Return to School

We began the 2020-21 school year with virtual learning for all students on September 8. We are bringing back groups of students as we continue to meet the health and operational metrics that have been established for in-person instruction.

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The changing course of the COVID-19 pandemic with infection rates surging both nationally and regionally has required us to alter our plans for school year 2020-21. We began the 2020-21 school year with virtual learning for all students. The online school year began September 8.

We are bringing back groups of students as we continue to meet the health and operational metrics that have been established for in-person instruction including low transmission rates, mitigation strategies, planned response for confirmed cases, and availability of teachers and staff.

Breakfast and lunch meals are available at no-cost to any student who attends in-person instruction at a school Monday-Friday.

Data Driven Decisions

Specific health-related metrics are posted online. These metrics guide our decisions on when new groups of students can begin in-person instruction. They also determine the criteria for when existing in-person instruction may need to be transitioned back to a virtual setting. The criteria is based on the Virginia Department of Health Phased Guidance for Schools and identifies thresholds for the total number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons as well as the percentage of persons testing positive.

Metrics for In-Person Instruction

For a group to BEGIN in-person instruction:

The established thresholds for the group must be met for BOTH the number of cases per 100,000 persons and the percent positivity for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.

For a group to REMAIN in in-person instruction:

The number of cases per 100,000 persons or the percent positivity for may not exceed the established threshold for the group for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.

Groups will transition back to DISTANCE LEARNING if:

The number of cases per 100,000 persons or the percent positivity exceeds the established threshold for the group for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.

Thresholds for student Groups 1-6 can be found here.

Groups and Timelines for Returning to In-person Learning

FCPS Groups	Total Number of Cases Per 100,000 Persons	Percentage of PT-PCR Tests that are Positive during the last 14 Days
Group 1: 40 students October 5 Specialized high school career preparatory programs	greater than 200	greater than 10%
Group 2: 1,300 students October 19 Preschool Autism Classrooms (PAC) Early Childhood Class-based (ECCB) Specialized high school career preparatory programs	greater than 200	greater than 10%
Group 3: 4,100 students October 26 Elementary Comprehensive Services Sites (CSS) Key Center Kilmer Center Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) Recently-Arrived English Learners (ELs) in Grades 3-12 Specialized high school career preparatory programs. Adapted Curriculum: Enhanced Autism Classrooms (EAC), including students accessing the general education curriculum Intellectual Disabilities (ID) K-12 Classrooms Intellectual Disabilities Severe (IDS) K-12 Classrooms Students receiving Noncategorical Elementary (NCE) services who are instructed with the adapted curriculum in a special education classroom	greater than 200	less than or Equal to 10%
Group 4: 2,900 students To be determined Burke School (Elementary Program only) Specialized high school career preparatory programs	less than or equal to 200	less than or Equal to 10%
Group 5: 6,800 students To be determined 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 Vision Program at Robinson Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) Programs at Canterbury Woods ES, Frost MS and Woodson HS - students with 50% or more of core content areas in Special Education settings	less than or equal to 200	less than 8%
Group 6: 13,500 students To be determined Grades 1-2 Specialized Career Centers - Special Education at Davis Center and Pulley Center w/ target learner profile	less than or equal to 200	less than 8%
Group 7: 28,000 students January 12 – tentative date Grades 3-6, Secondary Public Day Programs—Special Education at Burke MS, Cedar Lane, and Quander Road Davis Center and Pulley Center (students w/ target learner profile)	TBD	TBD
Group 8: 52,800 students January 26 – tentative date Middle and High School students in Grades 7-12 Grade 6 at Middle School students at Holmes, Poe, and Glasgow Middle and High School students at Davis Center and Pulley Career Centers	TBD	TBD

Weekly Learning Schedule for Virtual Instruction

Students will receive virtual instruction 5 days per week. The week will include 4 days of live, face-to-face online instruction with teachers Tuesday through Friday. Mondays will be used for independent learning with some students identified for teacher-directed specialized instruction/intervention.

