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Fall 2023
Be Wise, Immunize: The Importance of Up-to-Date Immunizations
The Code of Virginia § 22.1-271.2 requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases for public school entry. School immunization requirements significantly reduce the risk from vaccine preventable diseases. It is important for students to catch up on required immunizations to help protect their health now and in the future.
Important reasons to immunize from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
- Immunizations can save a child’s life
- Immunizations are very safe and effective
- Immunizations protect others you care about
- Immunizations can save your family time and money
- Immunizations protect future generations
Check with your student’s healthcare provider now to ensure they are up to date on their immunizations and remember to provide documentation to your school. Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form. Additional information may be found on the FCPS General Registration Immunizations public page.
Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of immunization clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.
Protect Against the Flu
Flu season is right around the corner and expected to be rough again this year. Follow the healthy habits below to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming severely ill.
- Get vaccinated- recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older as the single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you are sick, if possible.
- Always cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth especially after contact with high touch surfaces.
- Get plenty of sleep, manage stress, stay hydrated, and eat healthy food.
For more information, visit CDC’s Influenza page.
Suicide Prevention: Acknowledge, Care, Tell Model
September is National Suicide Prevention month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people aged 10-24. When school personnel, families, students, and community members take an active role in suicide prevention, lives can be saved.
Students in FCPS learn about suicide prevention using the Acknowledge, Care, Tell model (ACT). We can all support someone in need of help by ACTing. First, Acknowledge signs of suicide, next, Show the individual that you care about them, and finally, Tell a trusted adult, or support the person by connecting them with help.
Some of the primary warning signs that someone may be thinking about suicide include; major changes in appearance, eating or sleep, extreme withdrawal from family and friends, increased anger, agitation, or risky behavior (including substance use), sounding hopeless, trapped or overwhelmed, and talking about death or wanting to kill themselves. If you notice any of these signs in someone you care about, start the conversation and then listen without judgment.
If the person gives any indication that they are thinking about suicide, don’t hesitate to ask directly by stating, “Are you thinking about suicide?” Asking about suicide does not further increase risk. Instead it shows that you care and are there to listen. No matter how the person answers, show your support by continuing to be there for them.
If someone indicates that they are experiencing thoughts of suicide, emergency services can be accessed by visiting the nearest emergency room or by contacting emergency services at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health at 703-573-5679, available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. You can also call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free 24/7 support.
To Stay Home or Not To Stay Home…That is the Question!
September is Attendance Awareness month, where we recognize the importance of daily attendance in helping every student to reach their full potential. Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
During the pandemic, we were all home for a significant amount of time and our daily habits and routines experienced a lot of changes. FCPS provides important guidance to help parents and caregivers determine whether to keep their child home or send them in to school. Over 40% of school-aged children are living with at least one chronic health condition, which adds additional stress to families and can make these daily decisions much harder. For example, asthma is one of the leading causes for children missing school. It can be very helpful to talk to your school’s public health nurse to receive support and partner together when planning for your student’s health needs. Keeping an open line of communication with the school helps to ensure that everyone is better prepared to work together to support your child. Learn more about how families can help form good attendance habits.
Salad Bars Expand to All Middle & High Schools
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is delighted to announce that salad bars are now available at FCPS middle and high schools. In May 2023, FNS completed the installment of the salad bars in all 142 elementary schools. Salad bars were made available to students on the first day of school on Monday, August 21st, 2023. Students can choose from a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein items daily from the salad bar. Hot and cold entrees will continue to be offered as well. To view our complete list of menu offerings, please visit: https://fcps.nutrislice.com/menu/ for more information.
Real Food for Real Change: Toolkit for Educators
In the United States, 6 in 10 kids don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables and 9 in 10 don’t eat enough vegetables. This is important because fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with a reduced risk for several chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes.
The situation here in Fairfax County is the same. According to the 2019 Fairfax Youth Survey, 7 in 10 kids aren’t eating enough fruits and vegetables and the situation has gotten progressively worse over the past five years.
