Week of April 1

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 04/01/2024 03:15 PM EDT

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National Arab American Heritage Month

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FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

In This Issue:

Calendar

April 01: Student Holiday | Teacher Work Day for Staff

April 02: Student Holiday | Staff Development Day for Staff

April 03: Softball Spirit Day, Chick Fil A North Point Village, 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

April 09: Religious and Cultural Observance | Eid al Fitr (begins sundown 4/9 – sundown 4/10)

April 10: Holiday | Eid al Fitr (begins sundown 4/9 – sundown 4/10)

April 18: VA DMV Permit Test, 3:15 pm, Herndon HS - Room J104

April 22: Religious and Cultural Observance | First evening of Passover (begins sundown 4/22 - sundown 4/30)

April 23: Religious and Cultural Observance | Second evening of Passover

April 24: Religious and Cultural Observance | Theravada New Year

FCPS Calendar | HHS Red and Black Calendar

 

 

Events

School Planning/Teacher Work Days

There will be no school for students on April 1 and 2 for school planning/teacher work days. See the complete School Year Calendar.

Softball Spirit Day at Chick Fil A North Point Village

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National Assistant Principals Week

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Join NASSP, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the American Federation of School Administrators in honoring the enormous contributions of assistant principals to student success.

National Assistant Principals Week, April 1–5, 2024, is a celebration of the unsung heroes in our education system. These dedicated folks work tirelessly to bolster teachers, motivate students, support their principal, create a positive learning community, and face the many unpredictable challenges that land on their desk.

Assistant Principals play a crucial role, and this week is a dedicated time to recognize them for their hard work and commitment to our schools, students, and profession. Please join us in celebrating these incredible school leaders!

All Night Grad Tickets

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Calling all Seniors! Don't break the bank for your All Night Grad ticket. Snag yours today for just $75, before prices jump to $85 on April 5th. Secure your space and safe.

National Library Week, April 7-13

April is School Library Month and it's a great time to celebrate the essential role that school librarians play in the lives of students. School librarians ensure students have access to a wide variety of high-quality books and resources that connect them to the world and build a culture of literacy. Librarians develop lessons that are meaningful to students and help them develop critical thinking, inquiry, and information literacy skills. They support learning across all subject areas by teaching students the skills to be independent problem-solvers and creative thinkers. By creating a safe environment for all students to be engaged and curious learners, FCPS libraries are places where everyone belongs.

Take a moment to learn more about FCPS Library Programs and share your appreciation of your school librarian!

☀️ Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8 

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.  

Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.

Eid al-Fitr (Half-O Day, Holiday)

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In Islam, Eid-al-Fitr is a three day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Muslims dress in new clothes, give charity, and pray in congregation. Eid is celebrated with the exchange of presents and delicious food with family and friends. Read more at Britannica.com.

Tuesday, April 9, has been designated as a half-O day. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. Wednesday, April 10, is an FCPS holiday and all schools and offices will be closed. See the complete School Year Calendar.

🌱 Spring Plant Sale

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Get ready to spruce up your space with our blooming plant sale! Order your 10" hanging flower baskets or 12" Boston fern combo, plus 4.5" pots now through April 14th. Pick up at Herndon HS on April 28th or opt for delivery! Contact Laura at 571-438-5107 or email ljmdesign@icloud.com. Don't miss out on adding some green goodness to your life. Proceeds support ANG2024.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle 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:

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS 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.

Purple Up! Day

To show our support for all our military-connected families, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” on April 17  for military children. Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue.

VA DMV Permit Test

Throughout this school year, Herndon HS will now offer the Virginia DMV Permit test to all students who meet the criteria, have parent permission and successfully register for the test.  Students will need to meet the following criteria and registration tasks:

  1. Be at least 15 years and 6 months old to register and take the permit test.
  2. Obtain a signed DTS 41-Parent Consent Form (DTS 41- Parent Permission Form Link)
  3. Register on ACE Online for Herndon High School (there is a $20 fee due at registration)  (ACE Online Registration Link)
  4. Register for the test on the Virginia DMV Online Knowledge Testing System (Virginia DMV Test Registration Link)
  5. Students MUST bring their FCPS school issued laptop on the day of the test.
  6. Students MUST bring a picture ID to verify identity.  If the student does not have a picture ID, take a picture, print the picture, write the student’s full legal name under the picture and have a teacher sign it to verify identity.

