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Edison High School Weekly
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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este mensaje en otros idiomas, podrán ver las traducciones automáticas en nuestro sitio web.
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Important Dates
Edison School Wide Calendar
January 10: Dr. Reid Hosts Conversation for Drug Awareness
January 15: Martin Luther King Day
January 17: IB Night for Prospective Students and Parents
January 25: End of second quarter; 2-hour early release
January 26: Student Holiday
March 25-29: Spring Break
June 5: Graduation, 7:30pm, EagleBank Arena at GMU
June 12: Last Day of School
The complete FCPS 2023-2024 School Year Calendar
In this Issue:
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Conversation to Raise Awareness of Fentanyl with Superintendent
- FCPS Cares Winner of the Month
- Safe Students, Safe Schools
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IB Programme Information Night
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Mental Health, Coping and Addiction
- Save the Date: Academy Open Houses
- In Case You Missed It
- January Celebrations
Message From Mrs. Burke
Edison Community,
Edison High School is committed to providing our students with a high-quality education. Academic success relies upon excellent school attendance. Students who come to school on time every day are building critical life skills they will use the rest of their lives. Like strengthening a muscle, building positive attendance habits early on makes a difference for our students today and for our adults of tomorrow. Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school and themselves.
To assist families with tracking their child’s attendance, we will be
sending out attendance report card emails starting at the end of 2nd quarter that allows you to see if your child is in good standing, at risk of being chronically absent, or is chronically absent. These emails are meant to help you be more aware of where your student stands regarding their attendance. While we don’t grade on attendance, it can have a direct correlation to how a student performs in class.
In their April 20, 2023 business meeting, the Virginia Board of Education decided to not suspend chronic absenteeism as part of school accreditation determinations for 2023-24, based on 2022-23 student outcomes. The Board’s rationale was a desire to send a strong message to schools, families, and students about the importance of regular attendance for student success. The Board decision means that schools with Level 3 (red) in any indicator—including chronic absenteeism—based on end-of-year data will receive “Accredited with Conditions” designation.
Edison High School ended the last school year at 21% warning status for chronic absenteeism, just four percentage points from the chronic absence status level. Chronic Absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, regardless of reason. For a school, no more than 15% of their students can be absent (for any reason) for more than 10% of the school year. Most school years have 180 days, 10% = 18 days. Not only is attendance important for student achievement, but the state of Virginia requires attendance at school.
Support is available:
Edison High School staff is committed to supporting attendance. Additional resources can be found online at http://www.fcps.edu/attendance. We know that parents are the experts on their own child and our school team is here to partner and help solve attendance-related concerns. The System of Support Advisor, School Counselors and School Social Workers and Psychologists are available to provide that support at 703-925-8000. You can find all these support personnel on our website.
Parents and students have asked how attendance is reported to colleges and who sees attendance data. All colleges as well as some scholarships and summer programs request a transcript. On the transcript the attendance data is reported.
Also, please remember to call your school to report all absences. Edison High School has a system for checking students in and out and for reporting absences. Please visit our site to learn how to report accurate and timely attendance.
Mrs. Burke
Principal
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1. Conversation to Raise Awareness of Fentanyl and Other Drugs
Please join Dr. Reid on Wednesday, January 10, at 6:30 p.m., here at Edison High School for a community conversation about opioid awareness. You may register to attend. However, registration is not required; it is simply for space considerations.
The community conversation is appropriate for parents/caregivers and students in grades 6-12. All attendees will receive REVIVE! Narcan training at no cost during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
Our website also has resources to help you to start the conversation and additional support for families struggling with substance misuse.
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2. FCPS Cares Winner of the Month
Congratulations to Mr. Charles Cornwell, Academy Auto Collision Teacher, for being a Cares Winner of the Month! Here is what an Edison HS parent had to say about him:
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"Mr. Cornwell went above and beyond just being a teacher! Mr. Cornwell taught his students how to take an old beat-up truck and turn it into my son’s dream truck and make it ready for he and his grandfather to show in Ocean City, this was a dream that my son and his grandfather had always talked of.
Mr. Cornwell not only taught my son the skills to do this but also without my son knowing taught him valuable life skills. Mr. Cornwell stayed after school many days to help my son achieve his dream, this is not something that is required of a teacher. This proves how much a teacher cares and the passion they have for the subject they teach! This will be something my son will always carry with him and a memory that he and his grandfather will always cherish all due to Mr. Cornwell. I have before and after pictures of the amazing work that FCPS auto collision and Mr. Cornwell have done."
Congratulations to the gymnastic team on their 1st home meet in 8 years and placing 1st as a team at the meet.
3. Safe Students, Safe Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools believes that academic success is built on the foundation of a safe learning environment. This includes physical safety, and mental health and wellness.
FCPS has a comprehensive approach to safety that involves physical security measures, online monitoring by security staff, and crisis intervention support. The division has created the Safe Students, Safe Schools Brochure (PDF) to enhance your awareness of potential hazards and to equip you with practical tips for how you can help. Visit the FCPS website for more information.
As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance school safety measures at Edison High School, we have installed a divider in the front lobby. This will assist us in screening all students who enter the school during school hours. However, adult visitors are still required to check-in at the main office after being buzzed in through the front doors.
4. IB Programme Information Night
Please join Edison’s IB Coordinators, Ms. Sabra Devers and Ms. Corinne Nuttall, at Edison High School’s IB Night on January 17, 2024, from 6:00 – 7:00 PM in the Auditorium. They will give an overview of the IB Programme at Edison as well as answer some of the most frequently asked questions, such as:
- How do you become an IB student?
- What is the Personal Project?
- What is the MYP Certificate?
- What are the benefits of taking IB courses?
- What is the IB Diploma?
- What is the difference between the IB Diploma and the IB Diploma Certificate?
5. Mental Health, Coping and Addiction
One in four Americans suffer from a mental illness. Almost three in five people with mental health challenges will not receive treatment or medication. In 2019, an estimated 19% of adults in the United States (47.6 million) dealt with a mental health challenge, but only 43% received any kind of mental health care (Johns Hopkins). People often use alternative methods to cope with issues that are uncomfortable topics to speak about and may include turning to drugs, alcohol, food, etc.
Coping mechanisms are habits formed over time that serve to help a person manage difficult situations or high stress levels. Mind-altering substances are sometimes used as coping mechanisms for stress, difficult emotions, physical ailments, focusing, and other issues. Drugs and alcohol can provide a temporary moment away from the reality of everyday life. Substances can enhance the feelings of pleasure and decrease feelings of anxiety and restraint. Not all coping mechanisms are destructive or fail to provide appropriate or adequate adjustment to the environment or situation. Before using drugs as a coping strategy here are some recommendations for a healthier mindset:
The main goal is to identify the “void” or issue and work towards healing. In the meantime, experts recommend diet and exercise as great places to start; you may want to include the following in your life:
- Schedule a visit to your Primary Care Physician and a Professional Counselor if needed.
- Quality sleep is also a major factor in the stabilization of a healthy mind.
- Surround yourself with people who are supportive and good examples.
- Keep in mind that finding balance in life is an ongoing process.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Resources: Substance Use Disorder info; FCPS Social Work
For further information & support:
Shawn Elliott, BS, QMHP-C, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (sbelliott@fcps.edu)
6. 🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin This Month!
Is your child interested in architecture and construction, information technology, or health science? FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January.
A high school Academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.
Learn more and view the calendar of Academy open houses.
7. FCPS News - In Case You Missed It
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Dual Language Immersion Program Registration
- Conversation to Raise Awareness of Fentanyl and Other Drugs
- School Safety and Security
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
8. We Celebrate in January:
- New Year's Day
- Three Kings Day/Epiphany
- Orthodox Christmas
- Martin Luther King Day
- Orthodox Epiphany
- End of 2nd Quarter
 
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