News Items for Use in School, Department, and Office Newsletters and Other FCPS Publications

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These articles are provided as a service from the Department of Communications and Community Outreach. They can be used in any FCPS or PTA publication. For more information or to suggest an article idea, contact the curator below. This page is updated monthly during the school year.

Note: If you would like to be notified when new content has been added to this page, sign up to receive information from the Keep in Touch (KIT) Plus system and select the PTA, PTSA, PTO option.

New Articles for November:

• H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Update
• FCPS, Fairfax County Government Add Three Additional Budget Community Dialogues
• Kinship Care Respite Day Set for December 5
• Survey Results Offer a Look at Fairfax County Youth
• What Is the Student Assistance Program?
• Adopt a Family for the Holidays
• Register Now for Winter-Spring 2010 Adult and Community Education Classes
• Parent Tip Sheet: Parents Can Help Children Make Friends
• FCPS by the Numbers: How the Money Is Spent
• Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Web Site

Recent Articles of Continuing Interest

• Inclement Weather and Emergency Closing Plans
• Nominations Now Open for Principal and Teacher of the Year Awards, Deadline Is December 11
• FCPS Parents Invited to Participate in Partners for Safe Teen Driving
• Interested in Becoming a Mentor?
  
  

Articles of Year-Round Interest

H1N1 (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. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu vaccine as the single best way to protect against influenza illness, including the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available through many of the same health care providers, pharmacies, and community programs that provide the seasonal influenza vaccine. Individuals and families should check with their providers about availability.

Updated information about the availability and distribution of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, including consent form and vaccination information statements, is on the county’s web site at: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/h1n1-vaccine-distribution.htm.

For more information, visit the county’s flu information web page at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/ or call the Fairfax County Health Department at 703-267-3511.

Flu Prevention

As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person to person. Fairfax County Public Schools is taking steps to reduce the spread of flu. It is the school system's goal to keep schools open to students and functioning in a normal manner during this flu season. But, FCPS needs your help to do this.

Here are a few things you can do to help:

• Teach your children good hand hygiene etiquette. Hands should be washed frequently with soap and water, and hand washing should last for at least 20 seconds.
  
• Teach your children to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. If a tissue is unavailable, children should cover their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm, or sleeve instead of their hands.
  
• Learn the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius, or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and a very tired feeling. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
• Keep sick children at home. Any child who is found to be sick while at school will be sent home. It is also important to keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after having a fever or showing signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing drugs. 
• Plan now for your children’s care if you or your children become ill with the flu and need to stay home. 
• Stay informed. FCPS encourages you to visit www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO for the most current information about the flu.

For more information about flu in our community and what our school system is doing, visit http://www.fcps.edu/news/swineflu.htm or call your school.

FCPS, Fairfax County Government Add Three Additional Budget Community Dialogues

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and the Fairfax County government are teaming up again this year to solicit community input to help meet a significant projected budget deficit for FY 2011. Fairfax County is in the midst of a multiyear cyclical downturn requiring that county and school decision-makers continue to make expenditure and revenue adjustments.

The school system’s ongoing challenge is to develop a budget with an appropriate level of services that is both sustainable and acceptable to the community. As part of the budget process, FCPS and Fairfax County are hosting a series of budget community dialogues in September, October, and November. Citizens are invited to engage in facilitated small-group discussions to help find solutions to close the FY 2011 budget gap. Registration is required.

Based on community demand, three new sessions have been added on December 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. at:

• Hayfield Secondary School.
• Herndon High School.
• Lake Braddock Secondary School.

FCPS and Fairfax County officials will give budget presentations, followed by small-group discussions facilitated by staff members. To register, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget or call 703-324-2391, TTY 711. Citizens who are unable to attend the community dialogues are welcome to pass along their comments and suggestions by calling 703-324-9400 or completing a budget feedback form at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget.

Note: To watch a video previewing the FY 2011 budget, go to http://www.fcps.edu/DIT/streaming/is02_dale_budget2010.asx.

Kinship Care Respite Day Set for December 5

A Fairfax County Kinship Care Respite Day will be held for all grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives who are raising a child for another family member. Drop the kids off for a day of fun and gift-making on Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at either of two locations:

• Gum Springs Community Center, 8100 Fordson, Rd., Alexandria, VA 22306
• Mott Community Center, 12111 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030

There will be free activities for kinship children aged 3 to 12 who are residents of Fairfax County or the cities of Fairfax or Falls Church. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Preregistration is required by Tuesday, December 1: 703-324-3517; TTY 703-449-1186.

