Upcoming Events August 19: First Day of School for all FCPS September 6: Unite and Excite, 4:30-6:30pm, Field House parking lot; Home game vs. Centreville kicks off at 7pm September 13: Homecoming Game vs. Centreville September 14: Homecoming Dance, FHS Field House September 18: Back to School Night, 6:30pm

Acceso de News You Choose en Español:  Haga clic aquí.

August 16, 2024

Greetings Fairfax Families, 

I can hardly contain my excitement as we prepare to embark on another PAWSome school year! The energy and anticipation are palpable, and I am filled with optimism for what lies ahead as we continue to build community,  strengthen skills, and challenge ourselves academcically. This week we have welcomed hundreds of our LIONS back for orientation and open house and our students have made it clear they are READY TO ROAR! 

Each year brings new opportunities for growth, learning, and making a lasting impact on the lives of our students. Connecting, educating, and transforming are what each FHS staff member is committed to and we cannot wait to work alongside studnets and families to guarantee success. 

I have included a link here to our school website where you will find important information about starting school: School Information.

Welcome back, 

It was great seeing everyone at our Open House!

Included in this issue:

Fairfax Lions Need to Know:

• Calendar Reminders: First Day of School, Unite & Excite, BTS Night
• Homecoming Info
• Student Schedule Info
• Important: Cell Phone Policy

Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:

• Back to School Info! 
• Mental Health Teletherapy
• District News - In Case You Missed It!

Fairfax HS PTSA

• Welcome to a New School Year!
• Membership
• No-Fuss Fundraiser
• Mock SAT/ACT

Fairfax Lions Need to Know:

Calendar Reminders: First Day of School, and BTS Events!

We look forward to welcoming back all of our students to the HOME of the LIONS on Monday, August 19, the first day of school for the 2024-25 school year! See the school year calendars for 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27.

Back to School Events

Save the date for these important events!

• September 6: UNITE & EXCITE, 4:30-6:30pm in the Field House parking Lot; Home Football Game vs. Oakton kicks off at 7:00PM
• September 18 - Back to School Night; special sessions at 5:30PM; introductions and classroom visits start at 6:30PM

Homecoming Game Sept. 13, Dance Sept. 14

Homecoming is EARLY this year, save these dates! 

• Spirit Week is Sep. 9-13
• Parade is 4pm on Friday, Sept 13
• Game is 7pm on Friday, Sept 13
• Dance is 8-11pm on Saturday, Sept 14, in the Field House

Student Leadership will share more information once school starts. Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairfaxhslions/

🖥️ Important: Student Schedules

Schedules will be released via SIS/StudentVue, Thursday, August 15th at 6:00am. Changes to schedules will only be allowed for errors, too many or too few classes, or absence of a required course for graduation. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to your school counselor.   

FCPS Cell Phone Policy

STUDENT PHONE POLICY DOCUMENT & GUIDELINES

High School Cell Phone Pilot Control Group

Phones are not to be used during school except for when allowed by Regulation 2601, High school students may use their phones during passing times and at lunch.

Every classroom will have a secure storage unit where students will deposit their phones at the start of class and then retrieve their phones at the end of class.

DAILY PROCESS

1. As a student enters each classroom, they will silence their cell phones (or place in airplane mode). Smartwatches also need to be placed in silent or airplane mode. If a student brings airpods to school, these must be stored in the student’s backpack during class. 
2. As the student enters each classroom, they will place their phones in their backpacks. 
3. When class ends, students will be able to access their phones.
4. For the first few weeks of the pilot, schools may have a daily schoolwide announcement first thing in the morning to remind students to silence their phones and to place phones in their backpacks as they enter each of their classrooms.
5. Students may still use their phones during passing time and at lunch (but not in restrooms except in emergencies), in accordance with the SR&R.
6. Students with IEPs who have an accommodation allowing access to their phones or students with a documented medical need requiring access to their phones will be allowed to have access to their phones.

