A student at Cameron Elementary School.

🏆 Teacher Honored by Fred Rogers Institute

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood at Katherine Johnson Middle School. 

Science Teacher Eric Haapapuro, known as “Mr. H” by his students, was honored by the Fred Rogers Institute with a Helper Award. Inspired by the legacy of Fred Rogers, the Helper Award recognizes individuals who care for children and communities in their daily and professional lives in “ordinary and extraordinary ways.”

Mr. H only began teaching three years ago. Read more about his journey to teaching for FCPS and why he was one of only 14 recipients of this award. Watch this short video about his award.

Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Kick Off  

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation at Hayfield Secondary School on Tuesday, September 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m., or at Whitman Middle School on Wednesday, September 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions. 

These events are part of a series of Community Conversations this fall and spring in each region. Days and times for the additional region events will be shared soon. Visit our webpage to find out when and where you can engage with Dr. Reid.

Register to attend. Pre-registration is not required but helps us to plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. 

Your voice matters. We look forward to seeing you at any of our upcoming Superintendent Community Conversations. 

🍎 Edison High School Principal’s Children Start Their Teaching Careers at FCPS

Since 2000, Edison High School Principal Amanda Burke (center) has been a familiar face at Fairfax County Public Schools. She started her career teaching at the high school she now leads. Today, Principal Burke’s infectious enthusiasm for education reflects in her two children, who also work for FCPS.

Principal Burke’s daughter, Corinne (left), is in her first year as a multiple disabilities teacher at South Lakes High School. Her son, Zachary (right), is a special education and biology teacher at Woodson High School. Read more about this FCPS family connection, and how Zachary and Corinne got a great start with mentors and support systems. 

✍️ Student Rights and Responsibilities Acknowledgement Due September 29

FCPS’ updated Student Rights and Responsibility (SR&R) booklet is available online and in SIS ParentVUE. The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior, and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. 

Each year, we ask parents/caregivers to review and sign the SR&R. The SR&R will be visible upon logging in to SIS ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgment has been completed.

Signatures are due by Friday, September 29. Contact your school’s front office if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet. Visit the SIS ParentVUE Account Overview webpage for help logging in to your account. 

👑 Academy Students’ Designs Featured in Miss USA Competition

Fairfax Academy’s Fashion Careers students hosted Miss Virginia USA Ashley Williams in classes this week. Students presented and pitched original design sketches for the state costume portion of the upcoming Miss USA competition. Two of their designs will be worn in the competition, which will be broadcast on Friday, September 29. Read about their collaboration. 

Learn about high school academy programs. 

Academic Matters: COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan

During the Academic Matters segment of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the school division’s actions regarding FCPS’ COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan. As a reminder, the plan was created to support the needs of students with disabilities whose learning was impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Since last December, FCPS has held more than 30,000 individualized education plan (IEP) and Section 504 meetings with families and provided more than 27,000 compensatory service hours to students. Through the compensatory meeting process, the school division has allocated more than $5.5 million in reimbursements to families for private services. 

For more updates, please watch Dr. Reid’s presentation on YouTube or view the slides.

🙋 We All Belong at School

Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school. There are solutions. 

Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

October Events Hosted by the Family Resource Center

The Family Resource Center offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. The FRC is hosting the following events in October:

• Building Family and School Partnerships for Twice Exceptional (2e) Students, Friday, October 6, at 10 a.m.
• Sibshops: An Exciting, In-Person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs, Monday, October 9, 9 a.m. to noon, at Providence Community Center. 
• What Your 11th and 12th Graders Are Learning in School About Drugs and How You Can Talk with Them
  • Presented in English on Friday, October 13, at 10 a.m.
  • Presented in Spanish on Friday, October 20, at 10 a.m. 
• Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: A Two-Part Series, Friday, October 27, at 10 a.m. and Friday, November 10, at 10 a.m.

Click the links above to register for the events. For more information, visit the Family Resource Center webpage. 

💲 Substitutes to Receive High-Volume Pay on High-Volume Days

The School Board has approved a list of 18 days for substitutes to receive high-volume pay. All teacher substitutes will receive their hourly pay plus an additional $80 for each high-volume day they work. See the list of high-volume days and more information. 

A bonus program for substitutes and substitute instructional assistants who accept more than the 10 required days has also been approved. Substitutes working 50 days within a school year, will earn a $200 bonus. Substitutes working 100 days within a school year, will earn a $300 bonus. Substitutes working 150 days within a school year, will earn a $400 bonus. Get more information on this sub bonus program. 

Make a SUBstantial Difference! 

FCPS is always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers and instructional assistants. Weekly virtual substitute teacher information sessions are held each Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Register for an upcoming session on Wednesday, September 27, and Wednesday, October 4. 

✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow's Innovation

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five student-centered goals to create positive change in FCPS. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

Under Goal 5, every student will graduate ready to thrive in life after high school with the skills they need to navigate, adapt, and innovate for a sustainable future. Using data gathered from students, we will ensure they are ready for a wide variety of options for their futures. 

Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 5. 

September Is Suicide Prevention Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people aged 10-24. When school personnel, families, students, and community members take an active role in suicide prevention, lives can be saved. 

Students in FCPS learn about suicide prevention using the Acknowledge, Care, Tell model (ACT). We can all support someone in need of help by ACTing. First, acknowledge signs of suicide. Next, show the individual that you care about them. Then, tell a trusted adult or support the person by connecting them with help. 

If someone indicates that they are experiencing thoughts of suicide, emergency services can be accessed by visiting the nearest emergency room or by contacting emergency services at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health at 703-573-5679, 24 hours a day, seven days per week. You can also call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free 24/7 support. 

Learn more about suicide prevention.

Yom Kippur — Schools and Offices Closed September 25 

All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 25, for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. Learn more about Yom Kippur on Brittanica.com. See the complete school year calendar. 

🌱 Healthy Together Fairfax Festival (Rain Date)

Enjoy a day of wellness at Healthy Together Fairfax on Sunday, September 24, from noon to 3 p.m. at Franconia Park. The Fairfax County Park Department and other local sponsors will be hosting guided trail walks, meditation sessions, health screenings, and a complimentary lunch.  

No matter what type of health you’re interested in — physical, environmental, social, or emotional wellness — there will be plenty to learn and do at this event! Visit the Healthy Together Fairfax webpage for more information. 

FCPS Policies, Regulations, and Notices Available Online

Virginia’s Standards of Quality require all school divisions to notify the public annually of the availability of the school system’s policies. A continuous review process ensures ongoing examination and revision of each policy, regulation, and notice as needed. View Fairfax County Public Schools policies. 

Any citizen who requests a hard copy of a directive has a right to receive it and should be provided the most current version printed from the website. The School Board office, at Gatehouse Administration Center, maintains the historical records of all directives.

For more information, call 571-423-1075.