The Dunne Dispatch - 1/9/2024
Friends and Neighbors,
I am honored to serve as your representative on the Fairfax County School Board. Welcome to my inaugural biweekly newsletter, the Dunne Dispatch!
I represent the Mount Vernon District, which comprises the Mount Vernon HS, South County HS, and West Potomac HS pyramids (though many students attend public schools outside the district, such as Hayfield SS). I encourage you to share the signup link for my newsletter with your neighbors so they can receive regular updates about local schools and students.
Allow me to introduce myself. I moved to the Mount Vernon District nearly 20 years ago so my children could attend the best public schools. My children attended FCPS from 1st Grade to 12th Grade—Fort Hunt ES, Sandburg MS, and West Potomac HS. I have served as a PTA dad, soccer coach, and Sunday School teacher. I have served as an education advocate and community leader with the Stratford Landing Citizens Association, the Fairfax County Council PTA, and the Fairfax Federation of Citizens Associations. In my professional capacity, I have served as an attorney for 20 years, counseling on international investments and transactions and representing diverse clients in complex litigation.
As your representative, I am following in the footsteps of incredible leaders who inspired my campaign and serve as models of public service: Karen Corbett Sanders, Dan Storck, and Kris Amundson. They are the reason that FCPS has some of the best schools in the country—I will work tirelessly to preserve their legacy of excellence while expanding opportunities for all children.
Because it must be said, I am in awe of the incredible work and contributions of my immediate predecessor, Karen Corbett Sanders. She served the Mount Vernon District faithfully and with distinction for eight years, to include two terms as Chair. Among her many accomplishments, she consistently advocated for academic excellence while playing a key role in the development of gun safety, opioid and substance abuse, and bystander awareness curricula. She ensured every school in our district was fully accredited and modernized, and she led reforms to strengthen advanced academics and special education. I consider her to be a trusted advisor and wonderful friend.
Again, it is my honor to serve as your representative. I invite you to contact me anytime that I can be of assistance with Fairfax County Public Schools (“FCPS”). If you have additional thoughts or comments, please share them with me via my School Board Portal Page. I read all correspondence received and make every effort to respond to each within three business days. I expect to respond to most inquiries within three business days, with the assistance of my Staff Aide Nelda Brown (nnbrown@fcps.edu).
Very respectfully,
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 Mateo Dunne, Mount Vernon District Representative
Inside this issue:
School Board Work and Updates
- My Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Priorities
- Upcoming School Board Meetings
Opportunities to Engage
- Conversation to Raise Awareness of Fentanyl and Other Drugs, January 10, 6:30 p.m., Edison High School
- Meet with Mount Vernon Representative Mateo Dunne, Virtual Town Hall January 22, 7- 8 p.m. via Zoom
Spotlight on Mount Vernon Happenings
Promoting Student Learning and Achievement
- 🔢 Help FCPS Reach 1 Million Minutes of Math
- Academy Open Houses Begin This Month
- 💲 Soft Launch of a New Financial Aid Form
Supporting Family Engagement
- 💻 Upcoming Webinars and Events for Families
Supporting Student Safety and Wellbeing
- Safe Students, Safe Schools
- Gun Safety and Secure Storage Reminder
Community Announcements and Activities
- FCPS Employment Opportunities
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday
- Mount Vernon Town Hall with Supervisor Dan Storck
My Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Priorities
Priority 1: Academic Excellence. FCPS should provide a world-class education to every student. Specifically, FCPS should develop and implement a comprehensive plan to remedy the learning loss and reduce achievement gaps. FCPS should develop new strategies to increase literacy and numeracy and ensure a smooth and consistent implementation across all schools. FCPS should implement reforms to strengthen advanced academics and special education. In addition, FCPS should reduce administrative burdens on teachers and ensure they have sufficient planning time, so they can focus on the core mission of educating our children.
Priority 2: School Safety and Security. FCPS should increase school safety and security. Specifically, FCPS should increase the number of school resource officers and security assistants to the nationally recommended ratios. FCPS should fund the installation of video cameras for school building and accelerate the construction of security vestibules at every school. FCPS should ensure administrators and educators have the appropriate resources to address student misconduct.
Priority 3: Mental and Behavioral Health Support. FCPS should increase mental and behavioral health support. Specifically, FCPS should increase the number of counselors, social workers, and psychologists to the nationally recommended ratios.
Priority 4: Workforce Compensation. FCPS should provide competitive pay and benefits for educators and staff. Specifically, FCPS should evaluate its pay and benefits to ensure they are competitive with similar school systems and neighboring jurisdictions. FCPS should endeavor to increase the supply of affordable housing available to FCPS employees.
Priority 5: Fiscal Responsibility. FCPS should achieve maximum return on investment for every taxpayer dollar. FCPS should conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its budget to identify opportunities for cost savings. In light of anticipated budget constraints, FCPS should examine how it can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations to achieve its core mission.