Survey Results Offer a Look at Fairfax County Youth

Find out what is going on with youth in our community. Seven fact sheets, which are based on the results of the anonymous, voluntary Fairfax County Youth Survey administered in 2008 to 22,251 randomly selected FCPS students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12, look at:

• Teenage alcohol use.
• Teenage drug use.
• Teenage depression and suicide.
• Teenage inhalant use.
• Risk and protective factors.
• Middle schoolers.
• High school girls.

In addition to the facts, there are tips on what you can do and who can help. The fact sheets can be printed out and used for presentations and handouts and are available at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey.  

The youth survey looks at behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County youth. The survey is a collaborative effort of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, and Fairfax Partnership for Youth.

What Is the Student Assistance Program?

The Student Assistance program (SAP) is a partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools’ Office of Student Safety and Wellness and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board’s Alcohol and Drug Services and Youth Services. The primary goal is to help students succeed academically and socially by addressing concerns related to alcohol and other drug use. 

The program provides substance abuse prevention, consultation, education, intervention, and treatment referral services for students and their families.

Students:

• Are you feeling pressure to use alcohol or drugs?
• Are you concerned about your alcohol or drug use?
• Do you want to know how to tell if a friend’s drug use is out of control?
• Do you know the signs of alcohol poisoning?
• Do you know the harmful effects of marijuana use?
• Are you concerned about a family member’s use of alcohol or drugs?

Parents:

• Have you seen a change in your child’s behavior and/or attitude?
• Have you seen a drop in your child’s grades?
• Do you want to recognize the signs and symptoms of substance abuse?
• Do you suspect that your child might be using alcohol or drugs?
• Do you want to know if substance use is contributing to your child’s problems?
• Has you child gotten into trouble because of alcohol and/or drug use?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions or just want more information on alcohol and drug use or the Student Assistance program, contact Desiree Gordon by phone at 703-538-3224 or by e-mail at Desiree.Gordon@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Please note that all referrals are kept confidential. Information is only released when written consent is provided.

Adopt a Family for the Holidays

Are you looking for ways to make the holiday season more meaningful for you and your family members? Consider adopting a family for the holidays. Even before the recession hit, there were thousands of families in Fairfax County who were struggling to make ends meet. Now, with many working families in the area experiencing job losses and reduced hours, the need is even greater. And as the holidays approach, these families are wondering if they will be able to provide presents for their children or even a holiday meal to celebrate the season.

Through a grant from Fairfax County, a local nonprofit organization, Our Daily Bread, Inc. (ODB), administers a holiday program that matches local families with donors who provide Thanksgiving and December holiday meals, as well as gifts for the children in the family.

Families are referred to the program by Fairfax County Public Schools social workers and counselors, as well as local social services agencies. Many of the families served by ODB work multiple jobs to make ends meet but still are unable to keep up with the high cost of housing, food, transportation, and utilities in the county. Others are searching for work after being laid off or cannot work because of illness or injury.

When you adopt a family, you can feel the true spirit of the season. Participating in the holiday program is a wonderful group or family activity. And it’s a great way to give back to the community, because your help goes directly to a local family in need.

How Can I Help?

When you choose to adopt a family, you simply purchase food for a holiday meal and arrange to deliver it to the family. For December holidays, you also purchase gifts or gift cards for the children in the family. Our Daily Bread also welcomes contributions of cash or gift cards, which will be distributed to families that are not adopted.

How Do I Sign Up?

Simply log on to www.our-daily-bread.org and fill out a donor form. The organization will match you up with a family and send you all the information you need. You can also send an e-mail to Laura Vaughn at holiday@odbfairfax.org or call her at 703-273-8829.

If you prefer to make a donation, visit the web site and click on “Donate Now,” or mail your contribution to Our Daily Bread Holiday Program, 10777 Main Street, Suite 320, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Register Now for Winter-Spring 2010 Adult and Community Education Classes

Registration is under way for winter-spring 2010 classes offered by Adult and Community Education (ACE). Course offerings may be viewed at www.fcps.edu/aceclasses, and most classes may be registered for online. The course catalog, ACE Classes, has been mailed to residents and is also available at Fairfax County public libraries and ACE registration centers. You may also subscribe to the new e-newsletter, ACE On Point, and choose among 22 topics of interest about which to receive news.

