Opioid Awareness Meeting: The Dangers of Fentanyl in Our Community

Substance abuse and related behavioral health problems can have a major impact on students, families, and communities. These impacts have become even more serious because of the increasing prevalence of fentanyl in drugs and other substances. Fentanyl is an incredibly powerful and dangerous opioid. Small amounts of fentanyl can easily lead to life-threatening overdoses. In 2021, fentanyl was identified in 77.14% of U.S. adolescent overdose deaths.

There is nothing more important to us than the safety and wellbeing of our students, families, and communities.

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to join her for a community meeting on opioid awareness, Monday, March 13, 6:30-8 p.m., at Fairfax High School. 

Dr. Reid will be joined by Chief Kevin Davis of the Fairfax County Police Department in welcoming the community to engage in this important conversation. Major Thea Pirnat of the Fairfax County Organized Crime and Intelligence Bureau will share information about drug trends in Fairfax County.

The Overdose Prevention Initiative: Outreach on Invisible Dangers, led by the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Virginia in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, will present testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic, medical experts, and law enforcement representatives.  

Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions about how Fairfax County agencies are working together to address these opioid issues in our community.

Watch the video and learn more on our website. Register for the March 13 event.

College Partnership Program

We are aware there has been some media coverage of the College Partnership Program (CPP) this week. The goal of the CPP is to increase the number of students—particularly first-generation and traditionally underrepresented students—that enroll and succeed in college. All students are encouraged to consider whether this program meets their needs. For more information, visit the CPP website.

It’s Kindergarten Registration Time! 

Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Our elementary schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events—including orientation—in the spring during March or April. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps schools prepare, and ensure they have the teachers and resources they need on the first day of school. 

After determining which school your child will attend, families should prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. Access registration forms and get support in other languages by visiting the kindergarten registration webpage.

School-Aged Child Care Registration Begins March 9 

Registration for Fairfax County’s School Aged Child Care (SACC) program—which offers before- and after-school care for children attending kindergarten through grade 6—will begin Wednesday, March 9. Enrollment dates are set alphabetically by the elementary school your student will attend. Visit the SACC website for more information. 

Lifesaving Lessons Learned at Longfellow Middle School

Last week, Longfellow Middle School took part in an all-day CPR training event organized by Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation. The foundation was created in 2015 by Joel and Jennifer Griffin in honor of Gwyneth, their oldest daughter. Gwyneth, a student in a neighboring school system, collapsed unexpectedly during her middle school field day in 2012. Read more about Gwyneth’s impact in Fairfax County public schools. 

Judges Needed for Regional Science and Engineering Fair

The Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair, held March 17-19, is a competition for students attending high schools in Fairfax County. Students may earn honorable entry to the regional competition through a science fair held at their local public or private school.

Each year 250 judges are required to evaluate science fair projects in a wide variety of categories ranging from plant sciences to robotics. Ideally, those volunteering to serve as category judges would hold an advanced degree or possess extensive academic and/or professional experience in their selected STEM category. 

Learn more about the science fair and how to become a judge.

Friendly Atmosphere and Community Embraced at Bucknell

James Hargrove, physical education teacher and Outstanding Teacher of the Year at Bucknell Elementary School, says one of the reasons he enjoys working at Bucknell is the friendly atmosphere and community. Hear more about what he loves about his job. 

Considering a career switch? Learn more about becoming a teacher for FCPS.

Upcoming Webinars for Parents

FCPS’ Parent Resource Center (PRC) is dedicated to helping adults support the success of all students. Upcoming PRC webinars include:

• Unlocking the Mysteries of Sleep and the Developing Brain: Tuesday, March 14, and Tuesday, March 28, at 10 a.m.
  Presented by experts at the National Institute of Mental Health, this two-part webinar will provide an overview of the sleep and wake cycle, illustrate the consequences of insufficient sleep, and other information.
• Manejando el estrés serie de 3 partes: Friday, March 17, at 10 a.m. 
  Este seminario web les ofrecerá a los padres consejos sobre cómo reparar la relación con su hijo, apoyarle en momentos de estrés y fomentar la resiliencia.

Click on the titles above to register.

Spring Break and Teacher Work Day Camps

Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is offering camps during spring break (April 3-7) and FCPS teacher workdays (April 14 and April 21)! FCPA camps are held in recreation centers, parks, schools, and virtually. Categories include: Sports, performing arts, STEM, music, and others. Kids can explore a special interest or learn something new while making new friends. Register today. 

Check out the Camps website for a complete list of options or browse the FCPA Spring and Summer Camp 2023 Guide (PDF). 

Justice High School Had "Magic to Do" in Performance of “Pippin” 

Many FCPS high schools participate in the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Critics and Awards Program for High School Theatre, also known as the Cappies. Through this program, high school theater and journalism students are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers. 

This review of Justice High School's production of Pippin is written by Andrew Landrum of Herndon High School. 

Review Draft Goals for the New Strategic Plan

Please take a moment to share your perspectives on the draft work-to-date related to the development of FCPS’ new Strategic Plan. Your input is important to this work that will help ensure a thriving future for each and every FCPS student.

Parents and caregivers of current FCPS students, please check your email for a message from FCPS dated Monday, March 6. For community members who do not currently have a student enrolled in FCPS, please use this link to participate. 

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, Chinese, Urdu, and Vietnamese. All responses are anonymous and confidential. Information from the survey will be shared with and analyzed by Performance Fact, Inc. (PFI), the company FCPS hired to help create our Strategic Plan. Visit our Strategic Planning webpage for more details.

Apply Now! Tutors Needed

FCPS is recruiting qualified tutors to provide in-person academic support to small groups of students. These new FCPS tutors will be paid an hourly rate of $47.17. The position is flexible, and the number of hours worked and location will be based on the tutor’s availability and qualifications, as well as the needs presented throughout FCPS. Apply now! Contact [email protected] for more information. 

Tutors hired through this program will be strategically placed across the region where there is the most need for in-person tutoring to benefit students. 

Note: Current FCPS staff can only apply to tutor outside of their contracted hours. 

Tutor.com Is Still Available; Free for All FCPS Students

Online tutoring through Tutor.com is available to ALL FCPS students as a resource for both support and enrichment. Tutor.com remains available to all FCPS students at no cost. Find out more about Tutor.com.

Calendar Reminders: Daylight Saving Time

Sunday, March 12, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time begins. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour! 

As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or to bus stops in the dark. Help your child stay safe by having them wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run into the street or cross between parked cars.

National School Social Work Week

March 5-10 is National School Social Work Week. Social workers in FCPS help to prevent social, emotional, and behavioral factors from affecting a student's ability to perform at their best. Social workers are assigned to every school and center in the school system. Most social workers serve one to two sites. Thank you, school social workers! Learn more about the role of social workers in FCPS.

Ramadan

This year, the first day of Ramadan is Wednesday, March 22. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year, a time for spiritual discipline for Muslims, who believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to Mohammed. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids. 

Ramadan begins with a half “O Day” on March 22, followed by an O Day on March 23. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

School Board Meeting on March 9 at 7 p.m.

The School Board will hold its regular business meeting on Thursday, March 9, at 7 p.m. Agenda highlights include:

• FY 2023 Third Quarter Budget Review
• Draft Collective Bargaining Resolution
• Awarding of Contracts

See the complete agenda. Find out how to watch and participate in School Board meetings.