Let me know what you think Submit your questions or feedback via my School Board Portal. I welcome your thoughts and feedback on these priorities and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the budget supports our mutual vision for a world-class education for every child.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Thursday, January 11, 7:30pm: Regular Meeting. Focus: Capital Improvement Program
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Thursday, January 18, 6pm: Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Public Hearing
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Thursday, January 25, 7:30pm: Regular Meeting. Focus: School Year 2025 Proposed Budget and Instruction Program (Executive Expectation 9) Report
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Tuesday, January 30, 10:30am: Work Session. Focus: Fiscal Year 25 Proposed Budget
Conversation to Raise Awareness of Fentanyl and Other Drugs, January 10, 6:30 p.m., Edison High School
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.
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 raising awareness among parents/caregivers and students about the dangers of fake painkillers.
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.
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Mount Vernon District Town Hall with School Board Member Mateo Dunne – January 22, 7:00 p.m.
 Please join me for my first Mount Vernon District Town Hall to address any issues or priorities you would like to bring to my attention.
To respond to as many questions as possible, we invite you to use this online form to submit your questions in advance. You may also submit questions through the form during the town hall. If time permits, we will address questions submitted via chat during the town hall.
When: Monday, January 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
Where: ZOOM Web Link - Click here to register
Note: Language interpretation services are available upon request. Requests must be received by no later than Thursday, January 18, 5:00 p.m. eastern to allow time to schedule an interpreter for this event.
🎭 Much Ado About Nothing Gets Groovy at South County
The Cappies is a program through which high school theater and journalism students are trained as theater critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers.
This review of South County High School’s production of Much Ado About Nothing is written by Josephin Friedrich of Langley High School.
USAG Fort Belvoir Youth Program
The USAG Fort Belvoir Youth Program caters to students grades 6-12 by offering a variety of affordable activities, trips, and programs to enrich the experiences and connections of our military-connected youth. Programs range from leadership and workforce preparation opportunities to life skills and fitness programs.
Within the Fort Belvoir Youth Program, the Youth Center opens after school and provides access to a diverse range of facilities including a gym, game room, art room, and dance studio. The free Middle School Teen program offers a homework lab, computer lab, open recreation, and special interest activities. For the high school students, the Youth Center offers a teen lounge as a place to watch movies, play games, or just hang out.
To take advantage of the Youth Center and all it has to offer, attendees must register through CYS Parent Central Services. For more information, visit the Fort Belvoir Youth Center. To connect with FCPS resources, please email militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
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🔢 Help FCPS Reach One Million Minutes of Math
FCPS Family Math Week began Monday, January 8! It’s not too late to join us online for games and stories. FCPS is working toward a total of 1 million minutes logged by families. Participation is free, with activities from ST Math geared toward students in grades K-6 and their families.
Math Week offers families an opportunity to experience math, literacy, history, and geography in a fun and positive way. All content for families in English and Spanish is now available. Visit the Math Week website for games, stories, and other activities.
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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.
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.
An Academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that can 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. More than a dozen career fields can be explored through FCPS academies.
Academy Locations
All FCPS students are eligible to participate in Academy programs. Courses and transportation are available based on base-school location. Use the High School Academy Course Finder to find courses and available transportation!
Learn more and find the calendar of Academy open houses.
💲 Soft Launch of a New Financial Aid Form
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form to determine how much financial aid each student is eligible to receive. This aid could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.
Any college-bound student — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form.
The form is currently available for short periods of time while it is being updated to provide a better experience. Learn more about the 2024–25 FAFSA form.
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💻 Upcoming Webinars and Events for Families
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. The following events are currently scheduled for January:
For more information and to register for the webinars, click on the linked titles above.
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. We 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 FCPS’ website for more information.
Gun Safety and Secure Storage Reminder
FCPS Employment Opportunities
🚌 School Bus Driver Job Fair, January 10, 10-2 p.m.
A job fair for transportation workers will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Lorton Center. Visit our Bus Driver Employment webpage for more information and a complete list of hiring events.
👩🏫 Special Education Teacher Info Session, January 10, 6-7 p.m.
Have you considered becoming a special education teacher? Learn more about how to become an FCPS special education teacher by attending a virtual hiring event on Wednesday, January 10, 6-7 p.m. Register to attend.
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.
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 Reading Winter Adventure for Youth and Adults
Experience all the feels and carve out some time to read this winter! Join the Winter Reading Adventure until January 31 and earn prizes. Participating in the adventure is as easy as 1-2-3. Learn more.
Save the Date: 37th Annual Mount Vernon District Town Meeting, February 10
The 37th Annual Mount Vernon District Town Meeting on Saturday, February 10 (Super Bowl Saturday) at Mount Vernon High School (MVHS). This event is the highlight of our year as we greatly enjoy connecting with the 100’s of you who attend. The morning starts with the opening of the wildly popular Exhibit Hall at 7:45 a.m., featuring County and community services, local organizations and attractions, Young Entrepreneurs Expo and music by the MVHS String Quartet. At 9:30 a.m., our program will begin with special recognitions, community updates, Q & A’s with your local leaders and a virtual tour of all that is happening from Lorton to Huntington. Join us to find out more about why we are “The One”! Stay after the program to mingle with your neighbors at the Taste of Mount Vernon starting around 12:15 p.m., featuring many local restaurants.
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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