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.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى

Hello, Springfield District!

Fall is truly upon us! The weather has finally cooperated, and I am excited to welcome sweaters and pumpkin spice back into my life. For all of you with Seniors in your family, my thoughts are with you as you navigate what comes next in these crazy next few months. Good luck and best wishes to you (I’ll be there again next fall!).

This past month has been super busy, and I’ve been grateful to have had so many opportunities to connect with you. I was able to participate in a Gun Safety Roundtable discussion with members of Moms Demand Action, Giffords, representatives from the Fairfax and Arlington Community Service Boards, FCPD, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s office, and my fellow board members, Rachna Sizemore Heizer and Karl Frisch. It was an incredible opportunity to share what our community is going through and how we can work together to make a difference. I also had the distinct honor and pleasure of getting to be a part of the Lake Braddock SS 50th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and the LBSS Homecoming Parade! Both events were just incredible, and I am always so very impressed by the amazing work of Ms. Kearns and her team. Both events also gave me a chance to sneak a hug to my favorite band member, so this Mama Bruin’s heart is awfully full. I was also honored to get the opportunity this week to meet with Cub Scout Pack 1344 and help them meet their Community leader requirement. The boys had some excellent feedback and very interesting thoughts on how to tackle everything from gas prices to affordable housing. I can’t wait to visit again soon!

On a personal note, during last week’s moment of silence, I expressed my care and concern for the victims, their loved ones, and our entire Jewish community who are suffering from the vicious terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel. Our family has been gutted by the images we continue to see. As a Jewish family, not only are we connected to the direct losses of life from these attacks, but we are all struggling with the antisemitism that has followed. Images of swastikas, yellow stars of David, and a complete lack of empathy for the innocent lives lost have taken a toll on so many families like ours. 

Our family would like to extend our care and concern for all in Israel, Gaza, and the surrounding areas who have already been and who will be impacted by the ensuing war. Our hearts cannot bear any further loss of innocent lives. We pray for peace, understanding, and empathy.

We must do better. Antisemitism, hate, xenophobia, and Islamophobia have no place in our community. What binds us together must be stronger than all who work to divide us.

Families have several resources available to help support their students. The National Association of School Psychologists helps families talk with children about violence, the National Child Trauma Stress Network helps families talk with children about war, and UNICEF helps families talk with children about conflict and war. Additionally, the Jewish Social Service Agency offers Mental Health and Counseling Services in Maryland and Virginia.

If your student needs additional support, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school counselor, psychologist, or social worker, who can check in with them while they are at school.

As always, I remain forever grateful for the opportunity to serve our amazing community.

All my very best, always-

Laura Jane

Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First

If you or your child have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, we encourage you to reach out to a member of the security or administrative team so that we may quickly address the issue.  Students and parents may also utilize the FCPS Office of Safety and Security safety tip line, which you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; Keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone (571-423-2020).

If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.

Students, staff, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and I address the audience, and bottom left from left to right: myself, Delegate Dan Helmer, Lake Braddock Principal Lindsey Kearns, Supervisor Pat Herrity, At-Large School Board Representative Rachna Sizemore Heizer, and senior Minah Sisco.

This newsletter includes information on the following issues:

• Upcoming School Board Meetings
• School Board Work
• FCPS News
• Student Opportunities
• Community News
• Graduation Dates
• Springfield District Scene
• Family and Student Resources
• What’s in a Name?
• Quick Links

Upcoming School Board Meetings

• October 24 at 12:30 p.m. - Work Session: Legislative Program and Proposed Proclamation/Recognition Changes 
• October 24 at 5:30 p.m. - Public Hearing: Choosing the New Name for Woodson High School
• October 26 at 7:30 p.m. - Regular Meeting: West Springfield High School Maintenance Building Naming Proclamation, Disability Awareness Month Proclamation, Executive Expectation #3 - Superintendent Relationships With Families and Community Stakeholders Performance and Policy Review, etc.
• November 9 at 7:30 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Veteran’s Day Proclamation, Executive Expectation #8 - Superintendent Relationship With the School Board Performance and Policy Review, Woodson High School Renaming, etc.
• November 14 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session: Strategic Plan Goal 3 Baseline Report, Fiscal Forecast, and Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Priorities
• November 20 at 7:30 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Strategic Plan Goal 3, Legislative Program, etc.

Please note that times and topics are subject to change.

The work sessions and regular meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and the FCPS website. Both will be recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

For Spanish speakers, to watch recorded School Board meetings, or live during regular meetings, visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the below QR code.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español

Para ver las reuniones de Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las Reuniones Ordinarias en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.

Visit the Community Participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.

Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

School Board Work

Woodson High School Renaming

At the October 12 meeting, the School Board voted to move forward with renaming Woodson High School. 

View the presentation and watch the renaming public hearing.

Watch the full meeting on the FCPS YouTube channel.

Superintendent Global Executive Expectations Monitoring Report

Also at the October 12 meeting, the Board approved Superintendent Dr. Reid’s Executive Expectation (EE) 1 - Global Expectations Monitoring Report based on the Superintendent’s reasonable interpretation of this expectation, as outlined in the Strategic Governance Manual and compliance with EE-1.

View more information on BoardDocs.

Watch the full meeting on the FCPS YouTube channel.

October 12 Proclamations

I was pleased to bring (Indigenous People’s Day/Native American Heritage Month) and support the following proclamations at the Board’s October 12 regular meeting.

• National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Native American Heritage Month Proclamation
• LGBTQIA History Month Proclamation
• Principals, Administrators, and Administrative Assistants Month Proclamation

Multi-Tiered Evaluation of the Community Schools in Fairfax County Initiative

At the October 10 work session, the Board was provided with a presentation on the status of the FCPS Community Schools Initiative, including the implementation of community schools in Fairfax County.

View more information BoardDocs and watch the presentation on the FCPS YouTube channel.

Superintendent Emergency Succession Monitoring Report

At the September 28 School Board meeting, the Board approved Superintendent Dr. Reid’s Executive Expectation (EE) 2 - Emergency Superintendent Succession Monitoring Report based on the Superintendent’s reasonable interpretation of this expectation, as outlined in the Strategic Governance Manual and compliance with EE-2.

View the information on BoardDocs.

Watch the full meeting on the FCPS YouTube channel.

September 28 Proclamations

I was pleased to support the following proclamations at the Board’s September 28 regular meeting.

• National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation
• Fort Hunt Elementary School Baseball Diamond Naming Proclamation

Proclamation and Recognition Changes

At the September 26 work session, the School Board discussed proposed changes to proclamation and recognition processes. Watch the proposed changes section of the work session on the FCPS YouTube channel.

📝Citizen Advisory Committee Reports

The Board was presented with and discussed the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee and the Human Resources Advisory Committee annual reports at the September 26 work session.

See the committee reports and presentations below.

• Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee
• Annual Report
• Watch the report presentation on the FCPS YouTube channel.
• Human Resources Advisory Committee
• Annual Report
• Watch the report presentation on the FCPS YouTube channel.

FCPS News

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Superintendent Community Conversations

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations throughout the school division this year. The events are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. 

As a listening leader, connecting and engaging with community members across our division is critical to Dr. Reid.  

Superintendent Community Conversations are open to all and will be held in each FCPS Region. A second series of conversations will occur in the spring to close the school year. A full schedule of events is listed below. Please choose the event most convenient for you.  

Pre-registration is not required, but does help us plan. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided based on staff availability.

Families with students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology are invited to any of the events listed below, as they are not in one particular region within FCPS.  

October 24, 2023, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Madison High School

Madison High School 2500 James Madison Dr., Vienna, VA 22181. Please register.

