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Hello, Springfield District

It has been such an amazing last few weeks! I always love the transition between our weather extremes, so fall and spring are my favorite seasons in Northern Virginia. I hope you and your family have had a lovely month. 

I spent my last few weeks visiting with some of our amazing principals at the Burke School, Hunt Valley Elementary, and Rolling Valley Elementary with my colleague, Kyle McDaniel. It was particularly special being back in the building at Hunt Valley where I went to elementary school.

I have also had the opportunity to attend and participate in several events for and with our students, such as the Fairfax County Regional Science & Engineering Fair and Awards Ceremony, the Chantilly HS Technology Student Association Tech Fair, the Fairfax HS Fashion Marketing Fashion Show, and the Bryant HS Career Fair. I am in awe of the creativity and professionalism of our students. It is awesome watching them excel and learn. 

Throughout the last month, I have also taken the time to learn with our community. I met with Carolyn Pitches from the City of Fairfax School Board, attended Dr. Reid’s Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs, attended the Arc of Northern Virginia Benefit Breakfast, listened along with Dr. Reid at an Employee Conversation, and celebrated Fairfax County’s selection for the EPA’s Clean School Bus Grant Program along with the Road Runners at Lorton Station ES.

Last but not least, I spent time learning with my colleagues at the National School Board Association conference, including a keynote conversation with Ruby Bridges. Being reminded about the strong work Fairfax County is doing to educate our children while still seeing our future opportunities was a wonderful reminder of the important work our board has to do!

I will be in touch soon! 

Sandy Anderson

This newsletter includes information on the following issues:

• Upcoming School Board Meetings
• School Board Work
• FCPS News
• Superintendent Updates
• Springfield District Scene
• Student Opportunities
• Community News
• Family and Student Resources
• Quick Links

Upcoming School Board Meetings

• April 25 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Strategic Plan Goal 2 Baseline Report, Special Education Enhancement Plan, etc.
• May 7 at 10:30 a.m. - Work Session: FY2024 Advertised Budget and Strategic Plan Goal Baseline 4 Report
• May 9 at 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Student Rights & Responsibilities
• May 14 at 6:30 p.m. - Public Hearing: Budget
• May 15 at 6:30 p.m. - Public Hearing: Budget (if needed)

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.

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.

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.

School Board Work

Special Education Enhancement Plan

At the April 16 work session, the School Board discussed the Special Education Enhancement Plan which was designed to address the recommendations of the American Institutes for Research (AIR) included in their Special Education Program Review Report. The Plan was also designed to provide additional enhancements in programming outcomes for students with individualized education programs (IEP) and Section 504 Plans.

This presentation provided an update on the progress of the plan’s current work and actions as well as future plans to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. The work is organized into four (4) goal areas:

• Instruction and Inclusive Practices
• Special Education Processes
• Communication
• Staff Capacity

View the documents and watch the full meeting.

Strategic Plan 2023-30 Goal 5 Baseline Report

The Board voted to approve the Strategic Plan 2023-30 Goal 5 Baseline Report that will be used as a reference point annually to determine FCPS’ progress on the Strategic Plan Goals.

Watch the full meeting.

Educational Employees Retirement System of Fairfax County Proposed Plan Design Changes

At the March 21 meeting, the School Board voted to approve the Educational Employees Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC) proposed plan design changes as detailed in the agenda item. Plan design changes include 

• DROP Plan for Legacy Employees
• The addition of a DROP program for Legacy members will allow employees to receive the maximum ERFC contribution while continuing to work at FCPS for the required 30 years to maximize VRS contributions. 
• Sick Leave Credit
• The Legacy ERFC program allows unused sick leave balances to be credited as retirement services. The ERFC 2001 Plan (Tier I & Tier 2) does not. A comparable provision is proposed for ERFC 2001 (Tier I & Tier 2) service credit. Fairfax County allows unused sick leave to be credited as service time, upon retirement. Approximately 6,000 FCPS employees are in the FCERS plan.

Providing Sick Leave Credit to ERFC 2001 (Tier I & Tier 2) members aims to incentivize employees to preserve sick leave, thereby enhancing their retirement benefits. This change also will potentially reduce the number of sick leave days employees use, which will reduce the number of substitute teachers needed.

• Working after Retirement
• Implementing the Work after Retirement (WAR) plan will support teacher retirement and retention efforts with an emphasis on critical shortage positions. After the required 6-month break, employees could be rehired into one-year-only positions, which must be renewed annually. 

The Board voted to approve a follow-on motion stating that if the funds for this program do not remain in the budget, the board will prioritize the funds for the DROP program at year-end.

Watch the full meeting.

Student Rights & Responsibilities

During the March 19 Work session, the School Board discussed important yearly revisions to the Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) handbook which all students and parents receive at the beginning of every school year. The SR&R is aligned with the Virginia Board of Education Model Guidance for Positive and Preventative Code of Student Conduct Policy and Alternatives to Suspension and is reviewed each year and approved by the School Board.

Watch the work session.

Proclamations

I was pleased to support the following proclamations at the Board’s March 21 and April 11 regular meetings.

• Music, Theatre, and Arts Appreciation Proclamation
• Read Across America and Library Recognition Month Proclamation
• Neurodiversity Affirmation Week Proclamation
• Arab American Heritage Month Proclamation
• Month of the Military Child Proclamation
• National Volunteer and Mentor Appreciation Week Proclamation

FCPS News

School Board Office Job Opening 

Come work with me and the Fairfax County School Board! We seek a Deputy Clerk to help ensure our elected School Board meets its mission to provide an excellent education to our 182,000+ students and maintain its status as a top employer for our 45,000 educators and staff!

