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Upcoming Events
November 16-17: Craft Fair @ FHS; entry fee
November 20-23: FX Players Presents: Much Ado About Nothing
November 27-29: Thanksgiving Holiday, No School
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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November 15, 2024
Happy Friday Fairfax Family and Friends,
I always enjoy the month of November. The weather is crisper, the trees are now bare, and we move into an exciting season of fall sports playoffs and exciting artistic productions. Tonight, the football team will host our Round 1 regional contest at home. The evening kicks off with a FALL FESTIVAL and bonfire. Can it get any s'more awesome? YES IT CAN! We just led a spirited send off for our girl's field hockey team as they head into the state semi-final tonight in Virginia Beach. GOOD LUCK LIONS! Our Fairfax Players are rehearsing around the clock to prepare for the opening night of Much Ado About Nothing. You won't want to miss this curtain call.
Next week, November 18-22 is American Education Week. We will recognize all of our educators and support professionals in a variety of ways. We want to extend recognition to each PAWSome staff member who works to make Fairfax High School an amazing space. We will also host our Thanksgiving staff and student meal, and we will recognize our Quarter 1 Honor Roll Recipients.
In this season of gratitude, I want to say "thank you" to our kind, committed, talented, and dedicated students, parents, and community members. People are always the key ingredient to a great community.
Always in partnership and collaboration,
Included in this issue:
Student Spotlight
School Spotlight
- Fairfax HS is a Purple Star School!
Calendar Reminders:
- American Education Week, Nov 18-22
- National Family Engagement Day, Nov 21
- Holiday Craft Show this weekend
- NO Saturday School, Nov. 16
Fairfax Lions Need to Know:
- Please Nominate our Outstanding Employees
- Boundary Review Meetings
- Student Services Updates & Deadlines
- National Honor Society Applications Due!
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
- FXPlayers Presents: Much Ado About Nothing
- Senior Ads & Senior Portrait Info
- IEP Palooza & Community Resource Fair, Sat., Nov 16
- District News: In Case You Missed It
- Quick Links
Fairfax HS PTSA
- ArtScreen Documentary, Nov. 15, 7pm @ Sherwood Center
- Support the Class of 2025!
- Join the PTSA or Donate Today
FCCLA College Day @ GMU
Fairfax HS, Madison HS, and South County HS Family, Career and Community, Leaders of America (FCCLA) members attended FCCLA College Day at GMU. Students learned about Family & Consumer Sciences related majors at GMU, participated in a campus scavenger hunt, and gained leadership skills through FCCLA activities.
Fairfax HS is a Purple Star School! 💜⭐ 🏫
 Fairfax High School was recognized at the School Board meeting this week for becoming a First Time Virginia Distinguished Purple Star School! This is a state initiative to help make our schools a welcoming and supportive place for our military-connected students and families. The program aims to reduce the challenges that military-connected student face, such as frequent school moves, and support during deployments. We are proud and honored to achieve this recognition!
Virginia DOE Purple Star Schools 2024
 Photo Courtesy of City of Fairfax Schools Superintendent
🗓️Calendar Reminders
American Education Week, Nov. 18-22
For American Education Week we celebrate ALL who work in our Fairfax High School community: our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, support staff, teachers, leadership and more! Learn more from the National Education Association. Want to recognize someone from our school who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS Cares.
See the complete school year calendar.
National Family Engagement Day, Nov. 21
This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. National Family Engagement Day is Nov. 21st.
FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.
Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact FHS Family Liaisons, Ana Bauserman (Spanish), adbauserman@fcps.edu, or Hala Shafik (Arabic), hshafik@fcps.edu. You can visit the FCPS website for a list of region representatives.
City of Fairfax Parks & Rec Dept. presents the 38th Annual Holiday Craft Show
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November 16th, 10 AM - 5 PM
November 17th, 10 AM - 3 PM
Fairfax High School
3501 Lion Run
Fairfax, VA 22030
$5 - Daily Admission Pass
$8 - Two-day Admission Pass
Free - 18 and Under
More info here: Holiday Craft Show
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NO Saturday School Nov. 16
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PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the Craft Show, there will be NO Saturday School tomorrow, November 16.
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LAST DAY to Nominate!