In an effort to introduce students to fruits and vegetables, create positive experiences using activities and cooking, and to help students understand the larger picture of the choices they make around food consumption, the Fairfax County Health Department is providing a new toolkit for educators and community groups who work to engage youth on these topics.
Real Food for Real Change Toolkit.
Time to Get YOUR Game On!
It’s fall! The kids are back in school and afterschool sports and activities are in full swing. We’ve signed the kids up for soccer, dance, baseball, gymnastics, art club, drama club, chess club, and football. The schedule on the fridge is so complex, it requires an Excel spreadsheet to guarantee everyone gets where they need to be on time. There’s nothing like the crisp fall air, the crack of the bat, and fans in the stands to get everyone excited for fall activities, so what do you have planned for yourself? If you're like most of us, we’re so focused on ensuring the kids are involved in activities that we forget to take time for ourselves. But our physical, social, and mental wellness is important to nourish as well.
Participating in adult sport and recreation leagues can be a positive experience for many reasons. First, it can help meet or support fitness goals. Adult sport and recreation leagues are a great alternative to the daily trip to the gym or heading out for the morning run. And, depending on the activity you choose, it could even burn more calories than a typical gym workout. It’s also a great way to meet new people or reconnect with friends and family who have similar interests. If you’re nervous about learning a new skill, don’t be, many leagues have beginners groups or experienced players that are willing to teach and coach. Plus learning a new skill is the perfect way to exercise not only your muscles in your body but also exercise your brain.
So how do you choose the right activity for yourself? We’re so lucky in Northern Virginia to have a tremendous amount of offerings, from bowling to pickleball, cornhole to ultimate frisbee, there’s something to pique the interest of everyone and every skill level. So this fall, take a minute and check out all that Northern Virginia has to offer and try a new activity for yourself. At the same time you can model the importance of being active with your kids and add your own name to the after school activity spreadsheet.
Fairfax County Adult Sport and Recreation Leagues
Baseball, Basketball, Cornhole, Cricket, Flag Football, Golf, Kickball, Lacrosse, Pickleball, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball
Prince William County Adult Sport and Recreation Leagues
Baseball, Cricket, Softball, Volleyball, Swimming
Arlington County Adult Sport and Recreation Leagues
Diving, Gymnastics, Skate, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Basketball, Football, Soccer, Softball, Ultimate Frisbee, Badminton, Pickleball, Ice Hockey, Volleyball
Loudoun County Adult Sport and Recreation Leagues
Basketball, Cricket, Ultimate Frisbee, Kickball, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
FXA Adult Sports
Flag Football, Soccer, Indoor Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Golf, Kickball, Tennis, Outdoor (Sand & Grass) Volleyball, Lacrosse, Spikeball, Ultimate Frisbee, Pickleball, Bowling, Cornhole, Bocce Ball
Walktober Virtual Wellness Challenge
Autumn presents the perfect opportunity for walking as the summer heat gives way to refreshing, crisp air, and the vibrant fall foliage creates a picturesque backdrop that entices us to step outside and be active.
Walktober takes fall fitness to a whole new level, offering engaging tracking tools, social components, and the choice to join as an individual or as a team, making staying active during this season even more enjoyable.
Registration is open now on the fcps.walktober.com website.
The Challenge takes place Sunday, October 1, through Tuesday, October 31.
SY2022-23 Wellness Reporting
FCPS’ Local Wellness Policy and Regulation (2100 Student and Staff Wellness) sets forth visionary, yet measurable and achievable goals that encourage continual progress and the advancement of a long-term, sustainable culture of improved health and wellness throughout the Division.
Every school in FCPS is required to report annual progress toward the implementation of the wellness policy. The intent of reporting, as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010, is to support schools in establishing and maintaining healthy school environments, and provide transparency to the public.
FCPS Wellness Reporting for SY 2022 -2023 is now available for further review.
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