Upcoming Events November 11: No School, Veteran's Day November 27-29: Thanksgiving Holiday, No School November 20-23: FX Players Presents: Much Ado About Nothing December 5: Orchestra Pyramid Concert, 7pm December 6: NOVA Wrestling Classic, all day December 10: Winter Band Concert, 7pm December 12: Academy MTAS Cabaret, 7pm December 13: FX Players CollaBRRRet, 6:30pm December 23 - Jan 3: FCPS Winter Break, All Schools Closed

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Thank you, Veterans

American Legion Post 177 Commander, Eric Parkhurst, and American Legion member, Jim Rice, visited our students to speak about Veteran's Day and relay their personal experiences. We appreciated their time and dedication to our students! 

November 8, 2024

Happy Friday Fairfax Families and Friends,

We were so excited to kick off the week welcoming in our families for our ROAR Round Up.  There were many robust conversations about supporting student success in collaboration with teacher partnership. Together WE WIN! 

Yesterday ,we invited our barnyard friends for some Quarter 2 fun. Hugging a hare and loving an alpaca are always fun ways to spend lunch with friends and faculty.  We continue to keep SEL a focus here. 

Today, we celebrated Veteran's Day.  It was a delight to see the flag display in front of the school and also recognize our veteran teachers and family with military members who are serving. We also hosted a few guest speakers to share their experiences with students. 

Fairfax is excited to be one of three pilot schools for AP Seminar 10 and AP Human Geography. As we have concluded Quarter 1, students and teachers have shared the excitement around these advanced course work opportunities.

Please enjoy your weekend and your Monday. 

Included in this issue:

Student Spotlight

• HBCU Fair
• AP Seminar
• Field Hockey Champs!

School Spotlight

• Fairfax HS Top Ten Highlights

Calendar Reminders:

• Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, School Holiday
• National School Psychology Week, Nov. 11-15
• Principal's Coffee, Friday, Nov. 15, 7:30am in the Career Center

Fairfax Lions Need to Know:

• Please Nominate our Outstanding Employees
• No Saturday School Nov. 16.
• Underclass Picture Retakes, Nov. 14 & 15
• Boundary Review Meetings Start this Month

Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:

• Student Services Updates
• IEP Palooza & Community Resource Fair
• Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students
• Tutoring Resources for Families
• District News: In Case You Missed It
• Quick Links

Fairfax HS PTSA

• Support the Class of 2025!
• Join the PTSA or Donate Today
• No-Fuss Fundraiser

Student Spotlight

HBCU Fair @ Edison HS

Our students had a fantastic experience attending the HBCU Fair at Edison High School. They found it both inspiring and educational, as it provided valuable insights into the rich opportunities available at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The trip sparked genuine excitement, allowing students to connect with admissions representatives, learn about academic programs, and gain a deeper appreciation for HBCU communities. 

AP Seminar Pilot Classes

This week we celebrated our AP Seminar English 10 pilot classes. These students are the first students in FCPS to ever take this class, and they are rocking their new class shirts with FHS pride!

Field Hockey Team Region Champs!!

Congratulations to our Region Championship Field Hockey team on their amazing 3-0 victory over Woodson HS. The team will host the quarterfinals of the VHSL State Tournament on Tuesday, November 12^th at 6pm verse Cosby HS from the Richmond area.

Our Boy's Volleyball team in their inaugural season defeated Westfield HS 3-2 in an exciting quarterfinals match and will now advance to the Super Region Tournament Semi-Finals. The team will travel to Oakton HS where the Lions will take on the Oakton Cougars on Monday, November 11th at 6pm. Good luck to both field hockey and volleyball as they advance in the post-season.

School Spotlight

Fairfax High School Top Ten Highlights

Fairfax High School is a busy place! Full of strong and diverse programs for our students and community. Here is our Top Ten Highlights of all things FAIRFAX!

