FCHS News & Announcements - 10/21/24


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Important Dates

  • 10/31 - End of 1st Quarter
  • 10/31 - 2-Hr. Early Release
  • 11/1 - Student Holiday
  • 11/4-11/5 - Student Holidays

Useful Links/Information

FCHS Bell Schedule

Schoology

SIS ParentVUE

FCPS School Year Calendar


Attendance Matters!

Starting this week, students can stay after school on Wednesday and Thursday until 4:30 to make up missing assignments. Every three hours a student stays after school, before school, or comes to Saturday school, they will get back one full day missed, preventing or helping them from becoming chronically absent. 

Students need to report to the cafeteria right after dismissal. Mrs. Martin will be supporting on Wednesday and Mrs. Rios on Thursday. We will track those hours in SIS. 

We look forward to working together to close the achievement gaps and chronic absenteeism by getting caught up in your academics. Our goal is the success of all students!


Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 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 age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

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.


FCHS Outstanding Employee Award Nominations

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Falls Church High School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category).

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.

Outstanding Teacher  

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category

Outstanding Principal

Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)

Outstanding School-Based Leader 

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):

Common positions in this category: Assistant Principals, Academy Administrator, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership

Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, System of Support Advisor (SOSA), Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school

Outstanding Operational Employee

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)  

The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, November 11 at 11:59 PM.

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Naanou at panaanou@fcps.edu


No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High school students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Our contact information is on this webpage.

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.


From the College & Career Center

Paying for College: The Financial Aid Process

Are you interested in learning more about the college financial aid process works? Where to find scholarships? FAFSA details & deadlines? Then plan to attend this event on Thursday, October 24.  

Thursday, October 24, 7– 9:00 pm FCHS Lecture Hall, College Access Fairfax will present, “Paying for College: The Financial Aid Process. College Access Fairfax will also provide tips on the scholarship search and how to make sense of college financial aid packages. Parents and students in ALL grades are invited. It’s never too early to start planning! College Access Fairfax is a non-profit, FCPS Partner Organization. FCHS College & Career Specialist, Terri Markwart, will also be available to answer questions.

 *Lecture Hall is located near the back of the building; please enter via Door #7.

**Spanish interpretation will be available.

VCAW-Virginia College Application Week 2024- October 21-25

Are you planning to apply to a Virginia college and would like to apply for free?

Need some last minute help with your application and/or essay in order to apply by November 1st ?

  • FCHS students will be eligible to receive application fee waivers for most Virginia public and private institutions (as well as a few select out of state schools) during VCAW 2024!
  • There will also be LOTS of opportunities to receive assistance with your application before applying by the Early Action deadline- November 1 for most schools. Check out the attached calendar for more details!

Email Ms. Markwart with questions tmarkwart@fcps.edu   


Prepare for Your Student’s Future at College Fair and Postsecondary Nights

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. Learn more about the College Fair and postsecondary virtual event.


Fairfax County Youth Survey on Physical and Mental Well-Being

The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The survey is given each fall to all students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. It provides information about a variety of topics related to our students that influence their physical and mental well-being, from sleep and nutritional habits to substance abuse behaviors, symptoms of depression, and suicidal thoughts. 

The 2024 Fairfax County Youth Survey will be taken by students between Tuesday, November 12, and Friday, November 22. Parents/caregivers will hear about plans to administer the survey from their child's school. They will also be able to opt their student out participating in the survey.

Visit the Fairfax County Youth Survey webpage for more information, and to review the opt-out forms and translations of the parent letter.

✨ Providing students with access to the necessary emotional, behavioral, mental, and physical health services to support their successful engagement in school is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.


Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.


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Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation

All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass. Complete the application and return it to your school office. 

Additionally, students at Justice, Annandale, Falls Church, and Marshall high schools, and Davis Center can ride Metrobus for free. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes. Complete the application and return it to your school office. 

Children 12 and younger ride for free on the Fairfax Connector with a paying adult.


From the FCHS Spotlight Theatre Company

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH is about a little boy named Milo who wants to be anywhere than where he is at any given time.  He is bored with most things until a Phantom Tollbooth appears in his room.  With the help of his friends Humbug and Tock, he sets out to do the impossible and learns that knowledge about language and math can transport anyone into a world of imagination!  It’s a fun play for children of all ages.

We will be performing at the following locations and times for the community:

  • November 18, 7PM at Westlawn Elementary School (3200 Westley Road)
  • November 20, 7PM at Fairhill Elementary School (3001 Chichester Lane)
  • November 22 & 23, 7PM at Falls Church High School (Blackbox Theatre Lobby)
  • December 4, 7PM at Woodburn Elementary School (3401 Hemlock Drive)
  • December 6 & 7, 7PM at Friendship United Methodist Church (3527 Gallows Road)

In addition to these performances, we will be performing for our elementary school student friends during the day the three times we are at their school.

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PTSA Particulars

The Falls Church HS PTSA supports the entire FCHS community and encourages everyone to be involved. Visit our website to learn more.

  1. Become a member today
  2. Join our active private Facebook group
  3. Read the weekly JagMail emails we send using FCPS News You Choose
  4. Become a Red Bag Donor to support our food pantry work

Questions or ideas? Please reach out.


FCPS Cares

FCPS Cares

Do you know a Falls Church HS or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.


Falls Church Pyramid