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.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى
اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔
Mason District Community,
Happy New Year! Next Thursday marks the end of the second quarter. This would be a good time for parents/guardians to schedule a time to meet with their student’s teachers to review progress of the first semester and to ensure appropriate supports are in place for the second semester. Also, please be reminded to sign up for weekly SIS grade reports and Relay Lightspeed updates.
February is also the time during which we celebrate Black History Month. There are numerous activities available in our schools and community in commemoration of this month which was established by Carter G. Woodson – and officially recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976, to promote and educate about black culture.
I encourage you to use this time as a call to action to engage in constructive dialogue and discussions about the contributions and challenges of the Black community throughout the year. Black History is American History and should be regularly integrated in social and historical discussions.
This newsletter includes important information about legislative action currently occurring in the General Assembly. The potential legislation impacting education are highlighted for your information.
I value the input I receive from the Mason Community and am happy to address questions or concerns via email or phone. You can reach me by email at rjanderson@fcps.edu. If you are interested in scheduling a phone call, please reach out to my assistant, Cristy Coffey, at cmcoffey@fcps.edu to arrange a time.
Included in this issue:
FY 2025 Budget Update
The School Board is slated to take action on its Strategic Budget Resolution on January 25th. The resolution will include the Board’s budget priorities and direction to inform the Superintendent’s development of the FY 2025 Proposed Budget that will be presented to the Board on February 8, 2024.
As part of the Budget development process, the Board will hold Budget Work Sessions on February 13th and February 20th and will hear from the public during a Public Hearing on February 13th (if needed, a second Public Hearing will be added on February 20th).
Education Legislation Update
The Virginia General Assembly convened for its 2024 Regular Session on Wednesday, January 10 for a scheduled 60-day Session. The FCPS Office of Government Relations compiled an update highlighting education legislation. The chart below shows the current number of bills routed across 12 subject categories. Each link leads directly to the bills routed in that subject. Every bill in these categories is linked to the Virginia Division of Legislative Services web pages, which provide up-to-date summary, fiscal impact, and bill status information.
Details about several bills of particular interest to FCPS have been provided by our Office of Government Relations and included below. More information and the complete review is available HERE.
JLARC Education Funding Formula Legislation
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Equity in public school funding; student need; English language learner, special education, and at-risk students. HB 624 (Rasoul) and SB 227 (Hashmi) would place several parameters on Standards of Quality funding calculations performed by the Department of Education, including (i) requiring the Department, when calculating the cost of salaries under the Standards of Quality funding formula, to include facilities staff and transportation staff salaries in the calculation of any cost of competing adjustment to salaries for instructional and support positions.
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Teachers; required to be compensated at or above national average. SB 104 (Lucas) would require that public school teachers be compensated at a rate that is at or above the national average.
Staffing Ratios
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School counselors; decreases public school staffing ratios. HB 181 (Feggans) would decrease from one to 325 to one to 250 the ratio of full-time equivalent school counselors required to be employed by each local school board per student enrolled in the local school division.
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School counselors; public school staffing ratios, increases specialized student support positions. SB 127 (VanValkenburg) would decrease from one to 325 to one to 250 the ratio of full-time equivalent school counselors required to be employed by each local school board per student enrolled in the local school division.
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Public schools: staffing ratios of teachers for English language learner students HB 828 (Cousins) and SB 272 (Hashmi) would require state funding to be provided pursuant to the general appropriation act to support divisionwide ratios of English language learner students in average daily membership to full-time equivalent teaching positions.
Student Discipline
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Student discipline; evidence-based restorative disciplinary practices.HB 398 (McQuinn) would prohibit, except in certain cases involving firearms, drugs, adjudications of delinquency, or convictions of certain crimes, any public elementary or secondary school student from being suspended, expelled, or excluded from attendance at school without implementing at least one evidence-based restorative disciplinary practice, defined in the bill as an evidence-based alternative disciplinary practice used to reduce suspensions, expulsions, and disciplinary referrals with an emphasis on fostering peer and staff relationships.