This high-level job is fast-paced; includes working with policy and legal matters; requires strong project management, communication, and collaboration skills; and will require flexible hours that may include weeknights and occasional weekends. The position works from the FCPS Central Office in Falls Church, right off of I-495 (the Capital Beltway).

Contact me with questions, and please share with others! https://tinyurl.com/FCPSDeputyClerk

The job posting closes on April 23, 2024.

🎖️ Honoring Military Kids

In this video, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Colonel Joseph Messina recognize and celebrate the resilience and sacrifices of military-connected children during the Month of the Military Child. FCPS shows our appreciation and gratitude to these remarkable young individuals who contribute so much to our community.

Military-Connected Family Support

FCPS welcomes all of our new and returning military-connected families throughout the year! Whether your family is moving permanently to the school district or living here for a short time, our schools and support staff welcome you and will be able to assist with your transition into and/or out of our district. 

Visit our Military Families webpage and sign up to receive the Military Families newsletter. If you have any questions, please email our Family and School Partnerships team. 

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

FCPS is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. Prismatic Services, Inc., an educational consulting firm, will lead the forums. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule: 

• Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School. 
• Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
• Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
• Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School. 

You may register for an in-person forum by clicking one of the dates above. A virtual forum will be held on Monday, May 13, 6:30-8 p.m. That registration link will be available soon.

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times. 

🏐 New Athletic Opportunities for Students

Our 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. We are 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.

✅ School Health Services Satisfaction Survey

The Fairfax County Health Department and FCPS School Health Services invite parents/caregivers to participate in a survey on the level of satisfaction with support provided to your school community by School Health Services. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and is open until Friday, April 26. Your feedback can help to improve school health services. 

🎵 FCPS Is One of the Best Communities for Music Education

Fairfax County Public Schools has been honored by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education. Read about this honor.

Community Learns About the Dangers of Fentanyl and Other Drugs

More than 200 staff, students, and community members gathered at Lake Braddock Secondary School this week for the latest Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs. They 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 Dr. 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. 

FCPS teams, county representatives, and community partners shared information and resources to support students and families. 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 hours.

Learn more about this event, the opioid epidemic in Fairfax County, and free NARCAN training.

Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award

The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award to honor Dr. Bussey’s legacy as a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. This award recognizes staff or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved. Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate an individual or group for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Full details and the nomination information form are available on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.

Office of Auditor Current Engagement Updates

Annual Risk Assessment and Audit Plan

Every year, the Office of Auditor General (OAG) conducts an independent risk assessment that considers the financial, operational, and reputational risks faced by FCPS. The OAG develops its annual audit plan based on the risk assessment results. Currently, OAG is conducting the risk assessment process for the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) audit plan.

The risk assessment and annual audit plan prioritize areas by evaluating the associated risks (see the “What is Risk” article in the March edition of Audit Buzz).

OAG then determines the FY25 audit plan to include secondary and long-term priorities. 

Read more in the March edition of Audit Buzz.

FCPS Business and Community Partnerships

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 children.

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 labor 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:

• The child is under 14 years old.
• The teenager is 14 or 15 years old.
• The teenager is 16 or 17 years old.
• The teenager is 18 years old or older.

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. 

Superintendent Updates

🏫 Advertised Budget Focuses on Schools and Instruction

Investing in excellence means putting our dollars where it matters most — schools and instruction. Nearly 93% of FCPS's full-time staff work directly in our schools. Approximately 86% of our Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Advertised Budget is dedicated to instructional programs across all grade levels, including special education. 

Only 5% of the advertised budget is for general support and central administration. Central office administrators represent just 0.8% of total full-time positions.

View FCPS budget documents for details on our advertised budget, including the FY 2025 Budget Book.

We are in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for community feedback. See the Budget Calendar for important dates and details.

Give Your Feedback on the Budget

We are now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback:

• Through Thursday, April 18: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors conducts public hearings on the county budget. Sign up to speak.  
• Tuesday, May 7: The County Board of Supervisors adopts its budget, tax rates, and transfer amount to FCPS. 
• Tuesday, May 14: The School Board holds a public hearing on the FCPS budget.
• Thursday, May 23: The School Board adopts FCPS’ approved budget.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget and see the full Budget Development Calendar.

🏫 Apply for Early Learning for Children Six Weeks to Four Years Old

FCPS pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying income-eligible children ages six weeks to four years living in Fairfax County. Watch this video to learn more (also available in Spanish). 

• Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for 3-year-olds through September 30.

• Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old.

Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Space is limited and based on need, not first come, first served. 

Applications are accepted online, by email, by mail, or in person at FCPS’ Leis Center location in Falls Church.  

For questions about your application or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).

Portrait of a Graduate

During the April 11 Academic Matters segment of the School Board meeting, Dr. Reid celebrated the 10th anniversary of our Portrait of a Graduate (POG) program at FCPS. POG focuses on “future-ready” attributes of success for our students by building communication skills, collaboration, ethical and global citizenship, creative and critical thinking, and being goal-directed and resilient. These skills increase engagement, build confidence, and support academic success. We will continue to build on our last decade of success with the following commitment for all students by 2025-26:

• Expanded Access and Opportunity 

• Increasing Portrait of a Graduate Presentations of Learning (POG POL) participation across all schools in order to reach the VDOE State Designation and the measures of POG POL within the Strategic Plan 
• Currently, staff from 82 elementary schools, 18 middle schools, and 20 high schools, alternative programs, and Academies 
• Continued Integration with FCPS Priorities 
• Enhancement Plan for Students with Disabilities 
• Universal Design for Learning 
• Leveraging Technology and the use of AI

Watch a video with students talking about POG. Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation or view her slides. Learn more about Portrait of a Graduate. 

