They Signed on the Dotted Line

Psi Alpha Alpha

Our Mentoring Ignite Partnership with Psi Alpha Alpha, a chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, is underway. Chapter Basileus or President W.J. Williams, Jr. says Psi Alpha Alpha began their work at Lewis High School, and recently decided to expand to include West Potomac and Mount Vernon High Schools.

Psi Alpha Alpha’s Man Up mentoring program, among other things, focuses on scholarship, perseverance, college and career readiness, social networking, and the daily application of soft skills. Psi Alpha Alpha is providing at least 10 caring adult mentors at each school. We are extremely grateful!.
 

Partnerships in the Pipeline

While we’ve started discussion with Cease Hunger, General Motors, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Undaunted Futures, and expansion with Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, we’re well on the way to formalizing relationships with AALEAD and EduTutorVA. 

AALEAD 

The not-for-profit Asian American Youth Leadership Empowerment and Development (AALEAD) is close to signing a Workforce Development Ignite Partnership agreement to support educational empowerment, identity development, and leadership opportunities targeting low-income and underserved Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth in Fairfax County. 

Four schools in Regions 2 and 3 will be partnering with AALEAD. Annandale and Falls Church High School, and Holmes Middle School are in the queue, with a fourth school to be determined.  

AALEAD estimates contributing 357 employee hours and 320 volunteer hours per academic year.

EduTutorVA

EduTutorVA is starting their second year supporting students in FCPS with a unique tutoring and teacher development partnership. 

The model EduTutorVA involves undergraduate and graduate level college students from George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College, who serve as trained language arts and math tutors for elementary and middle school students. 

This year, six tutors are looking to work with 12 to 18 students at Westlawn Elementary School, where the principal is hopeful that their passion for teaching becomes an obsession and that they apply and become teachers in Fairfax County Public Schools.
 

But Wait, There's More

GrandInvolve Scores!

Every time the Washington Capitals score a goal this regular season, the Fairfax County not-for-profit GrandInvolve scores too -- $100 per goal! 

The generous donation is sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank and their Scores for Kids program with NBC Sports Washington, who collaborate to raise awareness and direct funds to a worthy local not-for-profit. 

Prior to the pandemic, GrandInvolve volunteers served as tutors in 25 Title I schools in FCPS. Their volunteers continue to serve in classrooms this year, and as we begin to come out of the pandemic, they are positioned to assist more students at more schools. 

Thank you Burke & Herbert Bank, NBC Sports Washington, GrandInvolve, and all the Washington Capitals goal scorers for supporting GrandInvolve and the great work that they do with students in our community.

From Volunteer to Substitute Teacher

Last month, we shared about volunteers from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This month, we learned that the volunteer we featured, Dr. Jay Labov, following our calls for support, became a substitute teacher with Fairfax County Public Schools. Thank you, Dr. Labov!

FCPS continues to seek individuals to serve as substitute teachers. Existing partners and volunteers currently not engaged because of COVID-19 workplace restrictions are encouraged to consider subbing.

Substitutes can choose to work at various FCPS locations. Candidates  should visit FCPS’ Substitute Teaching Opportunities page and apply. 

Please direct questions to the FCPS Department of Human Resources through the online web portal.

Bond Referendum Passes  

Thank You Voters!  On November 2, Fairfax County voters approved a $360 million school bond referendum with 70% of voters voting “yes.”

Bond proceeds will be used to fund school improvements in accordance with the School Board’s 

Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which is updated annually. 

The CIP currently contemplates acquisition of a future school site; planning and design of renovation projects; adding onto and renovating existing school facilities; managing construction; and making other physical repairs and improvements. The school projects are slated to begin within the next two years under the Proposed FY 2022-26 CIP and consist of the following:

• Renovation of five elementary schools (Wakefield Forest, Louise Archer, Crossfield, Mosaic (Mosby Woods), and Bonnie Brae).
• Planning and design of seven additional elementary school renovations. 
• Renovation of one high school (Falls Church).
• Planning and design of one additional high school (Centreville).
• New high school site purchase in Western Fairfax County.

Collectively, these improvements will provide the FCPS community with nearly 970,000 square feet of new space, including additional classrooms; expansions of cafeterias, libraries, and gyms; newly equipped science rooms; improved administrative areas; additional parking; site improvements; and more. 

A special thank you was shared by School Board Chair, Ms. Stella Pekarsky in a post-election statement to the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce who led the creation of the Citizens Committee for Better School. The chamber and the committee worked with Fairfax County Public Schools to make certain facts about the referendum were disseminated throughout the community.

Thank you all for your support of Fairfax County Public Schools.
 

It’s Worth Repeating

The Foundation for FCPS is now Educate Fairfax. 

The new name, according to Executive Director Elizabeth Murphy, was chosen because it better reflects the mission to elevate the community by providing enhanced support and resources to students and teachers across Fairfax County. Through a refined focus on “Our Students, Our Strength,” Educate Fairfax strives to ensure that every FCPS student has a path to success.

At the regular meeting on October 21, Educate Fairfax staff and board members were recognized by the School Board for 10 years of service to the county's public schools. The board commended them on the new name and brand and for raising nearly $6,000,000 to support FCPS over the past few years.

Visit their Impact page to learn how donors make a difference in the lives of our students.

We’re Open for Business and Community Partners

Contact us if you need partnering information or want to know more about what FCPS Business and Community Partnerships is about beyond Ignite Partnerships