1. Gold Honor Roll: FHS has earned this rating from College Board
2. Purple Star School: FHS was awarded the Virginia Distinguished First Time Purple Star School Award
3. Restorative Practice School: FHS is a Restorative Practice School with over 50 trained teachers and staff offering restorative justice education. 
4. Access and Opportunity: FHS has increased AP, DE, and Honors enrollment by 2000 course enrollees.
5. Specialized Academic Programming: FHS offers specialized programming such as Geospatial Analysis Dual-Enrolled class with JMU; CTE offers marking, business and IT classes; the AVID College Readiness Program provides support for college entry and success.
6. Fairfax Academy for Communication & the Arts: This program offers artistic and industry coursework in three pathways - Arts, World Languages, and Career & Technical Education.  
7. Positive Behavior Incentive System (PBIS): FHS has been nominated for National Recognition in our efforts to build strong culture, behavorial expectations, and community. 
8. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: FHS proudly represents students from over 62 countries. We host a Student Equity Stakeholder group, Student Equity Ambassador program, and active site-based equity team. 
9. Innovation: FHS recently updated our TV studio, athletic fields, concessions, library maker space areas, and Academy learning environments.
10. Blue Ribbon Music School: FHS celebrates our top tier Band, Orchestra and Chorus programs, who continue to create and innovate every day.

Thank you for all your support! We are Proud to be LIONS!!

🗓️Calendar Reminders

Veteran's Day, National School Psychology Week

Veterans Day is a great reason to pause, reflect and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day. 

See the complete school year calendar.

National School Psychology Week, Nov. 11-15

Nov. 11-15 we celebrate the important work school psychologists do to help all students thrive. FHS School Psychologist, Sharyn Hunt, works tireless for our students needs every day! Thank you, Ms. Hunt, for all you do behinds the scenes, to help make FHS a safe space for our community. We appreciate you!

Learn more from the National Association of School Psychologists. 

Next Principal's Coffee, Fri., Nov. 15 @ 7:30am

Please join us for the next Principal's Coffee, on Friday, Nov. 15th at 7:30am. NEW Location: the College & Career Center. See you there!

Fairfax Lions Need to Know:

Time to Nominate our Outstanding Employees!

Do you have 5-10 minutes to tell someone at Fairfax High School how outstanding they are?

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Fairfax High School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the Google form linked in each title. 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 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 and Associate Principals, 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, 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 Friday, November 15, 2024. 

Questions, please contact the Principal's Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Cate, at 703-219-2223 or vmcate@fcps.edu. Thank you!

Yes, Saturday School Nov. 9, but NOT on Nov. 16

PLEASE NOTE: Yes, there WILL be Saturday School tomorrow, Nov. 9 but NOT on November 16.

📸 Underclass Picture Retakes, Nov. 14 & 15

Underclass Makeups and retakes are scheduled for November 14-15 in the MPR. Students will be permitted to drop by anytime during the day when they have free time or when a teacher permits them to leave for a moment.

Families can access student photos by contacting our photography provider, Legacy Studios, by visiting LegacyStudios.com or calling 716-512-6336. They can be reached by email at customercare@legacystudios.com.  

Seniors have one last chance to schedule a session coming up. The last dates will be at the beginning of December and can be booked by going to Fairfax Senior Scheduling.

📍Boundary Review Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

Fairfax Lions Nice to Know: 

Student Services Updates

Wellness Screening

This school year on Monday, November 18 - Wednesday, November 20 (Grades 9) AND December 4,6,10 (Grades 11), school staff are working to teach 9^th and 11^th grade students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help. SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts. We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. You can also view this parent video  or visit this site to learn more.  If you would like to opt your child out of this lesson, please complete this opt out google form https://forms.gle/8fVtDu2biehm8MGf9 

Academic Advising Dates

January 7/8 – Academic Emphasis

January 9 – Curriculum Fair

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Test Opportunity

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 @ 8:30 am – Fairfax High School Multi-purpose Room (C105)

What is the ASVAB?

The ASVAB, or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, is a free career exploration program that helps students identify their strengths and explore potential career paths. The ASVAB is used as an entrance exam for the military but it’s more than just a military test – it's a valuable tool for anyone planning their future!

How can the ASVAB help me?

1. Identify your skills: The ASVAB assesses your abilities in math, science, verbal skills, and mechanical comprehension, helping you understand your strengths.
2. Explore career options: Receive personalized career suggestions based on your ASVAB results and learn about different career paths and educational opportunities.
3. Plan your future: Whether you're considering college, trade school, or entering the workforce, the ASVAB provides resources to help you.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors can take the ASVAB for FREE at FHS!