📐 Applying Math to Real World Concepts

During the Academic Matters segment of the March 21 School Board meeting, Dr. Reid shared how FCPS is strengthening numeracy — the ability to apply math concepts in the real world — in primary grades.

FCPS has been investing in professional development through Add+Vantage Math Recovery © (AVMR), and teachers are using a scripted intervention curriculum to support numeracy instruction. Each FCPS elementary school has at least one AVMR-trained teacher, who:

• Is trained to help students build flexibility with foundational numeracy.
• Observes student behaviors to make instructional decisions.
• Provides instruction that is targeted at the edge of the child's current knowledge; accelerating their learning. 

Our younger students in AVMR get to use different things like blocks and toys to understand math in the real world. They also learn by asking questions, practicing math, and talking about the many ways to solve problems.

See students demonstrating their numeracy. Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation or view her slides. 

🙋 How Schools Are Prioritizing Student Attendance

Watch this video to learn about the collaborative efforts between schools, families, and the community to support every student’s success. Discover how our schools connect families with essential resources such as childcare, medical services, and transportation. 

Through personalized communication, we’re prioritizing student attendance. Making sure every student feels safe, supported, included, and empowered is Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

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, April 27, 2024, (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) at Sandburg Middle School.  There will be networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair. 

During a recent Job Fair, over 150 offers were extended to qualified candidates! You could be next!

Find more information and register for the Fair.

Questions should be directed to the FCPS Department of Human Resources through our online web portal or by calling 571-423-3000.

🏛️ My First Year Episode 5: A Day at the Museum

Follow Ms. Vivi in her fifth episode of My First Year! 

Though each day may feel full of discovery for students in Ms. Vivi’s third-grade classroom, that feeling of discovery was taken up a notch when the class took their first field trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. 

“I hope the students enjoy and get something out of it,” Vivi said as she prepped for her first day working off campus. “I want everyone to feel prepared and comfortable.” 

“It was wonderful watching the students navigate an experience in the real world,” Ms. Vivi explained. Going into the field trip, she was worried about things going smoothly and making sure everyone (both students and chaperones) would feel comfortable. As the day concluded, it became evident that Ms. Vivi’s first field trip was a wonderful success for all.

Read the full article. View all episodes of “My First Year” with Ms. Vivi.

Become a teacher today!

Springfield District Scene

Congratulations to the Chantilly High School Forensics Team for winning the VHSL State Championship! A special shout out to Camila Canelas Soto for taking first place in Extemporaneous Speaking! Kudos also to Chantilly’s Technology Student Association regional first-place finishers Rohit Paka for Dragster Design and Dev Goda for Flight Endurance!

Congratulations to Mrs. Chudovan and Mr. Piccione of Chantilly Academy, whose Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Program was recognized by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association as one of 26 outstanding STEM programs worldwide! Learn more about their recognition.   Students from Chantilly Academy’s Korean program traveled to Seoul, South Korea over Spring Break. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to immerse themselves in Korean culture and practice their Korean language skills!  The group is pictured here wearing a beautiful variety of hanboks, which is a style of traditional Korean clothing.

I’m so proud of Fairfax High School’s Fashion Club for offering prom dresses at no cost to students! The students collected dresses, and created a “no questions asked” environment for all to try on dresses and take one home! Over 100 dresses were collected and over 40 were distributed on the first day!

In many ways, the library at Katherine Johnson Middle School is the center of the school. Walking into the building, it’s directly in front of visitors, and contains doors on both ends so many people use it as a pass-through.  Many of those who were using the library as a shortcut previously are now stopping to greet the library’s newest resident — Lady Bartholemew, Destroyer of Worlds.  Lady Bart (for short) is a bearded dragon who has been brought to live at Katherine Johnson by Librarian Jenny Betten (at left in the final photo). Betten offered students a learning seminar, How to Train Your Dragon, to take during their advisory period. In the seminar, they researched bearded dragons, the benefits of a class pet, why bearded dragons are good pets, and how to care for them.  After completing their research, the students presented a slide show proposal to one of the assistant principals to get permission to get the library pet. (Betten had gotten permission in advance so the students wouldn’t be working toward something impossible.)  Communicating, collaborating, and being goal-directed are all Portrait of a Graduate skills that students are encouraged to learn about and use.  Lady Bartholomew recently provided that to a student who was visiting a school counselor and was having a hard time calming down. The counselor brought him to the library and offered to let him hold the dragon for a few minutes. “He said thank you, that it helped,” said Emily Carmichael, head librarian (at right in the photo below).   This project has also demonstrated that school librarians, Carmichael commented, can “make a curriculum connection out of anything. You never know what they’re open to!”  Read the full story.

Congratulations to Lake Braddock Secondary School’s Math Honor Society and its sponsor, Ms. Saja Abduljabbar. Lake Braddock Secondary School is now an official Chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, The National High School, and the Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society. This is a significant achievement and a testament to the hard work of their students.  Shout out to Lake Braddock’s Ella Ridgway for taking first place in Impromptu at the VHSL State Forensics Championships!

Congratulations to South County High School STEM Design teacher Mr. Dan Velazquez who has been chosen as an Onshape Champion! This prestigious designation recognizes Mr. Velazquez's innovative approach to teaching future engineers. In his STEM Design class, Onshape isn't just software – it's a powerful tool that empowers students to grasp not only Computer-Aided Design (CAD) but also the critical concept of Design Intent.

