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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
Monday, September 25 - Student Holiday
All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 25, for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. See the complete school year calendar. Learn more about Yom Kippur on Brittanica.com.
Blue Star Welcome Week 2023
Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week, FCPS will help ease their transition through events, messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections. Please help us welcome our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week, September 23 - October 1, 2023, and throughout the year! #BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS
Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families—or roughly 33% of the All-Volunteer Force—relocate. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. And most of these moves take place during the summer. While more than 70% of military families live off base in their local civilian communities, according to Blue Star Families' 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, only 33% of military family respondents reported they felt a sense of belonging in their local community.
Key Center is celebrating Blue Star Welcome Week with the following Spirit Days:
September 26 – 29 Blue Star Welcome Week Spirit Days
9/26 – “Proud to be an American” – wear Red/White/Blue
9/27 – “Crazy Camo” – wear your camouflage clothes
9/28 – “Military Parents are Superheroes” – Wear your favorite Superhero look!
9/29 – “Our Troops Allow America to Shine Bright & Sparkle”- Wear stars or shiny sparkles
Coming soon – PTA Sponsored Family Night Out!
Key Center will host a family event, with a light dinner and time to socialize with one another. A short PTA meeting will be held to conduct PTA related business, join us for food and social time!
Attendance/Absenteeism
 When a Student Should Stay Home From School
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your student succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when you should keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher, so that assistance can be provided if needed. Please contact us as soon as you know your child will be absent.
Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits.
Tips to Stay Healthy
Flu season is quickly approaching and communicable diseases continue to be present in our schools. Families and staff are encouraged to follow the health practices below to prevent the spread of illnesses and help keep our schools safe:
- Make an appointment to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine (with rare exceptions). Flu vaccines are widely available at doctors’ and pediatricians’ offices, grocery stores, and pharmacies.
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you have not done so already. As of Tuesday, September 12, updated COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use among those aged 6 months or older for the 2023-24 season. Find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster in your community by visiting Vaccinate Virginia, or calling 877-VAX-IN-VA or 877-829-4682. Note: Flu vaccines and COVID vaccines can be provided in the same appointment.
- Check with your student’s healthcare provider to make sure they are up to date on their required school entrance immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form.
- Check for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. If a child is sick, please keep them home and get them tested for COVID-19 to stop further spread from occurring. Additional guidance on when to keep your child home due to symptoms and illness is available on the FCPS Attendance webpage. FCPS employees are also advised to stay home and get tested when feeling sick.
- Don’t forget to wash hands regularly, avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and limit the time children spend in large group settings with contagious individuals whenever possible.
The most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 school health practices is available on the Health and Safety Guidance webpage.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy.
Fairfax County Economic Mobility Pilot
The Fairfax County Economic Mobility Pilot (FCEMP) will provide monthly cash payments to eligible, randomly selected households along with optional financial coaching and supportive resources to promote economic stability and social capital. Fairfax County has designed the pilot to focus on households, referred to as the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population, which may earn too much income to be eligible for some assistance programs.
Funding for this program is provided by federal funds as part of the American Recovery Plan Act and supported also by the Fairfax County Human Services Council’s Innovation Fund. The FCEMP includes three elements:
- A monthly payment of $750 to 180 eligible families for 15 months
- Freedom of choice for the families to use the cash as they deem necessary
- Optional financial coaching and the opportunity to increase their social networks through virtual or in person events
Apply online between September 23 through October 3, 2023.
For more information visit https://bit.ly/FairfaxEconMobility or email at GIpilot@fairfaxcounty.gov
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!
Monday, October 9, 2023, 9 a.m.- noon at Providence Community Center
Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services
View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.
Register for: SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!
Key Center Students Get Active with Adapted Physical Education
Key Center’s Adapted Physical Education (APE) staff have been busy this year getting students active in the gym and throughout our school environment. The goals of Adapted Physical Education include improving physical fitness, motor skills, coordination, self-esteem, social interaction, and overall well-being. By focusing on individualized instruction and adjustments, APE aims to provide every student, regardless of their disability, with opportunities to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. This program plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life and promoting physical wellness for our students.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fairfax FiestaFairfax County's inaugural Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the Fairfax Fiesta, is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 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.
FCPS Applied Behavior Analysis Family Training
A workshop intended for parents of students with low incidence disabilities of Autism and Intellectual Disabilities will be presented by the FCPS Applied Behavior Analysis(ABA) training on September 20, 2023. This presentation is entitled Collaboration: Building Successful Home and School Support Teams.
Topics covered will include:
▪ What is collaboration?
▪ Who’s who within the school system?
▪ Who do I ask questions?
▪ How can you facilitate collaboration?
Choose one virtual session on September 20th:
10:00am - 11:30am
or
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Join using this meeting link: https://meet.google.com/cgn-udci-kbh
Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons Annual Information Fair
Date: Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Join Northern Virginia Resource Center for their Celebrate Communication event, the area’s premier information fair for anyone with an interest in or connection to hearing loss. See the latest in hearing assistive technologies, apps, local agency services, hearing aids, cochlear implants, captioning, ASL, and much more! Find out more and register on the Celebrate Communication website.
Key Center PTA
 Not yet a member of our PTA? We would love to have you join!
Key Center PTA Membership
Key Center PTA Donations
Key CenterPTA Volunteer Opportunities
Any questions regarding involvement, please contact PTA President, Cecilia Allen, at KeyCtrPTA@gmail.com or (301) 646-7447.
Upcoming Dates
 Family Social, Dinner & PTA Meeting - coming soon!
September 25 Religious Observance (Yom Kippur) - Holiday
October 9 Staff Development Day - Student Holiday
November 6 School Planning Day - Student Holiday
November 7 Teacher Work Day - Student Holiday
November 22-24 Thanksgiving Break - Holiday
2023-24 FCPS School Calendar
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