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Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.

Mason District Community,

Currently, the School Board is engaged in some of our most important work. The 2024-2025 Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) regulation is scheduled for a Board vote on May 9, 2024. Please be sure to review the document and share any questions and concerns you may have with me. Additionally, the Board has taken on the crucial work of developing a school boundary policy. You are also invited to review the work to date and provide your feedback.

Please be reminded that the Middle School Start Time Community Forum is scheduled to occur at Glasgow MS this evening, Monday, April 29th, 6-8 p.m. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. I realize the importance of this matter to families in the Mason District for students in our three middle schools spend three years at Glasgow, Poe and Holmes and all other 6th graders in Fairfax County are in elementary schools. 

The Mason District schools have been busy with preparations for their spring musicals and plays, but took time to perform at the School Board’s Regular Business Meeting. The Annandale High School Singers performed the National Anthem at the School Board Meeting on April 11, 2024. Take a moment to listen to the beautiful voices of our students. 

Click on the image to hear the Annandale Singers perform the National Anthem.

Recently, Annandale High School’s principal, Shawn DeRose, shared the document below exposing errors and inconsistent information gathering that outside organizations are using to “rate” our schools. These ratings are often used by individuals looking to relocate to the area which elevates the need to report true and accurate information. We appreciate Mr. DeRose’s leadership in offering the corrections to the families and real estate personnel in our community.

Lastly, in a few weeks, we will begin again with the graduation ceremonies and the schedule is added below for your convenience.

I value the input I receive from the Mason Community and am happy to address questions or concerns via email or phone. You can reach me by email at rjanderson@fcps.edu. If you are interested in scheduling a phone call, please reach out to my assistant, Cristy Coffey, at cmcoffey@fcps.edu to arrange a time.

Included in this issue:

Mason Moments

State Forensics Champions Two Justice High School students earned FIRST PLACE awards at the 2024 VHSL State Forensics Meet: Elias Kassa, Serious Dramatic Interpretation category Valeria Peterson, Storytelling category The Justice team earned third place overall in the state competition. Congratulations, Wolves!

2024 All-State Band, Orchestra, and Chorus One hundred eighty-one FCPS students were selected to perform at the 2024 All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra event. Students from throughout Virginia went through a rigorous audition process to compete for a spot in the band, chorus, or orchestra.  These groups had the opportunity to rehearse and perform with other premier musicians from across the Commonwealth, under the direction of nationally recognized conductors at the Richmond Convention Center last weekend. Congratulations to the selected Mason District students! Falls Church High School: Chorus - Colt Armstrong Justice High School: Band - Diego Cruz-Coca and Sabrina Ehmann-Jones | Chorus - Sofi Hemmens, Elijah Kassa, Rahel Kassa, Valeria Peterson, and Saron Walelign TJHSST: Orchestra - Serenna Semonsen

Teacher Receives Award From National Science Teaching Association

Kirsten Salonga, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) environmental science and biology teacher at Justice High School, has been named one of six winners of the National Science Teaching Association’s 2023 Robert E. Yager Exemplary Teaching Award. Read about Ms. Salonga and this award.

Mason News

New Principal at Bailey's Upper Ms. Holly Dowling has been named the new principal of Bailey’s Upper Elementary, effective May 13, 2024. Ms. Dowling joins Bailey’s Upper after serving five years as assistant principal at Braddock Elementary School. Prior to joining FCPS, Ms. Dowling held teaching and leadership positions in Alexandria Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Schools. Welcome to the Mason District, Ms. Dowling!

Title I Info Session at Holmes Middle School

Winko-Matics in Mason District

The following school zones in the Mason District currently have Winko-Matic flashing lights installed. The Winko-Matics are just one of several enhanced transportation safety measures FCSP has adopted in partnership with the Fairfax County Police Department. 

Other initiatives include bus arm camera systems on school buses and speed enforcement cameras in school zones. The Winko-Matics for three of these schools have been included in a list for consideration for the next 40 camera installations: Belvedere, Edison, and Weyanoke.

*Braddock Road E/B and Braddock Road W/B cameras are shared **Speed Camera installed

Mason District Theatre

Annandale Theatre Company presents Mean Girls May 3-4, 2024 Tickets on sale now!

Woodson High School Drama presents 1776: America’s Award Winning Musical May 3-4, 2024 Tickets on sale now!

Edison Theatre Company presents The Addams Family May 1-3 & 4, 2024 Tickets on sale now!

FCHS Spotlight Theatre Company presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream May 2, 4, & 5, 2024 Tickets on sale now!

The Wolfpack Theatre at Justice High School presents The Internet is Distract - OH LOOK A KITTEN! May 2-4, 2024 Tickets on sale now!

Luther Jackson Middle School Drama presents Matilda Jr. May 16 - 18, 2024 Tickets on sale now!

2024 Graduation Schedule

School Board Work Updates

Boundary Work

The Board discussed the larger boundary/capacity issues facing FCPS in a Forum on February 13th. The Governance Committee has been working to update Policy 8130.  A copy of the draft policy can be found here. I invite you to review this information and share your feedback with me to inform my decisions as your representative.

Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)

The Board discussed Regulation 2601, Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R), at work sessions on March 19 and April 2. Please review the proposed updated SR&R and share your feedback with me to inform my decisions as your representative.

Notable changes in the proposed SY25 SR&R include the following:

• Language on neurodiversity
• VDOE guidelines around self defense
• VDOE guidelines around possessing, using, and being under the influence of controlled substances
• Definitions of digital citizenship, generative artificial intelligence, neurodiversity, scholastic dishonesty and self defense 

The Board is scheduled to take action on the proposed updated SR&R on May 9, 2024.