Thomas Jefferson HSST had five students attend the National Capital Region West Point Leadership and Ethics Conference on March 15. At the event, four of them were nominated to compete as top student delegates from their small groups based on their demonstrated leadership, active participation, willingness to engage, and a firm understanding and application of the conference model. The top student delegates will compete for a total of $10,000 in scholarship money for providing their analysis based on the concepts learned at the conference of a new ethical and moral vignette. Way to go!

Woodson High School Chorus A Cappella had the distinct honor of working with and performing at Carnegie Hall with Deke Sharon. Deke is most famously known as the composer of the vocal music for the Pitch Perfect movie franchise. Performers came from across the globe including the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. Woodson Chorus was the only public high school represented. The students received the invitation to perform after the organizers heard them through their YouTube channel. Congratulations to Springfield District students Carson Fenner and Charlotte Reymann for representing Woodson on such a prestigious and global stage!

Woodson students joined Falls Church High School students on a first-ever joint educational tour for spring break!  Woodson Spanish teacher Sra. Katrina Cohen helped to guide 14 valiant travelers through Europe.

They visited Madrid, Toledo, and Paris to practice Spanish and French and develop cultural awareness as ethical and global citizens. The students studied masterpieces in the Prado and the Louvre, expanded their horizons, and tried new foods like escargot, tapas, and frog legs, and activities such as Flamenco dance and playing Pétanque. They even saw Spanish swords forged in fire and hammered out. Wow!

🎭 Upcoming School Performances

Don’t miss the many spring school performances featuring our outstanding Springfield District students! Among them are

• Anastasia - Fairfax High School: April 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27 at 7 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m.
• Anything Goes - Chantilly High School: April 18, 19, and 20 at 7 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m.
• Peter and the Starcatcher - West Springfield High School: April 25, 26, and 27 at 7 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m. 
• 1776: The Musical - Woodson High School: April 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m.
• Romeo and Juliet - Lake Braddock Secondary School: May 2, 3, and 4 at 7 p.m. and May 4 at 2 p.m.
• Pippin - Oakton High School: May 2, 4, 9, 10, and 11 at 7 p.m. and May 2 at 2 p.m.
• Legally Blonde Jr. - Katherine Johnson Middle School: May 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. and May 4 at 2 p.m.
• Matilda Junior - Frost Middle School: May 9, 10, and 11 at 7 p.m. and May 11 at 2 p.m. 
• The Music Man Jr. - Franklin Middle School: May 16, 17, and 18 at 7 p.m. and May 18 at 2 p.m.
• The Big Friendly Giant - Lake Braddock Secondary School: May 17 and 18, at 7 p.m. and May 18 and 19 at 2 p.m.
• Descendants - Key Middle School: May 23 at 3 p.m., and May 24 and 25 at 6:30 p.m.
• Theatre Scenes Night - Irving Middle School: May 31 at 7 p.m.

🥍 South County High School Boys Lacrosse Invitational

South County High School is hosting a Boys Lacrosse Invitational on Saturday, April 20, and April 27, 2024. Support your team! Tickets are $5 and all proceeds from ticket and bake sales go to South County Boys Lacrosse.

Two FCPS School Counseling Programs Awarded 2024 RAMP Designation

Two Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) school counseling programs have been recognized by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as model programs and were awarded the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation for 2024 for successfully demonstrating how their comprehensive school counseling programs benefit all students. 

School counseling programs that received the RAMP designation are South County Middle School and the high school program at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

Read about this designation. 

🎶 Students Selected for 2024 All-Virginia Band, Orchestra, and Chorus 

One hundred eighty-one FCPS students have been selected to perform at the 2024 All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra event which will take place April 18-20. 

Students throughout Virginia went through a rigorous audition process to compete for positions within these ensembles. Participants will rehearse with nationally recognized conductors and collaborate with fellow musicians during the event, which is free and open to the public.

The concerts will be held in the Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, April 20, beginning at 1 p.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. More information about the event is available online.

Congratulations to the following selected Springfield District students!

All-Virginia Band

• Fairfax High School: Leo Johnson
• Lake Braddock Secondary School: Joseph Markey

• Robinson Secondary School: Miriam Jesse and Jack Patterson

• West Springfield High School: Alexander Childs, Sean Gray, Ashlie Hong, Sarayu Jilludumudi, Meredith Turcott, and Charlotte Witzel

All-Virginia Orchestra

• Centreville High School: Rachel Noh

• Lake Braddock Secondary School: Jonah Ascoli

• Robinson Secondary School: Ramona Ban

• South County High School: Christine Hwang

• Thomas Jefferson HSST: Angelee Kang

• Woodson High School: Nathaniel Kurland

All-Virginia Chorus

• Centreville High School: Madelyn Regan

• Chantilly High School: Lakshmi Hari

• Fairfax High School: Ainsley Buice and Elias Falke

• Lake Braddock Secondary School: Ben Bailey, Henry Baldwin, and Nicholas Doan

• West Springfield High School: Emma Carr, Jaqueline Drobnis, Josephine Orchard, Catherine Thomas, and Kaylee Wisner

Read the full list of selected students.

🧪 Nine Projects Earn Grand Prize Award at Science and Engineering Fair 

The 69th annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair showcased more than 300 high school science projects. Roughly 400 students presented their research projects in a wide variety of science and engineering fields. Projects were judged by more than 150 professionals, and 40 professional organizations and businesses. 

The grand prize winners are eligible to compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May. Many others are eligible to compete in the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair this month. Read about the winners.

Congratulations to the following Springfield District participants!

