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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.
 Dear Sully District Families and Community Members,
Graduation is here. Congratulations to all our 2024 Seniors!
It was a big moment for our family with my son Neil among the graduating students at Centreville High School. I was thrilled to share in the excitement of graduation day with all the other parents and guardians celebrating this important milestone in their child's life. I am so incredibly proud of all they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what amazing things they do next. The world needs their spark, their ideas, and their kindness!
CONGRATULATIONS also, to our sixth graders and eighth graders as they transition into a new school year and new opportunities next year.
One of the most important jobs of the School Board is the development of our $3.7 billion budget. On May 23rd, I voted to approve the Superintendent’s FY 2025 Budget. Despite an exceptionally challenging fiscal environment, we averted cuts to services, while giving our hard-working employees a 4% raise. The approved budget also maintains the mid-year 2% compensation increase for all employees approved by the School Board in January. See full FY 2025 budget details below. Meeting our budget needs has been more of a challenge with historic underfunding by the State of Virginia, that continue to result in school districts not receiving the true support needed. Virginia provides less funding per student than many of our neighboring states including Maryland, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
My colleagues and I also voted to adopt 2024-2025 Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) regulation and amendments on May 9, 2024.
Inside this newsletter:
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride month and a time where people across the globe come together to raise awareness, celebrate identity, and highlight the achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community. Please join me in honoring our diverse community, and in building a culture of inclusivity and equity at FCPS and around the world. Happy Pride Month!
I also want to remind all of our parents and caregivers to provide feedback about the revisions to the Family Life Education Curriculum. The feedback survey will close on June 10th.
THANK YOU for your ongoing support. As always, I value the input I receive from the Sully community and am happy to address questions or concerns via email or phone.
As we approach the close of this school year, I am looking ahead to a summer of rest and renewal and a strong new 2024-25 school year!
In partnership,
Seema Dixit
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School Visit to Liberty Middle School!
 It was great to see the students in action at Liberty Middle School on May 10, 2024! Thank you Principal Erbrecht for inviting me to visit and for sharing the successes and challenges of this school year. It was a real pleasure seeing first hand all the hard work the teachers and staff have been putting in translate into wonderful programs that help our students succeed and thrive! Lift the Lions!
Sully District Happenings
13 FCPS students claim awards at 2024 International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles!
 Let’s hear it for the 13 FCPS students who won awards at the 2024 International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles! Students from TJHSST, James Madison High School, Chantilly High School, and Hayfield SS placed in multiple categories. Read more about their amazing projects.
Congratulations to all these incredible students and their "solution mindset" using innovative and forward-thinking approaches to solve social, environmental, and economic challenges through technology!! #TechforGood #AIInnovation #STEM
Westfield High School Students Volunteer at Local Food Pantry!
 Photo courtesy of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries!
So proud of our Sully District students! These four amazing Westfield High School seniors spent two weeks volunteering at local Sully District food pantry Western Fairfax Christian Ministries that is working to address food insecurity in our community, as part of their Westfield Finish Strong program. The students worked in the warehouse and food pantries, as well as helped with office work and photography/video work at the golf tournament fundraiser. We wish the graduates well as they complete their senior year and start the next chapter in their lives! #GoBulldogs #StudentsDoingGood
Chantilly Academy Seniors Help Student With Disabilities Return to Class
 With days to go before graduation, seniors at Chantilly Academy scrambled to finish an important final project. Engineering, and Physical and Occupational Therapy students have been collaborating for a year on a mobile, adjustable, and customizable medical bed. Last year, they finally met the student who will be using the bed.
Liam is an eighth grader at Rocky Run Middle School who has Nemaline myopathy, a type of muscular dystrophy that leaves him nearly paralyzed. Liam has previously been able to attend school with the help of a nurse, but her retirement meant that this year he received homebound instruction.
Next year, Liam plans to attend Chantilly High School with a personally designed bed to allow him to stay in a lying position for classes. Learn more about this special project. So proud of our amazing Sully District students! #StudentsDoingGood
Celebrate Juneteenth in Sully District on June 19th!
Join us in commemorating #Juneteenth at Sully Historic Site and Frying Pan Farm Park! Immerse yourself in specially curated programs that celebrate African American history and culture. Let's honor the past and strive for continuous self-development together!
