Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Kiss & Ride program and how does it work?
My child was recently moved into a trailer classroom and I don’t think the students are as safe in trailers. Can you have the school move my child to a classroom in the main building?
I would like to review the specific details of the crisis or emergency plan at my child’s school. Can I do that?
Why must I sign in and wear an identification badge when I visit my child’s school?
I have a student who will be in a wheelchair and has classes on the second floor of his school. I am concerned about how he will evacuate the building during a fire emergency. How will this happen, and what does FCPS have in place for physically disabled students?
I received a speeding ticket issued by the Fairfax County Police Department in the flashing school zone. Who operates these flashing signs, and what times do flashing school zones operate?
My student has significant allergies that seem to be exacerbated at her school. Can her classroom be checked?
I am concerned that my student’s walking route is too long and unsafe. What is the walking distance for middle school students and can my student’s walking route be assessed for safety?
How often are fire drills conducted in my student's school?
As the PTA president, I would like to have a haunted house at my student’s elementary school? Are there any regulations or concerns that I need to take into consideration?
Who is required to follow universal hygiene precautions, and where can I receive more information?
What procedures should be followed if a person is unprotected and is exposed to another person's blood?
Why are some teachers and administrative assistants being vaccinated against hepatitis B? Can I be vaccinated too?
What environmental factors influence indoor air quality (IAQ)?
What might cause recurring upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, rhinitis, and bronchitis in a classroom?
What can be done to determine how water intrusion, moisture, or high humidity can affect indoor air quality?
We live over half a mile from the elementary school, but my child is not assigned to ride a bus. Why?
How can we get the flashing yellow lights installed in front of our school?
Question: What is the Kiss & Ride program and how does it work?
Answer: The Kiss & Ride program is the name given to the area where students transported by private vehicles are picked up and dropped off. The location is normally separate from school bus areas, enabling schools to avoid problems associated with cars passing buses or cars parking in "bus only" areas or fire lanes.
Kiss & Ride areas have several important features:
- Adult supervision provided by a school staff member, normally assisted by student safety patrols
- Clearly designated and marked areas with signs
- Safe private vehicle traffic flow since the vehicles are not in the same driveway as school buses
- Drivers spared the frustration of waiting while up to 80 students exit a school bus; drivers are urged to ensure the safety of all children by observing the Kiss & Ride safety rules
Please refer to the Kiss & Ride Fact Sheet (pdf).
Question: My child was recently moved into a trailer classroom and I don’t think the students are as safe in trailers. Can you have the school move my child to a classroom in the main building?
Answer: There is no information to suggest that trailer classrooms put children at any higher level of risk. Children are under adult supervision while in the classrooms. It is strongly suggested that the trailer door be kept locked while classes are in session and children use the buddy system to travel to and from the main building. We recommend you meet with the school principal to discuss your concerns. Should you have information to suggest the existence of an unsafe condition, the Office of Safety and Security will coordinate with the school administrators, conduct a security assessment, and make recommendations for any necessary improvements.
Question: I would like to review the specific details of the crisis or emergency plan at my child’s school. Can I do that?
Answer: No, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act specifically exempts school emergency plans from public release (VA Code 2.2-3705.2).
You are encouraged to review FCPS emergency preparedness and support information at http://www.fcps.edu/emergencyplan/index.htm and discuss any specific concerns with the principal.
Question: Why must I sign in and wear an identification badge when I visit my child’s school?
Answer: Visitor control procedures and the requirement to wear identification badges are fundamental measures for ensuring safe and secure learning and work environments. Intruders are discouraged by sound security measures, and the identification cards provide a means to quickly identify who does and does not belong in schools and centers. Sign-in procedures also allow administrators and program managers to account for all persons in their buildings in the event a crisis occurs.
Visitors and contractors should report to the main office, sign-in, and be issued a badge to wear while in the facility. Those not doing so can be challenged by any staff member or volunteer, and will be required to report to the main office. Willful disregard of established visitor control procedures can be considered trespassing and violators may be prosecuted.
