Fairfax County School Board Approves FY 2013-17 Capital Improvement Program
The Fairfax County School Board voted to approve Fairfax County Public Schools FY 2013-17 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at its business meeting on January 26. The FY 2013-17 CIP includes new schools, capacity enhancements, renovations, and infrastructure management over five years totaling $848.5 million; $317.3 million of which is currently funded with approved school bonds. Completion of projects as scheduled in this CIP will require a school bond referendum in 2013 and subsequent years.
The Board also approved a motion to request that the Board of Supervisors increase the School Board’s capital funding limit from $155 million to $180 million per year effective in FY 2014. This would enable renovations and construction to be completed sooner in order to accommodate the growing number of students and to address the needs of schools in significant need of renovation. The capital funding limit was last raised in 2007.
“This CIP provides additional space for our growing student enrollment, which is up by 14,000 students since the 2006-07 school year,” says School Board Chair Janie Strauss. “It addresses the need for elementary schools in the Groveton-Hybla Valley area and the Bailey’s Crossroads area and takes into account anticipated enrollment growth in the Fairfax-Oakton area and in the western part of the county near Route 28 and the Dulles Airport Access Road.”
The FY 2013-17 CIP includes funding for two new elementary schools, an addition at a middle school, and additional high school capacity in the western portion of the county.
The school district has also identified an elementary school addition needed due to growth from development occurring around the Vienna Metro station. This addition will be partially funded with $1.77 million in development proffer contributions. In the five years beyond the current CIP cycle, building additions will be needed at an elementary school in the Tysons Corner area and at Jackson or Kilmer Middle school, and an increase in high school capacity will be necessary in the western portion of the county.
For more information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/fts/planning/cip.shtml.
Fairfax County School Board Votes to Offer Additional Honors Courses in High School
The Fairfax County School Board voted to offer an additional five English and social studies honors courses in high school. The following courses will be offered to Fairfax County Public Schools students in time for the 2012-13 school year: English 11 Honors, World History and Geography 2 Honors, English 12 Honors, Virginia and U.S. History Honors, and Virginia and U.S. Government Honors.
Descriptions for the honors courses will be based on FCPS’ existing standard level courses, but with increased depth and rigor.
In addition, the Board voted to initiate an in-depth discussion of the K-12 curriculum and possibly revise existing policies to more fully integrate its Student Achievement Goals in the FCPS program of studies. This review would address the delivery methodology of standard, honors, and advanced programs of study and include a discussion of how to ensure increased and equitable student access to advanced academic offerings.
For more information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/news/advanced.shtml.
Summer 2012 Program Information—What You Need to Know
Fairfax County Public Schools plans for summer opportunities to keep students involved, active, and learning during the summer break are beginning to take shape. Opportunities will include:
- Adult and Community Education (ACE)— half-day, elementary world language classes and noncredit enrichment programs for students in middle and high school during the 2011-12 school year to strengthen academic skills or pursue personal interests. Programs include Foreign Language Experience Program (FLEX), enrichment (TJHSST Admissions Test Prep, SAT test prep, and study skills), and Driver Education (behind-the-wheel, classroom driver education, partners for safe teen driving, and practice for new drivers). Registration begins March 9.
- Institute for the Arts (IFTA)—a unique academic program for students in grades 6-11 during 2011-12 providing enrichment in the visual and performing arts at Lake Braddock Secondary School, July 9-August 3. Registration is now open.
- (NEW) Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA)—a two-week program for students in grades 3 through 5 during the 2011-12 school year that provides enrichment in the visual and performing arts. Students will experience total immersion in the arts as they rotate through exciting and stimulating classes in dance, drama, music, and visual art. E-IFTA will be held at Lake Braddock Secondary School, July 16-27. Registration is now open.
- (NEW) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Camp—a one-week camp for students in grades 3 through 5 during the 2011-12 school year to explore science and mathematics related concepts through hands-on engineering activity. Students will use problem solving, creative thinking, and various technologies to create engineering solutions to challenges given them. STEM will be held at Lake Braddock Secondary School, July 9-13. Registration is now open.