Learn more and sign up online for these FREE events.
Family Life Education Materials Available for Review
On May 21, 2024, staff presented recommended changes to the Family Life Education curriculum during a School Board Work Session. The community review period for the recommended changes opened on May 10 and will continue until Monday, June 10, at 4:30 p.m. Please take the time to provide feedback after reviewing the materials. All comments will be shared with the School Board prior to the vote to approve the recommendations on June 27, 2024.
School Board Votes to Adopt Fiscal Year 2025 Approved Budget
 The Fairfax County School Board voted last week to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Approved Budget. The FY 2025 Approved Budget totals $3.7 billion — a net increase of $233.2 million or 6.6% over the previous year.
The FY 2025 Approved Budget focuses on providing educational excellence for all students and ensuring that employees’ hard work and dedication are acknowledged through competitive compensation. Both of these efforts fully align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Nearly 86% of the Approved Budget is targeted at instruction. The approved budget includes a 4% compensation increase for all staff. The approved budget also maintains the mid-year 2% compensation increase for all employees approved by the School Board in January.
Key budget details also include:
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Supporting students academically by maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students. This covers an increase of 1,749 students compared to the FY 2024 projection and additional support for students as indicated by free or reduced-price meal eligibility, special education services, or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services.
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Strengthening student well-being outside of the classroom with expanded athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
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Continuing key multiyear initiatives including expansion of inclusive preschool, adoption of green initiatives by the Joint Environmental Task Force, implementation of a modernized HR system to support core operations, and funding assistant director of student activities positions previously funded with ESSER III.
Items that will be prioritized in the FY 2024 Year End Budget include:
- 30 additional minutes for extended day contracts for special education teachers.
- Funding for the ERFC Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).
- One-time funding for an expansion of athletics including boys volleyball and girls wrestling.
Read the approved budget news release.
Superintendent Reid's Academic Matters
New SOL Growth Reports
In the Academic Matters segment of the May 23rd School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented information on the Virginia Department of Education’s new Standards of Learning (SOL) Growth Reports for families of students in grades 3-8.
 These new reports are designed to give a yearlong look at student performance by combining information from earlier Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) results with SOL results. Dr. Reid also discussed how FCPS’ reporting plan for spring assessment results was created with accessibility in mind. Watch the video of the Academic Matters presentation or view the slide presentation.
It’s important to remember that any assessment score is just one data point reflecting a student's performance on a particular day. Taken alongside other information, including report cards, other assessments, and teacher observations, we’re able to get a clearer picture of how we can best support our students — whether that’s additional academic support or accelerating their coursework.
FCPS’ reporting plan for spring assessment results was created with accessibility in mind, using multiple formats and translatable report texts and samples. Our families are our partners in helping students succeed, and we’ve created a new SOL Grade 3-8 Results webpage with resources to help them understand assessment results and plan for continued learning during the summer time!
Student Testing Results Coming Soon
Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website.
How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions.
Holistic Review of FCPS Boundary Policy
For the first time in decades, the Fairfax County School Board is conducting a comprehensive review of the Fairfax County Public Schools Boundary Policy (Policy 8130) to consider possible updates that will provide a clear roadmap for any potential future boundary changes. There are no current plans to implement boundary changes.
This holistic policy review is designed to address the community's concerns about a host of issues, including temporary classrooms (trailers), instructional program locations, overcrowding, facility renovations, and transportation. Comprehensive community engagement will take place before any potential future changes. For additional information, please visit this Boundary Policy Review webpage.
May 2024 Audit Buzz Newsletter
In this issue of the Audit Buzz, we provide an update on current engagements, celebrate Internal Audit Awareness Month and offer a training opportunity to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) employees. Prior editions of Audit Buzz are archived here on Office of Auditor General's (OAG) website.
Open Your Home to an International Student and Enjoy a Free Week of IFTA
FCPS is partnering with Near West to pilot a summer program inviting international students to experience IFTA (Institute for the Arts), enjoy Northern Virginia, and share their culture with our community.
Warm and welcoming FCPS families with students 13-15 years old are needed to help make the pilot a success! Enjoy one free week of IFTA at Lake Braddock Secondary School for hosting an international student from Saturday, July 20, to Tuesday, July 30.
