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.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى
Dear Sully District Families,
With the winter break upon us, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you to have a safe and restful holiday. I am looking forward to the opportunity to relax, reconnect with friends and family, and recharge. I wish you all the same.
As we approach the end of my School Board term, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. It has been my privilege and pleasure to serve as the Sully District representative on the School Board these past four years.
My term has been fulfilling in so many ways. I assumed the responsibilities of the Board’s Vice Chair in my inaugural year and served as Chair of the Board in 2021-2022. I am proud to have navigated Fairfax County Public Schools through the myriad of challenges presented by a global pandemic, while orchestrating a successful nationwide search for a new Superintendent for the school division. At our Regular meeting on December 14th, my final School Board meeting, I was honored to be recognized along with some of my amazing colleagues on the School Board, who will not be returning to the next year.
Recognizing the pivotal role of an exceptional public education for all, I have ardently championed an advanced, inclusive, comprehensive curriculum, with a special emphasis on ESOL services and world language offerings. My advocacy spanned diverse initiatives, including eliminating opportunity gaps in reading, efforts to relieve the overcrowding at Centreville and Chantilly High Schools through a future Western High School in Sully District, establishing middle school recess, shaping a healthier food and nutrition policy, advocating for later middle school start times, promoting educational equity, fostering enhanced outdoor/experiential learning opportunities through Get2Green, investing in increased Advanced Academic resources, raising salaries for teachers and staff, ensuring equitable access and participation to STEM and Computer Science education, and helping to establish an artificial intelligence/emerging technology strategy for the school division. The video below offers a few glimpses into my incredible four years as your Sully District representative!
 Thank You Sully District!! (Click the image above to view the video)
I would also like to extend a special thank you to my staff aide, Shaheen, who has been an incredible support to me and resource to the constituents and students of the Sully District. Shaheen will be helping with the transition period after my term ends and will be supporting any constituents with concerns.
I have enjoyed meeting with you at town hall meetings, open office hours, and engaging with Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), community organizations, school leadership, and staff throughout my term, to ensure that every voice resonated, every school received unwavering support and every single student received the individualized support and care they needed. Serving as a good fiscal steward and initiating policies that create opportunity and access for our students to be successful is a significant responsibility and my life’s passion. My work has given me valuable experience and insight into our school division and I hope to continue to serve the needs of our students and community as I move to my new position as Senator Elect for Virginia District 36.
I also want to extend a warm welcome to our new Sully District School Board representative Seema Dixit. Seema has a genuine passion for education and its potential to shape a brighter future. She is committed to ensuring that every child in Fairfax County has access to a world-class education. I know that Seema looks forward to partnering with each of you on behalf of all Sully District’s children going forward. Welcome Seema!! Watch the Administration of Oath of Office to Newly-Elected School Board Members.
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Inside this newsletter:
THANK YOU for your ongoing support these past years. I hope that every student feels welcomed, respected and valued in every single classroom in FCPS. I look forward to working together with you in my new capacity as Senator of the 36th district to continue to shape an environment for our students, staff and community to thrive!
All the best, and warm wishes for a joy filled holiday season and a wonderful new year.
In partnership,
Stella Pekarsky
Sully District Happenings
Congratulations to all our 2023 Fall Sports Champions!
Congratulations to all the FCPS student-athletes who participated in the 2023 fall sports season! This year, three teams and four individuals won the Virginia High School League Class 6 championship in their respective sports, and three teams and one individual were the state runners-up. Read the full list of winners.
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Oakton Marching Cougars are a National Finalist!
The Oakton High School Marching Cougars, a prestigious 25-year Virginia Honor Band, has been chosen as a national finalist in Metallica's inaugural marching band competition, "For Whom the Band Tolls." The Marching Cougars were selected as one of the top five bands in the small high school category by a panel of professional marching band judges. Metallica band members will view Oakton's submission and choose the overall winner to be awarded $15,000 in prizing the first week in January.
You can view the Marching Cougar’s online submission of “Parade to Black” here. Oakton High School encourages the school and local community to proudly vote in support of the Marching Cougars as “Fan Favorite” on this national stage. Vote for the Oakton Marching Cougars by texting #HSOAKTON to (833) 609-0330. Go Cougars!
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Food Insecurity Resources for Families
Food insecurity impacts more than 60,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Find out how to receive or offer support on the Fairfax County website or view their Human Services Resource Guide to find organizations that offer help.
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Cozy Up With Books Over Break
 Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, book discussions, and more.
Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!
The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up their seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.
Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, Candy Cane Lane at Oak Marr Mini Golf, and many more fun events.
Winter Teens in Action Camp at Sully Community Center
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services free Teens In Action Camp. Check out the flyer and registration form for the camp at Sully Community Center, which will run from December 26th-29th. Teens In Action is for any participant that is in 7th-12th grade. This camp will offer a wide variety of activities - such as sports, arts & crafts, STEAM, music, and even field trips. Spaces are limited!
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2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence Baseline Report Approved
 At the December 4 Regular Meeting, the School Board voted to approve the Goal 3 Baseline Report as the division's baseline data that will serve as a starting point for the work toward achieving the goals in our FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence.
The baseline report identifies benchmark data, final targets, and our current division-wide work toward the goals. Our Goal 3 measures can impact the rest of a student’s life in the following ways:
- Students who are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
- Students who do not successfully complete Algebra 1 by eighth grade are kept from higher-level mathematics courses needed for STEM careers.
- Students without experience in advanced coursework during high school are less likely to enroll in, persist, and complete college.
FCPS’ overall percentage of students successfully passing the third grade reading SOL and completing Algebra 1 by eighth grade is above the state average. However, there is room for improvement among groups including English learners, economically disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities.
Read the full report.
Fiscal Year 2024 Midyear Budget Review
At the December 14 School Board regular meeting, the Board voted to approve revenue and expenditure changes reflected in the Fiscal Year 2024 Midyear Budget Review.
In the School Operating Fund, funds available are increasing by $5.0 million due to adjustments made after the FY 2023 Final Budget Review primarily from sales tax revenue based on actual receipts.
Grant adjustments total $1.1 million in both revenue and expenditures.
Recommended FY 2024 expenditure adjustments include funding for security cameras at nine elementary schools, background checks, client communications platform, W.T. Woodson High School renaming, restorative justice practices, facility testing room enhancements, and federal IDEA grant awards adjustments. In addition to the expenditure adjustments, position authorization recognizes a 1.0 IDEA grant-funded position.
As a result of the expenditure adjustments, the remaining funding available from the FY 2024 Midyear Budget Review totals $3.1 million, and it is recommended that these funds be added to the FY 2025 beginning balance. The FY25 beginning balance totals $28.1 million which is the same level as FY24.
Watch the full meeting on the FCPS YouTube channel.
2024 Fairfax County School Board State and Federal Legislative Program
The School Board annually adopts a legislative program and legislative priorities to inform local, state, and federal public officials and others of its positions on legislative policy and budget issues of potential importance to Fairfax County Public Schools students, teachers, staff, parents, and the broader Fairfax community. The program contains the School Board’s positions on state and federal issues of both current and ongoing significance. It facilitates Board input to policymakers as they debate various policy options, sharing the possible programmatic and financial impacts of legislative and policy actions. At the December 4 Regular Meeting, the School Board voted to adopt the 2024 Fairfax County School Board State and Federal Legislative Program. Watch the full meeting on the FCPS YouTube channel.
Middle School Start Times
In September, FCPS awarded a contract to Prismatic Services, Inc., to develop a plan for potentially changing middle school start times. The plan will explore starting the middle school day no earlier than 8 a.m., without changing high school start times or impacting FCPS’ budget.
Prismatic will present their findings to the School Board in January. The board will decide in the spring whether or not to proceed with changing middle school start times. Read about the Middle School Start Times project.
Snow Days This Winter
For the current school year, FCPS will be returning to its previous procedure for snow days — there will be no virtual learning days when school is closed due to bad weather.
During snow days, students may still access Tutor.com, complete any supplemental learning opportunities recommended by their teachers, and view educational programming (available virtually and on public access television channels):
Eleven snow days are built into the existing FCPS calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will allow us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.
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Support the 2024 Science Fairs!
 Are you a scientist looking to give back and inspire future scientists? FCPS School-Based and Region Science Fairs are looking for you!
Volunteers are needed for
- Judges at High School Fairs
- Judges at the Regional Science Fair on Saturday, March 16, 2024
Find more information.
Keep Learning Over Winter Break with Tutor.com
Does your child need help getting up to speed in high school math, science, or English? Tutor.com offers diagnostic quizzes to help students test their knowledge and find areas where they may need help. Quizzes can be taken anytime, and students can connect immediately to a tutor.
Test prep is also available for students preparing for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
FCPS students have unlimited access, 24/7, to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Students can connect online any time, any place, and in most K-12 subjects for however long they need.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Tuesday, January 9, 10:30 am - Work Session
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Thursday, January 11, 7:30 pm - Regular Meeting
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Thursday, January 18, 6 pm - Capital Improvement Program Public Hearing
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Thursday, January 25, 7:30 pm - Regular Meeting
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Tuesday, January 30, 10 am - Work Session
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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