Students at Brookfield Elementary School bundle up for recess. 

Building and Renovation Plan Focuses on High Quality Facilities

Fairfax County Public Schools outlined plans to build three new elementary schools and to acquire land that will be used for a new high school during the School Board meeting on December 15. 

Other projects include three new and/or repurposed school facilities, the renovation of 25 schools, and the relocation of modular buildings. Timelines for capital projects will be posted on Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project webpages, where individuals can follow the progress of each approved project. 

The proposed CIP will be discussed at the Tuesday, January 10, School Board work session. A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, January 12. The School Board is scheduled to take action on Thursday, February 9. Read more in the CIP news release. 

School Improvements Supported by County Bonds

Capital projects reflect a $205 million investment approved by Fairfax County voters in the November 2021 bond referendum. 

Funding allocations to FCPS from bond sales have increased in recent years due to positive collaboration and partnerships between the Joint CIP Committee of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the School Board. FCPS appreciates the continued support from Fairfax County leadership.

Voters will have the opportunity to approve additional bond funding for school projects included in the CIP in November 2023, which will support the division’s ability to continue to work through construction and renovation needs. 

Strategic Planning Continues in the New Year 

We are excited to kick off the new year with a continued effort to mobilize the community and increase knowledge about FCPS’ strategic planning process! Multiple Community Forums will take place around the county starting January 30. Stay tuned for registration information.

Planning teams—which include a diverse range of voices from the FCPS community—are continuing to review student achievement, access, and survey data; and crafting a collective vision for the school division. Key communicators will soon receive strategic planning materials to share with their groups and networks. Preparations for divisionwide student focus groups are underway, and there will be opportunities for employees to engage in a survey and “reality check” sessions in the upcoming months. For the latest information, please visit the Strategic Planning webpage and check it often.  

Dual Language Immersion Program Registration 

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 23. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2023-24 school year. 

Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Parents who are interested in the DLI programs in FCPS are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at their school site. Meetings will begin Wednesday, January 11. Details regarding access to virtual meetings will be available on the Dual Language Immersion registration page by the meeting date. Get more information on DLI programs and registration.

Attend a High School Academy Open House

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January. 

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that can prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will have opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, and/or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and find the calendar of Academy Open Houses. 

Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities

SEPTA, the Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association, was created to empower and connect families, students, and educators to ensure students with disabilities develop their full potential as individuals and community members. Visit the SEPTA websiteto become a member or learn more. 

The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is a state mandated Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Parents/guardians, students, teachers, administrators, staff, and others interested in special education at FCPS are welcome and encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, and/or public comment related to the unmet needs of students with disabilities.

FCPS’ Office of Special Education Procedural Support provides guidance to staff, families, and students in areas related to the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended. 

Families of students in special education programs can find more resources in the Special Education Handbook for Parents. Translations are available from the Parent Resource Center (PRC).

The PRC offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Their YouTube channel includes videos of workshops and webinars for families and educators. Sign up for the PRC newsletter to receive information on upcoming webinars and other resources. Please contact the PRC with questions at [email protected] or call 703-204-2941.

Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to parents/caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Staff in the Office of the Ombuds believe that by being transparent and connecting families with available supports and services, children with special needs can equitably access public education.

Contact the ombuds by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing [email protected]. 

Forestdale Instructional Assistant: “Love Personified”

Colleagues and students describe Melissa Richardson, an instructional assistant at Forestdale Elementary School in Springfield, as “love personified.” Her selfless devotion to Forestdale students during the last 14 years has left a lasting impact on their hearts. You can make a difference too! Become an instructional assistant with FCPS.

Academic Matters: COVID Relief Spending

At the December 15 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented on how ESSER III funds are being used to support students and address learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, approximately $102.8 million of ESSER III funding has been allocated for student academic and wellness support. In the summer of 2021, FCPS served 34,000 students with robust, tuition-free summer programming. In 2022, we served 32,000 students. 

The rate of FCPS academic recovery is outpacing Virginia as a whole. Reading performance is almost back to pre-pandemic levels after just one year. Math performance is progressing toward the pre-pandemic baseline. Watch the full presentation on YouTube. 

ESSER III plans for each individual school can be found on each school’s website.  For more information on FCPS ESSER III funding allocations, visit the ESSER III webpage.

Upcoming School Bus Driver Job Fairs

Attend one of our school bus driver job fairs and become part of the FCPS team! The job fairs will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on:

• Friday, January 6, at Lorton Center.
• Wednesday, January 18, at Stonecroft Transportation Center.

In addition to a $3,000 signing bonus for all new drivers, FCPS offers competitive pay, excellent retirement plans, health and dental plans, paid training, and other benefits.

Learn more about upcoming school bus driver job fairs. If you have questions, please call 571-423-3000 or email [email protected]. 

Hiring Now! Food and Nutrition Services

From Food Services van drivers to managers-in-training, FCPS has many job opportunities related to food and nutrition. Benefits include paid training and school holidays off, and some positions offer full-time benefits for part-time work.

See Food and Nutrition Services job opportunities online to apply. Call 703-813-4800 with any questions. 

View all current job openings. 

Webinars in January for Parents/Caregivers

The Parent Resource Center will present the following webinars in January:
 

• Neurodiversity: What Do You Mean We Are All Neurodiverse? on Thursday, January 12, at 6:30 p.m., and Friday, January 13, at 10 a.m.
• Social-Emotional Milestones in Early Childhood on Friday, January 20, at 10 a.m.
• Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting: Building Positive Classroom Communities through Social and Emotional Learning on Tuesday, January 24, at 10 a.m.

 

Click on the links above for more information or to register.

FCPS Family Math Week

The Parent Resource Center will host Family Math Week January 9-13. Families can log in from home for stories, games, and math activities in English and Spanish. Math week offers families an opportunity to experience math, literacy, history, and geography in a positive way. 

COVID Diagnostic Testing in January

COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS students and employees at five locations across the county January 4 and 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID. Appointments are not required, but registration must be completed before testing. Visit the COVID Testing webpage for more information. 

Vaccines for Children 6 Months to 5 Years

The Fairfax County Health Department has updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines available for children as young as 6 months. This follows recommendations from the CDC and authorization from the FDA. Fairfax County District Offices will be open for vaccine appointments for children aged 6 months to 5 years by calling the Health Department's Call Center at 703-324-7404. Find more information on vaccines for children on their website. 

Calendar Reminder: Three Kings Day/Epiphany (“O” Day)

Three Kings Day (Friday, January 6), also known as the Epiphany, is a Christian celebration that commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. This marks the official 12th day of Christmas. Learn more at National Geographic Kids. 

FCPS has designated Three Kings Day/Epiphany as a religious and cultural observance day (O day). There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days.
See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.

January Is Mentor Month

Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor. 

All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life. 

FCPS’ MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Please contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at [email protected].  

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service Opportunities

FCPS students continue to find incredible ways to serve their community while building Portrait of a Graduate skills such as becoming an ethical and global citizen. FCPS is excited to collaborate again with Volunteer Fairfax for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service, Saturday, January 14, to Monday, January 16. This service opportunity helps empower individuals and strengthens communities while honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Volunteer Fairfax will host several ways for the community to get involved including volunteer activities for students and adults of all ages. To learn more about the MLK Jr. Weekend of Service and the specific service activities, visit Volunteer Fairfax’s website.

Calendar Reminder: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 16, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.
See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar