|
To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
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。
이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.
.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى
Dear Sully District Families and Community Members,
Happy New Year! I am thrilled to introduce myself as your newly elected representative on the Fairfax County School Board. I am Seema Dixit, and I feel honored to have started my first term on January 1, 2024, which will continue through December 31, 2027.
Sully District has been my home since 2004, where I have had the privilege of raising my family. My husband and I immigrated to the US from India and worked diligently to afford our children a bright future. We are deeply appreciative of the magnificent opportunities that we have been blessed with through living in Fairfax County. As the proud mother of two FCPS students, I understand the importance of a quality education and its impact on our children's futures.
In addition to my role as a parent, I am a small business owner and the co-founder of a women's empowerment foundation. Over the years, I have immersed myself in our community, serving on various committees, volunteering, and engaging with families. This active involvement has provided me with invaluable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities our schools face.
Education holds a special place in my heart, driven by my genuine passion for its transformative potential. I am committed to ensuring that every child in Fairfax County has access to a world-class education. I look forward to collaborating with you all, drawing on my diverse experiences to address the needs of our community and create successful life outcomes for all our students.
As I begin my term, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Stella Pekarsky, former School Board representative to Sully District, for her incredible service and strong stewardship over the past four years. She has been a wonderful support to me and I look forward to collaborating with her in her new position as Senator for Virginia District 36 to serve the needs of our students and community in Sully District.
Inside this newsletter:
On January 9th, the newly elected School Board held it's first work session on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Facilities staff presented the proposed FY 2025-2029 CIP and is working hard to alleviate and find solutions for the schools that have the most acute capacity deficits given our fiscal constraints and the length of our renovation queue. The quality of school facilities impact student learning and our students deserve a high quality study environment. As we move through the CIP planning and comment period for this year, I will advocate strongly to make progress on capacity enhancements, renovations, and especially site acquisition for the new Western High School in Sully district. You can access the proposed CIP document through the FCPS CIP webpage.
Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of representing Sully District on the School Board. I am eager to serve and work alongside you to make a positive impact on our children's educational journey. Please feel free to reach out to me with observations, suggestions, questions and celebrations. You can do that through this form School Board contact form or you can call or email me. I hope 2024 brings you lots of love, laughter and joy!
Warm regards,
Seema Dixit
New School Board Members Sworn In
 Newly Elected Fairfax County School Board
I was honored to be sworn in along with recently elected members of the Fairfax County School Board. I took the oath of office on December 13 at Jackson Middle School. The 12 members of the board were elected for a four-year term on November 7, 2023. Our terms began on January 1, 2024.
 Oath of Office - Sully District Representative Seema Dixit
The Magisterial District Representatives will now include Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Braddock District; Melanie Meren, Hunter Mill District; Robyn Lady, Dranesville District; Marcia St. John-Cunning, Franconia District; Mateo Dunne, Mount Vernon District; Karl Frisch, Providence District; Sandy Anderson, Springfield District; and myself Seema Dixit, Sully District. Sully District residents will be represented by me as their magisterial member, but also by the three at-large members: Kyle McDaniel, Ryan McElveen, and Ilryong Moon.
A video of the administration of the oath of office is available online
Sully District Happenings
Oakton Marching Cougars Win Metallica Band Competition!
 The Oakton High School Marching Cougars have won Metallica's inaugural marching band competition, For Whom the Band Tolls. Members of the band Metallica, a heavy metal group formed in the 1980s, chose the overall winner from among five finalists.
The Marching Cougars were selected as the best in the small high school category by a panel of professional marching band judges. They will be awarded $15,000. Read more about the competition. So proud of our talented musicians and wonderful music educators. Thank you to all the students, parents and community members who voted for them! Go Cougars!!
Middle School Mastery - Family Workshop at Rachel Carson Middle School on January 22nd!
 Save the date! A Family Workshop coming! RCMS is excited to bring you an interactive learning experience designed to support you as you support your student’s success. Join us on Monday, January 22nd to learn strategies, tips, and techniques to aid your student in improving executive functioning skills such as organization, time management, studying and conquering middle school!
How to Partner or Volunteer with Schools
 FCPS Business and Community Partnerships is happy to work with local businesses and organizations to help support our schools and students. Through its Ignite Partnerships, the team establishes valuable long-term relationships in the community. Please contact Jay Garant at 571-423-1225 for information. Learn more about Business and Community Partnerships by subscribing to their monthly newsletter.
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!
The Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair is a competition for students attending high school in Fairfax County. Students may earn entry to the Regional competition through a science fair held at their local public or private schools.
Volunteers are needed for
- Judges at High School Fairs
- Judges at the Regional Science Fair on Saturday, March 16, 2024
Find more information.
Family Resource Center - January Events
 The Family Resource Center offers free webinars for adults to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
Save the date for the following discussions in January. Click on the title to register for each event:
Families can find printable resource guides and details about the center’s free lending library on FRC’s homepage. They may also sign up to receive the FRC newsletter for updates on webinars, resources, and other information. If you have questions, please contact the FRC via email at frc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941.
Mental Health Resources for Students and Parents/Caregivers
This month's theme: Happier January
See below for daily actions to help you start the year happier.
Go to Action for Happiness for ideas to help you take action for a happier and kinder world.
 Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies
Feeling super stressed? Worried about a friend's mental health—or your own? Get tips to help manage your emotions and see what to do if you are in crisis.
Mental Health and Resiliency
Helping students to manage stress, make better choices, and develop healthy habits.
FCPS Family Resource Center
Staff is available by phone 703-204-3941 or email frc@fcps.edu to help! Offers free workshops, consultations, a lending library, and more to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs and disabilities.
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 also 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 in to this service.
2024 Gap Year Fair
 FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas will co-host the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 30, 6-8:30 p.m., at Marshall High School. This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning about increasing opportunities for the year following high school graduation.
The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Following the presentation, a program fair will be held in the cafeteria from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 30 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available.
Students are encouraged to pre-register here for the event. Registration is open to students and families up to and including the day of the fair. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs.
**In the event of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. The Gap Year Fair will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the same time and location.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday, January 15
|
FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.
Volunteer with Give Together
FCPS students continue to find incredible ways to serve their community while building Portrait of a Graduate skills such as becoming an ethical and global citizen. The school division is excited to collaborate with Volunteer Fairfax for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Students and families can volunteer on Monday, January 15, at Volunteer Fairfax’s Give Together event. It is designed to engage families with children (ages 5-12) in service learning.
Projects will include a food drive, assembling caring kits for community members who need support, making no-tie fleece blankets for veterans, environmental stewardship, and support for animal welfare.
Students ages 13 to 18 are welcome to serve as teen event volunteers. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
|
See Something, Say Something: Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline
FCPS provides a way for employees and the general public to report any suspected wrongdoing related to FCPS’ assets and resources. Reporting will help ensure taxpayers’ money is spent appropriately — on our students’ education. It can also help improve employees’ work environment.
Reports can be made in person, by phone, by email, or online. All reports are taken seriously, and every effort will be made to investigate the reports according to the applicable laws, codes, policies, or regulations. Employees can assist with investigations by providing as much information as possible. Please visit the Office of Auditor General webpage to learn more.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
-
Thursday, January 11, 7:30 pm: Regular Meeting
-
Thursday, January 18, 6pm: Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Public Hearing
-
Thursday, January 25, 7:30pm: Regular Meeting.
-
Tuesday, January 30, 10:30am: 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.
Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español
Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.
|
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 my Newsletter.
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
|