Your support and cooperation in helping us maintain safe learning and work environments is very important.
Controlled-Door Access
Keeping students and staff safe and secure
 High Resolution (2:25)
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Question: I have a student who will be in a wheelchair and has classes on the second floor of his school. I am concerned about how he will evacuate the building during a fire emergency. How will this happen, and what does FCPS have in place for physically disabled students?
Answer: At the sound of the alarm, all students with physical disabilities in locations with ground floor egress shall evacuate the building. Students on upper floors of school buildings who can descend the stairs unassisted, or with the aid of crutches, leg braces, a cane, a walking device, or another person, shall also evacuate the building. Students on upper floors of the building, who are unable to evacuate, shall report to a designated Fire Evacuation Staging Area (FESA).
FESA’s serve as transition areas for students with physical disabilities as they await removal from the building. If appropriate, by fire department personal. The use of a FESA reduces the risk of injury or loss of life that can occur when the evacuation of students with physical disabilities is attempted by persons untrained, inexperienced, or not equipped for this responsibility. Oftentimes, the Fire and Rescue Department determines that an evacuation is not required from the FESA.
FESA rooms throughout FCPS are selected by the Office of Safety and Security in conjunction with the Fire Prevention Division of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. The locations of all FESA rooms in FCPS are identified on floor plan maps, along with exit number designations, stairwells and elevators. These floor plans have been recorded in electronic form and have been provided to all fire stations for use on responding fire equipment. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue staff members routinely perform non-emergency site surveys and familiarize themselves with the FESA locations by identifying the permanent interior and exterior FESA building signs.
Question: I received a speeding ticket issued by the Fairfax County Police Department in the flashing school zone. Who operates these flashing signs, and what times do flashing school zones operate?
Answer: The flashing beacon school zone lights (Wink-O-Matics) are funded and operated by FCPS (FCPS currently has more than 260 WOM lights in daily operation), and placed on Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) roadways through the VDOT permit system. WOM lights are installed based upon a criteria agreed upon by FCPS, VDOT and the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). In general, WOM lights are placed on the roadway where there is a student crossing with a FCPD crossing guard.
The schedule is set by the FCPS Office of Safety and Security (OSS), and is 45 minutes before a school's start and for 45 minutes after a school’s dismissal. You can call the school for their arrival and dismissal times or the Office of Safety and Security at 703-658-3760 for the WOM schedule in question.
Question: My student has significant allergies that seem to be exacerbated at her school. Can her classroom be checked?
Answer: The Office of Safety and Security (OSS) staff members are capable of performing a thorough, state-of-the-art investigation of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) complaints. The OSS Environmental Health Specialist can contact you to get more specifics about your student’s allergy triggers to narrow any investigation in your student’s classroom.
IAQ may be better judged by the presence of potential sources of allergy triggers (art media, cleaning agents, pets, and even people) and the provision of mechanisms for source removal. Whether or not a room has an IAQ problem will depend on the common activities within, or adjoining, the room and the amount of fresh air that is either naturally or mechanically brought into the room to dilute these pollutants.
For example, a typical general education classroom having operable windows is unlikely to have an IAQ problem, but a room that is inadequately ventilated is likely to be stuffy or have an unpleasant odor. In fact, most IAQ problems that are found in Fairfax County Public Schools buildings are relatively benign and not a significant or lasting threat to occupant health. Correcting a problem may require nothing more than cleaning, improving ventilation or simply discontinuing the activity that is the source of the allergy trigger. However, fear of the unknown, and the concern created by that fear, can cause overwhelming psychological stress that may have its own adverse effect on health. For this reason, every IAQ complaint is treated seriously and answered in a timely manner.
More information about environmental factors of indoor air quality and staff member contact information can be found at: http://www.fcps.edu/fts/safety-security/publications/seh-2.pdf.
