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Nominate a Deserving Staff Member for a First Class Award
The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. The First-Class Awards are presented annually to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive student outcomes. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should demonstrate the following skills/criteria:
- Modelling excellence in their role relative to special education
- Positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike
- Commitment to creating an inclusive environment and mindset
Up to 14 awards in the seven categories include:
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Elementary: Teacher, Administrator, Student and School Support Staff (instructional assistant (IA), office staff, librarian, bus driver, cafeteria worker, etc.)
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Middle, High School & Secondary: Teacher, Administrator, Student and School Support Staff (IA, office staff, librarian, bus driver, cafeteria worker, etc.)
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Central Office: Any FCPS central office staff member (superintendent, assistant superintendent, executive principal, director, coordinator, specialist, resource teacher, administrative support, etc.)
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Specialty Program Staff: Anyone assigned to a public day school, alternative school, home based instruction, or other FCPS educational program not clearly defined as an elementary, middle, high, or secondary school
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Specialist: Professional staff categorized as related service providers (speech language pathologist, counselor, occupational therapist, physical therapist, itinerant, etc.)
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Team: Any team of two or more staff members who work together to support special education students, whether directly or indirectly. This award is not specific to a role, it may be awarded to any staff team (ex. administrators, teachers, related services, etc.)
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Community Partner: Any person or organization not employed by FCPS which contributes to excellence in special education
Complete this form to nominate an administrator, a staff member, or a student who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close on February 19, 2025. Contact Diana Ree-Reeder (dlreereeder@fcps.edu) for more information.
Key Center’s Recent Feature on NBC4
We're excited to share some wonderful news! Last week, Tommy McFly from NBC4 visited our school to film a special feature about the students and programs at Key Center School.
The segment that they produced highlights the amazing work happening in our classrooms and showcases our students. It's a great opportunity for our community to see the impact of our programs firsthand. You can watch the feature at this link.
We're grateful for this chance to share our story with a wider audience. Thank you for your continued support of Key Center School!
Thanks for Supporting the 2025 Polar Plunge!🐧🥶
We're thrilled to share the incredible success of our 2025 Polar Plunge team! Thanks to your amazing support, we:
- Assembled a team of 14 brave plungers, including staff, family, PTA, and community members
- Raised nearly $16,000 for Special Olympics Virginia and Key Center School
Your generosity and enthusiasm made this achievement possible. Whether you donated, cheered us on, or took the plunge yourself, you've made a significant impact on the lives of our students.
We're grateful to be part of such a caring and supportive community. Thank you for helping us make a splash for this wonderful cause!
Disability Benefits: Social Security and VA’s Medicaid Waivers
Families of children with disabilities need to have an understanding of government benefits available to them as part of planning a future for their loved one. These benefits can help supplement a person’s income, qualify a person for extra help, and help them receive healthcare and community supports. Navigating the world of disability benefits can be tricky, time-consuming, and overwhelming. This workshop will help make that process easier. Join us as we discuss in clear understandable language: what are Social Security benefits, what are Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers, who is eligible, and how to apply.
VIRTUAL: February 3, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
This webinar will be presented on Zoom. It will not be recorded.
Click here for more information.
PROJECT LIFESAVER – For students who wander away from their homes
The Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver program helps children and adults with autism, Down syndrome, dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other cognitive conditions that may cause wandering. Participants wear a wrist or ankle band that emits a radio signal, enabling deputies to locate them quickly if they go missing.
Deputies trained in search and rescue, use advanced equipment to bring missing individuals home safely. The program has a 100% success rate. Deputies also check in every 60 days to replace the device battery and update client information electronically.
Project Lifesaver is funded by donations, with an annual cost of $300 per client. A $25 monthly caregiver donation is suggested, but participation is not dependent on payment.
Click here for the Project Lifesaver Application
Community Services Board (CSB) new monthly Health & Wellness Newsletter
Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) is excited to announce the launch of our new monthly Health and Wellness Newsletter – your ultimate guide to everything CSB! Each month, we’ll bring the latest updates, exciting resources, and helpful tips to support the Fairfax-Falls Church community in navigating the world of health and wellness.
