Week of September 3

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In This Issue:

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Calendar

September 04: Back to School Night, 6:30 pm

September 07: HHS Choir Car Wash, 10:00 am, Reston Sunoco (by Target)

September 19 & 20: School Picture Day

October 03:  Holiday | Rosh Hashanah (begins sundown 10/2 - sundown 10/4)

October 04: Student Holiday | Teacher Workday

October 11: Religious and Cultural Observance | Yom Kippur (begins sundown 10/11 - sundown 10/12)

October 14: Student Holiday | Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Staff Development Day)

FCPS Standard School Year Calendar for 2024-25

 

 



Events



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🌍 Receive Credit for Proficiency in Languages

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. 

Registration opens on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m., and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted. Please contact your student’s school counselor to register for the exam. 

Find more information, including the list of eligible languages.


SAT School Day – Wednesday, October 9, 2024

On Wednesday, October 9 2024, Herndon High School twelfth graders will have the opportunity to participate in the SAT School Day. FCPS will cover the cost for any twelfth-grade student to take this test. The essay option and subject area tests are not available during SAT School Day. 

To reserve a seat for your twelfth grader to take this exam and ensure appropriate test materials are available for your student, families are asked to complete the form below by Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 3:00 PM. 

Herndon High School: 2024 SAT School Day Intent to Participate Form  (https://forms.gle/GeoVsTgbQc1FMWuE7)

Your student will need to use a @fcpsschools.net email account to access and complete this form.  A translated version of the form content may be found on the SAT School Day Intent Form webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43896). FCPS sites cannot accept walk-ins on the day of the exam.  

General information about the SAT School Day test format is available on the College Board webpage (https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/taking-the-test/sat-in-school). Directions on how to access scores and score release dates are published by College Board via the College Board website

We will share exam day schedules and additional details in the coming weeks. If you have questions about the SAT School Day administration at Herndon High School, please our Assessment Coach, Dr. Karl Gussow at ksgussow@fcps.edu.


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🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:

  • Monday, September 9, at Holmes Middle School 
  • Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
  • Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary 
  • Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary 
  • Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary 
  • Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle 

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.


September 11 National Day of Service

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With the upcoming 23rd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.

All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.


Schedule Change Request Timeline and Process

Starting September 3rd until the 13th, elective course changes are permitted, if space is available. Core course changes require a Schedule Change Request Form. 

A few reminders for those considering a schedule change:

  • Schedule change requests are not permitted for a teacher, lunch, period or friend preference.
  • An elective course change may only be made if there is space in the requested course.
  • If you are requesting a core course change (English, Math, Science or Social Studies), a Schedule Change Request Form must be completed. The form is meant to inform your current teacher and the requested teacher of your pending schedule change.
  • Schedule changes may affect other periods in the student's schedule. If this is a concern, the student can make an appointment with their school counselor to review the options.  

To make a schedule change request, email your school counselor in the following format (to avoid any confusion):

  • ADD: Course name and number
  • DROP: Course name and number
  • The course catalogue is linked here.

The school counselors' email addresses are linked below:

Dr. Kinan (A - Br)                                      Ms. Anderson (Bu - Dj, AVID)

Ms. Kamenick (Do - Hen)                         Ms. Fortier (Her - L)

Ms. Azzara (M - Pe)                                  Ms. Ginieczki (Ph - Se)

Mr. Dell’Orso (Sh - Z)                                Ms. Sotirchos (ELP 1 & 2, A - K)

Ms. Kramer (ELP 1 & 2, L - Z)

The window for elective course change requests closes on September 13th, late requests will not be accepted. After September 14, no elective changes are permitted and all core course changes require a Schedule Change Request Form. 

Lastly, please allow counselors 24-48 hours to reply to any questions or concerns.


National Hispanic Heritage Month

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From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month


School Picture Day is Coming!

📅 Date: Thursday, September 19th & Friday, September 20th 2024

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001132450#login

📸 Images Available: Approximately two-three weeks after picture day

📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com

*We are also in need of a few parent volunteers to help Picture Day run smoothly. If you are willing and able to volunteer on one or both days, please email Grace Choi, yearbook adviser, at gechoi@fcps.edu Thank you!

 

 

 

 



Information



Yearbooks For Sale!

Yearbooks are now available for purchase on yearbookordercenter.com! Our school code is 8967. Books start at $65. Students receiving free/reduced lunch can pick up an order form in the main office to purchase a yearbook at a reduced cost.

Senior ads for sale! Families of seniors can now purchase senior ads for the yearbook! Please go to yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 8967 to feature your child in this year’s book!


Cell Phones Off, Learning On

Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact the school’s front office to reach your child during class time. 

Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy


2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities 

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30

You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.


Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance. 

The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill. 

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.


Free and Reduced Meals

ALL freshmen are currently on the Free and Reduced Meals list because all of Herndon Middle was granted that last year. These students will remain on until October when the year resets.  It is extremely important that they apply before October to ensure that they have no break in service and continue (if they qualify) to receive the benefits. The application can be accessed at  https://www.fcps.edu/frm.


✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan: Foundation of Four Pillars

While the five goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan focus on student success, the four pillars describe what FCPS must do well to reach our goals for all students:

  • The first focus of the pillars is on teaching and learning. We want to make sure each and every student has access to excellent and inclusive learning environments, and that instruction meets students’ individual needs.
  • The second pillar focuses on our connection with families and our communities. We cannot do this work alone. Strong partnerships are key to our students’ success.
  • The third pillar is centered on our hiring and maintaining a world class, diverse workforce. We want to make sure our incredible employees have what they need to help our students thrive.
  • The fourth and final pillar centers on how we bring this all together. We remain focused on creating a culture of equity, excellence, and accounta

⚠️ Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. 

If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1. 


🙋 Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.


What Is a School Board?

The Fairfax County School Board is responsible for running the public schools in Fairfax County. Twelve School Board members are elected by county voters every four years. 

A student representative serves on the board as a non-voting member. They are chosen by their peers each year.

The School Board makes general rules and sets guidelines to ensure Fairfax County Public Schools runs properly. They follow the laws of Virginia and the rules set by the Virginia Board of Education. 

Learning about your local School Board is important. Understanding their policies and initiatives can help you advocate for positive changes and ensure that the educational needs of all students are met. There are many ways to get involved.

Learn more about the School Board, how to participate in their meetings, and where to watch their meetings


Solve the Puzzle Before It’s Gone! 

Fairfax County's Puzzle Hunt will end on Sunday, September 15. Families have been solving puzzles and finding clues all summer in this unique community event that takes solvers on a journey to the wonderful parks in Fairfax County. There is still time to join before it ends!

Puzzles are filled with creative thinking, logic, and wordplay. They are designed to be completed with friends and family and are challenging and accessible for all skill levels. Solve the puzzles, then find clues at the parks for a final meta-puzzle. Visit our wonderful local parks with friends and family. 

 

 

 



Resources



Fentanyl Fact Sheet

The Fentanyl Fact Sheet was shared with all students last week in Schoology. Diana Munoz is the Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for Herndon HS. If you need support for a student or have concerns you’d like to discuss, please feel free to reach out to her via email at dpmunoz@fcps.edu or call 703-810-2243. For general information about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please visit https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/student-safety-an-wellness/substance-abuse-prevention-program 


Quick Links