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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.
Happy Fall, Braddock Friends & Neighbors –
The days are getting shorter and a chill is sometimes in the air but it is my favorite time of year! I hope you are doing well! I am looking forward to two weekends full of sports and fall plays! Shakespeare seems to be a theme with several schools this year! I was sad to miss “Shakespeare in the Park” but I love the collaboration among schools to bring this event to life. I’ve also loved the focus on nature I’ve seen at several of our schools. I enjoyed learning about the monarch butterfly garden and the vegetable garden at Terra Centre Elementary! The carrot they let me pick from their garden was delicious! (photos below.)
I ate way too many yummy treats at the polls Tuesday - thank you to the Woodson Drama Boosters, the Robinson Quiz Bowl Team, and the Lake Braddock orchestra for my election day fuel! As the daughter of immigrants and the first in my family to vote, I was proud to participate in our democracy by casting my vote on Tuesday! I hope you also voted if you were eligible.
Before we get to more serious matters, here's a couple of fun photos from Terra Centre Elementary School's 2024 Pumpkin Drop - looks like it was a smashing success!
Photos courtesy TCES Principal Rebecca Gidoni.
Front and center for the School Board right now is a deep dive into the topic of grading. The Governance Committee, of which I am a member, has met five times so far on this topic, most recently on Oct. 29. You can find materials from all of those meetings here and archived videos here. The issues I have heard about most frequently from caregivers are the new 70/30 split between summative and formative assignments, whether students should be allowed to have unlimited retakes up to 100% of their grade, and whether we should have one gradebook type. The full School Board will have a work session on this topic at 1 p.m. today (materials here; stream the meeting here). If you have thoughts on grading, please let me know.
Also, you may have heard that the Superintendent has started a Comprehensive Boundary Review project. This will be a long undertaking, and the first of many public engagement opportunities have been scheduled; you can view the list under FCPS News below. There will be many opportunities for public input before any changes are proposed or implemented. Your voice is important in this matter! Please visit the Boundary Project website for more information and to find out about upcoming public engagement opportunities. You can also let me know your thoughts.
Please let me know how I can be of service!
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.
The FCPS Family Resource Center offers a wealth of free resources including webinars and other events. Learn more.
IN THIS ISSUE …
Focus on Braddock
Music & Arts
Neurodiversity News
From the School Board
FCPS News
Out & About
Coming Up
More Stuff Families Should Know
Carter G. Woodson High School Dedicated
Congratulations to the Carter G. Woodson High School community for a vibrant renaming celebration on Oct. 23!
From its inception in 1962, Woodson High School has been a central part of the community. Once the largest public school in Virginia, Woodson has a storied history in Fairfax County, embracing true interdisciplinary learning and regularly placing near the top of state and national school rankings.
Young people find their place, develop a sense of self-identity and belonging, and thrive at Woodson, whether they’re motivated by academics, music and arts, athletics, STEM studies and robotics, language and culture, or something else. Among other features, Woodson also is home to the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, and is one of the County’s most vibrant Comprehensive Service Sites for special education students in Fairfax County. Excellence and Inclusivity have long been hallmarks of Woodson, alongside a strong school spirit and vibrant school community. Many Woodson alumni return to raise their families here, a strong testament to the hard work and dedication of generations of educators, staff, and administrators.
Showing off the new name (left), Carter G. Woodson's portrait (center), and with Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw (right).
It is with an eye toward the future that this community has embraced the example of Carter G. Woodson, and thus his advocacy for inclusivity and education for all. Among other aspects of his legacy, we have Dr. Woodson to thank for Black History Month, the elevation of Black history as a key component in the telling of America’s story, and his many revealing books and scholarly research. He believed in public education – as I do – as a critical building block to position every student to pursue the life they want and deserve.
FCPS' official write-up of this event is here.
Fairview ES Celebrates 125 Amazing Years
Meanwhile, the Fairview Elementary School community held a different kind of celebration on Oct. 31, as students, teachers, staff and caregivers recognized the school’s 125th anniversary.
