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Fairfax County School Board Adopts FY 2013 Approved Budget
The Fairfax County School Board has adopted the Fairfax County Public Schools 2012-13 school year (FY 2013) Approved Budget of $2.4 billion that includes compensation increases for employees, the elimination of student athletic fees, more than 700 new positions to address enrollment growth, extended learning time for at-risk students, the expansion of the World Languages program in elementary schools, and a phase in of mandated employee contributions to the Virginia Retirement System. (more)
Reminder: FCPS School Board Shortens 2011-12 School Year for Students, Last Day Will Be June 15
The Fairfax County School Board has voted to change the last day of the current 2011-12 school year to Friday, June 15, which will be a full day. The School Board decided to release students from school on June 18 and 19 because Fairfax County Public Schools has only used one of three scheduled makeup days this year. (more)
FCPS 24-7 Learning to Be Out of Service June 20-28 for Upgrade
FCPS' online resource, FCPS 24-7 Learning (also known as Blackboard), will be offline June 20-28 so that the system can be upgraded. Parents, students, and employees will not be able to access the system during this time. (more)
FCPS to Hold Public Meeting to Discuss Charter School Application
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will hold an informational meeting for the public to discuss the application by the Fairfax Leadership Academy (FLA) to establish a charter school in Fairfax County at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, in the cafeteria at Gatehouse Administration Center in Falls Church. (more)
New Standards-Based Elementary School Progress Reports to Debut This Fall
Starting this fall, FCPS will begin using a new elementary progress report that is based on curriculum standards. It provides more detailed information about what a student is learning and can demonstrate in each content area. (more)
Bell Schedule Released for 2012-13 School Year
Fairfax County Public Schools has released the bell schedule for the 2012-13 school year. FCPS made changes to the bell schedule at many schools to accommodate the anticipated addition of approximately 4,000 students to the school system, as well as the opening of two new schools and the move of Graham Road Elementary School students to a new building. These changes, which are designed to increase bus route efficiencies, will not increase FCPS’ transportation costs. (more)
FCPS Releases Results of 2012 Working Conditions Survey
Fairfax County Public Schools has released the results of its 2012 Working Conditions Survey, completed by more than 12,000 educators, who answered questions about overall conditions, time leadership, decision making, facilities and resources, professional development, student conduct, and community support. This is the third Working Conditions Survey distributed by FCPS; it received an 80 percent response rate from school-based employees. (more)
Video Feature: Meet the Student—Alyssa Huffman, Hayfield Secondary School
Familygram will periodically feature, through video, some of FCPS' incredible students, from star athletes to aspiring musicians. This issue, we introduce you to Alyssa Huffman, a senior at Hayfield Secondary School, who balances schoolwork with her responsibilities as the Battalion Commander of the Hayfield JROTC. (more)
FCPS Website Receives Top Grade for Transparency from Sunshine Review
The Fairfax County Public Schools website (http://www.fcps.edu) has received a Sunny Award and an A+ transparency grade from the editors of Sunshine Review, a nonprofit organization that measures state and local government transparency. FCPS was one of five school districts in Virginia to receive the highest possible rating from the group. (more)
BYOD Catching on in Fairfax County Public Schools
Last summer FCPS developed a framework for embracing and managing the use of personally owned computing devices within FCPS. This framework quickly became known as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and parents are encouraged to allow their students to register and bring in their personally-owned laptops, netbooks, tablets, and smartphones to school for authorized instructional use. (more)
New School Names Chosen by School Board
The FCPS School Board recently voted unanimously to name the new school located at the Lacey site (Annandale) Mason Crest Elementary School. Mason Crest is under construction and will open in September. In addition, the Fairfax County School Board voted to name the new middle school at the south county site South County Middle School. (more)
Suggested Summer Reading Lists
In order to encourage and support reading achievement, every student who will be entering grades 6 through 12 in the fall must read at least one book over the summer. (more)
Important Immunization Requirement: Do You Have a Student Entering Sixth Grade Next Year?
If yes, he or she may need a booster dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis). Sixth grade students cannot begin school in the fall without documentation of having had either the Tdap booster or documentation of having had a tetanus-containing vaccine within the past five years. (more)
2012 FCPS Employee Award Winners
Excellence in leading schools, in teaching students in our schools, and in supporting our schools is what Fairfax County Public Schools is all about. The Department of Human Resources sponsors recognition of our outstanding performers as they seek to create and demonstrate best instructional and support practices. (more)
FCPS Invites County Residents to Provide Feedback About Facilities Needs on FPAC Blog
The Fairfax County Public Schools Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) is hosting an interactive blog and invites all Fairfax County residents to join this online discussion about long-term goals for FCPS facilities. The blog will be available for citizens to post comments until the end of June. (more)
Register Now for Summer 2012 Adult and Community Education Classes
Registration is under way for summer 2012 classes offered by Adult and Community Education (ACE). (more)
2012-13 School Year Calendar: First Day Is September 4
The Fairfax County School Board has approved the 2012-13 school calendar which sets Tuesday, September 4, 2012, as the first day of the school year and Tuesday, June 18, 2013, as the last day. (more)
Tip Sheet for Parents: Be a Media-Wise Parent
Media include beneficial and powerful tools such as TV, print, the Internet, and video. Media can also expose children to risks. A media-wise parent monitors and guides children’s use of these valuable tools. Check out some tips to help make your child’s use of media a positive one. (more)
