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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
Nominations Open for First-Class Awards
Is there a Key Center staff person who consistently goes above and beyond to meet your student’s needs? Would you like to recognize the exemplary performance of a Key Center employee? Now is your chance!
The FCPS Advisory Council for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2024 First-Class Awards. The First-Class Awards are an annual celebration of individuals in Fairfax County who support, implement, or design programs and activities which include students with disabilities that result in improving outcomes for all students. Submit your nominee using this form. Award winners will be recognized at the Family Summit on April 20, 2024.
NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 22, 2024.
National School Social Worker Week
March 3-9 is National School Social Work Week. Social workers in FCPS help to prevent social, emotional, and behavioral factors from affecting a student's ability to perform at their best. Their primary goal is to remove barriers that prevent a student from fulfilling their academic potential. Social workers are assigned to every school and center in the school system. We are so appreciative of the skills, teamwork and positive energy that our Social Worker, Caroline Phan brings to our building! Learn more about the role of social workers in FCPS.
Key Center Partners with Local Food Bank to Fight Hunger!
We are proud to announce a new partnership with Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO), a local organization dedicated to assisting families in need in the Burke/Springfield community.
Through this partnership, students participating in our vocational program are playing a vital role in supporting those in need. Each Wednesday, student volunteers collect extra unopened food items from classrooms. They then sort the food to ensure its freshness and suitability for donation. Finally, the students load the food onto a bus and deliver it to ECHO, where it will be distributed to families facing food insecurity.
This initiative not only helps combat hunger in our community, but also provides valuable experience for our students. By participating in this program, students not only get to give back to their community, they also get to practice valuable skills such as communication, sorting, counting, and packaging.
We are excited to be a part of this meaningful collaboration with ECHO and empower our students to make a positive impact in their community!
Ramadan
This year, the first full day of Ramadan is Monday, March 11. In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity and good deeds. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.
Developmental Disability Awareness Month
March has been recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month since 1987 when President Ronald Reagan issued a public proclamation urging Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” The theme for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2023 is “Beyond the Conversation.” It is time to ask the question, “Once the conversations have taken place, what comes next?” What are communities doing to create change?
More information about Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month can be accessed on the Fairfax County website.
Daylight Saving Begins (Spring Forward)
Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time begins. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour! As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or to bus stops in the dark. Help your child stay safe by having them wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run into the street or cross between parked cars.
Family Engagement Survey to Open March 3
FCPS is partnering with independent research firm K12 Insight to administer a Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Sunday, March 3, to Friday, March 22. Your feedback is critical in helping FCPS to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs throughout the district. Survey topics include:
Welcoming environmentCommunicationStudent successAdvocacyFamily and school partnershipsCommunity partnerships
The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/caregivers will receive the survey link via email from K12 Insight. A public link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. In today;s backpacks, you should find a flier with a QR code that will link you to the survey. If you do not want to complete the survey electronically, we are able to provide you with a hardcopy of the survey. Please contact our office at (703) 313-4000 to make a request for a hardcopy of the survey.
Therapeutic Recreation Services- Summer Camp Open House
We welcome you and your family to join our open house to learn more about TRS summer camp programs for individuals with disabilities (ages: 5-22). Come take part in a variety of family friendly activities, talk to camp staff, and experience a taste of the fun we have during summertime!
- Photo Booth - Sensory Room - Arts & Crafts-
- Sensory Activities- Light Refreshments & Snacks -
- Summer Camp Info Session - And More!
Click on this link to RSVP or call at 703-324-5532
Springfield Challenger Baseball
Springfield Challenger Baseball, Little League Baseball for kids, teens and adults with special needs, will open its 31st season starting April 7th. They are looking for and have plenty of opportunities for new players.
2024 Spring Season
April 7- June 16
Game Times: 1:00 -3:00
Beginning in 1993 with only nine players, they have grown to become one of the largest Challenger programs in the world, fielding over one hundred players annually in three age appropriate divisions. The program is geared to all ages, Little Challengers (ages 4-12), Majors (ages 13-19), and a young adult league.
All games are on Sunday afternoons at West Springfield Little League Byron Avenue fields, games are non-competitive and adapt to each player’s individual needs.
For more information, contact either Eddie Garretson ( EGarret166@aol.com, 703-304-2330) or Logan Bruno ( logan.garretson@gmail.com, 571-331-1167).
Family Resource Center
Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities?
Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).
Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter.
Key Center PTA
Not yet a member of our PTA? We would love to have you join!
Key Center PTA Membership
Key Center PTA Donations
Key Center PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Any questions regarding involvement, please contact PTA President, Cecilia Allen, at KeyCtrPTA@gmail.com or (301) 646-7447.
Upcoming Dates
March 25-29 Spring Break
April 1 Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
April 2 Staff Development Day - Student Holiday
April 10 Eid al Fitr - Holiday,
May 6- 10 Annual Staff Appreciation Week
May 30 Graduation - All students not graduating
will be dismissed at 10:30am
2023-24 FCPS School Calendar
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