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Dear Franconia Residents/Estimados Residentes de Franconia,

I can’t believe it’s already mid-October! As the days grow shorter and crisper, we’re treated to fall’s vibrant foliage, hayrides, apple picking, and all the delightful scents, spices and flavors of pumpkin. Fall sports, homecomings, marching band and indoor line performances, concerts, and theatre productions are in full swing, while students and teachers gear up for the end of the first quarter.

The past month has been especially exciting for me as I’ve participated in various celebrations honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month in our community. Our students truly benefit from the rich cultural diversity brought by our Hispanic and Latino students, staff, and families. It was an honor to read the School Board’s Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation in Spanish at the September 26 regular meeting, and a joy to hear the third graders from Groveton Elementary sing "De Colores" at our October 10 regular meeting.

Parent/Teacher Conferences Elementary schools hold parent-teacher conferences in early November, so please take the opportunity to meet with your student’s teacher to discuss their progress, ask questions, and share concerns. Keep up to date with grades through the Student Information System (SIS) ParentVUE  under the “Grade Book” tab.

Check Your Student’s Immunization Record As we enter the cold and flu season, I want to remind everyone to stay up to date on vaccinations for both yourselves and your students. FCPS offers a variety of resources to help families access the required vaccinations, so be sure to explore what works best for you. Keeping our students healthy is essential so they can fully engage in school and contribute to their learning community. You can view your student’s current immunization records through the Student Information System (SIS) ParentVUE. More information about clinics are below.

School Board News Boundary Study  During the October 8 School Board Work Session, we had the opportunity to hear from Thru, the consultancy that is managing the boundary study and public input process. I encourage you to watch that part of the meeting. It starts at hour 2 around minute 47. Many questions that constituents have asked are addressed. It is important to note that currently not one boundary line has been identified. The process is just beginning and includes a robust community input schedule. Parents should have received a text and an email with a link to apply to be on the superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee. The size of the committee will be limited and requires a robust time commitment. If you are unable to apply or if you are not selected to be on the committee you may still actively participate in the community meetings that are part of the process.  If you are interested in joining, please complete this application by Friday, October 18. Check the FCPS boundary policy review webpage for the latest information.     Proclamations Indigenous Peoples' Dayon October 14th was a time to recognize and honor Native American cultures and histories while acknowledging their resilience in the face of a long history of marginalization. Learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day from the National Museum of the American Indian. LGBTQIA+ History Month, a time to celebrate the history and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community. I invite you to join me in fostering a culture of inclusivity and equity, not just during this month, but throughout the entire year. Celebration of School Principals, Administrators, and Administrative Assistants Month, a time to honor the dedicated leaders and support staff who shape our students' futures. Their commitment to preparing children for success throughout their PreK-12 years makes a significant impact on our community. This month highlights the vital role of school leadership in ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education, fostering a brighter tomorrow for all. If you can take the time to thank the Principal and Administrative Assistants at your student’s school.

I am looking forward to continued school visits in November and taking our Commonwealth Legislators to school to share the amazing work happening in Franconia schools.

Kind Regards/Bondadosamente,

Marcia St. John-Cunning

Franconia District School Board Member

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Focus on Franconia

State Golf Champion - Again! Big cheers for Edison High School sophomore Owen Love, who won the Class 6 State Golf Championship for the second year in a row! 🎉 Way to go, Owen! Keep soaring!

National Merit Semifinalists Congratulations to all FCPS National Merit Semifinalists! All semifinalists are eligible to compete for 6,870 National Merit Scholarship awards worth nearly $26 million, to be awarded in spring 2025. Semifinalists advance to finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and other requirements including a recommendation from a high school official. Franconia District Semifinalists   Edison High School Nicolas Argueta-Vasquez and Grayson Haupt   Hayfield Secondary School Mateo Kamarck   Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology        William Black and Nikhil Alladi

LMVSC Coach v. Coach Soccer Fundraiser  Hundreds of FCPS families cheered on their favorite professional or recreational coach during the 5th Annual LMVSC Coach v Coach Game held at Edison. Clermont sixth grader Fiona Moats sang the national anthem, Edison's Junior ROTC presented the colors, and FCPS students from Twain, Edison, and West Potomac, volunteered on-site helping to make the event a huge success. Proceeds from the event go towards scholarships for players eager to experience the joy of team sports with their friends and classmates. Last year, 207 out of 460 travel soccer players were able to participate thanks to these scholarships. In its 53-year history, LMVSC has proudly never turned away a player due to financial constraints. What a wonderful commitment to our community!