This event is intended for schools in FCPS Region 1 but is open to all.  These schools include

• Herndon pyramid schools:  Herndon HS, Herndon MS, Aldrin ES, Armstrong ES, Clearview ES, Dranesville ES, Herndon ES, Hutchison ES
• Langley pyramid schools:  Langley HS, Cooper MS, Churchill Road ES, Colvin Run ES, Forestville ES, Great Falls ES, Spring Hill ES
• Madison pyramid schools:  Madison HS, Thoreau MS, Cedar Lane School, Cunningham Park ES, Flint Hill ES, Louise Archer ES, Marshall Road ES, Vienna ES, Wolftrap ES
• Oakton pyramid schools:  Oakton HS, Carson MS, Crossfield ES, Mosaic ES, Navy ES, Oakton ES, Waples Mill ES
• South Lakes pyramid schools:  South Lakes HS, Hughes MS, Dogwood ES, Forest Edge ES, Fox Mill ES, Hunters Woods ES, Lake Anne ES, Sunrise Valley ES, Terraset ES

October 25, 2023, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

Liberty Middle School 6801 Union Mill Rd, Clifton, VA 20124.  Please register.

This event is intended for schools in FCPS Region 4 but is open to all.  These schools include

• Mountain View HS

• Centreville pyramid schools:  Centreville HS, Liberty MS, Bull Run ES, Centre Ridge ES, Centreville ES, Powell ES, Union Mill ES
• Lake Braddock pyramid schools:  Lake Braddock SS, Burke School, Cherry Run ES, Kings Glen ES, Kings Park ES, Ravensworth ES, Sangster ES, White Oaks ES, Robinson SS, Bonnie Brae ES, Fairview ES, Laurel Ridge ES, Oak View ES, Terra Centre ES
• South County pyramid schools: South County HS, Halley ES, Laurel Hill ES, Newington Forest ES, Silverbrook ES, South County MS
• West Springfield pyramid schools: West Springfield HS, Irving MS, Cardinal Forest ES, Hunt Valley ES, Keene Mill ES, Orange Hunt ES, Rolling Valley ES, Waynewood ES, West Springfield ES

Opportunity to Evaluate FCPS’ Websites

FCPS will be working with our website vendor to enhance user experience on the school division’s website and our school websites. This will include improving key elements such as design, layout, navigation, content, and accessibility.

Your input is an important part of this process. A survey will be sent next week. The survey will provide an opportunity to tell us how our websites work for you and what you would like to see improved.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Visits FPCS

In honor of National School Lunch Week and National Farm to School Month, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Chief Vilsack toured Annandale Terrace Elementary School, a school with an active learning garden that is growing beets, radishes, and red peppers that some of its families will eventually enjoy. All Annandale Terrace students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

Cafeteria Manager Rama Gundapaneni and FCPS Executive Director of Food and Nutrition Services Shaun Sawko made sure Vilsack knew about the “low sodium tomato sauce” featured on the sandwich, as well as the fresh basil garnish, and the fact that the secretary’s lunch tray would also feature red peppers, cucumbers, and a hard-boiled egg, now that all FCPS school lunchrooms contain salad bars.

Vilsack, whose agency oversees the National School Lunch Program, said he was inspired to see the dedication to child nutrition and push to locally source fruits and vegetables

.

Opening of Schools Report

Dr. Reid presented the School Board with an "Opening of Schools" report during the September 14 Board Meeting. I hope you will take a few minutes to view this video and the accompanying presentation slides - lots of interesting data!

✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan

Goal 5: Leading or Tomorrow’s Innovation 

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five student-centered goals to create positive change in FCPS. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

Under Goal 5, every student will graduate ready to thrive in life after high school with the skills they need to navigate, adapt, and innovate for a sustainable future. Using data gathered from students, we will ensure they are ready for a wide variety of options for their futures. 

Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 5.

FCPS Policies, Regulations, and Notices Available Online

Virginia’s Standards of Quality require all school divisions to notify the public annually of the availability of the school system’s policies. A continuous review process ensures ongoing examination and revision of each policy, regulation, and notice as needed. View Fairfax County Public Schools policies. 

Any citizen who requests a hard copy of a directive has a right to receive it and should be provided with the most current version printed from the website. The School Board office, at Gatehouse Administration Center, maintains the historical records of all directives.

For more information, call 571-423-1075.

⚠️ Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is essential for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. If students, staff, or community members have a (non-emergency) safety concern at school, they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

Title IX Notice

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to a learning and working environment free from all forms of discrimination and does not tolerate acts of sex-based or gender-based misconduct:

• Any student who believes that they have been subjected to sex-based or gender-based misconduct, any parent of such a student, or any student who believes that another student is being subjected to sex-based or gender-based misconduct is encouraged to report the misconduct to FCPS, specifically to their school principal. 
• Any administrator who believes that a student is being subjected to sex-based or gender-based misconduct is required to report such suspected misconduct to the school principal.

FCPS conducts prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into any such reports. Interim measures will be available to students who have alleged sex-based or gender-based misconduct and students who are accused of sex-based or gender-based misconduct – including but not limited to separation pending the outcome of an investigation, counseling, and educational resources.

When an investigation reveals that sexual misconduct created a sexually hostile environment, FCPS will take prompt and effective steps to end the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effect – including continuing the interim measures as necessary to protect the reporting student and ensure his or her safety. Students found to engage in acts of sex-based misconduct or other acts that create a hostile environment will be dealt with promptly, and discipline may include, but is not limited to, suspension or expulsion. FCPS encourages students, parents, and staff to work together to prevent sex-based or gender-based misconduct of any kind.

For more information about the FCPS Title IX Process and Response, please contact:

FCPS Title IX Coordinator

Chief Equity Office

8115 Gatehouse Road

Falls Church, VA 22042

Phone: 571-423-3070

Website: fcps.edu/title-ix

Email: titleixcoordinator@fcps.edu  

Federal Impact Aid Survey: Now Online

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. To make it easier, the form is now available online in SIS ParentVUE. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Once logged in to SIS ParentVUE, click “Online Packets” in the top right corner. Then, select “Federal Impact Aid Survey.” Get more information.

Need to Register for ParentVUE?

Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. Find out how to get technical support for ParentVUE.

📝 Applications Open October 23 for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2028 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting Monday, October 23, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to apply by Friday, November 17, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.

👟 Middle School Athletics Off to a Flying Start

Middle school students from across the division put on their running shoes as cross-country teams competed for the first time this month.

FCPS designated funding in the 2023-24 school year budget for middle school athletics to support student wellbeing at no cost to students. Cross-country is being offered this fall at all middle schools. Track will follow in spring 2024.

FCPS High-Impact Tutoring Program

Fairfax County Public Schools has developed systems and structures for implementing high-impact tutoring. As of October 17, FCPS has 161 tutors hired for this school year, working in approximately 60 schools. 

High-impact tutoring connects small groups of students (up to five) with a tutor who meets with them consistently. They meet regularly and routinely assess student growth to ensure the students are meeting or exceeding their goals. 

Additional tutors are continually being added to our roster. Current tutors include former teachers, school administrators, medical doctors, lawyers, NASA scientists, professors, and small business owners. We are also partnering with community groups and nonprofits to ensure our entire community is invested in helping students succeed. 

FCPS began researching a high-impact tutoring plan nearly a year ago and began placing tutors with schools last school year. Our in-person tutoring effort is partially funded by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III funding, federal money received by the school district to assist with post-pandemic recovery.

Rather than asking principals to manage the recruitment, hiring, and placement of tutors, FCPS’ Office of School Support is managing the process. Principals can work with the FCPS tutoring team to place tutors in schools. The principals can then connect the tutors with students who are most in need of their services.  

Our existing high-impact tutoring program is one example of how FCPS’ 2023-30 strategic plan is guiding our commitment to academic growth and excellence, ensuring students can access early intervention, academic, and other support as needed.

Find information on becoming a tutor.

Academic Matters

📊 SAT Outcomes

At the October 12 regular School Board meeting Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared SAT outcomes and opportunities for FCPS students.