Parent Tip Sheet: Parents Can Help Children Make Friends

Kids who learn to make friends tend to be happier throughout their lives. Research shows that children can learn the skills they need to make friends. Parents have an important role to play, too.

• First, children who have a lot of friends are thoughtful of others. They say things like "Excuse me" or "Thanks a lot." Teach your child to use these simple courtesies.
• Children who make friends easily are willing to help others. If other children are playing a game, they're willing to join in. They don't always have to get their way.
• As a parent, you can serve as a role model for your child. Let him or her see you spending time with your friends. If you are helping a friend, say, "Friends help each other when they need it."
• You can also help your child learn to think about his or her friends' feelings. You might say, "How does Tonya feel about . . . [a favorite game or a TV show]?"
• You can also help your child learn how to disagree with a person while still respecting him or her. You do that when you correct your child. You do it when you insist that your children talk out their disagreements.

Note: Copyright 2009. Reprinted with permission from the Parent Institute. Additional tip sheets and other resources for parents can be found on the Family and School Partnerships web site at http://www.fcps.edu/cco/fam/ptips.htm.

FCPS by the Numbers: How the Money Is Spent

Eighty-five percent of FCPS' FY 2010 budget is spent on instruction. The remaining expenditures include: transportation—5.6 percent; general support—5.0 percent; and facilities management—4.2 percent.

For more information go to http://www.fcps.edu/statis.htm#fairfaxcounty.

Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Web Site

The Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry web site can be found at http://sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov/sor/. This web site, which includes the public notification database, provides access to publicly available information about persons convicted of specified violent and sexual offenses. Members of the public can use this web site to educate themselves about the possible presence of such offenders in their local communities. 

Inclement Weather and Emergency Closing Plans

Due to inclement weather or other emergency situations, it may be necessary to close schools for the entire day, to open schools late, or to close early.

Parents are urged to make arrangements now for the care of their children when schedule changes are made (and to provide for the rare situation when it is necessary to close an individual school because of a power failure or other circumstances). Children should know where to go if a parent will not be home.

Decisions on schedule changes are made after careful study of the best information available from many sources including weather services, the highway department, the police, and FCPS transportation staff members who are out checking the roads. FCPS will make every effort to decide, before 5 a.m., whether to close or delay schools and will begin communicating the decision once it is made. The 5 a.m. decision time is a goal. Weather conditions can deteriorate after 5 a.m., which means that it may not be possible for FCPS to meet that goal.
While no sources dealing with weather predictions can be infallible, decisions are made with one overriding consideration—the safety of all students—those who ride buses and those who walk to school each day.

FCPS has several schedules set up to deal with inclement weather; these are put into effect when conditions threaten the safety of children who are walking or riding school buses to schools. These schedules are:

(1) Keep schools closed. (2) Open two hours late. (3) Close two hours early.

In every case of a schedule change:

• Tune in to local radio and television stations (including cable Channel 21, a channel programmed by FCPS), which are notified as soon as a decision is made.
  
• Check www.fcps.edu.
  

Do not phone the school or one of the stations for this information. To receive this information via e-mail, sign up for the FCPS Keep in Touch (KIT) e-mail notification system. (See article below on how to subscribe and how to update your Keep in Touch information or go to www.fcps.edu/kit/.)

For more information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/news/weather.htm.

If you want to learn more about how FCPS administrators decide to delay or close schools during inclement weather, you can check out a short video, which is available online by going to http://www.fcps.edu/DIT/streaming/ss10_snow.asx.

Nominations Now Open for Principal and Teacher of the Year Awards, Deadline Is December 11

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 the following award programs:

• Principal of the Year and the Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award: The nominee must have at least five years successful experience as a principal, including at least three years with FCPS.
• Teacher of the Year and the Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award: The nominee must have at least five years of successful full-time teaching experience, including at least three years with FCPS.
  

The nomination periods for Teacher and Principal of the Year are concurrent, and the deadline for both is December 11. Additional information and nomination forms are available on the FCPS web site at www.fcps.edu/DHR/employees/awardsindex.htm/. For more information, call 571-423-3278.