Chantilly High School

• Jasjot Kaur Kalra: third place in Biochemistry
• Arunika Awula: honorable mention in Biomedical and Health Sciences
• Rashmika Omtri: honorable mention in Biomedical and Health Sciences

Fairfax High School

• Ethan Wolf: first place in Chemistry (also eligible for Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair)
• Elle Duangmanee: first place in Materials Science (also eligible for Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair)
• Aastha Bhatt: second place in Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design
• Candice Cheung:  second place in Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design
• Elsie Distler: second place in Plant Sciences
• Veronica Diamond: second place in Plant Sciences
• Fatima Haddi: third place in Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Leah Depasse: third place in Plant Sciences
• Nina Shupp: third place in Plant Sciences
• Jiya Patel: third place in Plant Sciences
• Simran Zalavadia: third place in Plant Sciences
• Aleksa Lubonja: third place in Plant Sciences
• Sydharth Pant: honorable mention in Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Grayson White: honorable mention in Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Nitin Puthalapat: honorable mention in Environmental Engineering

Lake Braddock Secondary School

• Eli Hyun: third place in Biomedical and Health Sciences
• Sanjeev Kumar: third place in Biomedical and Health Sciences

Oakton High School

• Viraj Kamath: first place in Biomedical and Health Sciences (also eligible for Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair)
• Khartik Uppalapati: first place in Biomedical and Health Sciences (also eligible for Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair)
• Nicholas Lee: honorable mention in Biomedical Engineering
• Andreas Spoormaker: honorable mention in Biomedical Engineering

Robinson Secondary School

• John Gundlach: second place in Materials Science
• Jackson Wedige: second place in Materials Science
• Lillian Voyer: second place in Plant Sciences
• Evelyne You: second place in Plant Sciences

South County High School

• Amelia Johnson: first place in Physics and Astronomy (also eligible for Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair)
• Jackson Bellaire: second place in Physics and Astronomy
• Reilly Novchich: third place in Materials Science
• Hayden Shah: third place in Materials Science
• Ryan Horn: honorable mention in Biomedical and Health Sciences

Thomas Jefferson HSST

• Ryan Singh: grand prize in Materials Science (also eligible for Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair and Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair)
• Surbhi Singla: grand prize and first place in Materials Science (also eligible for Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair and Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair)

West Springfield High School

• Lani Le: first place in Materials Science (also eligible for Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair)
• Subaita Mahmud: first place in Materials Science (also eligible for Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair)
• Shriya Seshadri: first place in Materials Science (also eligible for Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair)

Woodson High School

• Sophia Nguyen: third place in Materials Science

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.

Academy Day 

Virginia Senator Mark Warner extends a warm invitation to high school and middle school students, their parents and guardians, and school counselors to participate in Academy Day. This event offers valuable insight into higher education and service to the nation.

Scheduled to take place at Randolph-Macon College on April 20, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Academy Day will serve as a comprehensive guide to the five distinguished United States service academies and their admission processes. Attendees can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the pathways available by meeting with representatives from the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board, various ROTC programs, and the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin University.  Tours of Randolph-Macon College also will be available at the end of the event.  

To register for the event, please visit Academy Day 2024. Please visit Senator Warner's website for more information on the Academy Nomination Process.

Volunteers Needed for Earth Day Event

Calling all volunteers! Participate in Fairfax County's largest official Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly. 

Earth Day Fairfax is a daylong extravaganza featuring games, entertainment, exhibits, workshops, vendors, and activities geared toward increasing our understanding and enjoyment of the world around us. The event attracts nearly 5,000 people from across Fairfax County annually. Volunteers are needed to fill shifts throughout the day in a variety of capacities, including:

• Set-up attendants
• Check-in greeters
• Nature and recreation activity attendants
• Guest assistance

All volunteers must be 15 years of age or older. Multiple shifts are available to accommodate scheduling needs. For additional details on individual volunteer opportunities and to sign up, visit the Earth Day Fairfax volunteer webpage. 

💦 Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Youth Conservation Camp

The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation (NVSWCD) is holding a Youth Conservation Camp, July 14-20, 2024 on the campus of Virginia Tech. This one-week program will focus on forestry, soil, aquatics, and wildlife to teach high school students more about the natural world. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply and may receive a partial scholarship from NVSWCD. Applications are due Friday, April 26, 2024.

Learn more about Youth Conservation Camp, including how to obtain an application, and contact NVSWCD with questions.

2024 High School Senior Enlistees Recognition Ceremony

In tribute to the courage and commitment of high school students embarking on a path of military service, Our Community Salutes (OCS) is a national non-profit organization focused on supporting the young men and women who have chosen to serve the nation. OCS provides resources and information to both the enlistees and their families as they navigate the transition into military life.  In addition, OCS strives to create a sense of community for the enlistees and their families and honors the new enlistees by hosting recognition ceremonies throughout the nation.  

On Friday, May 3, 2024, at 7 p.m. OCS of Northern Virginia is hosting their 2024 High School Senior Enlistee Recognition Ceremony at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, VA.  This no-cost special occasion provides an opportunity for families and community leaders to celebrate those who made the brave decision to enlist in the armed forces.  

For more information and to register for the event, please visit Our Community Salutes of Northern Virginia.  The deadline to register is April 26, 2024. 

Please email militaryfamilies@fcsp.edu with any questions.

William & Mary Center for Gifted Education Pre-Collegiate Programs

William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is excited to share its Saturday/Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) with your family. SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. The program is not meant to replace the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able children to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and the arts. In-person and virtual courses are available in engineering, music, STEM, coding, writing, social science, and many more. 

They are now registering for:

Saturday Classes

•  April 27, 2024
•  May 4, 2024

Summer Classes

• June 24-28, 2024
• July 8-12, 2024
• August 12-16, 2024 

For more information, and to see what classes are available visit the William & Mary School of Education Center for Gifted Education website.

Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority Scholarships

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) offers scholarships designed to promote postsecondary education and technical training for Fairfax County residents who live in affordable housing supported by the FCRHA. Please ensure you meet all eligibility criteria and submit all required documents  All applications must be received no later than Tuesday, April 30, 2024, by 4:30 p.m. Learn more on the FCRHA website.

⚡ Northern Virginia Community College E-Summer Program

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is offering its E-Summer Program for rising high school juniors and seniors who meet the qualifying grade point average or test score requirements. This program is sponsored by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and Dominion Energy and is designed to introduce students to science, technology, engineering and math, and the energy industry.  Important program details, including a flier, can be found here. The application will open on Friday, March 1 and the deadline to register is Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 5 p.m.

Fairfax Academy Seeking Fashion Show Models

Fairfax Academy's Fashion Careers Program is currently casting for their Fashion in Motion show coming up at the Stacy C. Sherwood Center in Fairfax on Saturday, May 11, 2024. All models must be current FCPS students or faculty. Register if you are interested in participating. There will be a Model Catwalk Training with special guest, Miss Virginia, USA on Thursday, May 2nd from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

🌳 Environmental Quality Advisory Council Student Member

The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council seeks a student member for the July 2024 through June 2025 term. The council’s primary responsibility is to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for improving environmental protection and enhancement in Fairfax County. The Council generally meets in person at the Fairfax County Government Center on the second Wednesday of each month, starting at 7:15 p.m. Interested high school sophomores and juniors may apply by May 6, 2024.

Find more information and apply on the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination web page.

Jumpstart2NOVA 2024

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is pleased to announce the return of JumpStart2NOVA for summer 2024! This program is available to seniors graduating this spring and considering NOVA for the fall. Students may select one 3 or 4-credit approved course plus SDV 100. The application for JumpStart2NOVA is now open and closes at 5 pm on Friday, May 10, 2024. Courses begin on Monday, June 3, and end on Monday, August 12.

• Join the JumpStart2NOVA Information Session on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 6 to 7 p.m. Register in advance for this meeting.
• All classes will be offered through NOVA Online and run June 3 through August 12, 2024.

First-time NOVA students must apply to NOVA and create an account to request the course at nvcc.dualenroll.com. Current DE students can skip the NOVA application and go straight to nvcc.dualenroll.com, selecting the term “JumpStart2NOVA 2024.” All students must upload a current high school/home school transcript and qualifying test scores if they do not have a 3.0 grade point average.

To learn more about JumpStart2NOVA, including course offerings, minimum qualifying scores, and details on how to apply, please visit http://www.nvcc.edu/jumpstart/.

💻Techstravaganza at Thomas Jefferson High School

This year will be the 20th annual Techstravaganza on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).  Techstravaganza is a free, public, hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activity fair for elementary and middle school students in Northern Virginia.  More than 4,500 students have participated in over 70 labs presenting STEM activities in previous years.  Exhibitors include TJHSST clubs and volunteers from organizations like NASA SCaN, Art of Problem Solving, George Mason University, the American Society of Naval Engineers, and the National Air and Space Museum. 

Admission is free and there will be food for sale. Register in advance.  More information about the event may be found at tjtechstrav.org. 

⚾ Chantilly High School Youth Baseball Camp

The Chantilly High Schools Baseball Team is offering a youth summer camp for ages 6 to 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 17-20, 2024. Campers will receive a complimentary t-shirt. The fee is $240 per camper. Register in advance.

Questions may be directed to Chantilly High School Baseball Coach Eric Crozier.

🏀 Chantilly High School Summer Boys Basketball Camp

The Chantilly High School Boys Basketball Team is offering a summer camp for boys ages 8 to 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 17-21, 2024. Campers will learn basketball skills and techniques from experts. Each camper will receive a complimentary t-shirt. The fee is $175 per camper. Register in advance.

Questions may be directed to Chantilly High School Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Rodney Carmichael.

🏀 West Springfield High School Girls Basketball Summer Camp

Register online for the West Springfield High School Girls Basketball Summer Camp for rising 3-9 grade students. The camp will take place at West Springfield High School June 17-21, 2024. The cost is $225 per camper and campers will receive a camp shirt, Spartan rally towel, camper evaluation from experienced staff, and daily prizes. The camp will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily with Friday ending at noon.

Questions may be directed to Varsity Coach Bill Gibson at wrgibson@fcps.edu.

⛱️ Summer Camp for Middle Schoolers 

All rising middle schoolers are invited to attend a summer of fun and leisure with VIP Camp. VIP Camp — which takes place Monday, July 1, to Thursday, August 1, 2024, — is designed to encourage teens to develop healthy and positive recreation interests and features a wide variety of leisure activities and programs. 

Registration is open. VIP Camp costs $100 to attend. Reach out to your school's after-school specialist for scholarship availability due to financial hardship. This camp is sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. 

Virginia Tech Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Camps

The Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation is offering free Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) camps for rising 6th - 12th grade students at their facilities in Arlington and Chantilly. Camps inspire curiosity and foster a love of learning by exploring, creating, and innovating in a fun and engaging environment. Through hands-on activities, experiments, and projects, students will have the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork dynamics.

The following camps are being offered.

• StellarXplorers – A space system design camp where students focus on team problem-solving associated with sending objects to space.
• Robotics Camp – Students will engage in coding and programming VEX Robots.
• Drone Camp – A hands-on, technical application camp where students learn the basics of coding, programming, and flying drones.
• Coding Camp – Students will engage in hands-on coding activities using block coding and Python programming languages.

The camps are being offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as follows.

