- November 25/26 No After-School Program
- November 27 - 29 Thanksgiving Holiday
- December 6 Make-up Picture Day
- December 6 Orchestra Winter Concert
- December 6 - 13 Book Fair
- December 9 Chorus Winter Concert
- December 11 Band Winter Concert
- December 16 - 19 No After-School Program
- December 22 - January 3 Winter Holiday
PTA Meeting - Tuesday, November 19
Please join the PTA for a General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, November 19 at 7pm. This meeting will be held virtually. Please use this link to register in advance and then join on Tuesday evening. We hope you can join us!
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5115c039-83aa-43c6-8a55-e4299eb83f65@6b0e79e7-bceb-43da-a6f4-b13167c2bc4f
8th Grade Civics Class - Citizenship and Naturalization
Civics students will soon be learning about Citizenship and Naturalization. We will be holding a panel discussion on Tues. Nov. 26 and Mon. Dec. 2 with naturalized citizens sharing their experiences with immigration & naturalization. Each speaker will have about 15 minutes to share. Your student's teacher will provide an optional PowerPoint presentation template to use while speaking. If you or someone you know might be available, sign up with the link! Speakers are welcome to sign up for more than one time slot, if desired. https://tinyurl.com/2y2zfcst
Library Fall 2024 BOOK FAIR - Volunteers Needed!
From December 6th to December 13th, the Frost Library will host its first book fair of the year! The Book Fair will be open during the school day from 7:15 am-2:30 pm. Book Fair proceeds directly support Frost’s library and it’s a great opportunity to visit our beautifully renovated space! Cash, check and credit cards will be accepted, but to avoid students carrying cash, please consider setting up a Bookworm Central eWallet or using other cashless payments (ApplePay, GooglePay). The eWallet allows parents to set a spending limit for their student, but only the exact amount of the sale is charged. Click here to set up an eWallet account for yourself and your student.
Volunteers needed!! The library will need help setting up the fair, cashiering throughout the fair, and assistance with takedown. Volunteers (and their students) also get 20% off any purchases!
Sign-up to volunteer for the Book Fair HERE!
Questions? Contact Jenn Ros, PTA Book Fair Chairperson, at jennifer.m.ros@gmail.com or Dawn Alexander, Frost Librarian, at dlalexander@fcps.edu
Frozen Jr. Tickets on Sale Now!
Frost Drama will be presenting Frozen Jr. on February 7 and 8, 2025 and tickets are on sale now. Go to this link: https://etix.com/ticket/v/15646.
More details about performances will be coming in the new year! Questions? Please email Jack Lockrem at jplockrem@fcps.edu.
IEP Palooza and Community Resource FairParents/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.
The Family Resource Center (FRC) will host two webinars geared towards teens. Please join us:
November 16, 10-11:30am - Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence.
November 22, 10-11:30am - Starting the Conversation About Drugs.
**Even if you cannot participate in the live webinar, if you register in advance, you will receive a recording of the presentation.**
The Children’s Safety Network (CSN) is addressing suicide prevention and bullying awareness in the upcoming webinar on youth data for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or another non-heterosexual identity (LGBTQ+). LGBTQ+ youth experience persistent disparities. Please join the Children’s Safety Network on Wednesday, November 20th from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET to learn more about LGBTQ+ Youth Data from YRBS and the Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, specifically focusing on suicide and self-harm prevention and bullying prevention. Register here.
Free COVID-19 Tests
This season, every household is eligible for four free COVID-19 tests. Follow this link to order yours today!
COVID-19 Tests
Community Resource Available:
The application period for Fuel Assistance 2025 begins today and will end on November 8th. This year, the State pre-approved selected households for Fuel Assistance. If a client was pre-approved, there is no need for them to submit an additional application.
Applications for Energy Assistance are accepted in the following ways:
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Online: commonhelp.virginia.gov
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By phone: Enterprise Customer Service Center (833) 522-5582
- Paper applications are attached to this email or a copy can be requested by calling 703-324-7500.
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By mail: Completed applications can be mailed to: DFS Energy Assistance, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 232, Fairfax, VA 22035
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By Dropbox: Completed application can be placed in a dropbox at one of the DFS human service building locations
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By fax: Completed applications can be faxed to (703) 653-1355
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By email: Completed applications can be sent to DFSMycase@fairfaxcounty.gov
Fall Picture Day Pictures
Pictures were distributed in your students' PE classes this week. You can order more pictures online by using the Portrait ID and Access Code found in the picture package. If you misplace that, please contact Lifetouch at 1-800-736-4753.
And Save the Date!
Makeup picture day is Friday, December 6th.
Important Tech Update
We want to emphasize the importance of students keeping their Chromebook cases on at all times. These cases are designed to protect the devices from accidental drops, scratches, and other damage.
If a Chromebook is damaged due to a lack of a case, students may be held responsible for the repair or replacement costs. We understand that accidents happen, but by ensuring students keep their cases on, we can help prevent unnecessary damage and the associated costs.
If your student lost their charger, you can purchase one in My School Bucks for $23.
School Year Calendar
- Be sure to bookmark the FCPS School Year Calendars to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
- Days marked with blue Hs are student holidays.