The ASVAB will be administered at FHS on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 8:30 am.  Please plan to arrive to the MPR by 8:15 am!  The test will take approximately 3 hours. 

Registration is required!  Interested students must complete this Google Registration Form using their fcpsschools.net/FCPS Google Accounts by Monday, December 2, 2024 @ 3:00 pm:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3so1F8Er0mt1tqJLzYx2MbnrjLVF6-sA8VRmP2bPgO9LGHQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

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. 

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

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.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

District News - In Case You Missed It

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week - October 30, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Fall Testing Results
• Boundary Review Community Meetings
• Resources for Families 

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  

Quick Links

• Fairfax HS Academy
• Educate Fairfax 
• FCPS Family Academy
• Family Resource Center
• FCPS CARES
• FCPS News
• Job Openings
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

throughout the year:

• Visit the Fairfax High School Website
• Sign up for News You Choose messages or update your account
• Visit the Fairfax PTSA Website

Fairfax HS PTSA

Table of Contents:

• Next PTSA Newsletter on Nov. 12
• Support the Class of 2025!
• Join the PTSA or Donate Today
• No-Fuss Fundraiser

🎓 Support the Class of 2025!

The Class of ‘25 is thrilled to host our All Night Grad (ANG) Celebration at Launch Family Entertainment in Herndon! ANG is an unforgettable, FUN, drug and alcohol free event designed to keep our students safe the night of graduation. This NEW venue includes a full trampoline park with challenge courses, dodgeball, tumble tracks and basketball! Graduates love betting it all in the casino and hanging with their friends in the chill lounge. PLUS Launch has a full arcade we’d like to include IF we can raise the money! 

How can I help?

The All Night Grad (ANG ‘25) committee is working concessions 11/16 - 11/17 at the Fairfax City Holiday Craft Show at Fairfax High School. All the proceeds for concessions benefit the Senior Class ANG celebration to be held the night of graduation. This is our first fundraiser and a GREAT way to defray the cost of the event and keep ANG ticket prices low. The Craft Show is also a great place to shop for unique gifts before or after your shift ;) 

BUT we need assistance - we need lots of parents and students to pull this off! (Junior parents are highly encouraged to assist since you will be running the event next year!)

All students can get volunteer hours for their support, plus it's a lot of fun for our Seniors! Volunteers also receive FREE entry to the craft fair to shop before or after their shift, a $10 savings!!

There are 3 ways to help:

• Sign up for a volunteer slot here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0F4EA9A62FA7F58-52105699-concessions
• Sign up to drop off donated food/products here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0F4EA9A62FA7F58-52105646-concessions
• If you can't do either of those, you can make a monetary donation to ANG here: https://fairfaxhs.givebacks.com/store/items/1101260

Thank you for supporting the Class of 2025 and keeping our kids safe as they celebrate on graduation night!

JOIN OR DONATE TODAY!

JOIN the PTSA to support our FHS teachers, students and community!  Your member dues and donations work to fund all of our activities and programs, help keep you engaged and informed about what is happening in our school community and provide opportunities to get involved if your time permits.    Parent/Adult: $20, Teacher/Staff: $12, FHS Student: $8.

PTSA No Fuss Fundraiser - Donate Today!

Support our FHS Students and Teachers with your generous donations! Our No-Fuss Fundraiser has a goal of  $2200 to fully fund the  proposed 24-25 PTSA budget.  The Parent, Teacher, Student Association supports FHS students and teachers through financing events and supporting wellness, diversity, and volunteerism. The PTSA rewards academic achievement, offers student scholarships, funds classroom grants, puts on teacher appreciation events, and supports the FHS Food Bank.

We rely entirely on membership dues and donations to fund the PTSA budget, and as a 501(c)3, your donation is tax-deductible. For details on how the funds are spent, see the proposed budget HERE.  Tap or Click on the QR code to donate, or visit the donation page. Thank you!

Do you want to celebrate a Fairfax employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way? Or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.

3501 Lion Run Fairfax, VA 22030  | Main Office: 703-219-2200

Attendance: 703-219-2211| Web