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Welcome to the New Familygram
Welcome to the new online version of Familygram! Due to budget cuts, Familygram will no longer be provided as a print publication and will only be available electronically. A short summary of each article with links to the full story can be found on this page, or you can jump directly to any article by using the links in the left column. A link to a printer-friendly version is also available at the top of the right column. We welcome your comments about our new format.
Direct From the Superintendent: Student Achievement, H1N1 Virus, and Budget Top Issues at Start of 2009-10
Welcome back to another year of high student achievement. I’m pleased to report that last year's student results on the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests were excellent. They showed upward trends in both math and reading scores and narrowing of achievement gaps between all subgroups of students. With results like these, I have to believe that FCPS’ focus on the individual child is working. I invite you to read more about our SOL scores. We look forward to another year of this kind of progress.
In addition, members of the FCPS class of 2009 posted a composite SAT score of 1664—the highest since the SAT went from two sections to three sections in 2006 and the third consecutive year of increases in all three test categories—while continuing to outpace students across Virginia and the nation. ACT scores remained stable despite an increasing pool of test takers. I invite you to learn more about these scores as well. (more)
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Update
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is partnering with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to monitor the progression of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza (swine flu). The Fairfax County Health Department follows the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and provides recommendations to the school system. (more)
New Attendance Policies and Practices in Place
Fairfax County Public Schools has new attendance policies and practices in place for students that will take effect in the 2009-10 school year. (more)
School Bond Referendum to Be on November 3 Ballot
A school bond referendum will be on the general election ballot Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents of Fairfax County may vote if they are 18 years of age or older on Election Day and have registered to vote by October 5, 2009, at 5 p.m. (more)
Three Ways to Purchase School Meals: Online Payment, Check, or Cash
Fairfax County Public Schools offers three ways to pay for school meals: online, check, or cash. In addition, learn the prices for school meals for 2009-10 (more).
What's New With Keep in Touch (KIT) for 2009-10
FCPS has an electronic mass notification system known as Keep in Touch (KIT). Check out what's new for 2009-10. (more)
Important Immunization Requirement: Do You Have a Student Entering Sixth Grade?
If you do, 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. Parents and guardians of current fifth graders should check their child’s immunization records. (more)
Telephone Parent Information Line Available in Korean and Spanish
Parents who speak Korean or Spanish can call a telephone information line to help them learn general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their child’s school due to a language barrier. (more)
FCPS Advanced Academic Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools Advanced Academic programs (AAP), formerly known as gifted and talented or GT, offers a continuum of advanced academic opportunities in FCPS that range from part-time services in one or more areas of academic strength to full-time placement in an advanced academic program. (more)
School Clinics Renamed "Health Rooms" and Clinic Room Aides Renamed "School Health Aides" to Better Reflect Services
In order to provide the school community with a better sense of the type of health services provided in a school setting, the School Health Study recommended a change in the name of the clinic to the health room. It was also recommended that the name of the clinic room aide be changed to school health aide. (more)
Make the College Connection at the 34th Annual College Fair and College Night Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools high school students and their families are encouraged to attend the 2009 College Fair and College Night on October 18 and 19, respectively. (more)
FCPS Is Now on Facebook and Twitter
Fairfax County Public Schools now has a profile page on Facebook and is sending out messages, called "tweets," through Twitter. (more)
Do You Have a Nominee?
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) sponsors several employee award programs to celebrate excellence among employees and recognize contributions that promote student success. Now is the time to start thinking about nominating an outstanding individual for any one of several award programs (more)
Service Animals in FCPS Buildings
FCPS permits service animals access in all its public areas, to include schools, in accordance with federal and state law. A service animal is “any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.” (more)
FCPS Directives Available Online
Virginia’s Standards of Quality require all school divisions to notify the public annually of the availability of the school system’s policies. Fairfax County Public Schools policies are available at http://www.fcps.edu/Directives/. (more)