Please contact Kara Drinkwater if you are interested in being a host family.
Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation All Year
All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Complete the application and return it to your school's front office. Children 12 and younger ride for free on Fairfax Connector with a paying adult.
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 that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.
LearnServe Fall Fellows Program for High School Students!
Overview: This is our first-year, introductory in-person entrepreneurship program that takes young changemakers through the entire process of researching, brainstorming, creating, and pitching their own social action project to solve an issue in their community!
Time Commitment: The program runs from October-April (exact dates TBA), where students will meet in-person or virtually every Thursday at a location in central DC (location TBA).
Program Cost: Sliding scale tuition of $50-$1250/student, depending on the student's financial ability to pay. Families will complete the Sliding Scale survey during the application process to determine their individual tuition.
Application: Rolling admission - Priority will be given to applications submitted by Monday, June 17. Click here to apply!
LearnServe is a Washington DC based nonprofit that offers leadership and social entrepreneurship training for high school students from across the Washington, DC region. Programmatically we bring students together from diverse backgrounds, and guide them through the process of designing and launching social ventures -- action projects to serve their schools and communities. In the process they learn the skill-set and mindset of being a changemaker, a blend of social and emotional skills, global competencies, and business and professional skills that will set them up for success in their college and careers.
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NOAA Young Changemakers Fellowship
NOAA is pleased to announce the launch of the NOAA Young Changemakers Fellowship application for the 2024-2025 school year. This program is designed for current HS students who are passionate about the environment, climate, ocean, Great Lakes, and/or coasts. Program participants receive mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and financial resources to design and lead an action project in their own community. Full participation comes with an $800 stipend and paid travel to Washington, D.C., for a kick-off summit in July 2024. Applications are due on June 10, 2024. Please reach out to young.changemakers@noaa.gov with questions.
Student Ambassador for Virginia's Environment
Would you like to be a Student Ambassador for Virginia's Environment (SAVE)? Applications for 2024-25 Student Ambassadors are due by June 15th, and selected ambassadors will be announced in August. The SAVE program is for high school juniors and seniors who are passionate about the mission of having a shared responsibility to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify communities. Student Ambassadors are expected to organize and implement two litter cleanups and host a school-wide or community educational project or event.
CyberPatriot Camp at Chantilly Academy
Chantilly Academy (4201 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly) is hosting a cybersecurity camp for rising 5th-8th graders. The June 24-28 camp welcomes students of all skill levels. This is an opportunity to learn the importance of cybersecurity and gain the skills to protect from cyber threats on various operating systems. Visit the camp website for more information.
FREE Summer STEM Camps in Chantilly and Arlington!
Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation is offering FREE summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Camps! Rising 6th – 12th grade students can explore, create, and innovate in a fun and engaging environment at their facilities in Arlington and Chantilly, Virginia.
Their STEM camps are designed to inspire curiosity and foster a love for learning. Through hands-on activities, experiments, and projects, students will have the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork dynamics.
Here are the camps being offered this year:
1. StellarXplorers – A space system design camp where students focus on team problem-solving associated with sending objects to space.
2. Robotics Camp – Students will engage in coding and programming VEX Robots.
3. Drone Camp – A hands-on, technical application camp where students learn the basics of coding, programming, and flying drones.
4. Coding Camp – Students will engage in hands-on coding activities using block coding and Python programming languages.
Register your student for these STEM camps - spaces are limited!
Summer 2024 Emerging technologies Camps & Courses
Get ready to level up your tech skills this summer...registration for the Summer of Emerging Tech is officially OPEN!
Whether you want to explore machine learning algorithms or spearhead your own data science research project, we have virtual programs of all kinds for students grades 6-13 (+ educators too)!
Head to the link to our Summer Catalog to learn more about the different offerings and register. *Limited need-based scholarships are available. Programs will fill up fast, so secure your spot ASAP! This summer don’t just learn how to code… become a future leader in emerging tech.
The Coding School (TCS) is a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit organization focused on preparing the next generation for the future of work through computer science training and workforce development.
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Technology Youth Empowerment (TYE) Opportunity
TYE, a student-led nonprofit in FCPS, aims to bridge the gap between students and STEM fields. They are currently seeking more volunteers and representatives at high schools. If you are passionate about teaching and promoting STEM, consider applying to their organization:
For more information, email them at tyeconnects@gmail.com or explore the TYE Representative presentation.