As in years past, the FCPS class of 2023 average score of 1181 was higher than the state average (1113) and the global average (1028). The percentage of FCPS seniors taking the SAT has also remained consistent, despite the sharp decrease in participation statewide.

Watch Dr. Reid's presentation on YouTube or view the slides.

📖 Reading by Third Grade

At the September 29 School Board meeting Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided information about the division-wide goal of reading by third grade, which is part of Goal 3 of the strategic plan. A video about the literacy program at Woodlawn Elementary School was presented. The school's science-based approach to literacy is hugely impactful — not just on the students’ reading skills and assessment scores, but on their confidence and their enjoyment of reading.

FCPS has continued to improve its approach to reading over the last several years through our Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) plan. Reading by third grade is also one of the measures of Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence in our 2023-30 strategic plan. 

By focusing on foundational skills for our young readers and literacy intervention for upper grades, FCPS has made significant progress toward narrowing the achievement gaps in this critical skill. Visit the Strategic Plan webpage for more information.

Watch the presentation.

🗺️ FCPS Facebook Pages in Spanish and Korean

¿Sabía usted que FCPS tiene Facebook en Español? Manténgase conectado con las últimas noticias o información importante. Síganos por Facebook Español.

페어팩스 카운티 공립학교가 지난해 한국어 페이스북 페이지를 개설했습니다.한국어 페이스북 페이지는 학교 관련 정보, 이벤트 및 교육 비디오를 한국어로 공유해 많은 한국인 학생 및 가족에게 FCPS의 소식을 전달하려 합니다. FCPS의 한국어 서비스를 받아보시려면 꼭 한국어 페이스북을 팔로우하여 주시기 바랍니다. 

📆 Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When scheduling trips or family events, try to use weekends and school holidays, and refer to the FCPS Calendar when planning. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence to their school. Most schools have links to their attendance email or notification systems on their home pages. If you are unsure how to report an absence, please call your school’s front office.

Watch a video with tips on understanding FCPS' school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

Multi-tiered Systems of Support

Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is a committee consisting of administrators, teachers, and members of the Department of Student Services. The committee meets twice monthly to coordinate and develop school-wide systems and individual plans to support students in academics, wellness, or attendance.

But what are the “multi-tiers” of support? The three tiers are:

• Tier 1, which are school-wide systems for making sure students receive high-quality, evidence-based instruction and support
• Tier 2, which provides targeted interventions or enrichment opportunities to individuals or groups of students
• Tier 3, which creates specific, personalized plans for individual students.

By ensuring that each of these levels of focus is discussed, researched, and refined, the MTSS committee also plays an important role in creating a school culture that encourages early intervention and comprehensive support.

🍊 A Man With a Healthy Plan: Welcoming FCPS’ New Head of Food and Nutrition Services

It’s time for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students to say farewell to processed corn dogs and sugary breakfast items, and hello to healthy global dishes, ample fresh fruit and veggies, and a program of scratch-made cooking.

Alongside incoming Executive Director Shaun Sawko, FCPS' Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) team will be rolling out improvements to their menu that better reflect the diversity of our student body and focus on fresh, healthy food.

FNS is developing new scratch-made hot breakfast sandwiches and freshly made fruit and yogurt parfaits for students as they start their school day. 

For lunch, there will be 12 new items this fall alone. The new offerings include black bean burgers, chicken parmesan sandwiches, chicken fajitas, meatball marinara subs, fresh garden vegetable flatbread, and BBQ-pulled chicken sandwiches. Offerings will also include a Veggie Wrapadilla, which was inspired by a group of Franklin Middle School students who won a school lunch recipe competition last year that was coordinated by our partners, Real Food for Kids.

“Over the coming months, we will be introducing new menu options to our schools that focus on plant-based proteins that are more inclusive of our Vegan, Vegetarian, Kosher, and Halal families,” Sawko said. “It is important that our menus reflect the students that we serve and also that we provide as much access to fresh, locally sourced fruits and vegetables as possible in our meals.”

The menu changes follow another FCPS initiative that ensured each of our schools has salad bars in their cafeteria this year. Sawko also plans to deepen relationships with local farms and producers, as the district aims to illustrate the concept of farm-to-table eating in our schools and bring scratch-cooking to all schools.

“We know, and research supports, that students learn better when they have access to healthy food,” FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid said. “Last year, Food and Nutrition Services served more than 18 million meals to our students, including approximately 60,000 who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. I am so grateful to Shaun and our entire Food and Nutrition Services team for ensuring that our students start and end their days well-nourished.”

Student voice will be central to changes as well, Sawko said. In November, Sawko and his team will be inviting more than 200 students from across elementary, middle, and high schools to taste test around 30 different menu concepts at a showcase event in Fairfax County.

“I am excited about the opportunity to transform the way we serve our students’ nutritional needs,” he said.

💻 Thinking Like a Computer

Thirty students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology are scanning a Chutes and Ladders game board, with just fifteen seconds to determine the smallest possible number of moves to get from the starting square to the end of the game.

Hands fly into the air and guesses wildly range from four to 17 moves – one student had come up with the correct answer: 7, it turns out, is the smallest number of possible moves needed to make it from the start to the finish.

Senior Anika Saraf had gotten it right.

“To be totally honest that was just a guess,” Anika said. “There is no way a person could solve this problem that quickly, you have to search through at least 200 different possible ways to move through that game board – which is impossible for a human in 15 seconds. But a computer can do it through code in probably .00015 seconds.”

That’s exactly the lesson her instructor Malcolm Eckel wanted his students to take away. There is a surefire way to come up with a solution: create an algorithm through coding, a kind of artificial intelligence, that could do the computations for them.

Eckel is teaching a course in artificial intelligence, an elective at TJHSST that is available to students after they complete AP Computer Science.

Read the full story on the FCPS News webpage.

🌎 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

At Fairfax County Public Schools, we believe students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of the many cultures and people who make our nation (and our schools!) unique. National Hispanic American Heritage Month is a perfect time to honor the rich stories of those who trace their roots back to Hispanic and Latin American countries. Read about a recent celebration at Braddock Elementary School, where 75% of students and 30% of staff identify as Hispanic or Latino.

🗳️ Calendar Update for March 5 Presidential Primary

The Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.

As a result, March 5 will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day. Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as it does on other professional work days. 

🔔 “My First Year” Teacher Series: Episode 2 - The First Bell

Ms. Vivi is back for episode 2 of the “My First Year” teacher series. With her first school year well underway, watch how she fosters a sense of community in her classroom and juggles the tasks that come with being a teacher, all while developing personal connections with her students.

Watch the second episode and read more about Ms. Vivi and her journey as a first-year teacher.

FCPS Reaches Settlement in Juul Litigation

FCPS has settled a class-action lawsuit against vaping company Juul Labs, Inc. The money will be allocated to supporting student wellness programs across the division. Read more about the settlement.

📰 Newsletter for Military-Connected Families

Did you know that the Office of Family and School Partnerships publishes a monthly newsletter for military-connected families? Subscribe today.

Office of Auditor General Engagement and Office Updates

Current Engagement Updates

At the October 4 Audit Committee meeting, we presented the following agenda items:

• Auditor General updates 
• Office of Auditor General (OAG)’s team, roles and responsibilities 
• FY24 Auditor General’s Performance Specifications
• FY23 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III Continuous Monitoring Results
• FY23 Employee Evaluation Audit Report
• OAG Audit Recommendation Follow-Up

In addition to the ongoing Continuous Monitoring, we are currently conducting the FY23 Local School Activity Funds, Food and Nutrition Services, and Facilities Maintenance audits.