Test Dates: April 18, May 9, May 23, June 5

Test Location: Herndon HS - Room J104

Test Time: 3:15pm (DO NOT BE LATE)

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Quirine (jquirine@fcps.edu).

Safe, Supported, and Included — the FCPS Family Summit 2024

The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources, along with a specially curated online component to provide supports for students with disabilities and their families. 

Some of the topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. The conference is being planned by several FCPS offices in collaboration with the Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators, Black Women’s Educational Alliance - DC Chapter, Hispanic Educators Association, and Asian Educators Association. 

This year’s theme is Safe, Supported, and Included, which aligns with Goal 2 of the FCPS Strategic Plan. More details will be available after spring break.

Passover and Half-O Days

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Many Jewish communities in the United States celebrate Passover, a recognition of the deliverance of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Passover is also known as Pesah, Pesach, or the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Many Jewish families in the United States eat a ceremonial meal known as the Seder, which involves telling the story of the exodus from Egypt as well as eating various symbolic foods, such as meat of the paschal lamb and bitter herbs, recalling the harsh life of slavery. Learn more about Passover in NatGeo Kids. 

Monday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 23, are designated half-O days in recognition of the first two days of Passover. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete school year calendar.

Theravada New Year (O Day)

In countries where Theravada Buddhism is the most dominant religion, New Year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon in April. Theravada means “the teachings of the elders.” Celebrations begin with people attending the local temple in the morning for chanting and meditation. In the afternoon they have a water festival in which they meet the Buddha image and pay respect to the elderly by watering their hands together. Building sandcastles is also one of the most popular activities during this day of celebration.

Wednesday, April 24, is designated as an O day for Theravada New Year. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.

NOVA Virtual Sessions for Seniors and Their Families 

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is offering virtual information and application sessions. Information sessions will provide an overview of NOVA and the opportunities, services, and resources designed to connect high school seniors to the NOVA Nighthawk Community.

Sessions are open to all FCPS seniors and their families. For questions, email admissions@nvcc.edu or call 703-323-3000.

Updated Spring SOL Test Information

Herndon High School students will be taking one or more Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course (EOC) assessments between April 29, 2024 and May 31, 2024. All students will receive their testing schedule and other important information via school E-Mail in the middle of April 2024. All testing times start at 8:10 AM.

The testing days have been expanded this year due to the AP testing that is also scheduled during the same testing window and student testing must ensure that proper spacing and time is provided for all tests. On certain days, the bell schedule will be rotated to ensure that instructional time is maintained for all students testing. The table below lists the testing days and the schedule run that day:

