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Monday, October 13-  Indigenous Peoples’ Day - Student Holiday

Monday, October 13, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples' Day. See the complete school year calendar.

Celebrating Principal Ann Smith: Happy Principal Appreciation Month! 🍎

October is National Principal Appreciation Month, and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate our exceptional leader, Principal Ann Smith! Principal Smith's impact is felt throughout our school community every day. We want to thank her for making our school a welcoming, nurturing place for every student and family. Her strong leadership is the backbone of our school's success. Principal Smith tackles complex challenges, ensuring high standards and a positive learning environment. Her commitment guides our school community toward our shared goals.Thank you, Principal Smith, for your incredible heart and leadership! 🎉

Disability History and Awareness Month

October is Disability History and Awareness Month, an opportunity for our school community to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities and reflect on the history of the disability rights movement. This observance goes beyond simple awareness, prompting us to learn about the narratives of advocacy, perseverance, and achievement that led to landmark legislation like the ADA and IDEA. By honoring this history, we empower our students to see themselves as part of a strong, vibrant legacy and commit even more strongly to fostering an environment of respect, empathy, and genuine inclusion every day of the year. Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.

Wear Blue and Yellow for Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a chance to spread awareness. During the month of October, we celebrate people with Down syndrome and make people aware of our abilities and accomplishments. It’s not about celebrating disabilities, it’s about celebrating abilities.  

On Wednesday, October 15th, we invite everyone to participate in observance of Down Syndrome Awareness Month by wearing Blue and Yellow clothing.  This is an optional event.

Celebrating AAC Awareness Month! 🗣️

October is AAC Awareness Month! We are dedicating this entire month to recognizing, celebrating, and increasing understanding of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and the students in our school who use it every day.

AAC refers to all the methods people use to communicate when they cannot rely on speech alone. It is a critical tool that allows individuals to express their thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas.

AAC comes in many forms, including:

• Unaided Systems: Communication using only the person's body (e.g., gestures, facial expressions, sign language).
• Aided Systems: Communication requiring external tools. This ranges from low-tech (communication boards, pictures) to high-tech (speech-generating devices or apps on tablets).

Why is Awareness Important?

AAC is fundamental for inclusion and providing a voice. It allows our students to fully participate in classroom learning, build strong relationships, and share their thoughts/ideas.

Throughout October, we encourage everyone to learn more about AAC and practice respectful communication:

1. Be Patient: Always give AAC users enough time to formulate and express their message—don't rush them.
2. Listen and Respond: Treat communication delivered through an AAC device or system with the same respect as spoken words.
3. Model: If appropriate, you can support a student by occasionally pointing to icons or symbols on their system as you speak.

By raising AAC awareness all month long, we strengthen our school’s commitment to making sure every student has a voice and the opportunity to communicate! 

Ombuds Day- October 12th

Office of the Ombuds staff engage with families, students, and staff to offer resources, assist in settling conflicts, and raise concerns to improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.  

The ombuds is available to: 

• Share strategies for parents to improve communication with, and between, school and home.
• Help resolve disagreements between parents and schools or disagreements involving employees in the workplace.
• Provide ideas to foster parent participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings.

Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.

ABA Family Training-  Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism

The ABA team is preparing the next Family Training session.

When:  October 8th, Virtual Session (link below)
Time:  7:00pm - 8:30pm
Join using this meeting link: https://meet.google.com/vio-pmnq-dzo

Topics covered will include: 

• What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
• How are behaviors learned?
• What is reinforcement?

It is highly recommended that you attend this session for information that will be built upon during future trainings. 

All family members and caregivers are welcome to attend ABA Family Training. To request an interpreter, contact Stephanie Watkins at 571-423-4110 or by email at sawatkins@fcps.edu  and provide your name and contact information (phone number and/or email) in case we need to contact you.  For additional information, contact Tina Wilkerson by email at twilkerson@fcps.edu

Sibshops and SibTeen

When: October 13, 9 a.m.- noon
Where:Jim Scott Community Center           
3001 Vaden Dr, Fairfax, VA

The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun. 

Register here

SibTeens is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences.

Register here

Please contact FCPSSibshops@FCPS.edu for follow up questions about either program. 

Math Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

October 10, 10-11:30 a.m.

Participants will learn about evidence-based practices in teaching students with significant cognitive disabilities and how they apply to math instruction. Specific early numeracy objectives will be discussed, along with related activities to support these objectives using items easily found within the home.

Register here

Career and Transition Services (CTS) Presents the Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair

The Moving on to Life in the Community exhibitor fair will introduce and connect families and students with IEPs to adult service providers and community support they may need upon exiting the school system. Register to attend the community resource fair at Robinson Secondary School on Thursday, November 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Resources

Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families
We know that as a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in your child’s education. The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by the school division to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home. 

The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help ensure your child has what they need to succeed. Check out some of the upcoming Family Academy sessions:

• Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (available in English and Spanish) 
• Loving Solutions
• Military-Connected Youth Family Advisory Council
• Parent Project
• Family Resource Center Webinars on topics including: How to Prepare for School; Building Collaborative Relationships Between Caregivers and Educators; Worried Parents, Anxious Kids; and What Families Need to Know About Drugs for Their Students with Disabilities. 

Visit the Family Academy catalog for more information on these sessions and to register to attend. 

Key Center PTA

Not yet a member of our PTA?  We would love to have you join!  You can also support Key Center by volunteering with our PTA or making a donation through our Educate Fairfax site.

Key Center PTA Membership
Key Center PTA Volunteer Opportunities

Educate Fairfax link to donate to Key Center

Upcoming Dates

6404 Franconia Road Springfield, VA 22150  | Main Office: 703-313-4000
Attendance: 703-313-4000 | Web | Facebook