Using Professional Skepticism in the K-12 Environment

Professional skepticism is a term that is most often associated with auditors, and rightly so. As auditors, we have a responsibility to use professional skepticism as we complete our work by having a questioning mind, being alert to areas that could indicate misstatement or fraud, and an assessment of audit evidence. The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) defines professional skepticism as an “attitude that includes a questioning mind and a critical assessment of audit evidence”.

Auditors incorporate six elements of professional skepticism as we complete our work. These elements allow us to evaluate suspicious areas while remaining objective as we assess evidence.

     Six Elements of Professional Skepticism

1. Questioning mindset. Question the validity of the information provided.
2. Suspension of judgment. Be objective when reviewing information and weigh the evidence and determine the sufficiency of the information before concluding.
3. Search for knowledge. Be curious in your search for knowledge.
4. Interpersonal understanding. Understand the reasoning behind the actions taken.
5. Self-determining. Have autonomy in decision-making, evaluating, producing, and maintaining opinions.
6. Self-confidence. Have confidence in yourself and your abilities. Auditors need to incorporate professional skepticism in their work; however, there is a misconception that only auditors are responsible for professional skepticism. Auditors cannot be everywhere, so we all must practice professional skepticism in our daily work.

Using professional skepticism in a K-12 environment

Think about your average day at work. Are there areas where having a questioning mindset could help protect FCPS?

There are areas in each of our work areas that could allow us to incorporate professional skepticism. In an environment that is always busy, it’s easy to take things at face value. However, taking things at face value can allow for misstatements or even fraud to occur. In all areas, from teaching to administration, applying professional skepticism could help mitigate risks for the organization and help prevent or identify fraud.

How can you incorporate professional skepticism into a K-12 environment?

• First and foremost, having a questioning mindset is key. If something feels off, ask questions.
• Be objective and obtain proof. Never make accusations without having evidence to support this.
• Gather and organize evidence to understand a situation and to identify inconsistencies.
• Keep an open mind. Sometimes things are coincidental. That’s why gathering evidence is so important. You never want to accuse anyone of false information.
• Provide this evidence to the appropriate parties. Whether this is your principal, manager, HR, or the FCPS Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline, report your suspicions and any evidence you have.

Key Takeaways:

• We are all responsible for protecting FCPS.
• Don’t take things at face value. If things feel off, ask questions, and get additional support.
• Don’t conclude based on intuition, conclude based on sufficient appropriate evidence.
• Report suspicions and evidence to management.

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline:

(571) 423-1333 (anonymous voicemail)

InternalAudit@fcps.edu (email is not anonymous)

FCPS Business and Community Partnerships

High Impact Tutoring Partner Planning a Return

EduTutorVA, the homegrown and fast-expanding high-impact tutoring not-for-profit, is back and exploring a refreshed Ignite Partner for the 2023-24 school year; again supporting Poe and Whitman middle schools and Hutchison, Mount Vernon Woods, and Westlawn elementary schools.

New this year is a planned shift from after-school tutoring to during-school pull-out tutoring.

High-impact tutoring leads to substantial learning gains for students by supplementing students’ classroom experiences while responding to individual needs and providing support that complements the curriculum. Characteristics of high-impact tutoring programs include 

• Oversight of tutors to assure quality.
• High dosage weekly tutoring.
• Regular monitoring of the skills learned and student knowledge.  
• Sustained and strong relationships between tutors and their students. 
• Alignment with the district’s curriculum and coordination with teachers. 

EduTutorVA’s tutors are college students, often education majors, from colleges and universities throughout Virginia. The tutors receive training and ongoing coaching. Upon graduation from college, the tutors are recruited to become teachers as a part of EduTutorVA’s Tutors to Teachers initiative, which is supported by Fairfax County Public Schools.

We Need Business and Community Partners to Achieve Goal 5

The 2023-30 FCPS strategic plan sets five student-centered goals to create positive change in FCPS. Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation, speaks to the value of community engagement, especially business and community partnerships.  

Under Goal 5, every student will graduate ready to thrive in life after high school with the skills they need to navigate, adapt, and innovate for a sustainable future. The goal’s relevant measures are many and include:

• Availability of, accessibility to, and participation in multiple pathways and work-based learning opportunities (e.g., shadowing; internship; apprenticeship; and Career and Technical Education).
• Attainment of FCPS Portrait of a Graduate competencies and digital and financial literacy.
• Supported and successful transitions leading to high school graduation and postsecondary opportunities.
• Enrollment in college, entry into the workforce or public service, enlistment in the military, or other, verifiable post-secondary plan.
• Students innovating and preparing for the future.

Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 5.

Speech and Debate Volunteers Needed

Volunteer judges are some of the most vital contributors to the speech and debate community. Without judges, tournaments will not be possible.

Fairfax County Public Schools is seeking volunteers to judge at local speech and debate tournaments. These events are held on Saturdays from October through February at area high schools. Tournaments run from 8:15 a.m. until approximately 5 p.m. Lunch is provided by the host school.  

If you’re curious about what will be expected of you, want to know more about training and preparation, or if you have other questions, please contact Mark Deaton, coach of the Westfield High School Debate Team, at mdeaton@fcps.edu or 703-608-1284.

The National Speech and Debate Association also offers information. Scroll to the middle of the page with the heading “Getting Started.” 

The benefits of student participation in speech and debate are substantial. Students learn to communicate persuasively, respond to challenges, and analyze complex issues from multiple perspectives. Most judges find the experience inspiring and tremendously rewarding.

Educate Fairfax News

Support Centreville High School’s Prom Dress Store 

For the next two weeks, you can round up your purchase at Macy's with Furniture at Fair Oaks Mall and support Educate Fairfax at the same time! Proceeds will support the prom dress store run every spring by students at Centreville High School.  

Since 2006, the dress shop has helped hundreds of financially challenged students attend prom in style each spring by providing dresses and accessories at no cost to students.

Any area student—not just those from Fairfax County Public Schools—who do not have the funds to purchase a prom dress may choose from hundreds of new dresses donated by Macy’s. They must show a valid student ID, or other form of school identification, to select a free dress. Funds from your purchase this October will provide other items needed to run the store and sustain this valuable service to our students. 

Hall of Fame Nominations Open

Do you know an FCPS graduate who is making a difference in the community? Let us know so we can celebrate them! 

Nominations are open for the next FCPS Hall of Fame induction in spring, 2024.

Applications are available through this link.

You can read about the 20 fabulous alumni we've already inducted on our website. Stay tuned for details about the evening celebration next spring.

Student Opportunities

Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.

The Future of Leadership Youth Conference

High School juniors and seniors may join the Leadership Fairfax Youth Leadership Network Annual Conference. This year’s conference will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church. The conference will include training sessions and experiences for students who are interested in improving their leadership skills, building stronger communities, and creating a more equitable future. Topics will include

• Know Your Talents
• How to Find Support in Your Mentors
• Generational Differences
• Understanding Equity
• And more!

Registration is required, and the cost is $10. Scholarships are available by contacting Lavina Gangwani-Colaço at lavina@leadershipfairfax.org. 

🦈 Calling All High School Students: Enter the Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge

The 8th Annual Student "Shark Tank" Technology Challenge has commenced, and details about this year's competition are now available online. The contest is sponsored annually by the Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee, to inspire high school students to develop a device or app that will positively impact the lives of older adults or adults with disabilities.   

This year the committee is interested in innovative projects that may offer assistance in areas such as:

• Active free time activities
• Participation in the arts
• Caregiving
• Increasing social connections and reducing isolation

This event is open to all high school students in Fairfax County, and participants will be tasked with developing an innovative device or app that could positively impact the lives of older adults and adults with disabilities. The initial project proposal must be submitted by December 15, 2023, while the final submissions will be due April 3, 2024. Cash prizes will be awarded by the sponsor, INTEGRITYOne Partners, and winners will be recognized by the Board of Supervisors in May 2024. Learn more on the Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge webpage.