Arlington

• Drone Camp: July 8-12, 2024
• Coding Camp: July 15-19, 2024
• StellarXplorers: July 22-26, 2024

Chantilly

• StellarXplorers: July 8-12, 2024
• Drone Camp: July 15-19, 2024
• Robotics Camp: July 22-26, 2024

To register your student for a STEM camp, please visit https://linktr.ee/BRICCPIA. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot as soon as possible.

⚙ Emerging Technology Summer Camps and Courses

Registration for The Coding School Summer of Emerging Tech is open. Whether you want to explore machine learning algorithms or spearhead your own data science research project, they have virtual programs of all kinds for students in grades 6-13 (+ educators too). Camp topics include artificial intelligence, quantum computing, data science, art+technology, cybersecurity, and web development.

Head to the link to their Summer Catalog to learn more about the different offerings. 

✈ Science, Technology, Math, Engineering, and Math Aviation Programs

Interested in learning more about aviation or science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers? STEM Flights is a national nonprofit organization that combines STEM content with a free flight experience for middle and high school students.  We pair students with Pilot Mentors to receive a flight experience, learn about STEM careers, and connect with local aviation enthusiasts. Students submit the STEM Flights application along with a letter of recommendation and choose a STEM Mission of choice to complete before they fly with their pilot mentor.  Student applications are accepted year-round and flights take place throughout the year (weather dependent).

If you know a 6th-12th grade student who is interested in the world of STEM or aviation, encourage them to apply today!  To learn more, please visit their website or reach out to stemedu@stemflights.org  for additional information. Students apply here. 

Community News

Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience. 

Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families. 

National Arab American Heritage Month

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.

Muslim American Heritage Month

Muslim American Heritage Month is a time for celebrating the history, contributions, culture, and an enhanced understanding of the diverse population of Muslim Americans. View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Muslim American Heritage Month.

School Library Month

In FCPS libraries, students develop knowledge and skills, experience a sense of belonging, find inspiration and support, and have the ability to freely pursue their personal interests and academic growth. Watch this video to learn how FCPS librarians make a difference.

Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.

🌏 Earth Day

Fairfax County Park Authority's Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Sully Historic Site. The festival will include earth and nature-focused programs, scavenger hunts, and other activities.

Passover

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

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.

Early May recognizes…

Orthodox Good Friday

Friday, May 3, is Orthodox Good Friday, and a teacher work day. Millions of Orthodox Christians commemorate Good Friday, also known as “Great Friday” to remember the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. There will be no school for students that day. See the complete school year calendar.

Orthodox Easter

On May 5, many Orthodox Christians in the United States celebrate Easter according to the Julian calendar. It is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the son of God. Learn more about Easter in NatGeo Kids. 

Bike to School Day

Bike Month has been celebrated since 1956 to showcase the many benefits of bicycling and encourage more people to give biking a try. Fairfax County has an extensive network of both paved and natural surface bike trails. You can access a map of all the trails in Fairfax County online. Wednesday, May 8, is the official Bike to School Day. You can register as a school, family, or neighborhood. Plan your ride whether you ride to school, to a park, or just within your neighborhood. Register for Bike to School Day.

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

Since 1984, the National PTA has designated one week in May as Teacher Appreciation Week. National Teacher Day began in 1953 when former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt proposed that Congress set aside a day to acknowledge the work of educators. Since 1985, NEA has celebrated National Teacher Day on the Tuesday of the first full week of May. FCPS follows the NEA and National PTA dates of scheduling Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week the first full week of May.

National School Nurse Day

National School Nurse Day is Wednesday, May 8. It is a day to recognize the many contributions that school nurses make to student health and learning.  

FCPS appreciates the role of School Public Health Nurses (PHNs) for their contribution to the health and welfare of all our students. Professional school nurses support the needs of students through their delivery of healthcare, contributions to local school communities, and promotion of safety, prevention, and wellness throughout the year. They are advocates who bridge healthcare and education by supporting student health and readiness to learn. School nurses are essential to our community and work tirelessly to make a positive impact in the lives of their students.  

Please join us in thanking the PHNs for their hard work and dedication to FCPS students. 

Family and Student Resources

💲 FAFSA Corrections Portal Open

College Access Fairfax shares that the FAFSA portal to make corrections to already submitted and processed forms are now open. This will be a "soft opening," similar to the launch of the FAFSA, with the portal open only for a few hours each day until they are certain it works.

Please be patient. If it does not work or is not open when you log in, try again the next day. The FAFSA is continually being updated to correct errors in the program.

The term "Corrections" refers to ALL EDITS you need or want to make to a submitted FAFSA. Your FAFSA must be submitted and processed before you can make any "corrections." 

If both the student and parents need to make corrections, we recommend that the student make their corrections first and then COMPLETELY LOG OUT WITHOUT CLICKING ON "SIGN AND SUBMIT."  The parent should then go in and make their corrections and SIGN - but NOT SUBMIT the form.  Once the parent has clicked on SIGN, they should COMPLETELY LOG OUT.  The student can then go back in and SIGN AND SUBMIT. 

The last person to make changes to the form will click the SIGN AND SUBMIT button. 

We believe this is how it SHOULD work. There has been no guidance from the Department of Education. As more information becomes available, College Access Fairfax will share it.

If you have other corrections that need to be made and you need help, please contact College Access Fairfax at appointments@collegeaccessfairfax.org.

Covanta Business Scholarship

Applications are now available for business scholarships provided by the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce. At least one scholarship of $2,000 will be awarded to a senior pursuing further education in business from each public high school in our growing service area. Additional scholarships may also be awarded depending on the applications received.

Students may apply online at www.mountvernonspringfield.com/business-scholarship-application/. The application deadline is Monday, April 29, 2024.

The scholarship requirements are as follows.

