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Happy End of School Year, Braddock families -
What a week it’s been for FCPS families! With elementary and middle school promotions and high school graduation ceremonies happening almost every day across Fairfax County since the end of May, there is so much to celebrate!
 Robinson Secondary School 2024 Graduation.
To the Class of 2024 - it has been an honor to watch your journey these last few years! You have shown strength and resilience, humor, grace, and empathy in your high school years and are ready to enter a world that is rapidly changing. As one of your student speakers said, the only constant in life is change. You’ve already shown an incredible ability to adapt to change so I am sure you will thrive as you leave FCPS to pursue your dreams and passions! And as another of your student speakers said in comparing you to his favorite donuts (Krispy Kreme, of course!) you’ve been given incredible ingredients for success and it's now time to create your own flavors and sprinkles and shine on your chosen path. I hope you keep your energy, empathy, passion for making your world a better place, and your resilience as you go forth. Our future is in good hands with you.
It was my great joy and privilege to join graduates at commencements held recently at the Pulley Center, Annandale High School, Robinson Secondary School, Lake Braddock Secondary School, West Springfield High School, and Woodson High School.
I could go on and on about the festive caps and gowns, the many inspiring speakers, thousands of smiles, hugs and high fives, and countless brilliant futures ahead. Instead, let’s see some pictures!
Have a wonderful summer!
All my best,
 Rachna Sizemore Heizer
Braddock District School Board Member
Have something nice to say about an FCPS teacher or other staff? Share it with FCPS Cares.
 Lake Braddock Secondary School graduation with fellow School Board Members Sandy Anderson (Springfield District) and Kyle McDaniel (at-large).
 Annandale High School graduation.
 Pulley Career Center graduation.
 Robinson Secondary School graduation.
 Woodson High School graduation with Board Chair Karl Frisch (Providence District) and Board Member Ryan McElveen (at-large).
 West Springfield High School graduation.
IN THIS ISSUE …
- Boundary Policy Update
- Focus on Braddock
- Neurodiversity News
- Music & Arts
- More from the School Board
- FCPS News
- Out & About
- Coming Up
- More Stuff Parents Should Know
As a reminder, the School Board Governance Committee, of which I am chair, will meet next week to discuss revisions to Policy 8130 (latest draft) regarding School Boundaries.
I am aware that this matter has been a topic of concern and speculation in the community, based in part on misinformation circulating throughout the county. As I have said before, this is a discussion of the boundary policy only, and no boundary changes have been proposed. This important policy has not been updated in more than four decades, and we owe it to the community to make sure all policies are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current realities.
The meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, at the Gatehouse Administration Center, 8115 Gatehouse Rd building suite 1600, Falls Church, and will be open to the public.
My previous full statement about this can be found here, and I will send an update on this subject again after the upcoming Governance Committee meeting. If you have questions about this matter, please reach out to me at braddockconstituent@fcps.edu.
The Power of Our Words: Combating Hate Speech & Racial Slurs
Kudos and thank you to the Woodson High School Pyramid community for hosting an event about combating hate speech that included courageous conversations about racism, antisemitism, xenophobia, ableism, sexism, LGBTQ+IA bias, and other forms of bias. It’s sometimes hard to believe in 2024 being confronted with words and symbols that dehumanize individuals and whole groups of people based on their identities. The grim reality is bias and racism still exist in all of its forms, even sometimes in our schools and institutions even in light of FCPS’ strong policies against racism and hate speech.
I appreciate the students at Woodson who were seminal in leading this work and sharing about how these words impact them and ideas of how to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment. I also appreciate that the Woodson pyramid principals all shared their efforts to have these courageous conversations and the work they are doing at their schools to combat the use of hate speech and slurs. There is still much work to be done and I know our students will lead the way. I stand ready to do my part to combat bias and racism in all its forms and welcome our multicultural and diverse community.
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Looking for a great post-graduate path for the student with neurodiversity in your life? Experts say no one should overlook our high-quality, open access community colleges.