Question: I am concerned that my student’s walking route is too long and unsafe. What is the walking distance for middle school students and can my student’s walking route be assessed for safety?
Answer: Currently, Fairfax County Public Schools’ School Board Policy 8610 sets the walking boundary for middle school students at 1.5 miles. Students living within this walking boundary that do not encounter unusual hazard obstacles are not provided school bus service and are asked to walk to school.
All walking distance measurements are made using a measurement wheel approved by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). The walking route measured follows sidewalks or approved pathways and will cross streets only at the corners of roadway intersections free of unusual hazards. Walking routes are measured from school grounds access (either the beginning of the school property line or the nearest established opening in a fence line surrounding the school property) to residence property lines. In the case of two or more acceptable walking routes leading to a residence property line, the route shortest in distance will be selected and considered valid.
Regardless of the distance from home to school, bus transportation shall be provided if there is not a walking route free of unusual safety hazards. The Office of Safety and Security (OSS) will evaluate the proposed walking route and any alternates. Evaluations consider such factors as walking surface, visibility, street crossings, and special features. The safety section will consult with the police department and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as needed in making evaluations.
More information about walking safety can be found on the FCPS OSS website at: http://www.fcps.edu/fts/safety-security/publications/saf-27.pdf.
Question: How often are fire drills conducted in my student's school?
Answer: Fire drills are conducted once a week during the first 20 school days of the school year, and once a month for the rest of the school year. Fire drills are also conducted during summer school.
Question: As the PTA president, I would like to have a haunted house at my student’s elementary school? Are there any regulations or concerns that I need to take into consideration?
Answer: All activities of this nature should be approved through the school principal who can coordinate the various county agencies that will be involved with the approval process. In order to create haunted houses (that are safe for children), they must first meet the requirements of the Fairfax County Fire Prevention Code.
The Office of Safety and Security (OSS) Safety Specialist is available to assist PTA and school staff in designing a safe and fun haunted house that meets the code requirements. Some of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s Fire Prevention Division haunted house requirements can be found on the OSS web site at: http://www.fcps.edu/fts/safety-security/publications/saf-28.pdf.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s Fire Prevention Division must inspect and approve haunted houses constructed in schools prior to opening to the public. An inspection request shall be made to the Fire Prevention Division (703-246-4849) at least 72 hours in advance of the scheduled event.
Question: Who is required to follow universal hygiene precautions, and where can I receive more information?
Answer: Any Fairfax County Public Schools employee who handles human body fluids must be aware of and follow the Universal Hygiene Precautions. These precautions are the subject of the video "It's Up to You" and are prominently displayed on posters in school clinics. Additional information is available in the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan located in the clinic.
Additional information can be found on the Handwashing Fact Sheet (pdf)
Question: What procedures should be followed if a person is unprotected and is exposed to another person's blood?
Answer: First, take the time to understand what an exposure is. There is no reason to panic. Read the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, which can be found in the clinic, and refer to Regulation 7355. If you have been exposed, you should go to a physician or health care facility listed in the Workers' Compensation Benefits Regulation 4720.5. The health care provider will determine the medical evaluation and treatment.
Question: Why are some teachers and administrative assistants being vaccinated against hepatitis B? Can I be vaccinated too?
Answer: Some Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) employees are at a greater risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens because of the primary responsibilities of their job assignments. Persons whose primary responsibilities include first aid, such as athletic trainers and administrative assistants who fill in for clinic aides, are at greater risk of exposure. Other people who may be occasionally called upon to perform first aid, such as vocational education teachers or cross country coaches, perform first aid as good Samaritans and are not covered by the standard. Any FCPS employee who is exposed on the job is eligible for a post-medical evaluation and a follow-up evaluation at no cost.
Other infection control information can be found on the following Fact Sheets:
Question: What environmental factors influence indoor air quality (IAQ)?
Answer: Indoor air quality (IAQ) should not be judged by perceptions of comfort. A room that is too hot or too cold does not necessarily have poor air quality, but the cause of the discomfort should be dealt with. Help to determine the cause of the discomfort is available. A repair request directly to the Office of Facilities Management by calling 703-764-2415 or submitting a work order online.