If you haven't already - please take a moment to nominate our Outstanding Staff! It only takes a few minutes but means so much!
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!
📍Boundary Review Community Meeting
Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on
Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Westfield High School Cafeteria.
Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available.
If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.
Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.
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 9th and 11th 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?
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Identify your skills: The ASVAB assesses your abilities in math, science, verbal skills, and mechanical comprehension, helping you understand your strengths.
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Explore career options: Receive personalized career suggestions based on your ASVAB results and learn about different career paths and educational opportunities.
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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
National Honor Society Applications Due!
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 were invited to join the National Honor Society (NHS). Eligible students received applications directly to their school email on Wednesday, October 9 from Ms. Bastien. Please be sure to remind your students that they can apply, and the deadline has been extended to Thursday, November 21 by 3pm.
Fairfax Lions Nice to Know:
📖 Senior Ads & 📸 Senior Portrait info!
Senior Ads!
Families of Seniors, the deadline for senior ads to be submitted for publication in this year’s yearbook, Fairfax High School’s 90th yearbook, is quickly approaching. All senior ads must be submitted and paid for by Nov 30th. We have plenty of room left and would love to have the chance to honor your senior with a page in a book that will last for decades (seriously, we have books from 1936 in the yearbook archive).
To order, navigate to https://prod.yboc.varsity.com/product/yearbook_ads. There are many sizes available to choose from. If prompted for a school code, enter 5671. You will be able to design and upload your tribute yourself and we will do the rest! If you have any questions, reach out to Mr. David Greene via email, dtgreene@fcps.edu, or call at 703.219.2265.
Congratulations to the families of the class of 2025; it’s in no small part due to you that your students are about to sail across the finish line!
Senior Portraits!
Seniors! The last dates to have your senior portraits taken (and the last day to get your picture in the yearbook) will be December 3, 4, 5, & 6. Appointments are available after school from 3pm-8pm. If you miss this opportunity, your last resort will be to travel to our photo partner’s studio in Annapolis to have your photos taken; there will be no more on-site sittings available at the school.
To book your appointment, go to https://seniors.legacystudios.com/fairfax-hs-va/ There are several different options available to you depending on how many outfits you would like to wear in your photos and each sitting has a different fee depending on the time you will be with the photographer. The only photo included in the yearbook is the formal photo and if you are only interested in appearing in the yearbook and have no other outfit changes, the sitting will be free.
Formal wear in the form of a drape or tux will be provided by the photographers as will caps and gowns if you choose a package that includes those photos. If neither the drape nor tux feels appropriate to you, you are welcome to provide your own formal attire, though we request that you wear all-black (such as a black turtleneck, button down, or dress) so that the senior section of the yearbook appears uniform.
If you have any questions, reach out to Mr. David Greene via email, dtgreene@fcps.edu, or call at 703.219.2265.
FX Players Presents: Much Ado About Nothing
The FX Players presents William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, Nov. 20-23, in the FHS Auditorium. One of Shakespeare’s most frequently performed comedies, Much Ado includes two quite different stories of romantic love. Hero and Claudio fall in love almost at first sight, but an outsider, Don John, strikes out at their happiness. Beatrice and Benedick are kept apart by pride and mutual antagonism until others decide to play Cupid.
Performances are Nov 20-23 @ 7pm, with a matinee @ 2pm on Nov. 23.
TICKETS already on sale! See you there!
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.
District News - In Case You Missed It
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week - November 13, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Veterans Day Recognitions
- Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, Community Leadership
- Teacher Hiring Event
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
throughout the year:
Fairfax HS PTSA
Table of Contents:
- Fairfax City ArtScreen, Nov. 15, 7pm @ Sherwood Center
- Support the Class of 2025!
- Join the PTSA or Donate Today
ArtScreen, Nov 15, 7pm @ Sherwood
ArtScreen is a FREE film series celebrating the Arts on Friday Nights in the City of Fairfax. The next offering is the documentary "Tim's Vermeer," tonight, Friday, Nov. 15th, at 7pm at the Sherwood Center. This event is FREE! Door's open at 6:30pm, film starts at 7pm.
Learn more about the cultural arts in the City of Fairfax:
https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/cultural-arts.
🎓 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? 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!
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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.
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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. |
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