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Hello, Springfield
I am so excited to have a moment to introduce myself to all of you! My name is Sandy Anderson, and I am the new School Board representative for the Springfield District. You can read more about me here, but please know that I am so excited to serve all the residents of the Springfield District. I truly believe that our schools are the greatest resource we have in Fairfax County, and I am proud to serve all of you in this new role!
As I round out my first 45 days or so in office, I have been fortunate to participate in both the Capital Improvement Plan process and the initial discussions surrounding the budget for this year. I have had meetings with all the Regional Assistant Superintendents who serve our Springfield schools, and I have spent time getting to know more about the issues that are important to Springfield through meet and greets, phone calls, and conversations! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever have a question or need help finding out more information.
I have also had the opportunity to work to get to know my colleagues better through two School Board retreats and one with the Board of Supervisors. Sharing time with all of them has renewed the faith I already had in the public servants from Fairfax County. We have some amazing people fighting hard for us!
I hope these monthly newsletters will be an easy way to keep in touch and let you know more about what’s going on around FCPS.
I will be in touch soon!
Sandy Anderson
This newsletter includes information on the following issues:
Upcoming School Board Meetings
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February 20 at 12:30 - Forum: Meals Debt
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February 20 at 1:45 p.m. - Work Session: Fiscal Year (FY) 25 Proposed Budget
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February 22 at 6:30 p.m. - Recognitions: VHSL Fall Champions
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February 22 at 7:30 p.m. - Regular Meeting: FY25 Advertised Budget, etc.
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February 27 at 3 p.m. - Joint Budget Work Session With Board of Supervisors
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March 7 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Elementary School Language Arts Basal Resources, etc.
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March 19 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session: Strategic Plan Goal 5 Baseline Report and Student Rights & Responsibilities
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March 21 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: FY24 Third Quarter Budget Review, etc.
Please note that times and topics are subject to change.
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.
For Spanish speakers, to watch recorded School Board meetings, or live during regular meetings, visit the FCPS en Espanol YouTube channel or scan the QR code below.
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Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español
Para ver las reuniones de Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las Reuniones Ordinarias en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR.
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Visit the Community Participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.
Are you interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.
If you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk. Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.
School Board Work
Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget
The School Board held a work session on February 13 to discuss the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Proposed Budget that focuses on excellence and providing students with an equitable education in an inclusive and respectful environment, where access, opportunity, and achievement are available to all. The work session focused on providing an overview of the Proposed Budget and additional details regarding enrollment growth and investments in students requiring additional support.
The FY 2025 Proposed Budget totals $3.8 billion. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction. Key highlights include:
- Supporting students academically by maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students.
- Retaining and attracting world-class educators with a 6% market scale adjustment.
- Strengthening student well-being outside of the classroom with expanded athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
- Continuing initiatives including expansion of inclusive preschool, adoption of green initiatives, and funding assistant director of student activities positions previously funded with ESSER III.
Special education daily contract extensions, funding for the safety and security screening program, and late buses to support academics and activities at middle schools are several of the priorities to be addressed at the end of FY 2024.
The Board will continue their discussion at a work session on February 20.
The School Board is scheduled to adopt the Advertised Budget on Thursday, February 22. Read more about the proposed budget. Keep up with FCPS’ budget development process.
2025-29 Capital Improvement Program
On January 9, the newly elected School Board held its first work session on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Facilities staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2025-2029 CIP, a planning and fiscal management tool used to coordinate the location, timing, and funding of capital projects over five years. The FCPS CIP is updated annually to reflect changing conditions within our schools and communities and builds upon the previously approved program of capital expenditures. This includes the development of a five-year membership projection set, facility capacity evaluations, and potential solutions, an annual update to the schedule and funding of capital construction cash flow, and a facilities management program.
At the February 8 regular meeting, the School Board voted to approve the proposed 2025-29 Capital Improvement Program, as amended. Staff are working hard to alleviate and find solutions for the schools with the most acute capacity deficits given our fiscal constraints and the length of our renovation queue. The quality of school facilities impacts student learning, and our students deserve a high-quality educational environment. I will continue to advocate for decisions that support both Springfield facilities as well as all our school buildings around the county!
In addition, I was pleased to second a motion by Mount Vernon District School Board Representative Mateo Dunne to direct Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid to present to the Board more information about the way we are tracking vital infrastructure needs across our facilities.
View all amendments on Boarddocs.
Watch the full meeting.
View the work session.
Proclamations
I was pleased to support and bring (Custodian and Food and Nutrition Services Employees) the following proclamation at the Board’s February 8 regular meeting.
And, I was also honored to support the proclamation for Michelle Leete at the Board’s January 25 regular meeting.
School Board Leadership Confirmed
The Fairfax County School Board’s leadership has been confirmed for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year. Karl Frisch (Providence District), the board's current vice chair who has been acting as chair since January 1, was elected chair. Meanwhile, the board elected Melanie Meren (Hunter Mill District) as its new vice chair at its January 11 regular meeting. Additionally, recently elected board members were confirmed for various committee assignments.
Read more about the board leadership and watch the meeting.
FCPS News
🎓 View the 2024 FCPS Graduation Schedule
The Class of 2024 graduation schedule has been finalized! See graduation dates, times, and locations by school.
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. Visit our website for more information.
👮♂️ Building Relationships and Increasing Safety Every Day
February 15 was School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day. The SROs who work in Fairfax County public schools are sworn police officers with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD).
Every middle, high school, and secondary school in Fairfax County has at least one assigned SRO. They work in the schools to maintain safety; provide a safe and positive learning environment; and promote mutual respect between law enforcement, school security staff, school administrative staff, students, and their families.
SROs assist school administrators in developing school crisis and emergency management response plans. They also work to prevent crime and participate in educational opportunities like drug awareness and gang prevention. Learn more about Fairfax County SROs.
Officer Brian Sehrer, pictured in this story, was selected as Officer of the Month by FCPD in December for his outstanding SRO performance at Frost Middle School.
“He has done an amazing job partnering with our local school community and conducting outreach at six of our feeder elementary schools,” said Principal Anthony Harris. “He constantly seeks to build relationships with our students. You can often find him in the halls, the cafeteria, or hosting students in his office.”
Thank you Officer Sehrer, and all our SROs, for the work you do in our schools every day.
🔭 Judges Needed for the Technology Student Associations and Science and Engineering Fairs
The Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held on Saturday, March 16, at Robinson Secondary School.
Each year 250 judges are required to evaluate science fair projects in a wide variety of categories ranging from plant sciences to robotics. Ideally, those volunteering to serve as category judges would hold an advanced degree or possess extensive academic and/or professional experience in their selected STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) category.
Judges are also needed for this year’s Technology Student Association’s Northern Regional Fair on Saturday, March 2 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
At the fair engineering students from across Virginia’s Northern Region compete in events from robotics, flight, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), structural design, video gaming, and more.
Background knowledge of the event or projects is optional. Judging begins at 8:30 a.m. and judges will be provided breakfast and lunch.
Complete this simple form if you’re interested in being a judge.
Fairfax County Science and Engineering Fair Open House
Members of the general public are invited to attend the science fair open house at Robinson Secondary School on Sunday, March 17, 1-3 p.m.
Student Interns Learn Life Skills on the Job
Curtis (above) is an FCPS senior who is trying something new. Curtis has autism and attends Cedar Lane School, which provides smaller class settings for students who require additional support. He’s also now an intern at Brooke Rental Center in Vienna.
Curtis’ mother says she wanted to be sure that Curtis obtained work experience. For some students with special needs, however, the typical teenage after-school job can be trickier to navigate successfully.
Cedar Lane offers employment assistance programs for teens at their school. The students work as unpaid interns, monitored by school staff, who are picking up real-world skills for successful employment. Read more about the Cedar Lane internship program.
Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools
Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts.
If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School.
Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.
Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Learn more about the schools, their programs, and locations.
🥁 Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps and Learning Programs
Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools.
CTE programs are available for students currently in grades K-5 to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing; and for students currently in grades 6-11 to explore CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration.
IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.
Summer Learning
Programs are also available for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance course required for graduation, earn a high school course credit through the Online Campus Program, or recover one high school course credit in the Credit Recovery Academy.
A free online class for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provides FCPS middle and high school English Learners the opportunity to continue developing their academic, reading, and writing skills in online discussions with an ESOL teacher.
Find session dates, registration links, and registration deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.
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 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.
💻 Check Schoology for Teacher-Referred Tutoring
Through Schoology®, all FCPS students have year-round, 24/7, no-cost access to on-demand tutoring through Tutor.com.
A new Teacher-Referred Tutoring program feature provides targeted support and extends student learning. Teachers can now refer students for tutoring with their specific needs already identified. Students can get extra support — on their own schedule — and reinforce their in-class learning.
Encourage your child to click the Tutor.com icon in Schoology for homework help, concept review, writing support, and test prep.
Look for session referrals from students’ teachers on the Tutor.com portal homepage.
🔌 FCPS to Receive $16 Million to Buy More Electric Buses
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of two applicants in Virginia to receive more than $17.1 million through EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program’s Grants Competition. Fairfax County Public Schools was selected to receive $16.5 Million to purchase 42 electric school buses.
FCPS was the first school division to acquire electric buses in 2019. With the help of this EPA grant, our electric bus fleet will more than double.
FCPS has one of the largest bus fleets in the United States, transporting more than 141,000 students on over 1,600 buses each day.
Superintendent Updates
National School Counseling Week
During the Academic Matters segment of the School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid recognized National School Counseling Week. School Counselors are vital to supporting our students in terms of academics, college and career aspirations, social-emotional wellness, and more. Their roles are also in direct support of each of the five goals of our 2023-20 Strategic Plan, as you can see below.
- Strong Start: Pre-K-12 - Support relationship-building, managing transitions, and building academic, social, and emotional skills that contribute to being ready to learn.
- Safe, Supported, Included, & Empowered - Contribute to the creation of a school culture where students and families are engaged, students attend regularly, students participate in meaningful extracurricular activities, and discipline disproportionality is reduced.
- Academic Growth and Excellence - Encourage student mindsets with a positive attitude towards learning, self-confidence in one’s ability to succeed, belief in the ability to achieve high-quality results and outcomes, and removing barriers.
- Equitable Access and Opportunity - Advocate for every student to access high-quality and rigorous programs (K-12) and utilize the MTSS framework to identify students in need of support and intervention.
- Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation - Prepare students for a wide range of career pathways, starting in elementary school, through academic and career exploration and planning.
Academic Advising and Advanced Coursework Selection
During the Academic Matters segment of the January 25 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented information on FCPS’ academic advising and advanced coursework selection. Advanced coursework is one focus of the 2023-30 Strategic Plan’s Goal 3, Academic Growth and Excellence. We have an abundance of advanced coursework options available through open enrollment for our middle and high school students:
- Each middle school offers numerous Honors level courses across content areas
- Each high school offers Advanced Placement (AP) International Baccalaureate (IB), and/or Dual Enrollment (DE) courses
- FCPS practices open enrollment making advanced course options accessible to all students
Beyond empowering students to pursue their personal interests, exposure to rigorous and college-level coursework through AP, IB, and/or DE participation is correlated with increased high school and college graduation rates and enables students to earn college credits while still in high school. As you can see below, we continue to invest in removing the roadblocks between our students and their opportunities for advanced coursework.
Investing in College-Level Opportunities
FCPS invests in opportunities for our high school students to experience rigorous, college-level coursework and exams.
- The first six AP and IB exams are funded for any student enrolled in an AP/IB course.
- Students who receive Free and Reduced Meals do not pay AP/IB Exam fees for any additional exams beyond the first six.
- FCPS Dual Enrollment (DE) courses, available in partnership with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), are available at no cost to FCPS students
Graduation and Dropout Rates
During the Academic Matters segment of the January 11 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared the latest data on graduation and dropout rates.
For both graduation and dropout cases, she presented five-year trends from 2019 (pre-pandemic) until 2023.
Graduation Rates
The five-year, on-time graduation trends are consistently above state outcomes. Our rates have also improved more than two percentage points since 2019, compared to Virginia’s improvement of less than .5 percentage points. Looking at specific demographic groups, Hispanic students saw the greatest five-year increase in graduation rates. We are also pleased to see that central supports put in place for nine of our high schools resulted in 2.2 times stronger gains in graduation rates compared to Fairfax high schools not identified for additional supports. It is important to measure what matters to validate that we are putting energy behind programs that work, and we are glad to see these efforts have proved to be successful.
Graduation Rates: Five-year trends for Fairfax and Virginia
- Fairfax graduation rates show consistent performance above statewide outcomes for the past four years.
- FCPS graduation rates have improved more than 2 percentage points since 2019, compared to Virginia’s improvement of less than 0.5 percentage points.
- Slightly lower rates since 2021 result from the loss of statewide graduation flexibility, originally introduced during the pandemic.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) reported graduation rates in the graphic above as of September 7, 2023.
Dropout Rates
Dropout rates look at students who did not successfully earn a diploma, GED, certificate of completion or did not remain enrolled. We have significantly reduced our dropout rates over the five-year trend from 7.3 to 5.5 and now we are closely aligned with statewide rates. Our goal is always zero, and we will continue to work on this measure.
Dropout Rates: Five-year trends for Fairfax and Virginia
- Although FCPS is outperforming the state on graduation outcomes, FCPS dropout rates have been higher than statewide levels for each of the past five years except 2022.
- FCPS can celebrate a significant reduction in dropout rates over the past five years of nearly 2 percentage points.
- As with graduation rates, the loss of pandemic flexibility has impacted some students contributing to higher dropout rates.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) reported dropout rates in the graphic above as of September 7, 2023.
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)
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West Springfield HS (Region 4)
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Frost MS (Region 5)
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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.
Instructional Job Fair
Fairfax County Public Schools wants you to be a part of our team! We are seeking educator talent with strong student engagement skills and a passion for having a positive influence on our school communities. We are hosting a job fair on Saturday, February 24, 2024 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) at Lake Braddock Secondary School. There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair.
Register to attend no later than Friday, February 22, 2024.