VIOLATIONS

Staff Response and Discipline

• First Violation
• Staff Response: the phone is confiscated by a staff member and held until the end of the class. The phone will be secured by a staff member in the student’s classroom if the violation occurs in the classroom, or the phone will be secured in the office if the violation occurs in the hall or bathroom during class time. The student can pick up their phone at the end of the class. A parent/guardian is notified.
• Discipline: the student receives a warning and it is logged in SIS.
• Second Violation
• Staff Response: the phone is confiscated and given to the front office/subschool office. The student can pick up their phone at the end of the school day. A parent/guardian is notified.
• Discipline: the student receives detention and it is logged in SIS.
• Third Violation
• Staff Response: the phone is confiscated and given to the front office/subschool office. A parent/guardian is notified.  A parent/guardian or designee must pick up the phone. The phone will not be released to the student. 
• Discipline: the student receives detention, a parent/guardian conference is held, and it is logged in SIS. 
• Fourth Violation (and all other subsequent violations)
• Staff Response: the phone is confiscated and given to the front office/subschool office.  A parent/guardian is notified.  A parent/guardian or designee must pick up the phone. The phone will not be released to the student. 
• Discipline: phone privileges are lost for 20 consecutive school days and it is logged in SIS.  For each of these 20 days, the student will report to the front office at the beginning of each day to turn over their phone until the end of the day.

Fairfax Lions Nice to Know: 

🍎📚 BACK TO SCHOOL INFO!

We’re Eager to Welcome You Back-to School!

As summer winds down, our school and staff are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Before the first day of school, make sure you have completed the following: 

• Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar [add contact info] if you need a code. 

Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. 

• Update Your Contact Information

To be sure you receive important information from your schools, update your phone numbers and/or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.

• Update Immunizations and Records

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. 

If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. 

Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website.

• Prepare for Meals at School 

Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meals benefits. School breakfast for students costs $1.75. Lunch is $3.25 for elementary students and $3.50 for middle, secondary, and high school students. 

The best way to purchase meals and additional food items is to use MySchoolBucks. If you have not already, set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today. 

MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically as needed, and families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account. 

• Apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.

• Save the Date: Back-to-School Night

Fairfax HS Back to School Night is Wednesday, September 18th. Special sessions for SpEd and Seniors start at 5:30pm; introductions and classroom visits start 6:30pm. 

• 🔖 Bookmark the School Year Calendar

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:

• Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
• Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days. 
• Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.

Note: Some holidays and observances, such as Eid al-Fitr, may shift and the calendar may be adjusted.

• Stay Connected! 

Our "Principal's Desk" newsletter will be sent out every Friday afternoon after school; the PTSA newsletter will be sent out every Tuesday at 9AM. You can sign up for different newsletters here: FCPS News You Choose Emails.

Mental Health Teletherapy

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School StudentsVirtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:

• Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
• Anxiety, worry, fears
• Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
• Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services at 703-219-2202. https://fairfaxhs.fcps.edu/resources/student-wellness-resources

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

Spanish: Terapia Virtual Sin Costo para Estudiantes de SecundariaSesiones de terapia virtual están disponibles para los estudiantes de secundaria FCPS sin costo alguno para proporcionar un espacio seguro para abordar preocupaciones tales como: 

• Cambios de humor/comportamiento, motivación, pena/pérdida
• Ansiedad, preocupación, miedos
• Habilidades sociales, intimidación, relaciones con compañeros y familia
• Estrés académico

Usted puede referir a su hijo llamando al 571-749-2940 o poniéndose en contacto con nuestro consejero escolar, trabajador social, psicólogo o director de Servicios Estudiantiles, 703-219-2202. https://fairfaxhs.fcps.edu/resources/student-wellness-resources

Visite la página de Teleterapia de FCPS para más información.

Korean:고등학생을 위한 무료 온라인 상담

FCPS 고등학생은 다음과 같은 문제를 해결할 수 있는 안전한 공간을 제공하기 위해 온라인 상담 세션을 무료로 이용할 수 있습니다:

• 기분/행동 변화, 동기 부여, 슬픔/상실감
• 불안, 걱정, 두려움
• 사회적 기술, 괴롭힘, 또래 및 가족 관계
• 학업 스트레스

571-749-2940으로 전화하거나 학교 카운슬러, 사회 복지사, 심리학자 또는 학생 서비스 디렉터에게 연락하여 자녀의 상담을 요청할 수 있습니다, 703-219-2202. 

https://fairfaxhs.fcps.edu/resources/student-wellness-resources

자세한 정보는 FCPS 텔레테라피 웹페이지를 방문하세요.