What can you expect? Here’s a sneak peek:
- Featured Blog/NewsLink: Stay up to date with the latest news and stories from the CSB.
- Wealth, Health Promotion and Prevention Trainings: Get the scoop on upcoming training opportunities.
- Service Spotlight: Meet the amazing CSB staff through interviews and insights.
- Wellness Tips: Practical advice to improve your well-being.
- How to Access CSB Services: Easy-to-follow steps for getting the support you need.
Anyone in the community can sign up to get these updates! You can find the sign-up link on our website, and we’re actively promoting it through our social media pages.
Register here to get the CSB’s Behavioral Health and Wellness monthly newsletter.
Ford'sTheater Sensory-Friendly Museum Experience
Date: Saturday, February 8
Time: 9 - 11 a.m.
This sensory-friendly museum experience is designed to create a welcoming and relaxed environment for people with autism, sensory-sensitivities, and other social, cognitive and learning disabilities. It will feature:
- Adjustments to lighting and sound
- Reduced capacity
- Designated break space
- Pre-visit materials
This year we are excited to be celebrating President Abraham Lincoln’s 217th birthday with:
- A party hat making station!
- Lightning Talks across our campus:
- 9:40 a.m.: Museum
- 10:00 a.m.: Theatre
- 10:30 a.m.: The Petersen House where Lincoln died
- Treats!
To learn more, or to get tickets, visit the Ford’s Theater website
Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in a virtual meeting:
Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
Language interpretation will be available.
All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.
Family Resources
Family Liaison News
We encourage you to visit the Family Academy website for valuable resources and support to enhance your child's learning journey. Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit our webinar webpage.
Fairfax County Public School Trust Policy
FCPS is committed to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all students and their families. For further details regarding the Trust Policy, additional information can be found here.
SibShops
On February 22, 2025, FCPS will host SibShops for children in grades 2 - 6. Come and meet other siblings in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Let's celebrate the amazing contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs. Register here to attend.
Important Update on Secure Email Encryption
FCPS has established a secure email portal for sharing sensitive information. Please visit our website for more information and instructions on accessing secure messages, or contact Michelle Peele (Family Liaison) for assistance in retrieving your secured email information.
Community Resources
Partners in Policymaking
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities is now recruiting for the 2025-2026 Partner in Policymaking (PIP) class. Individuals with developmental disabilities or family members learn advocacy and leadership skills. Visit their webpage for more information.
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
PEATC is offering a free 5-session self-paced online course to provide information to make transition planning easier. Visit PEATC event page here for more information.
Fairfax County Park Authority
Celebrate the Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at the Twin Lakes Golf Course 6201 Union Mill Road • Clifton. There will be performances, demonstrations, and local food trucks. Free registration required. Visit their website for more information.
Reading Opens the World Book Drive and Family Literacy Fair
30,000 Free Books for Families and Educators!
Join us for an exciting event where families and educators can access a vast selection of free books! Books will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Parents and guardians are invited to select up to 10 free books per child for their home libraries, with a maximum limit of 30 books per family. In addition to the fantastic book offerings, we will have Lego Brick Boxes available while supplies last. Enjoy a fun-filled day with family activities, including a DJ, food trucks, and a free area for making Valentine’s Day cards. Event Location: Lorton Community Center & Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA 22079
Support Key Center!
You can donate directly to Key Center using our donation link hosted by Educate Fairfax. One-time donations can be made as well as recurring gifts to the school. Your donations make a meaningful impact on the students, teachers and families of Key Center. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. Together we can continue to build a nurturing environment where all students thrive!
Another option for contributing to the Key Center is through support of our PTA.
PTA Membership:
Key Center PTA Membership for Parents/Family
Key Center PTA Membership for Staff
PTA Donations:
Key Center PTA donations
Upcoming Dates:
January 29 Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
February 17 Presidents’ Day - Student/Staff Holiday
March 31 Eid-al-Fitr - Student/Staff Holiday
April 1 Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
April 14-18 Spring Break
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