How was the first day of school?

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 08/19/2024 04:45 PM EDT

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Welcome Back To School!

BacktoSchoolVideo

[ Video with English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, or Arabic Subtitles ]

 

Dear Providence District Families,

I want to extend a warm welcome back to school to our students, families, teachers, and staff. I hope you had a restful and rewarding summer break.

This morning, I had the pleasure of joining Superintendent Reid, my School Board colleague Robyn Lady, and Principal Jeffrey Litz bright and early at Marshall High School as we welcomed students back for the first day of school.

This year promises to be filled with opportunities for learning, growth, and achievement. 

I hope you will take a moment to thank your teachers and administrators, who have worked hard to ensure all students feel welcome, valued, and respected each day when they enter school so they can focus on learning and truly thrive.

I look forward to working with Superintendent Reid as we continue to implement and advance the student-centered focus of our strategic plan, which ensures the promise of excellence, equity, and opportunity so every student can achieve their full, unique, and limitless potential.

As we begin this new school year, I look forward to seeing you not only at school events, but also out in the community. Our schools are bolstered by the robust involvement and support of our families. Let's make this year the best yet by building and strengthening these connections in our schools and community.

Our School Board is here to listen, advocate, and work with you to make our schools the best they can be. We value your input and encourage you to stay engaged, whether it’s through attending board meetings, joining PTAs, or simply sharing your thoughts with us.

This year, let’s celebrate our achievements, support one another, and create memories for our students that last a lifetime. I look forward to seeing the incredible things we’ll accomplish together.

Thank you for all you’ve done and all you will do to support and encourage our students in the school year ahead. If I can be of assistance to you and your family, please don’t hesitate to let me know. 

In service,

Karl Frisch
Chair and Providence Representative
Fairfax County School Board

BackToSchool2024-25

First Day of School – George C. Marshall High School 
August 19, 2024 – 6:00am

Providence District Families Newsletter 
 Monday, August 19, 2024

Back to School Events
and School Year Calendars

Back to School event dates are listed on each school’s website and each region’s website. Here are the links for regions with schools attended by Providence District students:

School Year Calendars

2024-2025 | 2025-2026

Save The Date:
Providence Day and Back to School Celebration

Providence Day


I hope you’ll join Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik and me as we co-host the 2024 Providence Day and Back to School Celebration at Marshall High School on Saturday, October 5th from 11 am - 3 pm. Providence District families are welcome to enjoy food, activities and entertainment for all ages – including an up close look at Fairfax County fire, rescue and police vehicles and a visit from an FCPS electric school bus! Mark your calendar and RSVP today!

Meet Our New
School Board Student Representative

MeganSawant

 

After receiving applications from 39 incredible student leaders from across  Fairfax County, Student Advisory Council (SAC) delegates selected Megan Sawant, a senior from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, as the 2024-25 school year Student Representative to the School Board. I look forward to working with her in the year ahead!

Cell Phone Storage Pilot Program

In response to the School Board’s May 9th direction, the Superintendent has developed a cell phone storage pilot program for middle and high schools. Seven middle schools will participate in the Cell Phone Storage Pilot Program, including Jackson and Thoreau. Nine high schools, including McLean, Falls Church, and Madison, have elected to participate in the high school pilot which will require students to place their cell phones away in hanging organizers and/or storage lockers in the classroom during the class period. You are welcome to provide your feedback on this program.

New SOL Tests in Spring 2025

The Virginia Department of Education has announced that new SOL tests will be administered in spring 2025 for all testing grades/courses in Reading and Mathematics. The new SOL Math tests will assess the 2023 Mathematics standards, and the new SOL Reading tests will assess the 2024 English standards. Because spring 2025 will be the first time these tests are administered, reporting of student scores will be delayed due to post-test equating requirements. 

Paid Parental Leave Program

FCPS is excited to announce its new Paid Parental Leave (PPL) program! Effective July 1, 2024, eligible employees can receive 8 weeks of paid leave for childbirth, adoption, or foster placement of a child. Employees are eligible to receive PPL on the first of the month after completing 12 calendar months of service from date of employment or re-employment. PPL will coordinate with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave to provide employees with paid time off. Please note: the birth, adoption or foster placement must have occurred on or after July 1, 2024. More information can be found on the PPL Program website.

New Online Tutoring Resource

FCPS has replaced Tutor.com with Varsity Tutors – a free system that provides weekly live online classes and on-demand chat tutoring, essay assistance, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Varsity Tutors is available in English and Spanish. Learn more about Varsity Tutors.

Summer Smiles: Donate Dental Supplies
(and Food!)

Summer Smiles


Supervisor Palchik and I are encouraging participation in the Summer Smiles campaign in supporting Dunn Loring Center’s Map Clinic in its efforts to build a robust supply of children’s dental products so every child leaves the clinic with the basic supplies they need to practice good dental health. Drop off sites for dental supplies (and non-perishable food items) are: Jim Scott Community Center, Monday - Saturday, 9am - 1pm; Mosaic Live, Saturdays, 5 - 7pm; Nottoway Nights, Thursdays, 7 - 8pm (through August 31).

2024 Congressional App Challenge

The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is an opportunity for high school students to be more engaged in coding. Every year, Members of Congress challenge students in their districts to create and submit their original apps for a chance to win the CAC. Each challenge is district specific. Congressman Gerry Connolly is once again participating and invites students in his district to submit their applications.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Upcoming School Board Meetings (Luther Jackson Middle School)

  • Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday September 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming School Board Work Session (Gatehouse Administration Center)

  • Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
  • Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.

All meetings are broadcast live on Channel 99 (Verizon channel 11) and on the FCPS website. Meetings are also recorded for future viewing and posted to the FCPS YouTube channel. Visit the community participation webpage to sign up to speak at regular meetings or public hearings.

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.

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