Family Liaison Corner
by Susana Trupo
Cameron is proud of all the cultures represented by our families. This time of year, we will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a time to celebrate the cultures, histories, and contributions of people with heritage from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America. Here are some things to know about Hispanic Heritage Month. Have a conversation at dinner time - the more we know about other cultures, the better we understand each other.
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How it started: It began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, and was expanded to a 30-day period by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
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Why it's celebrated: The month recognizes the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States. It also honors the many achievements of Hispanic people around the world.
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How it can be celebrated:
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What the terms mean: Hispanic refers to someone who is from, or a descendant of someone from, a Spanish-speaking country. Latino or Latinx refers to someone who is from, or a descendant of someone from, a country in Latin America.
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📆 Fall Immunization Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department is providing immunizations for FCPS elementary students during early release Mondays at their health clinics this fall.
Find out the clinic date, locations, and how to make an appointment: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/immunization/locations
Additionally:
Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations for all FCPS students at no cost! Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment and provide consent for their student(s). The immunization clinics are being held at Frost Middle School on:
- Tuesday, October 8, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Students under the age of 19, with a scheduled appointment and parental consent, must be accompanied by their parent, guardian, or another adult over the age of 19.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 in order to provide consent.
Transportation services are also available. Please visit our Immunization Resources webpage for details.
Find out more about the immunizations required for K-12 students to attend public school in Virginia: https://www.fcps.edu/immunizations
🎤 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:
Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
🗓️ Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events
Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.
When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence.
Watch this video with tips on understanding our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
🚀Solar Saturdays at GMU Space Center
From the George Mason University Space Education Outreach Program for students in grades 4-8.
Join us for Solar Saturday, a weekend workshop designed to ignite your child’s passion for space and science. Each session offers a unique, hands-on experience that includes:
- Explore one of the largest on-campus observatories on the East Coast, where your child will get a close-up look at cutting-edge space research.
- Observing the Sun (with proper safety measures, of course) and its fascinating features using a state-of-the-art solar telescope.
- Creating a scale model of the Solar System. Engage in an interactive activity where your child will create their very own scale model of the Solar System, learning about the vast distances and sizes of planets.
New activities are on the horizon, making Solar Saturday a must-attend event for young space enthusiasts. Don’t miss this opportunity to combine education with excitement—register now for Solar Saturday and watch your child’s curiosity about the cosmos take flight.
Learn more and sign up online.
Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage
Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.
In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit.
The FCPS website has gun safety resources as well as detailed information about safety and security practices at schools. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources.
Safely Store Firearms and Medications
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more.
October Is...
- National School Principals Month
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Disability History and Awareness Month: In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
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National Bullying Prevention Month: October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of bullying, this is the FCPS definition. Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.” For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student.
- Filipino American History Month
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National Custodian Appreciation Day (October 2)
No School October 3, 4 - Rosh Hashanah / Teacher Workday
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.
Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed.
Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students.
Important Dates
Oct 3: No School, Rosh Hashanah
Oct 4: No School for Students, Teacher Work Day
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