👵 Herralink HerraHelpers 👴

Herralink is an organization that connects high school volunteers, AKA HerraHelpers, with residents in retirement homes who may not have someone who regularly visits them. They help create connections that become family.

Herralink, founded by recent Centreville High School graduate, Isabella Solano, was created to help bring back the vitality of human connection to those who matter most: our seniors. By uniting the eagerness of youth with the wisdom of age, they're not just building a volunteer program – they’re redefining the meaning of family. They strive to connect and create family, one link at a time, by connecting high schoolers with residents based on their matching system.

Herralink has partnered with Gainesville Health and Rehab Center and Dulles Health and Rehab Center and is looking for high school student volunteers to join their HerraHelpers to enrich residents’ lives.

Find more information and apply on the Herralink website.

Community News

🏺 Scam Cops - "Your Anti-Scam Force" 

Scams have become an ever-present threat in our increasingly digital world, making awareness of them more crucial than ever. In today's society, the internet has become a double-edged sword, offering convenience and opportunity on one side while posing the risk of fraud and deception on the other. By understanding how scams operate and recognizing their warning signs, we can not only safeguard ourselves but also play an active role in educating and protecting our communities.

The ScamCops initiative started by Fairfax High School student and Springfield District resident Advik Atyam sparked a remarkable journey and all the Fairfax High School "Scam Cops" eagerly embraced it.

Together, with guidance from their computer science teacher, Ms. Rebecca Cruley they have navigated the club's establishment, from brainstorming ideas and planning activities to recruiting members and organizing events.  

Together, they delve into the world of scams, shedding light on the tactics scammers use and the measures we can take to stay vigilant, informed, and resilient in the face of these threats." Students connecting with senior citizens and assisting them with information about scams has been a heartwarming experience for all involved. In these intergenerational connections, students bring their tech-savvy knowledge and a desire to protect the more vulnerable members of our community. By sharing knowledge about common scams and how to recognize and avoid them, students are not only empowering seniors with practical skills, but they are also fostering meaningful relationships and bridging the generation gap.

Together, they are building a network of support that serves to safeguard the elderly against the ever-evolving landscape of scams, all while nurturing friendships that offer a sense of belonging and a shared sense of purpose." 

If you have any questions or need assistance, their team is here to help. You may register as a cop at ScamCops.org. If you need more personalized assistance, feel free to contact their support team at help@scamcops.org. They're committed to making your experience as smooth as possible.

Fairfax County 2022-2023 Youth Survey Results

Fairfax County has published its report for the 2022-2023 Youth Survey. The anonymous and voluntary survey was taken by 27,000+ 8th-grade, 10th-grade, and 12th-grade students and 11,000+ 6th-grade students. FCPS students report significantly lower rates of mental health concerns compared to school year 2021-2022. Additionally, more students report historic lows for risk behaviors, such as substance use. And, more students report participating in volunteer and extracurricular activities than the previous year, but rates are still lower than pre-pandemic levels. View 5 Things to Know From the 2022-2023 Youth Survey and the full report.

PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) occur most commonly after a strep infection. Due to the strep infection, brain inflammation occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells. This leads to autoimmune processes that affect central nervous system function in children including a sudden, dramatic change in personality, displayed as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, tics or other abnormal movements, personality changes, decline in math and handwriting abilities, sensory sensitivities, restrictive eating, and more.  PANDAS/PANS Awareness Day was on October 9 and raises awareness and makes a difference for those who suffer from these disorders. Read more on the PANDAS Network website.

LGBTQIA+ History Month LGBTQIA+ History Month is recognized in October nationwide. We acknowledge and celebrate that LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families are an integral component of our nation. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Disability History and Awareness Month In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

Día de los Muertos and All Saints Day Día de los Muertos is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Wednesday, November 1, and Thursday, November 2, are “O” Days this year. To learn more about Día de los Muertos, watch this video. While Día de los Muertos is primarily celebrated in Mexico and Latin America, it also coincides with All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). These days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants worldwide to honor those who have died and gone to heaven (All Saints Day) and those who may still be in purgatory (All Souls Day). The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days.See the complete school year calendar.   Quarter End, Early Release, Student Holiday As a reminder, Friday, November 3, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Monday, November 6, for a school planning day. See the complete school year calendar.   🖼 Woodson High School Annual Craft Show The Woodson High School Craft Show, brought to you by the Woodson Crew Boosters, is hosting their annual event on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Woodson High School. Admission is free! The show features juried handmade arts and crafts from dozens of artisans around the region. More information be found on the Woodson High School Crew Craft Show website.   🕑 Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back) Sunday, November 5, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!   ☑ Election Day Don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and a teacher work day. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections webpage. See the complete school year calendar.

Veteran’s Day Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.

Diwali Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate this day and the victory of light over darkness.

American Education Week For American Education Week we celebrate ALL who work in our FCPS community: our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, support staff, teachers, leadership, and more! Learn more from the National Education Association. Want to recognize someone from our school who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS Cares.

🤘 Augmentative and Alternative Communication Month October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. AAC refers to the different tools and methods that people use to communicate. This can include strategies and tools, sign language, a pen and paper, or technological solutions such as speech-generating devices.  AAC allows everyone to have a voice and be heard. It gives everyone the power to express their thoughts, needs, and ideas. Our students use a wide variety of AAC tools to support their communication. When we embrace AAC, we foster an environment where every voice, regardless of its form, can contribute to our community!   National Bullying Prevention Month October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition.  Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.” For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student.   🚶‍♂️ October is Pedestrian Safety Month Unfortunately, there are many accidents involving pedestrians in Fairfax County. Below are some resources that may be useful. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe. FCPS Walk and Roll to School Day Resources National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) National Pedestrian Resource Guide  NHTSA Pedestrian Safety Pedestrian Safety Tool Kit in Spanish Department of Motor Vehicles Pedestrian Safety See and Be Seen (Drive Smart Virginia)  Street Smart Safety Campaign If You Don't Know, Don't Go - YouTube National Teen Driver Safety Week Car crashes are the leading cause of unintentional deaths for U.S. teenagers, but we can do plenty to help keep them safe. Inexperience is the biggest issue for new drivers, and the best solution is to help them safely gain experience behind the wheel. Do Not Disturb While Driving Day The National Distracted Driving Coalition has designated October 19, as the second annual National Do Not Disturb Day. This day draws attention to a life-saving feature that is already integrated into every smartphone.  Do Not Disturb While Driving (DNDWD) settings block calls, texts, and other notifications while you’re driving, and help keep you focused on the road ahead. Our goal is to encourage individuals to turn on their phone’s DNDWD feature and tell others to do the same. Enabling a simple setting on your phone could save your life.   👻 Chantilly High School 11th Annual Haunted House Help support the Chantilly High School Girls' Field Hockey and Soccer teams and have some spooky fun at their 11th Annual Haunted House. The Haunted House will take place at Chantilly High School on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Spirited souls may attend their choice of sessions. 1 to 5 p.m. - less scary 6 to 10 p.m. - for braver goblins Additional activities include face painting, games, and arts and crafts. There will also be a free hypnotist from 6-10 p.m., and baked goods and refreshments will be for sale. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Find more information and purchase tickets on the Chantilly High School Haunted House website.   🦇 Lake Braddock Secondary School Trunk or Treat Join Lake Braddock Secondary School's Classes of 2024-2027 for Halloween fun for Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the Lake Braddock Black Top. Costumes are encouraged and suggested donations are $5 per child or $10 per family.   🎃 South County High School Best Buddies Club Trunk or Treat Join the South County High School Best Buddies Club for Halloween fun at Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the South County Faculty Parking Lot.

Class of 2024 Graduation Dates

It's hard to believe that our spring graduations are just over seven months away! Be sure to save the date!

Please note that graduation and transition ceremony dates for alternative schools and centers have yet to be determined.

