Partnership Update
April 2024
 VSBA Business Honor Roll Finalists
Last month we reported on the businesses and not-for-profits put forth for the 2024 Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Business Honor Roll. Three of the 16 nominees were sent to Richmond for the VSBA’s approval, and all three were chosen. Congratulations to the Giant Pharmacy, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and the Greater DC Diaper Bank.
The Business Honor Roll recognizes partners who uniquely and adeptly support a school division Nominating our partners is one way that Fairfax County Public Schools says thank you for their vital contributions.
We’ll share more about their fantastic support this summer following our School Board’s formal recognition on June 27 .
 EduTutorVA in 14 Virginia Colleges and Universities
Ignite Partner EduTutorVA proudly announced at their 2024 Gala that college students from 14 Virginia Colleges and Universities are serving as tutors — the newest from Virginia State University in Petersburg.
EduTutorVA’s dual mission matters to FCPS:
- They provide no cost, high impact tutoring to K-12 students in Title I schools — administered virtually by college students attending Virginia higher education institutions.
- They train college and university students to provide quality high-impact tutoring, and encourage and connect the tutors to the teaching profession through their Tutors to Teacher program.
Out of a total of twelve schools served, 5 are in FCPS and include Hutchison, Mount Vernon Woods, and Westlawn elementary schools, as well as Poe and Whitman middle schools.
EduTutorVA started their not-for-profit tutoring partnership with FCPS in 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. They now serve schools in 4 school divisions, with 300 tutors providing 14,000+ hours of tutoring annually.
Thank you EduTutorVA and thank you to the tutors (some pictured below). We hope that you’ll explore careers with Fairfax County Public Schools.
  .
 Youth Work Laws and YouthRules.gov
Child Labor Laws vary by age and task. The laws and violations are relevant whether a student is working a job to support a family, for extra money, or as part of a work-based learning program. Common child labor violations include:
- Expecting a young person to work longer or later than legally allowed.
- Driving a motor vehicle or forklift.
- Using meat-processing machines and vertical dough or batter mixers
- Performing jobs that are off-limit for their age.
Here’s a website to help you understand more about what jobs are off-limits for kids.
Because some state child labor laws are inconsistent with the federal ones, remember that the more restrictive law applies:
- Where a state child labor law is less restrictive than the federal law, the federal law applies.
- Where a state child labor law is more restrictive than the federal law, the state law applies.
Our community’s understanding of Child Labors Laws matters in many regards, but especially because businesses play an important role in student attendance.
Along with school, a job is a great place for young people to learn and if you’re employing an FCPS student — thank you. Thank you, too, for recognizing the importance of school as you schedule their work hours.
Before a teenager starts a job, please check whether they can work at that job at the age they are currently:
Watch this video about the rights of young workers, and visit YouthRules.gov for more information.
Let's work together to support school attendance. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources.
 Well Attended Community Conversation About the Dangers of Fentanyl and Other Drugs
More than 200 staff, students, and community members gathered at Lake Braddock Secondary School in March for the latest Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs.
|
Community partners, FCPS teams, and county representatives shared information and resources to support students and families before and after the event. One of the new community partners attending was the not-for-profit Arise and Flourish including Board Director Gelareh Bassiry who praised the event’s approach: “I felt energized that we are talking frankly and blunt about this topic. Breaking down the stigma is empowering the parents to seek help and stop hiding this issue.”
Arise and Flourish’s mission is to serve youth by providing knowledge to empower them to avoid the cycle of addiction and resources to support a positive and healthy lifestyle.
|
|
 |
During the presentation portion of the event, guests heard moving testimony from the parents and friends of Cayden Foster (video in Spanish), a student at Centreville High School who died from a fentanyl overdose last year.
Other speakers included FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, Fairfax County School Board Chair Karl Frisch, Fairfax County Chief of Police Kevin Davis, and Centreville High School Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Dawn Brower.
The Fairfax Community Service Board also provided free NARCAN training to attendees.
In collaboration with the Office of Counseling and College and Career Readiness, all FCPS students in attendance had the opportunity to gain critical insight into this important topic, with the added incentive of earning service learning hours.
Learn more about this event, the opioid epidemic in Fairfax County, and free NARCAN training.
 Bipartisan Study Finds Virginia Public School Divisions Receive Less Funding per Student Than Other States
The School Board recently adopted FCPS’ FY 2025 Advertised Budget. View FCPS budget documents for details on our advertised budget, including the FY 2025 Budget Book.
Meeting our budget needs becomes more of a challenge with underfunding by the state, using staffing formulas that continue to result in school districts not receiving the actual support needed for excellent public education. A staffing formula is the method for calculating the number of positions that need to be assigned to meet program needs.
Did You Know?
In July 2023, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) released a study of Virginia’s K-12 funding formulas. The report found that Virginia school divisions receive less funding per student than the 50-state average, the regional average, and many of Virginia’s neighboring states including West Virginia, Maryland, and Kentucky. Learn more about the JLARC study. Visit our website to view FCPS’ budget development timeline.
Contact your state officials to provide feedback on funding for K-12 education.
FCPS is in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for community feedback. See the Budget Calendar for important dates and details.
 Let’s Do Lunch!
Bistro 1093 at Edison Academy welcomes guests as a pop-up restaurant inside Edison Academy. So, “let’s do lunch!” If you’re looking to learn more about business and community partnerships, let’s see if we can meet at the bistro.
The pop-up is open most Thursdays between January and May, when about 20 diners can enjoy a three-course lunch. It’s a great way to see first hand the talents of our culinary students — authentic assessments by taste and service.
Learn more about what is described as one of the best-kept culinary secrets in Fairfax County, and seriously — if you’re considering a partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools, let’s try to meet at Bistro 1093.
In case you’re wondering, Bistro 1093 is named for the number of patents held by Thomas Edison. Bon Appetit.
 We’re Open for New Business and Community Partners
Businesses and community groups are encouraged to learn more about our Ignite Partnerships program, which offers eight ways for partners to engage with FCPS.
Our Ignite Partnership Value Proposition offers meaningful incentives for businesses and community groups who satisfy the Ignite Partnership agreement requirement.
Learn more about the Partnership Agreement Process and explore our list of partners.
|