FCPS Excellence Awards Congratulations to all FCPS teachers, administrators, and staff recognized for their outstanding work! These awards celebrate employees whose exceptional performance supports the mission and vision of FCPS. The Excellence Awards highlight various pathways to success, reflecting the school system's goals. We especially recognize those dedicated to serving Franconia District students. Franconia District Winners Collaboration and Partnerships: Kimberly Harrison, Director, Student Services at Lewis High School West Potomac Super Snack Team, Annie Corbelli, Mike Henrich, and Iris Jane Stufflefield Innovation and Improvement: Eric Underhill, Principal, Sandburg Middle School Student Achievement and Success: Sarah Clouse, Family & Consumer Science Teacher, HS, Lewis High School.    (pictured) Equity and Cultural Responsiveness: West Potomac La Liga, Nathan Bush, Mike Henrich, and Katherine Lodge Student Achievement and Success: Key Center Crisis Team, Jessica Bamford, Sean Ganley, shannon Hacker, Gregory Hoobchaak, Caitllin Myers, Ashli Onuaku, Mike Reish, Natalie Schoeder, Marielle Sontag, and Diane Young

Farewell, Ms. McMahan Thank you and farewell to Alicia McMahan, a beloved strings teacher who inspired generations of students with her passion for music and launched many string careers. For 30 years, she served as an orchestra director at the high school, middle school, and elementary levels including Cameron, Clermont, Bush Hill, and Rose Hill. Thank you for sharing your talents and creating a love for music that will last a lifetime. Enjoy this next chapter—you’ve earned it!

FCPS News You Need

💰FCPS Scholarship Website for Students💰

A new website to assist with the marketing and communication about scholarships has been developed.  In addition to Naviance being the database for scholarships, there is now an FCPS public webpage that includes scholarships available to all FCPS students:  https://www.fcps.edu/scholarships-fcps-students.

2024 FCPS College Fair

Date: Sunday, October 20, 2024

Time: 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Location: Eagle Bank Arena at George Mason University

4500 Patriot Cir, Fairfax, VA 22030

The College Fair is designed to connect high school students with opportunities in postsecondary education. It is one of the largest College Fairs in the region. It features 200 colleges and universities from around the nation as well as representatives from the U.S. Service Academies. Each year the College Fair draws thousands of students and their families.

Check out the participating colleges.

👉👉👉Register!👈👈👈👈

Following the fair, a two-night postsecondary virtual event will be held on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. Both events will help students prepare for the next chapter of their educational journey.

Post-Secondary Planning Night - En Español

Post-Secondary Planning Night, October 17. Please plan to attend the Post-Secondary Planning Night hosted by FCPS Regions 3 and 6 at the Hybla Valley Community Center on Thursday, October 17th. This event will be conducted in Spanish and is an essential opportunity for families to explore critical post-secondary options. Topics will include  2- and 4-year college pathways, financial aid resources, employment opportunities, and military enlistment. Understanding these options is key to making informed decisions about the future, and this event provides invaluable information tailored to the needs of our community. We strongly encourage all families to attend and take advantage of this important resource.

Edison Academy Career Experience Fair

Edison Academy will host our Career Experience Fair on October 22, 2024, for Edison Academy students only! This event will host over 15 trades and industry fields for students to explore!   

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Career Experience Specialist, Ms.Frederick tsfrederick@fcps.edu. 

🏛️ Middle School Students – Apply to Become Page for the 2025 Virginia General Assembly

Senate Page Program

The Senate Page Program is a dynamic, engaging, and educational experience that honors and preserves the tradition of service to the legislature. Senate Pages have served the upper chamber of the legislature since at least 1850. The experience today is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge for the next generation of administrators, managers, elected officials, and civic leaders.

Application Deadline 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 18th (EST)

House of Delegates Page Program

This popular program is for youth focusing on civics education, the lawmaking process, and leadership development. As a non-partisan staff member of the House Clerk’s Office, Pages are an integral part of an institution with a long-standing tradition of providing outstanding support and customer service to state legislators and those they represent.  Since 1847, this educational program has been helping youth become more engaged citizens and effective leaders.

Application Deadline 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 18th (EST)

📣 Social Studies Basal Resources Review 📣

FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person. 

All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.

🎊All Fairfax County Public Schools Accredited

We are proud to have all Fairfax County public schools accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.

We have seen marked improvement with 191 of our schools improving chronic absenteeism rates. FCPS has many students taking rigorous courses — far higher than the national average. The division also continues to see other state indicators improving, including Standards of Learning (SOL) pass rates and graduation rates. Read more about all our schools receiving accreditation.

🏆 FCPS Continues to Surpass State and Global SAT Averages

Fairfax County seniors in the class of 2024 continued to perform well above state and global averages on the SAT, according to results released by the College Board. 

The Fairfax County average score for the class of 2024 (1178) was higher than the state average (1101) and the global average (1024). Read more about the latest SAT results.

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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.

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

E-mail: Marcia St. John-Cunning |  Phone: 571-423-1081

Staff Aide: Mara Kaiser Braunger | Phone: 571-279-1691