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Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
如果您想以其他语言阅读此新闻时讯请访问我们的网站。
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.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى
Dear Sully District Families,
Thanksgiving break begins Wednesday, Nov 22nd and I hope that you are able to spend time with loved ones, make memories and celebrate all that we have to be thankful for.
I am thankful for our outstanding Sully District community. You are incredibly supportive of our staff, programs, and of course, our students. Thank you ALL! I am so grateful to serve and represent our students, families, teachers, administrators and staff.
Inside this newsletter:
You have my best wishes for a safe, relaxing and fun-filled Thanksgiving holiday.
In partnership,
Stella Pekarsky
Thank You Voters! 2023 School Bond Referendum Passed
 Thank you to the voters of Fairfax County! Many of the schools that were part of the 2023 Bond Referendum are ones that Sully district students attend. Public schools are clearly a priority in our county.
Roughly 67% of those voting in the 2023 election supported the $435 million bond referendum, continuing a long history of school bond approvals in Fairfax County.
Stay engaged as we build our future. Keep up-to-date on construction and capital improvements across FCPS by visiting our Capital Improvement Project webpage.
FCPS Students Selected for 2023 All-Virginia Jazz Band, VMEA Senior Honors Choir, and All-Virginia Elementary Orff Ensemble
There are many Sully district students among the forty-six students representing 16 Fairfax County high schools selected for the 2023 All-Virginia Jazz Band and VMEA Senior Honors Choir. Students throughout Virginia went through a rigorous audition process for positions within these ensembles. Student musicians will rehearse with nationally recognized conductors.
In addition, seven students representing two Fairfax County elementary schools have been selected for the 2023 All-Virginia Elementary Orff Ensemble.
See the full list of students selected for these ensembles and a list of concerts that are open to the public.
Changes to Secondary Course Offerings
At the November 9 Regular Meeting, the School Board approved secondary course changes recommended by the FCPS Course Review Committee. These changes include new courses intended to introduce students to explore possible career paths, such as aircraft and remote piloting, healthcare, AI, and welding. The changes also include increased GPA weight for certain courses that have rigorous curriculum. In addition, Cybersecurity Fundamentals will become a standard offering that will be available at all high schools. See the full list of changes and the rationale.
Seeking FPAC Applications
The Fairfax County School Board invites applications from community members interested in serving on the Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) for an At-Large member and a Sully District member. FPAC advises and informs FCPS staff and the School Board in the development of comprehensive, long-term plans for facilities. FCPS encourages individuals with experience in construction, engineering, architecture, land use planning, development, demographics, government operations, and financing to apply. The deadline to submit an application is November 28th. Applicants must reside within the boundaries of Fairfax County or Fairfax City, or in the Sully magisterial district if seeking the Sully representative seat. More information about FPAC and an application are available online.
Observance Graphics Created by Students in Design Challenge
In May, the FCPS Office of Communications called for entries for new graphics to help acknowledge the religious and cultural observances identified on the 2023-24 School Year Calendar. Eleven winning designs will be featured on FCPS and school social media platforms, and in newsletters leading up to the holidays. See the full list of winners.
Winners of the challenge include students from Sully District schools bolded below:
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Diwali: Rijuta D. – Chantilly High School
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Bodhi Day: Mina L. – Longfellow Middle School
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Christmas: Najenyi D. – Justice High School
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Three Kings Day: Roan V. – Oakton High School
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Lunar New Year: Kerstin Q. – Marshall High School
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Ash Wednesday: Mikayla D. – Liberty Middle School
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Ramadan: Naba F. – Westfield High School
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Good Friday: Summer S. – Chantilly High School
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Easter: Dayanara M. – Falls Church High School
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Eid al-Fitr: Tazrian S. – Mark Twain Middle School
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Passover: Ella G. – Marshall High School
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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.
SpeaktoLead, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is a Youth Leadership Program (YLP) Training Program that gives youth of today a forum to improve public speaking and leadership skills using a project-based learning approach using creative avenues to make a positive impact to the community.
They are hosting a virtual ZOOM information session on college admissions and mental health on Dec 10th. See website for details. Register for info session here.
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Art Contest
Get your art supplies ready because the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program Art Contest is almost here! Students in grades K-8 from the United States and U.S. territories can submit their artwork that answers how marine debris impacts the ocean and Great Lakes and what you are doing to help prevent marine debris. Submit your artwork, and you can see it featured in NOAA’s 2025 Marine Debris Calendar!
Learn more about the NOAA Marine Debris Art Contest and apply by Friday, December 15, 2023.
Northern Virginia Community College Fall 2023 - Fab Lab Design Challenge
The Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Fab Lab Design Challenge is a competition that is open to middle school, high school, and post-secondary students. This year’s challenge is to create a one-of-kind musical instrument. Designs may be handcrafted from everyday objects or new materials, manufactured through 3D printing or laser cutting, including electronic components, or any of those in combination. Cash prizes will be awarded at each division along with $1000 for the overall Grand Champion. Students may participate as individuals or in a team of up to 3 members.
Find more information on the NOVA Fab Lab website. Submissions are due by Sunday, December 10, 2023.
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.
Library of Congress Video Game Challenge for Civic Engagement
The Library is calling on video game developers to create fun and lightweight video games related to civics that incorporate Library resources. This challenge is part of an effort to improve public knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of American citizens. Winning video game entries, to be announced early next year, will receive $35,000 in cash prizes. The deadline for all entries is November 27. Learn more.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Tuesday, November 28 at 10:30 a.m. - Forum: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy for FCPS
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Tuesday, November 28 at 11:45 a.m. - Work Session
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Monday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. - Regular Meeting
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Tuesday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session
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Thursday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. - Regular Meeting
Please note, times and topics are subject to change.
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.
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, watch recorded School Board meetings or to watch live during the Regular Meetings on YouTube, you may visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the QR code. |
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Contacting Me
To contact me, it is most helpful if you can please use the official School Board contact form. This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.
Use this link to sign up for our Newsletters.
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
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