FCPS Parents Invited to Participate in Partners for Safe Teen Driving

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Partners for Safe Teen Driving program is offering a 90-minute evening presentation for parents as part of high school students’ driver education program. This program, which is offered at each Fairfax County high school and is designed for parents of students enrolled in driver education classes, includes video clips, guest speakers, local and state teen crash statistics, and information on driver education—classroom and behind-the-wheel—instruction, the licensing process, insurance concerns, common teen traffic violations, parental roles and responsibilities, and coaching the teen driver. 

The schedule of remaining evening presentations for parents is as follows:

• Tuesday, December 8, 6:30 p.m.—Fairfax High School
• Thursday, December 10, 7 p.m.—Herndon High School
• Thursday, December 10, 7 p.m.—Oakton High School
• Tuesday, January 12, 2010, 7 p.m.—Langley High School
• Thursday, February 11, 2010, 6:30 p.m.—Stuart High School

Dates and times will be announced for Falls Church High School, Lee High School, Madison High School, Marshall High School, McLean High School, Robinson Secondary School, and West Potomac High School. The following schools have already held their presentations for parents: Centreville High School, Mount Vernon High School, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, and Woodson High School.

Parents play a critical role in the driver education process and will be provided information and insights necessary to help them guide their children through the first few years of driving. The program is a community partnership led by FCPS in conjunction with Fairfax County government, the Fairfax County Police Department, the City of Fairfax Police Department, and the Allstate Foundation, with the goal of reducing teen crashes. 

For more information, contact Chad Lehman at 703-846-8746 or crlehman@fcps.edu.

Interested in Becoming a Mentor?

Mentoring in Fairfax County Public Schools occurs throughout the entire school system and at all levels. According to data from the 2008-09 school year, a total of 140 mentoring programs are in place in FCPS: 100 elementary school programs, 20 middle school programs, and 20 high school programs. These data also indicated that approximately 4,000 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). Also, consider the setting that you may want to mentor in, such as a school, the community, or a business.

For more information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/cco/mentor/index.htm.

FCPS Is Now on Facebook and Twitter

Fairfax County Public Schools is now on Twitter, where news and information, emergency messages, and information about current issues are posted for those who choose to become followers of the school system. To follow FCPS on Twitter, visit http://www.twitter.com/fcpsnews and click on Follow.

FCPS also has a Facebook page; to follow FCPS on Facebook, visit http://www.facebook.com/fcpsva and select Become a Fan at the top of the page. 

Citizens can also receive FCPS news and information by subscribing to the school system’s Keep in Touch e-mail messaging system, or by subscribing to RSS (really simple syndication). To learn more about RSS, visit http://www.fcps.edu and go to the News Releases banner on the right side of the page, then click on the orange RSS logo.

Three Ways to Purchase School Meals: Online Payment, Check, or Cash

Fairfax County Public Schools is pleased to announce that it now offers three ways to pay for school meals:

• Online—Using www.myLunchMoney.com—The service is easy to use, convenient, private, and secure. There is a convenience fee of $1.95 per transaction. Once the account is open, parents may check the fund account at any time from computer or phone.
• Check—Write a check—made out to (School Name) Food and Nutrition Services—and bring the check to the food service manager’s office. A parent who wants his or her check payments to be for meals only (no à la carte items) should write it on the check or tell the manager.
• Cash—Cash may be brought to the food service manager’s office for deposit in student accounts, or students may pay cash for breakfast and lunch on a daily basis.
  

Parents—Please Note!

• Parents may ask for a printed summary of their child(ren)’s account at any time by contacting the food service manager (or by signing on with myLunchMoney.com). You don’t need to use the online account for this service.
• Parents are asked to remind their child(ren) not to share their personal identification number (PIN) with friends.
• A parent who wants his or her payments to be for meals only (no à la carte items or snacks) should tell the food service manager.

2009-10 School Meal Prices

The prices for school meals during the 2009-10 school year will be as follows:

For more information, such as school lunch menus, which are updated monthly, go to http://www.fcps.edu/fs/food/food_at_school.

