FCPS This Week - May 26, 2021
FCPS to Require Masks for the Remainder of the School Year
For the remainder of the 2020-21 school year, FCPS will be requiring students and staff to continue to wear masks and socially distance during instructional time inside school buildings. Students will be required to wear masks at recess but will not be required to be socially distanced. FCPS will maintain CDC requirements of 3 feet social distance in classrooms and 6 feet social distancing in our cafeterias through June 15. Both these requirements are aligned with the Fairfax County Health Department guidance and helps maintain consistency as we finish out the year.
As per national, state, and local guidance, there are unique and specific mask and social distancing requirements for graduation, athletics, school performances, and other school-specific events held indoors and outdoors. FCPS will be transitioning to updated guidelines for these specific events starting May 28.
For specific information regarding these requirements, please visit this webpage.
Application Window Closes May 28 for FCPS’ Fall Virtual Program
The application window for the FCPS Virtual Program will close on Friday, May 28. Here’s the latest division message about the deadline and application process. It was sent to currently virtual families and newly enrolled families for 2021-22 on Monday. Questions?
Get more information here:
Calendar Reminder: FCPS Schools and Offices Closed on May 31 for Memorial Day Holiday
As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 31, for the Memorial Day holiday. Students are not expected to complete asynchronous assignments that day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, June 1. See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar.
All Students to Be Virtual on June 8 Due to Democratic Primary Election
Tuesday, June 8, is the Democratic Primary Election. Because the Fairfax County Electoral Board and City of Fairfax Electoral Board will be using 165 school facilities as polling locations, June 8 will be a virtual synchronous learning day (no in-person classes) for students.
Get more information about the primary elections.
Video: Return to School Parent Perspectives—Christina Stewart
Christina Stewart’s kindergartener doesn't mind wearing a mask and has adapted well to the rules in place for keeping students safe in school. Her daughter is enjoying learning and happy to be with her friends.
We can't wait to see everyone for five days of in-person instruction in the fall! #FCPSReturningStrong
Register to Join May 27 Discussion on Black Mental Health
Join Fairfax County Government for “Tools 2 Thrive,” a virtual community discussion about mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health within the black community that is being held in coordination with Mental Health Awareness Month.
Taking place on Thursday, May 27, from 6-7:30 p.m. on Zoom, this session will address what individuals can do throughout their daily lives to prioritize mental health, build resiliency, and continue to cope with the obstacles of COVID-19. Specifically, strategies on how to adapt to trauma and stress, process big changes, and take time for yourself will be discussed.
More information is available online.
Take a Photo! Help Us Spread the Word
Help us spread the word. Fairfax County Public Schools is reaching out to the community and encouraging families to return to FCPS for five days of in-person learning this fall. Students will be welcomed back to nationally recognized academics, exciting athletics and creative music and arts, along with tremendous extracurricular, hands-on activities, and to the joy of spending time with peers and classmates.
What are you excited about for this Fall? Take a picture and share it with us on social media! Be sure to use the hashtag #FCPSReturningStrong. FCPS will be displaying banners and yard signs at all our school sites-watch out for those Fairfax Connector buses in the next couple of weeks too!
More information is available online.
Ask Me Why I Vaccinate—Teen Vaccine Campaign
Teens are getting vaccinated and sharing their reasons why with the rest of us! (Note: In some photos, masks were briefly removed, but safety measures were in place.)
Meet a Justice High School senior, Venus, and hear her "why."
New Edition of Special Education Parent Newsletter Available Now
The Department of Special Services (DSS) publishes a regular electronic newsletter for parents of special education students to provide updated DSS information, tips, and ideas to support you and your family during distance learning. The latest issue is available online.
They’re Here! Cicadas Bring Learning Opportunities to Belvedere Elementary School Students
The long-awaited Brood X cicadas have been emerging all over Fairfax County Public Schools’ grounds in the last few days, as they wake from their 17-year slumber. At Belvedere Elementary School in Falls Church, this has meant students are coming face-to-face with the insects they have been studying in class this past month.
Thanks to the work of environmental educators Andrea Auerbach and Stacey Evers, librarian Marcie Atkins and resource teacher Ellen Rogers, children across all grades have grown fascinated with all things cicada.
Meal Distribution Over the Memorial Day Holiday
FCPS is committed to providing all students access to meals over the Memorial Day holiday weekend May 28-31 when school buildings are closed. Extra meal distribution began May 24 at the Meal Kit sites and continues May 27 and May 28 at Grab and Go locations and all bus stops.