- Tech Adventure Camp—for students in grades 5-7 during 2011-12 to explore careers and technology by rotating through several areas—automotive technology, CAD design, culinary arts, gaming, robotics, TV production, and web page design at Lake Braddock Secondary School, July 16-27. Registration is now open.
FCPS also will offer:
- Summer programs to support current FCPS 12th grade students who need credit recovery in order to graduate (term graduates) at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Registration begins May 7.
- Acceleration (new) and credit recovery (repeat) courses for current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students through FCPS Online Campus. Registration begins May 7.
- Standards of Learning (SOL) remediation at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Registration begins May 7.
- English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) classes. Offered face-to-face at South County Secondary as well as online.
- Extended school year (ESY) services for identified students with disabilities in accordance with their individualized education programs (IEPs).
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Summer Technology Institute for rising 8th and 9th graders. Registration begins March 12.
- Fashion Camp for students in kindergarten through grade 8 during the 2011-12 school year. Registration begins April 1.
For more information and links to individual programs, go to the summer programs website at www.fcps.edu/is/summer/index.shtml. Be sure to check this site regularly as updated information will be added as it becomes available.
Numbers of Expulsions, Student Reassignments Drop in FCPS
Fairfax County Public Schools has released the 2010-11 annual report of its Hearings Office, which shows a 30 percent decline in the number of discipline hearings over the past four years. There were 106 fewer expulsion hearings during the 2010-11 school year, as well as a drop in school reassignment hearings from 67 during the 2009-10 school year to 62 in 2010-11.
A total of 716 disciplinary hearings were held at the Superintendent level during the 2010-11 school year; of those, 530 were expulsion hearings, 62 were reassignment hearings, 19 were exclusion hearings, and 105 hearings were for students requesting enrollment in FCPS or in a different FCPS school or program. The School Board considered 103 student disciplinary cases. The total number of cases referred to the Hearings Office continued a pattern of decline, showing a 30 percent decrease in the number of hearings since the 2006-07 school year.
Less than one-third of 1 percent of all FCPS students were recommended for expulsion. Drug-related offenses, especially marijuana offenses, accounted for a majority of all recommendations for expulsion, more than any other category.
Of the 716 cases considered, 364 students (51 percent) were assigned to an alternative education setting, 223 students (31 percent) were assigned to a regular school program, and 82 students (11 percent) were forwarded to the School Board for final determination.
The percentage of students recommended for expulsion or reassignment declined for each of the four largest racial-ethnic groups represented in FCPS.
The report covers the 2010-11 school year before changes were made to the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook. The report covers only student discipline cases handled by the Hearings Office and not the vast majority of discipline cases handled at the school level.
The complete report can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/supt/hearings/finalsbreport1011.pdf.
College Success Program Student Recruitment Underway for 2012-13 School Year
The College Success Program is composed of five individual programs that provide additional support to middle and high school students who aspire to go to college after graduating from high school but are traditionally underrepresented on college and university campuses. Many College Success Program students will be the first in their families to attend college and do not have the financial means to attend without significant assistance. The five programs are:
- AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination).
- The College Partnership Program (CPP).
- The Early Identification Program (EIP).
- Pathway to the Baccalaureate (PtB).
- Project Discovery.
Three of the five programs, AVID, the CPP and the EIP, are currently recruiting students for the 2012-13 school year. For information about the middle and high schools in FCPS that offer these programs, the steps that are necessary to apply, and the criteria that are used for selection, visit the College Success Program website at http://www.fcps.edu/is/schoolcounseling/collegesuccess/ or call the College Success Program at 571-423-4410.
Application deadlines vary by program and school. Contact your student’s school counselor for more information.
FCPS Launches Living Fit in Fairfax Project
Fairfax County Public Schools has received a Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will fund the Living Fit in Fairfax project. This three-year grant project is designed to improve the health and fitness literacy of FCPS students by coordinating nutrition, fitness, and physical activity opportunities.
