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Upcoming Events
September 19: First PTSA meeting, 7pm, FHS Library
September 20: All Night Grad Meeting, 7pm, FHS Library
September 22: FHS Family Fun Fest 5:30-6:30pm; Home Football game vs. LBSS @ 7:00pm
September 25: Holiday (Yom Kippur)
September 30: Mock SAT
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Included in this issue:
Student Spotlight
Fairfax Lions Need to Know:
- Calendar Reminder: National Hispanic Heritage Month and more
- FHS Family Fest
- Important Kiss & Ride Information
- COVID Guidance
- Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS)
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- Parent Support Circles
- World Language Credit Exam
- Come Work for FCPS!
- School Bonds Benefit Students
- Connect - Contact - Reach Us
Fairfax HS PTSA
- No Fuss Fundraiser
- Raffle Drawing
- Mock SAT/ACT
- Upcoming Parent/Caregiver Workshop
Acceso de News You Choose en Español: Haga clic aquí.
 Leo the Lion made his way around the school for our first ever FUN FRIDAY!
September 15, 2023
Happy Friday Fairfax Family!
This week has been action packed. We were so excited to welcome our families and friends' home for our Back to School Night focused on Connecting~Educating~Transforming opportunities for all scholars. We hosted our Pre-BTSN event that highlighted resources and programs that will support our families and our students in maximizing potential. Families then were able to spend an evening strengthening connections and partnerships with their students' teachers and so many of our parents shared how meaningful and exciting it was to be given a snapshot into the daily learning and coursework of a high schooler.
This week we also hosted grade level assemblies. We shared our character-building system that focuses on PAWSitivity. We want to promote empathy, understand accountability for actions, commit to working hard, and constantly self-advocate for success. Our staff nominates and highlights moments in the classroom, the school, and the community where these character traits shine and then our PAWS Patrol hits the halls and shares recognition and treats with our amazing LIONS! Each grade began gearing up for the Portrait of a Graduate Presentations of Learning challenge. We began discussing and reflecting on POG skills and asking students to self-assess their own strengths and desired areas of growth.
Today was FUN FRIDAY! We began the day with THE AttenDANCE Matters Challenge-staff students, and Leo the Lion took to the commons to dance and promote coming to school EVERYDAY and being ON TIME! Students then were able to retrieve FUN FRIDAY passes. Fun Friday is a wellness initiative that allows students during Lion Time to pick a fun, feel good activity to engage in. Today we offered BINGO, Trivia, Maker Space, Crafting, Volleyball, Gym Time, Meditation, Salsa Dancing, a Movie, and Esports as wellness moments. It was wonderful.
WE ARE CONNECTING, EDUCATING, and TRANSFORMING every day.
Yours in partnership,
  Staff worked hard to put together fun and inclusive activities for our first Fun Friday for students! We had Bingo, Dance lessons, E-Sports, Trivia, and more! What a great way to make Student Wellness a priority!
AVID Program
 During our Back to School Night this week, we had students commit to the AVID program, led by History & Social Studies Teacher, Mr. Martin Rodrigues. AVID helps with Executive Functioning Skills, and offers in-class Tutoring Supports. The class celebrates Determination, Motivation, and College and Career Readiness. Congrats to our students!
🏆Congrats to our National Merit Semifinalists!
Two hundred sixty four FCPS students from 15 high schools have been named Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2024, including three students from Fairfax High School! Congrats to Alicia Kim, Maya Kamat, and Shivani Kanjerla (pictured above). Well done!!
See the full list of student awardees
Calendar Reminders: National Hispanic Heritage Month, Rosh Hashanah, and more
Happy #HispanicHeritageMonth! From September 15 to October 15 we recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of the members of our community whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Fairfax Fiesta
Fairfax County's inaugural Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the Fairfax Fiesta, is taking place on Saturday, September 23, from noon to 5 p.m., at the PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike). The free event, presented by the Fairfax County Government and Celebrate Fairfax!, aims to provide an extraordinary experience for all ages and backgrounds. Learn more about Fairfax Fiesta.