School Meals
- School meals; availability at no cost to students HB 686 (Bennett-Parker) and SB 283 (Roem) would provide that each school board shall require each public elementary and secondary school in the local school division to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) as provided in relevant law, if applicable, and to make lunch and breakfast available to any student who requests such a meal at no cost to the student, unless the student's parent has provided written permission to the school board to withhold such a meal from the student.
Graduation and Dropout Rates
During last week’s School Board meeting, Dr. Reid presented Graduation and Diploma Outcomes during the Academic Matters segment. FCPS’s graduation rates over the course of the last 5 years are illustrated in the charts below.
  The chart below details the Class of 2023 graduation and dropout rates by high school. This chart illustrates the continuing need for additional support and innovative strategies for many of our schools and specifically for several subgroups.
Lighthouse Schools
The FCPS Department of Information Technology (DIT) launched a new professional development program in collaboration with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for schools to leverage innovative, technology based practices to reach their School Innovation and Improvement Plan (SIIP) goals.
All middle and high schools were invited to apply for participation in the pilot program. Future expansion of the program, based on funding, envisions adding schools across all grade levels on an annual cycle ensuring participation from all regions and all school levels through the implementation of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
This pilot program cohort will include the following schools:
- Madison HS (Region 1)
- Herndon MS (Region 1)
- McLean HS (Region 2)
- Bryant HS (Region 3)
- West Springfield HS (Region 4)
- Frost MS (Region 5)
- Lewis HS (Region 6)
During this year-long program, schools will design innovation goals tailored to their unique communities and in support of their School Improvement and Innovation Plan goals. Schools will continue learning and growing together throughout the spring and summer of 2024. This work will be crucial to student success in the years to come, as AI continues to adapt and be further integrated into our daily lives.
IAAT Assessment for Grade 6 Students
The Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT) assesses a student’s algebra aptitude. FCPS students who access a Sixth Grade Advanced Math curriculum will take the IAAT during the winter testing window (February 26 - March 1, 2024). Results from this assessment are used as one component of the course placement process for Algebra 1 Honors in Grade 7.
Parents/guardians of students eligible to take the IAAT will receive a notification letter and opt-out form. Printable PDFs of notifications and opt-out forms are available in eight languages on the IAAT webpage
Dual Language Immersion Program
The online application for the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program for the 2024-2025 school year will open on January 22, 2024. FCPS offers elementary DLI programs in five languages. Current pre-kindergarten students are eligible to apply for the two-way kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students are eligible for the first grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year. Learn more about the DLI program.
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New Food Sharing Guidelines
FCPS Get2Green has announced new food sharing guidelines to help schools reduce waste and help address food insecurity. Food sharing reduces waste and allows students to donate unopened and uneaten food to fellow classmates or a local food bank or food pantry. Food sharing can reduce food waste in the cafeteria and help address food insecurity concerns
The new guidelines add a process for schools to host share tables to share food within a school. There is also an updated Memorandum of Understanding for food sharing with external partner organizations and safety guidelines for ensuring healthy practices. Explore the updated FCPS Food Sharing Guidelines.
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One Water Art Contest
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) is joining regional water utilities to host its annual art contest with the theme of protecting our source water. Local student artists in grades 9-12 can submit their art or short video which captures the importance of protecting our local water sources. The submission deadline is Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Learn more about the One Water Art Contest for high school students and submit your entry.
(Image of 2023 painting and drawing winner “Handle with Care” - Prithika Raja, Centreville HS)
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Executive Director for the Office of Transportation Services
Paul S. D’Andrade has been named the new Executive Director for the Office of Transportation Services.
Mr. D’Andrade brings a wealth of expertise and experience in transportation leadership and school transportation services to this vital role. He has been a part of the FCPS family since 2019, initially serving as a Coordinator in the Office of Transportation Services before advancing to Assistant Director in 2020.