What's New With Keep in Touch (KIT) for 2009-10

FCPS has an electronic mass notification system known as Keep in Touch (KIT). KIT has two services: KIT Basic (automatic enrollment) and KIT Plus (subscription).

KIT Basic has automatic enrollment because it draws contact information from the student information system (SASI) and the employee (Lawson) databases. Contact information for KIT Basic may be updated at the school or through weCare@School, a feature of FCPS 24-7 Learning (Blackboard) - http://www.fcps.edu/DIT/fcps247.html. FCPS central offices and schools use KIT Basic to provide families and employees with three types of messages—attendance (new this year), emergency, and outreach—via e-mails and phone calls.

KIT Plus is a subscription service for students, community members, and citizens interested in news, events, and updates from FCPS. Subscribers may select from the following topics: 

• Adult and Community Education (ACE) classes and news.
  
• Current issues (budget, boundary studies, summer programs).
  
• Delayed openings and school closings.
  
• FCPS job opportunities.
  
• Magnet schools and advanced academic programs.
  
• News releases and media tips.
  
• PTA, PTSA, PTO information.
  
• School Board news and updates.
  
• Special education services.
  
• Supergram (employee newsletter).
  
• Volunteer opportunities.

In addition to these topics, KIT Plus subscribers may also receive announcements from up to five schools of their choice. KIT Plus is a self-subscribing, -updating, and -unsubscribing service. FCPS families and employees may receive announcements from both KIT Basic and KIT Plus.

For more information, or to subscribe, visit http://www.fcps.edu/kit.

The School Bus: A Smart Choice, A Safe Choice

The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that the school bus is 60 times safer than all other passenger vehicles. School buses manufactured after January 1, 1977, must meet more federal motor vehicle safety standards than any other type of motor vehicle. Why? Because school buses are transporting our most valuable possessions—our children.

So, while your own car may seem to be the most convenient or quickest way for your child to get to school or while it may provide you additional time with your child, the familiar yellow school bus is still the smartest and safest transportation choice you can make for your child.

This year, help not only to get your child to school safely but also to alleviate parking problems and traffic congestion by making the school bus your child’s first choice in transportation.

For more information on bus transportation, contact the Office of Transportation Services, Linda Farbry, director, by calling 703-446-2000, or by going to www.fcps.edu/fts/tran/index.htm.

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.

The Parent Information Line numbers are:

• Spanish—703-764-7361.
• Korean—703-764-7363.

A parent may call at any time, leave a message in his or her language, and receive a return phone call in that language from an FCPS staff member within 24 hours.

Office of Transportation Services After-Hours Emergency Telephone Number

We know that your number one concern as a parent is your child's safety. We also know that it is frustrating—or even frightening—when you need to call someone for information about your student’s whereabouts after school hours and the phones are not being answered. If your child normally rides a bus home and you cannot get in touch with him or her, contact the transportation office at 703-446-2000 until 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., or if your child normally walks home, contact the FCPS school security office at 703-764-2400. In an emergency, the dispatcher can contact a school or a transportation staff member to help you.

FCPS Offers Parent Orientation to New Families

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is offering a parent orientation seminar to families new to the school system. Getting to Know Fairfax County Public Schools: A Parent Orientation is taught by community liaisons and is offered in English, Arabic, Korean, and Spanish. This interactive seminar provides information about the school system and the importance of parental involvement in a child’s educational achievement, suggestions for how parents can get involved with their children’s schools, and a cultural discussion component that helps accelerate a family’s acculturation to the United States.

The seminar is presented on selected dates each month in each language on a drop-in basis at the following locations:

• South County Government Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County, 703-704-6002. Presentation is in English from 10 a.m. to noon on the last Wednesday of each month.
• Devonshire Center, 2831 Graham Road, Falls Church, 703-208-8017. Presentation is in English from 10 a.m. to noon the second Friday of each month; in Korean from 10 a.m. to 12 noon the third Friday of each month; and in Spanish from 10 a.m. to noon the last Friday of each month.
• Lake Anne-Reston, 11484 Washington Plaza West, Reston, 703-668-0583. Presentation is in Spanish from 10 a.m. to noon the second Thursday of each month
• For times and locations of presentations in Arabic, call 703-277-2637.

Individual school parent liaisons and school parent center coordinators may also request a copy of the presentation to use with families at their schools.     

Family Services and Involvement personnel are also available to present to individuals, schools, and community groups.  

Note: For more information, contact Robin Hamby in the FCPS Department of Communications and Community Outreach, Family and School Partnerships, at 703-277-2640 or robin.hamby@fcps.edu.

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. 

• If your child is 11 years old, he or she should get the Tdap immunization, and documentation should be provided to the school.
  
• If your child is still 10 years old, he or she may receive the Tdap vaccine, Boostrix, which is approved for 10-year-olds, or he or she may wait until the 11th birthday to receive the vaccine approved for 11-year-olds.
  
• If your child’s 11th birthday is after the first day of school, your child must have a medical exemption from the doctor stating when he or she will receive the Tdap immunization in order to attend school.

Documentation that your student has received this immunization should be brought to the school registrar. Fairfax County Public Schools tracks compliance for this state requirement, and students who do not meet the requirement by the first day of school will be excluded from school. 

Students can receive immunizations required for school at no charge at any Fairfax County Health Department walk-in immunization clinic. The school public health nurse may be contacted for more information about the health department clinic hours. For more information, contact Elizabeth Donaldson, health specialist, Student Safety and Wellness office, at 571-423-4402 or elizabeth.donaldson@fcps.edu.

For more information about immunization requirements, see the current version of FCPS Regulation 2101.

Parent Resource Center Web Site Provides Information for Parents of Special Needs Children

The Parent Resource Center (PRC) maintains a list of upcoming workshops, activities, and events for parents of children with special needs. A complete list of all upcoming workshops and activities is available on the PRC web site http://www.fcps.edu/cco/prc/workshops.htm. For more information, contact the PRC by e-mail at prc@fcps.edu or by phone at 703-204-3941.

School Board Directives No Longer Available on Paper

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 online at http://www.fcps.edu/Directives/. A continuous review process ensures ongoing examination and revision of each policy, regulation, and notice as needed.

If you do not have Internet access and would like a print copy of any policy or regulation, please direct your request to your child's school principal. The School Board office, located at Gatehouse Administration Center I in Falls Church, maintains the historical records of all directives. 

Revamped Donations Web Site Does the Work for You

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has revamped and improved the web page that the public can use to donate items to the school system. The site, http://commweb.fcps.edu/donatetofcps, allows users who want to donate goods such as computers, musical instruments, sports equipment, and books to FCPS to easily provide their contact information  and relevant information about the item or items they want to donate.

Donors can select the school to which their donation can be offered and will receive  an acknowledgement e-mail when their information is submitted. Donors will also receive an e-mail suitable for tax purposes once the donation has been received.

The site also includes explanations about what items are accepted as well as minimum standards for many items.  Among the items that can be donated are art equipment and supplies, audio and video equipment, building and landscaping materials, textiles, furniture, prom wear, and vehicles.

The donations web site can also be accessed from www.fcps.edu from the “What Do You Want To Do?” drop-down box.

For more information, contact Jay Garant in the Office of Business and Community Partnerships, Department of Communications and Community Outreach, at 571-423-1225 or jay.garant@fcps.edu.

Parents: Sign Up Now for FCPS 24-7 Learning

All parents, legal guardians, and foster parents of FCPS students are eligible to receive their own user accounts for FCPS 24-7 Learning (Blackboard). Since the program was made available to parents in March 2007, more than 29,000 parents have already signed up for their own accounts.

Registration provides several benefits. With their own accounts, parents no longer have to share account information with their children in order to visit their online class sites in FCPS 24-7. An account, which provides access to the Parent View page in FCPS 24-7, allows parents to directly access all their children’s class sites from this one location. This allows parents to view class announcements and materials shared with students and, in most cases, provides a direct link to each of their children’s teachers’ FCPS e-mail addresses for easy communication. Please Note: By updating your child's emergency contact information in FCPS 24-7 you are also updating your account information for messages from the Keep in Touch (KIT) Basic message system.

weCare@school and Family Connection Tools Included

Additionally, registration provides access to the weCare@school and Family Connection tools. weCare@school provides parents a secure capability to review and electronically update each child’s emergency data information. Parents who take advantage of this service can now only update those fields that require a change, such as contact phone information or home address, without manually completing a new form. This up-to-date information can be rapidly included in the FCPS student information system and allows each school’s first responders to electronically access this information should the need arise.