Reading the School Board's proclamation recognizing Fairview ES with Members Ilryong Moon (at-large) and Sandy Anderson (Springfield District), while Principal Samantha Goldstein looks on.
Here’s something I’ve learned: nothing in our world just exists for 125 years. Many of our country’s most important institutions have been around for far less time than that. The Virginia Department of Education itself was only established in 1918, with the U.S. Department of Education following along just 45 years ago.
Fairview's new banner (left), and showing off the proclamation with Principal Goldstein.
That Fairview Elementary – founded as a one-room schoolhouse in 1899 – has steadily grown from its humble beginnings to the community centerpiece that it is today is a testament to the care and love that has poured both in and out of its walls with the passage of thousands of students, teachers and caregivers.
Here's to 125 more years for the Soaring Falcons! Read the School Board’s proclamation here.
Annandale High Marks 70 Years
I also want to congratulate the Annandale High School community for 70 wonderful years of public education! While physically located in the Mason District, more than one-third of Annandale’s students live in the Braddock District. Congratulations to AHS for providing an excellent education for 70 years! Go Atoms!
Read the School Board proclamation here.
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Annandale High Spanish Teacher Wins FLAVA Award
Congratulations to Lauren Paz Soldan, a Spanish teacher at Annandale High School, who received the David Cox Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA) Award for Excellence in World Language Teaching, K-12! This award is presented annually to a K-12 educator who has demonstrated excellence in world language teaching. The recipient of this award is recognized for their outstanding contributions to language education, their innovative teaching practices, and their commitment to student success in language learning. Lauren next will represent Virginia in the regional World Language Teacher of the Year competition.
FCPS Cares
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 have been recognized this month through FCPS CARES for something wonderful they have done:
- Braddock Elementary School,
- Frost Middle School,
- Kings Park Elementary School,
- Lake Braddock Secondary School, and
- Robinson Secondary School.
Here's an example of recent testimonials, this time about Catherine Howard, a multiple disability teacher at Kings Park Elementary School: "Catherine deserves this note of recognition and admiration for her visible compassion. She is one of our Multiple Disabilities teachers, and I have the privilege to teach music to her little group of kindergarteners. She radiates a calm yet enthusiastic energy, and most importantly, her genuine love for her students is inspiring. The aura of her classroom is welcoming, nurturing, and safe. Catherine shares her kindness and warmth across our entire building. On a daily basis, you’ll see her greet coworkers and students alike with her friendly smile. At Kiss & Ride in the morning, she’s a celebrity among the kids. Everyone in Catherine’s orbit can see her passion (and gift) for teaching and her perseverance during inevitably challenging moments. Her sense of humor always brings light. It’s an honor to witness Catherine love and respect her students for who they are, and celebrate them in every way."
Read the full list of FCPS CARES recognitions here.
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Addressing Hate Speech
Following is a message from Lake Braddock High School Principal Lindsey Kearns regarding recent racist graffiti at the school: “Over the past few weeks, we have sent several communications regarding hate speech incidents at Lake Braddock. We want families to know that we will continue to send messages each time we become aware of incidents involving hate speech or discrimination, in the hopes that families can have conversations about acceptance and welcoming behaviors. We would appreciate your support as we continue to address these issues.”
Such incidents are deeply troubling and clear violations of both the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities document and the law. Please talk with your the young people in your household about how to respond to racism they might encounter at school or anywhere.
Upcoming Performances
Our high schools produce some of the best quality drama performances in NOVA and beyond. Here's what's coming up:
- Lewis High School Lancer Theatre
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Woodson High School Drama, Lear, Nov. 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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Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology Theatre, Antigone, Nov. 21-23
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Fairfax High School’s FX Players, Much Ado About Nothing, Nov. 20-23
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FCPS’ own Cara Fratta has been named 2024 School Psychologist of the Year for her work at the Kilmer Center School.
From Fairfax Times: “'I’m in a unique setting,' said Fratta. 'Kilmer Center is a school solely for students who are receiving special education services.' Disabilities range from orthopedic impairments to “complex disabilities” that impact the way some students experience the environment. Some have hearing or visual impairment. Many have diagnoses like autism spectrum disorder. Some come to school in wheelchairs and must have a nurse with them. 'And we have another group of students who fall into the intellectually disabled range technically, but we also know that there are profound [nontraditional] ways that they are able to figure things out and navigate the world.'”
Congratulations and thank you, Cara! Read the whole article here.
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Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings
I encourage everyone to follow the work of the School Board. All of the following meetings will be open to the public. They also will be streamed live online and archived. Locations, agendas, background materials, and streaming links can be found below.
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Tuesday, Nov. 12
- 10:30 a.m. - Work Session Regarding Budget Forecast
- 1 p.m. - Work Session Regarding Grading Policy 2148
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Thursday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
- Monday, Nov. 18, 4:30 p.m. - Audit Committee
- Tuesday, Nov. 19
- 10 a.m. - Public Engagement Committee
- 3 p.m. - Governance Committee
- Tuesday, Nov. 26, 3 p.m. - Joint Budget Meeting with Board of Supervisors
- Tuesday, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. - All Day Work Session
- Thursday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. - Regular Meeting
- Monday, Dec. 9, 4:30 p.m. - Audit Committee
- Tuesday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. - Public Engagement Committee
How to Follow the Work of the School Board
Oct. 24 Regular Meeting Summary
A summary of the Oct. 24 School Board meeting is available with the agenda and links to corresponding documents. You can also watch the full meeting on YouTube.
Hindu American Heritage Month
I was proud to support - and be mentioned in! - the School Board’s recent proclamation recognizing October as Hindu American Heritage Month. It reads, in part, “Fairfax County is home to a significant Hindu American population, representing diverse ethnic backgrounds from countries all over the world. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with over one billion followers world-wide and millions in the United States. Our nation has greatly benefited from Hindu Americans especially through Vedanta philosophy, Ayurvedic medicine, classical Indian art, dance, music, meditation, yoga and literature.”
Read the full proclamation here.
Boundary Review Update
As the FCPS administration begins the first Comprehensive School Boundary Review in decades, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid has announced the first opportunities for public input. A series of six community meetings has been scheduled with one for each FCPS region. For reference, most students who live in the Braddock District attend schools in Regions 4, 5 and 6.
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Monday, November 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Glasgow Middle School Cafeteria, Region 2.
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Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., Westfield High School Cafeteria, Region 5.
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Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria, Region 4.
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Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria, Region 3.
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Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., Annandale High School Cafeteria, Region 6.
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Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Madison High School Cafeteria, Region 1
I promise to promote opportunities for public input at every stage and urge you to follow this project as it moves forward.
You can also sign up for the Superintendent's new Boundary Review email updates here.
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"State of Our Schools" Event Tells FCPS' Story
FCPS represented itself well at the first annual State of the Schools event hosted Oct. 23 by Educate Fairfax. In the words of Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, "Learning happens best in community, and I’m grateful for your support of our wonderful students and staff! When our schools are strong, our future is strong!
Watch the program and view official photos here.
Families are the Fabric of FCPS - Celebrate National Family Engagement Month
November is National Family Engagement Month! This month reminds us that families are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Over 40 years of research shows that the most effective way to increase student achievement is for families to be actively involved in the education of their children. The importance of family engagement will be highlighted during the month of November as we celebrate and strengthen family-school partnerships together.
Here is just a sampling of highlights from other recent events across the Braddock District! I hope you see you Out & About!
Lear at Woodson High School
With Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid (left) and my trademark playbill selfie (right).
Terra Centre's Get2Green Program
Pulling carrots with Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw after taking the Monarch Pledge!
Touring the beautiful Monarch Gardens, where Terra Centre students learn about sustainability.
Woodson HS Career Day
With my Staff Aide Bill Farrar outside Woodson HS after we spoke with students at Career Day.
IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair
Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School.
The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.
FCPS also partners 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, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
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.
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.
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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