Outstanding Staff Awards
 From left to right: Assistant Principal Amanda Snyder, School Based Technology Specialist Caroline Weber, Librarian Jessica Migliorini, ABA Instructional Assistant Crystal Coleman, Multiple Disabilities Teacher Kylee Marciello, Principal Eric Johnson
Cameron community members and staff recently nominated and voted for Outstanding Employee Awards.
Outstanding Principal: Eric Johnson
Outstanding New Teacher: Kylee Marciello
Outstanding Teacher: Jessica Migliorini
Outstanding School Leader: Amanda Snyder
Outstanding Operational Employee: Crystal Coleman
Outstanding Professional Employee: Caroline Weber
Opioid Awareness and Resources
Conversation to Raise Awareness of Fentanyl and Other Drugs
In this video, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid interviews the Fosters, a family who tragically lost their son Cayden to a half pill of fentanyl mistaken for Percocet. This heart-wrenching yet eye-opening video of their experience is essential to raise awareness among parents/caregivers and students about the dangers of fake painkillers.
Please join Dr. Reid on Wednesday, January 10, at 6:30 p.m., 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 evening’s program is appropriate for parents/caregivers and students in grades 6-12. All attendees will receive free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
FCPS’ website also has resources to help you to start the conversation and additional support for families struggling with substance misuse.
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🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Program Registration
Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for the most current information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16.
A virtual meeting hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.
Get more information on the immersion program webpage and registration page.
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.
🔢 Virtual Math Week Jan 8-12
Come together as a community for students in K-8 for 5 nights the week of January 8, 2024, with delightful math games and stories - all on your own time and from the comfort of your own home. All content will be available for free directly to all families in English and Spanish.
Through rich story-based mathematics experiences, math week offers families an opportunity to experience math, literacy, history, and geography in a positive way. The games and stories feature several countries including Lesotho, Madagascar, Ghana, and China.
All content will be available completely free on the FCPS Math Week website starting January 8, 2024. To access the games, families will be able to simply click on the day of the week and find their child's grade and language. View the website at anytime for explanations and videos.
Families can play for as little as 15 minutes or replay over and over lasting more than an hour on any given night. For families that want to reduce screen time, we will have physical print options for access to the content and games as well.
Use the games and stories on our website or dust off your favorite math game and play it as a family.
Any and ALL math experiences outside of a normal week count. Our goal is for FCPS to experience 1 million minutes of math outside of the school day. Join us!
Behavior Solution Series for Elementary and Secondary Families
Join staff from the FCPS Behavior Intervention Services Department to help families encourage positive communication and behavior at home.
Elementary Webinars
2/16 Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication Add to Your Calendar.
- Embark on a collaborative parenting journey while we guide you through practical tips that can be used in your home.
3/15 Taming Tantrums and More Add to Your Calendar.
- Parents, ever had a moment when things feel like a big puzzle and you just need the right pieces? We will share strategies to help when your child’s behavior feels like a rollercoaster. Learn how to turn meltdowns into moments that make you go 'ta-da!'
Secondary Webinars
4/19 Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication Add to Your calendar.
- We will equip you with strategies for navigating the teen years. Uncover the secrets to fostering open communication, building trust, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
5/31 Taming the Teenaged Brain Add to Your Calendar.
- Navigate the rollercoaster of teenage emotions with our training on behavior strategies, tailored to support you at home during those challenging adolescent years. We will provide practical insights and proven techniques to foster understanding and communication with your teenager.
Register for all or part of the Behavior Solution Series for Families
Meet the Author Series: Mind in The Making with Ellen Galinsky
Looking for research-based advice for families on how to raise their children to be well-rounded and achieve their full potential, helping them learn to take on life's challenges, communicate well with others, and remain committed to learning? These are the "essential life skills" that Ellen Galinsky has spent her career pursuing.
The good news is that there are simple everyday things that all families can do to build these skills in their children for today and for the future. They don't cost money, and it's never too late to begin.
February 2, 2024, 10-11 a.m. Add to Your Calendar.
Register for Meet the Author Series: Mind in The Making with Ellen Galinsky
Books on Tourette Syndrome and Sensory Processing Disorder
In this Literacy Today feature, South Carolina literacy specialist Marie Havran (Furman University) suggests the following books on Tourette syndrome and sensory processing
Disorder.
Primary grades:
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Me and My Tourette’s by Siânna Stodd, illustrated by Gemma Denham
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Taking Tourette Syndrome to School by Tira Krueger, illustrated by Tom Dineen
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Tic and Twitch: A Story About Tourette Syndrome by Melissa Mederos, illustrated by Adam Sanford
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Tourette Syndrome Cannot Stop Luis by Grant Smith, illustrated by Marisa Thoman
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Captain Starfish by Davina Bell and Allison Calpoys
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Headphones: A Book for Children with Autism and Sensory Disorders by Kira Elbeyli
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Jack the Brave Conquers the Snow by Jeannine and Jennifer Egan
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My Socks by Julie Igel, illustrated by Pearly L.