During our February 3, 2024 Job Fair, over 150 offers were extended to qualified candidates! You could be next!
Food and Nutrition News
Starting in March, FCPS will introduce new and exciting menus that will offer more hot options and parfaits at breakfast, and new items at lunch such as Sweet Thai Chili Chicken Wings and Asian-Inspired Dumplings. Also in March, FCPS cafeterias will display new menu cards on each food service line that provide detailed information on the included food group(s) and information to assist students in knowing which food items meet their cultural and philosophical dietary preferences. This aids students in making informed decisions on the foods they choose to eat. The Menu Card Poster will share how to read the menu cards.
🧸 Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3 …
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host.
Many schools are currently planning kindergarten orientations, so make sure you don't miss out!
Read more about the registration process.
💻 Register Your Child Online
Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process.
When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account. Please note that passwords should be more than 12 characters long. If you have an existing account and your password is shorter, please update it when you log in.
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host.
Many schools are currently planning kindergarten orientations, so make sure you don't miss out!
Read more about the registration process.
💻 Register Your Child Online
Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process.
When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account. Please note that passwords should be more than 12 characters long. If you have an existing account and your password is shorter, please update it when you log in.
Springfield District Scene
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Something smells fishy in classrooms at Centreville Elementary School. Since the start of the school year, students have worked together to raise trout, hatching them from their eggs. Their goal is to release them in a Virginia stream come spring. It’s a dynamic, hands-on lesson that uniquely applies STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning.
It’s part of a program called Trout in the Classroom, taught in cooperation with the Virginia Council of Trout Unlimited and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Centreville started taking part in the program about 15 years ago.
The elementary school now has five tanks and raises many more fish. The students take full responsibility for maintaining them. At the beginning of the school year, they cleaned each tank three times and assembled the water filters and the chillers that maintain the water temperature. After filling the tanks, students tested the pH levels in the water every week. When the trout eggs arrived in late September, the students picked out the “non-viable” eggs that contained fish that wouldn’t survive when they hatched.
Trout in the Classroom helps align students with many of FCPS’ Portrait of a Graduate goals: by raising the trout independently, the students learn effective communication and collaboration skills. They also develop critical thinking skills when any issues with the tank force them to problem-solve.
Read the full news article.
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Congratulations to Centreville High School’s eSports Team for winning the VHSL eSports Fall League of Legends Championship! Centreville staff member Tad Rauluk leads the team.
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Chantilly Academy students took advantage of some very cool field trip opportunities to further their learning in their fields of study. Air Force JROTC students took a trip to the 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg, WV where they heard from Airmen who shared their experiences in the service and had the unique opportunity to ride on a C-17. Awesome!
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Fairfax High School’s John King received a Champion for Automotive Education award from the Champions for Automotive Education, a partnership between DARCARS and The Automotive Dealer Education Institute. Mr. King was awarded a new electric car to help educate students on maintaining and repairing electric vehicles. Way to go!
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Congratulations to Johnson Middle School’s Ananya Aiyer! Ananya and her robotics teammates from Gear Shifters will be heading to Sydney, Australia in July 2024 as one of the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) LEGO Robotics teams representing the United States at the FLL Asia Pacific Open Championships (APOC)! The Gear Shifters have clinched the first-place overall championship out of 59 teams in the highly competitive FIRST LEGO League (FLL) DC/Virginia States Championship, which took place on December 10, 2023.
This year's FLL theme entailed combining art and technology to create a masterpiece sharing passions and hobbies. Gear Shifters identified a real-world problem and developed a possible solution and competed with LEGO-based robots of their design.
The FIRST leagues provide a platform for students to engage with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines in a hands-on and competitive environment.
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Shout out to Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Diana Leppert for winning the USA Shooting Virginia Junior Olympic State Championship! She beat 80 other competitors from all over Virginia to win the match with the highest score overall and the highest for gender. Diana will represent Virginia at the 2024 Junior Olympics held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. This is also a historic moment for Lake Braddock as it is the only time in history that the reigning National Champion and a State Champion are from the same family in the same year. Congratulations Diana and the Leppert Family!
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Congratulations to the Oakton High School Marching Cougars, for being chosen as the winner of 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.
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When Tiffany Hitz was in high school, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to be a music or math teacher. In the end, a practical decision helped her decide. “As it turns out, there are not a lot of math education scholarships and there are a lot of music scholarships … especially if you play the French horn,” she said. It’s a decision that she doesn’t regret. And she continues to perform as a French horn player.
Tiffany is now the director of the middle school band at Robinson Secondary School. She continues to learn and practice music, hoping that her students will see how much she loves music and that she is still learning and growing as a musician and a teacher.
Tiffany is pictured below with her college band director, who recently presented her with an award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation.
Read more about Tiffany and what inspires her as a teacher in the Employee Blog.
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A special shout out to South County High School Principal Dr. Kambar Khoshaba for taking part in a recent national principal’s association discussion at the White House. The discussion focused on school safety, with a focus on eliminating firearms in schools. Following the opening remarks by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona led the discussion about the importance of keeping firearms out of schools. Additionally, principals shared their experiences with active shooter situations in their schools. The message among the principals was clear; communities must prioritize storage of firearms with cable locks, trigger locks, and lock boxes, and keep a focus on responsible gun ownership.
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Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson HSST’s Computer Team Club for taking the top two places at Widener University’s 16th Annual High School Programming Contest!
On December 6, 2023, General David Thompson, the Vice Chair of the U.S. Space Force came to speak to nearly 200 TJ students. He explained the Space Force and how it works as a military branch.
The main emphasis of his talk was about how important space exploration and space research is to our country's future, and how they depend on today's students to become the future leaders in STEM.
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Congratulations to West Springfield High School senior Caleb Quiroga, one of two Virginia high school students named to the U.S. Senate Youth Program! Caleb was selected to spend a week in Washington, D.C., March 2-9, viewing the American government in action alongside Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. The experience will include policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, and officials from the U.S. Departments of State and Defense as well as directors of other federal agencies.
Students may participate in meetings with the president and a Supreme Court justice. A $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in government, history, and public affairs, is also awarded.
The United States Senate Youth Program was established in 1962. In addition to outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to volunteer work, the student delegates rank academically in the top one percent of their states among high school juniors and seniors.
Learn more about the United States Senate Youth Program.
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Congratulations to Woodson High School’s eSports Team for winning the VHSL eSports Fall Rocket League Championship! The team is led by Woodson staff members Michael Kuykendall & Johnny Shu.
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Filling Another Free Food Fridge
Greenbriar East Elementary School is officially receiving fresh food to help meet food needs for students after school, on weekends, and during breaks.
The Free Food Fridge (FFF) program was generously developed and is supported by Ignite Partner Western Fairfax Christian Ministries or WFCM which started the effort of installing and filling commercial refrigerators in schools in October 2021.
This is the 12th Free Food Fridge in an FCPS location and WFCM now supports 600-700 students weekly with fresh food — valued at about $200,000 over the school year.
Thank you WFCM and your generous supporters, for your continued partnership. This addition means more fresh fruits and other perishables for students.
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries welcomes your support and donations and offers this list of their current pantry needs.
35 Teachers Earn or Renew Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
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.
Kudos to the following teachers of Springfield District students!
Earned
Lake Braddock Secondary School - Lindsay Rusnak
Rocky Run Middle School - Rachel Grover
Thomas Jefferson HSST - Suzette Henry
Union Mill Elementary School - Amy Landsman
Renewed
Fairfax High School - Anne-Marie Hanapole and Greta Sridharan
Frost Middle School - Christina Russell
Johnson Middle School - Charles Burts and Michelle Wright
Mount Vernon High School - Alicia St. Jean
Orange Hunt Elementary School - Lauren Chunn
Robinson Secondary School - Tiffany Hitz
Rocky Run Middle School - Jamie Sawatzky
Sangster Elementary School - Magno Sartorio
West Springfield High School - Florina Abott
Schools Receive FCPS School Communications Awards
Fairfax County Public Schools presented 11 schools with awards for outstanding school communications at the School Communicators Conference held on January 26.
The 2023 Awards of Communication Excellence celebrate the creation of excellent websites, newsletters, and social media content that informs and engages readers. The winners are examples of the substantial talent that exists among the community of FCPS school communicators.
Congratulations to the following Springfield District Schools!
Newsletters
Schools were judged on their main family newsletters sent through GovDelivery. They were judged for consistency, engagement, creativity, metrics, and accessibility.
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Chantilly Academy - Consistently, this academy has fantastic, engaging photos of its programs.
Social Media
These awards are being presented to schools that post frequently, consistently, and creatively; follow best practices, and engage their followers.
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Fairfax Academy - For the Fairfax Academy social media accounts, Amy Hard focuses on bringing surprise, fun, branding, and creativity to content. She posts consistently, creates fun reels (some she is in herself), and is diligent about highlighting the diverse programs and people across the Academy.
Read the full list of winners.
Parent Teacher Associations Awarded Grants
Ten Fairfax County Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) and Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA) were awarded grants from the National PTA during the fall 2023 grant cycle. The awards total $12,500 and will support schools and families in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math, health and wellness, and digital safety.
Congratulations to the following PTAs and PTSAs!
Chantilly High School PTSA - Tobacco Prevention Campaign Grant sponsored by The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Kings Park/Kings Glen Elementary School PTA - PTA Wellness Fairs With Walmart Grant
Waples Mill Elementary School PTA - PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go! Grant supported by AT&T
Read the full list of grant winners on the Fairfax County Council PTA website.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register for Community Conversations
Join Dr. Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:
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Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
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Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School. (I’ll see you there!)
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Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
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Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
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Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
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Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help us plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Student Opportunities
Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools not assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parents or guardians before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity. Families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.
📄 2024 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair
I am pleased to co-sponsor the Annual Fairfax County Teen Job Fair which focuses on students and young job seekers who are looking for a variety of employment opportunities; full-time, after-school, seasonal positions, internship opportunities, and volunteer positions. The fairs have allowed thousands of teenagers to get in front of employers and for our employers to find talented Fairfax County students to fill their positions.
This year, the fairs will take place on two Saturdays in March.
*Final workshops will end at 1:30 p.m.
The fairs are open to all teens in Fairfax County looking for employment, volunteer opportunities, or tips on building their resumes. Student registration is free and open to all teens in Fairfax County looking for employment, volunteer opportunities, or tips on building their resume. Business registration is also free and open to any organization providing positions for students. Free table space and a complimentary table covering will be provided to registered businesses and organizations to advertise their available positions. Participating businesses must provide positions for students at the fair; soliciting without offering positions is not permitted.
Fairfax County Summer Camp Registration is Open
Registration for Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) spring and summer camps is open, via Parktakes. For 2024, FCPA will not be offering a discount for early registration for camps. In addition, camp waitlists will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2 to help FCPA staff optimize the process for filling camps.
Explore the 2024 Camp Guide to see the complete listings (and all the details) for upcoming camps. The publication outlines key background information, including key dates, extended care information, and all the 2024 camp locations. It also provides all the details you need for each camp listing organized by season and then camp type.
On FCPA’s Camps website, find the Camp Search to browse offerings by keyword and location and download the Camp Spreadsheet to filter and sort camps in Excel by child’s age, the week, the type of camp, and the location. FCPA also provides a Camp Planner Sheet to help track camp choices and collect Catalog IDs of all your top choice camps to make registration easier and quicker.
Questions may be directed to the FCPA camps team at camps@fairfacounty.gov.
💻 Inspirigirl Computer Science Classes for Girls
Inspirigirl is a Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHSST) that provides free computer science classes, workshops, and events for students with a focus on encouraging girls to participate in computer science.
They are holding free Winter 2024 virtual computer science classes throughout February and would like to invite your students to register and learn about computer science. All students are welcome, and they offer various coding courses for all different age and level groups.
Classes are free thanks to their teaching volunteers. Register in advance.
Career Exploration Event
In February, school divisions across the region will team up with Virginia Ed Strategies to host the annual Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo event. This Northern Virginia regional event will allow high school students to connect virtually and in person, with more than 60 local industry professionals from in-demand career fields.
The purpose of these FREE career exploration events is to provide students with opportunities to prepare for tomorrow’s workforce today.
The in-person Career Expo and Job Fair event will be held on Saturday, February 17, from 1 - 4 p.m., in the North Hall of the Dulles Expo Center.
Students should register on the Instruction 2 Industry Events Page.
Inspire Summer 2024
Send your rising 10th-12th grade student to the University of Virginia Northern Virginia this summer! Applications for Inspire Summer 2024 are now available. Whether it's college essay writing, coding, or forensic science, they offer a diverse range of courses. Go beyond the curriculum with exciting topics that introduce new concepts and build on existing knowledge.
One and two-week classes are offered in-person or online from June 17 - July 26, 2024.
Seats are limited and the priority deadline is February 23, 2024. Apply now.
FentAlert: Empowering Youth for Safer Choices Fentanyl Awareness Youth Challenge
How can young people be a part of the solution to increase awareness about the risks of fentanyl?
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) wants you to pitch your idea that educates youth in your community about fentanyl and fake pills and prevents overdose. Your idea could include any innovative ways to reach youth on this topic like social media posts, vlogs, podcasts, video journals, etc. In this Challenge, we are seeking the best ideas from U.S. youth, aged 14-18, on a community strategy to increase youth awareness, education, and prevention around the dangers of fentanyl, especially the hidden dangers of fake pills and other contaminants that can lead to drug overdose deaths.
These are the facts:
- Among adolescents aged 10-19, from 2019 to 2021:
- Monthly drug overdose deaths increased by 109%.
- Deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyls increased 182%.
- About 90% of these deaths involved opioids and 84% involved illicitly manufactured fentanyls.
- Counterfeit pills were present in nearly 25% of these deaths.
- Two-thirds of those who died had one or more potential bystanders present, but most didn’t provide an overdose response (many bystanders were in another room or didn’t know that drugs were being used).
- Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills, and falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills. They are made to look just like prescription drugs such as oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), and alprazolam (Xanax®); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall®).
- 7 out of 10 fake prescription pills (seized by the DEA) contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
- Xylazine (often known as “tranq”), is a central nervous system depressant and animal tranquilizer that has been showing up in combination with fentanyl and has been involved in a growing number of overdose deaths.
Learn more about the FentAlert Challenge here. Submissions are due February 26, 2024, at 6 p.m. ET.
🔬 Children’s Science Center Summer Camp Internship
The Children’s Science Center is accepting applications for summer interns ages 16+ for their 2024 Science, Technology, and Engineering STEM) Summer Camp (June 17-August 16, 2024). Interns will work closely with elementary-aged students conducting hands-on STEM activities. Interns will also have the opportunity to develop their own STEM programming for camp students.
Find more information and apply by Friday, March 1, 2024, by 5 p.m.
🤖 Chantilly High School Technology Student Association Tech Fair
The Chantilly High School Technology Student Association is holding a Tech Fair on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Chantilly High School cafeteria (Enter through door 11). Join them for slime, elephant toothpaste, ozobots, strawberry DNA, and more! The entrance fee is $5. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
Sorensen Institutute’s 2024 High School Leaders Program
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is seeking civic-minded students from across Virginia to apply to the 2024 High School Leaders Program (HSLP). The HSLP is a two-week summer program designed for Virginia high school students who have a passion for public service and leadership. The HSLP curriculum covers the foundations of public policy and effective civic engagement while connecting students with peers of different backgrounds and philosophies from around the state. Admitted students live on Grounds at the University of Virginia, attend field trips, and network with current leaders in Virginia's public, private, and non-profit sectors.
The online application for the 2024 HSLP is open through Monday, March 25, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Supplemental Materials (transcript, resume, and up to two letters of recommendation) are due Friday, March 29, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
To learn more or refer a candidate, visit the High School Leaders Program (HSLP) | Cooper Center or contact Sorensen Community Relations and Program Recruiting Assistant, JaVori Warren, at jw3uj@virginia.edu.
💦 Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District College Scholarship
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) is offering a $1,000 scholarship to graduating high school seniors or college freshmen pursuing a degree in natural resource conservation or a related field. NVSWCD’s Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship award winner will also be submitted to the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Educational Foundation committee for review and may be eligible to receive one of four $2,000 state-wide scholarships.
Learn more and apply for the Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 1, 2024.
Lake Braddock Bruins Summer Sports Camps
Lake Braddock Secondary School is offering summer sports camps for athletes of all ability levels in grades 3-12. Sports include baseball, basketball, dance, softball, and volleyball. Athletes will be grouped by age and skill in their respective sports. Camp staff composed of coaches, alumni, and current players will provide a balanced program of instruction in fundamentals and game competition.
Find more information, including the registration link, on the Bruins 2024 Summer Camps web page.
Questions may be directed to Paul Agner at peagner@fcps.edu.
🏀 Chantilly High School Girls Basketball Camp
Register online for Chantilly’s Girls’ Basketball camp for ages 7-14 at Chantilly High School this summer. The cost is $200 per camper for one session or $360 per camper for both sessions.
- Session 1: June 24 - June 28, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Session 2: July 8 - July 12, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Each camper will receive a complimentary t-shirt. Please contact Josh Regan, Chantilly High School Girls Varsity Basketball Coach, with any questions.
Community News
February recognizes…
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about Black History Month.
Black History Month Celebration
Fairfax County’s Black History Month Celebration will be held on Friday, February 23, at 5:30 p.m., at the Government Center. This year’s theme is The Value of Telling Our Stories. It will include performances, activities, discussion, and light refreshments. Visit the county’s website for details.
Throughout the month, Fairfax County Public Libraries will host several events celebrating Black history including movie screenings, lectures, and musical performances in-person and online.
Career and Technical Education Month
By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school including Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology, and Engineering Education, and Trade and Industrial Education. Since this is an elective, course offerings may vary by school. Learn more on the CTE website.
CTE also offers summer programs for students to explore their programs.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Dating violence is a pattern of harmful behaviors that can be used to exert power and control over a dating partner. This can happen in different ways, including physical violence, emotional and verbal violence, sexual violence, financial control, and digital violence. Many teens experience some form of intimate partner violence even before graduating from high school.
The purpose of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is to raise public awareness about the impact of dating violence on youth, educate young people about healthy relationships, and encourage the community to get involved to disrupt cycles of violence among teens.
Learn more about teen dating violence.
Enroll now!
Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year is a holiday that marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, which is the calendar traditionally used in many East Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Singapore, and South Korea. In these and other Asian countries, it is one of the most important holidays of the year. The Lunar New Year is all about ushering in luck and prosperity with family and was celebrated this year on February 10.
Read more about the Lunar New Year and its animal symbols in National Geographic Kids.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, February 14, is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the beginning of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading up to Easter. Many Christians attend special Ash Wednesday church services, at which churchgoers receive ash on their foreheads. Ash Wednesday derives its name from this practice.
