Progress Reports and End of Quarter SIS Updates

FCPS Weekly Progress Reports will not be sent to parents through Wednesday, November 9, while first quarter grading and report cards are created. Also, the Grade Book and Report Card modules in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed until Wednesday, November 9, at 6 a.m.

Purple Star Schools Support Military-Connected Families

Forty Fairfax County public schools have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as 2022 Purple Star Schools. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. 

See the full list of schools. 

FCPS Receives $2 Million Grant to Fund STEAM

FCPS has been awarded a $2 million Department of Defense Education Activity Military-Connected Local Educational Agencies for Academic and Support Programs Grant that will support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and computer science integration to advance math learning goals. This grant project, called Code UP! is a five-year grant program, officially began October 2022. 

Visit our website to learn more about this program and see which schools will implement the program. 

How FCPS Develops Its School Year Calendar

In an annual planning process, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) uses input from the community to help develop the school year calendar for the following year. Our framework for creating the calendar is available online to ensure transparency, as we work to build a calendar that is inclusive and equitable. Stay tuned for information about FCPS’ upcoming Calendar Survey. Parents/caregivers, students in grades 7-12, and employees will be invited to participate.

Strategic Plan Student Survey Opens Today

We are excited to begin the process of developing FCPS’ new Strategic Plan! From November 2, through Friday, November 18, students in grades 3-12, will have an opportunity to be a part of this work by taking the Strategic Plan Student Survey. This opportunity will allow them to share their thoughts about school and what’s important to them. If you opted your child out of taking the survey, they will not be asked to participate. 

Schools will be showing an informational video to help familiarize students with the concept of a Strategic Plan prior to administering the survey. Students in grades 3-6 will watch this video, and those in grades 7-12 will be shown this version. Visit the Strategic Plan Student Survey webpage for more information. 

Why Do We Need a Strategic Plan?

FCPS’ last strategic plan was developed in 2015. Since then, we experienced a pandemic that changed the way we think, a shift in technology that has seen eight new versions of the iPhone, and plans developed for the first manned mission to Mars. 

Our students are preparing for careers that don’t exist today. In order to keep pace with these needs, we need to rethink our plans for the future—and how we will best serve our students for this new era. Employees, parents/caregivers, students, and our FCPS community must share the same purpose in order to recognize how we can move forward together. 

We are all much more motivated, and successful, when we share clear end goals. Learn more on our Strategic Plan webpage. 

Want to Work for FCPS? Subs, Monitors, and Others Needed! 

FCPS will hold a virtual job fair on November 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. We are seeking those interested in positions as substitute teachers, substitute instructional assistants, student monitors, instructional assistants, public health attendants (PHAs), and public health training assistants (PHTAs) positions. Learn more and register to attend or view current job openings. 

$3,000 Signing Bonus for Bus Drivers

Job fairs will be held for those interested in becoming FCPS bus drivers on:

• Friday, November 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stonecroft Transportation Center.
• Wednesday, November 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lorton Center. 

If you have questions, please call 571-423-3000 or email [email protected]. 

Bonus Opportunities for Subs! 

FCPS is always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistants to ensure our students continue to thrive when teachers and instructional assistants need to be out of the classroom. Substitute teaching is a great opportunity for future teachers, stay-at-home parents, retirees, college students, part-time employees, and anyone who wants to make a difference. 

FCPS has started offering bonuses for substitutes who are available to teach on high volume days. Also, substitutes who work more days, will earn extra bonuses when they reach 50, 100, or 150 days worked in a school year. Visit the Substitute Teaching Employment Opportunities page for more information.  

Substitute Teacher and Substitute Instructional Assistant Information Sessions are held virtually on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. Candidates will receive a link to the virtual information session via email the Monday before the session. Sign up for an information session. 

Lewis Leadership Program Reception

Last week, a reception was held at Lewis High School hosted by Principal Alfonso Smith, and attended by family members of the late Congressman John R. Lewis, the school’s namesake, as well as several school board members. The event was hosted for community partners, staff, and students who have been influential in the creation of the Lewis Leadership Program. The program adopts the principles of Congressman John Lewis’s life through a curriculum that focuses on government, public policy, leadership, and human rights. Interested students may become more involved through field experiences, guest speakers, service learning, specialized coursework, internships, and university partnerships. 

School Improvement and Innovation/ESSER III Plans

Wondering how ESSER funds are being spent at your school? The Fall 2022 School Improvement and Innovation (SIIP)/Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) plans are available online. Plans will be updated periodically as schools have opportunities to adjust their plans and budgets.

Staying Healthy this Cold/Flu Season

Although the community level of COVID-19 in Fairfax County is currently low, cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses are on the rise. It is still important for students to wash their hands regularly and cover their coughs and sneezes. Please monitor your child’s health daily and keep them at home if they are sick. For more tips, Health and Safety Guidance webpage. 

November Is Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions recognized by FCPS.

Calendar Reminders: Daylight Saving Time Ends

Daylight saving time will end this Sunday, November 6, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!

Remember to Vote!

Don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 8! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and teachers. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website. 

Veterans Day

As a reminder, Friday, November 11, is a student holiday/school planning day for the Veterans Day holiday. Veterans Day is a time to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf. We thank them for their service. Learn about the history of Veterans Day at VA.gov.

See the 2022-23 School Year Calendar.

Community Conversations Wrapping Up

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid has been hosting Community Conversations across the division since August as a way to get to know our school communities. There aren’t many sessions remaining, so make sure you mark your calendar! 

We invite you to register to attend your school pyramid event or, if you have been unable to attend a previous event in your pyramid, register for a location and date that is convenient for you. See the schedule and register for an event. Language interpretation, childcare, and light refreshments will be provided.

School Board Meeting on November 3, at 7 p.m.

The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, November 3, at 7 p.m. See the complete regular meeting agenda (English only). The meeting can be viewed on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, and on the FCPS website. Agenda highlights include:

• Strategic Plan Update by the Superintendent.
• Awarding of Contracts.

Recordings of School Board meetings and work sessions can be viewed on the FCPS YouTube channel. To watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, you can visit the FCPS en Español YouTube channel.

If you need language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the Board clerk.

Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.

School Board Seeking FPAC Applicants

The Fairfax County School Board invites applications from community members interested in serving on the Facilities Planning Advisory Council (FPAC) as an At-Large member. FPAC advises and informs FCPS staff and the School Board in the development of comprehensive, long-term plans for facilities.

FCPS encourages individuals with experience in construction, engineering, architecture, land use planning, development, demographics, government operations, and financing to apply. The deadline to submit an application is November 9. Applicants must reside within the boundaries of Fairfax County or Fairfax City. More information and an application are available online.

Red Flag Gun Law in Virginia

Virginia’s Emergency Substantial Risk Orders (ESRO) law prevents individuals who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing, possessing, or transporting any kind of firearm. If you know of someone with a gun acting in a way that concerns you, speak up to prevent a gun tragedy. 

To request an ESRO in Fairfax County, call the police non-emergency line at 703-691-2131. If there is an immediate danger, call or text 911. Learn more about Red Flag laws on the county government website.