Springfield District Scene

On Wednesday afternoons at Centreville Elementary School, a treasure trove sits outside the front office — a treasure that’s rich in vitamins and nutrients. Box by box, a local farmer hauls in fresh eggs, bell peppers, apples, tomatoes, potatoes, and squash. Next, she wheels in a cart carrying a big mesh bag filled with ears of corn. Below that, large, plump pumpkins, ready for carving. When the final bell rings, all of it will go up for sale in a farmers market set up outside the school’s main entrance. It’s run by students, just for students, parents, and staff. The popular market is a unique way for these Fairfax County Public Schools students and their families to have access to healthy foods at a low cost.  Centreville’s farmers market is a tradition that started nine years ago when STEAM teacher and Outdoor Education Specialist MaryAnn Settlemyre bought a cantaloupe at a local farmers market from Susannah Grove, a Prince William County-based farmer. Read more in the October 13 FCPS News article.

Centreville Elementary School STEAM teacher MaryAnn Settlemyre and local farmer Susannah Grove

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood at Katherine Johnson Middle School.  Science Teacher Eric Haapapuro, known as “Mr. H” by his students, was honored by the Fred Rogers Institute with a Helper Award. Inspired by the legacy of Fred Rogers, the Helper Award recognizes individuals who care for children and communities in their daily and professional lives in “ordinary and extraordinary ways.” Mr. H only began teaching three years ago. Read more about his journey to teaching for FCPS and why he was one of only 14 recipients of this award. Watch this short video about his award.

This summer, the Rocky Run Middle School Technolgy Student Association (TSA) Chapter had four members attend the National Conference in Lousiville, KY. TSA hosts middle and high school competitions for technology, engineering, science, and computing categories. Rocky Run earned a second-place trophy in Mechanical Engineering with the fast mouse-trap power car in the competition. Additionally, they were recognized as a top ten finalist in Aviation and they participated in six additional events. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Chantilly High School English Teacher and Yearbook Sponsor Luc Nguyen who recently was recognized with the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisors Washington and Lee Young Advisor Award for his contributions to Journalism Education in his first five years! Fantastic!

Shout out to Fairfax High School English teacher Daniel Miller for placing as a finalist for Northern Virginia Magazine’s Teacher of the Year Award! Way to go! Fairfax High School Art teacher, Heather Dilatush, will be one of six FCPS art educators showing artwork at the Recent Works Art Show at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum. Friday, October 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 21, from noon to 6 p.m. Part of the proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Wow! Additionally, Fairfax’s Auto Tech Program and teacher John King were featured recently on ABC 7News. Read the article.

South County High School guitar students participated in the 1000 Global Guitar Ensemble as part of the World Culture Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Friday, September 29. Seventeen students traveled to Washington, DC to take part in this unique opportunity, organized by the South County guitar teacher Schuyler Kieley. Bravo!

West Springfield High School Studio Art students Meena Lane and Olivia Ford, and Art teacher, Mrs. Minji Lee, attended the Arts in Embassies 2023 International Medal of Arts event at the White House and got to mingle with internationally renowned artists Tony Abeyta, Sheila Hicks, Robert Pruitt, Suling Wang, and Hank Willis Thomas. First Lady Jill Biden presented this year's International Medal of Arts awards to five artists. This year’s recipients included Tony Abeyta, a Diné contemporary artist who comes from a lineage of Navajo artists; Sheila Hicks, who has painted in Chile and documents archeological sites throughout South America; Robert Pruitt, whose work focuses on Black figures referencing hip-hop and draws inspirations from African artistic forms; abstract painter Suling Wang and pop culture artist Hank Willis Thomas.

South County and Fairfax High Schools Compete in “It’s Academic”

Saturday, October 7, South County and Fairfax High School Quiz Bowl Teams traveled to Washington, DC to tape an episode of the local TV quiz show “It’s Academic!” They matched wits against students from Blake High School to answer trivia questions across a variety of subjects. Tune in to WETA on Saturday, November 4, 2023, to watch the episode at both 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.!

🏆 Celebrating Employee Excellence

Pictured from left to right: Chief of Schools Dr. Geovanny Ponce, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, Jerry Mason, Miriam Lynch, Julie Halse, Betsy Fawsett, and Region 4 Assistant Superintendent Penny Gros.

FCPS’ Excellence Awards, held on October 11, 2023, at Fairfax High School, celebrated the efforts and achievements of employees whose job performance produces exceptional results that support the mission and vision of FCPS. The Excellence Awards recognize multiple pathways to results by using nomination categories based on the school system’s goals including Growth, Impact on Others, Innovation, and Student Achievement. Congratulations to the following employees:

Growth Category

Individual Winner:

• Amy Parmentier, Director of Student Services, Chantilly High School

Impact on Others

Individual Winners:

• Elizabeth Flaherty, Student Information Assistant, Willow Springs Elementary School
• Tim Spicer, Health and Physical Education Teacher, Katherine Johnson Middle School

Team Winner:

• Ray Pincham, Marco R. Washington, and Jeremy Wiles; Security Team; Quander Road School

Innovation Category

Team Winners:

• Anne Baker, Moonhee Doan, Meg Dombro, Kevin Feighery, Leslie Leisey, Mike Lis, Emily Phelan, Lisa Prillaman, Charlotte Quigly, Beth Robertson, Margaret Sisler, Karianna Stanton, and Emily Texdahl; Portrait of a Graduate Planning Team; Chantilly Pyramid
• Betsy Fawsett, Julie Halse, Miriam S. Lynch, and Jerry Mason; Spartan Tech Team; West Springfield High School

Student Achievement Category

Individual Winners:

• Susanne Cook, Speech Language Pathologist, Lake Braddock Secondary School
• Kevin Greata, Assistant Principal, Fairfax High School

Team Winner:

• Crystal Hurley and Hannah Warnick, Intervention Specialist Team, Frost Middle School

See the full list of Excellence Awards recipients, and read more about the Individual and Team winners.

FCPS Schools Name to Advanced Placement School Honor Roll

The College Board announced that 17 FCPS high schools have been named to the Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll. Schools can earn bronze, silver, gold, or platinum distinction. 

Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. 

The AP program offers college-level courses and exams that students can take in high school. By taking AP exams, students can earn college credit. FCPS pays the fees for the first six AP exams taken by each student for FCPS courses in which they are also enrolled for high school credit.

The schools named to the AP School Honor Roll in which Springfield District students attend are

Bronze Distinction Schools

• None attended by Springfield District students

Silver Distinction Schools

• Centreville High School
• Fairfax High School
• South County High School
• West Springfield High School

Gold Distinction Schools

• Chantilly High School
• Lake Braddock Secondary School

Platinum Distinction Schools

• Oakton High School
• Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
• Woodson High School

For a school to be recognized on the AP School Honor Roll in a given year, it must meet each of the following criteria for its students in the most recent graduating class; these criteria are anchored in research-based relationships between AP and college outcomes: 

Bronze Distinction

• College Culture: 40% or more of the graduating cohort took at least one AP exam during high school.
• College Credit: 25% or more of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam during high school.
• College Optimization: 2% or more of the graduating cohort took five or more AP exams during high school*. 

Silver Distinction 

• College Culture: 50% or more. 
• College Credit: 30% or more. 
• College Optimization: 5% or more.

Gold Distinction 

• College Culture: 65% or more. 
• College Credit: 35% or more. 
• College Optimization: 10% or more.

Platinum Distinction 

• College Culture: 80% or more. 
• College Credit: 50% or more. 
• College Optimization: 15% or more.

*At least one of those exams was taken in 9th or 10th grade so that students are spreading their AP experience across grades rather than feeling disproportionate pressure in any single year. 

More information about the AP School Honor Roll is available online.

Students Earn AP Capstone Diploma and AP Seminar and Research Certificates

Eighty-six FCPS students earned the Advanced Placement (AP) ® Capstone Diploma and sixteen students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ during the 2022-23 school year.

