The “RRR'' newsletter is back after the Thanksgiving holiday break. I hope everyone was able to relax and enjoy time with family. In my house, we enjoyed turkey with all the trimmings, and really loved seeing our family and friends, and trying to get a little rest.
Next week is another big one, with the second dose of vaccines for our 5-11-year-old friends. They were so brave the first time, and we know they will be equally brave next week. See below for more detailed information about the upcoming clinic. As a reminder, 14 days after a student's second dose they will be considered protected and will not be subject to any quarantine if there is an exposure and they are identified as a close contact.
As of today, more than 90% of our 5-11-year-olds have received their first dose which is amazing and puts us one step closer to returning to “normal” with respect to interrupted schooling for quarantine. Let’s stay vigilant in our efforts as we now see the Omicron variant in the US which is highly contagious and the impact is unknown yet as to the efficacy of immunizations.
We got this Falls Church and we are #BetterTogether.
Strategic Plan--Shaping Our Journey
Work on the strategic plan continues, as we review the community input and develop the next steps. The team is working with 1,000 points of feedback from various stakeholders in the community including students, parents, teachers, staff, community, and more. Thank you to all who have been involved and taken the time to provide information that will help shape the future of FCCPS.
Next week the project, steering, and design teams will meet to begin identifying the major categories of need, what they mean, and how we can measure outcomes in the future. We will also discuss work plans to support the overarching goals. As the work continues the team will share more with the broader community.
Mitigation Matters--Testing & 2nd Dose Vaccine Clinic
Testing:
The asymptomatic screening program provided in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Education began this week. The screening testing team will be at each school every Thursday. Below is the schedule.
Jessie Thackrey Preschool 8:15-8:45
Mount Daniel Elementary 9:00-11:00
Mary Ellen Henderson/Meridian 11:30-1:30
Oak Street Elementary 2:00-3:15
Testing is open to any FCCPS student or staff member. Please complete the permission form at: FCCPS COVID Screening Test Permission Form for your student(s) to participate. This is a voluntary program. Any FCCPS staff member or student who is registered for this program can access free onsite testing each week at school. Please contact John Brett, Director of Communications, for registration questions.
Testing is also available for staff/students who have traveled. They are able to access the screening test at the school. They must provide permission and complete the Cleared4 verification process to receive results electronically. If you wish to add your student to the testing list for the week, please email Rebecca Sharp (rsharp@fccps.org) or John Brett (jwbrett@fccps.org).
STUDENTS WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND NOT SHOWING SYMPTOMS DO NOT HAVE TO PAUSE/QUARANTINE EVEN IF THEY ARE EXPOSED TO A POSITIVE CASE
Vaccinations:
The Second dose clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8 at Oak Street Elementary School for 5-11 year olds. Please remember to bring your student’s vaccination card. (All FCCPS 2nd dose appointments are scheduled for the same time as the first dose appointment times, as was shared with you by your vaccinator at FCCPS 1st dose clinic.) The Health Department is able to provide 2nd doses for those children who received their 1st dose elsewhere on a walk-in basis. Students who need a 1st dose can come on a walk-in basis, and parents will need to make arrangements for the 2nd dose at another location on their own.
UPDATED VACCINE CARDS: In order to help speed up the vaccination verification process and avoid pauses/quarantines for fully vaccinated students, we would like to ask families to consider uploading their student’s updated vaccination cards to our new FCCPS Vaccination Card Upload page. (This includes the 5-11 year old newly-vaccinated students, as well as our previously vaccinated 12-18 year old students.)
FCCPS COVID By The Numbers
Data: | This Week | Cumulative from August 1 |
# of Student Cases: | 0 | 35 |
# of Staff Cases | 0 | 7 |
# of Students in Quarantine | 0 | 123 |
FCCPS Rate of Transmission | HIGH for Falls Church City Substantial for Fairfax Health District | |
Please note that this data is just a snapshot of FCCPS in total and is adjusted based on the outcomes of each contact tracing investigation.
Falls Church Education Foundation Family Assistance Fund
As we approach the holiday season, especially during these even more difficult times due to the pandemic, more students and their families are in greater need of support. FCCPS works with the Falls Church Education Foundation to administer the Family Assistance Fund. School Social Workers use these funds to support families with necessities such as food and clothing, as well as helping to support other unmet needs. Please consider a donation to help the Falls Church Education Foundation reach the goal. Here is the link to donate: Falls Church Education Foundation - Falls Church Education Foundation Donations.
Have a great weekend and we look forward to another great week!
Peter