Living Fit in Fairfax is fitness-based and supports student achievement under the Virginia Standards of Learning for health and physical education. Goals of the project include:
- Instruction for all students in grades K-12 in healthy eating habits, good nutrition, and concepts of fitness and health; promotion of strategies to increase student activity; and opportunities for students to develop positive social and cooperative skills while participating in physical activities.
- Increasing students’ understanding of healthy nutritional habits and the relationship of nutrition to health, performance, and appearance.
- Implementation of online, individualized nutrition and fitness planning for students to motivate them to manage and improve nutrition, fitness, activity, sleep, and hydration behaviors.
- Upgrading and expanding online fitness, nutrition, and activity behaviors portfolios, as well as assessment software that will disaggregate, analyze, and report data to provide results to students, families, and administrators. Results will be provided on an immediate, intermediate, and long range basis. Students can track and report their progress and administrators can determine any needs for program change based on data.
- Providing nutrition and fitness equipment to contribute to a comprehensive program that provides a natural school-to-life transition for students.
- Building on current community collaboration and partnership opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom.
Project assessments will include measures for daily physical activity, cardiovascular fitness levels, and nutrition. These measurements will be assessed through pedometer and activity logs, 20-meter shuttle (PACER), and nutrition logs for schools involved in each year of the grant. Additional data collection will include fitness measures, knowledge assessments, and surveys that may involve all students.
Involvement by community partners will also help increase student activity levels outside of the school day. Physical education programs, SACC, and Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services will provide fitness and nutrition activities for students in before- and after-school programs.
Living Fit in Fairfax represents a turning point for physical education in providing health and fitness literacy and improved activity for all students.
For more information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/is/hpe/livingfit.shtml.
New Management of Life-Threatening Allergies Handbook Now Available Online
A new handbook, Management of Life-Threatening Allergies, is now available online to assist schools to care for students with life-threatening allergic conditions and to provide parents guidance about how allergies are addressed in Fairfax County Public Schools. Topics include allergies and anaphylaxis, prevention, emergency procedures, best practices, and emotional wellness. For more information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/dss/osp/healthservices/AllergyHandbook.pdf.
Keep Up-to-Date on FY 2013 Budget Information With The Bottom Line E-Newsletter
Fairfax County Public Schools is again publishing The Bottom Line e-newsletter, a publication that will be sent to all FCPS parents and employees every few weeks while the budget for the 2012-13 school year (FY 2013) is proposed, discussed, and approved (in May 2012). It contains the latest budget news, facts, dates, and rumor busters to help the FCPS community better understand the budget and the budget process. Links will also be posted on the FY 2013 budget website at http://www.fcps.edu/news/fy2013.shtml.
Please Note: All FCPS employees and all FCPS parents who have registered e-mail addresses with their children's schools get The Bottom Line automatically. If you are not a member of one of these groups and want to receive The Bottom Line, go to www.fcps.edu/kit, create a KIT Plus subscription, and sign up for one of the following:
- Current Issues.
- School Board News and Updates.
Video: Watch this Insight interview with Superintendent Jack Dale, to learn more about the 2012-13 Proposed Budget.
Deadlines Approaching for Support Employee of the Year Award and Outstanding First-Year Principal Nominations
Help FCPS recognize the important role support employees play by nominating a deserving staff member for Support Employee of the Year. Any employee who is not a principal or teacher is eligible for this award and anyone may nominate a support employee. A school-based and nonschool-based winner will be selected; all nominees will be recognized at the FCPS Honors awards event. Let’s show our support for the employees who support those who support our students. Nominations are due by February 17.
Also, the deadline for nominations for the Nancy F. Sprague Outstanding First-Year Principal Award is February 24. The nominee must have begun his or her first assignment as a principal on or after January 1, 2011.
For more information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/hr/programs/recognition/.
2012-13 School Year Calendar Now Available Online
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.
Teacher workdays are scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2012; January 28, 2013; and April 15, 2013. January 29, 2013, is a staff development day. Winter break is scheduled for December 24, 2012, through January 1, 2013, and spring break will be held March 25-29, 2013.
