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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.
Hi Braddock friends and neighbors!
It’s pumpkin time!! Also, marching band, Friday night lights, fall plays and musicals, a chill in the air and pumpkin everywhere! In case you can’t tell, it is my favorite time of year! I hope you and your loved ones have been enjoying the season to date.
I want to start this e-newsletter edition talking about one of the most important topics I could think of: the mental and physical well-being of Fairfax County’s young people.
The 2023 Fairfax County Youth Survey results are out, and, as always, there’s good news and some not so great news. On the upside …
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Mental health indicators are improving, as the number of 8th, 10th and 12th graders who reported feeling so sad or hopeless that they stopped engaging in regular activity for two weeks or more dropped to 25% from 29% in 2022, and from its peak at 39% during the pandemic. Rates of having thoughts about suicide or acting upon them also continue to decline.
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Substance use is at its lowest in a decade for most substances, including alcohol, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, vaping, non-medical use of painkillers, non-medical use of other prescription drugs, non-medical over the counter drugs, methamphetamine and heroin.
On the downside, more students reported experiencing bullying, as about 10 percent of 8th, 10th and 12th grade students reported having been bullied on school property in the past year. The 2023 rate for having been bullied rose slightly from 9 percent in 2021, which was the lowest rate reported since 2016.
This important survey has been jointly sponsored by the County Board of Supervisors and School Board since 2001. I urge you to read this year’s full report and talk with the young people in your household about these critical issues. More good news is that most students reported feeling safe at home and school, so do your best to keep lines of communication open and honest.
Thanks for all you do to support our wonderful FCPS schools. If I can be of any support to you, please let me know.
Very truly yours,
Yours very truly,
Rachna Sizemore Heizer
Braddock District School Board Member
Have something nice to say about an FCPS teacher or other staff? Share it with FCPS CARES.
Outdoor Classrooms Update
The Board approved contracts at its Sept. 26 meeting for the construction of new outdoor classrooms for 22 schools, including several in the Braddock District or attended by Braddock students. They are:
- Irving Middle School,
- Katherine Johnson Middle School,
- Lake Braddock Secondary School, and
- West Springfield High School.
Outdoor learning has proven to offer many benefits to students, including increased engagement, decreased anxiety, connecting with the environment, improved physical health, greater hands-on learning opportunities, and more.
I am proud to support the outdoor learning movement!
Congrats to National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
Congratulations to students from the Braddock District who are among the 191 students from 19 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) named as semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2025!
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.
Following are students who live in the Braddock District named as semifinalists:
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October FCPS Cares Recognitions
The FCPS CARES Program allows parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. Staff and teachers at the following Braddock District schools are being recognized in October through FCPS CARES for something wonderful they have done:
- Lake Braddock Secondary School.
"The custodial team helps to keep this school clean, and I really appreciate that. Without them, our school would be a complete mess. The custodial staff is always helping and cleaning up after us." - Lake Braddock Secondary student
Read all the current commendations, or nominate someone who's made a difference.
Thanks to all FCPS employees for everything you do!
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Appointment Alert: Social Studies Instructional Resource Review Committee
The School Board has created a new Social Studies Instructional Resource Review Committee (IRRC) to review potential K-12 social studies resources as part of the basal resource (e.g. textbooks, online materials) adoption process. As each School Board Member will have one appointee to this committee, I am seeking volunteers who would be interested in helping with this important work.
The process will include a 30-day public review period and a deep review by the committee, made up of representatives from a variety of stakeholder groups - teachers, administrators, and community members. The process may lead to identified social studies resources (e.g. textbooks, digital materials) for some or all grade levels and courses in school year 2025-2026.
The review process is constructed to ensure:
- Resources align with Virginia Standards of Learning and FCPS Learning Model,
- Resources meet the educational needs of a variety of learners,
- Resources reflect culturally responsive curriculum and pedagogy,
- Students gain equitable access to high-quality, dynamic resources, and
- Input from multiple stakeholder groups is collected and valued.
IRRC 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 located in Falls Church.
- Oct. 29, 8 a.m-4:30 p.m.
- Nov. 6, 3:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
- Nov. 13, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Participation on the committee requires the following:
- Attendance at all meetings,
- Review of submitted resource materials,
- Email communication, and
- Confidentiality of information reviewed and recommendations made.
If you are interested in serving on the Social Studies Instructional Resource Review Committee, please send an email by Oct. 10 stating your reasons for wanting to serve.