AP Capstone™ is a diploma program from the College Board based on two year-long AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. Both courses prepare students for college and career success through the development of critical thinking, academic research, collaboration, presentation, and time management skills. Throughout the AP Capstone program, students study a variety of topics across multiple disciplines and have the flexibility to choose topics of personal interest to show mastery of critical thinking, research, and presentation skills. Official AP Seminar and AP Research assessments include academic papers, multimedia presentations, and defense of findings.

Springfield District Students Earning the AP Capstone Diploma

Centreville High School

Eszter Csenteri

Hannah Ko

Caroline Sieber

Chantilly High School

Tanvi Danda

Tanisha Lanka

Fairfax High School

Ronit Batra

Adeline Gibson

Maya Littman

Riya Menon

Lake Braddock Secondary School

Kristine Nguyen

Caleb Sharman

Oakton High School

Yeonsoo Kim

Ashley Shin

Elijah Suk

Ziyi Zhang

Springfield District Students Earning the AP Seminar and Research Certificate

Chantilly High School

Isabell Lee

Lake Braddock Secondary School

Eunseo Ko

Amelia Wojcik

More information about the Advanced Placement Courses is available online.  For more information, contact Amy Andrews, education specialist, High School Advanced Academic Programs, at akandrews1@fcps.edu.  

Read the full list of AP Capstone and AP Seminar and Research Certificate recipients.

🎖️ Virginia Board of Education Honors FCPS Schools with Exemplar Awards

Twenty-five Fairfax County public schools have been awarded a 2023 Virginia Board of Education Exemplar Award. Four schools received the Highest Achievement Exemplar Award, and 21 received the Continuous Improvement Exemplar Award.

Schools receiving the Highest Achievement Award in which Springfield District students attend are:

• Sangster Elementary School
• Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

The criteria for this award are:

• The school must be accredited. 
• The school meets state benchmarks in reading, math, and science (75% for reading and 70% for math and science) based on the current year pass rate on state assessments (not including growth or English learner progress).
• All student groups within the school meet state benchmarks in reading and math (75% for reading and 70% for math) based on the current year pass rate on state assessments (not including growth or English learner progress), and 
• For schools with two student groups, there is no more than five percentage points between the lowest performing group and all other students in the school; or 
• For schools with three or more student groups, there is no more than ten percentage points between the lowest performing group and all other students in the school. 

The schools receiving the Continuous Improvement Exemplar Award in which Springfield District students attend are:

• Centreville Elementary School
• Katherine Johnson Middle School
• Orange Hunt Elementary School
• Silverbrook Elementary School
• South County Middle School

To receive the Continuous Improvement Award, the school can be Accredited or Accredited with Conditions and must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• The school demonstrates an increase in the combined rate for math, reading, and science for each of the past three years (for 2022-2023 only, the three years are 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2021-2022), with a total increase across the three years of 10 points or more.
• The school demonstrates an increase in the combined rate for two or more student groups in reading and math for each of the past three years (for 2022-2023 only, the three years are 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2021-2022), with a total increase across the three years of 10 points or more. 
• The school demonstrates an increase in the Graduation and Completion Index (GCI) for each of the past three years (for 2022-2023 only, the three years are 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2021-2022), with a total increase across the three years of 4% or more; and school demonstrates a decrease in the dropout rate for each of the past three years (for 2022-2023 only, the three years are 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2021-2022), with the total reduction across three years of 15% or more of the first year’s dropout rate. 

More information about the Virginia Board of Education Exemplar Awards is available online.

Pictured are School Board and Leadership Team members with administrators from the following schools. Top row from left to right: Centreville Elementary School and Katherine Johnson Middle School. Second row from left to right: Orange Hunt and Sangster Elementary Schools. Third row from left to right: Silverbrook Elementary School and South County Middle School. Bottom row: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Family and Student Resources

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.

Tips from the Healthy Minds Blog

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Saves Lives

Need help right now? 

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org/chat/. Immediate emergency services to your location are available by calling 911.

What is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline?

The 988 dialing code operates through what was formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is a network of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers around the country. The Lifeline transitioned to the 3-digit number in July 2022. Transition to 988 is an important step forward and offers an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen and transform crisis care in our country.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week access to trained counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use, and other mental health crises. People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org/chat/ for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Interpretation services are offered in over 150 languages (phone calls only for any language other than English and Spanish). All conversations are free and confidential. Many excellent resources are available on the 988 Lifeline website. Be sure to know the risk factors and warnings signs of suicide.

Need for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Too many people are experiencing suicidal crises or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need, and sadly, the pandemic only made a bad situation worse when it comes to mental health and wellness in America.

Consider these statistics from 2021:

• The U.S. had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes.
• For every person who dies by suicide annually, 316 people seriously consider suicide but do not kill themselves.
• For people aged 10-14 and 25-34 years of age, suicide was the second-leading cause of death.
• Suicide rates increased significantly among non-Hispanic Black & American Indian and Alaska Native people.
• Nearly 900,000 youth aged 12-17 and 1.7 million adults attempted suicide.
• About 107,000 people died from drug overdoses.

Yet, there is hope. The 988 Lifeline helps thousands of people struggling to overcome suicidal crises or mental health-related distress every day. The Lifeline has received over 23 million calls from people in distress looking for support when they needed it most...and that number is growing even faster with the change to 988. Lifeline crisis counselors are trained and ready to help anyone needing support. Be sure to spread the word to others that help is immediately available through the 988 Lifeline.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org/chat/. Immediate emergency services to your location are available by calling 911.

Specialized Services

The 988 Lifeline voice, text, and chat options are offered in Spanish. To call a Spanish-speaking crisis counselor, dial 988 and then press 2. To text with a Spanish-speaking crisis counselor, text AYUDA to 988. Chat with a Spanish-speaking crisis counselor here.

Los servicios de llamada, texto, y chat de 988 Lifeline se ofrecen en español. Para comunicarse con un consejero de crisis que habla español, marque 988 y luego presione 2. Para enviar un mensaje de texto a un consejero de crisis que habla español, envié la palabra AYUDA al 988. Chatear con un consejero de crisis que habla español aqui.

LGBTQI+ people under the age of 25 can access 24/7 LGBTQI+ support on both 988 Crisis Chat or Text. You’ll be asked if you want to opt-in to this support before you’re connected to a crisis counselor.

Veterans and active service members can reach the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) 24/7 by texting 838255, chatting with the VCL, or calling 988 and pressing 1. Learn more about the VCL.

Deaf and hard of hearing people can access 24/7 support through the 988 American Sign Language Videophone.

More Information on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The Washington Post recently published this article for the first anniversary of the 988 Lifeline: They have minutes to save a life — 988 is a year old and busy.

A New Resource in FCPS

Fairfax County Public Schools recently developed a new Suicide Prevention webpage. When school personnel, families, and communities take an active role in suicide prevention, lives can be saved. Visit this site to learn more information on the warning signs of suicide, as well as how to talk to your child about suicide. Find out what efforts FCPS is taking towards suicide prevention. A number of additional resources are offered. 

A Quick One-Page Guide to Suicide Prevention

The National Association of School Psychologists offers this excellent Guidance at-a Glance resource: Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents and Educators. 

IMPORTANT! If you or someone you know is suicidal, get help immediately by

• Calling 911.
• Calling or texting 988, or chatting 988lifeline.org/chat/ to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

• Visiting the nearest emergency room.

• Contacting these emergency service options:

• Dominion Hospital Emergency: 703-536-2000
• Mobile Crisis Unit: 1-844-627-4747
• Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health: 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. Their therapists are licensed and trained in teen-specific challenges.

Students may 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.

Dyslexia Open House

Fairfax County Public Schools is holding a Dyslexia Open House on October 26, 2023, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031. This event is open to staff members and families who would like to learn more about dyslexia and how Fairfax County Public Schools supports students with dyslexia.

