September 2024: Represent Dranesville- Volunteer or Share Your Input

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/25/2024 12:59 PM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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.

Student Leadership Development Program

Great Leadership Opportunity for 9th- 11th Graders

The Fairfax County School Board is now accepting applications from 9th-11th graders in good academic standing for the Student Leadership Development Program. The program is for students interested in pursuing futures in law, government, or public policy. Interested students must submit applications to their principal before September 30, 2024.

Selected students will work directly with School Board Members and the School Board Clerk’s office to learn the ins and outs of how FCPS is governed. They will also develop and debate their own policy proposals and acquire details about the process for running to be the Student Representative to the School Board.

2025-2026 Basal Resources Adoption: Social Studies Review Committee

Dranesville Opening

Are you interested in participating in the review of potential K-12 social studies resources? FCPS is engaging the basal resource (e.g. textbooks, online materials) adoption process for Social Studies, and I am seeking a Dranesville community member to participate on the review committee. The process may lead to identifying new social studies resources (e.g. textbooks, digital materials) for some or all grade levels and courses in school year 2025-2026.

Committee members must be able to meet on the following dates and times for a total commitment of 20 hours. All the meetings will be held at the Pimmit Hills Adult Education Center(7510 Lisle Ave, Falls Church).

October 29, 2024, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
November 6, 2024, 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm
November 13,2024, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Please fill out this form by September 30 to share why you would like to be a representative and why you would be a great fit for this committee. Please email my Staff Aide at wmbiliter@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

Boundary Review Advisory Committee

More Information to Come

The Fairfax County School Board recently awarded a contract to Thru Consulting to manage a comprehensive school boundary review for Fairfax County Public Schools. The consultant will perform this work during a 16-month period ending in January 2026. In July, the School Board approved updates to Policy 8130, which provides the framework as we consider any potential future boundary adjustments.

One of the first steps in this effort is for the superintendent to establish a Boundary Review Advisory Committee that includes parents/caregivers, school-based administrators, teachers, operational staff, and community members. It’s also important to know that any potential future boundary changes will include robust community engagement, as required by the policy and the Code of Virginia.

Please stay tuned for more information.

Cell Phone Policy Input

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.

The FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage has usage policies by grade level, and you can share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.

Cell Phone Storage Pilot

Starting school year 2024-25, select FCPS middle and high schools will be phone-free during the school day in order to limit classroom disruptions and improve student engagement and learning. Middle school students will receive locked storage pouches. High school students will place their cell phones in central storage units located in each classroom. You can share feedback on the pilot here.

Dranesville students' schools in pilot:

McLean HS
Westfield HS

Our Schools, Our Future

Register Today for a Community Conversation

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

Monday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods ES.
Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill ES.
Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run ES.
Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon MS.

Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.

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.

E-mail: Robyn Lady | Phone: 571-423-1087

Staff Aide: Wendy Biliter | Phone: 571-423-1068

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.