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Nicolette Goes to Dance Class: A Sensory Processing Disorder Story by Vikki Earley, illustrated by Trinity Moss
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Rece Takes Swimming by Jasmine Poole, illustrated by Harriet Rodis
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The Beach Is Loud! by Samantha Cotterill
Middle grades:
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Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry
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Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
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List of Ten by Halli Gomez
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Not If I Can Help It by Carolyn Mackler
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Stanley Will Probably Be Fine by Sally Pla, illustrated by Steve Wolfhard
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Tune It Out by Jamie Sumner
“Children’s and YA Literature: Centering Neurodiversity” by Marie Havran in Literacy Today, October/November/December 2023; Havran can be reached at marie.havran@furman.edu.
How to Handle Disappointing Grades: Ways to Uncover the Reasons Behind Your Child’s School Performance and How to Help with Ann Dolin
Disappointing grades are not always a fair indication of how hard your child is trying, how much they’re learning, or what their potential for success is later on in life (especially for those with ADHD and other learning differences).
On the surface, disappointing grades represent a failure at school. But there’s usually a lot more to it and many emotions for parents and students at stake!
Webinar Highlights:
- What to do if your child comes home with bad grades (and how to prevent over-reacting)
- How to talk to your child about their school performance, including some easy conversation starters
- Ways to investigate why it’s happening and the two most common reasons for poor grades
- What to do about it moving forward, including strategies to help your child study more effectively and stay organized
- Whether you should set consequences for your child’s bad grades (or reward them for good grades)
Join Ann Dolin, educator, author, and Educational Connections Founder for new strategies to tackle these sticky situations while preserving your relationship with your child.
February 23, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m. Add to Your Calendar.
Register for How to Handle Disappointing Grades: Ways to Uncover the Reasons Behind Your Child’s School Performance and How to Help
Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person course)
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18.
The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm. • Listen nonjudgmentally. • Give reassurance and information. • Encourage appropriate professional help. • Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
February 9, 2024, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Add to Your Calendar
Family Resource Center
2334 Gallows Road
Dunn Loring, VA 22027
Register for Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person course) 30 spaces available
Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person course)
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18.
The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm. • Listen nonjudgmentally. • Give reassurance and information. • Encourage appropriate professional help. • Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
February 9, 2024, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Add to Your Calendar
Family Resource Center
2334 Gallows Road
Dunn Loring, VA 22027
Register for Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person course) 30 spaces available
FBA/BIP Essentials for Families
Does your child have concerning behaviors at school? Did you know that there is a process to identify and support your child at school?
Join us to learn about the FBA and BIP process and how it is used in FCPS to support any student who experiences behavioral challenges.
- Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a process to determine the underlying cause or functions of a student’s behavior that impedes social, emotional, and academic learning.
- Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a plan that utilizes positive behavioral interventions and supports to address behaviors that interfere with learning.
Staff from the Office of Special Education Instruction, Office of Intervention and Prevention Services, and Office of Special Education Procedural Support will be presenting and sharing information.
February 29, 2024 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Add to Your Calendar
or
March 1, 2024 - 10-11 a.m. Add to Your Calendar
Register for FBA/BIP Essentials for Families
FBA/BIP Essentials for Families
Does your child have concerning behaviors at school? Did you know that there is a process to identify and support your child at school?
Join us to learn about the FBA and BIP process and how it is used in FCPS to support any student who experiences behavioral challenges.
- Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a process to determine the underlying cause or functions of a student’s behavior that impedes social, emotional, and academic learning.
- Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a plan that utilizes positive behavioral interventions and supports to address behaviors that interfere with learning.
Staff from the Office of Special Education Instruction, Office of Intervention and Prevention Services, and Office of Special Education Procedural Support will be presenting and sharing information.
February 29, 2024 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Add to Your Calendar
or
March 1, 2024 - 10-11 a.m. Add to Your Calendar
Register for FBA/BIP Essentials for Families
National Mentoring Month
Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are.Learn more about Mentoring Month.
Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.
All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.
FCPS’ MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Please contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at mmacdonald@fcps.edu.
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Three Kings Day/Epiphany
Three Kings Day (January 6), also known as the Epiphany, is a Christian celebration that commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. This marks the official 12th day of Christmas. Learn more at National Geographic Kids.
FCPS has designated Three Kings Day/Epiphany as a religious and cultural observance day (O day). There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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Orthodox Christmas
Many Orthodox Christians in the United States celebrate Christmas Day on January 7 in the Gregorian calendar. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the son of God. Learn more facts about Christmas from National Geographic Kids.
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Important Dates
Jan 15-21 Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week
Jan 15 - No School, Martin Luther King Day
Jan 25 - End of Quarter 2, Early Release at 2:05pm
Jan 26 - No School, Teacher Work Day
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