From 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to visit tables set up with information from a variety of departments in FCPS including the Office of the Ombuds, Office of School Psychology, and the Office of Special Education Instruction. From 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. a variety of speakers will discuss the importance of dyslexia awareness and how to support students with dyslexia.

Register in advance.

Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference

The 2023 Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference, sponsored by Assistive Technology Services (ATS) in the Department of Special Services, will be held on Saturday, October 28, from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at West Springfield High School. 

The RATE Conference focuses on strategies for using assistive technology hardware, software, and peripherals to enhance learning for all students. 

The keynote speaker is Dell McDonald, a technical support specialist in the Department of Information Technology. Dell will share how assistive technology tools positively impacted his educational experience and are an integral part of his career. Breakout sessions will focus on inclusive technology, reading and writing strategies, assistive technology in the early childhood classroom, communication tools, and other topics. 

Parents/caregivers, teachers, staff, and community members are invited to attend. 

Check out the conference webpage to register, and to view the conference schedule and session descriptions.

Paying for College Night and Scholarship 101 Virtual Workshops

Join College Access Fairfax and FCPS for virtual workshops on Paying for College (the financial aid process) and Scholarship 101 (an overview of the process for applying for outside scholarships.

Paying for College

• Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 10 a.m.
• Zoom Link
• Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 7 p.m.
• Zoom Link

Scholarship 101

• Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 10 a.m.
• Zoom Link
• Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 7 p.m.
• Zoom Link

🧪 Free COVID-19 Tests

Every U.S. household can place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

Review health and safety guidance for schools to stay up to date on the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and for information on when students should stay home from school. 

🏈 Alcohol and Football

As the cooler weather comes in, the leaves begin to change, we exchange our sandals for boots and Pumpkin flavored favorites, and football becomes the topic of many conversations. Families gather one or more times a week, wearing sports paraphernalia to root for “their team”, often enjoying an alcoholic beverage. Adults may have these interactions in the safety and confines of their own home, at a friend's house, or in a noisy establishment with televisions and a bar. When this routine becomes a habit seen by teens regularly, they may begin to associate alcohol with football. So, when they attend their school’s football game, it’s now their night out with friends, and the close association between football and alcohol has already been established for them.

Media ads from various companies showcase their ice-cold brew options with stereotypical attractive people at a bar, appearing cool. When adults attend in-person games, tailgating seems mandatory as part of the full experience. When teens meet up before attending football games, pre-game drinking may be something they consider.

Alcohol.org states that people who watch games at viewing parties, average consumption of 7 drinks, and those who tailgated averaged 8 drinks. In a country that values football and has connected football to the consumption of alcohol, it’s easy to see how teens may be conditioned to do the same. If a student is old enough to attend football games, they’re old enough to have conversations about alcohol safety.

Here are some tips to help:

1. Establish clear and consistent boundaries “I will not tolerate…”.
2. Explain why adults have the privilege to drink and adolescents are not allowed to drink.
3. Do not exaggerate.
4. Set a desired outcome for the conversation: Think about what you want your teen to understand before you get into the conversation.

Resources

FCPS video on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs:  https://dl.ebmcdn.net/fcps/courses/ATODParentPresentationRequired103119b/story_html5.html

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at (571) 423-4270.

How to Prevent Substance Misuse

It’s true, that teens are more likely to listen to peers rather than their parents, it is part of this stage in development. When a baby is born, the brain’s sole responsibility is focused on keeping them alive. As they grow into adolescence, finding their tribe becomes important. Think about your top three happiest memories up to this point in life. What were you doing? How did you feel? Who was there? Each of these memories was likely a shared experience with others. Likely you were laughing and smiling with loved ones, maybe food was involved. Now shift to think about your three worst memories. What was going on? How did you feel? Who was there? In each of these memories, you likely were alone or felt alone.

Substance use becomes a problem for some because they either are or feel alone. Connection is an important aspect of our everyday lives. Fairfax County’s "Three to Succeed" describes protective factors to help youth achieve their higher selves. If a child has at least three of these protective factors, they are more likely to succeed in life. They include: having high personal integrity, trusted adults to talk to, performing community service, participating in extracurricular activities, teacher recognition of effort and good work, and parents' availability for help. What is noticed is that five of the six protective factors involve a connection with someone else, and the first protective factor describes a connection with self.

Resources

Knowing the Signs: Substance Abuse & Today’s Youth

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Substance Use Prevention & Encouraging Healthy Brain Development

REVIVE Training for Opioid Overdoses

FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program

Fairfax County Drug Take Back Day - October 28, 2023

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at (571) 423-4270 and be sure to follow them on X (formerly Twitter) at @FCPSSAPS.

Register for Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center

The FCPS Family Resource Center (PRC) is offering free webinars. They are

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, November 6, 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! 

SibTeen

SibTeen is a community-building group for Middle School students (grades 7-8) who have a sibling with disabilities. We will have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities.  It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences. SibTeen is a place where participants will feel validated and understood and can build upon their community of support. And…. there will be snacks!

Our Pilot SibTeen workshop is scheduled for

Monday, November 6, 2023, from 1-4 p.m. 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: SIBTeen: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! 

Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair

This event is designed for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities who need continuing support after they exit FCPS. Learn about supported employment options, day support programs, recreation/leisure activities, residential living options, travel training supports, advocacy, funding, and more! There will also be an in-person exhibitor fair.

Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Annandale High School Cafeteria (4700 Medford Drive, Annandale, VA 22003)

Register for Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair! 

Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: A Two-Part Series

Join Dr. Erin Berman, a Clinical Psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland for these important sessions to help children cope with anxiety, depression, and stress.

Part 2 Highlights:

• Identify stress in children of all ages
• Explain common sources of stress
• Provide strategies for lowering stress levels so that all caregivers can benefit

Part 2: November 10, 2023, from 10-11:30 a.m. Share this event with others.

Register for Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: A Two-Part Series

Funcionamiento Ejecutivo - Ayudando a tus hijos con la organización, la regulación emocional , y la flexibilidad (Executive Functioning- Helping your kids with organization, emotional regulation, and flexibility.) ** presentado en español

Función Ejecutiva se refiere a las habilidades que ayudan a los estudiantes a planificar con anticipación y alcanzar metas, mostrar autocontrol, seguir instrucciones de varios pasos incluso cuando son interrumpidos y mantenerse concentrados a pesar de las distracciones para tener éxito en escuela. Únase a nosotros para aprender cómo ayudar a sus estudiantes a fortalecer estas habilidades.

Aspectos destacados del seminario web:

Parte 1: 17 de noviembre de 2023 10-11:30 a.m. Share this event with others.

• ¿Qué son las funciones ejecutivas?
• ¿Por qué es importante para los padres saber sobre las funciones ejecutivas?
• Expectativas del desarrollos del funcionamiento ejecutivo por edades.
• El ADHD y el funcionamiento ejecutivo.

Parte 2: 8 de diciembre de 2023 10-11:30 a.m. Share this event with others.

• Como nuestro estilo de crianza puede influir en el desarrollo del funcionamiento ejecutivo de nuestros hijos.
• Estrategias para ayudar a nuestros niños a desarrollar y fortalecer su funcionamiento ejecutivo.

Register for uncionamiento Ejecutivo - Ayudando a tus hijos con la organización, la regulación emocional , y la flexibilidad (Executive Functioning- Helping your kids with organization, emotional regulation, and flexibility.) ** presentado en español

What’s in a Name?

Each month I feature a different Springfield District school from the What’s in a Name video series. This month let’s learn about the history behind Waples Mill Elementary School’s name.

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The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.

© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia

E-mail: Laura Jane Cohen  |  Phone: 571-423-1080

Stephanie Sheridan, Executive Admin Assistant,
571-423-1065, srsheridan@fcps.edu