- Days marked with orange Os are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked).
- Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.
Frost MS Meditation and Silent Reflection Space
In alignment with FCPS regulations and expectations, Frost MS ensures that students and staff of all religious backgrounds have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school building. The following are our guidelines as of 9/13/23. Students whose religious beliefs require them to pray at a specific time that coincides with instructional time can be accommodated with parental written permission submitted to the school principal.
Parent Permission for Use of Meditation and Silent Reflection Space
Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
Attendance: School starts at 7:30 AM and ends at 2:15 PM. Improving attendance is a major goal of Frost MS! Attendance and punctuality are critical to student success in the classroom, and absences add up over the course of the year. Being present in school for all classes is of utmost importance, unless the student is sick or out for another excused reason. Missed days, including excused absences, and late arrival can lead to stress on students who must make up the coursework on their own. Please seek to avoid vacations during school days when possible. Time is set aside during the school year for travel including winter break, spring break, and several student holidays scattered throughout the year.
If your student is going to be absent, please notify us by 8:00am at one of these:
Calendar: The Frost MS bell schedule and A/B day calendar can be found at this link on the school website.
Transportation: If your child will be using school transportation, please ensure that you have reviewed the bus route and schedule. We strongly encourage students to ride the bus as it significantly eliminates traffic congestion in the morning and afternoon. Tardiness because of traffic will not be excused. Bus schedules available through your SIS ParentVue account where you can see your transportation assignments. Please contact Area 2 Transportation with transportation questions at ots_team26@fcps.edu or 703-764-2050.
Communication: We believe in open and effective communication between school and families. Our school website and communication platforms will provide you with regular updates, important announcements, and opportunities to engage with your child's education.
Fair CIty Mall: We strongly recommend that students do not go over to Fair City Mall after school. Students rarely make the best choices and oftentimes find themselves in situations that they’d rather not be in. Parents, please talk to your child about this at home and reiterate that often. We encourage you to have your child ride the bus home or you pick them up in the PM Kiss and Ride line.
Get to Know FCPS and Resources Available to Families
Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:
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School Age Child Care (SACC) — This Fairfax County Government program provides a safe and fun environment before and after school for elementary school-age children.
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FCPS Communications for Families — FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family involvement.
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Family Engagement Resources — FCPS works to connect, strengthen, and support our families, schools, and communities.
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Family Liaisons — Family liaisons serve as a link between families and schools. Find out how family liaisons can support you and your family.
Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
SEPTA, the Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association, was created to empower and connect families, students, and educators to ensure students with disabilities develop their full potential as individuals and community members. Learn more or become a member on the SEPTA website.
The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is a state mandated Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Parents/guardians, students, teachers, administrators, staff, and others interested in special education at FCPS are welcome and encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, and/or public comment related to the unmet needs of students with disabilities.
FCPS’ Office of Special Education Procedural Support provides guidance to staff, families, and students in areas related to the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
Families of students in special education programs can find more resources in the Special Education Handbook for Parents. (Translations are available from the Parent Resource Center (PRC).)
The PRC offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Their YouTube channel includes videos of workshops and webinars for families and educators to support student success. Sign up for their newsletter to receive information on upcoming webinars and other resources. Please contact the PRC with any questions at prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-2941.
Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to parents/caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Staff in the Office of the Ombuds believe that by being transparent and connecting families with available supports and services, children with special needs can equitably access public education.
Contact the ombuds by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Helpful Resources
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https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/2022/07/26/covid-19-updates-new-vaccine-option-baby-vaccine-data-1-million-vaccines/Free hotspot and internet for families with students who receive free and/or reduced-price meals or Fairfax County services.
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988 is now active across the United States. This new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. (Please note, the previous 1-800-273-TALK (8255) number will continue to function indefinitely.) Click here to learn more about 988.
- Locations to receive recommended child and adolescent immunizations are available throughout the Fairfax Health District, including at many pharmacies and groceries that have pharmacies. Please click here to find a location near you.
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Fairfax County Youth Substance Use Trends and Supports Webinar (recording). Due to the rise in opioid overdoses in the Fairfax Health District, which is consistent with national and state trends, Fairfax County Public Schools has partnered with Fairfax County Government to provide an educational webinar on youth substance use trends and supports.
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Healthy Minds Fairfax has a 1-pager on how to know when your child may have a mental health concern and where to get help.
Contacts/School Information
Attendance Phone Line: 703-426-5702
Attendance Email: frostmiddle.attendance@fcps.edu
Attendance Online Submission: https://frostms.fcps.edu/about-us/attendance-form
Heath Room: 703-426-5710
Parent Information Phone Lines/Support for parents who do not speak English as their first language: Parent Information Phone Lines
Parent and Student Technology Support: IT Support Portal
Principal: Anthony Harris apharris@fcps.edu
Assistant Principals:
Director of Student Services: Danielle Hornbecker dshornbecker@fcps.edu
Counselors:
Frost MS Website
Frost MS PTA Homepage
FCPS School Year Calendars
Blue/Gray Calendar and Bell Schedule
Schoology
SIS ParentVUE Account Access
Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
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