The 2012-13 school year calendar is available online at
http://www.fcps.edu/about/12-13cal.shtml.
Sixty-Six Fairfax County Public Schools Earn 2012 Virginia Index of Performance Awards
Sixty-six Fairfax County public schools have earned a 2012 Virginia Index of Performance award for advanced learning and achievement from Governor Bob McDonnell and the Virginia Board of Education. The awards recognize schools and divisions that exceed minimum state and federal accountability standards and meet or exceed a number of performance indicators.
Twenty-two Fairfax County public schools received the 2012 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, a recognition of schools that have met all state and federal achievement benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and achieve excellence goals for elementary reading, enrollment in Algebra I by the eighth grade, high school graduation, enrollment in college level programs and attainment of advanced diplomas, increased attainment of career and industry certifications, and participation in the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Schools and divisions can also earn bonus points for other performance measures, including the Governor’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard. Schools receiving the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence are:
- Chesterbrook Elementary, Colvin Run Elementary, Floris Elementary, Fox Mill Elementary, Great Falls Elementary, Greenbriar West Elementary, Haycock Elementary, Lees Corner Elementary, Louise Archer Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, Oakton Elementary, Virginia Run Elementary, West Springfield Elementary, Westbriar Elementary, Willow Springs Elementary, Wolftrap Elementary, Cooper Middle, Franklin Middle, Frost Middle, Longfellow Middle, Rocky Run Middle, and Thoreau Middle Schools.
Thirty Fairfax County public schools received the 2012 Board of Education Excellence Award, a recognition of schools and divisions that have met all state and federal achievement benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and have made significant progress toward goals for increased student achievement and expanded educational opportunities. Schools receiving the Board of Education Excellence Award are:
- Canterbury Woods Elementary, Clermont Elementary, Fairfax Villa Elementary, Fairhill Elementary, Franklin Sherman Elementary, Hayfield Elementary, Hunt Valley Elementary, Island Creek Elementary, Kent Gardens Elementary, Kings Park Elementary, Mantua Elementary, McNair Elementary, Rolling Valley Elementary, Shrevewood Elementary, Spring Hill Elementary, Springfield Estates Elementary, Stratford Landing Elementary, Union Mill Elementary, Vienna Elementary, Wakefield Forest Elementary, Waples Mill Elementary, Waynewood Elementary, Westgate Elementary, Liberty Middle, Langley High, Madison High, McLean High, Oakton High, and Robinson Secondary Schools and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Thirteen Fairfax County public schools received the 2012 Board of Education Competence to Excellence Award, a recognition of schools that have met all state and federal benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and are making progress toward designated goals. Schools receiving the Competence to Excellence Award include:
- Aldrin Elementary, Camelot Elementary, Cherry Run Elementary, Greenbriar East Elementary, Newington Forest Elementary, Stenwood Elementary, Sunrise Valley Elementary, Timber Lane Elementary, Key Middle, Chantilly High, Fairfax High, Marshall High, and West Springfield High.
Belvedere Elementary School is one of two schools in the state that was recognized with a 2012 Board of Education Rising Star Award. This award recognizes schools that meet all state and federal accountability standards for two consecutive years and have improved their VIP scores significantly from the previous year.
A complete list of all schools and school divisions earning the Virginia Index of Performance Awards can be viewed at www.doe.virginia.gov.
Are You Interested in Becoming a Mentor?
Mentoring opportunities in Fairfax County Public Schools are available throughout the entire school system and at all levels. According to data from the 2010-11 school year, a total of 172 mentoring programs are in place in FCPS: 118 elementary school programs, 21 middle school programs, and 33 high school programs. These data also indicated that approximately 5,500 students in FCPS were being mentored.
If you are interested, consider several factors, including the age and number of young people you want to work with—elementary, middle, or high school-age children; one youth or several. (There is a difference between mentoring a child one on one versus coaching a group of young people).
For more information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/dss/ips/ssaw/mentorworks.
Video: Public Service Announcement—Be a Mentor. Check out this short video to learn how you can change the life of a child by becoming a mentor. (watch video)