IAQ may be better judged by the presence of potential sources of pollution (art media, cleaning agents, pets, and even people) and the provision of mechanisms for source removal. Whether or not a room has an IAQ problem will depend on the common activities within, or adjoining, the room and the amount of fresh air that is either naturally or mechanically brought into the room to dilute these pollutants.
For example, a typical general education classroom having operable windows is unlikely to have an IAQ problem, but a room that is inadequately ventilated is likely to be stuffy or have an unpleasant odor. In fact, most IAQ problems that do exist in Fairfax County Public Schools buildings are relatively benign and not a significant or lasting threat to occupant health. Correcting a problem may require nothing more than improving ventilation or simply discontinuing the activity that is the source of the pollution. However, fear of the unknown, and the concern created by that fear, can cause overwhelming psychological stress that may have its own adverse effect on health. For this reason, every IAQ complaint must be treated seriously and answered in a timely manner. The lack of an appropriate response on the part of administrators can cause its own problems. Facilities & Transportation Services is capable of performing a thorough state-of-the-art investigation of IAQ complaints.
Additional information can be found on the Indoor Air Quality Fact Sheet (pdf)
Question: What might cause recurring upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, rhinitis, and bronchitis in a classroom?
Answer: Most upper respiratory infections are spread through the person-to-person route of direct contact with respiratory droplets or the discharge from the infected individual's nose or throat. Improvements in ventilation, particularly the introduction of more outside air, may dilute infectious organisms and respiratory droplets that may be circulating in the air.
Question: What can be done to determine how water intrusion, moisture, or high humidity can affect indoor air quality?
Answer: The health significance of water intrusion will depend on the source of the water (plumbing leak, rain water, sewage), how long materials remain wet, and whether severely damaged materials are promptly removed. Usually, if the water can be extracted and the surfaces allowed to dry within 24 hours, there is little likelihood of permanent damage. However, the presence of a mildew odor is often an indicator of the presence of mold. Careful inspection will reveal the contaminated surfaces. Once the contaminated surfaces are identified, simple steps can be taken to eliminate the mold.
Additional information can be found on the Mold and Mildew Prevention Fact Sheet (pdf)
Please refer to the Bleach Fact Sheet (pdf) whenever working with bleach.
Question: We live over half a mile from the elementary school, but my child is not assigned to ride a bus. Why?
Answer: Fairfax County Public Schools' regulation provides transportation for all elementary students living in excess of one mile from school and for all secondary students living in excess of one and one-half miles from school. Transportation supervisors measure with a pedometer all distances over the shortest safe route between the property line of the home and the property line of the school. Regardless of the distance, transportation will be provided if there is no safe walking route. If a situation exists that makes walking unsafe, concerns are addressed to the area transportation office. If a further evaluation is required, the safety section is consulted.
If one lives within the walking boundary, but very close to a bus stop for the school, transportation may be provided if there is space available on the bus and if there is a safe walking route to the bus stop. "Request for Exception to a Ride School Bus" forms are kept at the local school office. The completed form is submitted to the area transportation office for evaluation, after which the requestor is notified of the decision.
Even if approved, should, at a later time the bus become overcrowded, the walking route to the bus stop become unsafe, or the stop be removed, approval to ride the bus can be rescinded. Approval is granted only for the current year and must be resubmitted each year.
For more information, visit the Office of Transportation Services home page.
Question: How can we get the flashing yellow lights installed in front of our school?
Answer: The flashing yellow lights, referred to as wink-o-matic signs, are installed at locations where the following conditions exist:
- A student crossing where there is a crossing guard (uniformed police employee)
- The speed limit on the road being crossed is more than 25 MPH. If any of these criteria are missing, the wink-o-matic signs are not warranted. When lights are warranted, the school division will do the installation.
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FCPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages.
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