Important Dates
- 8/28-29 - Auditions for Annie (see announcement below)
- 8/30 - Back to School Night (see announcement below)
- 9/1 & 9/4 - Holidays
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Calendar Reminder: Labor Day
Friday, September 1, and Monday, September 4, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. The Code of Virginia requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
Back to School Night
Falls Church High School is excited to invite you to our annual Back to School Night (BTSN) on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023 from 5:00 pm - 8:35 pm. Parents/Guardians will have the opportunity to explore resources, follow their student’s schedule, and meet teachers for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Please see below for a detailed schedule for the evening.
5:00 pm - Arrival & Explore Resources- Door #8 (Gym Lobby)
- 5:00 - 5:45 pm - Parent account assistance, parent resources, and the FCHS String Quartet (Auditorium Lobby)
- 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm - Optional: FLE Materials Review (Library)
- 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm - Spirit Wear and Memberships for sale (Auditorium Lobby)
- 5:45 pm - 8:35 pm - Leadership/NHS students will be available to help you find your way
6:00 pm - Meet the Teachers
Bus Transportation
Due to limited parking, we are providing buses to Falls Church High School from our feeder elementary schools and the Wadsworth Leasing Office. Please see the bus schedule below.
2 Buses: Wadsworth Leasing Office (4133 Wadsworth Ct)
- 4:45pm - pick up at Wadsworth Ct
- 5:00 pm - arrive at FC Door #2
2 Buses: Westlawn ES & Graham Road ES
- 5:00pm - pick up at Westlawn ES (1 Bus)
- 5:00pm - pick up at Graham Road ES (1 Bus)
- 5:15 pm - arrive at FC Door #2
1 Bus: Camelot ES
- 5:00pm - pick up at Camelot ES
- 5:15 pm - arrive at FC Door #2
1 Bus: Mason Crest ES & Woodburn ES
- 4:30pm - pick up at Mason Crest
- 4:45pm - pick up at Woodburn
- 5:00 pm - arrive at FC Door #2
1 Bus: Pine Spring ES & Fairhill ES
- 4:45pm - pick up at Pine Spring ES
- 5:00pm - pick up at Fairhill ES
- 5:15 pm - arrive at FC Door #2
Overflow Parking
Overflow parking will be available in designated spots at St. Phillips Catholic Church (7500 St Phillips Ct, Falls Church, VA 22042) located behind the school.
Attendance Matters!
DID YOU KNOW?
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10 percent (or about 2 days per month) can make it harder to learn to read.
- Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day every few weeks.
- Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
- Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down teaching and learning to help children catch up.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Set a regular bed time and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Introduce your child to teachers and classmates before school starts to help her transition.
- Don’t let your children stay home unless they are sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomachache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- If your child/children seem anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel more comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Try to avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
Clinic Health Room Info for the Beginning of the Year
We are excited that our Clinic Health room staff are returning for the 23-24 school year. Please visit the Welcome Back Letter, there is lots of helpful information if you scroll down.
Fabiola Candia-Aranibar is our School Health Assistant (SHA) and Julie Smith is our Public Health Nurse. Jessica Grenfell, Director of Student Services is the Administrator that supervises the Clinic.
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From the College & Career Center
College Representative Visits to FCHS begin Week of September 12- Juniors and Seniors may sign up in Naviance to meet with college representatives
Wednesday, September 13 during 4th Period Advisory/Intervention- Student’s Counselors and the FCHS College & Career Specialist will meet with students to discuss post-secondary (after high school) options which may include: four-year college, two-year college, vocational training (licensure and certification), and military. Please encourage your students to attend this important meeting and to register for more specific follow-up sessions.
Tuesday, September 19 7:00 pm FCHS Library- Senior Night- FCHS College & Career Specialist will walk parents/guardians through the college application process
Wednesday, October 11 FCPS SAT & PSAT Testing Day- All FCPS sophomores and juniors will have the opportunity to take the PSAT. All Seniors will be given the opportunity to take the SAT, but they MUST REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 6! There is no cost associated with either test on October 11. All students are encouraged to participate.
Sunday, October 15- George Mason University College Fair- 4:00 pm– 7:00 pm Eagle Bank Arena. Students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from over 250 colleges and universities.
Tuesday, January 9 - College Access Fairfax FAFSA Completion @Annandale HS 6:00-8:30 pm
Saturday, January 20- College Access Fairfax FAFSA Completion @ Justice HS 10:00 am-12:00 pm (noon)
Tuesday, January 30 - College Access Fairfax FAFSA Completion @ Falls Church HS 7:00-9:00 pm
Thursday, February 1- College Access Fairfax FAFSA Completion @ Lewis HS
Terri S Markwart, College & Career Specialist
2023-24 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
SIS ParentVUE
Support Your Child’s Success
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Parental Permission to Use Digital Resources
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library.
Find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
Chromebook Tips
This year, high school and secondary school students are receiving a new Chromebook. These devices feature larger screens than previously issued devices and battery life that easily lasts the school day.
Encourage your child to visit the following helpful links to:
If students prefer to use their personal laptop, make sure it meets our minimum requirements. Let your school know your student plans to bring their own device. Please note that we cannot provide tech support on personally-owned devices.
If your student runs into any issues while using their Chromebook, please have them reach out to their school’s tech team for support.
Students may access our student Chromebook FAQs (FCPS Google login required) for more information about using their own device.
Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
School Meals
Preparing for and Paying for Meals at School
Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meals benefits. School breakfast for students costs $1.75. Lunch is $3.25 for elementary students and $3.50 for middle, secondary, and high school students.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2023-24 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible for the 2023-24 school year, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Paying With MySchoolBucks
The best way to purchase meals (and keep food lines moving!) is to use MySchoolBucks. Set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today. Our front office staff can help with any questions.
MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically, as needed. Families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account. Visit FCPS’ Food and Nutrition webpage for more information.
Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
FCPS Family Resource Center
Free Resources for Families
Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities?
Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).
Workshops for Families
The Family Resource Center is already scheduling a helpful series of webinars for the 2023-24 school year. Save the date for the following discussions in September. See the full list of workshops. Click on the title to register for each event:
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New School Year, New Strategies: How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year, on Friday, September 8, 10-11:30 a.m.
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Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud, Friday, September 15, 10-11:15 a.m.
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Characteristics and Needs of Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners, on Tuesday, September 19, 10-11:30 a.m.
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Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions, Friday September 29, 10-11:30 a.m.
Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter.
Are Your Child’s Immunizations and Records Up to Date?
Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. Many children missed their well check-ups and their recommended childhood vaccinations during recent years because of disruptions from COVID-19. It is critical to catch up to keep children healthy and ready for school.
While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations.
Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.
Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation to share with your child’s school.
From FCHS Spotlight Theatre
FCHS SPOTLIGHT THEATRE PRESENTS
Auditions for ANNIE the musical!
ALL High School students in grades 9-12 are invited to audition for ANNIE this fall! Auditions are August 28 and 29 by appointment. Come to room 181 to sing 16-32 measures of a song in the STYLE of ANNIE.
Email eademarco@fcps.edu for suggestions and questions.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/s3iS4ro8sAuS9M219
Student Bus Passes
Useful Links/Information
FCHS Bell Schedule
Schoology
SIS ParentVUE
FCPS 22-23 School Year Calendar
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FCPS Cares
Do you know a Falls Church
HS or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes
beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to
share with everyone.
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