At the elementary level, students will receive real-time, interactive instruction Tuesday through Friday.
The elementary day will also consist of additional small group instruction, intervention supports, and independent learning activities assigned to students.
Middle and high school students will follow an A/B block schedule.
Student work will be graded, and attendance is required.
Teachers will have planning time on Mondays and will provide intervention supports for selected students that we hope can be provided in-person.

Individual schools will communicate with parents regarding schedules and other information to prepare for online learning.

News for Parents

December 1 - Check out this week's issue of Return to School News to get information on COVID-19 health data, a change to the schedule for grab and go meals, job opportunities in FCPS, national awards for student publications, and the photos of the week.

Instruction Update for Small Groups

In the next few weeks, FCPS is planning to begin in-person instruction for small groups of students who might be experiencing the greatest challenges with distance learning. We will follow strict safety and health protocols to minimize health risks for students and staff. As additional grade levels return to school, we will employ concurrent instruction for in-person students, a model in which students receive 2 days of teacher-led instruction in the school building and 2 days of teacher-led instruction at home.

Groups and Metrics for Returning to In-person Learning

Small groups of students are gradually returning to in-person learning depending on the current health guidance.

Technology Support for Families

Are you looking for assistance with technology for the 2020-21 school year. Take a look at technology videos/technology resources and learn where to go for help with technology questions.

Student Health and Safety Guidance Document for 2020-21

FCPS is providing guidance regarding school health and safety practices for students for reopening schools during all phases. Health screening questionnaires and health screening commitment forms are available in all languages.

COVID-19 Health Metrics

FCPS will be sharing a daily update regarding COVID-19 cases that have been self-reported to us that have impacted our division, both at school sites and central office locations.

Curriculum and Distance Learning

The academic year begins with all students participating 5 days per week in virtual learning.

Schedules and Attendance

Schools will take attendance during virtual learning this year. Sample schedules are also available.

Activities and Athletics

Virginia High School League (VHSL) sports and activities will be delayed until December, as will marching band. Middle school after-school programs will begin virtually.

SIS ParentVUE Account - An Overview

SIS enables a parent to access information about his/her child’s attendance, class performance, course materials and more.

Supports for Students with Disabilities

FCPS has developed a plan for continuity of learning with supports for students with disabilities during distance learning.

Resources for Families

Food for Students During the School Year

Find out how to get no-cost meals for students through June 30, 2021.

Family Guide for Return to School

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. Working together, we will follow recommended health guidance that focuses on student health, safety, and emotional well-being.

Health, Mental Health, and Community Resources

Information on mental health and physical health including mental health resources, medical care, and other community mental health resources is available.

Distance Learning Plan Supports for English Learners (ELs)

FCPS has developed a plan for continuity of learning plan with supports for English Learners (ELs) while learning is online.

Community Liaisons

Bilingual community liaisons support families during the student registration process. They also help determine if parents have needs beyond registering their child for school.

Communications

Frequently Asked Questions for Families

Read the questions from families and the answers from FCPS about the 2020-21 school year on topics including athletics, school year calendar, curriculum, distance learning, homeschool, meals, mental health, special education, and technology.

Town Hall Meetings with Superintendent Brabrand

November 30, 2020

Dr. Brabrand is holding several town hall meetings about the return to school for parents, staff and the community.

Return to School - Updates and Timeline

FCPS provides frequent updates to the community during the 2020-21 school year.

Return to School FAQs: Special Education

View answers to common questions about Child Find, evaluations, reevaluations, eligibility, IEPs, 504 Plans, and special education instruction.

Return to School - Frequently Asked Questions for Staff

View the questions from staff and answers from FCPS about the 2020-21 school year about topics including leave, telework, calendars, health and safety, distance learning, instruction, substitutes, school supplies, and mail deliveries.

Frequently Asked Questions for Transportation Employees

View answers to frequently asked questions for Transportation Employees.

Reopening Schools Plan - Complete Information

The official FCPS Reopening Schools Plan submitted to the state is intended to communicate the division’s approach to providing ongoing high-quality academic, social-emotional, and wellness supports for students and families for fall 2020.

Return to School

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COVID-19 Case Reporting