See the food distribution web page for more information.
Application Window Opens June 7 for RAD-PBV Housing Voucher Registration
Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) owns 1,060 units of housing made available through the Rental Assistance Demonstration-Project Based Voucher (RAD-PBV) program.
Units include one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom townhouses, garden apartments, and condominiums located in communities across Fairfax County. The application window for this popular program opens June 7; more information is available online in multiple languages.
2021-22 Kindergarten Registration
Will your child turn five years old by September 30? If so, contact your child’s school to make arrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Most schools begin getting information together now for parents of incoming kindergartners, and many host an orientation or open house. All kindergarten programs are full-day and located in FCPS elementary schools.
Check your school’s web page or contact the school directly for specific enrollment information and dates of orientation.
Get more information about kindergarten registration.
Video: How to Register Your Student in FCPS.
School Board Approves FCPS Budget Focused on COVID-19 Recovery
Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand and Fairfax County School Board Chair Ricardy Anderson share their gratitude to Fairfax County taxpayers and county leaders for their commitment to the students of Fairfax County Public Schools.
The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved a Budget for FY 2022 (2021-22 school year) that places the well-being of all FCPS students, staff, and families at its core during a time where the county's finances have been greatly impacted by the pandemic. The FY22 Approved Budget prioritizes and funds resources that support our students’ academic and social-emotional needs including increasing technology support for students and their families.
More information on the FY 2022 budget is available online.
Video: Learn how Fairfax County Public Schools is funded.
Provide Your Feedback on FCPS’ COVID Relief Funds
Fairfax County Public Schools wants to hear from you about how you want to spend anticipated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III funds. The funds will be used to get our schools back to normal as quickly as possible.
FCPS is seeking stakeholder input on how our community would like the grant to be used in support of students, staff, and school operations.
Learn more about the ESSER III grant.
Sign up to speak at a Fairfax County School Board Public Hearing about the ESSER III grant on June 7 at 6 p.m or submit your input using the FCPS Online Feedback Form.
Twenty-One Students Receive Scholarships from FCPS Hispanic Leadership Alliance
The Hispanic Leadership Alliance—a certified employee group of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) employees—presented scholarships to 21 students on Monday, May 10.
Scholarship recipients were recognized for leadership and mentoring skills in their educational and social activities. Candidates are committed to furthering their education while improving their communities. Each of the applicants will be the first in their families to attend a postsecondary institution.
Feminine Hygiene Products Available Free in All FCPS School Bathrooms
During the past year, almost all public health conversations have been dominated by discussions related to COVID-19. However, even during the pandemic, FCPS has been working to address all health directives enforced by the Code of Virginia, including a new provision for feminine hygiene products.
Virginia House Bill 405 and Senate Bill 232 addressing the provision of feminine hygiene products to public elementary, middle, and high schools students became effective on July 1, 2020. These bills require each local school board to make tampons or pads available, always, and at no cost to students. Appropriate, accessible locations in each elementary school and in the bathrooms of each middle and high school were identified at the school level.
FCPS has completed the installation of dispensers in all school bathrooms and other locations, as determined by the principal or designee, to provide access to feminine hygiene napkins (pads) at no cost to students. For any schools that may have older dispensers that require payment, these dispensers will be identified and removed by Facilities. Tampons will not be provided.
Grades 4-8 Family Life Education (FLE) lessons will address this change to inform students of feminine hygiene napkins availability.
Vietnamese and Korean Speakers Needed as Election Officers for June Primary Election
The Fairfax County Office of Elections needs additional bilingual election officers to assist voters for the Primary Election to be held on Tuesday June 8, and in future elections.
Specifically, individuals who speak Vietnamese and English fluently or Korean and English fluently are needed to serve in Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, and Falls Church. Bilingual officers will perform all regular election officer duties, including assisting most voters in English, but will be assigned to precincts with a significant number of voters who may primarily speak Vietnamese or Korean. To serve as a designated bilingual election officer, you must also complete a short oral language skills assessment.
Fairfax County is the largest voting jurisdiction in Virginia with 243 precincts countywide. It takes thousands of enthusiastic and trained election officers to ensure that we have efficient and well-run elections. Compensation begins at $175 and training is provided online for new officers.
To apply, go to https://www.vote4fairfax.com/apply/ (Be sure to indicate if you speak Vietnamese or Korean).
More information is available online.