Return to School
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Based on the latest guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Education, FCPS brought back the first groups of students (Groups 1-4) for in-person instruction on February 16.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is partnering with families to ensure we keep students and staff safe and healthy as we return to school buildings for learning. Daily reminders for familes include:
Daily In-Person Checklist
Make sure your child brings to school on days of in-person learning:
- Mask(s) (Label with your child’s full name)
- Water bottle (Label with your child’s full name)
- School supplies (Label with your child’s full name)
- Laptop, charger and headphones
- Hand sanitizer (optional)
- Disinfectant wipes (optional)
- Tissues for personal use (optional)
In preparation for students’ return, schools have created staffing plans based on the number of students who selected in-person instruction earlier this school year. Students who have already selected to return to in-person instruction will be able to do so two days a week. Due to social distancing requirements, schools may not be able to accommodate additional students who wish to change their selection from virtual to in-person instruction.
For parents requesting changes from full-time virtual to in-person instruction, principals will do their best to accommodate the requests, however, it may not be possible to accommodate changes if classes are at capacity.
FCPS implemented a new bell schedule on February 16 due to social distancing requirements which limit capacity on school buses. The bell schedule change will apply to both in-person instruction as well as students who are participating in full-time virtual instruction.
Groups and Timelines for Returning to In-person Learning
Groups
FCPS has created “groups” to clarify which students will return to in-person instruction based on certain health and operational requirements being met. The chart below defines which group a student is assigned to based on their grade level and/or the specific courses, programs, or services they are accessing. If you have questions about which group your child is assigned to, please contact your child’s school.
In-Person Timeline
Student Groups |
Student In-Person Start Dates |
---|---|
VHSL Activities and HS Co-Curriculars |
Determined by school |
Intervention Cohorts (ES, MS, HS, SLIFE/Newcomer)
|
Determined by school |
Student Groups | Student In-Person Start Dates |
---|---|
Group 1 - 4:Select Specialized Career Prep Classes
Preschool Autism Preschool Class-based Students Elementary Comprehensive Service Sites (CSS) Adaptive Curriculum Programs:
Key Center and Kilmer Center Burke School (Elementary) |
February 16 |
Group 5:Early Head Start (infants and toddlers) PreK (three and four year olds) Kindergarten Intensive Support Needs (students instructed w/ modified curriculum for at least 50% of their core courses and instructed in special education settings 50% or more of their instructional day) Specialized Center-based Programs- Special Education:
|
February 23 |
Group 6:Grades 1-2
|
March 9 |
Group 7:Grades 3-6 Secondary Public Day Programs - Special Education:
|
March 16 |
Group 8:Grade 8, 9, 12 Secondary Public Day Programs
|
March 2 |
Group 8:Grade 7, 10, 11 Poe MS, Glasgow MS, and Holmes MS students in Grades 6-7 Davis and Pulley Center students who age during the 2021-22 SY |
March 9 |
Groups by Date
Groups 1 - 4 - Return Date February 16
Group | Description | Days Per Week |
---|---|---|
Group 1 |
|
1-2 sessions per week |
Group 2 |
|
4 full days per week |
|
1-2 session per week |
|
Group 3 |
|
4 full days per week |
Group 4 |
|
4 full days per week |
Group 5 - Return Date February 23
Group | Description | Days Per Week |
---|---|---|
Group 5 |
|
4 full days per week |
|
2 full days per week |
|
|
4 full days per week |
Group 6 - Return Date March 9 (Grades 1 - 2)
Grades 1 - 2 will attend 2 full days per week beginning March 9
Group 7 - Return Date March 16 (Grades 3 - 6 and Secondary Public Day Programs)
Group | Description | Days per week |
---|---|---|
Group 7 |
|
2 full days per week |
|
2 full days per week |
Group 8 - Return Date March 2 - (Grades 8, 9, 12 and Secondary Public Day Programs)
Group | Description | Days per Week |
---|---|---|
Group 8 |
|
2 full days per week |
|
2 full days per week |
Group 8 - Return Date March 9 - (Grades 7, 10, 11 and Poe, Glasgow, Holmes Grades 6-7 and Davis and Pulley Center)
Group | Description | Days per Week |
---|---|---|
Group 8 |
|
2 full days per week |
|
2 full days per week |
Concurrent Instruction
New Bell Schedules
News for Parents
March 1 - Check out this week's issue of Return to School News for information about the latest students returning for in-person instruction, the upcoming two-hour early dismissal and student holiday, teen job fairs, and a return to school checklist.