FCPS Begins Pilot Program Testing iPads for Its Youngest Learners

This week, FCPS is beginning a pilot program at Lake Anne Elementary, Riverside Elementary, and Bailey’s Primary on the use of iPads for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students. Technology adds an increasingly important component to student learning. The iPad rollout, purchased with a federal grant, is part of an overhaul of technology available to support our youngest learners.

TJHSST Student Honors Lost Cousin’s Memory with Award-Winning Surgical Monitoring Program

Pravalika Gayatri Putalapattu, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, has received a $70,000 award for designing a video-assisted workflow recognition program to monitor laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries in real time. 

Her work won seventh place at the 2022 Regeneron Science Talent Search. The 17-year-old’s program verifies a surgeon's actions and flags errors so immediate corrections can be made. 

Read more about the great things happening in FCPS on our website. 

Students from Twelve High Schools Win Awards at Virginia DECA Conference, Earn a Trip to DECA International Conference

A total of 153 students from 12 Fairfax County Public Schools high schools were recognized as competitive event winners at the Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference held in Virginia Beach March 2-6. These students earned the right to compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference April 23-26.

See who received a state DECA award. 

`Set a Goal and Work Like Hell:’ Afghan Refugee Graduates FCPS in Under a Year With College Scholarships

Mountain View High School graduate Eltaf Samim traversed six countries, completed seventh, eighth and ninth grade multiple times in different nations and turned in coursework in three languages on the way to get his high school diploma this year.

The Afghan refugee left his home nation in 2015, after his father feared his work with the American military could put Eltaf and his four younger siblings at risk of being kidnapped.

Learn more about Eltaf Samim. 

Student Artwork Wanted for Schoology Design Challenge

Help FCPS fill in the big blue space that students, staff, and families see when they log into Schoology. We are looking for talented FCPS students in any grade to participate and have their artwork considered for display.

Students can work individually or as a group designing any form of artwork that represents “How Schoology helps me learn.” Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on May 20. 

Details for this challenge and information on how students can submit their work (parent permission required) are available online.

Deadline for Historical Marker Contest Extended to April 30

Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors are holding a joint Historical Marker Project. The purpose of the optional project is to bring attention to untold or lesser known histories from Fairfax County communities. The rich history, culture, and accomplishments of these communities is often underrepresented in history books and school curriculum. The first focus of the project is Fairfax County’s Black and African American communities. 

As part of the Historical Marker Project, students in grades 4-12 will focus on Portrait of a Graduate skills, such as communication and collaboration, by engaging in inquiry to recognize the voices, experiences, and achievements of Black/African Americans from Fairfax County. Students can submit suggested topics featuring a person, place, or event until April 30. 

More information on the Historical Marker Project.

Video: Equity Means Opportunities for All Students

March is Virginia Equity in Education Month. We asked interim chief equity officer Nardos King to tell us about what equity means in FCPS. Watch this video to learn more. 

Family Engagement Survey Closes on April 3

FCPS families received an email with a link to our Family Engagement Survey on Sunday, March 13. The survey closes April 3. Providing your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve FCPS’ practices to best support our students.

Taking this survey will also help strengthen the partnership between your family and your school. When that partnership is strong, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, and better social skills and behavior.

FCPS is partnering with independent firm K12 Insight to administer the survey, and it is available in eight languages. For more information, visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage. Your voice matters!

Registration Still Open for the 2022 Special Education Conference on March 26 

This year’s Special Education Conference will be held virtually on Saturday, March 26, with a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions supporting the conference's theme: Bringing our Inclusive Community Together: Affirming, Assessing, Advancing. Welcoming ceremonies, guest speakers, FCPS presentations, and an exhibit hall are included. Registration for this free conference is open online.

Speakers include:

• Dr. Lisa Cullins, A Conversation About Compassion Fatigue.
• Marlo Keller, Exceptional Family Member Program Pathways: Navigating the Halls of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) School Move.
• Ann Dolin, Less Policing, More Parenting: How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments.
• Dr. Lisa Bateman, Reducing the Stigma Around Mental Health Challenges and How to Support Children in Asking for Help. 

Visit the Special Education Conference webpage for more information and to register.   

Calendar Reminder: Early Dismissal on March 31 and Student Holiday on April 1; Spring Break Is April 4-8

As a reminder, students will be dismissed two hours early on Thursday, March 31, the last day of the third quarter. Friday, April 1, is a teacher workday and a holiday for students. April 4-8 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar. 

Meal Kit Distribution Change for Spring Break

In preparation for spring break (April 4-8), the following plan is in place for meal kit distribution:

• March 30: Additional meals (four days of breakfast and lunch, along with 14 days of afternoon snack and supper meals) will be served in one meal kit.
• April 6: Meal kit distribution is canceled.
• April 13: Regular meal kit distribution resumes.

More information and locations of the meal kit sites is available online. 

Reminder: School Board Meeting on March 24 

The School Board will hold a regular business meeting on Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. See the complete regular meeting agenda. 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:

• Changes to the Student and Staff Health and Wellness policy. 
• Recommended School Operating Fund adjustments based on the third quarter budget review. 
• Appointment of individuals to School Board citizen advisory committees. 

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 votes the morning after the School Board meeting.

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