Fall Theatre Season is Almost Here
Mark your calendars - first theater productions at most high schools are already scheduled! Following are upcoming fall show titles, with box office links and show dates where available, for shows at schools attended by students who live in the Braddock District:
- Lewis High School Lancer Theatre
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Hall of Horrors, Oct. 24
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Puffs, Nov. 21-24
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Woodson High School Drama, Lear, Nov. 8, 9, 15 &16.
- Annandale High School’s Annandale Theatre Company, Peter Pan & Wendy, Nov. 15 & 16.
- Robinson Secondary School’s RAMbunctious Theatre Company, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, opens Nov. 15.
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Lake Braddock Secondary Scchool Lake Braddock Theatre, Alice in Wonderland, Oct. 17-19.
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Fairfax High School’s FX Players, Much Ado About Nothing, dates TBA.
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Fine-tuning learning spaces for neurodiverse students
I’ve been saying this for years: school systems (and society) need to stop expecting neurodiverse students to adapt to them, and start finding ways to adapt to the unique learning needs of every student.
From eSchool News: “Every student is different–but not all learning environments are designed to meet the needs of neurodiverse learners. As schools seek to ensure all students learn to their fullest potential, a new guide explores ideas and strategies for creating inclusive learning spaces.
“While there are neurodiverse students in every school in the country, many learning environments are not designed to address their unique gifts and needs.”
Read more here.
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Make an Impact: Become a Special Education Teacher
FCPS needs you!
Virtual information sessions for those considering becoming a special education teacher are held on the second Thursday of every month. The next session will be Thursday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. Click the date to register. Learn more about career possibilities in special education.
Budget Season is Already Here
While the FCPS budget usually makes the news in the spring once a full proposal has been presented to the School Board, the reality is that administrative staff and the School Board start working on the next budget as soon as the last one is approved.
Our first work session on the budget is scheduled for Nov. 12. You may recall that last year’s fiscal situation was difficult, and we were unable to secure funding for the full 6 percent raise for all FCPS employees that was originally proposed. This year’s forecast appears even more severe, and so we are beginning the hard work of prioritizing needs and identifying funding sources.
I am privileged to serve as a member of the Budget Committee this year, and will do my best to represent the interests of the Braddock District as well as supporting the bigger picture of all of FCPS. Please let me know what you think FCPS should prioritize next year.
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Grading Discussion Continues
The School Board’s Governance Committee, of which I am a member, held a work session on Oct. 1 to continue sorting through the difficult topic of grading. As previously mentioned, grading across the school system is inconsistent at best - from teacher to teacher, class to class, department to department, and school to school. Our students deserve to know they are being graded fairly for their hard work and competitively against their peers. Documents related to this topic can be found here, and the Governance Committee will meet again to discuss grading on 15, so stay tuned.
Upcoming Board & Committee Meetings
The following meetings are open to the public, and can also be streamed live on YouTube or Channel 99.
- Tuesday, Oct. 8, 10:30 a.m. - School Board Work Session on Strategic Plan Goal 1 Report and Boundary Review
- Thursday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
- Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3 p.m. - Governance Committee
- Thursday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. - Comprehensive Planning & Development Committee
- Thursday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
- Monday, Oct. 28, 4:30 p.m. - Audit Committee
- Thursday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
- Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3 p.m. - Governance Committee
- Thursday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. - Comprehensive Planning & Development Committee
- Thursday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
- Monday, Oct. 28, 4:30 p.m. - Audit Committee
- Tuesday, Oct. 29, 3 p.m. - Governance Committee
Agendas & Materials | Watch Meetings Live | Meeting Video Archive
All Fairfax County Public Schools Accredited
FCPS is proud to have all Fairfax County public schools accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.
The system has 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.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access to Opportunities
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
The fourth goal ensures all students have the same access to opportunities, no matter what school they attend. This includes academics and other programs that inspire and engage students and allow them to explore their passions and talents. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.
Help Your Student Prepare for the Future at College Fair and Postsecondary Nights
The annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Approximately 220 colleges and universities will be represented, including two- and four-year schools and U.S. Service Academies.
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 be better prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey. Learn more about the college fair and postsecondary virtual event.
Walk and Roll to School Day
FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 9, to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.
Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where safe to do so. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to accompany their children to school and to work with their school and PTA or PTO to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event.
Schools are encouraged to register online with Walk and Bike to School. Get more information about Walk to School Day.
Upcoming Immunization Clinics
Does your child need school-required immunizations? If so, please check out the options below.
- Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
- Safeway Pharmacy will provide immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:
- Tuesday, Oct. 8, 3-7 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 28, 3-7 p.m.
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 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Elementary School Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.
Middle and High School Clinics
FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.
Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.
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 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.
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.
© 2024 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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