  • Monday, April 29, 2024 - Science and Math SOL Tests (Seniors) – Regular Black Day Bell Schedule
  • Tuesday, April 30, 2024 - Reading SOL Test (Seniors) – Regular Red Day Bell Schedule
  • Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Reading SOL Test - Regular Black Day Bell Schedule
  • Thursday, May 2, 2024 - Reading SOL Test - Periods 7, 3, 5, 1
  • Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - Biology SOL Test - Periods 3, 1, 5, 7
  • Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - Biology SOL Test - Periods 8, 2, 6, ST5, ST6
  • Thursday, May 9, 2024 - Geosystems SOL Test - Periods 1, 7, 5, 3
  • Friday, May 10, 2024 - Geosystems SOL Test - Periods ST7, ST8, 2, 6, 8
  • Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - Chemistry SOL Test – Regular Black Bell Schedule
  • Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - Chemistry SOL Test - Periods 7, 3, 5, 1
  • Thursday, May 16, 2024 - Geometry SOL Test - Periods 8, 2, 6, ST2, ST3
  • Friday, May 17, 2024 - Geometry SOL Test - Periods 3, 1, 5, 7
  • Monday, May 20, 2024 - Algebra 1 SOL Test - Periods TA, ST5, 8, 6, 2
  • Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - Algebra 1 SOL Test - Periods 1, 7, 5, 3
  • Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Algebra 2 SOL Test - Regular Black Day Bell Schedule
  • Thursday, May 23, 2024 - Algebra 2 SOL Test - Regular Red Day Bell Schedule
  • Tuesday, May 28, 2024 - Reading SOL Test Expedited Retake and Make-Up Tests - Regular Red Day Bell Schedule
  • Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - All Science SOL Expedited Retake and Make-up Tests - Regular Black Day Bell Schedule
  • Thursday, May 30, 2024 - All Math SOL Expedited Retake and Make-Up Tests - Regular Red Day Bell Schedule
  • Friday, May 31, 2024 - All SOL Expedited Retake and Make-up Tests (as needed) - Regular Black Day Bell Schedule

All students will receive their SOL testing schedules through their school E-Mail accounts on April 16, 2024.

While further information on testing can be found on the Herndon High School Website, all SOL assessments are taken in-person at school. If you become aware of an unavoidable conflict that could result in your student missing a testing day, or have further questions about SOL testing, please notify your student’s school counselor or our Assessment Coach, Dr. Karl Gussow.

 

 

Information

From the Library

This month’s Global Citizen Book Club will meet on Monday, April 8 after school. We hope that your student can join us for an hour of casual conversation about great books.

Good bye to March, and hello to April—National Poetry Month, National Arab American Heritage Month, AND National School Library Month! The library will be celebrating all of these things on our return from spring break.

If your student is fasting during the month of Ramadan and does not wish to spend their lunch period in the cafeteria, the library is an alternative. Your student can speak with us about getting a lunch pass through April 9.

The Herndon HS library welcomes students before school, after school, and during the school day with a pass. Students looking for a lunch option other than the cafeteria can often get a pass to spend their lunch block in the library. Many classes incorporate research units throughout the year. We work with classes on developing research skills, and are available to meet individually with students. The library’s Schoology course has a variety of resources to help students find reliable information that they can use to create new learning. If we can answer any questions for you, please contact us at hhs_library@fcps.edu.

AP Testing Volunteers Needed

Herndon High School is looking for volunteers to help proctor AP exams beginning Monday, May 6th through Friday, May 17th.

There are two sessions: The morning session, 7:45am – 11:30/11:45am. The afternoon session, 11:45am – 3:15/3:30pm. Responsibilities include checking ID’s, handing out and collecting tests, monitoring the students and counting tests when finished. Volunteers do not have to sign up for both sessions in the same day unless he/she would like to do so. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. If you are available or know of anyone, a college student perhaps who may be interested in helping, please contact Kie Anderson at keanderson1@fcps.edu.

🏐 New Athletic Opportunities for Students

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The FCPS advertised budget for next school year expands high school athletics with boys volleyball and girls wrestling, giving students more ways to nurture their passion and enhance their well-being. FCPS is now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback. See the Budget Calendar for details. Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget.

New Regulation on Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces

FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.

These spaces are for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact [the principal/family liaison/their child’s teacher] regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.

🤧 Updated COVID Recommendations

In accordance with the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance, FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) have updated school COVID-19 recommendations.

The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer recommended. 

New respiratory virus guidance applies to respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Students who have symptoms of, test positive for, or have been diagnosed with a respiratory virus may return to school when the student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; AND the student’s symptoms have improved or resolved. 

Students should follow additional precautions as outlined per the CDC upon resumption of normal activities. 

Should I Send My Child to School?

Please refer to the chart on this attendance webpage if your child is experiencing symptoms or illnesses, and you are unsure if they should go to school. 

Thank you for helping keep our students and staff healthy.

 

 

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