📅 Save the Date! Upcoming Holidays and Observances
Friday, September 15, is an evening-only Religious and Cultural Observation day (O day) in recognition of Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sundown. Evening-only O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. Learn more about Rosh Hashanah from PBS.
Wednesday, September 20, is National Voter Registration Day. Learn about registering to vote. Early voting will begin in Fairfax County on Friday, September 22.
All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 25, for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. Learn more about Yom Kippur on Brittanica.com.
See the complete school year calendar.
Join us at our Annual FHS Family Fest!
Future Lions! Fairfax HS is holding a Family Festival just for you! There will be games, raffles, bouncy house, balloon animals and so much more! Kids there by 6:30 will get to run through the spirit tunnel on the field after the football team. https://t.co/97BV7kUv7X
Important Reminder about Kiss & Ride
Parents and families - in an effort to keep everyone safe, a reminder that students should be picked up and dropped off in the Kiss & Ride area only. Please refrain from waiting and idling your car in the Bus Loop as much as possible, especially in the middle of the day. With the school buses and Academy shuttles all picking up at Door 1, it is best to keep this lane as clear as possible. We do not want personal vehicles getting caught up with the buses, or risk students going to and from cars in the midst of buses leaving and arriving. Students should use the crosswalk to go to the Kiss & Ride area to get in their vehicles. Everyone's safety is our priority! Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
😷COVID Guidance
2023-24 Health and Safety Guidance for Schools
Although the COVID-19 hospital transmission level (previously the COVID-19 Community Transmission level) for Fairfax County is currently low, COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia during the last few weeks, and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school.
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS)
Each school pyramid has a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) assigned to provide substance abuse prevention, education, and intervention services. Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists are part of the FCPS Office of Student Safety and Wellness. Like school social workers, school psychologists, and school counselors, we do not provide treatment services, but we support students while they are in the buildings.
Key roles of a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist:
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug education for students, parents, staff, and the Fairfax County Community
- Intervention services upon violation of the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook or suspected substance use involvement
- Assessing a student’s level of substance use and, if appropriate, making referrals to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board for additional services or other community resources as appropriate
- Group and individual interventions for students and in addition prevention services for students, staff, parents, and the Fairfax County community
- Most importantly, building positive relationships with students to provide support and encouragement
Resources:
Free Virtual Parent Support Group
Free Online Narcan Training for Opioid Overdoses (English & Spanish)
Free Lock Boxes for Medications & Firearms
Spiritual Support by Phone for Adults
Spanish Podcast: Tips on How Parents Play an Important Role in Substance Abuse Prevention
Juvenile Court Parent Support Group
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
For further Information & support:
Sean McMahon
smcmahon@fcps.edu
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
Parent Support Circles
Want to talk about your 9th grader's transition to FHS? The first quarter crunch? Feel like you don't know other new FHS parents and want to connect around your 9th grade kiddo's needs? Please join Laura Kaniewski, FHS 8-9th grade Transition School Counselor, and Ashley Curl, School Social Worker, for a support circle to support your child’s first year in high school, and troubleshoot or celebrate anything that comes up!
We have several opportunities to join this group, but our first meeting will be on 9/8 at 8:30 AM here at FHS’ Family Engagement Center, and an additional circle on 9/12 from 5:30-6:30 PM before Back to School Night. This is a drop-in group and RSVP is required. Please RSVP or send questions to Ashley Curl (amcurl@fcps.edu) or Dara Markenson (dmmarkenson@fcps.edu). Space is limited to 20 participants.
World Language Credit Exam, Fall 2023
The World Languages Credit Exam for Fall 2023 Registration opens on Tuesday, September 5, at 8 a.m. and closes on Thursday, October 5, at 4 p.m.
Please see this flyer for more information: Credit Exam Flyer Fall 2023.pdf
The World Languages Credit Exam information is also available on the FCPS World Languages Credit Exam web site at: https://www.fcps.edu/index.php/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages.
