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Upcoming Events
September 30: Mock SAT
October 9: Student Holiday: Indigenous Peoples' Day (Staff Development Day)
October 11: PSAT Day
October 17: PTSA Meeting, 7pm, FHS Library
October 18: ANG Meeting, 7pm, FHS Library
October 26: Freshman Parent Night, 5:30pm, Auditorium
November 3: End of First Quarter, 2HR Early Release
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Included in this issue:
Fairfax Lions Need to Know:
- Calendar Reminder: Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving
- SR&R Acknowledgement Due
- Back to School Preventative Health Practices
- Free COVID-19 Tests
- Supporting Your Child's Mental Health
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- Homecoming Volunteers Needed
- Student Opportunities
- Freshman Parent Night, Thursday, Oct. 26, 5:30pm, FHS Auditorium
- PSAT Food Donations Needed
- College Fair, Oct. 15 @ Eagle Bank Arena
- Parent Support Circles
- Come Work for FCPS!
- Connect - Contact - Reach Us
Fairfax HS PTSA
- No Fuss Fundraiser
- Raffle Drawing
- Mock SAT/ACT
- All Night Grade
- Upcoming Parent/Caregiver Workshop
Acceso de News You Choose en Español: Haga clic aquí.
 Photo Credit: Student Amira Bouhsane
We had a great time celebrating Pyramid Night at last week's football game.
September 29, 2023
Happy Friday Fairfax FRIENDS,
As the leaves begin to fall outside, we are "falling in love" with our learning inside Fairfax High School.
Our students are being challenged and engaged daily in their coursework. As we stopped by classrooms this week there were so many amazing things happening it made my lion heart ROAR. Mr. Krinis' class was discussing sample variability in Statistics. Ms. Loomis' students were writing proofs in Geometry. Tackling word problems didn't feel like a task with Ms. Hastings, all students were engaged in writing equations. It was all about the f(g(x)) in Algebra 2 with Ms. Brown. Ms. Slucher's class is reading the Odyssey and plotting events. Ms. Hamrick and Ms. Jackson's students are gearing up to write their college essay narrative. Ms. Anderson's students were reading a short story to determine character traits and plot. Ms. Yim's students were looking at enhancing their writing with vibrant language and word choices. Ms. Lawther's students had to find their average stride length and their level of precision in Physics. All of these key classroom skills our supporting Portrait of a Graduate attributes-Communicate, Collaborate, and Critically Think!
We continue our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Our LUSA dancers took to the commons this morning and performed some dynamic, Latin dances. Staff then joined in for our Friday attenDANCE challenge as we danced to the Macarena.
The sun will be shining this weekend. Enjoy, Revive, Refresh, and ALWAYS ROAR!
WE ARE CONNECTING, EDUCATING, and TRANSFORMING every day.
Yours in partnership,
Family Fest was FUN!
 Photo Credit: Amira Bouhsane
POG Skills at work!
Six weeks in, school is up and running!! Our students are learning new things every day, as seen in these math and science classes. Well done, Lions!
Calendar Reminder:
Chuseok/Korean Thanksgiving
Happy Chuseok to our Korean community. Chuseok, also known as the Korean Thanksgiving, is a day to express gratitude to the ancestors for a bountiful harvest. #OurFCPS
Learn more about ChuSeok on Brittanica.com.
See the complete school year calendar.
✍️ SR&R Acknowledgement Due
FCPS’ updated Student Rights and Responsibility (SR&R) booklet is available online and in SIS ParentVUE. The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior, and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Each year, we ask parents/caregivers to review and sign the SR&R. The SR&R will be visible upon logging in to SIS ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgment has been completed.
Signatures are due by Friday, September 29. Please contact our front office if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet. Visit the SIS ParentVUE Account Overview webpage for help logging in to your account.
Back-to-School Preventative Health Practices
Flu season is quickly approaching, and communicable diseases continue to be present in our schools. We are committed to providing students with the education and support to help them succeed while maintaining a safe environment for in-person learning. Families and staff are encouraged to engage in the following health practices to prevent the spread of illnesses.
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Make an appointment to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. Everyone 6 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.
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Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you have not done so already. An updated COVID booster for the 2023-2024 season should be released in the coming weeks and will more effectively target the current circulating strains of the virus. Find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster in your community by visiting: vaccinate.virginia.gov or call (877) VAX-IN-VA or (877) 829-4682.
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Check with your students’ healthcare providers to make sure they are up to date on their required school entrance immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form.
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Check for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. Parents/caregivers are advised to keep their children home if sick and get them tested for COVID-19 to stop further spread from occurring. Employees are also advised to stay home and get tested when feeling sick.
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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 Document webpage.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy.
Free COVID-19 Tests
Supporting Your Child's Mental Health
Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
- Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
- Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
- Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
- A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others.
If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker.
Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call your school or visit their website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to support your child’s wellness.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
No Cost Therapy for High Schoolers
High school students can access virtual mental health services at no cost through an FCPS program with Hazel Health. Hazel Health therapists are licensed and also trained in teen-specific challenges.
Students can be referred by a guardian or designated staff member and participate in weekly video therapy sessions. The therapists will work with students until they achieve their therapy goals, or they can help connect the family with long-term mental health services in the community if needed.
Learn how to opt your students into this service.
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
Homecoming Volunteers Needed!
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR HOCO PARADE!
Do you have a convertible, jeep or truck? If you are available to drive a car or can volunteer your car on Oct 20th, 2023 from 3:30-5pm, please fill out this form: Car/Driver Volunteers
Would you like to volunteer for an intersection during the parade?