Prior to joining FCPS, Paul held significant leadership roles, including Assistant Director at the Rail Operation Control Center with the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) for nine years. His extensive background also includes work with mass transit authorities in Charlotte, NC, and New York City.
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Community Listening Session
Learn more about the new Mason District Supervisor and sign up for his newsletter.
National Board Certification
Congratulations to the 35 FCPS teachers who recently achieved or renewed their certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
Initial certification and renewal of National Board Certification is a multi-year process requiring teachers to compile and submit a portfolio documenting their high quality instruction, ability to differentiate, and demonstrating how their practices continue to align with the Five Core Propositions of Accomplished Teaching in their certificate area.
FCPS ranks in the top 30 school districts nationwide for the number of National Board-certified teachers, with over 300 active National Board-certified teachers currently supporting students and schools.
A special recognition goes out to the 11 teachers of Mason District students:
Newly Certified: Anita Aberle at Mantua ES, Bethany Farrell at Parklawn ES, Suzette Henry at TJHSST, Maura Madigan at North Springfield ES, Paul Mock at Annandale HS, Lauren Paz Solden at Annandale HS, and Elizabeth Snyder at Camelot ES.
Renewed Certification: Nancy Anderson at Glasgow MS, Laura Bailey at Woodburn ES, Sabra Devers at Edison HS, and Jaclyn Walsh at Belvedere ES.
Mason District Theatre
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Falls Church High School Spotlight Theatre Company presents
Student Directed One Acts
January 26 & 27, 2024
Free Event!
More information
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Thomas Jefferson Theater Arts presents
The SpongeBob Musical
February 1-3 & 9-10, 2024
Purchase tickets |
2024-2025 FAFSA Completion Assistance
The 2024-2025 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now open. Current seniors should plan to complete this form to determine their eligibility for financial aid for their first year of post-secondary education.
College Access Fairfax has partnered with FCPS high schools to offer FAFSA completion events. Families are encouraged to attend any of the sessions where they can receive assistance in completing the necessary financial aid forms.
Sessions will be offered on:
- January 20, 2024 at Justice HS from 10:00 AM - Noon
- January 27, 2024 at Edison HS from 10:00 AM - Noon
- January 30, 2024 at Falls Church HS from 7:00 - 9:00 PM
- February 20, 2024 at Annandale HS from 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Please note:
- Students and parents should attend together, if possible.
- Students should bring their FCPS laptop; personal computers cannot connect to the FCPS Wi-Fi and limited computers will be available for use.
- Verified FSA IDs are required prior to the event. Create an account to receive a FSA ID.
- Items to bring to complete the FAFSA: FSA ID for both student and parent; social security numbers or permanent resident numbers; alien registration card, if applicable; 2022 tax forms and wage statements; date of birth for student and parents; parents’ date of marriage and divorce, if applicable; date you moved to VA; driver’s license number; current statements for checking, savings, and other asset accounts; current investment records, including 529 or prepaid college plans; LES for any month in 2022 (for military families).
Virginia Alternative State Aid Application (VASA) to Open in Late January 2024
Students who are unable to complete the FAFSA - students who are not U.S. citizens or eligible non-residents - should complete the VASA to determine if they are eligible for state financial aid. Although a definite date has not been announced, the form is expected to become available online in late January 2024.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- January 25, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
- February 8, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)
- January 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
- February 13, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.
Public Hearings (Luther Jackson Middle School)
- January 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (CIP)
- February 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. (FY 2025 Budget)
- February 20, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., if needed (FY 2025 Budget)
All meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. The meetings are recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.
Would you like to share your ideas and concerns with the School Board and staff? Register HERE to speak at a regular meeting or public hearing.
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.
We are cognizant of the significant language needs of the Mason District and I will continue to advocate for their availability and inclusion.
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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
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