ERFC Plan Changes

On March 21, 2024, the Board approved the following changes to the ERFC Plan:  

1. DROP for Legacy: Changes to the Legacy ERFC plan design to address the disconnect between ERFC and VRS service and age requirements for a full, unreduced pension from both. This plan, available to Legacy employees eligible for full retirement: 55+ years with 25+ years of service, will provide employees with the option to work up to 5 years past ERFC Legacy retirement age. The cost to implement this program is $6.5 million. A follow-on motion was approved by the Board to prioritize funding the DROP program at year end if funds do not remain in the budget.
2. Sick Leave Credit: The Legacy ERFC program allows unused sick leave balances to be credited as retirement service. The ERFC 2001 Plan (Tier I & Tier 2) does not. A comparable provision is proposed for ERFC 2001 (Tier I & Tier 2) service credit. 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.
3. Working after Retirement: The plan design changes proposed will align ERFC with VRS’ work after retirement plan allowing eligible retirees to continue to receive their ERFC retirement benefits. 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. 

More details about each of these approved changes can be found in the March 21 meeting information on BoardDocs. 

FY 2025 Budget

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt their budget, tax rates, and transfer amount to FCPS on May 7th. The School Board is scheduled to adopt the FY 2025 Budget at the May 23rd meeting. Prior to that vote, community members have the opportunity to share their comments regarding the budget during the public hearing scheduled for May 14th. Register to speak.

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

FCPS News

Food and Nutrition

What did your child eat for lunch today? FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has been rolling out improvements to their menu this year to better reflect the diversity of FCPS and focus on fresh, healthy food. The division aims to illustrate farm-to-table eating in schools and bring scratch-cooking to all schools.

A total of 25 new menu offerings have been introduced this school year:

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

Math and Science Olympiad

FCPS has set aside central Title I funding for the 2024-2025 school year to ensure that every Title I elementary school will have registered Science and Math Olympiad teams. Be sure to watch for information from your child’s school early in the year to learn how your child can participate.

Assistance with FAFSA

According to recent news reports, as many as 30% fewer graduating seniors have completed and submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many schools rely upon this form to grant students financial aid award letters.

Families who have questions or persistent issues filling out the FAFSA might consider scheduling a free appointment with our partners at College Access Fairfax. Email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org. All FAFSA help provided by our school or College Access Fairfax is free. 

Dismissal Schedule for the Last Day of School

The last day of school is Wednesday, June 12, 2024.  All Secondary and High Schools will have a 2-hour day with dismissal at 10:00 a.m./10:10 a.m. on the last day of school. All other levels will be dismissed 2 hours early on this day. Watch for specific details from your student’s school.

Substance Abuse Prevention (SAP) Program

Any FCPS student who violates the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) regulation of the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) is required to participate in the SAP Program. 

Once referred to the program, students meet with a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) during the school day who assesses a student’s level of substance use and provides an appropriate level of intervention, which can include: substance abuse prevention education, individual or group intervention, or referral to a community behavioral health provider.

Students are exposed to various tools and strategies including refusal skills and cessation techniques. Staff members and parents can refer a student to the SAP program. Students can also refer themselves and may participate in the SAP program regardless of whether there has been a violation of the ATOD regulation.

For more information regarding the SAP program, visit the Substance Abuse Prevention Program website.

No-Cost Talk Therapy for High School Students Is your high school student 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. Visit the Teletherapy webpage for information on how to opt your child into this service.

Opportunities

Middle School Start Times - Virtual Meeting Added!

FCPS is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Register for an in-person forum by clicking on one of the following dates: 

• 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. 

A virtual forum will be held on Monday, May 13, 6:30-8 p.m. Register for the virtual forum.

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

Culmore Community Day

Attention! Rising 9th Graders in FCHS Pyramid

Falls Church High School, in partnership with Luther Jackson Middle School, invites families of 8th graders to attend “Getting to Know Falls Church High School.”

Learn more about the difference between middle school and high school: academics, schedules, clubs, sports, staff, and support.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

Luther Jackson Middle School Cafeteria

Spanish language interpretation and snacks available. Contact Carolina Dotel with any questions: ccdotel@fcps.edu or 703-207-4074.

Wolfpack Theatre Pyramid Day

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 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. The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium on Tuesday, June 18. Full details and the nomination information form are available on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Regular School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• May 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
• May 23, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Work Sessions (Gatehouse Administration Center)

• May 7, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
• May 21, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

Public Hearings (Luther Jackson Middle School)

• May 14, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. (Budget)
• May 15, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. (Budget, if necessary)

All meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. The meetings are recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS School Board YouTube channel.

Would you like to share your ideas and concerns with the School Board and staff?  Register HERE to speak at a regular meeting or public hearing.

Reuniones de la Junta Escolar de FCPS en Español Para ver las reuniones de la Junta Escolar grabadas o para ver en vivo durante las reuniones regulares en YouTube, por favor vaya al canal de YouTube de FCPS en Español o escanee el código QR. We are cognizant of the significant language needs of the Mason District and I will continue to advocate for their availability and inclusion.

@masonfcps

@MasonDistrictSB

@masondistrictsb

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: Ricardy Anderson |  Phone: 571-423-1083 | Twitter

Cristy Coffey, Executive Admin Assistant, 571-423-1064, cmcoffey@fcps.edu