FCPS Job Certification Student Program with Coursera Career Academy
High school students now have the opportunity to access the full contents of the Coursera Career Academy. This program is designed to open doors to digital career pathways and provide invaluable learning experiences directly from industry giants like Google, Microsoft, and IBM.
Program Benefits:
- Explore a variety of popular digital careers from marketing to data science.
- Learn from experts at leading global companies.
- Earn valuable micro-credentials that can enhance your resume.
- Access over 27 professional certificates, expanding your skill set in multiple fields.
Interested? Here's how to get involved: Complete the Coursera Student Interest Form.
FCPS Summer Camp Offerings
Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:
Find session dates, registration links, and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.
The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.
Free Teens in Action Summer Camps
The Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services offers affordable, engaging, and healthy recreation programs for students aged 12-18 when schools are closed. Teens in Action youth participate in team sports, games, arts and crafts, STEM (science, engineering, and math) programming, service projects, field trips, and more. Admission for camp is free. The Summer Camp takes place Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., and is separated by age group. Rising 9-12 graders attend camp from June 17- August 16, 2024, and rising 7th and 8th graders attend June 17-28, 2024, and August 2-16, 2024. Find more information and register on the Teens in Action web page.
Mental Health Resources for Families
This month's theme: Joyful June
Let's look for what's good.
Go to Action for Happiness for ideas to help you take action for a happier and kinder world.
 Summer Mental Wellness Resources
Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations
This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from Monday, June 24, through Friday, August 2. Forty-five-minute phone or videoconference consultations are available with a school psychologist or school social worker.
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Parents of students in any grade level can request a consultation to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.
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Students in middle or high school can request a consultation to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.
We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at 703-503-2520.
Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies
Feeling super stressed? Worried about a friend's mental health—or your own? Get tips to help manage your emotions and see what to do if you are in crisis.
Mental Health and Resiliency
Helping students to manage stress, make better choices, and develop healthy habits.
FCPS Family Resource Center
Staff is available by phone 703-204-3941 or email frc@fcps.edu to help! Offers free workshops, consultations, a lending library, and more to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs and disabilities.
No Cost Therapy for High Schoolers
 High school students can access virtual mental health services at no cost through an FCPS program with Hazel Health. Their therapists are licensed and also trained in teen-specific challenges.
Students may be referred by a guardian or designated staff member and participate in weekly video therapy sessions. The therapists will work with students until they achieve their therapy goals, or they can help connect the family with long-term mental health services in the community if needed.
Learn how to opt your students in to this service.
George Mason’s Center for Community Health
George Mason University’s new Center for Community Mental Health (9900 Main Street, Fairfax) provides evidence-based, accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive therapy and testing services to those in need, regardless of income. The Center sees children as young as age 5, and works with community members of various ages, including addressing the mental health needs of veterans.
The center’s Emotional Help Line provides free, anonymous, confidential support in both English (703-215-1898) and Spanish (703-914-3878). The line is open daily from 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Learn more on the Center's website.
Caribbean American Heritage Month
 During June, FCPS celebrates the rich diversity of immigrants of Caribbean heritage and honors the many contributions they have made to our nation. More than 8.5 million individuals in the United States were born in the Caribbean or are of Caribbean ancestry. Learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
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Tuesday, June 13, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
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Thursday, June 20, 4 p.m. - Committee Report Work Session (ACE, MSAOC, FPAC, HRAC)
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Monday, June 24, 5 p.m. - Committee Report Work Session (ACSD, AAPAC, SHAC, ECPPC)
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Tuesday, June 25, 10:30 a.m. - Work Session
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Thursday, June 27, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
Please note, times and topics are subject to change.
Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at a regular meeting. Visit BoardDocs for more meeting logistics, agendas, and handouts.
Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on School Board votes the morning after the School Board meeting.
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.
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.
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Contacting Me
To contact me, it is most helpful if you can please use the official School Board contact form. This form prioritizes emails to me from constituents, and helps me track communication so I can be sure you receive a response. If you are unsure of your county magisterial district, you can look that information up here.
Use this link to sign up for my Newsletter and follow me on Facebook.
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
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