Information Session for Substitute Teachers and Instructional Assistants
Learn more about becoming a substitute teacher or instructional assistant at a virtual information session on Wednesday, September 20, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Register for this session.
Visit the Recruitment Events calendar for a list of all FCPS job fairs.
🏗️ School Bonds Benefit Students
A bond referendum to benefit Fairfax County Public Schools will be on the ballot this election season. The building and renovation of schools are not financed through the school system’s operating funds, but through bonds.
Similar to an individual or a family obtaining a mortgage on a residence to spread the cost of home buying over several years, bonds spread the cost of major capital improvements over a number of years. This ensures that current and future residents
with us throughout the year by:
Fairfax HS PTSA
Table of Contents:
- No Fuss Fundraiser
- Raffle Drawing
- Mock SAT/ACT
- Upcoming Parent/Caregiver Workshop
Become a PTSA Member Today!
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And be entered in our membership raffle drawings!!
Parent/Adult: $20, Teacher/Staff: $12, FHS Student: $8.
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Join the Parent Teacher Student Association, PTSA, to support our FHS teachers, students and community! Your dues and donations work to fund all of our activities and programs. Scan the code provided or JOIN NOW for the most chances to win! Becoming a member does not mean you are committed to volunteer; it helps to keep you engaged and informed of what is happening in our school community and provides opportunities to get involved as your availability allows.
Congratulations to the following winners in the 2nd PTSA Membership Raffle on 9/13:
- FHS Tote Bag: Maureen Kim
- FHS Sweatshirt: Cassandra Woodward
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Nothing Bundt Cakes: Julie Rotherham
If you have not been contacted already, please reach out to membership@fairfaxptsa.org
The 3rd and final Membership Raffle will be held on September 27th. Join Today!!
*All 2023-24 FHS PTSA members, including staff, students, parents, and board members who become individual members by midnight the night before the drawing, are eligible to win. Special thanks to: FHS Football, FHS Athletic Boosters, POPmo Shop and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
PTSA No-Fuss Fundraiser - Donate Today!
Support our FHS Students and Teachers with your generous donations! Our No-Fuss Fundraiser has a goal of $3,000 to fully fund the 2023-24 PTSA budget.
DONATE HERE
The Parent Teacher Student Association supports FHS through financing functions (e.g., college admission officer speaker) and supporting wellness, diversity, and volunteerism. The PTSA rewards academic achievement, offers student scholarships, funds classroom grants, teacher appreciation events, and supports the FHS Food Bank. We rely entirely on membership dues and donations to fund the PTSA budget, and as a 501(c)3, your donation is tax-deductible. For details on how the funds are spent, see the proposed budget HERE.
Mock SAT (Digital Format)
Mock ACT (Paper Format
On Saturday, September 30, 2023 the FHS Academic Boosters will partner with Applerouth Tutoring to offer the Mock SAT (digital format) and the Mock ACT (paper format) exams.
This is a perfect opportunity for students who haven’t started their testing to become familiar with the format in a stress-free environment at FHS for only $25. Students will receive detailed score reports to help them determine which areas they need to study.
Mock (digital) SAT registration (limited to 75)
Test Time: Saturday, September 30th, 9:00am – 11:45am
Students must be from FHS and bring a fully charged FCPS Computer
SAT Practice Test Registration
Mock (paper) ACT registration (limited to 50)
Test Time: Saturday, September 30th, 9:15am – 1:30pm
ACT Practice Test Registration
Here are flyers for more information:
Academic Boosters Mock SAT 2023 (sept).pdf
Applerouth's Class of 2025 Testing Bifold.pdf
Questions: Academicboosters@fairfaxptsa.org
Upcoming Parent/Caregiver Workshop
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Domestic & Sexual Violence Services will hold an Unpacking Gender: How to Talk to Kids and Teens workshop at the Chantilly Regional Library on Tuesday, September 12, from 7-8:30 p.m.! Doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road Chantilly, VA 20151
Register Here for Chantilly
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