Career Mentoring Includes Social-Emotional Mentoring

The Harraseeket Foundation has teamed up with FCPS Work-Based Learning and MentorWorks to develop a career mentoring Ignite Partnership. 

Career mentoring is a structured engagement method that enables students to learn about specific industries, workplaces, and the academic and career pathways leading to specific career fields. Career mentoring also offers adults a unique opportunity to share the “soft skills” necessary for workplace and life success including professionalism, responsibility, integrity, a positive attitude, team work, a work ethic and more. 

Harraseeket will be recruiting employers interested in offering career consultation and internships to students, and community mentors to help the students succeed in the internships. While this partnership will be active throughout FCPS, our partners have agreed to focus on and target students in the Herndon High School and South Lakes High School pyramids.

Congratulations to the Harraseeket Foundation for partnering with Fairfax County Public Schools.

Bea Proud Foundation Partners With Kilmer Center

The Bea Proud Foundation, a local not-for-profit committed to serving youth and their families, has signed an Ignite Partnership agreement with Kilmer Center near Tysons Corner.  In partnership with Macy’s Department Stores and other donors, Bea Proud Foundation is committed to serving all 65 students at the center with donations of winter wear, health and hygiene items, and school supplies.

Thank you Bea Proud Foundation for partnering

Superintendent Reid Lauds Business and Community Leaders at Educate Fairfax Breakfast

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michelle Reid, spoke about the connections and importance of strengthening connections between schools and business and community leaders at Wednesday’s Leaders & Learners Breakfast.

The Wednesday, November 9, 2022 coffee, networking and breakfast event was hosted by Educate Fairfax, the school division’s not-for-profit foundation, to celebrate the special bond between our school system and the larger community.

t the event Superintendent Reid lauded the community support that she sees for Fairfax County Public Schools, saying that she senses it’s a notch above most other communities then pointing out the event’s strong turnout as an example of that support.

Under the banner “Education is Everybody’s Business,” Educate Fairfax recognized the FCPS Champion Award winner, the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, for their generous commitment to funding opportunities for students in FCPS Medical Pathways programs. The FCPS Leadership award was presented to Len Forkas, President of Milestone Towers for his leadership, vision and guidance of Educate Fairfax during the pandemic, as well his commitment to chairing the citizen's committee for the Bond Referendum every two years.

Edison Academy Welcomes Citizen Advisors

Members of the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC) toured classrooms and met students and their teachers at Edison Academy on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

Edison Academy is one of six FCPS high school academies. In each, students receive specialized training and industry credentials in a multitude of sought-after program areas. Edison Academy’s course offerings include Auto Collision and Tech, Cyber/IT, Veterinary Science, Teachers for Tomorrow, Construction Technology, and much more. 

 “A visit like this is a two-way street,” says CTE Coordinator, Dr. Whitney Ketchledge. “Our CTEAC members are learning, first hand, how our course offerings impact students and learning. Welcoming community members from today’s workforce, helps us too as they keep CTE staff members attuned to industry happenings. 

CTEAC’s overarching purpose is to provide recommendations to the school board on current job needs and the relevancy of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Because CTEAC members assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of local plans, visiting a high school academy offers insights members otherwise might not have.

Along with the tour, students and staff members spoke about their planned and potential career pathways through questions from CTEAC members about their certification requirements, union versus non-union employment, apprenticeships and more.

Our Partners and the FCPS Trust Policy

As our valued partners, we hope that you will understand and support the tenets of the Fairfax County Public Schools’ Trust Policy, which has been added to all Ignite Partnership agreements. 

The Trust Policy affirms that students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials.

In alignment with Fairfax County’s Trust and Confidentiality Policy, the trust policy confirms the School Board’s commitment to providing a safe and welcoming space for all students and their families. 

Learn more about FCPS’ Trust Policy on our website.

Lunch and Learn - Information on Partnering with FCPS

The most clicked link in last month’s newsletter was the one providing information about becoming an Ignite Partner with Fairfax County Public Schools.

Clicking and reading is fine, but how about some two-way dialogue?

Businesses, community groups and governmental groups looking to learn about partnering with FCPS are encouraged to attend an upcoming Partnerships Virtual Lunch and Learn.  

Remaining 2022 Partnerships Virtual Lunch and Learn Dates:

• November 15 - 11:30 a.m. to Noon
• December 20 - 11:30 a.m. to Noon

Learn what defines a partnership and the return on investment (ROI) that our partners enjoy; understand the Ignite Partnerships structure and its value; explore other ways to support FCPS; and get answers to your questions.

Each Lunch and Learn will last just 30 minutes and include a five to seven minute overview followed by 20 minutes of Q&A. 

Join the meeting from your computer or mobile app.