FCPS This Week - February 16, 2022
Messages of LOVE for FCPS Employees
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently declared February 8, We Love FCPS Day. That same day, our friends at Volunteer Fairfax showed their love by delivering more than 7,000 personal valentine cards to FCPS staff members in more than 40 schools as a part of their annual Valentines Challenge.
How We Measure Community Transmission
Last week, we shared our plan to safely scale back layered prevention measures using COVID-19 community transmission data and health expert recommendations to inform our decision-making.
Our roll back strategy will be implemented when the Fairfax County community reaches moderate transmission and remains there for seven consecutive days. We measure community transmission as total new cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days. The following chart shows the numbers that determine community transmission and what that means for student mask guidelines and student screening testing.
As of the week of February 6 - February 12 (the most recent data), there were 170 new cases per 100,000 people. This is still classified as high transmission. In order to move to moderate transmission, cases must be less than 50. The next data report will be Monday, February 21. The reports can be found on the VDH website.
Read the message we shared on February 10 for more about our roll back plan.
It’s Time for 2022-23 Kindergarten Registration
Will your child turn five years old by September 30? If so, contact your child’s school to make arrangements for kindergarten enrollment. Most schools begin getting information together now for parents of incoming kindergartners, and many host an orientation or open house. All kindergarten programs are full-day and located in FCPS elementary schools.
Check your school’s web page or contact the school directly for specific enrollment information and dates of orientation that typically occur between mid-March and the end of June.
Get more information about kindergarten registration.
2022-23 College Financial Aid Forms Are Available; College Access Fairfax Is Here to Help
It’s time for high school seniors and their families to complete college financial aid forms. Most colleges require that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) be completed by March 1 to receive the maximum financial aid possible starting in fall of 2022. Some schools have even earlier priority deadlines, so check the individual college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and specific forms to complete. To begin the FAFSA, you will need to create a FSA ID.
A new funding opportunity is available for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) program went live on January 6, 2022, for students attending college in the 2022-2023 school year.
There are many resources available to help students and families with the financial aid process. Information to help determine which aid option is right for you can be found on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
There are several College Access Fairfax recordings, virtual workshops, and resources available for viewing at the College Access Fairfax website. College Access Fairfax’s Financial Aid Champions also provide help completing the financial aid forms. To request a one-on-one appointment, please email [email protected] to request a personal session.
Families can also contact their high school's college and career specialist or school counselor if they need additional help.
Future IT and Trades Workers: Join us for Back2Fairfax 2022
Current FCPS juniors, seniors, and recent FCPS graduates considering an operational career with Fairfax County Public Schools are encouraged to join the Back2Fairfax Operational Seminar on Tuesday, February 22, from 5-8 p.m. The event will be held virtually this year.
The event is a great opportunity to network with current employees in various operational and administrative positions. Learn more about your future career during a live operational employee panel and breakout sessions on various topics including Apprenticeship 101, Computer Hardware Repair, Network Engineering, Technology Support, Trade Careers, and more.
For more information, please email [email protected].
Registration is available online.
Volunteer Reflects on 42 Years With FCPS' Science Fair
Each year, more than 200 judges are needed at the Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair (held this year March 9-20) to evaluate hundreds of student projects in categories from astronomy to plant sciences to robotics. Serving as a judge is an opportunity to interact directly with students and learn about their research interests virtually or in person. It’s a learning experience for adults, too.
Dr. Chet Kessler, MD, is a retired family doctor who practiced medicine in Fairfax for 42 years. He has judged the Science and Engineering Fair the same number of years and is very much looking forward to his 43rd. “It’s my ‘Rite of Spring,’” he says. “My wife and I plan vacations around it.”
Join in the Resource Review Process
Anyone who would like to have a voice in the resources selected for elementary language arts classrooms has that opportunity this month. Resource review is happening now.
You can review digital resources and leave feedback online. Physical resources for elementary language arts are being reviewed throughout the month at the Willow Oaks Administration Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday. In-person review hours will be extended to 7 p.m. on February 10.
2023-27 Capital Improvement Plan Approved By Fairfax County School Board
The Fairfax County School Board voted to approve the Fairfax County Public Schools FY 2023-27 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at its business meeting on February 10.
The FY 2023-27 five-year capital requirement totals approximately $1.2 billion and identifies current or anticipated funding for several capital projects within the five-year timeframe.
Get more information about the FY 2023-27 Capital Improvement Program.
Memories of Luther Jackson High School
During the era of segregated public schools in Fairfax County, Luther Jackson High School (now Luther Jackson Middle School) served as the first, and only, high school in the county for African-American children. Alumni of Luther Jackson High School share their memories of the school, its teachers, and student life. Watch the video.
Cappies Review of Airness at McLean High School
Many FCPS high schools participate in the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Critics and Awards Program for High School Theater, otherwise known as the Cappies. The Cappies is a program through which high school theater and journalism students are trained as critics, attend shows at other schools, write reviews, and publish those reviews in local newspapers.
Subscribe to the 2021-22 Fine and Performing Arts Calendar
If you enjoy high school theater, check out the Fine and Performing Arts calendar on our website. Individual listings for many middle and high school theater events are featured. Users can subscribe to the calendar to be notified of upcoming performances, and each event can be added to a calendar or shared on social media. See the Fine and Performing Arts calendar.
Sub and Save the Day–Learn More at Our Virtual Substitute Job Fair on February 17
Fairfax County Public Schools is currently hiring daily and long-term substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistants. Substitutes help our students thrive when their teacher must be out of the classroom and are essential members of every school’s team.
Want to make a difference in the life of a child? Join us for our Substitute Teaching Job Fair on Thursday, February 17, from 9-11 a.m. Learn more about the fair, as well as how to apply, prepare, register, and attend.
Calendar Reminder: Schools and Offices Closed on February 21 for Presidents Day Holiday
As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 21, for the Presidents Day holiday. FCPS COVID-19 testing sites will also be closed.
Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 22. See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar.