visit FCPS' website for information on our strategic planning process. 

FCPS Increases Background Checks for Employees

Fairfax County Public Schools announced increased background checks for employees in a continuing effort to provide safe schools and workplaces for all students and staff.

All FCPS employees (including temporary employees, hourly staff, and substitutes) will be reviewed through the National Sex Offender Registry. This is the beginning of a process that will expand over the coming school year. New Regulation 4116 details the process. Learn more about employee background checks. 

FCPS Safety and Security

Keeping our students and staff safe is our top priority as a School Board. I was grateful to see Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s presentation about safety and security at our Board meeting on April 27. I strongly encourage you to watch the video of her presentation. View Dr. Reid's presentation on Boarddocs (English only).

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.

The presentation comes at a pivotal time for Fairfax County Public Schools. 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, including

• Closing the gun-ban loophole by extending the ban on guns in our schools to include a ban on firearms at ALL school division property, including non-instructional facilities like Gatehouse. In 2021, the Virginia General Assembly gave School Boards the power to take this step.
• Notifying parents annually about ways to prevent gun violence and their legal obligation to store their firearms securely. We know most people do not secure their guns, and most school shooters use guns from their homes. You can learn about ways to prevent gun violence here.
• Directing the superintendent to conduct a review of all gun violence and suicide prevention instruction, professional development, and school safety and security protocols to make sure they adhere to modern best practices.
• Changing our legislative program (the issues we lobby lawmakers on in Richmond and Washington) to include our clear support for gun violence prevention measures that keep our students, families, and staff safe.

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. 

Fentanyl and Other Drugs in FCPS

Families, students, staff, and community members gathered at Woodson High School Monday, April 24, to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs. An earlier event in March presented the topic in a broad sense, addressing the causes and impacts of substance use. Monday’s event narrowed that focus to our schools. 

Division staff and county partners presented data about drug use and helpful advice for families. Principals shared experiences and offered ways families can support students and each other as we work to address this ongoing issue. All attendees received REVIVE! Narcan training and left with a supply of Narcan.

This important conversation will continue. In the coming weeks, five high schools will host the Silent No More program presented by the Department of Justice. 

Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for more information. Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and get help for yourself or loved ones.

Fentanyl Awareness

May 9 was National Fentanyl Awareness Day. In 2021, fentanyl was identified in 77.14% of adolescent overdose deaths.

FCPS continues to take active steps to address substance misuse prevention and intervention in schools. In doing so, Regulation 2151: Management of Naloxone Administration in Schools has been revised to expand the category of personnel required to be trained in naloxone (Narcan) administration and address student administration of naloxone. The revisions to Regulation 2151 were incorporated to expand access to potentially life-saving resources should there be a suspected opioid overdose in school. 

Read the regulation to learn more about who is required to be trained in the administration of naloxone/Narcan and the guidelines surrounding authorization to carry or administer naloxone. The Fairfax County Government is hosting a series of virtual REVIVE! trainings this month (in English and Spanish). Attendees learn what to do (and not do) in an overdose situation.

Academic Matters

Testing

At the May 11 School Board Meeting Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reported on Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), PSAT, and SAT testing. Students who enroll in AP and IB courses are more likely to graduate high school on time, enroll in college at higher rates and save time and money while in college. Data was shared about the number of students participating in these offerings. AP exams mean scores have increased since 2021 in passing rates and number of students participating. 

The number of participants in IB exams has also increased since 2021. FCPS invests in these opportunities to allow students to experience rigorous, college-level exams. The first six AP and IB exams are funded for any student enrolled in an AP/IB course. This year, the PSAT testing that is done during school on October 11, will be digital for the first time. FCPS reaches out to parents of rising 10-12 graders to ensure that they have time and understand the process to apply for accommodations soon.

Read more online.

No-Cost Teletherapy Services for High School Students

At the April 27 School Board Meeting Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented about the partnership between FCPS and Hazel Health to offer teletherapy to high school students at no cost. 

Hazel’s therapists can help students address the following:

• Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
• Anxiety, worry, fears
• Social skills, bullying, peer & 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

In order for high schoolers to participate in teletherapy services, caregivers must complete three steps:

1. Give Permission for FCPS to share basic demographic information with Hazel in ParentVue. 
2. Consent for Hazel Mental Health services on the Hazel Health FCPS website. 
3. Students must be referred to therapy by a guardian or designated school staff member. You can refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of student services. 
4. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy website for more information.

Make Sure Your Child Is Up-to-Date on Vaccines

All students are required to be immunized against certain communicable diseases to attend school in Virginia. It is important for all students to receive the required immunizations.

Please talk with your family healthcare provider about whether or not your children are up to date on their vaccines before the new school year begins. Submit updated immunization records to your school as soon as possible. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation.

How to Register for Pre-K or Early Head Start

Fairfax County offers pre-K for students 3-4 years old whose parents meet income requirements. Early Head Start is for infants, toddlers, and expectant mothers who meet income requirements. To register, parents or caregivers should:

1. Complete the application form.
2. Make a copy of the child’s birth certificate and a residency document (lease, deed, or mortgage). 

If your child is selected for one of the programs, the following will need to be completed: 

1. A school physical.
2. Dental exam.
3. Fairfax County public school registration forms. 

A family service partner will be assigned to guide families through the entire application process. Find out more on the Early Childhood Education webpage, or call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish). 

Child Find Screenings

Child Find is the process of identifying children with potential special education needs as well as educating the community about child development and the importance of early intervention. Child Find screenings and services are provided by the FCPS Early Childhood Identification and Services program for children ages 20 months through 5 years, who live in Fairfax County or Fairfax City. Learn more on the Child Find website. 

Providing a Safe and Welcoming Space

The FCPS Trust Policy supports a continued commitment to foster a caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families in our schools. The policy ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials.

Additional information is available in multiple languages on our Trust Policy webpage. If you have questions about the policy, please contact FCPS’ Office of Professional Learning and Equity at OPLE@fcps.edu. Staff, students, and families can report possible Trust Policy violations to Trustviolations@fcps.edu.

Spring Assessments Measure Student Learning and Progress

Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes standardized benchmark assessments like Standards of Learning (SOL), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. It also includes progress assessments like iReady tests and performance assessments to demonstrate a student’s strengths and competencies. A list of assessments for each grade level provides the spring dates for required tests. Remember that assessment is part of ongoing teaching and learning in the classroom. Teachers may also assign end-of-year projects or final exams for certain subjects or courses.   

Schools set dates for each assessment and communicate schedules to students and families. Parents and caregivers can help students perform their best by reminding them to get a good night’s rest and have a healthy breakfast on testing days. Students must attend school on these dates. If you become aware of a conflict that could result in your student missing a test, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible.   

Please also keep in mind that spring assessments do not signal the end of coursework for the year. Learning continues through the last day of school. In addition to details shared by each school, details about spring student assessments are also available online.

🏃‍♀️ Middle School Athletics Coming This Fall

Student Representative Honored by Princeton Club of Washington, DC

Michele Togbe, our amazing Student Representative to the School Board, was recently honored by the Princeton Club of Washington, DC, for receiving the Princeton Peace Prize in Race Relations! This is an amazing achievement, and I am so proud of Michele’s hard work to advance racial equity and understanding in our community!   Social Emotional Learning Screener Reports Twice a year, students in grades 3-12 share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed through the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success.  Spring 2023 SEL Screener results will be mailed to families in mid-May. The Social Emotional Learning Screener Parent/Guardian Report and Guide has been updated to better reflect how SEL Screener results are used to support school and districtwide planning, in addition to supports for individual students. Visit the FCPS SEL Screener webpage for information in multiple languages, including tips for talking with your student about the report and strategies for strengthening SEL at home.   Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We all Belong Here!

In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school—a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit our website for more attendance resources. 

Be a Part of Our Team!

FCPS is searching for individuals who have a passion for making a difference. A career fair will be held on Wednesday, May 17, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Gatehouse Administration Center. We are looking for staff to work in the following areas: Payroll and accounting, human resources, transportation (school bus drivers), HVAC, plumbing, electrical, custodial services, procurement and finance, food services, and (hourly) multilingual interpreters. The fair will provide opportunities to network and the possibility of interviewing representatives from various FCPS offices. Register for the career fair. 

🚍 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 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, May 19, at Stonecroft Transportation Center. Learn more about the job fairs.

Educate Fairfax Teacher Grants in Action

Lewis High School Leadership Program

The Lewis Leadership Program at John Lewis High School was established in 2021 to amplify the principles of Congressman John Lewis’ life through a curriculum that focuses on government, public policy, leadership, and human rights. 

Educate Fairfax was proud to assist in the planning stages by raising funds to support external experiences for students to make the work and life of Congressman Lewis come alive. Over spring break, 14 students were able to travel throughout the South, visiting important landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. 

Throughout the trip, the students had conversations with people who had been involved directly in the Civil Rights Movement. They heard first-hand stories about the courage, commitment, compassion, and vision of the brave champions of the movement dedicated to non-violence that changed the course of history and improved the lives of all of us. For many of the students, it was their first trip out of Virginia, so they had exposure to the beauty of our country as well. 

For more information about the Lewis Leadership Program, please visit their website. 

If you'd like to help provide these experiences for students in the program, please donate through this link. 

Our mission: Educate Fairfax energizes the power of the community to invest in educational excellence and prepare students for the future. 

Our vision: Every FCPS student has a path to success.  

Visit our website for more information.

Enhancing Planning Time for Elementary School Teachers

FCPS has established several working groups to gather input and suggestions on how teacher-directed planning time can be enhanced and protected at the elementary school level without impacting the school division’s budget. Elementary teachers and principals are providing input. There were three Virtual Feedback Forums for elementary teachers and specialists on Monday, May 15. 

The goal is to ensure teachers have sufficient time to develop intentional, targeted instruction to meet the needs of our diverse learners. They need that time to thoughtfully plan without feeling stressed or overwhelmed. When our teachers thrive, our students do, too.

Planning time may include grading student work, analyzing data from assessments, planning and organizing lessons and activities, communicating with families, and other tasks. This time is precious for teachers; it helps ensure they are fully prepared to maximize student learning. 

Currently, FCPS provides guidance that includes 240 minutes of teacher-directed planning time per week or 480 minutes over a two-week period. Many of our elementary school teachers have expressed concern about insufficient planning time. It was also a popular topic at Superintendent Reid’s recent Teacher Town Halls.  

View FCPS Regulation 4422 to learn more about FCPS’ current guidance for teacher planning time. 

FCPS Business and Community Partnerships

Partnerships Equal Social Connections and Community

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects on Social Connection and Community recently posted a report entitled: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation (2023).

The report offers recommendations for stakeholders to advance social connections that an FCPS Ignite Partnership can help fulfill. 

Recommendations include:

• What Philanthropy Can Do: Fund new programs and invest in existing successful programs that advance social connection among individuals and within communities, including those that aim to prevent and treat social isolation and loneliness and those that reach populations at highest risk.
• What Workplaces Can Do: Make social connection a strategic priority in the workplace at all levels (administration, management, and employees).

• What Community-Based Organizations Can Do: Create and provide education, resources, and support programs for community members and key populations such as parents, youth, and at-risk populations. These could include community-wide social events, volunteering and community service activities, network-building professional development, and organizational opportunities for involvement by the community.
• What Schools and Education Departments Can Do: Implement socially based educational techniques such as cooperative learning projects that can improve educational outcomes as well as peer relations.

A best practice in partnerships involves small group or cooperative learning opportunities. 

Businesses and community groups are encouraged to learn more about Business and Community Partnerships including our Ignite Partnerships program which offers eight ways for businesses and community partners to engage.

Thank You to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Ignite Partner Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) deserves another thank you for recently expanding their support for students experiencing food insecurity. WFCM, who has long supported students with donations of food, school supplies, and more, donated and supported the installation of an additional industrial refrigerator, this one for Greenbriar East Elementary School. This means fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishables are getting to students who might need the support. Thank you WFCM!   Office of Auditor General Engagement and Office Updates Current Engagement Updates At the May 10 Audit Committee meeting, we presented the following agenda items: Status of FY23 Internal Audit Engagements   Business Process Audit (BPA) Summary and BPA reports for Annandale High, Bucknell Elementary, Herndon Middle, Justice High, Mount Vernon High, and Irving Middle   FY24 Risk Assessment and Proposed Audit Plan Presentation and document Office of Auditor General Peer Review Result  In addition to the ongoing Continuous Monitoring, we are currently conducting the IT Cybersecurity and Employee Evaluation Process audits. Understanding Risk What is Risk? We all know the answer to this intuitively; we probably form our first understanding of risk growing up, with statements such as “Don’t run with scissors. You will put your eye out!” or “Put your coat on before you go outside. You will catch a cold!” How do auditors view risk? Risk is defined by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) as “the possibility of an event occurring that will have an impact on the achievement of objectives. Risk is measured in terms of impact and likelihood.” Would that include the events listed above? Absolutely. But so much more. What if inadequate employee training results in erroneous data being recorded in the school’s information systems? What if poor cash management controls result in several months of unreconciled bank statements? Is that risk? What if these events have not actually happened but could happen because of weak or non-existent controls? The vast majority of us never poked our eyes out from running with scissors either, but it could have happened. And if it did, the effect on our lives could be devastating. Internal auditors must also take risk into account when developing the specific tasks performed in an engagement. For example, perhaps an engagement was selected because of the appearance of weak cash controls. In deciding what tasks to perform, the auditor must determine first if controls even exist. If they do not exist at all, there is a significant risk that the data may be erroneous. A large number of records may need to be reviewed to come to a conclusion about the validity of the attribute being tested or the balance being confirmed. If controls exist but are thought to be weak, the auditor will need to test a sample of records in order to gauge the risk of errors in the entire record population. Based on the results of that sample, the auditor may conclude that even though the controls are weak, they appear to be working. The auditor may also decide, due to errors identified in the sample records reviewed, to enlarge the selected sample of records and then come to a conclusion regarding the record population as a whole. The goal is to gather sufficient evidence from the review of records to conclude whether the perceived risk is sufficient to impact the achievement of management’s objectives and to report such to management with appropriate recommendations. How does OAG identify risk in your department/office? Office of Auditor General (OAG) conducts an independent risk assessment on an annual basis, regarding the financial, operational, and reputational risks faced by FCPS. OAG sends a risk assessment survey and collects feedback from FCPS Leadership Team, the Audit Committee, and the School Board.  Based on the risk assessment results, OAG develops its annual audit plan. The risk assessment and annual audit plan prioritize the areas being considered for audit by evaluating the risks associated with each area.  The risk factors used to assess each area include: The financial impact of the audit area The potential reputational and operational risks are driven by: The quality of internal controls and the likelihood of errors The complexity of the audit area Turnover of key personnel and stability in management Inputs received from the School Board and FCPS leadership Relevant risks faced by other public school systems The frequency and results of prior audits and reviews conducted by OAG or other external agencies Opportunity for improvement What to do if OAG identifies risk at your department/office? When OAG cites your department/office for weak controls, it is not because we are looking for that ‘gotcha’ moment. Weak controls could adversely impact FCPS’ ability to reach its goals. We will discuss the risk and will work with you to develop appropriate remedial measures. The best remedial measure is to implement a control that will avoid the risk altogether. Some risks cannot be completely avoided. In those cases, a control that identifies the risk event when it occurs and minimizes its impact is the next best thing. Don’t wait If you are aware of any risks in your department/office, be sure to discuss them with management and help to identify appropriate controls. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” OAG Peer Review  As promulgated by Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, OAG obtained an external peer review that was conducted by a peer review team that is independent of the audit organization. The peer review team reviewed whether OAG ‘s system of quality control is suitably designed and whether OAG is complying with the quality control system for reasonable assurance that OAG is performing and reporting in conformity with professional standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. OAG is happy to report that we received a rating of a pass. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline: (571) 423-1333 (anonymous voicemail) InternalAudit@fcps.edu  (email is not anonymous)

Student Opportunities

2023-24 FPCS Information Technology Internship Program

The FCPS Information Technology Internship Program is back! It includes 5 paid positions with a required 1-year commitment starting this summer and throughout the 2023-2024 school year. High School students interested in learning more should review the IT Internship Program website and apply ASAP! Students must apply by May 19, 2023.

West Springfield High School Cheer Camp

The West Springfield High School cheerleaders and coaching staff invite students in grades K-8 to a Cheer Camp on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the West Springfield High School auxiliary gym and dance room. The cost is $35 per athlete.

Register for the camp.

The Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time

The Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST) is excited to open our recruitment for our second cohort of Youth STEM Ambassadors! Virginia youth ages 13-18 are encouraged to apply to represent teens across the Commonwealth who love participating in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities during afterschool. Ambassadors are coached on crafting their unique STEM stories and how to talk to policymakers about their experiences. The Ambassador program will follow a cycle of the Virginia General Assembly season from election campaigns in the summer, through elections, and into the start of the Virginia General Assembly session. It will culminate with an advocacy day at the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, VA in early 2024 where Ambassadors will bring their love of STEM to change-making! 

• Ambassadors will participate in one monthly session, virtually, (times to be determined) between June and November 2023 and January-February 2024. Attend an advocacy day in Richmond, VA in early 2024. Successful completion of the program will be rewarded with a pre-paid $100 VISA gift card.

Applications are due May 30, 2023.

Questions may be directed to Christine Jones Monaccio at christine.jones-monaccio@v-post.org. Full program information including the application is available on the VPOST website.

Road Safety Art Contest

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is holding its annual Road Safety Art Contest. The contest is open to students in grades K-12 and gives families a fun way to help children and teens learn about traveling safely around large trucks and buses. Entries may be hand-drawn, digital art, animated and live videos, crafts, or photos. The contest is open until Saturday, June 10, 2023.

Find more information and the contest entry form on the FMCSA Road Safety Art Contest website.

🎨Calling All FCPS Student Artists and Designers!

FCPS is looking for student-designed graphics or artwork to represent the observances that are recognized on the FCPS School Year Calendar for 2023-24 (PDF). 

Middle and high school students are encouraged to tap into their creativity to design visuals that accurately and positively represent the many religious observances recognized in the FCPS community. Visit the Design Challenge webpage for more information on eligibility and design guidelines. Submissions are due Sunday, June 11.

2023 Safe Space NOVA Pride Prom

Safe Space NOVA and the City of Alexandria Office of the Arts are excited to bring you Pride Prom 2023! A New York State of Mind is open to all high school students across the DC-metro area (and their dates/partners/friends) aged 20 and under. Their Pride Prom is unique in that it is more than just a dance.

What is Safe Space NOVA’s Pride Prom? 

EDUCATION – Students have the unique opportunity to connect with LGBTQ-affirming organizations which provide social, medical, and mental health support to youth in Northern Virginia and beyond.

COMPASSION – Safe Space Nova ensures a quieter space with board games and sensory fidgets for students who need to take a break or to speak to our volunteer mental health professionals. Anxiety has been reported by students attending their first dance or experiencing dysphoria, and they want to provide for psychological safety.

ACTION – Students apply to serve as Pride Prom Leaders who work from December through June creating their prom while learning advocacy skills which they are encouraged to turn into action within their communities.

CELEBRATION – Pride Prom is fun! Students routinely report that it is their favorite day of the year and that they cannot wait for next year’s event! Adult chaperones and volunteers are equally delighted watching the attendees have the time of their lives. And *new* this year, in true New York fashion they will have artists showcasing their work lining the ‘streets!’

This year's dance will be held at The Torpedo Factory Arts Center  in Alexandria, VA, on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.  

Tickets are on sale now starting at $40, but will go up at the end of May (not to exceed $50).

For more information visit the Safe Space NOVA Pride Prom website.

Slay the Runway

Wondering what to wear to prom? Join Safe Space NOVA on Friday, May 19, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Springfield Masonic Lodge for their $5 Formal Sale. New and almost-new dresses, suits, shirts, ties, and shoes will be on sale for your shopping pleasure. They will also have brand new summer attire available to check out. Nothing is priced over $15.00 and all proceeds benefit Pride Prom. Best yet, if you’ve already purchased your tickets to prom, your attire is FREE!

Summer Opportunities

Operation Purple

The National Military Family Association is hosting its first-ever Operation Purple Summer Challenge - a free, self-paced activity experience to stay entertained and connected with other military kids and families for eight weeks this summer! Every military-connected kid who completes a registration is guaranteed a spot! Register and learn more about Operation Purple Summer Challenge, including their Wednesday “Global Gatherings!”

Chantilly Academy CyberPatriot Summer Cyber Camp

Chantilly Academy is supporting STEM and cybersecurity education by hosting a CyberPatriot Summer CyberCamp. This camp welcomes students of all skills levels, so anyone interested in cybersecurity is encouraged to register! The camp is for anyone looking to learn about cybersecurity. This is an opportunity to learn the importance of cybersecurity and gain the skills to protect yourself and others from cyber threats on a variety of operating systems! Recommended ages are rising 5th-8th graders. 

The camp will take place at Chantilly High School June 26-30, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The cost for the week is $150 and includes lunch, supplies, and swag.

Register for the CyberPatriot Summer Cyber Camp. For questions contact Bonnie Wannett at bjwannett@fcps.edu.

🏀West Springfield High School Basketball Camps

West Springfield High School will be hosting basketball camps for elementary and middle school-age girls this summer. The camps will be held as follows.

Pro Coed Camp (High School)

June 20-23, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

1 camper - $95

2 campers - $175

Middle College Coed Camp (grades 6-8)

June 26-28, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

1 camper - $95

2 campers - $175

Middle School Coed and Girls Basketball

July 24-28, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Grades 3 through 9 - $195

Register for the camps.

Contact Coach Bill Gibson with any questions at wrgibson@fcps.edu. 

🏀Lewis High School Girls Basketball Camp

Lewis High School will be hosting a basketball camp for girls in grades 3-10 this summer. The camp will be held June 26 - June 30, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The camp will be held at Lewis High School and the cost is $30 per day or $100 for the week.

Register for the camp.

Contact Coach Samantha Partonen with any questions at 703-964-7976 or swpartonen@fcsp.edu. 

🏀Chantilly Chargers Boys Basketball Camp

Chantilly High School will host a Boys' Basketball Camp for ages 8 - 15 from June 26 - June 30, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.The camp will be held at Chantilly High School and the cost is $195.

Register for the camp.

Contact Chantilly Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Rodney Carmichael with any questions at recarmichael@fcps.edu. 

🏀South County High School Boys and Girls Basketball Camp

South County High School is offering summer boys and girls basketball camps for ages 7-15. The camps take place in the South County HS gym (Entrance #12) and include daily skill instruction from coaches and players, 5 on 5 league play and a championship tournament, a 1 on 1 tournament, hot shot and free throw contests, and individual and team awards. The cost is $195, however, a $20 discount is available if you sign up for both sessions. The camps will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. as follows.

• July 3-7 (Not on July 4)
• July 10-14

See the camp flyer and registration form for more information.

Teen Police Academy

The Teen Police Academy is opened to all Fairfax County High School students (public, private or home schooled) entering the 10th, 11th or 12th grades during the 2023-2024 school year. Students will learn about patrol, crime scene investigation, different types of careers in law enforcement, SWAT, police vehicles and much more. The Academy will take place July 24-28, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters. The deadline to apply is June 21, 2023.

Learn more at their website.

Future Women Leaders in Law Enforcement 

This class is for female Fairfax County High School students (public, private or home schooled) entering the 10th, 11th or 12th grades during the 2023-2024 school year. Meet today's women leaders in law enforcement. Explore what it takes to become a police officer and skills you will need to learn in the police academy. The class will take place July 31- August 4, 2023 at Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters. The deadline to apply is June 21, 2023.

Learn more at this website.

Community News

Near-fatal Teen Driver Crash

From the Fairfax County Police Department

Sully Police District – On May 1 around 11:38 a.m., a patrol officer was on a routine traffic stop with a gray 2012 BMW 750 Series on southbound Fairfax County Parkway prior to Braddock Rd. The 17-year-old driver of a black 2018 BMW M3 was traveling northbound on Fairfax County Parkway at a high rate of speed and lost control. The BMW spun around, crossed the median, striking the community member’s vehicle then officer’s vehicle. The officer was nearly struck and killed.

The adult driver in the BMW 750 Series on the traffic stop was taken to the hospital with minor injuries not considered to be life-threatening and has since been released from the hospital. The officer sustained minor injuries. The juvenile driver of the BMW M3 and the two passengers sustained minor injuries. The juvenile was charged with reckless driving.

The Fairfax County Police Department is relieved that this crash did not result in a tragedy. This is an important reminder that life can change in an instant. It is the driver’s responsibility to drive safely and arrive safely.

Parents and guardians should consider using this video as an opportunity to have a conversation with their teen drivers about how their driving behavior can affect the lives of others. The Fairfax County Police Department is committed to traffic safety and will continue to enforce traffic laws and educate drivers in an attempt to curb the senseless loss of life that occurs during preventable fatal crashes.

The video to the in-car video can be viewed here.  

To view the conference, click here.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.

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). 

Colleges and Universities Still Accepting Applications

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has released its annual list of colleges and universities that are still accepting applications from prospective freshmen or transfer students for fall 2023. Students and families are encouraged to use this tool to search for colleges that still have space available. Users may narrow down the list of schools by state and view whether a school still has financial aid, as well as unfilled housing. 

Additionally, NACAC has created an enrollment deposit fee waiver request form that is considered by some institutions for students experiencing significant financial hardship. Families can learn more about the enrollment deposit fee waiver and eligibility on the NACAC website. Students and families may contact their school counselor, and college and career specialist with any questions.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Jewish American Heritage Month May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Mental Health Awareness Month The month of May is a time to pause and raise awareness of the fact that many people live every day with mental and behavioral health issues and there is a need to reduce the stigma attached to 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 988 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 ideation, 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

Memorial Day As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, for the Memorial Day holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 30. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

Gun Violence Awareness/Wear Orange Day The first Friday in June is recognized as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Also known as Wear Orange Day, it was first organized by students to memorialize the 2013 death of their friend and gun violence victim, 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton. After her death, they asked us to stand up, speak out, and Wear Orange to raise awareness. Information about gun violence prevention is available on our website.

Springfield District Scene

Congratulations to Centreville Elementary School for receiving the National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS) award for “Exemplary PDS Achievement”! This award recognizes Centreville Elemtentary’s commitment to the next generation of educators through its partnership with George Mason University.

New Rolling Valley Elementary School Principal The Region 4 Office and I are pleased to announce that Ms. Veronica Del Bagno, assistant principal at Rolling Valley Elementary School (ES), has been selected as the new principal of Rolling Valley Elementary School effective August 1, 2023.  Ms. Del Bagno has served over 15 years in education beginning her career as a special education teacher for a private special education school and a  public middle school in New Jersey. In 2012 she moved to our NoVA area to serve as a special education teacher in Arlington Public Schools. She transitioned to the leadership path when she became an assistant principal at a PreK-8 school at Alexandria City Public Schools. From there, she joined Rolling Valley ES in the summer of 2019 as assistant principal.  Ms. Del Bagno is a passionate educational leader who is committed to ensuring that rigorous Tier 1 instruction is accessible to all learners. During her time as an assistant principal at Rolling Valley ES, she has been instrumental in developing Collaborative Learning Teams (CLTs), facilitating data dialogues and developing practices related to Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). She is knowledgeable of the Science of Reading literacy initiative and is committed to working with staff to ensure fidelity of implementation to create strong readers. Her background and advocacy in special education will continue to enhance the school’s specialized programs. Ms. Del Bagno values diversity and will continue working to foster a positive school culture in partnership with teachers, staff, students and families. Ms. Del Bagno is excited to remain a part of the Rockin’ Robins family and is honored to serve as principal of Rolling Valley Elementary. She looks forward to maintaining and advancing the academic success as well as embracing the community’s commitments to equity and education. Ms. Del Bagno holds a Master of Arts in Special Education from Kean University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Southwestern University.  She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Administration and Policy at The George Washington University.  Ms. Del Bagno is an avid runner and voracious reader who enjoys spending time with her husband and their children. Please join me in congratulating Ms. Veronica Del Bagno as the new principal at Rolling Valley Elementary School.

The Centreville High School League of Legends team, including Springfield District’s Andre Truong, placed first in the 2023 VHSL Spring eSports Championships! Way to go!

Congratulations to Chantilly High School’s Sarah Chang, who placed second in the Virginia State Final Certamen, a quiz-bowl-style game for students of Latin, Greek, and classical civilizations! Congrats also go to Chantilly’s Mark Fahim for placing first in Computer Science 1: Unit 10, Lists & Return Values at Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science Academy Creative Task Competition!

Shout out to Fairfax High School’s Science Olympiad team for placing third in the 2023 Virginia Science Olympiad State Tournament!

Congrats to Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Caleb Sharman for placing first and Caley Nee for placing fourth in Student Congress at the VHLS State Debate Tournament! Caleb was also recognized as Outstanding Senator! Lake Braddock Debate continued its winning streak by placing third in the team results! Way to go Lake Braddock Crew Women’s Freshman 4 (+Coxswain) for placing second in the Virginia State Rowing Championship Day 1 (Lower) for the Novice/Progression boats! Kudos to Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Science Olympiad team for placing fifth in the 2023 Virginia Science Olympiad State Tournament!

New Lake Braddock Secondary School Principal The Region 4 Office and I are pleased to announce that Ms. Lindsey Kearns, acting principal at Lake Braddock Secondary School has been selected as the principal of Lake Braddock Secondary School.  Ms. Lindsey Kearns has close to 20 years of experience in education working in middle, high, and secondary schools. She began her career as a middle school math teacher in Houston, Texas before she moved to Northern Virginia to work on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide.  After serving in that role for two years, she realized her love of teaching and being in a school and joined Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) as a middle school math teacher at Glasgow Middle School.  It was there that she transitioned to the educational administrative path when she served as their Dean of Students. Ms. Kearns was appointed as an assistant principal at Justice High School and during that time, also served as principal of the Credit Recovery Academy at Justice.  In the summer of 2019, Ms. Kearns joined Lake Braddock Secondary School as the associate principal. She has been serving as the acting principal since Spring of 2022.  Ms. Kearns has demonstrated during her time as the acting principal of Lake Braddock Secondary School that she deeply values the importance of cultivating positive relationships with others to build a strong and welcoming school culture. She has built trusting relationships with stakeholders, is visible daily in the school hallways, attends school-wide activities and events, and makes an effort to recognize student and staff achievements.  A hallmark of her leadership is the joy with which she approaches her daily work.  You will rarely catch Ms. Kearns without a smile on her face.  Such collaborative and engaging efforts have resulted in positive increases in Lake Braddock’s staff engagement survey this year.  Ms. Kearns is honored to serve as the principal of Lake Braddock Secondary School. She is excited to continue to work with the Bruin students, staff, and families. Ms. Kearns enjoys spending time with her husband, their young son, and their dog.  She is a proud Texas A&M alumna. Go Aggies! Ms. Kearns holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, MS Math and Science Education from Texas A&M University. Please join me in congratulating Ms. Lindsey Kearns as the principal at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

Mount Vernon High School Orchestra Director Alberto Rodriguez has been selected as a quarterfinalist for the 2024 GRAMMY Music Education Award! He is among 212 teachers from across the country being recognized for having made a significant impact and lasting contribution to the field of music education. Way to go! Semifinalists will be announced in September. The winner will be recognized during GRAMMY Week 2024 and will be invited to attend the 2024 GRAMMYs!

Shout out to Oakton High School’s Debate team for placing second in the VHSL State Debate Tournament!

Kudos to South County High School Women’s Crew Novice 8+ for placing second and to the Men’s Crew Novice 8+ for taking second place in the Virginia State Rowing Championship Day 1 (Lower) for the Novice/Progression boats!

Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson’s Clara Kim who was awarded a 2023 corporate-sponsored scholarship from the Nation Merit Scholarship Corporation! She received the National Merit Northrop Grumman Scholarship for bioengineering. Read the full list of recipients. Congrats also go to Thomas Jefferson’s Arvind Ragunathan, who placed second in the VHSL State Debate Tournament in Policy and Policy Speaker! The winning continued at the VHSL State Debate Tournament with TJ Debate placing first in the team results! Kudos to TJ’s Senior Computer Club and Intermediate Computer Club teams who placed first and third respectively in the Virginia Commonwealth University’s High School Programming Competition. Shout out to TJ’s Science Olympiad team for placing first in the 2023 Virginia Science Olympiad State Tournament! The winning continues with a team of students from TJ’s Economics classes taking the top three places at the Virginia Governor’s Challenge Adam Smith Division!

Kudos to West Springfield High School’s Paula De Megret-Murray who was chosen as one of 30 students to attend Asian American Journalists Association JCamp out of a pool of more than 450 applicants! She will spend a fully funded week at American University to receive hands-on training from professional journalists. Read more of Paula’s story. Read full the press release.  Congratulations also go to West Springfield’s Samuel Stankiewicz for placing fourth in Miscellaneous Submissions at Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science Academy Creative Task Competition!

The Woodson High School Rocket League team placed second in the 2023 VHSL Spring eSports Championships! Way to go! Congratulations to Woodson Women’s Crew 3rd Varsity and Novice 8+ for placing first and to the Men’s 4th Varsity for taking second place in the Virginia State Rowing Championship Day 1 (Lower) for the Novice/Progression boats!  Kudos to Woodson High School’s Science Olympiad team for placing fourth in the 2023 Virginia Science Olympiad State Tournament!   🏆DECA International Conference Awards Five Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Springfield District students earned DECA’s highest honors at the organization’s annual International Career Development Conference, held in Orlando, FL, April 22-25.  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.  In the Commonwealth of Virginia, DECA members are enrolled in a marketing education class at their high schools. More information about DECA is available online. Congratulations to the following students! Fairfax High School: Kiran Ashok, Ronit Manchanda, Riya Menon, and Ella Modes South County High School: Jean Claude Shaffer Read the full list of winners.   🏆National Merit Scholarship Winners Four Springfield District students are among thirty-six students from nine Fairfax County high schools who have been named winners of $2,500 scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Scholarship winners are part of a group of approximately 2,500 National Merit finalists chosen to receive scholarships in 2023 primarily financed by the NMSC.   Congratulations to the following students! Oakton High School: Cindy Li (computer science) Thomas Jefferson HSST: Sauman Das (computer science), Bryan Hong (biomedical engineering), and Lauren Hyde (computer science) Each of the FCPS winners received a scholarship supported by the NMSC’s own funds.  Each scholarship winner was evaluated on his or her academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; a personal essay; and a recommendation from a high school official. The number of winners named in a state is in proportion to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating high school seniors. Winners are chosen by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, not the school district. Read the full list of winners.   🏆Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities 2022-23 First Class Award Winners The Fairfax County Public Schools Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) presented their First Class Awards at the 18th Annual Special Education Conference on Saturday, April 29. Each year, the ACSD celebrates and recognizes educators, administrators, and students in Fairfax County Public Schools who support, implement, or design programs and activities which include students with disabilities that result in improving outcomes for all students. Winners of the First Class Award demonstrate the following skills: 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. This year’s Springfield District winners were: Culinary Arts Program, Davis Career Center. Davis Center students produce top-quality, affordable catering, while also learning valuable workplace skills. Everyone benefits when we support meaningful and productive work for students with disabilities. Anyone who enjoys their catering has learned something important about underestimating this group. Their beautiful work is appreciated by all who have the opportunity to taste it. Shawna Peterson, instructional assistant, Rolling Valley Elementary School. Shawna actively strengthens the trusting, supportive relationship that is necessary to be a communication partner to a student, and understands the balance between helping students and allowing them the space and independence to be themselves. She encourages and facilitates interaction with non-disabled peers, has a positive attitude, and has helped create an environment where all students are accepted by their peers and supported academically. Melissa DeStefano, special education teacher, Silverbrook Elementary School. Melissa goes above and beyond the expectations of the role of special educator. She builds incredible rapport with both students and staff, is always student-centered, and fosters a caring culture that positively affects the school. Melissa co-leads the Student Council, ensuring leadership opportunities for students with disabilities. Melissa's colleagues describe her as an educator who reveals excellence every day. Leslie Leisey, school-based technology specialist (SBTS), Poplar Tree Elementary School. Leslie is hard to find in the school building because she’s always somewhere supporting technology needs of students and staff. She includes disabled and non-disabled students in her student-led technology squad, the morning news program, and worked to incorporate Portrait of a Graduate skills into lessons and assist teachers with adapting concepts for all students. Leslie teamed up with the assistive technology coach and student volunteers at Poplar Tree to create activities for multi-age special education classrooms. Ashley Kiley, assistive technology speech language pathologist. Ashley incorporates Assistive Technology in new and different ways. She is extremely knowledgeable about the variety of devices and their uses, and even added foreign language greetings to help a non-speaking student participate in a themed morning meeting. Ashley offers creative solutions for student technology needs and partners with students and staff to create meaningful classroom activities for students with disabilities. Emily Kaltenmark, assistant principal, Key Center. Emily is constantly moving about the school, making sure students and teachers have the support they need. She works hard to raise morale, add fun, and ensure the staff can unwind and recharge. She is always working to make Key Center a better school and advocates for the school and staff to administrators and the community. Emily provides every student with respect and agency regardless of their disability. Ann Smith, principal, Key Center. Ann is always supporting her staff to do the best they can. She is creative, hardworking, and deeply appreciative of the work of the staff at Key Center. She knows that supporting teachers means helping them to be at their best for students. Ann advocates for the Key Center with FCPS leadership, county government, and community partners. Ann knows and loves each student, and deeply believes in the mission of her school. Community Contributor, Unlimited Potential (UP), Springfield South County Youth Club. UP offers the opportunity for kids with disabilities to learn and play basketball and soccer in a safe and supportive environment. Kids with disabilities are partnered with a teenage “pal” and a non-disabled student volunteer, for the duration of the program. All participants are excited to build new friendships while being physically active and learning a new sport. Everyone, including spectators, learn and grow from seeing this wonderful display of inclusion provided through Unlimited Potential. Mary Beth Harrison-Cunningham, manager, Family Resource Center. Under her leadership, Mary Beth and her team create fantastic public programming that is always focused on helping parents become empowered partners in their child’s education. She is always available to parents for consultation on individual needs, and her feedback and advocacy is always student-first. Family Resource Center presentations normalize the inclusion of both parents and students. Mary Beth and her team provide supports across the whole spectrum of the special education process, from those just entering to those at key transition points. Read the full list of winners. For more information, contact Mike Bloom at msbloom@fcps.edu.   🏆 Virginia Science and Engineering Fair The Virginia Science and Engineering Fair was held on April 15 at the Charway Arena on the Old Dominion University’s campus in Norfolk. Sixty-nine FCPS students participated in the state-level fair.  The Grand Prize Winners include Springfield District students Frank Chang and Jason Yoo of Chantilly High School for the project “ARM: Streamlining Recyclable Waste Identification with Highly Scalable Deep Learning Algorithms.” Their project qualifies them for participation in the International Science and Engineering Festival to be held in Dallas, TX, from May 14-19. Thomas Jefferson’s Sara Elanchezhian, also from the Springfield District, received a first-place award from the American Psychological Association for the project “AI in School Safety: Deep Learning Graphological Features to Recognize Psychosocial Attributes Indicative of Violent Behavior in Students and to Perform Threat Level Assessment for School Shootings Using Feed Forward Neural Networks.” Congratulations to all of you! See the full list of winners.   🎵Students Selected for 2023 All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Thirty-three students representing the Springfield District have been named to the 2023 All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. The students will rehearse and perform with other premier musicians from across the state beginning Thursday, April 27, through Saturday, April 29. The performances are free and open to the public.  Students throughout Virginia went through a rigorous audition process to audition on their instrument for a position within the ensemble. Participants will rehearse with nationally recognized conductors and collaborate with fellow musicians during the event. The concerts will be held in the Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, April 29, beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. Congratulations to the following students! Band Centreville High School  - Mitchell Swartz Lake Braddock Secondary School - James Martens and Erika Schatz Robinson Secondary School - Miriam Jesse and Jack Patterson West Springfield High School - Tyler Anderson, Alexander Childs, Sarayu Jilludumudi, Elias Kim, Rachel Safarian, Meredith Turcotte, and Charlotte Witzel Woodson High School - Abbey Moran Chorus Centreville High School - Jackie Copeland and Alexander Cox Fairfax High School - Abril Tello Cornejo Lake  Braddock Secondary School - Nicholas Doan, Natalie Gillum, Rachel Griffith, and Ally Kelso South County High School - Megan Smith West Springfield High School - Catherine Brown, Nicholas Brunson, Maddie Orchard, Thomas Seeger, Catherine Thomas, and Kaylee Wisner Orchestra Lake Braddock Secondary School - Jonah Ascoli Oakton High School - Valerie Su Robinson Secondary School - Ramona Ban South County High School - Christine Hwang Thomas Jefferson HSST - Anglee Kang Woodson High School - Nathan Kurland Read the full list of selected students.

Family and Student Resources

Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families

Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:

• School Age Child Care (SACC) — This Fairfax County Government program provides a safe and fun environment before and after school for elementary school-age children.
• FCPS Communications for Families — FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family involvement.
• Family Engagement Resources — FCPS works to connect, strengthen, and support our families, schools, and communities. 
• Family Liaisons — Family liaisons serve as a link between families and schools. Find out how family liaisons can support you and your family.

There’s an easy-to-follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child ASAP!

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! 

No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for High School Students Now Available

FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to offer virtual mental health services to high school students via live video sessions. Parents/caregivers who have been struggling to find a therapist for their child or who notice changes in their child’s behavior are able to connect them virtually with a licensed therapist. Teletherapy is available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. The first step for parents is to provide information through an opt-in form. Visit FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for details.

Watch Superintendent Reid’s teletherapy update to the School Board at the April 27 regular meeting.

📝 Tutor.com Offers Live Tutoring and Test Prep

Writing help, practice quizzes, and SAT test prep are available to all FCPS students at no cost through Tutor.com. Find out how your child can get these services, in addition to 24/7 live tutoring, through their Schoology account: Elementary School | Middle and High School.

Spotlight on Drugs: 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 that 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 keeping our communities safe. Here are 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 general information please contact, the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at (571) 423-4270. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @FCPSSAPS. 

Sources and Resources

• NIH: Xylazine
• DEA: Xylazine  
• DEA: Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine 
• CDC: Xylazine
• Overdoses in Philadelphia
• FCPS Webinar: Everything You Need To Know About Opioids

Unpacking Gender: How to Talk to Kids and Teens

The Fairfax County Department of Family Services is offering a free workshop to parents, guardians, family members, and other caregivers who are interested in learning how to talk about gender with their children and teens. Participants will explore the messages we are taught about gender and how they can affect our relationships with ourselves, loved ones, and the community. The discussion will include the impact of gender roles and stereotypes have on everyone and how this knowledge may help us prevent violence.

The workshop will take place on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Tysons-Pimmit Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library.

Find more information and how to register on the Fairfax County Library website.

First Responder & Safety Fair

Years of data tell us that people with disabilities are more likely to encounter law enforcement than typically developing peers, and more likely to struggle to navigate that interaction. The Arc of Northern Virginia is here to help you prepare for any police interactions so you feel safer and readier, and to give officers a chance to learn directly from people with disabilities and their families. The idea of interacting with police officers can feel intimidating, especially if you or your loved ones have a disability. One of the best ways to manage that anxiety and prepare yourself for a successful real-world interaction is to practice! Attend the First Responder and Safety Resource Fair on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Cademy.

Find more information or register for the First Responder & Safety Resource Fair.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Event

Representatives from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (METRO) will be on-site at the Arc of Northern Virginia’s Falls Church office on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 12:00- 1:30 p.m. to take photos and process applications for the Reduced Fare Program.  They will also take photos and accept applications for the MetroAccess Door-to-Door Paratransit Program.

Find more information or register for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (METRO) Event.

English Empowerment Center - 2023 Summer Courses

New Name. Same Mission - The English Empowerment Center (ECC), formerly the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, provides beginning-level English classes for adults so that they and their families may survive, thrive, and participate in the community. View class locations and registration information.

In-Person Classes: Alexandria, Annandale, Falls Church, Herndon, and Lorton: Sign up for in-person English classes by attending any in-person registration event starting May 15, 2023.

Online Classes: Begin the sign-up process for online classes by completing this interest form. Staff will follow up to complete the enrollment process.

FCPS Multilingual Family Podcasts Making the Transition to Middle School Making the move from elementary school to middle school can be both an exciting and unsettling time for a parent and child. In this podcast, hear ways to ease the transition by: understanding the developmental changes in your child, getting to know the middle school culture, encouraging independence, but remaining available, offering emotional support to your child, reiterating your family values and expectations, and staying involved in your child’s school. The podcast infomercial is about summer camps. It’s not too early to start thinking about summer fun. The FCPS Tech Adventure Camp and the Career and Technical Education Camp are taking registrations for summer 2023. Listen and subscribe. English Español (Spanish) العربية(Arabic) 한국어(Korean)   Register for Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) is offering free parent webinars. They are 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 made by 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!

Tips from the Healthy Minds Blog Show More Self-Compassion to Yourself Life is full of changes and uncertainty. Thus, making decisions can seem overwhelming and unsatisfying. Am I doing the right thing? What are other families doing? Is this decision in the best interest of myself and my child? This constant level of stress wears on our emotional balance and can pull us into a negative self-critical spiral. Research shows that self-criticism makes us weaker in the face of failure, more emotional, and less likely to learn from the lessons of our failures. Self-compassion is a far better alternative to self-criticism. While self-compassion may sound like self-indulgence or even feel like a weakness, research shows that it is actually the secret to resilience; that is, showing strength in the face of failure with the ability to learn from mistakes and bounce back with greater enthusiasm. People who practice self-compassion are happier, less stressed, and more resilient. It is important to recognize that we serve as models for our children. Our children observe our behavior and see how we are trying to make the best of a challenging situation. If we, as adults, allow negative self-talk and let our frustration and anxiety overwhelm us, our children will probably learn to do the same and enter into self-critical cycles. However, if we can display self-compassion in front of our children, we begin to model a skill our children can use to show resilience in handling challenges. How can you begin to show more self-compassion for yourself? Accept that every decision you make will not be perfect. We are all doing the best we can, but we will surely all make mistakes. The same applies to our children as they will make mistakes too. Maintaining an attitude that we are all trying our best and that it may look different from person to person and family to family, gives you permission to be kind to yourself, as well as others. Recognize that we are not in full control of everything around us. Life is unpredictable. Things are going to go wrong even in our best efforts to prevent it, such as a typical family routine getting off track or the internet failing during a virtual meeting. What we can control is our attitude and how we choose to react to it. We will be happiest if we take deep breaths and be kind when things do not happen as anticipated. Place a focus on what you are grateful for. During tough times, it is easy to focus on what we do not have or wish we had. It is very unhealthy for us to think over and over on this. We feel happier and experience less stress when we take note of the positives in our lives. Express gratitude for what is good in your life such as loved ones, friendships, pets, good health, having a roof over your head, access to drinkable water, or anything else you are grateful for. Take on a growth mindset. Recognize that we all can change, learn, and grow...our abilities can improve with effort, practice, using strategies, and seeking help from others. Having a growth mindset allows us to view challenges, failure, and setbacks as opportunities for learning which increases our perseverance and frees us to take them on. Practice mindfulness. Take notice of the present moment. It is OK to recognize your thoughts and feelings, but do not pass judgment and dwell on them. Take some deep breaths and pause before reacting. Give those thoughts and feelings their moment, and let them go. Mindfulness helps us to make better responses to handle stress or meet challenges, while not missing out on enjoyable pleasant experiences.   Scholarship Opportunities Miscellaneous Scholarships Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority Scholarship Program – deadline May 19, 2023 - https://www.fcrha.org/scholarship-program  Pathway to College Scholarship by Parchment – deadline May 19, 2023 - may apply as an underclassman  - https://www.myscholarship.app/parchment Jihoon Rim Foundation Scholarship – deadline May 31, 2023 - must be of Korean descent - https://www.jrimfoundation.org/scholarship Elmer Timberman Masonic Lodge Scholarship – deadline May 31, 2023 - https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ttcscholar  There’s Space for Everyone Scholarship Program - deadline May 31, 2023 - https://www.extraspace.com/self-storage/scholarship/?utm_campaign+=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery  Generation Hope Scholarship – deadline extended to June 1, 2023 - https://www.generationhope.org/scholar-program Teen Drinking and Driving Prevention PSA Scholarship – deadline June 15, 2023 - https://www.davidmckenzielawfirm.com/teen-drinking-and-driving-prevention-psa-scholarship/ Korean American Scholarship – deadline June 30, 2023 - https://www.kasf.org/scholarships/ Scholarship Guidance Below you will find a list of scholarship programs from Scholarship Guidance’s weekly scholarship newsletter. These scholarships are awarded during the 2022-2023 school year and all students are eligible. Scholarship Deadlines between May 23 - July 31, 2023: 1) Young Women in STEM Scholarship - $5,000 - 3 Awards (Deadline: May 23, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be a female high school senior or undergraduate who is from a low-income household Be planning to pursue a degree in one of the STEM fields Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/40610/young-women-in-stem-scholarship  2) Full Circle Scholarship - $15,000 - 650 Awards (Deadline: May 31, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be a United States citizen planning to attend college or university in the fall of 2023 Be enrolled in a certificate, associate, bachelor, or graduate program by the fall of 2023 Applications may be found by going to:  https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/27313/full-circle-scholarship  3) Joe Francis Haircare/Cosmetology Scholarship - $3,000 - 15 Awards (Deadline: June 1, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be currently applying for entrance into Cosmetology/Barber School, OR actively enrolled in a Cosmetology/Barber program Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/30217/joe-francis-haircarecosmetology-scholarship  4) Girls Impact the World Scholarship Awards - $5,000 – 12 Awards (Deadline: June 1, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be attending high school or enrolled in an undergraduate program Be 25 years of age or younger at the time of application Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/31730/girls-impact-the-world-scholarship-awards  5) Rising Scientists Award - $2,000 - 5 Awards (Deadline: June 9, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Show interest and achievement in psychology, neuroscience, or biomedical engineering research Show strong academic performance in science courses Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/35295/rising-scientists-award  6) Isaac Yunhu Lee Memorial Arts Scholarship - $20,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: June 15, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be considered low-income and be in their junior or senior year of high school Planning to attend art school Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/40612/isaac-yunhu-lee-memorial-arts-scholarship  7) Breakthrough Junior Challenge - $250,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: June 25, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be between the ages of 13 and 18 Create a video that brings to life a concept or theory in the life sciences, physics, or mathematics Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/34514/breakthrough-junior-challenge  8) FAITH Scholarships for Academic Excellence - $12,000 - 50 Awards (Deadline: June 30, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be a high school senior graduating from a public, private, or parochial high school Be a member of a Greek Orthodox parish Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/37366/faith-scholarships-for-academic-excellence  9) Women in Trades Scholarship - $2,500 - 5 Awards (Deadline: June 30, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Identify as a woman and be enrolled or planning to enroll in a post-secondary trades program or an applied apprenticeship program Submit an essay outlining your academic and career goals Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/36665/women-in-trades-scholarship  10) Automotive Hall of Fame Scholarships - $5,000 – 4 Awards (Deadline: June 30, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be accepted at an accredited college, university, or trade school within the United States Be a United States citizen or in the United States on a Student Visa and have a 3.0 GPA or higher Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/27174/automotive-hall-of-fame-scholarships  11) Warren E. Burger Scholarship - $5,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: July 1, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be 16 years of age or older Be enrolled in a college/university or registered in a qualified high school Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/38145/warren-e-burger-scholarship  12) Military College Scholarship - $1,250 – 2 Awards (Deadline: July 1, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be a dependent of an active duty servicemember Be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited United States college for the 2023-2024 academic year. Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/28842/military-college-scholarship  13) State Troopers Scholarship Programs - $1,500 - 6 Awards (Deadline: July 31, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be a dependent of a state trooper that has been in good standing for the last two years. Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/26804/state-troopers-scholarship-programs  14) Spirit of Giving Scholarship - $1,000 – 3 Awards (Deadline: July 31, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be 16 years of age or older and enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school or home study program in the United States. Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/37406/spirit-of-giving-scholarship  15) Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship for Autism - $5,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: July 31, 2023) To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: Be diagnosed with a form of autism, including Asperger Syndrome Be accepted or enrolled at an accredited college, university, or vocational school in the fall of 2023 Applications may be found by going to: https://scholarshipguidance.com/scholarships/29584/avonte-oquendo-memorial-scholarship-for-autism

What’s in a Name?

Each month I feature a different Springfield District school from the What’s in a Name video series. This month let’s learn about the history behind Eagle View Elementary School’s name.

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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

E-mail: Laura Jane Cohen  |  Phone: 571-423-1080

Stephanie Sheridan, Executive Admin Assistant,
571-423-1065, srsheridan@fcps.edu