Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid got a taste of the “Davis Magic” Wednesday when students from FCPS' Davis Career Center delivered cookies they made from scratch to her office. The students are enrolled in Davis’ Culinary Arts program, which teaches skills like baking, cooking, catering, and food service. The apple- and flower-shaped cookies, adorned with colorful icing, were a sweet surprise for the superintendent.

Community Conversations Continue

This weekend, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid met with 100 Korean students and families. She and the families got to know each other better, shared what they have in common, and talked about their plans and concerns for students in Fairfax County Public Schools.  

She continues her Community Conversations with families and staff at each high school pyramid. These events offer a unique opportunity to help Dr. Reid get to know the FCPS community. Language interpretation will be available. Please view the schedule and register to attend. We hope to see you at an event soon!

When Should a Student Stay Home?

Help your student succeed by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. So when should your child stay home? Visit our site for helpful ideas regarding absences and how to work with your child and your school. 

Whether students are absent because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss. Remember: Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of the members of our community whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

For more information on local celebrations, visit the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services website.

Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders

The Parent Resource Center (PRC) will host a webinar on September 16, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the following topics:

• Signs and symptoms of eating disorders and how they differ in age groups.
• Facts and myths about eating disorders. 
• How to avoid negative messaging on body image and food in education.
• What parents need from school staff to support families fighting eating disorders.

Register online. Visit the PRC website for more information on their materials and a schedule of upcoming webinars. 

National Voter Registration Day

Did you know: Tuesday, September 20, is National Voter Registration Day. 

The League of Women Voters of Virginia recently recognized the following FCPS high schools for registering a large number of students to vote last school year:

• Chantilly High School
• Hayfield Secondary School
• Herndon High School
• John Lewis High School
• Lake Braddock Secondary School
• Marshall High School
• Robinson Secondary School
• South County High School
• Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
• West Springfield High School
• Westfield High School
• Woodson High School

The deadline to register to vote in 2022 is October 17. For more information on how to register, visit the Office of Elections webpage. 

How to Access Free Resources from Tutor.com

FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families during the 2022-23 school year. Student participation is optional and parents/guardians can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Detailed information and FAQs are available on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.

Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to [email protected].

Family Engagement Survey Results

FCPS administered its second Family Engagement Survey in the 2021-22 school year to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school communities.

Key findings include:

• “My child feels safe at school,” was the highest-ranking item for elementary parents/guardians, with 95% agreeing or strongly agreeing with that statement.
• 84% of participating parents/guardians indicated they were respected or very respected at their child’s school, and 83% indicated their child was respected or very respected at their school. 
• 86% of participating parents/guardians said their child’s school recognizes and respects families’ cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity.

The survey was open from March 13-April 10 and was available in 10 languages. All families with students in preK through 12th grade were invited to participate. View survey results on our website.

The survey was open from March 13-April 10. All families with students in preK through 12th grade were invited to participate.

From VDOE: Invalid P-EBT Cards Issued

Last week the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) discovered that due to a technical card processing glitch, 90,000 new cards that do not work were issued to households. New cards were ordered and, according to the vendor, will be put in the mail in the next few days. A public message was posted to the VDSS website.

If families have recently received a P-EBT card that is not working, a replacement card is already on the way. Do not contact the P-EBT Call Center or submit an Inquiry Form to order another card, as this may further delay the processing of their benefits. 

Schools are not able to provide answers to your P-EBT questions. Please visit PEBTVA.com for the latest information and guidance concerning P-EBT. If a family is expecting benefits and has not received a new card or benefits by September 30, please contact the P-EBT Call Center at 1-866-513-1414. 

“Shark Tank” Technology Challenge 

The Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee is proud to announce the 7th Annual Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge. The competition is open to all high school students in Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and the City of Falls Church.  

Students in the competition will develop a device or mobile app that will have a positive impact on the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, or caregivers. Students are encouraged to be innovative and creative. Potential projects may be a mobile app, web service, robotic or assistive device, or any combination of those. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners by IntegrityOne Partners, the event sponsor.

Learn more about the technology challenge, the timeline and how to enter. Read about last year’s winners, who designed a walker to assist patients with Parkinson’s disease. 

2021 Fairfax County Youth Survey

The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The county has posted the results for the 2021 survey. 

The survey is given to all students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 each fall. It provides a wealth of information about a variety of topics related to our youth that influence their physical and mental well being, from sleep and nutritional habits to substance abuse behaviors to symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts. 

The results provide a snapshot of our youth in Fairfax County but also serve as a barometer of our own effectiveness as a community in fostering healthy choices in our young people. Data from the Fairfax County Youth Survey is used as a measurement tool in the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2 - Caring Culture - Healthy Life Choices.

The survey is anonymous and voluntary. Visit our website for more information on the upcoming Fairfax County Youth Survey.

Providing a Safe and Welcoming Space This School Year and Beyond

The Fairfax County School Board approved a Trust Policy this spring, as a continued commitment to fostering a caring culture and providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families in FCPS. The policy aligns with Fairfax County Government’s Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy to ensure that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. 

Additional information is available in multiple languages on FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage. If you have questions about the policy, please contact FCPS’ Office of Professional Learning and Equity at [email protected].

FCPS has established an email address for staff, students, and families to report possible Trust Policy violations. If you feel someone has violated the Trust Policy, please email [email protected]. 

Sexual Harassment Prohibited in FCPS

Policy 4950, Sexual Harassment, states that no person in Fairfax County Public Schools shall be subjected to sexual harassment. It is the intent of the School Board to maintain an environment free from sexual harassment of any kind.

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature amounting to or constituting harassment are prohibited. Employees should report complaints of sexual harassment to their supervisors or program managers.

If, for any reason, an individual prefers not to address their concerns directly with a principal, supervisor, or program manager, he or she may consult with, or file a complaint with, the Office of Equity and Employee Relations by calling 571-423-3070.

School Board Meeting on September 15, at 7 p.m.

The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, September 15, 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:

• A motion to renew the strategic plan.
• Reallocation of ESSER III funds.
• Awarding of contracts.

To watch recorded School Board meetings or live Regular 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.

Interested in School Board action items? Sign up to get an update on any School Board action items the morning after the School Board meeting.

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