Read more about Ash Wednesday on Britannica.com.
This artwork, created by Liberty Middle School and Springfield District student Mikayla D., was selected as part of the FCPS Observance Design Challenge for Students. Way to go Mikayal!
Presidents Day
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, for the Presidents Day holiday. Learn more about Presidents Day on Britannica.com. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 20.
See the complete school year calendar.
Connect FCPS Calendars to Your Personal Calendar
You can subscribe to FCPS calendars so updates and new events will automatically be added to your Outlook or Google calendars. Subscribe to “All Calendars” or specific types of events, including holidays, featured FCPS events, School Board meetings, fine and performing arts events, or religious and cultural observances.
Public Schools Week
Public Schools Week, February 27-March 3, is an annual celebration that brings together school leaders, educators, parents & community leaders to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools.
Family and Student Resources
What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse
FCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.
What can families do?
- Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink.
- Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.
- Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage.
- Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors.
- Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”
Visit our website for more information.
📝 Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework
Tutor.com can help with more than just homework! This on-demand tutoring service also offers a comprehensive range of resources that include exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families.
Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.
💲 FAFSA Is Open: College Access Fairfax Can Help
Over the next two months, College Access Fairfax will offer several programs on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA), and finding and applying for scholarships. Visit the College Access Fairfax website for details.
In addition, College Access Fairfax staff members are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to complete the FAFSA/VASA. Email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org for an appointment.
The FAFSA is now available. Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and forms. Then, create an FSA ID and fill out the FAFSA.
The VASA application has yet to open but should be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
🏫 College Partnership Program
The College Partnership Program (CPP) is a college success program offered by FCPS. This program is designed to support students interested in exploring, applying to, and enrolling in college. CPP helps students prepare for college through monthly meetings and information sessions which provide academic counseling, completing college and scholarship applications, SAT preparation classes, and college visits.
CPP was created to help students who face additional barriers to achieving their higher education goals, which include:
- Students who are the first in their family to attend college in the U.S.
- English language learners
- Economically disadvantaged students
- Students with disabilities
Students of all backgrounds and experiences (grades 8-11) are encouraged to apply. The application is open until March 15, 2024.
For more information, students should contact their school counselors or CPP advocates.
🚍 Here Comes the Bus
Want to know if your child’s bus is on schedule or where the bus is? Here Comes the Bus® is an easy-to-use website and app that enables parents to see the location of their child’s school bus — almost in real-time — on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.
Parents can track multiple buses if their children don’t all ride the same bus; know exactly when children arrive at school or the bus stop; and receive customized text and/or email notifications about bus locations, schedule changes, or delays.
To get started, download the app from the Apple iOS or Android app store. Check out the Here Comes the Bus and Frequently Asked Questions webpages for more information.
Already using the Here Comes the Bus app? Send your feedback to HCTB@fcps.edu.
Note: eNotify text messaging will continue to be used for reporting bus delays and bus incidents.
Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!
Ombuds staff members engage with families, students, and staff to offer resources to improve the experience of every FCPS community member. They work as an independent, confidential resource that can help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
The ombuds is available to:
- Share strategies for parents to improve communication with, and between, school and home.
- Help resolve disagreements between parents and schools or disagreements involving employees in the workplace.
- Provide ideas to strengthen parent participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings.
Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the Ombuds webpage, where you may Submit a Question.
Special Education Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to assist families of students with special needs:
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.
Jill’s House Virtual Parent Support
Are you ever excited, delighted, or amazed by what your child with disabilities has done and you don't have someone to share it with who "gets it"? Do you wish you could get some validation or appropriate response from people after sharing how incredible you have found a certain situation involving your child with special needs? Please join the Jill’s House VIrtual Parent Support Group on February 26, 2024, from 7 to 8 p.m., to share those experiences with others and we promise to engage at all the right places and cheer you on!
To receive the meeting link, please contact Deonne Snare at deonne.snare@jillshouse.org.
Building Trust With Your Teenager
Raising teenagers can present lots of new challenges even for seasoned parents and caregivers. It may feel like there is an overnight transformation from a loving child to a barely recognizable teen who is equal parts moody, impulsive, and reclusive. And while it’s normal for kids to pull away from their parents and test the limits of their independence, this can be a time that parents struggle to relate to them.
It’s important to remember that trust is the foundation of any strong relationship. Fairfax County Parenting Education Programs (PEP) offer tips on building a trusting relationship with your teen.
Read more on the Fairfax County Department of Family Services Community Corner webpage.
Register for Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
The FCPS Family Resource Center (PRC) is offering free webinars. Some amazing upcoming options are focusing on Behavior Solutions, Transition Planning for Students in Special Education, How to Handle Disappointing Grades, and more!
Quick Links
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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