Family Connection, a planning tool for high school students, enables high school parents to:

• View their students’ GPAs and SAT and ACT test scores.
• View their students’ resumés and postgraduation plans.
• Research colleges and view acceptance histories from their high schools.
• View additional career and college counseling resources from their schools and FCPS.
  
  

Signing Up Is Easy

To sign up for an FCPS 24-7 Learning account, parents need only complete a simple two-step process. First, they register online through FCPS 24-7 Learning. The site can be accessed by either selecting the FCPS 24-7 Learning link on the FCPS public web site or by going directly to http://fcps.blackboard.com and entering parentreg as the username and newuser as the password.

This login provides access to step-by-step instructions, a toll-free number for assistance, and the online registration form. After completing the online registration, which requires school directory-type information and a valid e-mail address, parents receive a validation code that must be taken to one of their children’s schools in order to validate and enable the account.

Schools provide opportunities for both registration and validation at parent-oriented activities such as Back-to-School Nights, orientations, and other activities. They also have the ability to support walk-in validation requests. As a courtesy, it is best to call the school ahead of time for walk-in validation.

The registration and validation process is a one-time requirement. No annual update or other update or additional registration is required while parents have students enrolled in FCPS.

Parents are encouraged to contact their children’s schools to find out their plans for registration activities and validation opportunities over the coming months.

Alternate Transportation Plans

In case of emergencies such as road closures, accidents, or weather-related road problems, drivers may use safe transportation-approved alternate locations to pick up or drop off students. Drivers will return children to their schools:

• If there is no safe transportation-approved alternative stop.
• If the driver has any other concerns regarding the safety of releasing a student at a regular stop.
• If a child expresses concern, for any reason, about getting off of the bus.
  
  
  

Walker Safety Tips

Parents should plan a walking route to school and choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossings. Parents are responsible for selecting their children’s walking routes to and from bus stops, schools, and home. Parents are also responsible for providing supervision that is appropriate for their child’s age, maturity, and conditions on the route. Parents should be encouraged to outfit their children with reflective clothing.

Students should cross streets at controlled intersections and in crosswalks where available. Students should not cross in the middle of a street unless the crossing is supervised by a crossing guard or a police officer. Before crossing, students should look both ways before stepping off the curb. Students should always pay attention for turning vehicles. Students should be encouraged to turn off personal stereos (iPods) while crossing intersections.

Students who walk to and from school should be encouraged to walk with other students. Walkers should go directly home after school and never take shortcuts. Elementary students should avoid parks, vacant lots, fields, and other places where there aren't many people, and, if they are unable to walk home safely, they should return to the school.

It is important to note that school system staff members do not assess all possible walking routes, supervise those routes, or guarantee the safety of any particular route. Staff members provide general safety information to school communities and respond to requests for specific information and advice when practicable. Staff members also assess routes for unusual hazards when concerns are brought to their attention.

Parent Resource Center Tutor and Speech Clinician List

The FCPS tutor list, which can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/cco/prc/tutors_spclinicians.htm, contains names of individuals who have contacted the Parent Resource Center (PRC) to offer services. The PRC in no way recommends or guarantees certification or costs of individual tutors. The list is a service provided by the PRC, but parents are responsible for contacting and working with the tutors. The listed FCPS speech clinicians are those who are licensed to provide services privately to clients. The PRC cannot make specific recommendations or guarantee certification, licensure, or costs.

If you have questions, call 703-204-3941 or visit the PRC at 2334 Gallows Road, room 224. Hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Satellite locations are open part-time at Aldrin and Hayfield Elementary Schools.

For more information about the Parent Resource Center, go to http://www.fcps.edu/cco/prc/about.html.

School Assignment and Boundaries

School assignment is determined by residence address. In order to provide expanded access to boundary information, Fairfax County Public Schools has introduced the school boundary application (http://www.fcps.edu/boundary). School assignments for a particular address within Fairfax County may also be obtained 24 hours a day by calling the interactive voice recognition system at 703-329-9831.

For more information on how to determine school assignment and information about boundary changes under consideration, please visit School Boundary Information. Individual school boundary maps can be viewed and printed through the Schools and Centers Directory and can also be purchased for $12.00 each from the FCPS Office of Facilities Planning Services, 10640 Page Avenue, suite 300, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. School boundary maps may also be referenced at all Fairfax County public libraries.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Facilities Planning Services at 703-246-6930.