• Students must live in Braddock, Franconia, Mount Vernon, or Springfield magisterial districts, Fairfax County, Virginia, or attend one of the high schools in these districts.
• Students must complete a written or online application. All information must be provided for the application to be considered.
• Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit a grade transcript with the application. 

Reach the Virginia Department of Social Services at 211

The Virginia Department of Social Services can help provide information and referrals for resources to those who need food, shelter, rent, or utility assistance. They can also connect individuals and families with resources regarding physical and mental health resources, job training, and transportation assistance. Individuals who would like to help others may also find volunteering and donation opportunities. 

Reach 211 Virginia by phone at 211, or visit 211virginia.org. 

💚 No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for All High School Students

Is your high schooler experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, parents/caregivers can refer their children for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Virtual mental health services are available at no cost through an FCPS partnership with therapists who are licensed and trained in teen-specific challenges. Forty percent of Hazel providers are bilingual, speaking more than 15 languages.

Students may be referred by a guardian or designated staff member and participate in weekly video therapy sessions. Therapists will work with students until they achieve their therapy goals, or they can help connect them with longer-term mental health services in the community. Learn how to opt your student(s) into this service.

🤧 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 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 they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, AND the student’s symptoms have improved or resolved. 

Students should follow additional precautions outlined by the CDC after resuming 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 to keep our students and staff healthy.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Immigrant Family Reunification Class

A class will be held online in Spanish for immigrant families looking to reunite during challenging transitions. Saturday classes will be available on April 13 or 27, from 9-11:30 a.m. Register online. For more information, please contact Sussy Tomer at setomer@fcps.edu. 

Family Summit Designed to Enhance Safety, Security, and Inclusion

The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families such as raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. Participants may also join online sessions, which will provide supports for students with disabilities and their families. 

Visit the Family Summit webpage to learn about the guest speakers and to register for the event. The theme — Safe, Supported, and Included — aligns with Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

Online Special Education Resource Fair

Families with children who have disabilities are encouraged to explore the Online Special Education Resource Fair, launching on April 20^th as a part of the 2024 Family Summit.

This virtual event will provide a diverse array of asynchronous videos designed specifically for families, educators, and community members seeking innovative ways to support their children. Furthermore, attendees can browse through an online exhibit hall showcasing resources from FCPS, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting students with disabilities.

As an added highlight, the fair will also unveil the winners of the 2024 First Class Awards, showcasing the exemplary employees of FCPS who model excellence in their work, create a positive impact for all students and work to create an inclusive environment. The link to the Special Education Resource Fair goes live on Saturday, April 20 and can be found on the 2024 Family Summit webpage.  

First Responder and Safety Event Fair

Join The Arc of Northern Virginia for a First Responder and Safety Event Fair on Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School, 200 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, VA  22204. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required.

The event is a resource fair and practice event with Arlington first responders and community partners to learn about emergency and crisis resources and practice navigating emergencies. You’ll be able to work on the creation of the DD identification cards to hand to first responders to identify a disability in the event of an emergency. You can also work with first responders to role-play a variety of situations and ask questions about how you can navigate emergencies safely.

The Marcus Alert team staff will join the event for the first time. They can help you set up an emergency health profile. The Emergency Health Profile allows individuals to voluntarily create a free emergency health profile to provide first responders with their vital health and medical information (behavioral health-related information included) when calling 9-1-1 during an emergency or crisis. Individuals over 16 may sign up for an Emergency Health Profile through the Emergency Health Profile Association. Legal guardians may sign up individuals under the age of 16. This team will also discuss 988, options to call during a behavioral/mental health emergency, and what you can expect.

The Arc of Northern Virginia’s award-winning Tech for Independent Living team will also be present to talk about Arc2Independence, their free customizable app to help people with disabilities learn important life skills, gain more independence, and enhance their safety.

Click here to register.

🎓 Postsecondary Education and Employment Options

FCPS’ Career and Transition Services will host Flash Forward, to provide students with disabilities seeking a standard or advanced diploma and their families an introduction to options available after high school. 

Flash Forward will be held Thursday, April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Annandale High School, in the cafeteria. Register online. Representatives from adult education, employment, and community programs (college, military, apprenticeship, trade school, gap year, and employment) will be on-site to share information about their services. 

💊 Drug Take Back Day

The Drug Enforcement Administration is holding its annual National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27. Safely dispose of unused or expired medications through free, convenient, confidential, and safe disposal between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Safe disposal of medications prevents drug misuse, and accidental poisoning, and protects the environment. Drop off your medications at the following locations convenient to Springfield District residents.

• Fair Oaks District Station
• Franconia District Station
• Sully District Station
• West Springfield District Station
• Town of Vienna Police Station

For more information visit the Fairfax County Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board web page.

Register for Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center

The FCPS Family Resource Center offers free workshops and webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.

April and May webinars and workshops include

• April 19, 4-6 p.m., in-person at NOVA Annandale Campus: NOVA Vision 2024
• April 30, 10-11:30 a.m.: Counseling Services in Virginia: How to Get the Help You Desire
• 10 de mayo, 10-11:30 a.m.: Apego: Creando una relación con mi hijo donde se sienta seguro y protegido. (presentado en español)
• May 14, 10-11 a.m. and May 15, 7-8 p.m.: Covid-19 Compenstatory Services Partnership Between FCPS and Varsity Tutors
• May 17, 10-11:30 a.m.: Meet the Author Series: The Breakthrough Years by Ellen Galinsky

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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

E-mail: Sandy Anderson  |  Phone: 571-423-1080

Stephanie Sheridan, Executive Admin Assistant,
571-423-1065, srsheridan@fcps.edu