Fill out this form: Hoco Volunteer Sign-up
Please email kathleenmurray570@gmail.com for any questions or concerns. Thank you!
Student Opportunities
Election Page
Are you at least 16 years old, live in Virginia, and actively enrolled in high school? Would you like to learn more about the electoral process and earn service-learning hours that can be applied towards the Seal of Excellence in Civics Education? The Office of Elections is offering you the opportunity to serve inside a Fairfax County polling place as an election page for the upcoming November election. They also encourage students fluent in a second language to apply. Learn more and apply.
Congressional App Challenge
The Congressional App Challenge serves as an opportunity for high school students to be more engaged in coding in their district. Every year, Members of Congress challenge students in their districts to create and submit their original apps for a chance to win the Congressional App Challenge (CAC). Each challenge is district specific. U.S. Representatives publicly recognize their winning teams, and each winning app may be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year.
Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives’ website.
- Winning students are invited to #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington D.C.
- Additional sponsor prizes TBA!
For more information and to register, please visit:
https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/students/student-registration/
Youth Conservation Leadership Institute
The Youth Conservation Leadership Institute (YCLI) is a program for 9th-12th grade students offered by Virginia’s Soil & Water Conservation Districts. YCLI focuses on volunteer service, environmental stewardship, leadership, and connecting students with environmental issues in their local communities. YCLI students complete a 20-hour project of their choosing throughout the school year, meet with their cohort, and receive the guidance of mentors. Learn more about YCLI and apply by Monday, October 2.
Freshman Parent Night, Oct. 26
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Mark your Calendars!
Freshman Parent Night will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26 @ 5:30 p.m. in the school auditorium.
Keep an eye on this space for more details to come!
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PSAT Day Donations Needed!
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Hello, Fairfax Families! We are asking for donations of granola bars and Nutrigrain bars to give to students on PSAT day, Oct. 11. Please drop off items to the main office, labeled "PSAT Day." Questions, contact Mrs. Cate at 703-219-2223 or vmcate@fcps.edu. Thank you!!! |
College Fair, Oct. 15, Eagle Bank Arena
High school students and their families are invited to attend the annual FCPS College Fair and the Postsecondary Virtual events. The College Fair will feature admissions representatives from more than 250 colleges and universities from across the United States and abroad. The fair will be held at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena on Sunday, October 15, 4-7 p.m.
The Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 16, and Tuesday, October 17, 5-8 p.m. The virtual event will feature workshops related to the college admissions process, financial aid, and other postsecondary educational opportunities.
Students are highly encouraged to register in advance for these events.
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! Our next meeting will be Friday, Oct. 6 at 8:30am. Register by contacting Ashley Curl, at amcurl@fcps.edu, or Laura Kaniewski, lekaniewski@fcps.edu.
Make a SUBstantial Difference!
FCPS is always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers. Weekly virtual substitute teacher information sessions are held each Wednesday from 2:00-3:00pm. Register for an upcoming session on October 4, 11, 18, or 25.
💲 Subs to Receive High-Volume Pay on High-Volume Days
The School Board has approved a list of 18 days for substitutes to receive high-volume pay. All teacher substitutes will receive their hourly pay plus an additional $80 for each high-volume day they work. See the list of high-volume days and more information.
A bonus program for substitutes who accept more than the 10 required days has also been approved. Substitutes working 50 days within a school year, will earn a $200 bonus. Substitutes working 100 days within a school year, will earn a $300 bonus. Substitutes working 150 days within a school year, will earn a $400 bonus. Get more information on this sub bonus program.
with us throughout the year by:
Fairfax HS PTSA
Table of Contents:
- No Fuss Fundraiser
- Raffle Drawing
- Mock SAT/ACT
- ANG Info
Support FHS Students and Teachers!
 Donate today! We have a $3,000 fundraising goal to fund the PTSA budget fully. The Parent Teacher Student Association supports FHS through financing functions (e.g., college admission officer speakers) and supporting wellness, diversity, and volunteerism. The PTSA rewards academic achievement, offers student scholarships, funds classroom grants, teacher appreciation events, and 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:
Fairfax High School PTSA - Bylaws & Budget
Become a PTSA Member TODAY!
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Parent/Adult: $20
Teacher/Staff: $12
FHS Student: $8
Thank you!
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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.
Final round of winners from our September 27th drawings!
- FHS Mousepad: Toby Sorensen
- FHS Lanyard: Julie An
- Free Bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes: Veronica Chavez
If you have not been contacted already, please reach out to membership@fairfaxptsa.org
*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.
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
All Night Grad (ANG) Update
The All Night Grad Committee had its kick-off meeting this past week. We are off and running towards making All Night Grad 2024 a huge success for our seniors.
Thanks to those parents who came out for the meeting.
Even if you weren’t able to make the meeting, we are still looking for parents to join our committee. There are a number of ways to be involved in the Committee.
Make a donation for the All Night Graduation Party.
Donate here: https://fairfaxhs.memberhub.com/store/items/931830
Encourage local businesses and community groups to donate!
Help out by taking the lead with:
- Online Silent Auction
- Coordinating Community Donations
- School Communications and Social Media
Join us at our next Committee Meeting on October 18, 7:00 pm, FHS Library.
If you have any questions on the All Night Grad Party, or would like to talk about how you can help, please email us at ang@fairfaxptsa.org.
Together, we will make this a night for our seniors to remember!
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Do you want to celebrate a Fairfax 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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