Online Nutrition Calculator

The Office of Food and Nutrition Services now offers an online nutrition calculator to help students, parents, and staff members evaluate their snacks at home. It is also a fun teaching tool for the classroom.

To learn more, go to http://fsweb.fcps.edu/FNSCalculator/EZCalculator.cfm. A short video is also available by going to http://www.fcps.edu/DIT/streaming/ss9_healthysnacks.asx.

Online Campus Offers Option for Gaining High School Credit

The FCPS Online Campus is a web-based high school course delivery program. FCPS' Online Campus delivers courses identical in content to those offered in traditional classrooms and uses multimedia to teach students.

An FCPS Online Campus course is designed to deliver material that is fully aligned with the FCPS high school curriculum. In every face-to-face course, an average high school student will be engaged for 3.5-5 hours per week for the entire school year (36 weeks).

Often, a student is under the impression that a virtual class from the Internet will be a quick and easy way of finishing a course for credit. In reality the time spent in an online course will demand at least the same amount as a typical face-to-face course.

If you are thinking about taking an Online Campus course, you should consider the time involved:

• If you are starting a class in September: An average student will need to work 4.25 hours per week to finish a full-credit online course by June.
• If you are starting a class in January: An average student will need to work 8.5 hours per week to finish a full-credit online course by June.
• If you are starting a class in summer school: A student will need to work 30 hours per week for the 5 week session!

All online campus courses require at least three face-to-face meetings that are held in the evenings. These are for orientation and assessment purposes.

More information is available by going to http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/onlinecampus/gen-info.htm.

Learning Through Experience: Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students

There are many ways that high school students can volunteer their time to help others. The FCPS Career Connections volunteer opportunities web site, found at http://www.fcps.edu/ss/CareerConnections/resource/fcpscc.htm, offers a list of organizations that have volunteer opportunities for young people, as well as tips on how to become involved in volunteer activities.

Parent Resources Available Online

A complete list of resources for parents can be found on the Fairfax County Public Schools web site. The Parent Resources page includes links to information on:

• Frequently called FCPS phone numbers.
• Athletics.
• Lunch payments.
• Fairfax County public library homework and student support.
• Policies, bylaws, and regulations.
• Netsmartz.
• Volunteering in FCPS.
• Parent education.

For more information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/parents.htm.

Watch TV That Counts! A Block of Shows All About FCPS

Fairfax County Public Schools operates two open cable TV channels—Red Apple 21 and Channel 25—to serve the community. Funded mostly by franchise funds from Cox Communications, with additional funds from Comcast Communications and Verizon, these channels provide residents with news and information. Red Apple 21's block of shows all about FCPS begins every day at 5:30 p.m.

Several FCPS-produced news and information and curriculum-based programs also air regionally in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area on broadcast television, Direct TV, and the Dish Network via the MHz Networks—an independent media group that has partnered with Fairfax County Public Schools.

In addition, many FCPS TV shows have been video streamed, or made available for viewing online throughout the FCPS web site.

For more information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/mediapub/cable-tv/.

Don't Miss Out! Post Your Event on the School Events Bulletin Board

The School Events Bulletin Board on the FCPS web site lists happenings in all Fairfax County public schools. Find out about student performances, fun fairs, and special celebrations by checking the board at http://www.fcps.edu/bulletin/netcal.htm. A form to list an event is also linked at the site.

Preschool Child Find Helps Children 20 Months to Five Years of Age

FCPS School Bus Driver Positions Available

Join the driving force in education! Be a school bus driver for Fairfax County Public Schools. For more information call 571-423-3000 or go to www.fcps.edu/fts/tran/opportunities/index.htm.

Driving Directions to FCPS Schools

The FCPS web site offers complete turn-by-turn driving directions and maps along with the capability of selecting an origin and destination from a complete list of schools and offices as well as many common field trip destinations. Further choices include the option to avoid toll roads or major highways, to select the shortest or the fastest route, and to display text or maps. From the FCPS home page at http://www.fcps.edu select the "Schools and Centers" link to find your way.

Last update: >>November 20, 2009
Curator: Andy Grunig, Andy.Grunig@fcps.edu