District News - In Case You Missed It!

FCPS News: In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• Counting Down to the First Day of Fairfax
• Phones down, Engagement Up
• Middle and High School Grading Updates

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

throughout the year:

• Visit the Fairfax High School Website
• Sign up for News You Choose messages or update your account
• Visit the Fairfax PTSA Website

Fairfax HS PTSA

Table of Contents:

• Message from the PTSA President
• Membership - please sign up!
• No-Fuss Fundraiser
• Mock SAT/ACT

Message from the President

Welcome back, FHS students and families, to the 2024-2025 school year! This is Maria Felton, your PTSA president. We are thrilled to embark on another exciting and enriching year with all of you. 

As we step into a new academic year, we look forward to creating wonderful memories, fostering growth, and building a strong community together. Our dedicated staff and volunteers are committed to supporting our students' success and ensuring that FHS remains a vibrant and inclusive place for everyone.

We encourage all students and families to get involved, whether through PTSA events, volunteering, or supporting our initiatives. Together, we can make this school year unforgettable and meaningful for everyone.

Here's to a fantastic year ahead filled with learning, laughter, and lasting friendships. Welcome back to FHS!

Warm regards,  
Maria Felton  
PTSA President

Join the PTSA Today!!

Be entered in our membership raffle drawing!!

Join the Parent Teacher Student Association, PTSA, to support our FHS teachers, students and community!  Your dues and donations work to fund all of our activities and programs.  Scan the code provided or JOIN, by Monday, August 19th for the most chances to win!  Being a member helps keep you engaged and informed of what is happening in our school community and provides opportunities to get involved as your  availability permits.   FINALLY, becoming a member does not mean you are required to volunteer, but we would love to have you on board!

Parent/Adult: $20 Teacher/Staff: $12 FHS Student: $8

PTSA No Fuss Fundraiser - Donate Today!

Support our FHS Students and Teachers with your generous donations! Our No-Fuss Fundraiser has a goal of $2200 to fully fund the  proposed 24-25 PTSA budget.  The Parent, Teacher, Student Association supports FHS students and teachers through financing events amd  supporting wellness, diversity, and volunteerism. The PTSA rewards academic achievement, offers student scholarships, funds classroom grants, puts on teacher appreciation events, and supports the FHS Food Bank. We rely entirely on membership dues and donations to fund the PTSA budget, and as a 501(c)3, your donation is tax-deductible. For details on how the funds are spent, see the proposed budget HERE. 

We rely entirely on membership dues and donations to fund the PTSA budget, and as a 501(c)3, your donation is tax-deductible. For details on how the funds are spent, see the proposed budget HERE.

Mock SAT (digital) / Mock ACT (paper)

On Saturday, September 21, 2024 the FHS Academic Boosters will partner with Applerouth Tutoring to offer the Mock SAT (digital format) and the Mock ACT (paper format) exams.

This is a perfect opportunity for students who haven’t started their testing to become familiar with the format in a stress-free environment at FHS for only $25. Students will receive detailed score reports to help them determine which areas they need to study.

Mock (digital) SAT registration (limited to 75)

Test Time: Saturday, September 21^st, 9:00am – 11:45am

Students must be from FCPS and bring a fully charged FCPS computer

https://applerouth.onecanoe.com/school/8801

Mock (paper) ACT registration (limited to 50)

Test Time: Saturday, September 21st, 9:15am – 1:30pm

https://applerouth.onecanoe.com/school/8801

Can’t make the September date? The next test at FHS will be March 22, 2025.  You can sign-up now using the above.

Questions: Academicboosters@fairfaxptsa.org

Do you want to celebrate a Fairfax employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way? Or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.

3501 Lion Run Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-219-2200

Attendance: 703-219-2211| Web