“Far too many neurodivergent people are falling through the cracks,” Maureen Dunne, CEO of a neurodiversity consulting organization and a neurodivergence researcher, wrote in a recent article in MIT’s Sloan Management Review and highlighted in Inside HigherEd. “The paucity of successful and authentic neurodiversity-inclusive pathways in higher education, our workplaces, and our communities has tangible implications and hampers the success of organizations everywhere.”
Another expert, Brett Ranon Nachman, director of research for the College Autism Network, and who is autistic, said, "Ultimately, community colleges are focused on propelling students in their respective areas of interest that often translate to careers,” said Nachman, who is autistic. “I see community colleges as really well situated to address labor shortages and also to be able to propel a number of nontraditional learners.
Learn more. For more on Virginia’s Community Colleges, go here.
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NPR: Graduates can always come home to their orchestra family and FCPS' Annie Ray
How does Annandale High School Orchestra Conductor Annie Ray do it?
Find out in this recent profile from NPR: “The end of the school year often means year-end concerts for student orchestras and choirs. For high school music educator Annie Ray, it’s time to look back on a busy year that included a Grammy award and look ahead at her vision of what education should be. Ali Rogin sits down with Ray for the latest installment of our “Weekend Spotlight” series.”
I’ve so enjoyed visiting with her, including participating in Parent Orchestra rehearsals, and hope to continue conversations about how to replicate this amazing program across Fairfax County. Congrats on yet another well-deserved recognition!
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Job Openings
The FCPS School Board is seeking to hire a full-time Support Technician I. This position will provide wide-ranging meeting support, including setting up and breaking down meetings, assisting with proclamations, preparing minutes, handling exhibit files, and other duties as assigned. The position may require flexible hours. Please note that while the listing says “One Year Only,” it is intended to be permanent.
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- Thursday, June 13
- 5 p.m. - Closed session
- 7 p.m. - Regular session
- Recognitions: VHSL Winter/Spring Recognitions
- Performance Review: Asset Protection (EL-7) Report
- Policy Review: Asset Protection (EL-7) Policy
- Presentation:
- Academic Matters
- FY25 Risk Assessment and Audit Topics
- Consent
- Dranesville ES Renovation Project
- Award of Contract – Hazardous Materials Contract
- Sale of House
- Sublease - 619 South Pickett Warehouse
- Food Services Warehouse - Emergency Generator
- Installation at Woodson Support Center
- Fairview ES - Automatic Temperature Control System Placement
- Sole Source Contract Amendment 2-year renewal - Cardinal Basketball Officials Association, Inc.
- Sole Source Contract Amendment 1-year renewal - Sonova USA
- New Business:
- Strategic Governance Manual Calendar Alignment
- FY25 Risk Assessment and Audit Topics
- Reappoint/Appoint Board of Trustees for ERFC
- Appoint Individual Trustee to ERFC
- Solar Power Purchase Agreement for 9 Elementary Schools
- Synthetic Practice Turf Field Replacements at 4 High Schools (Woodson, Edison, Mount Vernon, and West Potomac)
- Replacement Fairfax HS Press Box
- Tuesday, June 18
- 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. - Governance Committee
- 2-4 p.m. - Public Engagement Committee
- 4:30-6:30 p.m. - Audit Committee
- 7-9 p.m. - Comprehensive Planning Development Committee (CPDC)
- Thursday, June 20
- 4-8 p.m. - School Board Committee Report Work Session
- Monday, June 24
- 5-9 p.m. - School Board Committee Report Work Session
- Tuesday, June 25
- 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a..m. - School Board Forum
- Reviving the School Board Student Leadership Development Program
- Standing Committee Assignment Numbers
- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Work Session
- FY25 Risk Assessment and Audit Topics
- 1-4:30 p.m. - Work Session Continued
Watch Meetings Live | Meeting Video Archive
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.
Summer Fun for All: Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation
The Family Resource Center (FRC) has a list of dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel.
They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities.
Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing FRC@fcps.edu, or visiting the FRC's webpage.
Cappies Awards
I was thrilled to attend the annual Cappies Awards Gala at the Kennedy Center. The Cappies are like the Oscars for local high school theater, with all nominees and award winners chosen by their fellow students. Each year, participating high schools choose one musical or play to be their showcase “Cappies” entry. Theater and journalism students, serving as Cappies critics, attend and review these plays and musicals, with some of the reviews published in local newspapers.
And a HUGE congratulations to West Springfield High School for winning best musical for Sweeney Todd and to The Lake Braddock Theatre for winning best play for Romeo and Juliet! Very well deserved for two truly professional level and unique productions.
I loved the hilarious Pride and Prejudice at Robinson (congrats to Rambunctious Theatre Company). the for your many nominations) and 1776 is one of my favorite musicals and Woodson High School did it justice - congratulations on your nominations!
The complete list of winners from FCPS is here.
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 2024 Cappie Awards.
 2024 Cappie Awards.
The student critics choose nominees for Cappies awards in a variety of categories, culminating in a formal awards show, with live performances of a scene from each of the Cappies nominated plays and musicals, and from student performers! It is a wonderful celebration of the amazing high school theater in Northern Virginia! If you didn’t have a chance to catch a production this year, I hope you catch one next year! Here is a list all of FCPS’ middle and high school theater productions.
Bravo to the amazing student thespians, musicians, directors, stage managers and crew, lighting, costume, set, and sound designers, and all the students involved in these fabulous productions!
Fun at Fairfax Pride
I confess I never tire of the fun and festivity at our area’s Pride Month events! On June 1, I spent some time catching up with old friends and meeting new people at the City of Fairfax Pride Festival.
In the month of June, FCPS recognizes the resilience and determination of the many individuals fighting to live freely and authentically. This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are. I stand ready to do my part to ensure all students and staff are welcomed in FCPS as their authentic selves. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Open Your Home & Heart:
Enjoy 1 week of Institute for the Fine Arts FREE by hosting an International Student!
FCPS is partnering with an International Organization called Near West to pilot a summer program inviting international students to experience IFTA and life in Northern Virginia and to share their culture with our community. The students in the program will be high-achieving students with an interest in the fine and performing arts, and there will be around 10-15 students in this pilot. The international students will join for the last week of IFTA, and the students of participating host families will be invited to join a culminating weekend outing at the conclusion of the program. We’re looking for a few of our warm and welcoming FCPS families with students of 13 to 15 years old to help make the pilot a success.
When: July 20-30
Where: Lake Braddock Secondary School
Host Family’s Benefits:
- 1 FREE week of IFTA: from July 22 (Monday) to July 26 (Friday), five days of self-selected art, dance, music and theatre classes or receive a stipend of $265.
- Weekend Fun: Bond with your international student and other families during a fun-filled weekend outing on July 27-28 (horseback riding, farm visit, country music, rural town activities, etc.).
- Authentic Connections: create lasting memories through genuine interactions and cultural exchange with a student from a different country.
Host Family’s Responsibilities:
- Provide airport pickup on July 20 and drop-off on July 30 at Dulles Airport.
- Offer comfortable lodging and daily meals during the stay.
- Assist with daily transportation to and from IFTA at Lake Braddock Secondary School and to other program activities. Students may take the bus with your child.
Fill out this form if you are interested in hosting. Please contact Yubo Zhang yzhang1@fcps.edu or Kara Drinkwater kmdrinkwater@fcps.edu with any questions. Thanks so much for considering this wonderful opportunity!
SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE
Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the following:
- For all students – the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests.
- For grade 3-8 students – the SOL Growth Parent Report shows performance over time for state reading and math tests completed this school year.
Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and Multilingual Learner Supports
Because these exams are operated by the College Board, students do not automatically receive testing accommodations or supports. If you have a student with disabilities entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, or have a multilingual student entering 12th grade, please review the accommodations request process and/or EL support request process and return forms to the high school by Monday, August 5.
Find out more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.
Summer Fun for All! Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation
The Family Resource Center (FRC) has a list of dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel.
They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities.
Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing FRC@fcps.edu, or visiting the FRC webpage.
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.
© 2024 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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